Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/F, Gen, M/M Fandom: Merlin (TV) Relationships: Merlin & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen/Morgana (Merlin), Gwen & Merlin (Merlin), Morgana & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon & Uther Pendragon (Merlin), Ygraine de Bois & Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Merlin & Morgana (Merlin), Gaius & Merlin (Merlin), Gwen & Merlin & Morgana & Arthur Pendragon Characters: Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Merlin (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin), Gwen (Merlin), Uther Pendragon (Merlin), Ygraine de Bois (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin), Kilgharrah (Merlin), Leon (Merlin) Additional Tags: Magic Revealed, Reverse Magic Reveal, that tag doesn't make sense yet but bear with me, Arthur Pendragon Has Magic (Merlin), everybody has magic, arthur and gwen and yes even uther, YOU get a magic and YOU get a magic!, Arthur-centric, Pre-Slash, Gen or Pre-Slash, Humor, Angst, Angst and Humor, The Great Purge, Fire, Anger, Abuse, Nightmares, Flashbacks, Suicidal Thoughts, War Crimes, Guilt, Survivor Guilt, Grief/Mourning, Self-Reflection, Self-Discovery, Hijinks & Shenanigans, it's not all angst all the time i promise, Episode: s02e08 The Sins Of The Father, Uther Pendragon's A+ Parenting (Merlin), merlin using magic so nobody suspects he has magic, merlin using the old "i'm not a sorcerer i'm an ALLY" excuse for like a hundred thousand words, #letmerlinsayfuck2020
Arthur Pendragon is at an all-time low: he’s still suffering from the day he nearly dueled his father to the death, his sword arm has been wounded so grievously he may never fight again, and, worst of all, every last soul in Camelot and the kingdoms beyond have had magic forced on them overnight. Now Arthur must contend with the chaos of magic run rampant, his father’s dangerous instability, Morgana’s increasing distance, catching Merlin in more lies than he can count, and the magic that is now threatening to consume him—all while searching for a way to break the curse before it consumes them all.
It’s not going to be easy: Arthur grapples with a destiny he’s not sure he can handle, and a past he’d rather forget—and if he wants to save his people, he must be prepared to confront hard truths and harder choices. It’s a trial by fire, one that risks destroying everything Arthur has left to hold dear should he fail. But with enough courage, enough understanding, and maybe just a touch of magic, there’s nothing he can’t face.
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Merlin applies some strong-smelling ointment to Arthur's wound that stings terribly and then eases the pain, and begins to rebandage Arthur's arm, expression sobering for real now as he works. "We can have Gaius double-check. I'm no expert."
Arthur can't say he likes Merlin looking so grave. "Merlin, what?" he demands. "Spit it out."
"It'll heal eventually, but..." Merlin hesitates, and then lets the axe fall: "I don't know if your grip will ever be what it was."
Cold dread settles in Arthur's stomach. This is what he was most afraid of. If he can't grip a sword, what has he got? If he can't grip a sword, he might as well die.
"You know, Arthur..." Merlin looks around to make sure no one is listening in. Then he leans forward. "Maybe this is lucky. Maybe, just this once, you could heal it with magic."