Merlin Fanfic: All For You, Merlin/Arthur, (1/1), PG

[happyevraftr]

Title: All For You
Author: happyevraftr
Beta: none
Rating: PG
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: 564
Warnings: SPOILERS FOR 4x7
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Bit of dialogue directly from 4x&

Summary: future!fic as a coda to 4x7. Exploration into how Gauis' little speech at the end would impact a magic reveal.

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Arthur watched in horror as the deep hue of magic drained from Merlin's eyes. No matter Morgana's followers had nearly killed him, his focus had narrowed to the amber fire that burned in his friend's eyes. His world tilted off its axis and spun out of control. The one person he had trusted above all others was the traitor in their midst.

“Sorcerer!” he spat as he pointed his sword toward Merlin. “You've been the traitor this entire time.” Anger masked the intense pain that was crushing his heart. Merlin took a quick step back, eyes blown wide in fear.

“No, never Arthur.”

He took two deliberate steps towards Merlin, lifting his sword and preparing to deliver a death blow. Merlin sank to his knees in front of him, tears streaming down his dirty cheeks. He closed his eyes in submission and whispered his final words.

“It was all for you.”

Arthur stopped just before his blade made contact with the smooth expanse of Merlin's neck. Those words touched something deep inside him and he was thrown several months back listening to Gauis reprimand him and give advice all at once.


“Contained within this great kingdom, there's a rich variety of people that range in different beliefs. I'm not the only one seeking to protect you. There are many more who believe in the world you are trying to create. One day you will learn Arthur, one day you will understand, just how much they've done for you.”


A dull thud sounded as his sword hit the forest floor. He dropped to his knees in relief and awe. Hesitantly, he reached out and touched Merlin's cheek. “It was all you. All of the miracles, the something watching over me. It's been you this whole time.”

Merlin leaned into his hand as a sad smile turned up the corners of his lips. “You have no idea how hard it is to keep your arse safe, you giant prat.” When Merlin finally opened his eyes again and met his gaze, Arthur felt like he was seeing his manservant for the first time. Of course he had always thought Merlin a good and exceptionally loyal friend, but he was still a servant. In truth, all this time Merlin had been more of a man than even he. It inspired him, and humbled him to an almost embarrassing degree.

“Thank you.” he said, choking on the enormity of it all.

“I'm happy to serve you until the day I die Sire.”

Arthur searched his face and found nothing but complete honesty and loyalty. He smiled and hauled them both up, wrapping Merlin in a tight embrace. “You're going to tell me everything and convince me that magic isn't going to turn you evil one day, but for now we need to get back to the castle."

Just as soon as the words were out of his mouth the battle cry of another round of bandits rang from up ahead. Arthur turned to Merlin and let a sly grin creep over his features.

“Want to show me that you're not completely useless?”

Merlin grinned back and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You have no idea how much I would like that.” They took off together through the woods, finally united as one force on the cusp of their destiny.

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A/N: I have no idea where that came from!! But I kind of want to live inside this fic. There could be more, but I just wanted to capture that one moment when Gauis' words made the difference. idek. My muse is apparently abusing me again.

Read my other stories at my master post here.

Comments

[cas74.livejournal.com]

You have no idea how much I want this to be canon! I so scared of Arthur's reaction! Thank you for this sweet Happy!!!

[merlenhiver.livejournal.com]

I NEED THIS TO HAPPEN ALREADY!!! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

[owensheart.livejournal.com]

Ok send this to the BCC, THIS is a perfect magic reveal!

[thekeyholder.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear, I have tears in my eyes!!! <3 This is definitely going into my memories.

It doesn't happen often, but as I was reading, I saw the whole fic with my eyes. I especially loved this moment:

Merlin sank to his knees in front of him, tears streaming down his dirty cheeks. He closed his eyes in submission and whispered his final words.

“It was all for you.”

So touching! I'm glad Arthur finally realised that magic can be good. Love it ith my whole heart!

*hugs*

[kleinefee92.livejournal.com]

This is my head cannon now. <3

[ourspacesongs.livejournal.com]

aww this is lovely! I love that Gaius's words came back to Arthur, I love that he planted that seed in Arthur's mind. ♥♥

[kattale.livejournal.com]

I don't think there has been any Merlin moment that made me happier than when Gaius had his say to Arthur, defended the old wizard's actions and let him know that there are parts of the magical community that are loyal to Arthur.

I needed to hear that so much, especially after the end of Ep5 (or 4? The Wicked Day).

You took those much-needed words and ran with them - showed us how pivotal they were - how everything changes now because those words were said. It was the perfect coda - exactly what was needed, what IS needed as this show rolls onward to its conclusion.

With every possible magic reveal written by fandom, I don't see any way at all for the show writers to come up with a reveal that is entirely original, and not predicted by someone. But I think when it happens, I'd rather like it to be like this - with those words resonating in Arthur's mind. They offered so much hope.

[laurad2609.livejournal.com]

Wow! I loved it! Seriously, I don't even have words :)) I'm just staring at my keyboard trying to find something nice to tell you, but this is so great, I think I might have to create new words :D Anyway, the moment when Arthur had "the Gaius flashback", it was so complex, so beautiful, and Merlin was adorable and amazing as usual! Gah, again, loved it! :D

[k-nightfox.livejournal.com]

I adore your abusive Muse! I love how Arthur puts it all together as soon as Gaius' words come back to him. It all just snaps into place! Perfect. Thanks for this!

[devi09.livejournal.com]

WOW, this is AMAZING! I love your scene so much, it's hard to find the words for it. But Merlin/Arthur are so IC in this story, it's great!

I love how Arthur pointed his sword on Merlin:

“Sorcerer!” he spat as he pointed his sword toward Merlin. “You've been the traitor this entire time.” Anger masked the intense pain that was crushing his heart. Merlin took a quick step back, eyes blown wide in fear.

“No, never Arthur.”

He took two deliberate steps towards Merlin, lifting his sword and preparing to deliver a death blow.

SO EXCITING!

And this is so EMOTIONAL:

Merlin sank to his knees in front of him, tears streaming down his dirty cheeks. He closed his eyes in submission and whispered his final words.

“It was all for you.”

Awwww. ♥

I can't wait to see how the story of Arthur/Merlin/secret goes on in the series. After the Wicked Day I was wondering how the writers will reach the change. But after watching last episode with that epic Gaius-scene, it seems they try to do it slowly :)
TBH, I'd like to see an episode with a tense relationship and all that traitor-plot before Arthur really understands :)

[wolfangeldeath.livejournal.com]

*clings* THIS SHOULD BE THE OFFICIAL MAGIC REVEAL!!! OMG HAPPY THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!

[hermitknut.livejournal.com]

This is brilliant! *wants so much*

HK

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! That. Should. Happen. For. Real. *g*

[magpie1600.livejournal.com]

My favorite line is 'Want to show me how you're not completely useless'. Wonderful.

[jalover7.livejournal.com]

Yay! I can totally see something like the happening on the show! I feel like before Gauis said this the chances of Arthur handling the magic reveal in a positive way were slim to none. Now Gauis has planted the seed, and hopefully Arthur will remember what he said when he finds out about Merlin's magic (which better be soon, dammit!). Anyway, great reveal fic, I loved it. :)

[kat1132.livejournal.com]

I don't know where it came from either, but I like it! Thanks for sharing and making the world right again.

[misslola89.livejournal.com]

Yay! This is wonderful. I can't wait for Arthur to truly know and accept Merlin. With Arthur's battle skills and Merlin's magic, they'll be unstoppable :)

[neliana.livejournal.com]

I do hope they'll do it like this in the series, would be so beautiful :-)

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I liked how Arthur remembered Gaius's words and it made him see Merlin in a different light. Good job with this.

[cherish4.livejournal.com]

THIS.

This is what I want. It's perfect. :-)