In A Land Of Myth And A Time Of Merthur

Dazzling Bookish Shop is doing a special edition for the Captive Prince Trilogy!

(If you aren’t familiar with them- they get approvals from the publisher to do their special edition and the art involved. The books are sold as a pre-order, and the books are shipped out later.)

This set has custom dust jackets, sprayed edges, and a slip case to hold all three books! There will also be some swag you can get with a preorder like an art print and standees.

The most exciting part is that if at least 3,000 people want to order the book- the publisher can make HARDCOVERS of the series for these special editions!!!!

Right now on their website there is the option to click “notify me when available”. Clicking this allows Dazzling to keep tabs on how many people are interested and if there is the demand to get custom hardcovers.

The cost is TBA as the items in the box have not been finalized (but they typically announce pricing when they announce when the sale will be so you have some time to decide before the sale).

Here is the link to sign up to be notified: https://dazzlingbookishshop.com/collections/coming-soon/products/captive-prince

I have also included pictures from the listing! Seriously it is stunning!! A specific date hasn’t been released yet- but this will be available to order this year.

(You can also follow the store on instagram for additional updates if you are so inclined: https://www.instagram.com/dazzlingbookishshop?igsh=Y2lqMHZnaTNldWV5 )

https://www.instagram.com/dazzlingbookishshop?igsh=Y2lqMHZnaTNldWV5

Arthur: I just mean - he's my manservant, you know? What if he likes me?

Random royal: Damn, mate. I couldn't have a manservant who likes men. I would fire him immediately.

Arthur: *oblivious* I can't fire Merlin! He's my best friend and it's not like he's doing anything. But I also bath in front of him and he dresses me and touches me. And I've grown so... aware of it. You know what I mean?

Royal: Eh. I mean - I send my servants out when I do private stuff, like bathing. But I suppose King's shouldn't let themselves be vulnerable like that, huh? *careful* Is he an alert one, then?

Arthur: Very. Very... 'bites lip'. Like a watchdog.

Royal: Maybe you should rely more on guards then? They are at least trained in defense.

Arthur: Merlin's a warlock. Powerful one. Legendary, the druids say. No better watchdog available. Supposed to be my destiny. That sounds strangely romantic, don't you think? Like - what if he thinks it ought to be?

Royal: You have a warlock as manservant?!!!!!!

Arthur: What am I supposed to do?

Royal: Make him your court sorcerer?

Arthur: That's - no! It's Merlin! I asked him, he wanted to keep me save by being as close as possible.

Royal: So he does like you like that.

Arthur: I don't know! Do you think he does?

Royal: ... Quick question. What would you do if he didn't like you?

Arthur: That's -

Arthur: * heart aches *

Arthur: *close to tears *

Arthur: *realisation*

Arthur: *grabs royal by the collar * holy shit, what if he doesn't?!?!!!!!!

Royal: You eh... could convince him that he could protect you best if he were to - you know - be your husband?

Arthur: *freezes * Husband? *squeaks* Are you crazy?

Royal: Like, hand in marriage? Watching over you from in the bed, rather than waiting outside?

Arthur: ... I'll be right back.

Merlin: yes thats well.. Actually it was Uther’s fault.

Mithian confused but grinning nonetheless: Uther? Really? How?

Merlin: Made me his manservant when I pushed Arthur out of the way when a woman threw a dagger at him

Mithian giggling: Well I'm sure Uther didn't intend for it to turn into this

Merlin: What do you mean?

Mithian: You know, the two of you together as a couple

Merthur as Text-Posts

Bonus one that’s likely been done before:

I imagine everyone would start to think that Merlin has his eye on someone. Would they all start keeping a closer eye on him? Would the knights start taking bets? Does Arthur already like Merlin but realize it so he becomes inordinately jealous, desperately trying to find the object of Merlin’s affections- telling himself that no he won’t use his position as Prince to falsely arrest someone or try to run them out of Camelot. No matter how many times he tells himself he’s really be doing them a favor if he told them to leave. Merlin can be a disaster on his best days- it would be safer for everyone if he stayed with him.

Maybe Arthur convinces himself that if he keeps finding excuses to keep Merlin around him 24/7 then he won’t have time to date or to fall in love- to leave him.

I wonder if Merlin will eventually realize that something is going on. Will he try to ask if Arthur is okay, if something is wrong or if he needs help? Will it make Arthur feel guilty so he just tries to convince Merlin that he’s fine and tells him to leave.

Maybe Arthur will catch Merlin sneaking back into his room later when he tries to check on him. He’ll be upset knowing that Merlin is there out of duty when he wishes he was there because he wanted to be. He’ll make some comment about how Merlin should be off with his lover since his work was finished. And Merlin will make that cute little startled stoat face he likes so much.

“This mystery person you’ve been interrogating half the kingdom about to figure out if you’re in love with them yet. That lover MER-lin.”

“What?”

“Oh don’t try to play coy with me. It’s not as if you’ve been subtle.”

“Apparently I’ve been more subtle than you think.”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?”

“That this mystery person is YOU you absolute clotpole!”

What if Merlin one day just privately goes uo to Arthur and is like. Here me out- people keep targeting you magically. Because of the purge we don’t have a whole lot of resources to combat that- but there seems to be a general treatment for a lot of curses that we can address with no magic at all. ‘True loves kiss’. I’m always around so it makes the most sense that it would be me. I think we’ll just have to work at it a bit for it to work- but think of the possibilities!

And then they start having a just in case true loves kiss every morning, before bed, after every meal, after meeting visiting nobles, before a knightly challenge, after a challenge, before going on a quest, during the quest, when they get home from a quest. They find any reason to use it just in case there is something that hasn’t manifested yet.

I do hope that one day something takes them unawares and Arthur kisses Merlin somewhere in public. Maybe some sorcerer says that Arthur won’t be so hard to get rid of without his servant when they are in the middle of a feast.

I imagine everyone would start to think that Merlin has his eye on someone. Would they all start keeping a closer eye on him? Would the knights start taking bets? Does Arthur already like Merlin but realize it so he becomes inordinately jealous, desperately trying to find the object of Merlin’s affections- telling himself that no he won’t use his position as Prince to falsely arrest someone or try to run them out of Camelot. No matter how many times he tells himself he’s really be doing them a favor if he told them to leave. Merlin can be a disaster on his best days- it would be safer for everyone if he stayed with him.

Maybe Arthur convinces himself that if he keeps finding excuses to keep Merlin around him 24/7 then he won’t have time to date or to fall in love- to leave him.

I wonder if Merlin will eventually realize that something is going on. Will he try to ask if Arthur is okay, if something is wrong or if he needs help? Will it make Arthur feel guilty so he just tries to convince Merlin that he’s fine and tells him to leave.

Maybe Arthur will catch Merlin sneaking back into his room later when he tries to check on him. He’ll be upset knowing that Merlin is there out of duty when he wishes he was there because he wanted to be. He’ll make some comment about how Merlin should be off with his lover since his work was finished. And Merlin will make that cute little startled stoat face he likes so much.

“This mystery person you’ve been interrogating half the kingdom about to figure out if you’re in love with them yet. That lover MER-lin.”

“What?”

“Oh don’t try to play coy with me. It’s not as if you’ve been subtle.”

“Apparently I’ve been more subtle than you think.”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?”

“That this mystery person is YOU you absolute clotpole!”

Merlin: oh shit, Arthur, you have to help me.

Arthur: *annoyed and tired* Merlin, I've worked my fourth 12hour shift this week, I can't -

Merlin: Please!!! She broke up with me and said no one would ever want me. I've been telling her I was getting married. Can you pretend to like - be on a trip with me, like, preparing for my wedding?

Arthur: *instantly awake* ok, I've got us covered

Three hours later, Merlin is frozen at the table, while Arthur is having a long thorough conversation about wedding receptions and invite plans and shit with Merlin' ex. Merlin has never seen Arthur this excited in months.

Ex: so, you're like, his wedding planner?

Arthur: *no hesitation* fiancé

Merlin: *coughs* (that's not what I asked of you!!!)

Ex: *surprised* then you should know he hates these fruit cakes

Arthur: they are not for him, sweety. My father is allergic to them and I need him savely tugged away somewhere so he won't ruin the wedding. *Mutters: I hope the hospital is far away*

Ex: oh

Merlin: *whispering* you're overselling it

Arthur: *ignoring him* I've had a friend of mine help me with the actual food arrangements. Merlin is such a picky eater, so we had to make sure- ....

Much, much later:

Merlin: You've talked so much about that wedding, I'm half convinced it's actually happening

Arthur: I'll pick you up on Wednesday to get suits. You should be free at 7

Merlin: Arthur... This was a one time thing -

Will he have already bought tickets for their honeymoon? I mean- you can’t expect the ex to believe they wouldn’t go on a honeymoon and what kind of husband would Arthur be if he didn’t make that happen???

But would he also arrange for Merlin to move in with him when they return? “MER-lin married couples live together. What would happen if it got back to your ex that we were separated weeks into our marriage?!? Do you want them to think you were so desperate to move on that you married someone you couldn’t stand? If it was important enough for you to lie to them it’s important enough for you to lie well.”

Omg. My kingdom for a full fic of this. It could be a fun one shot or an agonizing slow burn where they are truly two idiots in love. And it would be easy enough to start small moments of physical affection-maybe even kissing practice so they look like it’s normal for them if they have to kiss in front of someone. Going so far as to tell each other that it really is imperative that Arthur knows what Merlin looks like when he comes or the sounds he makes during sex- because well… the ex knows- And how embarrassing would it be if it somehow came up in conversation and they could tell Arthur had no first hand experience.

Weeks or months later- will Merlin eventually catch Arthur looking at information for adoption because they are so desperate for this to be real. They want everything and dream of being able to have the future they feel so close to but which simultaneously feels out of their reach? Would Merlin fear that Arthur is seriously thinking about taking the act so far as to bring a child into it? He has always been terribly dedicated and always tried to honor his commitments to the utmost. The possibility would probably break the fragile unspoken agreement to not talk about this being fake- and Merlin would have to try to put things to an end. But would he say something then, completely without tact that makes Arthur question where he stands And then they both are super angsty until they figure themselves out? Will he say nothing in the moment and try to break things off without actually explaining what is wrong- leaving Arthur devastated and clueless?

Or would Merlin ask what Arthur is doing? Would Arthur be embarrassed being found out but decide to take the chance and be honest. Tell Merlin that he couldn’t believe his luck those few weeks/months ago when Merlin begged him to pretend to be helping him with his wedding. That it gave him the opportunity to be closer to him, to experience what he’s always wanted but thought he could never have. That every day felt more and more real. That he wanted their time together to never end, just for things to change- for their marriage to truly be real for both of them. That he was looking at adoption agencies because he wants to raise children with Merlin. (Perhaps with an aside that he knows he won’t have to worry about turning out like his own father with Merlin by his side).

Maybe Merlin will think he’s dreaming. That he couldn’t possibly be that lucky.

Arthur: Wait what did he do??

Leon: Oh right. He gifted Merlin sweets and asked if he wanted to have a picnic with him, Sire. But his family is an important ally, so I had to refrain from executing him.

Arthur, now very confused and trying hard not to let his jealousy show because he wants to be a good, just king: Leon courting Merlin is not a crime

Leon confused as well: Well of course it's not written down like that. But courting the kings... Uhm *clearing his throat and staring at the floor awkwardly* lover is quite disrespectful.

Arthur now blushing furiously sputters: Merlin?! My lover?!

Leon: Uh Sorry I didn't mean to offend you... Or him! I just thought you wanted the marriage to stay secret. I mean yes he always is carrying Queen Ygraines sigil with him but I just-

Arthur: LEON! Merlin is my servant. I'd never- I can't- He's just my servant nothing more. Please tell me you haven't told anyone of this crazy assumption of yours

Leon, disbelieving after a loooong moment of silence: My CRAZY assumption!?!? Wha- YOU'VE BEEN UNDRESSING HIM WITH YOUR EYES EVERY TIME YOU TWO ARE IN THE SAME ROOM!!! I didn't have to tell anyone!!!

Arthur: So who else thinks-

Merlin: wdym?

Arthur: *blushing* the one where you basically pulled down my pants. In front of uncle Agravaine. During council! You can't tell me that too had to do with magic.

Merlin: what? No. I was trying to steal your keys

Arthur: you were - Merlin, the entire council thought you had lost your mind! They thought you were trying to bend me over the table

Merlin: to do what?

Arthur: *aflame*

Merlin: wait, was that what YOU thought I was doing?

Arthur: *nearly bursting*

Merlin: the council men didn't even look surprised, Arthur. No one was trying to help you, almost as if - *realization* hold on -

Arthur: *warning* Merlin

Merlin: you're saying-

Arthur: I don’t understand.

Merlin, running on two hours of sleep in five days, falling asleep on his feet: That’s okay, you’re very pretty.

Knights: *wheezing*

Arthur: *blushing furiously*

Merlin gets Arthur to the lake in time and manage to save him.

They spend the night by the lake just talking, like they have been for the past few days, and realise that neither of them is ready to return to Camelot. For various reasons. They decide to take to the roads instead, just disappear, together.

Eventually their (few remaining) friends start to worry and the queen sends out her knights searching for them. Maybe Gaius points them towards the lake and maybe the knights find a neat pile of Arthurs belongings nearby, like his armour and cape (To heavy to carry and to easy to identify) and just assumes the worst. They knew Arthur was injured, and now presumably dead, but where is Merlin? Perhaps the grief was just to much for him? Perhaps he went home? But Hunith hasn't seen him either.

They are both gone. And life moves on.

Until a few months later when rumors start reaching the castle, about two heroes helping people throughout the realm. A fighter and a sorcerer working together using their skills to take out different threats from low life bandits to magical creatures attacking people.

No one really suspects anythingat first, but Gwen sends out her knights to find these two heroes. To confirm the rumors and if so offer a reward for their bravery. And maybe see if they would be willing to join forces?

It's not until Sir Leon hears a description of the two that he start to wonder.. A blond sword fighter with blue eyes and a regal nose who talks like a noble? A dark haired sorcerer also with blue eyes and a wide infectious smile? And they are constantly bickering and insulting each other? It couldn't be? Could it?

Trying not to get his hopes up Leon still doubles the search efforts.

No matter what they do though the knights seems to always be one step behind the two. Always gone before the knights reach the village or town they just saved. Missed them by a few days, a few hours down to mere minutes.

Somewhere along the way Leon hears about The Kiss. Told by an eye witness who saw the blond grab the warlock by the front of his tunic, haul him in and kiss him fiercely for almost getting himself killed (again, the idiot <- Arthurs note).

And suddenly things are making alot more sense. Why they never came back. Why they are staying away and don't want to be found.

He never tells Gwen. Or anyone. But that is the day Leon starts pulling back, cutting down on the search. Telling everyone it's not worth it, it has been over a year ( several years?) and there are more important things for the knights of Camelot to do then chasing ghosts. It's better if people start moving on with their lives instead. They are not coming back.

An undecided amount of time later Leon finds himself drinking alone in some random tavern in some random town, in an unknown part of the kingdom. When two cloaked strangers sit down uninvited at his table. And as he looks up their hoods fall back to reveal two very familiar and very dear faces.

Arthur would obviously freak out and be like: wtf

And the child would start to cry and say: dad pls help me i fucked up this spell papa taught me and now something is wrong-

Arthur: Did you just call me dad??? Wait did you say papa???????? Spell?!?!?!

The child sniffling: yes papa as in your husband Merlin Pendragon, where is he? He told me to practice this spell but I think i mixed up the words and -

So he just - works a lot. To get away from the stress he takes a couple years off of doctor work and works as a barista in a coffee shop instead.

And then Arthur returns.

And Merlin is deeply embarrassed when Arthur sees him and asks him how he's 'sunken so low' (from working for kings to serve at a pub). Their initial fight about this topic becomes legendary in the history of the small local coffee shop.

And the regulars notice that Arthur ... Very quickly becomes one of them. He and Merlin bicker often and always and it seems like Arthur doesn't have a job at all, which makes his initial comment even worse.

He has also, somehow, never drunken coffee before? And still doesn't like the sweet stuff, as if he'd never had sugar in his life.

He stays everyday, for as long as Merlin works and then they leave together. Merlin takes Arthur to his apartment and every previous comment is stuck in Arthur's throat because modern apartments are beautiful? Not as big as he would like, but damn.