Latest Posts by mightybog - Page 8

Sorry I'm late, I got added to the Wild Hunt last night and ran and reveled with them for what felt like 100 years plus a day until I landed the killing blow on a stag with bronze antlers then suddenly woke in my bed, willow leaves in my hair, a nameless song echoing in my ears, and my hands still bloody, so yeah, totally missed my alarm and stuff.

they were 100% joined at the hip post-finale

Reblog if you love Gwen

Merlin Missing Scenes Weirdness

I re-watched the Labyrinth of Gedref episode with a friend last night and I'm obsessed with the weirdness potential of the missing scenes...

Arthur and the knights saw off the unicorn's horn while an upset Merlin looks on and idk, they leave the body behind in the woods? Seems like a waste but I guess taxidermy hadn't been invented yet.

Merlin actively ignores the rat problem.

Uther and Arthur leave Camelot to go stare at a barden field together.

Merlin spends time trying to find that really specific turn sand into water spell.

Gaius collects Merlin's bath water lol.

The rat goes to town on some tasty prince boot.

The single, anachronistic cherry tomato that Arthur leaves on his plate is eaten by the rat, probably.

Merlin straight up kills the rat, carries it around the castle, skins, cuts up and stews it for Arthur.

Gwen commits kitchen thievery under the dreaded Cook's nose. Maybe she finds Merlin there stewing the rat.

Merlin runs around the woods in circles or else he's kept out by some kind magical barrier while Arthur fights the fake thief.

Gaius catches two beetles for his and Merlin's dinner.

Uther congratulates himself that he's convinced his son to be a cartoon villain, just like his papa.

Merlin manages to impart to Arthur the conversation he had with Anhora out in the woods and it somehow goes well. Does he explain why tf he was out there alone? Gathering herbs might not be believable with all that's going on with the crops...

The vines in the labyrinth deposit Merlin onto the beach. Also Anhora ties him up.

Arthur wakes up on the beach. Just when he thinks he might have reached the afterlife Merlin appears and kisses him chews him out for being a stupid, self-sacrificing clotpole.

Merlin and Arthur learn to get along again on their long horse ride back.

The crops randomly grow back in an afternoon and somehow, in a kingdom where magic is outlawed and generally regarded with fear and suspicion, this is treated as Totally Fine and Normal, Actually™

Gwen & Merlin | Teen & Up | No Archive Warnings Apply | Word Count: 500

Post-Canon | Ghosts | Grief & Mourning | Immortal Merlin

For @merlinmicrofic with the dialogue prompt "almost" and the @tavernfest Merlin Horror Month 2024

An elderly Gwen summons Merlin to Camelot on Samhain. Their old friends walk the Earth again for a night.

☾ ☾ ☾

She was sitting by the fire in the chambers she had once shared with her husband. The flames sputtered in the grate, attacked by the late autumn winds. Upon the hearth there were food offerings; it was Samhain, the eve of the night the dead woke from their sleep and roamed the Earth once again.

“Merlin,” Gwen called to him softly, her eyes shining and a little cloudy in the light, evidence of the cataracts laying claim to them. She stretched out her hand and he hobbled over with his staff and took it. It was soft, wrinkled, but strong. 

Gwen had received him earlier in the throne room but this, with the night blackening the windows, was when they could truly speak. 

He sat down groaningly beside her. Immediately, she leaned towards him in her chair and poked his knee. “I heard a rumour.” 

He leaned as well. “A rumour?” he croaked. 

“I’m told that you're not as you appear to be. That you…” she seemed to search for the words. “They say nature has not taken hold of you as it has me.” 

He opened his mouth but she stopped him.

“Let me see you as you really are... Please.” 

He changed, letting go of the glamour he had assumed. 

By the way she reached out, he knew she couldn’t help it. She cupped his unbearded face, swiped a thumb over his cheek like there was a tear there just as her own eyes filled. 

“It’s like…” she trailed off in wonder. 

“Seeing a ghost?” he guessed. 

“No,” she shook her head, retracting her hand. “No. I should know… I called you here because-” 

There was a knock at the door. 

She cleared her throat, emotion leaving her voice. “Come in.” 

A knight entered.

“Is it time?” she asked.

“Almost.” 

“Help an old woman up, Merlin?” 

They were on the ramparts of the outer walls, it had been a struggle to get up here, but Gwen, now bundled in Merlin’s cloak, had been singularly determined.

It was a full moon but the night was choked with mist. 

Merlin’s magic prickled, beyond the walls something had stepped back onto the mortal plane. 

He tried again to implore her to return to the palace. “Gwen, it's Samhain, we shouldn’t-” 

“Just… Watch.” 

He grimaced but did as his queen bid. 

A horse whinnied faintly, like the tail end of an echo. From the mist, three caped figures on horseback were given form. Ceremonial Camelot banners, washed grey by the night, waved silently in a non-existent wind above them. Their shape, their faces, tilted up, serene, their eyes on the queen – Merlin startled. “It’s-!”

“Gwaine… Lancelot… and Elyan,” she finished, her voice breaking more with each name. 

“But..? Gods, why-?”

“They came last year, and the year before that,” she said, breathing. She drew her borrowed cloak closer. “I know now. They're waiting for me.” 

In Avalon his friends would be together again. Death had never been kinder, and fate more gruel. 

“Cerridwen, Cerridwen, Lady of The Cauldron come see what they have done.

Stolen your Cauldron’s power, and betrayed your only son,

Your eyes wide, lips curl, anger on your face

Change your shape now, lady; be the hound, begin the chase.”

Merlinktober Day 11 (on Day 15): To Bear Golden Fruit for a Golden Age

Magical healing and comfort, but not just healing magic

A character with fire/heat powers massaging a knotted muscle with hot hands, being able to dig in nice and deep as the warmth relaxes the area

A character with ice/cold powers carding their fingers through someone's hair, soothing a headache

A character with hypnotic powers lulling someone into a trance and clearing their mind, easing their anxieties so they can hopefully get some sleep

A character with plant magic keeping a bouquet fresh and vibrant by their friend's bedside, knowing the colors will at the very least cheer them up and give them something beautiful to look at

A character with water magic combining it with a soft cloth washing away tears, sweat, or blood from another character's face

A character with electricity magic frantically grabbing someone near-death and shocking them, refusing to move until they hear their heart leap back to life and pulse under their hands

September '24 Masterlist

Somehow another round is already coming to a close, and I once again want to thank all you lovely participants! I've decided to keep the Masterlist for the time being, although a little trimmed down to hopefully make it a little less time-intensive on my end.

All that said, without further ado! <3

Drabble Challenge Winner! ✨

Believe me, love, it was the nightingale by @mightybog

[Prompt: Nightfall | Arthur/Merlin]

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"I Promised" by @mightybog

[Prompt: "I Promised" | Arthur/Merlin]

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jamais vu by @adhd-merlin

[Prompt: "I Promised" | Freya/Merlin]

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a night's rest by @adhd-merlin

[Prompt: Nightfall | Arthur/Merlin]

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"Untitled" (Dusk) by @thefollow-spot

[Prompt: Nightfall | Lancelot/Merlin]

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midnight by @liviapeleia

[Prompt: Nightfall | Lancelot/Merlin]

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Prompt: Nightfall

Nightfall by @twistedshipper

[Arthur/Morgana]

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nightfall by @the-king-and-the-druidess

[Gwen/Lancelot]

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Nightfall (Release Words) by @personaje-fics

[Arthur/Lancelot]

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Prompt: "I Promised."

Redemption Lies Plainly in Truth by @miyriu

[Arthur & Morgana]

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Meant to be Broken by @classics-n-comedy

[Arthur & Mordred]

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fealty by @liviapeleia

[Arthur/Lancelot]

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I get so jealous of euthanized dogs by @bumblebearr

[Arthur/Gwen, Gwen/Leon]

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Prompt: Starting Over

A Good Start by @miyriu

[Arthur/Merlin]

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Therefore stay yet; thou need'st not to be gone by @mightybog

[Arthur/Merlin]

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in the chillest land by @adhd-merlin

[Aithusa, Merlin]

@camlannpod has already become very special to me! Go listen to it!

If you’ve ever liked bbc Merlin PLEASE go and listen to camlann so it can get a second season + it’s incredible.

Sign Ups Are OPEN for this year's 'Finish that Fic, Merlin! (2024/2025)

Another year has passed with you being completely unable to finish those darn WIPs in your folder. Fear not! 'Finish that Fic, Merlin!' is once again here to w(h)ip your arse into shape so you can finally clear your conscience! (and you WIP-folder)

The fest will run from November 1st 2024 till March 31st 2025!

If you've never heard of 'Finish that Fic, Merlin!' before, the short answer is that it is, like the same suggests, a fest to help you finish your WIPS. All those fics you've started but for whatever reason never finished. Maybe life got in the way, maybe you just didn't have the motivation, and without a deadline, it's easier to just do other things instead. Well, now's the time to sign up for this fest, so you can finally finish!

Before you sign up, however, please be sure to read 'How This Fest Works' and the 'FAQs' for the long answer on what 'Finish that Fic, Merlin!' is. I know it sounds weird, but there's some rules to follow, and more importantly, an explanation on how you can get a prize for your hard work! After you've done that, you can sign up here via Livejournal or here via Google Forms.

If you need some cheerleading, you can head over to Discord to join The Tavern(18+) server where I've been graciously allowed to host a channel for this fest. Please note that while The Tavern server is for 18+, if you're under 18, you can still participate in 'Finish that Fic, Merlin!' you just can't be part of that particular Discord server. Fortunately, there are other Merlin servers for people of all ages to help you with your writing. You can even find me in some of them :D

And don't forget to reblog this tumblr post to help spread the word!

Merlin Horror Month 2024!

Welcome, Tavern-goers, to our fourth quest: Merlin Horror Month!

With spooky season coming up, how about making a little something to give us all a scare with our Merlin Horror Month?

Is someone being haunted? Are there monsters and ghouls in Camelot? Is there a serial killer on the loose? It’s time to be brave and show us some fanwork entries that will strike fear into the hearts of other fans!

So, what is Merlin Horror Month?

For this quest, we invite you to join us and post a spooky, scary or in some way horrific Merlin fanwork. Maybe there’s something strange in the neighbourhood. Or has a dead body been found? Perhaps the dead have come back to life (again)…  It’s up to you!

We are here for the whole of the spooky month, so give us your entries at any point from 1-31 October!

Here are the rules of the quest:

All works should have a spooky/scary theme

Any pairings and types of fanwork are welcome. The minimum requirements are:

Fanfic: at least 500 words.

Fanart: at least 1 completed work.

Podfic: at least 5-10 minutes long (and please get the fic creator’s permission!).

Fanvids: at least 2-3 minutes long.

For other fanwork formats, please contact us so we can decide on a suitable minimum amount.

Please note: No AI generated or assisted works are allowed for this fest

The fest is self-posting and runs from 1 October to 31 October. No fanworks for the fest will be accepted before or after those dates.

How do I participate?

Post your fanwork wherever you like. If you would like to post your creation to our AO3 Collection specifically for this fest (tavernfest_quest4). 

Follow the instructions and submit your work to us here: https://tavernfest.tumblr.com/submit

Please make sure to use the #merlinhorrormonth tag in addition to #tavernfest!

That’s it. We'll promote it here on Tumblr and in our dedicated Discord channel.Thank you! We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

for the @merlinmicrofic prompt "nightfall": Merlin/Lancelot, G, major character death, 100 words, AO3 link dedicated to the most lovely @thefollow-spot, inspired by her drabble "Untitled" (Dusk) midnight

This is how you'll grieve – in quietness.

Behind closed eyelids is where now he lives, in dreams, it is not merely night that falls but memories, like rockslide, and you're trapped, but oh what sweet suffocation it is.

He gifted you his nights, he held your secret in his palm, you might've given him your heart as well, and he would've kept it safe.

The veil looked at you and blinked and he was gone, and you think, did he have regrets? You recognised then love as his undoing, and hope he knew of yours.

This is how you'll remember.

what is it abt bbc merlin that makes it. linger

Beginner’s Guide to Medieval Arthuriana

Just starting out at a loss for where to begin?

Here’s a guide for introductory Medieval texts and informational resources ordered from most newbie friendly to complex. Guidebooks and encyclopedias are listed last.

All PDFs link to my Google drive and can be found on my blog. This post will be updated as needed.

Pre-Existing Resources

Hi-Lo Arthuriana

♡ Loathly Lady Master Post ♡

Medieval Literature by Language

Retellings by Date

Films by Date

TV Shows by Date

Documentaries by Date

Arthurian Preservation Project

The Camelot Project

If this guide was helpful for you, please consider supporting me on Ko-Fi!

Medieval Literature

Page (No Knowledge Required)

The Vulgate Cycle | Navigation Guide | Vulgate Reader

Culhwch and Olwen

The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle

The Marriage of Sir Gawain

Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

The Welsh Triads

Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

Squire (Base Knowledge Recommended)

The Mabinogion

Four Arthurian Romances by Chrétien de Troyes

King Artus | scan by @jewishlancelot

Morien

Knight (Extensive Knowledge Recommended)

The History of The King's of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth

Alliterative Morte

Here Be Dragons (Weird or Arthurian Adjacent)

The Crop-Eared Dog

Perceforest | A Perceforest Reader | PDF courtesy of @sickfreaksirkay

Wigalois | Vidvilt

Guingamor, Lanval, Tyolet, & Bisclarevet by Marie of France

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Grail Quest

Peredur (The Mabinogion)

The Story of the Grail + 4 Continuations by Chrétien de Troyes

Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach

The Crown by Heinrich von dem Türlin (Diu Crône)

The High Book of The Grail (Perlesvaus)

The History of The Holy Grail (Vulgate)

The Quest for The Holy Grail Part I (Post-Vulgate)

The Quest for The Holy Grail Part II (Post-Vulgate)

Merlin and The Grail by Robert de Boron

The Legend of The Grail | PDF courtesy of @sickfreaksirkay

Lancelot Texts

Knight of The Cart by Chretien de Troyes

Lanzelet by Ulrich von Zatzikhoven

Spanish Lancelot Ballads

Gawain Texts

Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle

The Marriage of Sir Gawain

Sir Gawain and The Lady of Lys

The Knight of The Two Swords

The Turk and Sir Gawain

Perilous Graveyard | scan by @jewishlancelot

Tristan/Isolde Texts

Béroul & Les Folies

Prose Tristan (The Camelot Project)

Tristan and The Round Table (La Tavola Ritonda) | Italian Name Guide

The Romance of Tristan

Tristan and Iseult by Gottfried von Strassburg

Byelorussian Tristan

Educational/Informational Resources

Encyclopedias & Handbooks

Warriors of Arthur by John Matthews, Bob Stewart, & Richard Hook

The Arthurian Companion by Phyllis Ann Karr

The New Arthurian Encyclopedia by Norris J. Lacy

The Arthurian Handbook by Norris J. Lacy & Geoffrey Ashe

The Arthurian Name Dictionary by Christopher W. Bruce

Essays & Guides

A Companion to Chrétien de Troyes edited by Joan Tasker & Norris J. Lacy

A Companion to Malory edited by Elizabeth Archibald

A Companion to The Lancelot-Grail Cycle edited by Carol Dover

Arthur in Welsh Medieval Literature by O. J. Padel

Diu Crône and The Medieval Arthurian Cycle by Neil Thomas

Wirnt von Gravenberg's Wigalois: Intertextuality & Interpretation by Neil Thomas

The Legend of Sir Lancelot du Lac by Jessie Weston

The Legend of Sir Gawain by Jessie Weston

golden age 👑

Knight, naked and dirty from running in the woods for several months talking to a local hermit: so yeah, therapy has been going really well for me recently

· Moth, 2020 - oil on linen. · Queen Anne’s Lace, 2019 - oil on canvas. · Orchard in Winter, 2019 - oil on canvas. — Miles Cleveland Goodwin (American, b.1980)

https://www.milesclevelandgoodwin.com/

More stunning art inspired by my microfic series this month 😍! Thank you again Sunfall!

A favor? Would you change the link on "Let me be ta'en" to the ao3 work? Right now it links to the earlier drawing on tumblr, which really isn't as good. Oh! I also finished a drawing for "Believe me, love" and linked to the drabble. One to go... but I'm having trouble deciding what image to go with for the third and final drabble. Any suggestions?

<3,

Sunfall

Hi Sunfall! I can of course! I'll do that now. Sorry for the late reply, I suspect we're in very different timezones. Just rolled over and found your second gift/related fic, thank you again so much, I can't tell you what a treat it is and how happy it's making me that you've be so inspired by my microfics (especially you, since I've been lurking on your art on Ao3 for a while now). As for the scene for the third fic, how about the ending scene when they're holding hands in the sunlight that's coming into the cottage? You could maybe have hints at what they've been through, like scars for Merlin or his ash walking stick leaning nearby? That's how I imagine the scene. Whatever you decide to do though I'll be over the moon the receive it ❤️!

-Mighty

Amazing art for one of my microfics, thank you so much @merthurotica 🥺!

Periodically I'll google Irish email etiquette because I can never remember the sign-offs and it will be perpetually entertaining to me when they translate Beir bua as Best wishes.

I'm sorry, I'm a medievalist, and this phrase is literally in Oidheadh Con Culainn:

"Best wishes". What a funny way to tell somebody to take victory!

Anyway, this is how I read emails with Irish salutations:

O Ruairi, my ally,

I hope this email finds you willing to aid me in battle. If you're still open to sending me those unpublished editions you're working on, I would be incredibly grateful, as they'd help a lot with my research.

Take victory,

Finn

Next book to be scanned arrived!

✨COMPLETE✨

A hand grasped his arm, sending a brief thrill down Merlin's nerves as he was forced around to face the person behind him. Armour gleamed in the firelight: supple chainmail glinted, and the solid iron of a pauldron curved lovingly over one broad shoulder. The length of a sword blade separated them. The point hovered, steady and sure, over Merlin's heart, braced to run him through, but he did not care about any of that. He was too busy drinking in the sight of the man before him. He could never forget him, no matter how many centuries had passed. 'Arthur?' When Merlin ultimately fails in his destiny, the fading remnants of magic that linger in the modern world fling him not just back in time, but sideways as well. He ends up in a Camelot where all his friends are alive, well and aware of his magic. He ends up in a Camelot where his alternate self died almost a year ago. Can he, Arthur and their friends still forge the golden age he was once promised, or will grief and suspicion tear them apart?

It's finally done. I just posted the hundredth, and final, chapter on AO3. A huge thank you to everyone who has joined me on this ride. I'm delighted to have been part of your lives in some small way. 💖

If you enjoyed this fic, I'd love a reblog to help spread awareness that it's finally done 🙏

Okay hastily tried to finish this in time for the 16th birthday of Merlin!! Merlin’s baking a cake to celebrate the occasion 🍰🎉