The round table uncovers the magic of Merlin in fanfiction Fanfiction has become a popular form of creative expression for fans of various television shows, movies, and books. One particular fandom that has generated a significant amount of fanfiction is the Arthurian legend, specifically the character of Merlin. In the original Arthurian tales, Merlin is portrayed as a mysterious and powerful wizard who serves as a mentor and adviser to King Arthur. He is known for his magical abilities and his ability to see the future. However, the character of Merlin is often portrayed differently in fanfiction. Fanfiction writers have taken the character of Merlin and breathed new life into him, exploring different facets of his personality and his magical abilities.
Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table are led to believe that Arthur is dead. Merlin doesn’t take it very well. BAMF!Merlin
In which Merlin is bludgeoned, strangled, attacked, smothered, shot with glass, and tossed out a window, burned, whipped, stabbed, thrown down stairs, nearly drowned on dry land, and harpooned, and still manages to save Camelot from seven evil sorcerers. AU, slash, A M, When someone new comes to court, it s up to some of the more seasoned people in Camelot s court to take them aside and explain a few rules about Merlin.
Fanfiction writers have taken the character of Merlin and breathed new life into him, exploring different facets of his personality and his magical abilities. They have delved deeper into his backstory and created intricate plotlines that showcase his powers and his struggles. Some fanfiction even reimagines Merlin as the main protagonist of the Arthurian legend, with King Arthur taking a backseat.
Merlin Fanfiction Recommendations
After Nimueh wreaks her revenge on Camelot, the rest of the world is left plagued with monsters. Arthur/Merlin slash.
Prophesized Series – CaptainOzone
1. A Soul, A Mentality, A Name
Bk1 of Prophesized. Merlin and Arthur are faced by a new, powerful threat: the Gvarath. Merlin once again dons the guise of Dragoon the Great to save Arthur. But the question is: will he be able to convince Arthur to fight alongside him?
2. Powerfully Modest, Modestly Powerful
Bk2 of Prophesized. Arthur has embraced Merlin’s magic with open arms, but when the time is right, how will he be able to open the eyes of others? A sequel to SMN. The after-effects of my Reveal.
2.1 Oathbreaker
Companion fic to Powerfully Modest, Modestly Powerful. Missing Merlin Whump scene from Chapter 7 and a little something extra set after PMMP.
2.2 Young Hawk
Two-shot sequel to Oathbreaker. During a breakfast in which Hunith meets the Knights, humorous anecdotes are shared, and the full story of Merlin’s birth is revealed.
2.3 Her Doom
How does Morgana react when news reaches her of Arthur’s decision to lift the ban on magic and when she learns of Merlin’s identity? Part of my series. Bit of a prologue to Heart of Gold but CAN STAND ALONE.
3. Heart of Gold
Bk3 of Prophesized. Camelot has slowly adjusted to their new Court Sorcerer and the freedom of magic, but prejudice hides in the darkest shadows, with treason and betrayal at its side. However, when Dark magic gets thrown into the mix and when the witch comes out to play… prejudice really is the least of their worries. Merlin!whump/BAMF; Arthur!whump.
4. The End
Because the story never really ends when the author writes “The End,” does it? All the unanswered questions, all the scenes yet to be written…A collection of oneshots and drabbles all connected to my Prophesized series.
In the blink of an eye, Merlin goes from laughing in the halls of Camelot to lying on the ground, hurt and alone, in an unfamiliar, ruined castle. Now all he has to do is figure out what’s happened.
After something terrible happens, Arthur, Gwen, Gwaine, and Lancelot take their turns in protecting their protector, watching over their watcher. Merlin’s the one in trouble, now, and it’s up to them to save him.
In which Merlin is bludgeoned, strangled, attacked, smothered, shot with glass, and tossed out a window, burned, whipped, stabbed, thrown down stairs, nearly drowned on dry land, and harpooned, and still manages to save Camelot from seven evil sorcerers.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Especially if that woman happens to be the all powerful Lady of the Lake. And you’ve just shot her boyfriend with a crossbow.
Arthur is told a series of events that will occur over the space of a week. The seventh day will end with magic returning to Camelot, ushered in by the warlock Emrys, either to save the kingdom or destroy it. Arthur has a plan, though. Sort of.
Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table are led to believe that Arthur is dead. Merlin doesn’t take it very well. BAMF!Merlin
Merlin couldn’t for the life of him remember at what point he’d heaved himself up onto the actual wall, standing with the wind ruffling his hair and the toes of his boots sticking out over the edge. But, he had.
The Other Side of the Edge – Ultra-Geek
Arthur tries to talk Merlin out of a long fall with a sudden stop, and then gets a little more information than he bargained for. Sequel to “Standing on the Edge of Forever”.
In which Arthur tries, several times, to name Merlin as Court Sorcerer, and things just keep going wrong.
In the wake of Uther’s death, Arthur goes too far in an argument with Merlin and is left to try and pick up the pieces.
It’s not the first lie that Merlin has told you. You pray that it won’t be the last.
The King’s Legacy Series – llLethell
1. Crossing the Line
Merlin was no stranger to being tormented by the knights of Camelot, but when one ups the ante he finds that while not all of them know where to draw the line, at least some will come to his aid when it is crossed. Set during S2.
2. To Share a Secret
Weighed down by his secrets, Merlin allows himself to tell Arthur that the dragonlord they are seeking is his father. How does this affect what’s going to happen? Set during The Last Dragonlord.
3. Just Desserts
A visiting lord comes to Camelot to do business with Uther. However, he has ill intent towards the prince and tries to use Merlin to get what he wants. But Merlin will protect Arthur no matter the cost to himself.
4. The King’s Legacy
“I hope you are rolling in your grave brother, I will find your son, and I hope he is like you. I will ruin him and gain a lovely weapon in the process.” Cenred spat on the grave, “I win Balinor.”
5. Play With Fire
The sweet scent of revenge is intoxicating to many. One disgraced lord with a vendetta against Merlin is drawn back to Camelot to take his own just desserts, and is determined to get it.
6. Fear of the Dark
Morgana plans to enact complete revenge against Merlin, unknowingly setting off paths of destiny. Emrys will be the one needed to vanquish the evil she unleashes. Old enemies resurface and new ones emerge. And allies will be needed in Emrys’ dark hour.
Merlin locks himself into a cell, sneaks out to defenestrate sorcerers and has magical parties to celebrate. Arthur takes a while to catch on.
Armed with two swords, a slightly dented helmet and a wooden spoon, our heroes fight zombies.
Before they swore their allegiance to Prince Arthur at the Round Table, their loyalty had already been earned by the servant at his right hand. From the POV of Lancelot, Gwaine, Percival, Guinevere, Gaius, and finally Merlin himself.
It wasn’t all that unusual for people to hide their daemons; Merlin, however, seems to be taking it a little far.
Original prompt: Arthur/Merlin, Hurt/Comfort - effects of starvation on one of the boys, with the other nursing him back to health
Additional prompt: For whatever reason, Arthur doesn’t go to Ealdor in the “Moment of Truth”, and Merlin on his own can’t convince the villagers to stay and fight, so the harvest is stolen while the villagers hide. Merlin stays on to try to help the famine-stricken town, but feels so guilty for failing to save them that he takes almost no food for himself. When Arthur hears about how things have turned out, he comes as quickly as he can bringing whatever aid he can manage, enough to get the village through the winter. Merlin is in worse shape than most. Arthur, wracked with his own guilt for not helping earlier, cares for Merlin himself.
A powerful sorcerer named Emrys resides in Camelot, a silent guardian to Prince Arthur. But why would any sorcerer protect a Pendragon? Candun intends to find out, even if it means kidnapping the prince of Camelot as bait.
On Shaky Ground – Sydelle Rein
Sequel to Arthur’s Silent Guardian! With the unknown identity of his sorcerer-protector plaguing him, Arthur is unsure how to deal with this new knowledge. Meanwhile, a series of mysterious earthquakes is threatening the safety of Camelot.
Of Walls and Scars – Sydelle Rein
Sequel to On Shaky Ground! As an army of sorcerers marches on Camelot, Merlin scrambles to come up with a defense strategy. In the meantime: Arthur, newly enlightened about the identity of the mysterious “Emrys,” finds hiding his knowledge a little more difficult than he originally anticipated.
“His name’s not even Merlin!” Arthur shouted, rounding on his servant again, jabbing a finger in his direction. Merlin flinched. / Arthur’s discovered something. And he’s not happy about it.
Iron Grip – Sydelle Rein
Gwaine may be known for his tavern brawls and his willingness to prank his fellow knights, but he is nothing if not loyal. So when Merlin begins acting strangely, Gwaine goes to great lengths to figure out what’s wrong, unaware of just what he will uncover in the process: blackmail, plots, danger, and a dark secret hanging over the head of his best friend like an axe.
3x13 tag. Lancelot doesn’t understand Merlin. He saves all of Camelot, yet asks for no recognition. Well someone needs to thank him, and Lancelot decides to fulfill that roll. But what if someone else is within hearing distance when he does?
Another run in with pesky bandits puts Merlin and Arthur in a sticky situation, and Arthur is left gawking like an idiot at Merlin’s escape strategy.
He couldn’t let Arthur do this. The old sorceress was not in her right mind. She deserved pity, not death. That is, until she mentions a young woman she once cursed. Merlin’s blood runs cold, and Arthur stares at him in confusion. Merlin/Freya, no slash.
Claude is new in Camelot and he doesn’t understand that Merlin and Arthur’s banter is normal. He wishes to teach Merlin a lesson. Will the other guards stop him in time? Will they have their own story of foolishness to tell? Whump, bromance, no slash.
The Mystery of Merlin – ForIHaveOvercomeTheWorld
Sequel to Why You Don’t Mess With Merlin. Claude is still confused about the servant Merlin. He just doesn’t understand him. But when something bad happens Claude sees the side of Merlin that is willing to do anything to protect even one person. No slash.
Tag to 404. The knights played a joke on Merlin and we see him not eating for two nights, but what if it’s been longer than that? Will Arthur and the knights realize something abut Merlin that they never knew before? Bromance, no slash, overworked Merlin.
A Question of… Series – Alaia Skyhawk
1. Whom History Won’t Remember
Fans of A Question of Motives, this is officially a key part of my “A Question of…” Series. It tells past events for main characters, and reveals OCs that will be in Season 4 sub-eps and my planned fic “A Question of Destiny”
2. A Question of Destiny
Destiny. For him it is both burden and blessing. How fair that fate lead to that friendship, how cruel that he must lie to protect it. The question being what more will destiny ask of him? What price to obey it? Prequel to A Question of Motives
3. A Question of Resolve
He’d chosen his path, and now he had to walk it, but it’s going to take more than stubborn will to protect Arthur. What Merlin needs is true resolve #S2 fic, prequel to A Question of Motives#
4. A Question of Motives
As he lay there bearing witness to the battle before him, he could scarce believe what he saw. What was he to believe? What to do? How are you supposed to react when the man you saw as your closest friend turns out to be a sorcerer? *Spoilers for SE-3*
5. A Question of Brotherhood
The Brotherhood of the Round Table has begun, leading the fight against darkness. The threads of destiny are weaving ever tighter, and the one question is if their trust will be enough. Spoilers Se4 Sequel to A Question of Motives
6. A Question of Decisions
Magic has begun its slow return, beneath the illusion of indecision Arthur must wield. With the Brotherhood at his side, he knows that all lands now wait for him to reveal his ultimate choice. Spoilers for Se5 Sequel to A Question of Brotherhood
7. A Question of Unity
Shadows lurk beneath the golden glow of peace, and trouble stirs in the east of Albion. For when one foe ceases to cast their shadow, another will rise to take their place, and spur the call of Unity (Sequel to A Question of Decisions)#Season6#
Pendragon Institute Series – ForzaDelDestino
1. Inside the Pendragon Institute
Arthur is Assistant Director at a museum of medieval art. Morgana’s the senior curator. Lance is the armour specialist, Gwen works with tapestries and textiles. Merlin is a new employee with a reputation for quirky brilliance.
2. Outside the Pendragon Institute
Sequel to “Inside the Pendragon Institute.” Arthur, Assistant Director of the well-known museum of medieval art, plans a summer visit to London with the Institute’s newest and most gifted conservator, Merlin Emrys. What could possibly go wrong? AU Merthur
3. Christmas at the Pendragon Institute
Part 3 in the Pendragon Institute series. A 3-shot in which the museum staff celebrates the end of the year. Morgana’s mysterious, Uther looms on the horizon, Mordred approaches puberty, and visions of commitment are dancing in Arthur’s head. AU slash.
4. Emails from the Pendragon Institute
4th and final fic in the Pendragon Institute series. At the museum of medieval art, reactions to Arthur’s latest decision range from excitement to shock. Arthur and Merlin head to London to make things official, but will they have any time alone there? AU
5. Worth Your Tears, a Pendragon Institute One-shot
At a museum exhibition opening and conference, Arthur Pendragon, Assistant Director of the Pendragon Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Art, and his junior conservator, Merlin Emrys, have a very unexpected encounter. And they only have 24 hours to figure out what to do about it. The 5th story in the Pendragon Institute series. One-shot. AU slash. References to episode dialogue.
“Arthur started it, he had practically dared him. Fine then. He would show them, he would show them all. They were about to get their socks blow off.” In which Merlin tells a tale, and Arthur pays attention. Story time has never been this complicated…
This is a story of scenarios…think of it as drabbles, but longer. I’m going to pretty much post all the one-shots I’ve written and also write more. Next Up: Comparing Scars in which Merlin gets drunk and takes off his shirt.
Exiles Series – Kiva Taliana
1. The Scheme Of Things
Arthur finds out the truth.
2. Hard Choices
Following on from my story ‘The Scheme Of Things’, the knights who know about Merlin, have to make some decisions, and so do Arthur and Merlin.
3. The Order Of Things
Follows on from 'The Scheme Of Things’ and 'Hard Choices’. Uther finds out about Merlin.
4. The Exiles: A Close Shave
My little band are back! The exiles have a run in with an old enemy, which naturally lands Arthur in a spot of bother, and a cage.
5. The Exiles: Snowed In
Part of the series I have planned for my team of runaway knights set after 'The Order Of Things’ while they are in exile. Merlin, Arthur and the others take refuge during a snow storm, and being at close quarters can get interesting.
6. The Exiles: The Battle For Camelot
The exiles rescue a group of druids from an attack and learn some disturbing news, some of which comes from Merlin. They are forced to risk everything as they return to Camelot, in an attempt to save the kingdom.
7. The Exiles: Blossoming
Following 'The Battle For Camelot’. After Arthur takes his role as Regent, he leaves the care of his damaged father to Gwen. And Gwen finds her relationship with Uther blossoming. Not slash.
8. The Exiles: Release
Continuing the 'Exiles’ series. Things move on a pace in Camelot as things are found out, and hard decisions are made.
Post S3. When a patrol goes missing under strange circumstances, Arthur is determined to find out what happened, and no one can persuade him otherwise. With nothing to go on but a foreboding story, Merlin fears that their luck might finally run out.
It starts with a choice. After promising that when the time came he would choose wisely, Arthur never once thought that he would make the wrong choice, but the choices that matter most aren’t always what we think. *Post season 3* Oneshot, 2 parts.
After revealing his magic to Arthur due to life-threatening circumstances, Merlin decides it’s time he learned to heal. With Gaius off dealing with an illness in the outer villages, Merlin is left to his own methods, bearing some rather costly outcomes.
De-aged!Merlin, Caring!Arthur, Caring!Knights, Reveal!Fic. If that doesn’t say it all, Merlin is turned into a child by ex-druids bent on raising “Emrys” to be their weapon to free magic. Plot is actually just an excuse to write Merlin-as-a-kid fluff. SPOILERS for S4. Set during S4, after episode #whatever, when Elyan is … you know.
Merlin’s magic is revealed and Arthur struggles with his views on magic and the issue of trust. It takes talks with Gwen and Gaius, as well as a display of innocent magic viewed secretly from a bush, to make him realise that nothing which truly mattered has ever really changed. Post-S3, will now be considered AU.
Friendship and brotherhood are tested when the secrets come out bit by bit. Some angst and whump. Bromance, No slash. Set after S4.
Tag to 4x8, “Lamia.” When Arthur discovers what his knights did to his servant while under the creature’s influence, he and Merlin get into a bit of a row over what should be done about it. Chapter 5: Back in Camelot with Arthur and a visit from Gwaine.
“You have failed destiny Arthur. And the price you pay will be a heavy one.” When Arthur is told he will lose the one person who holds his and Camelot’s hopes and dreams, he rushes to protect Gwen. No-one notices the look of despair in Merlin’s eyes.
Dancing Light – Cynical and Sarcastic
Merlin hovered nervously in Arthur’s doorway. It was time to tell him. But perhaps…not alone. The rest of the Round Table should hear as well. Reveal fic.
AU post season 3, slash, G/M, Gwaine watches silently as Merlin falls apart piece by piece as Arthur falls in love with Gwen and then marries her. Later, he will have to fix up the broken warlock as best he can.
Post S3, slash, P/M, Percival has always been a man of nature, most comfortable amongst trees instead of people.
AU, slash, A/M, When someone new comes to court, it’s up to some of the more seasoned people in Camelot’s court to take them aside and explain a few rules…about Merlin.
Sir Olwen had left his brother alone in Camelot for only a few hours. Perhaps he should have explained a few of Camelot’s rules first…
After the latest magical attack, Uther is having everyone in Camelot interrogated. Now it’s Merlin’s turn to be questioned by Leon. Tag to The Son of a Sorcerer by Literaria
In which Merlin gets to tell more of the truth than usual and still lies through his teeth the entire time, and Arthur presumes to know far better than Merlin about, well, everything.
Of all the ways Merlin worried Arthur would discover his magic, he never thought it would be so mundane.
Sit In – Literaria
Not entirely surprisingly, Merlin ends up in the dungeons again… but the Knights of the Round Table never abandon one of their own.
Or “Why Arthur Should Stop Getting Knocked Unconscious at Strategic Moments Throughout the Show so that Merlin Can Do Magic Without Getting Caught” Arthur’s been hit on the head too many times, and isn’t quite himself on his coronation day. Chaos ensues.
Originally anthologized in “Sesquipedalian.” After the weight of his past and destiny becomes too much for Merlin to bear, Arthur comes to Merlin as a friend and Merlin tells the truth. Sort of.
For Arthur – Emachinescat
Originally anthologized in “Sesquipedalian.” After an attempted assassination of Prince Arthur nearly costs Merlin his life, Arthur decides to have a little “talk” with Merlin about his apparent longing to die for him.
“Stay away from him!” The visiting prince snapped his eyes to meet Arthur’s challenge. “Why?” he sneered. “He’s just a mouthy servant. He needed to be taught a lesson.” An old acquaintance of Arthur’s is in Camelot and Merlin suffers because of it.
Stone Cold – Emachinescat
Tag to 'The Darkest Hour’. Merlin has always been there for Arthur, a constant companion that always seems to come out of any situation unscathed. But this time, Merlin doesn’t get up. And Arthur doesn’t know if he wants to stand up again, either. 4x01
Hero – Emachinescat
Tag to 'The Darkest Hour Pt. 2’. Arthur and the knights take care of Merlin after the Dorocha attack and before they split up. Arthur struggles to say his goodbyes and Merlin is, of course, trying to protect Arthur, even while dying. 4x02
So Close – Emachinescat
Tag to 'The Wicked Day’. Merlin had been closer to his destiny than he had ever been and it had blown up in his face. How can he pretend everything will be alright after destroying everything he’s ever worked for? 4x03
Tag to 'Aithusa’. On the ride back to Camelot, the king and his knights attempt to apologize to a distracted Merlin for treating him poorly on the way. Merlin’s shocked yet touched, Gwaine’s drunk, Elyan’s ashamed, and Arthur’s just plain awkward. 4x04
Too Far – Emachinescat
AU tag to 'Lamia’. Looking at the bloody, battered Merlin on the cold floor, with Lamia’s green eyes focused hungrily upon the weary men, the knights realized that this time, they might have crossed the line. Enchanted or not, they have gone too far. 4x08
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Especially if that woman happens to be the all powerful Lady of the Lake. And you’ve just shot her boyfriend with a crossbow.
What makes fanfiction so intriguing is its ability to push the boundaries of the original source material. In fanfiction, writers have the freedom to explore different aspects of a character's personality and to delve into stories that were not previously explored. This is particularly true for the character of Merlin. Merlin is often portrayed as a complex and multi-dimensional character in fanfiction. Writers have delved into his internal struggles, his fears, and his desires. They have explored the burden of his magic and the sacrifices he makes to protect Arthur and Camelot. Through these stories, fanfiction writers have uncovered the true magic of Merlin. The magic of Merlin in fanfiction is not limited to his magical abilities, but also encompasses the depth of his character and his role in the Arthurian legend. Fanfiction allows fans to delve deeper into the world of Camelot and the lives of its inhabitants. It brings a new perspective to the story and sheds light on aspects that were not previously explored. The round table, a symbol of equality and unity in the Arthurian legend, serves as a platform for fanfiction writers to showcase their creativity and their love for the character of Merlin. It provides a space for fans to come together and share their interpretations of the beloved wizard, to uncover the true magic that lies within him. In conclusion, fanfiction has allowed fans of the Arthurian legend to uncover the magic of Merlin in new and exciting ways. Through their stories, fanfiction writers have brought depth and complexity to the character, exploring his internal struggles and his role in the Arthurian legend. The round table of fanfiction provides a platform for fans to come together and dive deeper into the world of Camelot and the magic of Merlin..
Reviews for "Merlin fanfiction: reinventing the legends"
1. John Smith - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The round table uncovers the magic of Merlin in fanfiction". As a fan of the original Arthurian legends, I was excited to see how the story of Merlin would be explored in this fanfiction. However, I found the writing to be lackluster and the plot to be disjointed. The characters felt shallow and the dialogue was often unrealistic. Overall, I didn't feel any of the magic that I was expecting from this fanfiction.
2. Sarah Thompson - 3/5 stars - Although "The round table uncovers the magic of Merlin in fanfiction" had potential, it fell short for me. The concept of exploring the magic of Merlin through fanfiction was interesting, but the execution left much to be desired. The writing style was inconsistent, and the pacing of the story felt off. Additionally, there were several grammatical and spelling errors throughout, which further detracted from the reading experience. While it was an okay attempt, I believe this fanfiction could have been much better with stronger editing and a more cohesive plot.