Tag: BBC Merlin

aithuzah:

think about Arthur giving Merlin presents.

he doesn’t call them that, of course, not at first. 

obviously, the Prince of Camelot has an image and a reputation to uphold; his personal servant can’t go around in threadbare, baggy rags. his old shirts and trousers were just sitting in storage, anyway, so it’s no trouble to foist them off on Merlin. and they’re certainly finer than anything Merlin’s ever worn–except the official servant uniform, but that had gone mysteriously missing. not smelling so much like peasant is a bonus.

and for god’s sake, didn’t they have winter in Ealdor? he’d be even more useless if his limbs fell off from the cold, and maybe he’d stop whining all the damn time if he had some warm gloves and a thick cloak. he looks more foolish than usual without his neckerchief, so he might as well have some that actually keep him warm and don’t look quite so raggedy.

if Merlin insists on tagging along on every deadly mission possible, then he ought to have something to defend himself with. Arthur’s a bit worried about accidental decapitation if he entrusts Merlin with a sword again, but a dagger wouldn’t take too much skill, and he wouldn’t be left defenseless useless whenever Arthur or the knights are distracted. light armor, too, maybe something in leather to at least somewhat deflect blows. 

gradually, Arthur gives up the pretense, both to himself and to Merlin. no excuses, no explanations beyond “I wanted you to have this.”

eventually, he lets himself simply give.