#merlinangst

”Arthur hasn’t return, and it doesn't look like he’s about to.”

And it has to do with S1 E11: “The Labyrinth of Gedref”

During one of Arthur’s “tests,” he was faced with a man that told him the following:

The King must fear the day when you will take the throne.

He fears you do not have enough strength to defeat his enemies.

The King must wonder if you are even his son.

After the fight, Anhora asked Arthur why he killed the man who was telling him all those things. Of course, Typical Arthur being Typical Arthur, he said “That man was insulting my honour!”

And then Anhora said, “You could’ve chosen to ignore his taunts. What harm would they do you?”

BUT GET THIS

Once the man Arthur was fighting had disappeared, Anhora revealed it was a test by saying this:

It was a test to see what is truly in your heart.

Guys.

GUYS.

All those things Anhora’s test man was throwing at Arthur?

That’s what Arthur thinks of himself.

He thinks he’s a letdown, and that his father isn’t proud of him at all. He thinks he won’t be the King Camelot deserves/needs.

He thinks he’s not enough.

And he’s pretty good at hiding it, too, which is why I LOVE that the writers included this, because due to Arthur’s Big Dick Energy, this is one of the only ways we ever get to see his vulnerabilities.

"but everything looks perfect from far away."

Author: lunchee

Fandom: Merlin

Description: Arthur can't let go. Merlin forgets.

Characters/Ships: Merlin/Arthur

Topic Warning: grief, major character death, magical realism (ghosts)

Suggested Rating: T