ok YEAH nevermind i think we are on the same page w merlin. for arthur, i feel like. i actually dont know. in my mind, i think hes partly justified in lashing out occasionally because merlins magic was just THAT BIG of a secret that he kept. as it says in this chapter, his emotions are just very very complex right now bc hes literally unlearning everything hes been taught since birth. and its also like, if magic is such a cornerstone of merlins identity, then did he ever know merlin well at all? did he ever know merlin on the same level that merlin knew arthur? honestly im not too sure on that question either. because yes he did kinda know merlin personality wise, but he didnt know so much about like… merlins motivations, i guess? among other things? and arthur already is so used to holding his heart close to his chest due to his upbringing, so this is just. shattering. i honestly dont know how id feel in his shoes, so i have no idea how to feel about his actions. (which is funny because im the one writing his actions LMFAO. but i guess sometimes writing in general is meant to play around with ideas and spark discussions rather than directly provide answers on what to think and feel! lol that got kinda deep, and this is an ao3 comment section on a fanfic about a show from the 2010s for goodness’ sake. why am i having deep thoughts here.)
i’m also not sure about arthur. i think he knows merlin in the important things, he knows he is extremely loyal (he just doesn’t know how much the world made him prove it), he notices when he is down even tho merlin tries to hide it, he knows he is wise and gives good advice bc merlin at the end, excluding magic users, is kinda of the idealistic type when it comes to rule a kingdom. he values compassion and mercy in others and he thinks it’s the road to follow usually, but what arthur doesn’t know is that when it comes to his safety merlin doesn’t really care. he is in tune with nature. arthur knows generally how cheer merlin up without even knowing what he is sad abt most of the times, knows how to get under his skin, he can be clumsy and that’s true “it’s part of his charm”. It’s true that Magic is a big part of merlin but i think that arthur thinking abt it can realize that it sits almost perfectly with who merlin already is in his eyes. Like ofc merlin having this kind of weapon would do anything for him bc he is loyal like that… ofc merlin can feel other things nobody feels bc he is in tune with nature due to his magic, ofc merlin is a lover at heart so when turned warrior he starts to only care abt his lover without really following some glorious cause, ofc merlin would hide him his magic not bc he fears he will put him in the pyre but bc he doesn’t want to hurt him or lose the bond between them. typical merlin to not care abt his safety or mental health. ofc merlin listens to druids, unicorn’s keepers, random seers… So yeah i think even tho a big part of merlin’s life was unbeknownst to arthur, magic is the final piece to complete the almost whole puzzle arthur has in his mind. obv at the start he won’t feel like it, he will feel like the only one completely exposed and he is right, he doesn’t know a lot of merlin’s suffering even tho he mostly noticed them, it’s normal to be angry. other truths were hidden from him, again he couldn’t help merlin when he needed him bc merlin didn’t confide in him, much like morgana… the people he loves kinda always rejected his help. he also has to come to terms with the fact that his suspicions abt some magic users are good were right, and merlin never really helped him with that, letting him stay in the wrong. but after a lot of thinking, he will notice that depth in the bond has only increased, and that merlin having magic sits right with his whole character he already knew. i think he understands it also in the finale. Btw we are talking sm on a ao3 comment section LOL, so i think i’ll give you my tumblr (nekisui with the naruto pfp and the bi flag behind. thinking abt doing another one more neutral for other fandoms tbh) if you wanna answer! btw this conversation has been really interesting so far tbh
oh yeah i did read this earlier but i honestly did not have much to add LOL. everything u said makes a lot of sense. id say for arthur, merlins magic is less like the last puzzle piece, but more like the string that connects everything together, if that makes sense. it puts a lot of moments into better perspective, like how willing merlin is to rush into danger for him, and how wise merlin could be at times.
but i still kinda think that without knowing abt merlins magic, arthur wasn't able to understand a pretty huge chunk of merlin's character. because aside from the magic itself, its also the other things, like the people merlin has loved and lost and also the amount of ppl he killed in arthurs name. i think the main things arthur didn't understand were how merlin has suffered/ became jaded over the seasons, and the eXTENT to which merlin is devoted to him (bc he knows merlin is loyal, but doesnt realize the sheer measures hed go to in order to keep him safe). and those two things are what consumes merlin's character in the end. but the other parts of his character, i agree arthur knew well-- his kindness, (mostly) goodheartedness, clumsiness, idiocy, wisdom. so idrk. oh my fricking god i said "i did not have much to add" and then added so much WHAT THE HECK.
honestly im kinda losing track of this conversation. has been super interesting tho, i agree! but im gonna put a stopper to it for now LMAO. (also, i followed u on tumblr; i am ruruazaz :D just for potential future conversations.)
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chclate_strwbrries on Chapter 6 Thu 18 Sep 2025 11:39PM UTC
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Colarose on Chapter 6 Sat 20 Sep 2025 12:16PM UTC
Last Edited Sat 20 Sep 2025 12:27PM UTC
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chclate_strwbrries on Chapter 6 Sun 21 Sep 2025 05:50AM UTC
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