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  1. *

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    Summary

    In which many strange creatures begin to show up in the woods outside of Camelot, and Merlin finds several more reasons to hate hunting.

    Starts up after Arthur becomes Prince Regent, but before the events of 4x01.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    “Gaius,” Merlin started to ask, a bit hesitantly, when he finally reached the tower, late that evening. “What all do you know about faeries?”

    Gaius dropped a half-finished potion, turned several fascinating shades of red and pink before moving on to near-purple, and yelled at Merlin for being irreparably foolish for quite a long while before Merlin was able to get a word in edgewise and was allowed to tell him anything more about the afternoon.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    20,034
    Chapters:
    9/9
    Comments:
    163
    Kudos:
    920
    Bookmarks:
    186
    Hits:
    10,282
  2. 57

    Tags
    Summary

    Most people imagine magic reveals involve prophecy and drama.

    The Knights of the Round Table discover Merlin’s magic through a series of increasingly suspicious “accidents,” and immediately choose to never speak of it again.

    Not because they’re noble—

    but because they’ve seen what the forest does when Merlin is annoyed.

     

    inspired by this post

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    820
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    19
    Kudos:
    443
    Bookmarks:
    57
    Hits:
    1,813
  3. *

    Tags
    Summary

    In which Merlin wakes up and chooses violence, and decides not to rethink that choice.

    Or: Merlin realizes that, if he's going to keep Arthur safe and keep his magic a secret, he will have to get a little bit physical. Arthur has to rethink everything in existence when he's suddenly forced to confront the fact that Merlin can fight, and is in fact, bloody dangerous

    Or: The author randomly thought "Murder Twink Merlin" while re-watching the show, and decided it was his mission in life to make that a tag.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    13,802
    Chapters:
    9/9
    Comments:
    623
    Kudos:
    8,917
    Bookmarks:
    1,930
    Hits:
    80,504
    • 18 Dec 2025

      Public Bookmark

      Bookmark Tags:
      Bookmark Collections:
      Bookmark Notes:
      Work/Series Details

      By Any Means Necessary by Merlinfirstlastalways
      Completed: 2023-08-04
      Work/Series ID: 48024343

      Relationship Tags:

      Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

      Additional Tags:

      Merlin wakes up and chooses violence, and keeps choosing it, BAMF Merlin (Merlin), Confused Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Confused Uther Pendragon (Merlin), Violence, mostly canon typical violence but a few more violent bits, Graphic Description of Corpses, Body Horror, but only slightly - Freeform, Murder Twink! Merlin, it is my mission in life to make that a tag, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon Era, no beta we die like Merlin's enemies, Spymaster! Merlin, swordsman! merlin, Powerful Merlin (Merlin), Competent Merlin (Merlin), Implied Sexual Content, off-screen sex, hints of bdsm, Bottom Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Top Merlin (Merlin), fighter! merlin, Assassination Attempt(s), bandits, Good Morgana (Merlin), Uther Regrets All Of His Life Choices, Long-Suffering Leon (Merlin), Sir Leon the Long Suffering, The inherent homoeroticism of swordfighting, arthur pendragon has a competence kink

      Work/Series Summary:

      In which Merlin wakes up and chooses violence, and decides not to rethink that choice.

      Or: Merlin realizes that, if he's going to keep Arthur safe and keep his magic a secret, he will have to get a little bit physical. Arthur has to rethink everything in existence when he's suddenly forced to confront the fact that Merlin can fight, and is in fact, bloody dangerous

      Or: The author randomly thought "Murder Twink Merlin" while re-watching the show, and decided it was his mission in life to make that a tag.

      Favorite Quotes/Passages:
    • 18 Dec 2025

      Public Bookmark

      Bookmark Notes:

      merlin: *wrecks the villain du jour w/OUT his magic*
      arthur: “funny how my legs are wide open all of the sudden”

      aka arthur discovering his heretofore unknown competency kink

    • 17 Dec 2025

      Public Bookmark

    • 17 Dec 2025

      Public Bookmark

    • 17 Dec 2025

      Public Bookmark

  4. *

    Tags
    Summary

    “Gwen, it’s terrible,” Merlin said. “He’s polite! He’s kind, even!”

    “And that’s a problem?” Gwen asked, dryly.

    "I’m going to have to go through an entire week serving the perfect Golden Prince, and then go back to my Prince Prat, and I think it’s going to break me, Gwen. He’s going to get me used to it, and then it’ll be back to mile-long lists, and being called stupid instead of spectacular and how am I supposed to handle that?”

    Gwen said, hesitantly, “I thought you liked Arthur?”

    “I do,” Merlin said, sounding even lower than before. “I have to.”

    * * *
    When a visiting Prince visits Camelot, and takes Merlin as his servant during his negotiations with The Crown, Merlin finds himself being seen in a way he'd always wished Arthur would see him, and doesn't know what to do with any of it.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    33,135
    Chapters:
    6/6
    Comments:
    323
    Kudos:
    3,467
    Bookmarks:
    784
    Hits:
    53,778
  5. *

    Words:
    13,802
    Works:
    1
    Bookmarks:
    213
  6. *

    Tags
    Summary

    By some magical accident, an older Merlin steps into Camelot, 10 years ago. Only now, he's buff and good with a sword, looks good in armour, is a fucking assassin, and claims to be Arthur's husband.

    Or

    "The crest on it means you're a member of the royal family." said Leon, red-faced and about to burst a vein or two, making them all jump.

    "Something like that." Merlin grinned.

    "What?" Arthur choked out.

    "Oh we're married. Did I forget to mention?" Merlin asked with an innocent tilt of his head

    Or

    "Relax, darling. I've been begging His Royal Prat-ness for a vacation for ages. I'm starting to think you actually want to see me on my hands and knees."

    Arthur dropped his sword with a clang, felt the need to lie down for a while. Merlin laughed and took a hold of his bicep. "Come." He said. "I'm dying to see everyone."

    And Arthur let himself be man-handled and dragged along like a boy toy. Because this was his life now.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    2,539
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    120
    Kudos:
    1,967
    Bookmarks:
    245
    Hits:
    12,247
  7. *

    Tags
    Summary

    When a noble visits Camelot with her servant-turned-lover, Merlin thinks he and Arthur may actually have a chance. But when Arthur uses the visit as inspiration to instead court Gwen, Merlin develops a tickle in his throat. Then a cough. Then flower petals.

    Beltane is a time for celebrating new life and new births, but Merlin will be lucky to survive until the festival, since the only cure for Hanahaki is to have one’s love returned…and Arthur doesn’t love him.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    18,757
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Collections:
    7
    Comments:
    295
    Kudos:
    7,626
    Bookmarks:
    1,536
    Hits:
    67,929
  8. *

    Tags
    Summary

    When castle gossip reveals an old noble tradition, it threatens to break not only Merlin's faith in Arthur, but the Round Table's as well

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    39,670
    Chapters:
    13/?
    Comments:
    404
    Kudos:
    1,734
    Bookmarks:
    374
    Hits:
    28,162
  9. *

    Words:
    20,510
    Works:
    2
    Bookmarks:
    186
  10. *

    Tags
    Summary

    When Arthur decides that he should humor his Council and at least make an effort in finding a bride, he enlists the help of Morgana. Her solution? A list of questions about Arthur's favorite things: if one of his possible matches could answer them, well, that would mean he had a chance at happiness with them, right?

    At first, Arthur thinks it's a ridiculous idea.

    Then he discovers that Merlin, who has no idea what the questions are for, somehow knows all the answers

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    2,659
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    121
    Kudos:
    5,404
    Bookmarks:
    729
    Hits:
    27,442
  11. 52

    Tags
    Summary

    When Hunith falls ill, Merlin returns to Ealdor expecting quiet farm work and his mother's terrible herbal tea. He did not expect:

    1. Arthur inviting himself along ("supervising servant productivity")
    2. The knights, Morgana, and Gwen inventing increasingly ridiculous excuses to join
    3. His own childhood nickname ("Emrys") resurfacing at the worst possible moment

    Between delivering foals, terrifying local bullies, and spinning firelit tales that suspiciously glow, Merlin's carefully constructed "clumsy servant" persona starts crumbling. And Arthur—well. Arthur's too busy having a quiet existential crisis over why his manservant looks right with village children hanging off his arms and sunlight in his stupid hair.

    Featuring: Gwaine as protective chaos incarnate, Hunith's knowing smiles, and at least three knights realizing they've been outclassed by a man who talks to livestock.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    35,601
    Chapters:
    9/9
    Comments:
    32
    Kudos:
    239
    Bookmarks:
    52
    Hits:
    4,633
  12. 70

    Words:
    33,135
    Works:
    1
    Bookmarks:
    70
  13. 10

    Tags
    Summary

    A knight suggests that Merlin might harm Arthur with his magic. Arthur does not take it kindly.

    Sarrum is angered by the return of magic to Camelot and visits with ill intentions. Merlin takes care of it.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    646
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Collections:
    2
    Kudos:
    121
    Bookmarks:
    10
    Hits:
    1,434
  14. *

    Words:
    84,876
    Works:
    4
    Bookmarks:
    184
  15. *

    Tags
    Summary

    Arthur was at his wits' end when he caught Merlin walking out of the tavern, which led him to make a horrible mistake, one that proved to be the last straw for Merlin, who decided there was nothing else to do but publically quit his job and leave Camelot in a huff.

    Arthur never realized how much Merlin did for him-- or for Guinevere-- until he was gone; neither he nor his wife realized just how integral Merlin was to Camelot... and to their marriage.

    *Story is complete apart from final editing and will be posted in full over the next few days. Currently clocking in at about 20k. Explicit in the fifth chapter.*

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    25,932
    Chapters:
    6/6
    Comments:
    175
    Kudos:
    1,594
    Bookmarks:
    385
    Hits:
    18,489
  16. *

    Tags
    Summary

    Now that Arthur has realized just how much his manservant cares for him, he's determined to woo him, marry him, and live happily ever after.

    If only it were that simple.

    ~A direct sequel to A Few Of My Favorite Things~

    Alternate title: five times Arthur tried to woo Merlin, and the time he finally got it right

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    17,851
    Chapters:
    6/6
    Comments:
    199
    Kudos:
    2,240
    Bookmarks:
    263
    Hits:
    25,347
  17. 60

    Tags
    Summary

    In which Merlin gets a new pair of boots, and Arthur regrets everything

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    9,049
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    26
    Kudos:
    384
    Bookmarks:
    60
    Hits:
    2,209
  18. 26

    Summary

    A series of unconnected works where I re-write fairy tales, but make them Merlin

    Words:
    18,063
    Works:
    2
    Bookmarks:
    26
  19. *

    Tags
    Summary

    Next time Merlin said he needed to be elsewhere, Arthur vowed to listen to him. If he had, maybe there wouldn't be a foreign king with a mutilated hand in the council chambers.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    4,390
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Collections:
    9
    Comments:
    234
    Kudos:
    6,495
    Bookmarks:
    802
    Hits:
    40,697
  20. *

    Tags
    Summary

    It's just Merlin's luck to get trapped in a castle with the knights and a crazy fae who wants to see how well he can lie. Fortunately, he's very good at lying.
    Unfortunately, the fae isn't too pleased about that.

    The knights are going to have a lot of questions if they live through this.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    7,262
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Collections:
    14
    Comments:
    170
    Kudos:
    7,916
    Bookmarks:
    1,378
    Hits:
    60,305

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