#i'm spiraling

*Go and re-read the original trilogy*

*Notice all of the heartbreaking details*

The fact that The Hunter's Heart (4x11) is a parallel to The Labyrinth of Gedref (1x11), is something I lose my mind on nearly everytime I rewatch merlin and here's why, First of all, both episodes are the 11th of each season and in 4x11 Arthur states that "claim to the lands of Gedref has long been in dispute." (A throwback to the title of 1x11) Arthur is also the metaphorical 'hunter' and both episodes center around his 'heart.' 1) At the end of 1x11 anhora says "Arthur has proven what is truly in his heart." (In the official books they also repeatedly mention arthur having love in his eyes/heart for merlin) This shows that arthur reaches his heart through merlin. (Merlin does not tell Arthur what to choose; he helps him recognise why a choice matters.) and then at the end of 4x11 it mirrors this because arthur is again at a crossroads, whether to marry Princess Mithian and move on or to refuse a life that feels hollow. Once again, their exchange:

MERLIN You must do what your heart tells you, sire.

KING ARTHUR What if I don't know what that is? centers around arthur's heart. Arthur explicitly says he does not know what his heart is telling him, and once again, he turns to Merlin. Merlin’s advice is indirect, but the outcome is identical to 1x11: Arthur listens to Merlin, and in doing so, proves what is in his heart.

2) Then when arthur tells mithian:

PRINCESS MITHIAN And for her you would risk your kingship? Your kingdom?

KING ARTHUR Without her, they're worth nothing to me. RIGHT after arthur says this, the camera pans to merlin. Here, arthur is of course referring to gwen, but I love the symbolism of it ALSO referring to merlin, because a) Merlin’s jacket placed on top of Camelot on Arthur’s map when Merlin goes missing in 4x06. b) “There was magic at the heart of Camelot” - and Merlin is that magic, embodied. (later in 5x03) Camelot without its heart would be nothing, just as Arthur without Merlin would be nothing. (soulmates fr)

3) When Merlin says "No one would sacrifice more for Camelot or you than Gwen.” the description actually matches Merlin’s own lived reality too. Constant sacrifice, invisibility, total devotion, all for arthur. Immediately after, when Mithian asks

PRINCESS MITHIAN Tell me...who is it that trumps a princess?

KING ARTHUR No one.

KING ARTHUR And everyone.

Read alongside everything else, “no one” aligns with Merlin’s enforced invisibility. Merlin's entire narrative in terms of his magic is structured around being present BUT not acknowledged. He has done the most for arthur, but he does so without recognition. and to be clear, arthur does know how brave merlin is ("I always thought you were the bravest man I ever met.") and he values merlin's opinions the most. ("One thing I've learned since being here is that Arthur values your opinion above almost all others.") but he doesn't know the sheer EXTENT of merlin's protection and sacrifice.

The good thing is that I'm almost finish with my research paper so it was all worth it (still have to write a conclusion and two whole chapters for sunday but I'm getting into that)

So enjoy this sketch I did in my phone as I took the subway to got to the library a week ago

Can you deduce what the idea was about?

Establish Secret relationship Mujiu get separated by local transmigrator Shen Yuan who has no idea

I'm feeling mixed about Sunday, I hope someone stops this idiot.

Mark my words, Cucurucho won't die bc of this mission. Not as sure for Q!quacks himself kek.