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groundbreakingdot872 · 2 years

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Lancelot - tragedy embodied

One thing I’ve realized in rewatches, is that Lancelot’s themes are very ‘physical’, his struggles/morals and endeavors usually involve how he uses his body to others’ disposal.

Thoughout his life, he struggled with this “use” of himself, his body used for bodily! harm or gain in some way.

Either as a cage fighter, his dream of becoming a knight in the King’s army, his physical sensuality used to enchant Gwen and his body eventually sacrificed to the Dorocha. He was a living sacrifice, and testament to the values of Camelot; a role-model even.

His was always the body displaced, a body of crime and over time, he comes to think of himself this way too.

His moral code is literally putting himself in front of others, but never putting himself first. He’ll offer himself up in the brunt of battle, consider himself inferior in a pick for love, and take himself out of the picture if it means his friends have a chance to live another day.

His willingness to give himself up for Arthur on Gwen’s request (these morals stained when he comes back as a shade in a body that’s literally a dead-weight) means everything to him; his quiet mannerisms and the way he ‘keeps to himself’ only confirms how little he thinks of himself.

I think Lancelot sees himself as a slab of man, emotion pulled back to stone when needed, and a mere representation of the countless bodies we see strewn in the show; unnamed John Does that die by the multitude and die unremembered.

Merlin gave him a noble send off, covered in flowers and with a moment to say goodbye, as a way to show he was needed, and just for being him! That his self and body were not the same thing, that the shade could never encompass the beauty of his personality, the beauty of him. That the memory of his quietly-led life and the sentiments that made it up, were never robbed with his dark resurrection.

I only wish he had lived longer, had been appreciated for more than just his bravery in battle.

I wish he had been told he was never the inferior, tbe second choice; that his bravery to face everyday with a warm laugh and camaraderie were worth more than the values he believed he has to prove himself with.

Lancelot was both the damsel and white knight in his own story, and in the struggle to earn himself the consideration of being saved, he afforded the heroics for everyone but himself.

———————

Couldn’t find the blog/account the picture is from, but I found it on Pinterest (I’ll change this when I find it!)

#I didn’t expect this to turn into an essay about Lancelot but I’m glad it did #he has that noble #pure of heart and strength in character combo Merlin was looking for #sometimes I think he could sense his role in all of this and just accepted #he played his role and closed the curtains and I think that’s the most terrible thing ever #tragedy costumed #he came from a Lake (in the legends) and back to the lake he went #I made myself very sad with this #:(#bbc Merlin #bbc merlin #lancelot du lac #sir lancelot #lancelot #bbc lancelot

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justaz · 4 months

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country bumpkin merlin not knowing anything about city life and accidentally courting arthur without knowing

merlin, watching gwen give lancelot her favor: why do you do that

gwen, heart eyes at lance and not paying that much attention to the conversation: so he knows i’m rooting for him

merlin, with an Idea: ah.

gwaine, lover of chaos, pisser offer of nobles and royals alike, ultimate wingman: merlin…you have such lonely lips. shall i introduce them to mine?

merlin, unaware of the game gwaine is playing: so you can steal my breath away? i think not, scoundrel

arthur, crushing his goblet in his hand:

merlin: arthur’s been in a bad mood recently :( i should cheer him up

merlin, remembering when arthur was put out when merlin brought morgana flowers and not him: i know just the thing

merlin, bringing a bouquet of carnations, roses, and tulips and setting them on arthur’s table while he’s eating breakfast: good morning, sire

arthur, trained on flower language in hopes that one day when he was to take a queen he could woo her easily, trying not to audibly choke on his sausage as he reads merlin’s declaration of love sitting in front of him:

arthur, who recently found out about merlin’s magic and was trying to find a way to bring it up, catching him in the act and watching merlin panic to explain himself:

merlin, Freaking: and i swear to you arthur, i have only ever used it for you. my magic is yours. my life is yours. i am yours. i would never do anything to harm you. i have protected you for years and will continue to do so at your side if you’ll have me

arthur, already believing them to be courting, desperately trying to figure out if that was a proposal for marriage or not but tired of being confused and deciding fuck it: here.

merlin, taking it: i…uh…huh?

arthur, watching merlin with hawk eyes and trying to figure out what he’s thinking and feeling: it’s my mothers sigil

merlin, confused as FUCK but is focusing on the fact that arthur is handing him something of his mother rather than a death sentence: my…my lord?

arthur, realizing how scared merlin’s must be about him finding out about his magic and trying to comfort him while also proposing, killing two birds with one stone: i will always keep you at my side, merlin, so long as we both shall live. if you’ll allow me.

merlin, almost collapsing with relief and tearing up, smiling at arthur as if he had parted the storm clouds to allow sun to shine down on them in that moment: of course…of course, arthur. always and forever.

merlin, watching the castle staff rush this way and that: wow. this banquet must be incredibly important

sir leon the long suffering, day one ride or die, one of the original merthur shippers: banquet? merlin, this is for your wedding

merlin, overworked and exhausted: my WHAT? to WHO??

leon, regretting everything he’s ever done in his life that led him to this moment: to…arthur?

merlin, over joyed but also absolutely befuddled: i’m getting married to ARTHUR?????

leon: you two have been courting for the past year or so, have you not?

merlin: i’ve been COURTING ARTHUR?????? FOR A YEAR?????????

#merthur #i spent like an hour researching medieval courting rituals to make this #and even then #i did not find much #so if there’s someone out there who is like weirdly knowledgeable about 6th century courting rituals #feel free to add on #bbc merlin #arthur pendragon #merlin emrys #sir gwaine #sir leon #sir lancelot #guinevere #i literally started this post bc i was thinking about the misunderstanding between merlin and gwen and merlin’s giving arthur his favor #and then i kept going #but i didn’t have much else in the ole noggin to write #i’m sorry #please forgive me

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theroundbartable · 3 months

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Gaius: this potion is to identify anyone who has been dead and returned. They will glow a little. If you put it in everyone's drinks at the feast, you will find the undead knight

Arthur: perfect. Wait. I've been to the brink of death before. Will it affect me?

Gaius: no, no. You would have to have actually died.

Later, at the feast

Arthur speaks his toast and watches everyone drink their laced wine.

Random noble: *glows faintly* huh?

Arthur: ha, found you, I- *interrupts himself

Sir Lancelot: *glows* what the ...

Merlin: *glows brighter* holy shit!

Sir Leon:

Arthur:

#bbc merlin #merlin #merlin bbc #arthur #concept #leon #sir leon #sir lancelot #sir lancelot lives #the shade did not kill him

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poparthuriana · 6 days

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#arthurian deaths #arthurian polls #arthuriana #arthurian legend #polls #lancelot #gawain #breuse sans pitie #bruce sans pité

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cinnabon-sweetroll-tiramisu · 1 year

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The story of how Mordred called Merlin mom and then proceeded to call Arthur dad and now he's adopted into the family

Author: Me aka @dalazygamerneko

Inspired by @tongjaitongjai merthur idea, check out it out here: 🐓x🐦=🐣

♤•°•♡•°•♤•°•♡•°•♤•°•♡•°•♤•°•♡•°•♤

It was ordinary day. Birds were singing, training went well and the maids were busy but happily chatting.

Nothing could go wrong Mordred thought as he made his way to the afternoon roundtable meeting when he came across Merlin or Emrys as he is known amongst druids, quickly he hid into an alcove and gazed in envy at Lord Emrys, no, Merlin smiling and holding a little boy in his arms.

It's moments like these that he wished he knew his mother longer but he could barely remember her. He watched quietly at the soft look in Merlin's eyes and utter joy upon the little boy's face as they hugged each other, Mordred wondered if his mother would've looked at him the same way Merlin did.

He sighed, leaning back against the stone walls Mordred couldn't help but want to revert back into being a child again just so Merlin wouldn't gaze coldly at him, albeit he probably deserved it for the words of hatred he said in his youth. He knew now Merlin never meant to lead those knights towards his camp. That the warlock was only trying to help Morgana.

"What can I do to earn your trust?"

Mordred shook his head, he'd think of something maybe ask one of the knights for help? He's noticed that Sir Lancelot and Sir Gwaine are closer to Merlin than the other knights.

'They're also the most protective of him' Mordred thought dryly, a crease upon his brow as multiple ideas popped into his mind and many he shot down knowing it won't work.

"Well, I'll just have to hope the triple Goddess guides me." Mordred mumbled, he looked out into the hallway, Merlin was gone, most likely doing chores for the King.

Mordred chuckled as he continued walking, he would never understand the relationship Emrys and the once and future King had with each other. There were times they seem like close comrades begrudging in their respect for one another and then other times they would argue fondly like any old married couple.

Not surprising when plenty of townsfolk as well as even the nobles have speculated in the past if Merlin was being courted by Prince Arthur, to any outsider it certainly looked that way therefore Merlin was given the "mistress" treatment.

Now everyone are wondering(more like waiting impatiently) when will the King announce his engagement to Merlin.

"If I remember correctly, doesn't Sir Gwaine have a bet going on?"

Mordred pondered. 'Yeah, I'll definitely join in. There's no way they're NOT together. I mean, I've seen the lingering stares they give each other as if there is no one around them.'

Soon he was at the doors leading to the roundtable meeting, nodding at the vigilant guards they let him through. His eyes slowly moved over the knights, nobles and some commoners before landing on Merlin who was standing behind the King's chair.

An unassuming figure, most often underestimated but to those who know magic deeply or follow the old religion, Emrys entire being is a vast ocean of wild magic swirling in such a magnitude that no mere mortal could ever understand or harness the power Emrys wields.

Then he locked eyes with Merlin, there is no icy stare thankfully, yet he can still see a hint of wariness in his Lord's gaze.

He bowed his head in acknowledgement before finding a seat next to the gossiping pair Sir Percival and Sir Gwaine.

"I could be at a tavern right now, drinking and charming the barmaid Stella instead I'm stuck here." Gwaine said with a miffed face, his hand gripping the air imagining he was holding a mug of ale.

Elyan who sat across from Gwaine raised an eyebrow, "Isn't Stella old enough to be your grandmother?"

Gwaine smirked whilst shrugging. "Just like wine the older one gets the finer they become, besides she has experience, I'm sure there's a thing or two she could still teach mmph—"

Leon had reached over to clamp Gwaine's mouth shut.

The ginger haired knight had just about enough of hearing Gwaine's tavern tales of debauchery to which he thought was an inappropriate topic to be discussed or heard at the roundtable meeting.

"Sir Gwaine, leave your nightly talks at the tavern only, please."

Gwaine pulled Leon's hand away and smiled cheekily at the older knight.

"Oh, but wouldn't you like to know? Stella has mentioned she likes ginger haired men with beards and I bet she could show you—"

"I am going to strangle you—"

Gwaine leaned back avoiding Leon's hands from trying to keep him quiet again.

"Sir Leon I never knew you were this kinky, I think dear old Stella would like to feel your big strong hands—ack!"

Leon finally got him, unfortunately the meeting was starting, so Gwaine was safe from being throttled by him. However, tomorrow morning during training he'll get his chance.

Mordred along with the rest of the knights chuckled at Sir Gwaine's antics and Sir Leon's annoyed expression.

♤To be continued♤

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star-rie · 2 months

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when your servant is a little shite

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Then Merlin looks at Gaius, who’s sitting there, eyeing him as if he knows what Merlin is going to do.

‘Merlin, no’

‘Merlin yes’

Merlin tests the limits of Arthur’s patience.

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alternatively, ao3 link

original prompt

PART 1, PART 2, PART 3 (you're here), PART 4, PART 5, PART 6

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Merlin is bored, he’s so bored listening to the on-and-off debate about taxes, the exchange rate, and other things that he doesn’t understand.

They rarely hold meetings to discuss the economy; Merlin understands that it’s boring. But Camelot’s Royal Court has a tradition of holding a conference about it at least every year. They had it twice this year.

Merlin tries to ogle at the blond King to get rid of his sleepiness. But even looking at Arthur isn’t getting rid of his boredom. He looks so plain, sitting in his chair, nodding to whatever the court says.

So Merlin observes the court instead. Merlin watches as the noble who gossiped about him a few days ago, Sir Lunacracy something, passionately explains how Cendred’s economy runs. Pointing wildly at the paper in front of him. Merlin didn’t understand any of it.

He looks at the noble beside him, yes, Merlin recognizes him. It was his friend, also the same person from a few days ago. Who’s name Merlin cannot remember.

And then he thought about George’s reason for not being here, getting lost on what he should do next to make him suffer and the whole conversation about that day replayed in his mind.

He thinks of all the things Arthur let him get away with. And the whole breakfast set-up that started happening recently. Messing with Arthur, he finds, is quite enjoyable. He wishes he can mess with him more.

And then he’s not so sleepy anymore. Wait, that's not a bad idea.

It’s just this year’s second economics conference, right…it’s not like it’s actually that important. Just look at Arthur! He’s about to fall off his chair!

So as they passionately debate whether to implement Cendred’s economics into their system or not, Merlin devises his evil plan.

He can set the court on fire, but that’ll be too much work for him and everyone involved. And that’s way out of the question. People can get hurt.

Or should he mess up the room with an indoor tornado instead? It’ll be funny to see the royals picking up their papers scattered across the room. But they're royalty, they're going to make Merlin do it instead.

Merlin frowns, it has to be eye-catchy but not disastrous enough that Merlin has to do extra work. Then Merlin looks at Gaius, who’s sitting there, eyeing him as if he knows what Merlin is going to do.

‘Merlin, no’

‘Merlin yes’

So he slides beside Arthur. “Excuse me,” he says as he jumps on the table to sit on it. The nobles stopped talking.

Gaius palmed his face. Leon is confused. Gwaine is still sleeping. Percival and Elyan are looking at each other. Lancelot and Gwen raised an eyebrow at him. Sir Lendun and his friend are stiff, probably stopping themselves from looking at each other to scream, ‘See! I knew he was a lunatic!” and George is nowhere to be seen.

Oh, there’s also Mordred, but Merlin doesn’t care about him.

“Merlin, what are you doing?” Arthur half-whispered behind him, very loudly in the room.

“I’m tired, my lord. I need to sit,” he whispered back before turning to face the entire court, smiling at them.

Gaius is raising a disapproving eyebrow at him, and Percival is shaking Gwaine to wake now.

“Go on then,” he told them. “Don’t let me stop you.” He crosses his leg, not wanting to knock off ink, he’ll have to clean that up if he does. When he tries to read the parchment in front of him, Sir Lundanger immediately snatches it from him, standing in fury.

“This is madness!”

“You are disrespecting the royal court of Camelot!” The other royals are following him.

“King Arthur, do something!”

Even under Gaius' disappointed stare, Merlin is proud of himself. This is way more amusing than Cendred’s economics or something about the exchange rate.

Okay, yes, maybe people think he’s crazy, but it’s not like they think he’s sane in the first place either. Merlin turns to Arthur, not in the slightest bit apologetic. Arthur, on the other hand, looks like he’s trying not to murder him there and then.

But he saw how Arthur calms himself and stands. He tightly grips Merlin’s shoulders and addresses the court: “I am very sorry, my lords. My servant here has a bit of a mental affliction. He’s a bit messed up in the head. Isn’t that right, Gaius?”

Gaius immediately answers, “Of course, I’m surprised he managed to get through life, even today.”

Merlin was about to say, 'No, I’m not’ but stops when Arthur tightens his grip.

“Very ill,” he grits through his teeth, and after a while, Arthur sighs, “But he is tired, and he shall sit.”

And then he lifts Merlin up, and Merlin has to hold Arthur very tightly to stop himself from flying. He involuntarily yelps, staring into Arthur’s eyes and then back at the court and back at Arthur’s face, and suddenly he felt very self-conscious.

Arthur viciously grins at him before putting him in his chair. Then Arthur asks, “Happy Merlin?”

Merlin nods, embarrassment slowly catching up to him. Oh my god, he thought, Arthur just carries him like a girl!

“Now! Where were we, something about Cendred and economics?”

Merlin wallows in his own embarrassment for a solid 10 minutes before he realizes: Arthur has just given up his seat for him.

He looks at Arthur from across the room, looking at the plans Sir Lusenberg is holding.

Arthur gave his seat to him. Arthur gave his seat—

And then Merlin blushes deep red, sinking into Arthur’s chair. Later that night, Gaius gave him a stern talking-to. The knights patted him when they met in the halls. Royalty scowls if they cross-path with Merlin.

When the next meeting rolled around, Arthur made sure to give the council an extra pair of chairs, exactly at his side, and forced Merlin to sit beside him.

#bbc merlin #merlin bbc #arthur pendragon #merlin #merlin emrys #arthur bbc #merthur #merlin x arthur #merlin fic #merlin fanfic #merthur fic #merthur fanfic

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queer-ragnelle · 1 month

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tristan/isolde/palomides your MIND

LISTEN I have so many thoughts about them!! It’s an actual tragedy that they’ve never inhabited a movie together. I first noticed them in Le Morte d'Arthur, as I'm sure most people did, as it's more accessible than the Prose Tristan. But I didn't really appreciate them until after I read Between Knights: Triangular Desire and Sir Palomides by Oldga Burakov Mongan. In this essay, Mongan claims:

Very often the bond between the desiring subject [Palomides] and his beloved [Isolde] is peripheral, subordinate in its intensity, to the subject's relationship with his male 'mediator of desire' [Tristan].

This essay breaks down many of the encounters between these three in Le Morte and demonstrates how interconnected they truly are. Speaking for myself, I prefer La Tavola Ritonda instead. I'm not quite done scanning that, but it will be on my blog ASAP.

In the mean time, it has one of my favorite Palomides introductions ever.

There entered on the side of the King of Scozia a knight who bore all black insignia, and who was called Palamidesso the Pagan, a son of King Scalabrino. This Palamidesso carried two swords by his side as a signal that no knight had ever made him bend over the saddlebow.

Duel wielding? Bend over the saddlebow, you say? Interesting. Palomides goes on to win this tournament! After that he follows his lord to another castle where he first sees Isolde, falls in love with her, and begins a hateful staring contest with Tristan (literally). It's here that they battle for the first time...

As Tristano looked over the field, he saw that Sir Palamidesso was leaving, and called out to him, "Hallo, knight, guard yourself against me! I am the knight you met at King Languis' court, and it seems now that I am the worthier of the love of Isotta the Blonde!" Bold Palamidesso, hearing those words, turned his horse's head around and, drawing his sword, gave Tristano such blows on his helmet that he bent him over the saddlebow. But Tristano hit back, and hit Palamidesso so hard on his helmet that he made blood gush out of his mouth and nose, and knocked him off his horse so badly wounded that for a long time he was unconscious. Thus Palamidesso lost the prize, and lost also the right to wear two swords.

Compelling word choice throughout this. Anyway as per usual they continue to squabble until eventually settling their differences and becoming friends (in part thanks to Lancelot who apparently rents out his castle for polyamorous hookups).

"When I was jousting with Sir Lancilotto the other day, he said to me, 'Now, Palamidesso, Gioiosa Guardia is worth more than any other place in the world, for it holds a noble treasure.' Therefore I imagine that this treasure is Sir Tristan and the beautiful Isotta, because those two are the ones who excel all others in the world in beauty, prowess, and courtesy." When he heard these words, Tristano allowed Palamidesso to remount and then let his lance fall, since Palamidesso had broken his. Then he spoke in this way: "Palamidesso, Palamidesso, here is this Tristano you have been searching for. Come and fight me, if you want to. If not, I am willing to stop because of those words you spoke. I am your enemy, but I am ready to make peace with you. Still, if it would please you to fight, I am ready to do battle with you. You may choose whichever pleases and delights you most." Palamidesso replied, "Surely, Tristano, the man who could have you for a friend would be foolish to want you for an enemy, Therefore I ask that there be peace and good friendship between us."

Nobody tell Palomides that Lancelot was almost certainly referring to Guinevere and not Tristan or Isolde. But their truce culminates in everyone joining back up at Cuck Castle Joyous Guard.

The knights then rode in that direction, and when they arrived at the main palace they found the lady, Queen Isotta, all happy and joyous, attended by ladies and maidens. When Tristano told her how he and Palamidesso had made peace, she was very glad of it, and welcomed the knights with much honor. Then the tables were set out, and they all sat down to eat.

Much later, King Arthur hosts a joust in which all participants are to bring a lady. So, now that everyone are friends, Isolde is brought along with a retinue of knights, including Tristan and Palomides. They wear her colors and fight on "her" side against Arthur, Lancelot, and their kinsmen on Guinevere's "side." Polyamory enjoyers, this text is for us. Anyway the only portion of that I'll include is this sweet passage which really illustrates that the friendship in this little group is genuine. They're all affectionate after the truce and everyone is having a great time.

When Isotta had returned to the pavilion, the tables were set out and food was prepared, and when water had been brought out for their hands, they sat down to eat. As they ate, Gariette looked out and saw Palamidesso going by looking for them, and pointed him out to Sir Tristano. Tristano got up and went to meet him, taking him by the hand and leading him into the pavilion, where he disarmed and sat at the table. They all passed that night in great joy.

After this, they all live happily ever after, and nothing bad happens. :'^) I'll have La Tavola Ritonda done soon, and then you all can enjoy it too. I promise it's worth getting used to the Italian names, it's so fun! Thanks for the ask!

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merlincersei · 9 months

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Merlin BBC UK TV Show - Opinion Piece Part 7 - How The 2008 Series Reinterprets and Subverts Arthurian Legends

I was talking to a mutual friend about movies and TV shows in the fantasy genre and this friend bought up the fact how Arthurian legends have influenced most of them.

As that conversation progressed, we both agreed that the best adaptation of Arthurian legend was John Boorman’s 1981 classic "Excalibur".

youtube

However he seemed very amused when I told him that I was a huge fan of the 2008 BBC TV series Merlin. His opinion was that the TV series was "so childish, historically inaccurate and farcical" when he watched it.

I disagreed with him profusely and decided to make this post to outline my love of the TV series. I will share this post with this person so we can have further discussions on this topic. So here it goes:

Creators wanted to reinterpret Arthurian legend.

PROOF:

Julian Murphy, co-creator and executive producer: It all began in a restaurant on Kensington Church street, where I had lunch with the writer Jake Michie. And the pitch I gave him was very simple - It was 'I'd like to do the Arthurian story, but as an origin story in the same way that the Superman story had been done in [US TV series] Smallville.' And I think from there, it evolved.

But the decision that I think was at the heart of it, which was to make Arthur and Merlin contemporaries, rather than make Merlin the old man looking after the young Arthur, was there from the very beginning.

Source : https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/merlin-at-10-the-cast-and-creatives-on-how-they-made-the-bbcs-boy-wizard-drama/

If you are a fan of the series i would recommend to read the article above for more information and details about the TV Show.

______________________________________________________________

There has never been a concise Arthurian story. The legends are an amalgam of numerous versions, the most popular of them being as follows:

History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth

Geoffrey’s account of the legendary king contains the first appearance of many of the iconic features of the Arthurian legend, including the wizard Merlin.

Lancelot by Chrétien de Troyes

Geoffrey of Monmouth never mentions Arthur’s most famous knight, and it wasn’t until Chrétien de Troyes wrote Lancelot and introduced the idea of an affair between Guinevere and Arthur’s most noble knight that Arthurian legend really got the ‘romantic’ treatment

The Mabinogion by Anonymous

The Arthur we glimpse in the Mabinogion is usually a marginal figure so it’s worth reading if you’re a fan of early legends containing King Arthur.

Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

This is a vast prose retelling of the story of King Arthur and the Round Table.

Idylls of the King by Lord Tennyson

Here we find the stories of Lancelot and Elaine, Geraint and Enid, Merlin and Vivien

______________________________________________________________

So for the 2008 series to collect Arthurian stories from various sources and try to repackage it to a modern audience is nothing new as the trend has already been established through works of T. H. White in The Once and Future King, Mary Stewart in The Crystal Cave, Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court etc...

But it is through reinterpreting Merlin & Guinevere's storylines and using Magic as a motif that we get a brand new Arthurian story.

Guinevere

The name Guinevere means The Fair One in old Welsh.

To cast Angel Coulby, a woman of color as one of the most famous white woman in history was a revolutionary act by 2008 British TV standards.

In the legends, Guinevere is of royal blood. Gwen in the TV series is a servant of common birth who ascends to become a queen.

Here the audience come to see Gwen as the fair one based on the strength of her character and not the color of her skin.

In the TV show Arthur forgives Gwen's infidelity with Lancelot rather than having her sent to a nunnery or worse having her die. The old male authors were okay with Arthur bedding several women but expectation of chasteness placed on Guinevere always contained an undercurrent of misogyny.

In the TV Show, Gwen leads Camelot into the golden age, instead of being blamed for the downfall of Camelot due to her affair with Lancelot

PROOF : Excerpt From Hyable Article:

Meanwhile of course, Guinevere was left to lead Camelot into the golden age. “We’ve had that in our minds for about three series,” Julian Murphy says. “We felt that to take Gwen from a servant girl to a powerful and strong queen, a person who can bind the kingdom together, was the journey we wanted to do, and I think Angel [Coulby] delivered that brilliantly.”

Merlin

By having Merlin be of a contemporary age to Arthur they effectively changed Merlin from being a father figure to being a companion of Arthur.

The close bond that Merlin shares with Arthur in the TV Show effectively replicates Lancelot's close bond with Arthur in the historical legends.

youtube

Bradley James here confirms how in some legends Lancelot was in love with Arthur.

The gay subtext that was prevalent between Lancelot and Arthur in the historical legends is played out in all its glory between Merlin and Arthur .

Motiff of Magic

Throughout the history of Abrahamic religions, there has been a connection between magic and (deviant) sexual practices. From the osculum inafme (kissing of donkey’s anuses and kissing the Devil’s anus) to witches who were supposedly inserting hallucinogenous mushrooms into their vaginas. The series association between magic and non heteronormative people becomes pronounced as series progresses.

And therein lies the appeal of the 2008 Merlin TV Series. With this modern retelling it succeeds in addressing certain historical wrongs, make it more representational, address issues and highlight subtext that have been historically ignored in popular media for the time frame it aired.

Arthurian legends no longer becomes the domain of a patriarchal Judeo Abrahamic narrative about a return to the good old days but of class mobility, race, feminism, queer acceptance and the belief of a better world to come in context of the TV Show.

#merthur #bradley james #merlin bbc #arthur pendragon #lgbtqia shows #merlincersei #youtube #gay subtext #queer coding #bbc arwen #angel coulby #colin morgan #Youtube #merlin meta

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artzzyb00-27 · 1 month

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Tavern Tales{Elyan x OC}

Robin Hood and his Merrymen meet the Knights of the Round Table. Along with King Arthur and Merlin. What could go wrong? Not much actually, but Elyan deserves more love so here you go.

Arriving at Camelot came a minstrel, one came from a land near Mercia. Who sang tales of Robin Hood and his legion of Merrymen. The people gathered round to hear the tale. The rhythm of the tale became engraved in everyone's head.

Robin Hood and Little John, walking through the forest

Laughing back and forth at what the other'n has to say

Reminiscing this and that and having such a good time

Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day

Never ever thinking there was danger in the water

They were drinking, they just guzzled it down

Never dreaming that a scheming sheriff and his posse

Was a-watching them and gathering around

Robin Hood and Little John, running through the forest

Jumping fences, dodging trees and trying to get away

Contemplating nothing but escape and finally making it

Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day

Eventually, the word made its way to King Uther. He wasn't pleased with the thought of rogues attempting to steal from nobles. So he sent his knights to disband the group. Out of the twelve that left, only five returned. When Arthur became king, he wondered what happened to the group of Merrymen, he had only heard stories in passing at the tavern whilst spending time with his knights and manservant.

Till one faithful day.

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"Merlin! Feed the horses, they're no use to us dead!" The knights could only watch amused at the banter between King and servant. Wondering if they would ever become a normal pair of serving and be served.

"Unlike you right?" Dodging a blow to the head, Merlin ran off to feed their trusty steeds. Turning back to his knights Arthur addressed Leon.

"Where to next?" Looking at the map in front of the curly-haired man, he looked up to his majesty awaiting an answer. The long trip from Mercia taking its toll on the man.

"If we head through the Plains of Othanden, we'll cut travel time by a day. As long as there's no trouble with that my lord?"

"None at all, Sir Leon."

"Speak for yourselves, I'm famished." Gwaine, the lazy oaf he is, dragged out as he leaned on Percival who shook his head fondly. Once the horses were ready, they made haste to cut through the plains as best they could.

With Lancelot keeping Merlin from going insane and Gwaine sharing stories with Elyan and Percival, it made the trip bearable. Arthur and Leon would only chip in their two silvers when necessary(when they wanted to). Once near the edge of Camelot, they spotted a village nearby.

"It's getting dark, we should rest in the village. Have some time to gather our energy." Merlin suggested. Thinking it over, Arthur agreed and led his friends to the village. Once there, people around whispered. Some are in awe of the king and his knights. Others appeared worried.

At this Merlin became paranoid. So he listened in more carefully at the villagers.

"Why are,..... think they'll,..... hope they,... what of,...?" Fortunately, one question was clear as day. "Do ya' wonder what Robin Hood will think?"

Merlin wanted to freeze in his tracks but his horse kept him along the others. Robin Hood was here. The man from tales at the tavern who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Honorable, but bad news if he tried stealing from Arthur.

No gold or valuables were on them, but Arthur wouldn't hesitate to kill if attacked. Merlin prayed Robin Hood was smarter than that.

Once at a decent-looking Inn, they left their horses to the stable boy and left to a nearby tavern for a light dinner. Or drink in Gwaine's case. A table maid sat them at a window booth and took their orders. Gwaine had attempted to woo her.

It gave the others amusement especially when she was particularly interested in Lancelot. She was making the man bashful and he tried to give attention to Gwaine again.

After she walked away, music began playing louder and cheers were heard. Turning their heads to see the commotion, they saw a bright red-haired woman dancing on the bar along to the beat of the song.

Her hair was in a braid and she wore boots with baggy wool socks. Black pants that sagged at her lower legs and a white blouse that brought out her purple bodice. It seemed she was there alone.

When the violin played a certain chord, she jumped in the air towards the chandelier and swung in circles everyone around her. Including the visitors from Camelot.

Landing on a table nearby causing the men sitting there to fall over from shock, she continued to dance. Spinning around and swaying her hips along with the music. Getting wolf whistles from men and cheers of praise from women.

Entranced by her dancing, Elyan didn't hear the praise coming from his friends.

"She's good," Arthur said. Leon nodded while taking sips from his drink. Leon nodded his head in agreement.

"Elyan agrees, right mate?" Gwaine said laughing at his friend. Looking besotted at the bold red-head across from them. As the song ended she jumped off the table landing gracefully, giving a bow to the patrons around her. The knights and everyone else raised their glasses to her.

As she went to sit at an empty seat at the bar, Elyan debated on speaking with her.

"If you stare, she'll only think badly of you." Merlin's voice brought him back to reality as his friends sniggered at him. Turning towards the blue-eyed man, Elyan couldn't help but roll his eyes.

A woman as beautiful as her wouldn't be interested in him dressed like a peasant. When they headed into their rooms Leon implied it wise to change into something less formal for their trip to the tavern.

While the others agreed, Elyan couldn't deny he felt stripped. Despite Arthur's reassurance, being from no noble blood made him feel small. Even worse when some common folk looked at him in contempt. Which wasn't always because of his position or origin.

"I'd rather not. Besides she must feel tired, why keep beating a dead horse?" At his words the knights became rigid. Apart from Merlin and Gwaine who held in laughs.

"Because maybe it'll come back to life?" A different voice spoke behind him. An angelic voice. Turning around with a confused expression, Elyan met eyes with the redhead. Her green eyes glimmer despite facing away from the light. He tried to envision what they would look like in the afternoon sun.

"Perhaps that's true." He said after much debate internally, which was hilarious to his friends. Although, it did bring a smile out of her so maybe it worked.

"Glad to know someone thought my performance was exceptional."

"Very, love the bit where you jumped and almost hit the ceiling." Closing her eyes and laughing she headed off to another table shaking her head. She sat down at a table a good feet away chatting with some men sitting and drinking.

"Were you complimenting her or insulting her?" Lancelot may be honorable to anyone else, but his companions were at their wits end with him.

After getting their orders they headed off to the inn to get rest for tomorrow's journey home. Still while lying down on the bed next to Percival's he kept thinking back to the girl. He never got her name.

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The next morning they awoke and had a small breakfast. Just something to keep them awake for the start of the path. That is til someone broke into the inn screaming their head off.

"Robin Hood's attacked! Lord John isn't happy!" The people near the door piled out, including the knights. They had heard the tales but had never seen it in person. Now was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Robin Hood?" Arthur asked a patron who just shrugged their shoulders with a smile. Outside the village, people gathered around the middle fountain and grabbed bags of money from the Merrymen.

"Should we do something?" Leon whispered in Arthur's ear and he was debating himself. While they were meant to arrest outlaws, Robin wasn't an outlaw of Camelot. Uther had just been threatened by an outside power that most likely didn't even know of his existence.

"No, they're not a problem as long as they don't attack us. We should go."

And like that, they left. Leaving the village and heading into the forest was browsing but the mood and energy picked up when Gwaine began picking on Elyan again.

"So, did you end up getting her name or what Elyan?" Rolling his eyes he gave his friend a gentle glare.

"No, and for good reason. I'll never see her again. What's the point?"

"Don't speak like that Elyan, there are plenty of women who would love a courtship with Camelot's finest knights," Arthur said trying to console his friend which prompted Merlin to have his usual go at him.

"Makes you wonder why Gwen ever chose you." The knights 'Ooo'ed at this and the king simply threw a fake glare at his manservant. Looking past Merlin, he saw a group of horses running up to them.

Realizing it was the Merrymen, Arthur became tense. Noticing, the Knights drew their swords and turned to the charging quarry behind them. When they got close they slowed down and stopped a few feet away from them.

The figure in front of a white horse spoke from under the hood and mask.

"Relax boys, we know you don't have anything, we're just trying to get through. We're making a stop at Camelot. A friend of ours needs help."

"Who's this friend of yours? Perhaps we could assist you, after all, I would like to be more involved with my people."

The statement ran through the Merrymen. Except for the two in front.

"Her name is Marian and she needs money. Please let us through, she doesn't trust any type of nobility." Frowning Arthur went to retort but Merlin stopped him.

"Arthur no, let them come with us."

"He's right, it could give us a chance to keep an eye on them." Leon reasoned out Merlin's input.

"I for one would love to hear the real story of the mighty Robin Hood." A small chuckle from the opposite group could be heard. Guess they weren't as quiet as they'd hoped.

Elyan however, was more focused on the main hooded figure. Their laughter sounded familiar. Angelic almost.

"What do ya' think Robin?" The man next to the leader asked. The leader whispered and agreement and let the man next to him go up to Arthur.

The knights could tell he wasn't being threatening so they sheethed their swords back in their holsters.

"Very well, we'll accompany you. My name is John."

"Little John?" Percival asked gesturing at the man's size. Like Percival he was big and bulky, the only difference being a darker tone of skin and a subtle belly on him.

Laughter from John and the group startled birds out of the trees. They were called Merrymen for a reason.

"You're her! That girl from the tavern last night!" The Merrymen froze and exchanged looks. Some of them looked at their leader questioningly. Huffing out a small laugh only confirmed Elyan's belief and made him flustered.

The girl pulled off her hood and revealed wavy bright red hair that glowed in the morning sun.

"You got me!" She said and made her horse walk closer to Elyan. "Glad to see my biggest fan again." Smiling at her comment, Elyan went to speak but was interrupted.

"You were flirting with Robin Hood!" Gwaine was going to get beat when they got back to Camelot.

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"So how did people think you were a man? Don't think anything different, but your physique isn't very masculine." Arthur asked as they sat in the knight's quarters back in the castle. The trip had let Elyan and the others learn about the Merrymen's travels and adventures.

Their recent heists. Any gone wrong attempts that required daring rescues. Including any potential romances whilst on the road.

"I needed people to respect what I was doing, not patronize me for it. So when the minestrel we saved asked to write a song about us I told him to make me male."

"Certainly fooled me, I thought you were a prat like Arthur." That comment earned Merlin a good wallop to the head creating laughter throughout the room.

"Tell us more." Elyan urged Robin leaning back on the bench next to her.

"Well, there was the time we invaded Cendred's castle unnoticed."

#sir elyan #elyan #merlin bbc #bbc merlin fics #merlin #merlin bbc fanfic #arthur pendragon #gwaine #lancelot #leon #percival #guinevere #robin hood #knights of the round table #sir leon #bbc elyan #elyanfest2024 #ao3 fanfic

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silver-screen-divas · 3 days

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Films from the next decade or so include The Hucksters (1947), Show Boat (1951), The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952), Lone Star (1952), Mogambo, nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award (1953), The Barefoot Contessa (1954), Bhowani Junction (1956), The Sun Also Rises (1957) and On the Beach (1959). Off-camera, she could be witty and pithy, as in her assessment of director John Ford, who directed Mogambo ("The meanest man on earth. Thoroughly evil. Adored him!"). In The Barefoot Contessa, she played the role of doomed beauty Maria Vargas, a fiercely independent woman who goes from Spanish dancer to international movie star with the help of a Hollywood director played by Humphrey Bogart, with tragic consequences. Gardner's decision to accept the role was influenced by her own lifelong habit of going barefoot. Gardner played the role of Guinevere in Knights of the Round Table (1953), with actor Robert Taylor as Sir Lancelot. Indicative of her sophistication, she portrayed a duchess, a baroness and other women of noble lineage in her films of the 1950s.

Gardner played the role of Soledad in The Angel Wore Red (1960) with Dirk Bogarde as the male lead. She was billed between Charlton Heston and David Niven for 55 Days at Peking (1963), which was set in China during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The following year, she played her last major leading role in the critically acclaimed The Night of the Iguana (1964), based upon a Tennessee Williams play, and starring Richard Burton as an atheist clergyman and Deborah Kerr as a gentle artist traveling with her aged poet grandfather. John Huston directed the movie in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, insisting on making the film in black-and-white – a decision he later regretted because of the vivid colors of the flora. Gardner received billing below Burton, but above Kerr. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance.

#ava gardner #beautiful #beauty #actress #hollywood #star #classic #diva #vintage #classic hollywood

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wordycheeseblob · 11 months

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The princes as Knights from Arthurian legends

Leon - King Arthur, brave and noble

Chevalier - Lancelot du Lac was extremely intelligent and known as the greatest fighter and swordsman of all the Knights of the Round Table

Clavis - Gawain, closest to Lancelot and because It was this rift between Lancelot and Gawain that ultimately set the stage for Mordred’s (Gilbert's) takeover of the Kingdom.

Note: at first I thought knight Meliagraunce would make a hilariously good Clavis because, oh boy, he 1. kidnapped the queen betraying Arthur 2. Lancelot was forced to come on a rescue facing an ambush and sacrificing his white horse to about 50 arrows 3. When they showed him mercy he challaned Lancelot to a duel in several days and then proceeded to drag Lancelot for a sightseeing of his castle 4. Betrayed him AGAIN when Lancelot fell in a trap pit, because of course 6. Waited for him on the day of the duel with Arthur as a witness (Lancelot showed up which Meliagraunce didn't expect) but then I thought Meliagraunce made a better "lord Flandre"

Yves - sir Gareth (Beaumains) he comes from noble blood, but would rather be known for his actions than for his illustrious lineage. He is said to be very good looking or "the goodliest man I ever say" as Arthur Leon put it. He's mild mannered and polite no matter how harshly others treated him because of his dubious lineage. Lancelot Chevalier and Gawain Clavis looked after him in their own ways and Gareth looked up to Lancelot Chevalier a lot. He was also a kitchen page for a year.

Jin - sir Bedivere, loyal to Arthur til the end.

Nokto - Agravain mostly because "Agravain is known for this sharp tongue and at times his ungentlemanly-like conduct. In some instances, he is even portrayed as being malicious and villainous" but maybe Agravain should be Clavis or Silvio because he helped in Mordred's (Gilbert's) insidious plot? Then idk maybe Tristan would make a good Nokto substitute because of his knowledge in arts and his romance with Isolde, still not sure about this one. The only fact stopping me is Agravain is Gaheri' (Licht) brother while Tristan is not.

Licht - sir Gaheris, often acted as Gawain's voice of consciousness and in one version beheaded his own mother (but that's another story)

Luke - Percival, came from humble beginnings raised by his mother. He has a sister too. He's sometimes portrayed as simple and almost foolish but his natural prowess lead him to Arthur's court.

Sariel - Merlin, no explanation needed

Keith - sir Kay, also known by his epithet, the Tall. Also "At times, Sir Kay was unpredictable and had a cruel and violent temper (alter Keith), but he was Arthur’s (Leon's) guardian and one of his most faithful companions.

Gilbert - Mordred. Come on, even the name is evil. Set up the stage for King Arthur's downfall by planting the seed of jealous feelings in Arthur of the closeness of his best knight, Lancelot (Cheva), and the Queen.

Emma - Guinevere, the queen, fairest of them all. Was wrongly accused of treason (twice) and sentenced to burn. Many a times did Lancelot rescue her, the last time accidentally killing Gaheris(Licht) and Gareth (Yves) because they were in the crowd and whisked Guinevere(Emma) away to the castle of Joyous Gard till the Kings anger was past. Lady of the water is an alternative

#ikepri #ikemen prince #chevalier michel #jin grandet #clavis lelouch #leon dompteur #yves kloss #nokto klein #licht klein #luke randolph #sariel noir #knight au

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vi-visected · 11 months

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Leon was an only son. This was very, very strange.

His parents made several unsuccessful attempts at conceiving, and those that were successful often ended with the infant dying within their first season, if not their first moonturn. It was years before they successfully conceived, and raised a child to maturity, so long so that they’d both grown more than a bit vicious, angry, and desperate. The King’s royal physician took care to them occasionally as a noble family, and he made some such suggestion that they might pursue, if they were so inclined. It wasn’t illegal, not yet, but still they kept their business to themselves. No reason for the other noblewomen to scorn Leon’s mother more than they already had. The witch was burned for unrelated crimes less than a year later, and the King was never the wiser. And so they’d had their Leon.

Leon was a strong boy, stronger than most, and it was obvious that he’d become a knight right away. From the moment he swung a large stick in his hands, they knew he’d been bred a fighter. He healed quickly, got up as soon as he fell, and ate them nearly out of house and home, but that was expected for a growing boy. His hair was short, his shoulders straight and broad, and his face often stoic and pensive.

His father passed when he was 17, and his mother not 4 years later. Leon was already on track to First Knight by then, and simply moved about their house without touching the master bed. He did not move his things. The serving girls kept the bedroom tidy, but otherwise undisturbed. Sometimes he thought he could still hear his mother humming, if he just didn’t listen too closely.

Leon met Arthur as a Page, and met him again as the Prince as a Squire. Leon also met the blacksmith’s children as a short-haired boy, and met them again as Elyan and Guinevere as a long-haired young man. All the others were a blur, until later when Leon met Gaius’s new assistant Merlin.

A lot of things changed after Leon met Merlin.

Merlin was a lot. More than a lot, sometimes. But Leon liked him. Leon liked Prince Arthur, too, and Guinevere. He also Liked Sir Elyan, and Sir Lancelot, and Sir Pericval. And, loathe as he was to admit it, Leon even liked Sir Gwaine. All of these Merlin brought with him, in ways Leon couldn’t have imagined as the small boy playing with sticks on his own. Merlin brought them and so much more. More than Leon might ever get to thank him for.

Leon was an only son. This was very, very strange. But Merlin was just as strange, and so was everything that he brought. But Leon thought that maybe “strange” was just “good waiting to happen”.

That’s how it’s worked out so far, at least.

#bbc merlin #bbc merlin fanfic #sir leon #sir leon the long suffering #sir leon fanfic #drabble #vi writes; merlin #very very short thing #but i had this brain worm for leon and wanted to write it down #sorry for inconsistent pacing #i literally just ground it out real quick

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oforkney · 7 months

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before lancelot was even born, lot and king ban & bors the elder fight on opposite sides. their opposition is framed (at least in the morte) as natural as a result of geographical distinctions even though such a north vs south divide is distinctly late medieval ("Now shall we see, said King Bors, how these northern Britons can bear the arms").

interestingly, when lot sees bors, despite their current position, he cannot help but praise him ("O Jesu, defend us from death and horrible maims! for I see well we be in great peril of death; for I see yonder a king, one of the most worshipfullest men and one of the best knights of the world, is inclined unto his fellowship.")

this admiration lot directs toward bors mirrors the regard gawain holds lancelot in for the majority of the story, even on his deathbed when lancelot is guilty of murdering his brothers, sons of lot, and is partly responsible (at least according to gawain) for gawain's own fatal injuries: "Unto Sir Launcelot, flower of all noble knights that ever I heard of or saw by my days, I, Sir Gawaine, King Lot's son of Orkney . . . send thee greeting . . . this same day that I wrote this cedle, I was hurt to the death in the same wound, the which I had of thy hand, Sir Launcelot; for of a more nobler man might I not be slain.")

so now i'm thinking about how lancelot and gawain strive so hard not to have geographical, political, familial tensions get in the way of their relationship, but by the end of the narrative, they find their positions mirror that of their parents/ancestors.

#im gonna make everything either about mordred or gawain/lancelot at this point #but seriously.... the parallel is a bit uncanny #none of them can escape from the fallout of things that took place before their time #and even though they try they don't necessarily make anything better #the love was there et cetera et cetera #gawain/lancelot #arthuriana #le morte d'arthur #oforkney.txt

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theroundbartable · 1 year

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I know we often joke about how similar Merlin and Guinevere are. In terms of their status as servants, their feelings for Arthur and the kingdom, their clumsiness, their bluntness, all that.

But what are the differences? Why did Guinevere become queen and not Merlin, based on the lore?

While I'm working on the clockroom, which makes me focus a lot on canon, I'm starting to think that I understand.

Look, this is not to dipute any of these ships. I am mainly a Merthur shipper myself, yet I understand quite well why they chose Arwen in canon and I love their dynamic too. I respect all the ships, this is a personal observation.

First of, this has nothing to do with honesty. If Merlin had confessed his magic before the final episode, I'd still stand behind this opinion, from a writers point of view.

Gwen and Merlin stand, for the most part, for the same things. They stand for the rights of the people (Merlin represents the druids, Guinevere the common people), they talk against Arthur, when Arthur doesn't realize how inconsiderate he is and they tease him to their hearts content.

But when you look at the episode, where Arthur fights as a simple knight (sir William) in the tournament, you will notice main differences.

The episode starts with Arthur being told by Leon that none of the knights would want to harm Arthur, because he was crown prince.

When Arthur then asks Merlin, if Merlin thinks that Arthur could win, Merlin answers: what do you want me to say?

Which is unchractaristic for Merlin in the way that he's not clear about his opinion, but characteritic in the way he doesn't outright lie to him.

When Arthur is getting ridiculed by Guinevere later in that episode, she does this when Arthur asks, but she doesn't hold back. She calls him rude, she questions his morals, while Merlin does, against popular belief, not. Merlin indulges Arthur's lies. His choices. Everything he does. The whole cooking idea. He provides wise intakes on things when asked, but he does never question Arthur's morales, because he believes in him. His actions, not quite as much, but Arthur's heart he is certain in. It's why he was the one to convince anhora in the unicorn episode to give Arthur another chance. Because Arthur is "pure at heart".

And herein lies the difference. Gwen speaks to Arthur as future king. She speaks to Arthur on his virtues, his values, his morale, the reason for his choices. All of which she shares.

It's why she falls for Lancelot and why she falls for Merlin. Because they are noble. Because they care for the people of Camelot. They love Camelot. As Guinevere loves Camelot. And I think she stops loving them the moment she realizes that they both have more selfish reasons for that.

Lancelot does it all to be noble for the sake of being noble. For doing the right thing. Not for doing this for the people. He wants to fight and protect people, but he would do that anywhere he is. Because Lancelot believes in the cause. He does not love the people.

Merlin speaks to Arthur as the person behind the crown. Merlin, too, speaks for the people. But he does not do it with the same passion that Gwen does. Merlin does it, as he does everything, for Arthur's sake. Because Merlin loves Arthur.

And that is the difference. Arthur and Guinevere are on the same wavelength, because they share the same goals for Camelot. The same heart, so to speak. The same legacy.

Merlin on the other hand, wants Arthur to succeed. To be happy. To be a bit silly. To be himself.

That's why Arthur loves Guinevere with all his heart and vice versa.

It's why Merlin and Arthur love each other, too. But also why their love doesn't translate to marriage.

That's why Merlin losing Arthur is much more tragic. Because Gwen can rule in Arthur's stead. Can take on the kingdom, can keep the legacy and the heart of Camelot with her; she has Arthur's heart with her, while Merlin loses everything he believed in.

Because Arthur and Guinevere love Camelot and love each other for it.

Arthur and Merlin simply love each other.

That doesn't make either ship superior, mind you. Arthur's and Gwen's relationship is stronger in their fundamentals, in my opinion.

While Merlin and Arthur's feelings for one another are stronger, as Bradley James would say. Their feelings are, in my opinion, more chaotic and bold and have little to do with Camelot, despite their shared destiny.

In other words, I don't think Merlin would make a good queen.

#bbc Merlin #analysis #ships #arwen #merthur

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