1 - 20 of 52 Bookmarks by fresh_basil
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“You know the usual me. The one that always goes with you when there's a magical threat, just to ensure your safety.” He hoped that his attempt at lightening up the mood would break some of the tension. Unfortunately he saw Arthur's shoulders tense up a little.
"Merlin, you are not riding out with us" Arthur still didn't even look up at the younger man, keeping his failing attention on papers, his voice trying to take on a nonchalant tone but his piercing gaze only intensifying in its severity.
OR
A different take on the episode “The Last Dragonlord” where Arthur didn’t relent and actually forbade Merlin from riding out with him to fight the dragon. Of course Merlin ignores him and tries to face it alone, although this time he doesn’t know if he will even get a chance to succeed, all the while Arthur tries to ensure his servant’s… his friend’s safety.
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
11 Nov 2025
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Summary
Merlin succeeded. He saved Arthur.
If only Arthur could’ve saved Merlin.
Series
- Part 1 of Whumptober 2025
- Part 1 of Merthur Madness
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 4,945
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 13
- Kudos:
- 114
- Bookmarks:
- 14
- Hits:
- 1,140
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
10 Nov 2025
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"Merlin."
"Yes, sire?"
"Have you ever wondered about your soulmate?"
Merlin's hands stilled on the breastplate. "I... what do you mean?"
Arthur was sitting on the edge of his bed, unlacing his boots, but his movements had grown slow and thoughtful. "I mean, do you ever think about what they might be like? Whether you'll recognize them when you meet them?"
"Sometimes," Merlin admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Every waking moment.
Series
- Part 4 of The Great War Challenge
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
13 Sep 2025
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Summary
Everyone insisted that Arthur needed time to process, to accept that Merlin was gone. The only problem was that Merlin wasn’t.
Arthur didn’t know how to explain it without sounding like Uther when he’d seen Ygraine in the well, like he was losing his mind and looking for ghosts. He didn’t know how to look at his court and make them understand that Merlin had once told him about nature, about the sacred connectedness of the earth, and asked Arthur if he felt it. He didn’t know how to say that he hadn’t felt it back then, but that he did now. He felt it all. He felt Merlin in it.
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Merlin saves Arthur's life at Camlann at the cost of his own. Merlin can't die, so it's not that simple.
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
10 Sep 2025
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Arthur does not need love. A prince is above such things. He does not need to be held, he needs only the embrace of armor on his skin as he trains to protect Camelot. He does not need friends, only allies to ensure his kingdoms future. These are the marks of a good leader.
That is what he tells himself, anyway.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 36,719
- Chapters:
- 4/4
- Collections:
- 4
- Comments:
- 176
- Kudos:
- 3,321
- Bookmarks:
- 749
- Hits:
- 37,831
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
09 Sep 2025
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Merlin has fulfilled his destiny. Albion is united and magic is restored to the land- but nothing in the prophecies had mentioned what to do afterward. Merlin's old roles are suddenly filled by people more competent than him, and there is no need for him any longer.
So Merlin disappears.- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 31,311
- Chapters:
- 6/6
- Collections:
- 7
- Comments:
- 333
- Kudos:
- 7,760
- Bookmarks:
- 1,608
- Hits:
- 108,547
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
09 Sep 2025
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Summary
Even after peace had come to Camelot, Arthur couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something - someone - important.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 3,027
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 14
- Kudos:
- 321
- Bookmarks:
- 56
- Hits:
- 1,816
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
09 Sep 2025
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“I’m leaving.” Merlin says, because this situation already cost him his Duolingo streak, and he’s too tired to deal with Arthur when the food Gaius is serving him looks like it belongs on a list of war crimes committed by the Canadian soldiers.
“Where to?” His mentor asks, and Merlin shrugs, before going to his room and packing his bag.
“India. Gaius, I have decided I don’t give a damn, especially not when having to eat that bland food. I’ll be back in three months, make sure Arthur doesn’t die when I’m out.”
“Merlin!” And maybe, if he was younger and didn’t travel back to the past last month, he would’ve actually cared about the ‘eyebrow of disapproval’.
Or, a 1500yo Merlin gets zapped to the past during his vacation to Cuba. You’d think he’s happy to see Arthur again. He’s not.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 182,178
- Chapters:
- 24/24
- Comments:
- 968
- Kudos:
- 3,233
- Bookmarks:
- 1,008
- Hits:
- 82,122
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
09 Sep 2025
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When a fellow prince, Arthur's childhood friend, arrives for their annual competition, Arthur realises there is more to lose than is willing to risk. With the only choice to win, Arthur is prepared to do anything to save all he holds dear, but with Merlin involved, a bitter rival, and three rounds of challenges, things are never going to be easy. ( Set during the S1-S2 gap.) Updated with front cover
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
22 Aug 2025
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The thing was, Merlin didn’t mean for it to happen this way. Sure, it had been a conscious decision on his part, he had actually rolled it over in his head for hours to make sure he was truly doing the right thing, but he didn’t mean for it to be like this.
Written for Day 1 of Mercelot Week 2025, for the prompt “it took you almost 4 years to fully trust me, and it took you all of one minute to stop.”
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 2,177
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 2
- Kudos:
- 109
- Bookmarks:
- 8
- Hits:
- 726
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
15 Aug 2025
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Summary
Something was happening. Something was wrong.
Gwaine was acting weird.
i.e Merlin not knowing he's in a relationship and oppsie accidentally revealing his magic to Gwaine as he goes
A prequel to my Taste of Apples fic, which is not required reading to enjoy the rest of this!!!!
Series
- Part 1 of Taste of apples
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
15 Aug 2025
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Summary
The arrival of guests from another kingdom takes the servants of Camelot's castle in a flurry. And not just by the level of work. Due to the difference of stations, a voice to stand up for themselves at the cruel hands of arrogant and abusive nobles is often buried. Such is the same for Merlin.
Fortunately, his friends notice and are there to help.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 8,167
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 3
- Comments:
- 64
- Kudos:
- 1,509
- Bookmarks:
- 253
- Hits:
- 11,595
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
14 Aug 2025
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Summary
Merlin knew it was going to happen at one point or another, it has happened before and he knows he’s not subtle enough, he's not as careful as he should. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel like all the breath has left him and the blind panic of something worse than fearing for your life.
So, it happened. Merlin just wished it was under a less bloody circumstance.
“I was going to give you a hand,” Gwaine said, with the sword still on his hand. Merlin can’t breathe “but clearly you didn’t need it.”
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
09 Aug 2025
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Summary
Gwaine wanted desperately to know more about the mystery that is Merlin, but not like this, not like this, with his agency snatched away by desperate words and secrets spilling from his throat to his mouth like knives.
Or: Merlin falls victim of a truth spell. Gwaine and Lancelot are there to pick up the pieces.
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
05 Aug 2025
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Summary
“Merlin,” The Noblest Knight says, Lancelot, Merlin whispers to the wind. “what are you doing?”
He tears his eyes away from Lancelot and it’s then when he notices the changes around him, the trees look more vibrant, there are more flowers than when he last looked, and the bald patch of grass isn’t there anymore.
“I didn’t—” Merlin whispers to Lancelot, slightly terrified “—I didn’t do it on purpose,”
Or: Merlin knows something is different, he doesn’t realize what it is until they find a Druids’ Temple
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
05 Aug 2025
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Summary
Based on another tumblr post:
Arthur wakes up in a Camelot where Merlin has never come to Camelot.
At first, Arthur is so distracted by Merlin's absence, that he doesn't realize how everyone is staring at him strangely.
Arthur: Is something the matter?
Knight: Are you - Excuse me, Sire - You are so calm today. Is everything alright?
Arthur: Calm? How on earth am I calm? Merlin is gone!"
Knight: Yes but ... Aside from this mysterious Merlin... You haven't chosen a servant today.
Arthur: If they aren't Merlin, then it doesn't matter.
Knight: *Wide eyes* You beat up this Merlin person?
Arthur: If I WHAT?!
https://www.tumblr.com/theroundbartable/767407486547443712/
Series
- Part 95 of Merlin's magic
- Part 8 of The eternal suffering (BBC Merlin)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 19,607
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Comments:
- 453
- Kudos:
- 2,539
- Bookmarks:
- 437
- Hits:
- 20,358
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
30 Jul 2025
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Summary
When Merlin returns to Arthur after barely surviving the serket sting, he is met with unexpected concern instead of their usual banter.
Or, how the conversation in 3x02 The Tears of Uther Pendragon (Part 2) could have gone.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,230
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 151
- Kudos:
- 5,802
- Bookmarks:
- 661
- Hits:
- 36,678
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
26 Jul 2025
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Summary
Gwaine just won’t shut up while Merlin’s trying to study, so Merlin casts a silencing spell on him without thinking. Two hours of quiet bliss later, Merlin realizes—he doesn’t actually remember how to undo it.
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
23 Jul 2025
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Summary
Merlin and Gwaine are out scouting when they come across a strange amulet. Merlins being controlled and Gwaine's fighting for his life dodging his warlocks magic. What a day.
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
22 Jul 2025
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spreading you open is the only way of knowing you by thoughtdaugther
Fandoms: Merlin (TV)
26 May 2024
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Summary
“What’s Merlin up to, Gaius?”
Gaius isn’t listening. His eyes are wide and horrified but suddenly focused on something behind him, something outside of the window.
Before the knights can turn around to catch it, the door flies open yet again. The force behind it so strong that it nearly falls off it’s hinges.
Familiar eyes meet his own.
Merlin’s eyes.
Merlin is back, coming right through the door.
But he isn’t walking. He’s falling through the door and landing on the hard floor before Gwaine can even register what’s happening.
“Merlin?” Sir Leon rushes to his side, his voice quiet.
Merlin is right in front of him. Blood soaked and filthy. Covered scrapes and bruises. Crying out for no one in particular.
And it’s the most battered Gwaine has seen him.
(Or, Merlin disappears without explanation, leaving Gwaine worried to death.
Luckily, the sorcerer returns.
Beaten and battered.)
Series
- Part 1 of come as you are
Bookmarked by fresh_basil
21 Jul 2025