Short Story: Merlin

We first see Merlin awaiting a scrawny, young fellow about twelve years old; Arthur. Being the clumsy little thing he apparently is, Arthur found himself being chased by an angry Kay who wanted his arrow when it flew into a dark forest by Arthur's fault. When Merlin is proving his magic abilities to Arthur, they transform into many types of animals where Arthur becomes worried and fragile. Through this, it is understood that Arthur is clumsy, scrawny, and rather weak. However, Geoffrey of Monmouth states that Arthur was fifteen years of age when found and he was of outstanding courage and generosity, and his inborn goodness gave him such grace that he was loved by almost all the people. Perhaps for a more understood plot, Arthur’s character did not match the more reliable account of Arthur's

“A couple of weeks ago, Guinevere and I shared supper at her cottage. We drank far too much mead and ate too little food. Before I knew it, I had her backed up against the wall, kissing her, and I had her skirts bunched up around her waist. I reached between her legs and touched her. I just kept moving my fingers in little circles and she seemed to enjoy it. She was, ah, aroused. Wet, I mean. After a few minutes of that, I pulled down her top and kissed her breasts and neck while I kept moving my fingers between her legs. She rubbed up against me, then she shook and gasped, loud. I kissed her nipples and they were hard…” Arthur’s ended his story abruptly and stopped walking. “Please tell me that’s

Both of these people he serves before adopting his real position under Arthur. Almost ironically, his first task in this position is to make it so that Arthur is an illegitimate son as well. Although Merlin is recognized by his father, and has a strong de facto claim to the throne, he not only has no desire to take the throne, he also has been chosen for his assignment as sourcerer. While Merlin himself gave up his claims to the throne, he spends the next portion of his life solidifying Arthur’s claims, until he is recognized as

In contrast, in the television program Merlin, Merlin takes on the role as a friend to help Arthur develop as a king. Immediately, the viewers know Merlin is not afraid to be direct with Arthur, then the prince, when Merlin calls him a “prat” to his face. At first, this name calling is meant to be insultive, but as the series narrative progresses, Arthur and Merlin become friends so when Merlin calls Arthur a “prat” it is meant in a joking manner. This banter is most seen through the episode from the final season “The Death Song of Uther Pendragon.” This episode serves as a small scale example of Merlin’s role throughout the series as both a comical friend but still a valuable source of serious encouragement. In one scene, the comical banter between the two is readily apparent:

The idea of courtesy is further developed in the action of the work. That King “Arthur would not eat till all were served” (85) distinguishes him as a polite host. Also, prior to the meal, guests congregate to celebrate, then “washed, . . . went to their seats” (72) and began eating. Knights are seated according to their rank while King Arthur “stands in state” (103) and surveys the gathering. Music fills the

It was about six in the morning on Saturday, and Arthur heaved himself out of bed, then, still half-asleep, flung himself into a warm shower. By the time he hopped out and toweled himself off, Merlin was already in front of Arthur’s flat, leaning on his horn.

“I believe you. You are an honest and trustworthy man. I can move past all this if you

The king waited for a response. He glanced up at his knight. "Did you hear

“Get out of my sight, Arthur!” growled Guinevere. “And never come near me again, you arrogant… toad!”

One night after a bitter battle his sword was broken, so he decided to go against Merlin's advice and stay back and rest at one of the local castles. He heard music in the middle of the night that awoke him, when he followed the sound he laid eyes on Guinevere and fell in love instantly. Merlin warned him that Guinevere would bring him nothing but misery and that he should stay far away from her, Arthur ignored him and asked for her hand in marriage the next day. Her and her father brought Arthur the round table as a gift, to seat all of his knights so that they could all sit together and discuss matters equally. There was one seat engraved that remained empty, that is where Arthurs bravest, loyalist knight would be seated. The last thing she wanted to

“Don’t harass me, Merlin!” barked Arthur, pacing the floor from bed to window. “I need some honest advice and help. You’re the only one who can give it to me. See me later for supper, here in my quarters. All right?”

    In all the long history of literature, some fictional characters have loomed above others, written about again and again by various authors of various eras. Arthurian literature is one area of fiction that has always been popular for writers to recreate in new versions, and one of the most intriguing characters of all Arthurian literature is Merlin, the magician/ prophet who aids Arthur early in his reign. As the Arthurian saga develops, so does Merlin, changing from an aloof, druidical character into a more human, magical being, though always retaining some traces of his Welsh origins.

Merlin frowned. Had he really been that deep in thought? That he hadn't even heard the prat calling out to him from across the room? It wasn't a voice that could easily be ignored. And he would know. He had tried many times before to just tune out Arthur's voice. He was rarely ever successful.

People thought as Merlin as just a wizard who could do magic, but he was more than just that. He was also a mentor to Arthur as he was growing up and becoming a king. Merlin’s transfer from childhood to adulthood was very problematic. He was once kidnapped by Queen Mab as a teenager. He was tied down to a tree to be sacrificed to a dragon and survived. His mother and aunt were both murdered by Queen Mab.

He had seemed to be staring at Merlin quite a bit as Arthur's servant had walked around the room with Gwen, but always with a great deal of affection, never with any sort of lustful intent in his eyes that she could see.