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Loneliness is an insidious thing. When Merlin looks at Arthur, he sees not just a prince waiting for his time to rule, but a young man struggling to find his place in the world, with little help from anyone else.
The truth is, Arthur needs more than the friendship Merlin can offer. He needs people he can trust: men and women who will become his court and his confidants, and if he is going to survive to take the throne and lead Camelot into its golden age, he needs them sooner rather than later.
Finding loopholes in Uther’s laws is no easy feat. Court life is a dangerous game, but it’s one Merlin has every intention of winning so that Arthur can have knights of his choosing by his side.
And then there is the matter of his magic…
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 399,025
- Chapters:
- 84/110
- Collections:
- 2
- Comments:
- 8,637
- Kudos:
- 3,752
- Bookmarks:
- 822
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- 162,798
Bookmarked by djames21
02 Jul 2026
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'What happened to you?'
Merlin grimaced. He must look worse than he realised for Arthur to sound like that: genuinely aghast, as if he thought Merlin might collapse at any moment. It wasn't that bad. He'd wiped the worst of the mud and blood off.
'Gaius needed herbs.'
Sometimes all it take is a little tender loving care to shift the balance of friendship into something more.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 5,225
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 110
- Kudos:
- 2,115
- Bookmarks:
- 308
- Hits:
- 18,196
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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They were oblivious to him, lost in each other's caresses. Normally, he would have ignored them, diverting his eyes and carrying on towards the castle. That was his intention, right up until the one against the wall tipped back his head with a groan, his face slipping from shadow to light as his lover turned their attentions to the column of his throat.
Merlin.
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Arthur sees something he shouldn't have, and realises everything he is missing.
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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'Be out of the city of Camelot by sunrise, or so help me, you will burn.'
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When Merlin confesses the truth of his magic to Arthur, he finds himself exiled from Camelot. He intends never to return to Arthur's side, but destiny is not so easily defeated. Can he and Arthur heal the rift that has yawned between them, or will they both suffer the consequences of destiny's displeasure?
(AKA: Merlin and Arthur get shoved into the magical equivalent of a "getting along" shirt because they're idiots.)
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 57,826
- Chapters:
- 11/11
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 971
- Kudos:
- 4,121
- Bookmarks:
- 968
- Hits:
- 70,534
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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None of them were lunging to their feet with accusations on their lips. They knew what was happening, and five of the most loyal knights in all of Camelot were trying to keep it secret.
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Guinevere only meant to offer Merlin some respite, to ease the worst of his exhaustion and watch over him while he slept. Instead, she ends up making a stunning discovery.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 3,116
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 5
- Comments:
- 181
- Kudos:
- 2,865
- Bookmarks:
- 463
- Hits:
- 14,643
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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'The Wild Hunt.'
'What?'
'The Wild Hunt are coming.' His voice sounded strange, both Merlin's and not, as if something far older spoke through his lips. The words carried, seeming to drift through the mist, and Arthur saw Gwaine get to his feet, hurrying around the bed-rolls to rouse everyone.
'That's a myth,' Arthur said, trying to ignore the way his heart tripped into a faster beat and his fingers felt fat with panic. 'A story to scare people from wandering too far into the woods at night.'
Slowly, Merlin shook his head, seeming to blink back to himself as he struggled free of his bed-roll. 'No, it's not, and tonight, they ride.'
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 6,471
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 123
- Kudos:
- 1,419
- Bookmarks:
- 266
- Hits:
- 9,400
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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'The potion in question was, as far as I can tell, of suitable strength to do its job. Merlin's power would have offered him no defence. There is, of course, one universal antidote against any magics that meddle in matters of the heart...'
'Which is?' Arthur demanded, raising his eyebrows.
Gaius sighed, casting a tired, apologetic look in Merlin's direction. 'If the target of a love spell is already truly, deeply devoted to someone – if they love another without question or pause – then no spell can take hold.'
'You're saying that it didn't work because Merlin already loves someone?' The words felt thin between his lips, straining to get past the sudden, leaden feeling in his chest. It felt like someone had plunged their hand inside him and caught his heart in the cage of their fist, and Arthur was left breathless as he tried to speak around the awful sensation.
******
When a love potion fails to affect Merlin because his heart has already been claimed, Arthur is left wondering who has earned Merlin's devotion
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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'What happened to your back?'
Arthur's voice sounded tense, stiff and uncertain. The brush of warm fingers against the three, pale lines across his shoulder-blade made Merlin jolt in alarm. He whirled around, the tunic still clutched in his hands as he blinked stupidly, his words caught somewhere in his throat.
Not that it mattered. Arthur was too busy staring at the starburst scar the size of a grown man's hand that lay right in the centre of his front, over his heart. A frown of confusion melted beneath a mask of horror, and Merlin swallowed hard as all the colour fled Arthur's face.
'What happened to your chest?!'
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(Prompt: Incendiary - for Seadeepy)
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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'Magic changes.' The words sounded a little slurred on his tongue. Merlin remembered the taste of apples. 'Like the seasons, it changes. So do I.'
When Arthur helps Merlin, intoxicated by his changing magic, he realises the truth neither of them have ever dared to put into words.
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(Prompt: Lughnasadh - For Jacqueline)Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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Summary
He watched Arthur through drooping lashes, admiring the way the firelight played across his skin and struck sunlight through his hair. The sleep tunic he wore was hardly the sturdiest garment. It clung to his shoulders and hung open at the laces, revealing strong collar bones and the golden hair that gleamed, downy, upon Arthur's chest. It was nothing Merlin hadn't seen before when he helped Arthur with his bath, and yet there was something almost coy about the sight: artless and appealing.
Arthur may be a prat sometimes, but he shows he cares in the little things.
(Prompt word: Wretched - For Natty)
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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'Magic is as much part of nature as the earth, sea and sky. Other sorcerers who sought out the circle found that their power developed certain affinities. Their abilities became tied to the cycle of the year. There would be one season at which their power was at its peak and another where it lay almost dormant. They became more closely connected to the natural ebb and flow of the world.'
'But?'
'But they were not Emrys. His strength is beyond anything in living memory, and the heights he could reach are, as yet, unknown.' Aglain spread his hands, his shoulders rolling in a graceful shrug. 'I can only tell you that the Tir Na Lei means no harm. Three is the number: the ritual is set. The circle will not call on Emrys again.'
______
In a Camelot where Arthur is king and magic is permitted once more, Merlin's power begins to change. Can he and Arthur overcome the challenges thrown their way, or will their relationship be forever changed by the ordeal?
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 52,083
- Chapters:
- 6/6
- Comments:
- 485
- Kudos:
- 1,659
- Bookmarks:
- 488
- Hits:
- 26,317
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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Summary
Someone had been beaten for information. He had been able to hear their pain but could not identify the voice which bore it. Now, he saw his knights, strong, hale men, unbreakable in every way, and he realised the truth of it. These bastards had not wasted their time trying to crack the mask of Camelot. Instead, they had turned their attentions to the one they assumed was the weakest link in the chain.
Merlin.
(Based on Aeris' prompt "Asunder")
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 12,423
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Comments:
- 177
- Kudos:
- 1,813
- Bookmarks:
- 300
- Hits:
- 13,009
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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Summary
'Merlin?' he began, casting a frown in his manservant's direction. 'Why is your druid name on this shrine?'
'I don't have a druid name. It's just the name the druids call me.' Merlin scowled, no doubt hearing how foolish he sounded. His ears were red – embarrassed, not angry, if Arthur had to guess – and there was a faintly mulish slant to his expression.
'That's nice of them to pray for you,' Gwaine said cheerfully, taking the rock from Arthur's grasp. 'Asking the gods to give you patience to help you deal with the Princess here, no doubt.' He elbowed Arthur in the ribs, grinning as he scowled in response.
When riding out to warn a druid camp of an imminent attack from Uther, Arthur and his knights discover that Merlin is far more than just a sorcerer. Does he have the strength to save one of the Old Gods, or will he perish in the effort?
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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Summary
Merlin's eyes changed when he did magic. He knew that. In the privacy of his own head, Arthur had come to think of that golden gleam as beautiful since he'd discovered the secret of his sorcery. This was different. It crackled like lightning; a storm held in Merlin's gaze. It cast brief light upon his cheekbones, spilling odd shadows across his face.
'What's happening?'
'He is dying,' a woman's voice said, sugar-sweet. 'And he will take you with him, Arthur Pendragon.'
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A routine hunt threatens to become a fatal disaster when Arthur and Merlin are captured and imprisoned in a dungeon used during the Purge. Can they fight their way to freedom, or will Merlin's power be the death of them?
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 25,430
- Chapters:
- 5/5
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 214
- Kudos:
- 528
- Bookmarks:
- 106
- Hits:
- 7,168
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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Summary
“So let me get this straight,” Arthur said, folding his fingers together as the man in front him awkwardly shifted. “You are under the impression if you win the favor of my servant that you will then win my favor?” he asked and the nobleman shifted again.
“Well, sire,” he said “That is the common consensus among… the chatter.”
“The chatter,” Arthur repeated and his mind flashed to all the kindness Merlin had received from other nobles. Dear God.
Or
Merlin has all of Camelot (and neighboring kingdoms) wrapped around his finger and Arthur is beginning to resign himself to the fact his servant somehow has more power than he does.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 5,881
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Comments:
- 576
- Kudos:
- 33,759
- Bookmarks:
- 5,764
- Hits:
- 198,891
Bookmarked by djames21
29 Jun 2026
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an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (a love for a love) by everydayistuesday
Fandoms: Merlin (TV)
11 Jan 2026
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Summary
“Very well.” Annis looks back to Arthur. “You will have your trial by combat. However,” she says, “I will choose your champion.”
Arthur’s head snaps up. For a moment, he’s clearly uncomfortable, then his expression clears and he squares his shoulders. “As you wish. You have your pick of any one of my men.”
“Him.” Annis’ eyes do not leave Arthur’s. “At noon tomorrow, your servant will fight on behalf of Camelot.”
Bookmarked by djames21
26 Jun 2026
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What if… instead of summoning the Fomorroh, Morgana kept Merlin prisoner? Just so that he could finally answer all her questions. At knifepoint. Until Merlin admits a truth he should have kept to himself…
In doing so, Morgana planned to show Arthur all that he was, except… what if he didn’t experience the disgust she expected? What if Arthur realised all that he had missed?
What if… Merlin suffered only for everything to change upon his rescue?
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 125,376
- Chapters:
- 19/19
- Comments:
- 221
- Kudos:
- 964
- Bookmarks:
- 225
- Hits:
- 30,441
Bookmarked by djames21
25 Jun 2026
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Summary
“You know,” Merlin said, feeling faint, dizzy and exhausted. “Your kidnapping etiquette could do better. You haven’t even offered me a meal yet.”
“Shut the hell up,” Hugo said, throwing a harsh punch into Merlin’s stomach, making the warlock suck in his breath and cough violently.
--
“What if we are unable to find him?” Elyan asked.
“We’ll find him,” Arthur insisted firmly. Leon and Elyan shared a worried look with each other.
“Sire,” Leon said. “We have to consider the possibility though. And think of a plan of action for if he is not found.”
“He will be found,” Arthur said and Leon’s shoulders fell.
“But, Sire-” “That’s enough!” Arthur shouted and his knights fall silent.
~~~
Merlin was kidnapped and tortured for information about Arthur's plan of attack. Arthur goes a little crazy until Merlin is back where he belongs, and then some things are revealed.
Bookmarked by djames21
20 Jun 2026
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Summary
Arthur and Merlin are convinced they have found their happy ending. Little do they know that the greatest threat they have faced yet is closing in. Their ignorant bliss may spell the loss of all they hold dear as deceit and betrayal line the walls of Essetir’s centennial celebration. Ghosts of the past and long-lost enemies resurface as Merlin and Arthur fight for their love in this epic sequel to the Essetir Knight!
Series
- Part 2 of The Essetir Nightmares
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 41,296
- Chapters:
- 20/20
- Comments:
- 280
- Kudos:
- 639
- Bookmarks:
- 145
- Hits:
- 21,605
Bookmarked by djames21
20 Jun 2026
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Summary
After almost a year of living in Camelot, Merlin begins to miss his mother. He turns to another motherly figure, Eleanor, a grieving mother who is drawn to the young servant, for solace and comfort. However Merlin may find himself in hot water when this new maternal figure in his life turns out to be planning much more than he bargained for.
Series
- Part 3 of Paranormal Merlin Whump!
Bookmarked by djames21
20 Jun 2026