The Love That Binds Us Is More Important Than The Power We Wield. 

I would bet that at one point, probably S1-2, Arthur tries to teach Merlin how to use a dagger and then immediately regrets his entire existence.

Think about it. He has a manservant who is bound and bloody determined to follow him literally everywhere, sometimes literally into the jaws of malevolent creatures, without armour or weapons or even basic survival skills, it seems. Of course, Merlin is more likely to injure himself than anyone else with a sword, so Arthur decides to give him a dagger instead. He was given his first dagger when he was seven. Merlin should be able to handle that, right? A dagger is small enough to be carried around without general suspicion, it’s not heavy enough for balance to be an issue (of course, with Merlin, balance is always an issue) and it doesn’t really require the skill a sword does. Hold the dull end, stick the pointy end in whoever is trying to stick you. It isn’t like Merlin isn’t ever in the thick of a melee anyways, so hopefully he’ll never need much skill.

At first, it almost seems like a good idea. Arthur gives Merlin his very own blade (it was Arthur’s, years ago, so it’s far better than whatever kitchen knife peasants normally use) and it takes, oh, about three days for him to realise that he’s made a terrible mistake when a guard comes and tells him that Merlin almost shanked someone in the tavern and started a brawl that sent three people to see healers. According to Merlin, his almost-victim had been talking unfavourably about Arthur. When he refused to shut his trap, Merlin decided to shut it for him. At dagger-point. He doesn’t know if he should be flattered or horrified than Merlin is willing to bleed someone just because they were speaking ill of Arthur.

This becomes a Thing.

Arthur has Regrets.

Arthur, trying to wrest the dagger out of Merlin’s hands: Let – let go. You can have it back when you learn some self-control. Daggers are for good servants who don’t assault people at random.

Merlin, keeping a death-grip on the hilt and glaring at the drunk who’d compared Arthur to the King: It isn’t random.

Merlin: это все твоя вина

Arthur: yeah i know

Gwen: you speak russian?

Arthur: no i just know the phrase 'this is all your fault' in every language he speaks

Merlin: okay. I'm going to fight morgana.

Arthur: you're not armed.

Merlin: I am.

Arthur: with what?

Merlin: overconfidence, and spells that whoosh people to the floor.

Cop: you're under arrest for carrying three people on a single motorcycle

Gwaine, with Leon and Percival behind him: three people? Oh crap, Elyan fell off!

“Someone knew I was in trouble and sent a light to guide the way” Arthur (1.04)

✨ MERLIN CHALLENGE ✨ : Day 15 (15th): Anything Merlin related

Eirian the Grass King

Elf King Eirian, Lord of Euriad Meysydd. Character from a story I’m writing. His face is based on the lovely Bradley James of Merlin fame.

Available as print from my Fine Art America Shop.

Available as print and other fun stuff at my Society6 page.