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1. Born to Die by nonsensicatty

   Fandoms: Merlin (TV)  

   • Mature
   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • F/F, F/M, M/M
   • Work in Progress

   26 Aug 2025

   Tags

   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
   • Merlin & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
   • Gwen/Lancelot (Merlin)
   • Mordred & Morgana (Merlin)
   • Gwaine/Percival (Merlin)
   • Lots of previous relationships between multiple characters
   • but those are all the important ones
   • Merlin (Merlin)
   • Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
   • duh
   • Gwen (Merlin)
   • Gaius (Merlin)
   • Uther Pendragon (Merlin)
   • Morgana (Merlin)
   • Mordred (Merlin)
   • Gwaine (Merlin)
   • Lancelot (Merlin)
   • Percival (Merlin)
   • Elyan (Merlin)
   • Leon (Merlin)
   • Morgause (Merlin)
   • Probably some others I forgot to mention
   • Agravaine (Merlin)
   • Freya (Merlin)
   • And some dead ones I wasn't going to tag
   • Future but still kinda medieval
   • Knights are now Courtiers
   • Sorcerers are now Mages
   • Druids once ruled the earth but are pretty much all dead
   • Merlin's a badass mage/assassian/theif
   • Arthur is Prince Charming
   • Gwen is a babe
   • Morgana is still kinda twisted but her love for Merlin is undying so she's evil with a good cause
   • so we love her
   • Morgana and Mordred are a thing
   • but there's no creepy age difference so it's okay
   • LOTS of violence
   • lots of magic
   • Slow Burn
   • but eventual smut and graphic sex
   • this will eventually be rated explicit
   • also this is set in a future where sexual orientations are common and accepted
   • so no one is going to comment on anyone's relationship type or status
   • don't be shocked when Uther doesn't care who his son is hooking up with
   • strap in if you dare to read this
   • I've been trying to write this fic since 2013
   • title sucks but I won't change it
   • a lot of lore
   • technically a reincarnation fic but neither of them know it
   • only kilgharrah but he speaks in riddles
   • hopefully a happy ending
   • don't know yet
   • probably OOC at this point since I haven't watched the source material in over a decade
   • but I don't care and don't want to care
   • quickly became very "Dark Romance" and I'm not bothered
   • I'm really just writing for me
   • Hope you like it!

   Summary

   Kamaelot is at war. Mages are all but extinct and their fight for survival threatens to tear the kingdom apart.

   Arthur's birthright is their eradication. He is destined to slay the dreaded Emrys, leader of the Mage Rebellion, and restore peace to his father's districts. But when a mysterious mage spares his life and reveals a plot to kill him, Arthur must hire a royal mercenary, Merlin, to uncover the truth. Though he is shown far more than he ever imagined -- a people oppressed, an ancient empire, a tyrant in power, a lover in his sworn enemy, and a lifetime of lies. Can his destiny be challenged? Can his kingdom be saved?

    

   Latest Chapter Summary:

   How could he resist the helpless ignorance —endearing, intoxicating—wrapped up and bound in a delicious sacrifice Merlin had no right to want? Arthur was something that whispered of ruin, the kind of ruin a man might crave. He could kill him. He should kill him. And yet, in the dim light, with his lips hanging open in the slightest whisper of a question, Merlin wondered what it might feel like to let him live—and damn myself instead.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   41,233

   Chapters:

   4/?

   Comments:

   5

   Kudos:

   24

   Bookmarks:

   12

   Hits:

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