#okay but where is Gwen? and why isn't Arthur in love with her? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

merlinbingo · 9 months

Text

July is over and done, which means it's time for another one of these round up thingies.

Things were a bit quieter last month, but that's okay! We all need a bit of downtime now and again (or, for some of us, a month spent furiously working on our ACBB works because we started writing it in 2016 and were absolutely determined that this was the year we finished the thing).

Of the 41 fills people created, 34 were fic, 5 were art, one person created a lovely artwork-poem combo, and another wrote and performed a song!

In terms of ships, Merlin/Arthur are again the most popular (19 fills), followed by gen (nine fills). Merlin/Leon hit their personal best with four fills, coming in joint third with Merlin/Lancelot. Merlin/Arthur/Gwaine got two fills, and then Merlin/Gwaine, Arthur/Gwen and Gwaine/Lancelot all got one.

But enough numbers - on to the main event! You'll find the July fills hidden below the cut, sorted by ship and then by rating. Remember to check out the warnings, and practice self-care before clicking on anything that might upset you!

Gen/no ship

Chaotic duo by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Merlin & Morgana Friendship (Merlin), Good Morgana (Merlin), Morgana Knows about Merlin's Magic (Merlin) ,BAMF Merlin (Merlin), Crack Summary: Where Merlin ends up helping Morgana with her magic and they become some kind of chaotic magic heroes duo but with a bit of a plot twist

Revenge is Best Served Cold by demitimelord42 Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: friendship, revenge, but in a besties kinda way Summary: What better way to get back at your friend than to serve them something cold?

And Then There Were None by demitimelord42 Rating: General audiences Warnings: Major character death Major tags: hurt no comfort, angst, major character death, but canon compliant character death Summary: Merlin says goodbye to Lancelot

The Babysitter Swap (The Aithusa Just Wants To Have Fun Remix) by willowsmarika Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: shirtless gwaine, tiny aithusa, tarot card Summary: Aithusa had enough of Lancelot's protectiveness, she wants a fun babysitter for once. Enter Gwaine, who even manages to loose his shirt during the day, because why not?! And it's Gwaine...

Safe Here 'Til Morning by huniths-muse Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: lullabies, emotional hurt/comfort, sung by the author Summary: Hunith sang Merlin a lullaby when he had trouble sleeping. When Arthur has trouble sleeping, Merlin sings him his own version of it

Run, little boy by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Nerd Merlin (Merlin), Alternate Universe - Modern: No Powers, Gwen & Merlin Friendship (Merlin), Merlin & Morgana Friendship (Merlin), Alternate Universe - High School Summary: After applying for college, Merlin has to have at least one mark in PE. He isn't happy about it. Fortunately, he has his two best friends with him

Something that matters more than anything else ~ chapter 2: Merlin by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: Teen Warnings: Major character death Major tags: Lancelot Dies (Merlin), Protective Lancelot (Merlin), Minor Gwen/Lancelot (Merlin), POV Lancelot (Merlin), Lancelot & Merlin Friendship (Merlin) Summary: The veil. Lancelot's decision

bitter is the antidote by lit-in-thy-heart Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Canon Divergence, Merlin's Magic Revealed, Injury, Jealous Gwaine, Self-Isteem Issues Summary: The first hiccup in Merlin's plan to save Gwen from the flames by aging himself was not being able to undo it as easily. The second hiccup was Gaius not showing up with the potion to do it for him. This third consequence feels less like a hiccup and more like a soul-crushing revelation. Well, fourth. Ending up on a lit pyre is a rather significant consequence.

Arthur/Gwen

The Things I’ve Done by s0mmerspr0ssen Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Season/Series 05, Golden Age, Everyone Lives, Morgana Dies Summary: When Arthur learns more about the meaning behind Emrys, the past comes back to haunt him.

Merlin/Arthur/Gwaine

They Ought To Be by paceprompting Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Established Relationship, Getting Together, Polyamory, Pining, Gratuitous Smut Summary: Arthur and Merlin invite Gwaine into their bed for one night during the Midsummer celebration. One night, which quickly turns into many. And the more their life expands to include Gwaine in it, the more the three of them have to figure out what it means to love another person as much as they loved one.

i wanna touch your body, so fucking electric by Saurus Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Modern Era, rockstar merlin, Drummer Gwaine, manager Arthur, merlin has tattoos Summary: Arthur loves his job as the band manager for Emrys and the Knights. He loves the work and the guys he works with. The only problem is two very distracting members of the band who seem intent on teasing Arthur to within an inch of his life.

Merlin/Gwaine

sit by me (the everything seems alright remix) by eachpeachpearplum Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Fluff, established relationship, bathtubs, storytelling, hair washing Summary: "Tell me a story," Merlin says, tilting his head back further, far enough to meet Gwaine's gaze for a moment before he closes his eyes. "I like your stories."

Gwaine/Lancelot

it's easier with my eyes closed by Sage_Owl Rating: Teen Warnings: Major character death Major tags: Canon divergence, ghosts, afterlife, tenderness, hopeful ending Summary: All Gwaine remembered was that he was fighting to save someone’s life.

Merlin/Lancelot

Tell me a story by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Modern Era, Lancelot & Merlin Friendship (Merlin), Supportive Lancelot (Merlin), Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic Summary: Merlin didn't chose to wait Arthur for all his life. He choose to live, to make experiences he could tell his friends about. He couldn't make best decision.

there was only one bed :0 by kairennart Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: digital art Summary:

The Little Merman by Stelle Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: fanart, merfolk Summary: The little mermaid au

so easy, and the words so sweet by eachpeachpearplum Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: only one bed, fluff, get together, canon era Summary: "You can't sleep there!" Lancelot says, his protest emphatic but very sincere. "I'm not going to take your bed from you." Or: There's only one bed, and neither Merlin nor Lancelot is willing to let the other sleep on the floor.

Merlin/Leon

Ice skater au by kingani Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: merleon, merlin x leon Summary:

The Safety You Bring by thetreeofwillow Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Tenderness, Asexual Relationship, Angst, Comfort, Bathing/Washing Summary: After the events of 'The Coming of Arthur' Merlin and Leon share a quiet moment together in the tub.

It Can't Continue by thetreeofwillow Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Pining, Mutual Pining, Gwaine POV, Dramatic Gwaine, Slight Crack Summary: It’s happening. Yet again. Once more the Knights of Camelot are out on patrol with their king and once more, they are being assaulted with the full force of Merlin and Leon’s bloody pining. It’s not even funny anymore, and this is coming from Gwaine. Now it’s just frustrating.

Merlin/Arthur

Wait for Me by Seravia Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Arthur Returns, Post-Canon, Angst, Happy Ending, Getting Together Summary: “I have a way into Avalon, Merlin. For you.” -- Merlin journeys to Avalon to plead for Arthur’s return. The Sidhe agree to let them go, but there is one condition. Merlin must lead the way, and he can’t turn around to make sure Arthur is following. Not unless he wants Arthur to be sent back to Avalon forever. Based loosely on the musical Hadestown, and the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Greed by Robin_Fai Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: longing, immortality, art, poetry Summary: Art of Glastonbury Tor with a poem.

heaven is not fit to house a love like you and I by kairennart Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, camelot remix, digital art Summary:

Dogs and owners by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: General audiences Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: POV Merlin (Merlin), Pining Merlin (Merlin), Pining Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Alternate Universe - Non-Magical, Modern Era Summary: Merlin has a dog, Aithusa, and he doesn't like to talk to other dog owners. Then Arthur made his appearence.

Splitting the Road by queerofthedagger Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Merlin's Magic Revealed, Captivity, BAMF Merlin, Hurt/Comfort Summary: Merlin and Arthur get kidnapped. Unfortunately for their captors, it really is a tremendously stupid idea to put magic itself into cold iron.

magical mishaps by radioactivesunflower Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: merlin's magic does it own thing, smitten arthur pendragon, idiots in love, romantic comedy, Summary: merlin's up the nile, arthur is trying his best and Will just want's to play dungeons and dragons. staring a love spell that didn't exist in the first place.

You're My One & Only by TrebleMaker07 Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Episode: s01e04 The Poisoned Chalice Summary: In a world where magic doesn't exist, soulmates and soulbonds are the exception. What will become of Merlin when he gets deathly ill? Will Arthur save him in time before the unthinkable happens?

The Life and Death (and life again, and death again, and life again) of poor Hud Merlin- chapter 1 by tora-the-cat Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Pre-cannon, immortal Merlin, Good Sibling Morgana, pre-meeting Summary: Merthur soulmate death timer au

every saint has a past and every sinner has a future by Saurus Rating: Teen Warnings: Major character death Major tags: Modern AU, Mob Family, Eventual happy ending, blood and injury, slow build Summary: The Pendragon crime family is the only life that Merlin has known. He does what he's told, no questions asked. But now he has a personal mission that he must complete without the Dragons knowledge. He has to save Arthur Pendragon's life.

The Hopeful Conclusion (the 'The Debate' Remix) by queerofthedagger Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Modern with Magic, Protests, First Kiss Summary: Almost exactly one year after the nightmare of a debate, the trial against the assailants finally takes place. Outside the court building, a protest in support of magic users is held, with Merlin Emrys and Arthur Pendragon at the head of it. As it turns out, the day has more than one surprise in store.

I wish I'd known then by Zaharya Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Roommates, Feelings Realization, Pining, Getting Together, Heartstopper Summary: When Gwen becomes obsessed with a new Netflix show called Heartstopper and makes Arthur and Merlin promise to watch it, Arthur thinks the worst that’ll happen is having to suffer through four hours of cheesy romance. He isn’t prepared for Nick and Charlie to be, well, *them*. Them, but *together*. Or: the one where Arthur realises how things could have gone between him and Merlin.

Candere by Polomonkey Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Hurt/comfort, Merlin's magic revealed, touch-starved, pining, canon era Summary: Four times Merlin attempted to get a hug from Arthur, and the one time Arthur gave it willingly.

me for me, you for you by Sage_Owl Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alpha/beta/omega dynamics, canon divergence, good Morgana, secrets, sexual slavery Summary: Arthur Pendragon is the Golden Alpha Prince of Camelot, and he's been keeping a deadly secret since he was sixteen.

I know what happened last summer - Honeymoon by HadrianPeverellBlack Rating: Mature Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Female Merlin (Merlin), Smart Merlin (Merlin), POV Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Caring Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Honeymoon Summary: Merlin and Arthur just got married. Clearly, the honeymoon shouldn't be chose by Merlin. Arthur should have thought before.

life for you has been less than kind by Saurus Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Arthur knows about Merlin's magic, Canon era, Merlin has scars, simp Arthur Summary: Merlin finally shows himself fully to Arthur.

Not Our First Time Around by Seravia Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Time Travel, Established Relationship, Threesome, PWP Summary: “Arthur?” comes Merlin’s confused, slightly slurred voice. He stares at Arthur, who is standing pressed against the door, then his head whips around to face the older, bearded Arthur behind him. “Am I losing it or are there two of you?” Or: Arthur finds himself in the future, and his older self teaches him exactly how to please Merlin.

The Best Thing To Ever Happen (Is An Allergic Reaction) by SauraUnderscore Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Allergic Reaction to Food; Hurt Merlin; Worried Arthur; Magic Revealed; Scars Revealed; Arthur Knows about Merlin magic; Fluff and Smut; Explicit Sex; 69 (sexual position) Summary: While on a diplomatic visit to Nemeth, Merlin vomits in the middle of the banquet. Could it be food poisoning? He had only tried a bite of one of the plates served and nobody else had fallen ill.

Key to Freedom by s0mmerspr0ssen Rating: Explicit Warnings: Rape/non-con Major tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Sexual Slavery, Non-Con, Dub-Con, Hurt/Comfort Summary: Upon the advice of his uncle, Lord Agravaine, a young and inexperienced King Arthur is ready to negotiate a peace treaty with King Cenred. The King of Escetir gifts him a sex slave to mark the occasion: Merlin. But not all is as it seems...

#bbc merlin #merlin bingo #round up #round three #july #aren't you guys amazing #i will never stop being awed by you all

21 notes · View notes

khaleesiofalicante · 6 months

Note

Okay, so here's the thing. I believe we've established the fact that Lance is David's son to his very core. Not very outgoing, heart of gold, a fighter, a survivor. Plus he believes everything Max does is cool and if we bring IALS into the mix he is pretty obsessed with Max so I'd say definately David's child.

And then he goes around and pulls shit like this and my brain just goes: "He is also Max's son sucker!", because honestly that was such a Max move, I needed a moment to remind myself this was Lance's chapter. The "my papa loves me so much that when I die he'll be devasted so I'll make him hate me by being a cunt so he won't be devastated when I'm gone" move that Lance made? Not an original buddy! It's already been done, by your dad, when he made his bapak believe that he'll sacrifice him when he was actually planning on sacrificing himself. And guess what? It did not work! And it will not work for you either Lance! (Note to Lance, have Gwen pass it on to him please?). And I'm gonna go ahead and guess that Max won't know about it until quite later onto the plot? I mean he'll know that something is up with Lance but he will mention it to David and he'll be like "Mon ange please leave it alone" . Because I feel like if he does catch on about what Lance said to David he'll confront him about it and Lance will tell him the truth about why he said what he said. And if that happens I need Max to tell him this story. I need him to know that his thing he does is never gonna work. Oh god, so much pain.

I'm not even gonna talk about the Theia stuff because it also reminds me of TLND Max. When he pretended that David was trivial to him when David was his everything? Why is Lance picking up Max's coping mechanisms, Lance buddy you're smarter than this! Oh can someone please tell him that making the live of his life believe he isn't worth it didn't work with David and it won't work with Theia either? Again, painn

Here's something I didn't expect to hurt me as much as it did. Mavid. Did David seriously lie to Max? When did those two get to the point where they lie to each other? I mean hide stuff from each other is something but straight up lying in each other's faces? That's another thing altogether. What I'd happening to them and can someone please snap their heads straight and remind them that they are Max and David and it's them against the world and they should be inseparable instead of lying to each other?? Also, did Max go to see Mina? I feel like he went to see Mina, even though I'm secretly hoping it's Rafael. I have a wild imagination.

Also, the "your love gets people hurt" like from IALS making it to LBAF hurts a lot more than it should, Dani whyy😭 And please explain what happened to my sweet baby AJ, was he sad because of Régine( whom I want to smack almost as much as her mother at this point) or was it something else?

I'm sorry if this is long or blant, it's literally all my thoughts while reading this I couldn't contain them. But hey, here are some tik toks I found to make the pain a little better.

This audio feels like Theia and Cami talking about Lance and it makes me laugh so hard😂

Not exactly happy but this soundtrack when Lance closes the door after the whole Mia/Theia fiasco

A little gift for Arthur( and the rest of us Kincaid stans)

Again not very happy but this is Rafael about Max isnt it?

FMF Max about his husband probably

This is giving me serious Lance/Max vibes watching Theia/David unleash their anger on someone

Max/David and Lance/Arthur dynamic?

Okay that's it for noww🌷

PS: I'm so sorry your work is keeping you so busy these days, I hope you find the strength to push forward and end all your work while also find little things to make you happy and make it a little better💛

MAN, I NEED THIS AFTER THE DAY I HAD. THANK YOUUUU.

I'm so glad to see you noticed that Lance pulled the EXACT same move Max did in Edom. Except Max's thing only lasted like two days 😬. Max will notice it (only a little). But it's Arthur who notices it first (my perceptive babygirl). We'll talk about this whole thing later. It's like a whole plot point so yeah we have time :)

TLND David and LBAF Theia be like "that sign can't stop be because i can't read" lol.

Also, I'm not sure what you meant by the "lying" bit. Were you referring to the part where David lied about him being the car instead of Lance? Also, interesting how you differentiate between lying and omission because Max is hiding some pretty big stuff from David 😅

Arthur was sad because Kincaid didn't acknowledge him at the party and pretended like he didn't know Arthur 😕 (also he danced with Theia which made Arthur realize he won't get to dance with Kincaid like that)

Thank you for the tiktoks, bebe. That cami and theia tiktok was ON point and the FMF one made me giggle looool. Also, that last dynamic is David/Lance 🥰

Work got busy because of my own dumb-assery because I wanted to work with some new people and took on some new work and now i am regret. But it's a short project and should be over by November so I just need to survive this cursed month.

ALSO I REALLY HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR BRAZILIAN GP BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD, FAM.

Loooooooove you.

#lbaf

8 notes · View notes

none-ofthisnonsense · 2 months

Text

Merlin S4E1, "The Darkest Hour: Part One"

Okay so old lady trailing a cart across a desolate expanse.

LEON!!! GUYS IT'S LEON!!

Morgana??? Still not used to her being so powerful.

Elyan and Leon better not be dead.

Moraguse is alive??

New intro!!

Oh so a celebration of some sort is going on at the castle.

That cook does not seem pleasant.

Pffft the chicken and the knights

PURPLE SHIRT??

It must be nice for Merlin not to have to hide his magic in front of someone that's not Gaius.

Morgause does Not look well. (She looks like a weird Gaius.)

So Uther still hasn't recovered. I like Gwen's dress.

So another year has passed.

Who is that dark person in the background? I don't like him. Okay actually who the fuck is she? And why does Arthur listen to him so much?? HIS UNCLE?? I don't trust him. Is this another someone-sent-to-kill-Arthur situation?

They pronounced Samhain correctly! Truly, the selective accuracies and inaccuracies in this show astound me.

Morgana pronounces spells way more fluently than Merlin, in that they don't sound as chopped.

Is Merlin slowing down time again?

Who the fuck is that woman? So both Merlin and Morgana can see her. That's great. To have a veil open to the dead.

Okay so Arthur is Merlin's destiny, and Merlin is Morgana's destiny.

Merlin is Not OK and I don't like that. (This liveblog is unusually verbose because I'm on my computer for once.)

Damn, Arthur has grown since last time.

Gwaine never changes huh

CHICKEN!

So Merlin's magic doesn't work. Great. It's not like he's the most powerful sorcerer to have ever lived.

So they're attacking Camelot! Great!

Arthur admitting he's sacred… Now I am too.

I'm having Mordred flashbacks.

A life for a life… The Isle of the Blessed really is associated with that idea huh

OH GREAT HE'S IN LEAGUE WITH MORGANA. JUST WHAT CAMELOT NEEDED. ANOTHER TRAITOR.

Okay Gwen and Arthur are cute.

Arthur don't give power to that snake

I love Merlin/Gaius hugs.

Gwen you're breaking Lance's heart. But also, he's a good man and would do it anyway.

Just once in my life I want to wear chain mail.

Oh this isn't a good omen. (Why are two snakes on the sigils?) Does Morgana think Dragoon the Great is Emrys??

…where's Merlin? And where's Lancelot?

I'm not sure having no torch is the best thing.

The screaming is giving me a headache.

I know Arthur and Merlin won't die but I'm still scared for them.

MERLIN WTF

#merlin #bbc merlin #merlin s4 #merlin s4e1 #the darkest hour #the darkest hour part one

0 notes

diana-bookfairchild · 2 years

Text

The thing that really bothers me about the Merlin progression is that. . . . There is no progression.

Half the time I literally cannot tell whether Arthur is going to be this oblivious but kind, arrogant and haughty but trusting and honest and just prince, or if he will just act as an ass and dismiss Merlin for. . . No reason at all.

And I can't tell if Merlin actually be believes in destiny or not, because he's serving Arthur, sure, but he's also stopping people from trying to kill him on a regular basis, so if he's so sure Mordred will be the one to kill him, why isn't he just leaving the prince defenceless because surely other stuff can't kill him then?

Of course, Merlin is like an 18-19 year-old who's just been told he's a messiah figure when in reality he's human and believes he's a monster when he clearly wants things to black and white instead of complicated so I'm going to cut him some slack, but the show doesn't seem to have any idea whether Merlin is someone who follows his head or heart. If he saves Mordred then he doesn't need to be wary of Morgana (in season 1 and 2) right? If Morgana goes evil and he's decided destiny is right then he should tell Mordred where to get off right?

Merlin is human, makes mistakes, is affected by emotions and of course, his most powerful motivator consists of his loved ones. Naturally, he does stuff like this wrong. These situations actually make more sense than some of the utterly dumb decisions people have taken over the course of this show. If only people could be smart and properly think things through. . . . *shrugs*

Anyway, what actually, to me, is wrong in the Merlin finale is that they give us nothing that was promised. There can be two interpretations to the prophecy:

What happened was actually what was destined. Arthur is called the Once and Future King because he fought for his subjects in a legendary battle with legendary people, ushering in an era of peace and magic, where Gwen ruled with Merlin and he will come back when he's needed. Many people believe this.

Kilgharrah and the druids were completely and utterly wrong.

Personally, I believe the first one. Which is fine, but then they should have SHOWED US the bloody golden age. All we got was Gwen's coronation! Where is her being a badass and just ruler with Merlin, Leon, Percival etc. By her side despite some opposing her? Where is us getting to see Albion? Where is them grieving Arthur and Gwaine and the others but moving forward in their honour? Where is Merlin acting as a Gaius like figure for Gwen's child? Where is Gilli coming back and him and Merlin and Aithusa and Merlin being friends? Where are druids celebrating and some cursing Merlin for taking so long and not helping them before? Where is darkness coming in later shown and Arthur coming out of the lake and Merlin and him reuniting? (Okay, the last doesn't have to be there but I like the idea and closure).

Albion and magic being free was always promised. Arthur not being the one to actually do it could've been the tragic twist in the tale, but we never got to see it at all.

And in S1 and S2 I'd hardly expect Merlin to do anything for fellow sorcerer's - he's too busy trying to figure himself out and not be depressed and protect Arthur - but what about S3?

What about after Dragoon?

Imagine Arthur wondering aloud to Merlin why a sorcerer would place a useless poultice under his bed, since he knows very well his feelings for Gwen are real. After he learns of Morgana's betrayal, imagine him wondering why someone else would take the blame.

Imagine Merlin going to the Druid camp as Dragoon and learning about the culture he's expected to being back. Imagine him going down to prisoners accused of sorcery and learning about what they did - if it was spreading disease or killing or stealing, he'd leave them there with a colourful sticky note detailing their crime with an underlined NOT SORCERY BUT. Imagine him breaking out others with NOT A SORCERER, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL and HE JUST HEALED HIS KID, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Imagine him setting up a hut and giving out magical healing in the form of Dragoon - we've already seen he can take down knights and avoid the pyre easily.

Imagine Arthur begrudgingly admiring the guy who helps his people. Imagine him questioning his views on magic. Imagine Dragoon being able to share secrets about magic, like Morgause telling the truth and the prophecy, that Merlin can't without being questioned. Imagine Dragoon yelling at Arthur to treat Merlin better, and telling him that Merlin's 'feelings' about bandits and stuff are real.

Arthur would probably take this as evidence that Merlin has potential for magic. He'd angst about it and then decide there's no way his best friend with his idiotic wide grin, the one who cries over unicorns would ever go evil.

Imagine Morgana learning about this new sorcerer and becoming curious about him. Imagine them exchanging letters and Morgana getting another view on magic without Merlin risking his own identity (because Morgana was the King's ward and he was a servant, he's been taught caution all his life, can't really blame him for not being so open about his secret even to a fellow magic user) and not being able to be fully brainwashed by Morgause. Imagine Morgana wanting Uther dead and magic become legal and revenge on Merlin but not indiscriminate killing, especially Arthur and Gwen's.

Imagine Uther trying and trying to get Dragoon and ultimately giving up when Gaius gives zero suggestions and his son and ward are clearly not going to offer their help either.

Imagine Dragoon becoming beloved by the entire citadel.

Imagine Arthur slowly unraveling the way views on magic have affected every single law in Camelot. Going to Dragoon, the sorcerer who's extremely blase about Arthur's status, who gave out insults like he gave out magic candy to the town kids, whom he still implicitly trusts and who seems familiar for some reason, for advice. Because magic just suddenly becoming legal is just so extremely unrealistic.

When Uther dies (either by Morgana or natural means, doesn't matter) Arthur grieves and declares that though his father was a good king there were many policies he disagreed with. Extreme revamp.

Imagine Dragoon being able to keep Aithusa because - "That batty old sorcerer is a dragon lord too? No surprise. As long the dragon is under control and my kid stops crying for a ride on it, nobody really cares."

Imagine Arthur actually being the King of the Golden Age as promised. Imagine Druids being able to come into town, with both sides wary of each other, but actually cooperative. Imagine Arthur making mistakes like killing Odin, but also becoming better and stronger because of those. Imagine new treaties being forged among the countries of Albion.

Imagine Dragoon being able to tell Arthur about his suspicious of Agravaine being a traitor, and with him and Merlin agreeing, Arthur actually thinks about it.

Imagine Gwaine saying one day "I wasn't supposed to know you are Dragoon? Sorry, mate, that failed."

Imagine Merlin wrestling with himself about telling Arthur because Gwaine and Lancelot know and magic is no longer illegal and his excuses are getting thinner and thinner. But can he survive losing Arthur's trust and friendship? Imagine him hinting and trying before losing his nerve. Imagine Arthur being concerned but then. . .

Imagine the Saxons still invading, with or without Morgana. They invade all the countries of Albion, and with the treaties, all the monarchs turn to Arthur. Arthur truly unites Albion.

He still had to kill Kara, who was a radical. Mordred turned on him. But there were more sorcerers on Albion's side than just Dragoon. Imagine Arthur dying, seeing Dragoon transform into Merlin.

The final betrayal. The deathbed confession.

Maybe because Merlin was able to train in magic better so he was able to stabilize Arthur better till the Lake. Maybe, if Morgana doesn't betray them, they reach the Lake faster because less interruptions.

Maybe Arthur still dies with "Just hold me". But he also jokes "I can't believe I didn't realize only one person in the country would call me ridiculous insults like toadface." Two people he loved and trusted are one. After the initial emotions, he doesn't really mind. Loving an older guy so much was kind of weird anyway. And - "That's why Dragoon looked so familiar! And defended you so much! You were talking about yourself so much, seriously? I thought sometimes he was your grandfather or something."

Albion had its golden age. Arthur's prophecy was fulfilled. He will come again, because once may be over, but the future isn't.

Gwen rules, but without needing to make any big changes because Arthur already did all that. The golden age continues. Merlin as her open right hand man the way he was never able to do with Arthur.

If Arthur lives, we get our true happily ever after.

Either way, we see Merlin and Arthur's complete journeys. Arthur from a complete prat of a prince who worshipped his father to inexperienced regent/king questioning all his choices and his father's decisions to the true Once and Future King, making Camelot and Albion flourish.

Merlin from a teenager thinking he's a monster to a glorious sorcerer who's had his fair share of bad decisions, but also experience, the true Emrys with a life outside his destiny.

Would've been more fulfilling for me, at least.

#merlin bbc #canon divergence #merlin #arthur pendragon #dragoon the great #once and future king #albion #true golden age #friendship #prophecies #character arc

13 notes · View notes

blackasmidnightcats · 4 years

Text

QfG Rants and Remakes part 5

Big thanks to both @agathasarmy and @yarasquad for sharing their ideas with me and believing that I could actually make a coherent rant without being too swallowed up by my emotions and hopefully I'll be able to do the same here.

P.S. Imma change the title of the next Rants and Remakes cause it's definitely not focusing on QfG anymore and it's gonna focus of AWWP so yeah...there's that to look forward too.

Chaddick & Yara + Tagatha interlude

Note: This post was originally gonna be titled "Chaddick & Yara + Mourning the Departed" and would have turned out as how it is explained below but as I was writing about Chaddick I realized that I needed to talk about something concerning Tagatha and realized that this post would have been too long for all three so I gonna move the "Mourning of Departed" in its own post. Hope you guys understand. Tagatha has a strong pull with me.

Imma actually gonna outline this cause I need to organize my thoughts and at least with this I could remember the direction that I would be heading.

First part's definitely going to talk about how Chaddick and Yara's death is bs

Then imma explain why them staying alive would have impacted the TCY storyline a lot more meaningfully (p.s. this is where the Tagatha interlude will be found)

And last (and this has been moved to its own post so stay tuned for it), I would also like to nitpick Soman's obvious lack of thought when it comes to the characters that have departed (mainly Callis and Lady Lesso and August Sader) and how it should have affected the characters (mainly Sophie and Agatha)

How Chaddick and Yara could have helped the storyline better

WARNING: I realized while writing this that I kinda made Chaddick and Yara more flawed than they are writen because I have to think about their character growth and they can't have that without having any flaws. So expect some more drama with these two than needed as I share my thoughts on how their characters could have went. They get better in the end believe me.

So I think that everyone in the fandom is one with the idea that Chaddick's death was one of the MOST worst decisions that Soman made.

As @agathasarmy said it once, Chaddick's death is more frustrating than sad because of how out of nowhere it is.

Via @agathasarmy:

but… Chaddick??? dying??? IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SERIES????

IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE, AND THE ONLY WAY IT MAKE SENSE IS COS SOMAN OBVIOUSLY DID IT TO INTRODUCE RHIAN AND THATS THE SHITTIEST THING ABOUT IT

HE REDUCED CHADDICK’S DEATH AS A PLOT DOOR WITHOUT PROPERLY SUBSTANTIATING CHADDICK’S CHARACTER FIRST SO INSTEAD OF US TRULY MOURNING HIS LIFE WE’RE JUST LEFT WITH THIS HOLLOW FEELING OF WHAT HE COULD’VE BEEN AS AN INTEGRAL CHARACTER TO THE PLOT

THIS

Chaddick's death felt hollow because it was a PLOT DEVICE. It didn't (or at least Soman didn't) conscider Chaddick much of a character but a means and once this happens some deaths can be very very hollow.

Like his POV chapter was very hard to read all because especially once you find out that he's dead by the end of it (SHAME SOMAN, SHAME) because his story and plot had so much potential. We weren't able to properly feel sad about his lost because we didn't get to know him better.

It just feels tragic. So much potential lost, all because Soman wanted Tedros to feel vulnerable because he lost his close friend.

WHICH SOMAN DIDN'T REALLY NEED TO DO

I explained already why this is bull and I'm gonna explain later what could have happened for Chaddick's character.

But in summary on why Soman didn't need to do it: EXPECTATIONS

Chaddick and Tedros would have been stressed out with all the expectations and comparison with Arthur and Lancelot. One wrong move could have broke them apart easily.

But Soman could have also not wanted to deal with Chaddick against his Sophie obssession so there could be that too.

SHAME SOMAN

Now, Yara.

Our little Soft Girl

She should not have died.

She really shouldn't have

W h y ?

Because her being alive would have impacted the story more than her death ever did. Just like Chaddick.

And if the problem was what she could have affected in the storyline in TLEA, then she could have been on the sides like. . . as Tristan from time to time or something.

Her being alive would have not affected or change TLEA at all. Like if more important characters like the Coven and the League can fade into the background then so could she.

But I really don't imagine her being in the school for New Evil with Aric as Dean. No, maybe Yuba could have hidden her with the League and she could have accompanied Princess Uma when they were getting Tedros and Agatha and then accompanied the Leuge or something.

Really it would have been that simple. C'mon.

Plus Kiko has been reduced to wreck after that. At least, with Yara being alive she could have fixed herself a bit more.

Okay

So in summary again: CHADDICK AND YARA SHOULD NOT HAVE DIED AND SHAME ON SOMAN FOR KILLING THEM OFF

Now, let's get to the juicier part, what could these two have contributed to the TCY storyline.

On Chaddick

It's pretty obvious what Chaddick's role should have been. He should have been important to the plot because his role would have been about breaking the comparison between the Past and the Present (see Soman, it could have been integrated into your canon plot) between him, Tedros, and Agatha to Lancelot, Arthur, and Gwen.

I'm pretty sure that Camelot has its eyes on these three.

It's pretty freaking convenient that they all have a predecessor to be compared to. And I'm pretty sure that it's not just Camelot who notices the pattern. I mean the whole freaking Woods read about this affair.

So Chaddick, along with Tedros and Agatha, should have been the ones that break this chain. It could have symbolized that Camelot was entering into a new, better era after a similar relationship broke it.

Like, a King, his beloved Queen and his most trusted Knight brought hope but ended in a Tragedy.

Now, another King, his beloved Queen and his most trusted Knight are skeptically judged for having the same pattern and they instead bring the Glory that first trio didn't

With Tedros, Agatha, and Chaddick united with each other bringing Camelot out of its traumatic experience with Tedros's parents, Camelot finally accepting that these three are not the same as Arthur, Gwen, and Lance and fully supporting them DESPITE the fear, would have been a much stronger message of that 'the past doesn't always repeat itself.'

Because with Rhian being known and most propably remembered as Tedros's most trusted Knight and betraying him in the end, it's like a copy of what Lance technically did to Arthur.

It just further proved that Camelot's King would always be betrayed by the ones they trust most.

Sadly for Arthur, he was betrayed by both Gwen and Lance and they left him alone.

While Tedros still has Agatha but without Chaddick the lesson simply is not learned.

Chaddick was integral to this formula because Camelot would have had to face yet another propable tragedy for their beloved King in the hands of the people he loves. With Tedros, Agatha, and Chaddick, complete, proving that they could do better despite having just a strong a bond as what Arthur and co had and Camelot accepting and trsuting this, the previous wounds would be replaced with new Hope.

Because even if that whole affair happened and ruined the Kingdom, at least they have proof that it's not always gonna happen that way.

And that's why Rhian being remembered as Tedros's Knight hurts this idea. Cause he betrayed him too.

Anyway, hopefully I made my point with this legacy thing.

Plus Chaddick and Arthur's Round Table training him. WHY SOMAN WHY?!?!?!

And now, imma explain what I think should have happened with Chaddick and how his character development and his role should have played out.

Because Chaddick is a pretty well rounded character, his POV chapter proves that he's brave, and is willing to die for his friends and what's right, and there isn't really much flaws to him aside from that he can sometimes make the most worst decisions despite being pretty wise.

I honestly cannot tell if he is stupid sometimes or Soman just does this to him cause PLOT.

Fandom I need help with this. Give me some opinions.

Like. . . he's wise enough to know what was right, examples being warning Tedros about Sophie and the first to listen to Agatha in AWWP, but also dumb or ignorant enough to bully Agatha in Book 1 and that VERY IMPORTANT THING ABOUT completely ABUSING Tedros is AWWP.

Like I'm kinda confused with him.

Well maybe we can say that he's a bit ignorant and maybe was raised with privilege so that's why he bullied Agatha in Book 1 and kinda wisened up in Book 2 about her.

But I am not excusing his attitude towards Tedros in AWWP because that was messed up. Well, AWWP was messed up so there is that but if we have to acknowledge that mess and have some closure then I vote for it to come from Chaddick and Yara.

Like maybe the reason why Chaddick is more wise now is because of that very experience. Maybe he could still be a bit guilty about it and that kinda messes with his mind cause he still thinks that Tedros is still the same boy those years ago in their second year and Rhian uses this to his advantage.

Actually, thinking about it this makes so much sense.

Like instead of AGATHA having the trust issues (thought I wouldn't completely vanish it, just not at the same level as she does in canon) it's CHADDICK that has them. Cause he's always kinda gets haunted by what happened in AWWP.

I mean Tedros replaced him with ARIC of all people when he failed to retrieve Agatha. There has to be some animosity between them since. I can imagine that Chaddick kinda felt like him and Tedros could never be as close as when they were during their first year. And he would totally understand it if Tedros never really forgave him for what happened and was at peace with it even if he didn't have enough guts to find a closure for it. He'd respect his friend first and foremost.

But then comes Tedros, all fine and inviting him to be his Knight like that would mess Chaddick up.

He propably couldn't believe it at first and maybe even kindly refused the offer at first but then he sees the heart break in Tedros's face and Chaddick realizes that Tedros really wanted this.

Tedros still sees Chaddick as his closest friend despite what happened in AWWP. And maybe after some thinking, Chaddick realizes that he still wants to have the bond with Tedros like what they had in Book 1. So he accepts.

But of course, they've changed and Chaddick still gets eaten by guilt because I think that he's the kind of person that knows that he did something wrong and wants to repent for it.

So instead of that wise friend that Tedros had in Book 1, Chaddick can't trust his judgement about Tedros because he's scared he'd go too far. So he kinda just agrees to Tedros's ideas and doesn't really give advice. Tedros kinda notices this and tries to talk to Chaddick about it but Chaddick would be all formal to him. Tedros, I don't really know, would think that it would be for his sake with the comparison with Arthur and Lance and all. So he kinda just goes along with it.

It's messy right now guys, I know, I'm kinda butchering Chaddick's character here but I promise it gets better and in my mind he'd be like this for only Book 4. He'd be Wise Chaddick again right after. Just give me a chance to explain.

So they have this kind of miscommunication thing that Canon Tagatha had in QfG instead and that would have made so much more sense and here's why;

Warning: this is officially where the Tagatha interlude starts so if you wanna skip it (why though???) find the sign that states it's the end. It's gonna be in pink too.

The fact that Tagatha was having a miscommunication failure was kinda off with me because 1) they've been over this in AWWP and TLEA. In TLEA Tedros has absolutely no problem with pushing Agatha to share more when she wouldn't and 2) he could easily read her like a book, especially when it counts. Like he could get her favorite food wrong but he always seemed to know what Agatha was having trouble with and was there to help her out and is not afraid to call her out on it (i.e. the Cinderella thing, he was on point there)

Imma provide some examples of Tedros totally getting Agatha when it counts;

AND THIS

AND THIS TOO

WAIT THERE IS MORE (The Tagatha Moment)

AND LET US NOT FORGET

THIS IS WHY TLEA TAGATHA WILL ALWAYS BE BEST TAGATHA.

I get that Agatha's insecure about herself and maybe she was kinda influenced with the Excalibur thing (but I highly doubt it though) but it's no reason for her to get to the conclusion she did at the end of QfG.

I mean girl, you were always thinking that Tedros would be a Great King in TLEA and that's why you've been so insecure about yourself. WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT???

Someone call me out on this PLEASE. I'm hurting myself by judging her too hard.

I can imagine that she would be sceptical with Tedros's ideas and kinda doubting him about it (you guys have no idea how much it hurts typing this) but I can also imagine that she would never doubt that Tedros's heart is in the right place even if she thinks that the way he gets there isn't always the best.

Like we have literal proof that Tedros gets Agatha almost like Sophie does and the best thing is that I'm sure that Tedros would think of the best in mind.

The mess in QfG makes no sense because they should be over this miscommunication bs and it should not have been a thing.

And if it was because of the stress with Excalibur and his responsibilities as King that made Tedros suddenly not get Agatha then WTF Soman!?!?!? I did not ask for this. They were literally about to die in TLEA and yet they could still joke and tease each other and have these cute little scenes with the other.

Instead I got Rhian's b*tch ass being Tedros's therapists when he knows sh*t about this boy and Agatha doubting Tedros like he did something horrible. (Well he did for trusting Rhian but i digress)

I could have had more of these cute Tagatha scenes instead. Like, is it too much to ask for these two to just show their love for each other in other ways than "I will save you" and "You're the best thing ever and I don't want to lose you for this horrible thing that I did or say" like give me small softer moments anytime.

Tedros gently teasing Agatha when she's being difficult and Agatha being totally trying not to show that she's smitten over it.

Agatha trying to be romantic at the most outrageous moments and Tedros being like "?????" but totally finding it cute.

Other character just not getting these two when they do and they are just as confused.

These are the kind of scenes I wanted from them. And if I have to use Chaddick to get it then so be it. (I'm sorry about this, I'm mostly projecting at this point and these really affecting my personal opinions on this matter but I'll try to tone it down a bit so that it's still coherent)

Note: this is the official end of the Tagatha interlude but i'm not keeping any promises that it'll be the last

Anyways, Chaddick and Tedros, they have more reasons with having communication problems because;

They have not been together for a very long time and they've both propably changed since

AWWP. So far, the two of them have had horrible experiences as the last thing that they remember about each other.

As I explained, I headcanon that Chaddick has a somewhat formed a sort of PSTD with it and is very scared that he's gonna mess it up.

I'm not even going to try to explain the PSTD thing cause I feel like I'm not gonna do it justice but I hope you get what I mean.

Chaddick must have become more unsure of himself after AWWP and he must still be trying to fit this new Tedros with the old one that he used to hang out with in Book 1. It would have been a good comparison to show that Tedros has indeed change and grown since then.

Like Chaddick kinda feels like he needs to intervene when Tedros shares a very outrageous suggestion but doesn't know how and kinda ends up in a mess.

Basically imagine Tagatha's problems in QfG and apply to Tedros and Chaddick instead.

And Chaddick would have been suspiscious about Rhian from the beginning. He's a smart savy guy afterall.

So Rhian kinda exploits this and gets the two boys against each other. Because say that Tedros and Chaddick have this big fight propably like the one when Agatha comments that Tedros was being a horrible king but Chaddick's the one that said it instead. Say that this happens around the middle of the Book and it's the final straw between them because they haven't been properly communicating and all the pressure on them. Rhian could easily worm his way to Tedros's side and replace Chaddick nicely. Cause unlile Chaddick, Rhian would make Tedros believe that HE'S the one that believes in him the most.

So they kinda fall apart and Chaddick and Tedros are trying to understand where it all went wrong.

Agatha would try to understand each side and get them to better terms again but she can't do it alone plus a-hole Rhian is butting in.

I imagine that, for me, the logical person that Chaddick might approach on his dilema with Tedros might be Ravan.

Cause the two of them basically think the same way and are usually calm and wise. The only difference would be that Chaddick's more active while Ravan's more passive and choses to observe before making a move. So he calms Chaddick down when he's being too impatient.

Chaddick and Agatha would be talking of course. And I don't know why but I imagine that they're more numb to all the gossip about the three of them especially around each other because they're both sort of level headed and wise then when they're with Tedros individually.

And I imagine this is where the Tagatha drama happens. Only after Rhian cause I wanna be clear that without him, Tagatha would have been fine. He also tries to break them up by saying that Agatha sides with Chaddick and that she doesn't have much faith in Tedros too.

Agatha's going to deny this of course (because it's all bs from Rhian) but Tedros has been too stressed and vulnerable that he sorta starts to believe it and Agatha gets frustrated that Tedros is choosing to believe Rhian when she's known him longer and after everything that they've been through.

But Tedros isn't fully under Rhian's spell. I would have put several times when they would doubt each other especially when Rhian talks crap about Agatha and Chaddick and it would be beserk button for Tedros so Rhian doesn't really go there.

Now Chaddick would be having his little personal battle with himself and Ravan and Agatha would be there to support him and give some advice.

The real kicker would have been when Rhian is adored by Camelot as Tedros's Treasured Knight, someone better than Lancelot and Chaddick kinda has a heartbreaking moment because HE'S supposed to be the one that was known as Tedros's Treasured Knight not this stranger. Not this stranger that stole everything from him especially his best friend.

Agatha hears about this and reflects the time when she gave up her own position as Tedros's queen in TLEA and remembers that Tedros knows her and all her monsters and has been the light to help her fight them.

So she and Chaddick have this talk and she tries to concinve him that Tedros wouldn't want for Chaddick to just give up on him like that. Chaddick thinks about it but is still not completely convinced but Agatha reminds him that Tedros CHOOSE HIM to be his Knight and Liege and they both have to fight for it.

It's Ravan who finally manages to get Chaddick to gear when he asks Chaddick if he's going to regret anything he should choose to either regret letting Tedros go and not fighting for their friendship or make a complete idiot of himself but fight for their friendship instead.

So Chaddick does the latter but everything is too late and the Rhian thing happens as I explained in the first Rants and Remakes post and Chaddick gets tossed into jail with Tedros.

It's in book 5 that I imagine their relationship actually starts to heal itself and they both try to get through everything. I haven't thought of all the kinks out yet but I imagine a lot of fights and Chaddick just kinda shouting what he thinks before he startsvthe regret it and Tedros being this physic and just getting Chaddick too like how he does Agatha.

Again, I haven't thought of everything yet but I'll share it when I do

Now let's move on to Yara

On Yara

Yara would have been more influencial alive then dead and I already explained why how she could have been handled in TLEA cause where I really see exploiting her is in the storyline of TCY.

With the Balance vs Chaos in mind as well as the Lady of the Lake villainess plotline, Yara could have been the answer to this.

She'd be a living reminder of everything that all the characters went through in AWWP and how horribly toxic it is to everyone. Especially those like Yara who lives in the between.

Like with the Lady plotline she would have promoted ultimate purity for both Good and Evil and doesn't believe that each side could be able to understand each other so she thinks that she's promoting Balance that way and that letting each side corrupt the other is Chaos.

She would have believed that Yara is an abomination to the Balance because she is the embodiment of the idea that you can choose some charcteristic from two sides and still be yourself.

Plus with Yara alive the other characters would be forced to rethink their ideals and how to approach this new possibility and reflect on the old ways that have been hurting the ones that are similar to her.

I imagine that Yara's gonna have an internal struggle with this like she's still trying to understand it herself and as she tries to understand it the more that the other characters do as well.

I haven't actually thought out her actual detailed storyline just yet and even though I wanna say more I know that I might butcher her character as I go on but I definitely know her importance to the possible story.

As I explained before, if in TSY was Good VS Evil and that the TCY was about Good AND Evil and how both sides need each other to grow and develop and that the importance of the School still teaching Good and Evil in its most purest form is so that they'd all have a guideline to go by but the curriculum has become more flexible with their beliefs OF Good and Evil and that every student just have shades of grey but choses to go by these either of the two and can still be a Hero or a Villain then Yara could have been the right person to show that it doesn't matter if your not completely on one side and was given the characteristics of the other, it matters what values you choose to follow despite it and how tou choose to use it to help everyone else for the better.

Cause it's canon already that it doesn't matter what they are, it's what they do that counts.

NGL I'm not completely satisfied with how I explained Chaddick and Yara I feel like I didn't do them justice here and I will definitely get back to this when I have organized and fleshed out my thoughts on them

Anyways, if you guys would like to add your own thoughts to this post pls do.

#tedros #agatha #sge #sfgae #tsfgae #the school for good and evil #school for good and evil #soman chainani #chaddick of foxwood #chaddick #yara of avalon towers #tristan of avalon towers #tagatha #agatha of woods beyond #agatha of camelot #tedros of camelot #I personally feel like this was messy and not as detailed as the rest #sorry guys but gonna do them justice #once i've fixed my thoughts m

45 notes · View notes