ramblings-of-a-chaotic-neutral
A great selection of my incoherent thoughts!AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/users/ChaoticNeutral01/pseuds/ChaoticNeutral01
307 posts
Latest Posts by ramblings-of-a-chaotic-neutral
Every time I have a rough day, I remember that there's a website I can go onto and post about Merlin- either heartwarming funny scenarios or heartbreaking angst- and I know that some people will read it in their heads with a Kermit the Frog voice because of my profile pic, and that always puts a smile on my face :)
For Aithusa doodles, may I suggest Aithusa with her head stuck in a doughnut, or tangled up in a curtain she was hiding behind, or maybe trying to drag Excalibur off even though it's much bigger than her?
She’s so so helpful!!! (x)
Wow, I wasn't expecting to wake up to the news that Merlin's trending again, but I love it! To celebrate, here's another au prompt!
In this au, Arthur finds out about the prophecy of Emrys and the Once and Future King, and, in true himbo fashion, he knows that Merlin is Emrys, but he doesn't know who this "Once and Future King" is supposed to be. So, of course, he gets insanely jealous, thinking that some random guy with a powerful magical sword is going to swoop in, steal his throne, take Merlin from his side, and usher in an era of peace while Arthur is cast aside, forgotten.
Arthur simply cannot accept this, even if this Once and Future King is supposedly Merlin's soulmate, the one who will complete him. So, when Arthur repeals the ban on magic, he includes the stipulation that if the Once and Future King is ever discovered, he should be immediately executed on the grounds of high treason for attempting to steal the throne.
Mordred, distraught and turning to Merlin: Shouldn't well tell him?! Merlin, completely unphased: Nah, he'll figure it out eventually.
Arthur also gets hints from the druids, who are trying to get him to figure out that he is actually the Once and Future King, but Arthur always misunderstands their hints.
Druids: The time of the Once and Future King is at hand, sire. He has already taken up his holy sword, and his people rally behind him, inspired by his leadership and valor.
Arthur: This motherfucker already has his magic sword AND an army?! MERLIN! Send word to Leon to ready to knights for war!
Thank you everyone for your responses, I'm very flattered! 😊
To celebrate, here's another one of my failed pick-up lines!
How're you today? :) Do you ever think about the similarities between brains and galaxies? When you compare a map of neurons and pictures of galaxies, they can look a lot alike! In addition, the most common type of cell in the brain, which are astrocytes (which are in charge of structural support for neurons and maintaining the ion balances around neurons to keep their signal transduction running smoothly), get their name, literally meaning "star cell", from their star-like shape!
I like to think about those similarities alongside the fact that many elements, including carbon, the building block of organic life, were originally created in supernovas, with the extreme heat fusing three helium atoms together to create the carbon atoms. So, in a way, all life is made up of stardust!
I find it interesting how the brain, something made up of stardust on a molecular level and populated by cells named after stars, arranges itself to look like a galaxy. I have to wonder if the mind, something that can contain entire worlds within it, is trying to arrange itself into a universe all of its own. Anyways, what do you like to do for fun? :D
Just for funsies, here's a side-by-side comparison of a map of neurons from a section of a mouse's brain and a picture of a galaxy!
Me: Ugh, why is dating so difficult? I guess the dating pool where I live is bad :(
Also me, attempting to flirt: How's your day been? :) Did you know that trees pump nutrients into nearby stumps in an effort to keep them alive, resulting in stumps that survive for years entirely on the support of the tree community around them? I like how the trees can sense through their shared root system that their neighbor has been felled, and instead of taking advantage of the new lack of competition, they use their own nutrients to support their now-cut brethren. It's an act of innate, selfless community love from an organism that you'd think is incapable of such a thing, and, in a sense, it's a form of grief, because those surrounding trees won't be able to keep the stump alive forever, and yet they try to keep it alive for as long as possible anyways. It's both touching and a bit disturbing, the sense that trees are trying to hold off the death in their community for as long as possible, almost like they're unable to come to terms with it initially. It seems as though the themes of loss and grief transcend even animal life and have a presence in everything in the world around us. What're your thoughts on that? :D
(As it turns out, turning cool science facts into an analysis of literary themes doesn't make for a good pickup line. Who would've thought?)
Hey, which one of you leaked my search history?!
sexy knights. sexy wounded knights. sexy wounded weary knights. sexy wounded weary knights in the rain. sexy wounded weary knights in the rain pledging their loyalty to you.
I will always reblog a spinning Arthur, especially one as cool as this!
Loook who i chose to stylize for my character design assignment. Yeah we had to pick already existing live action char and turn them into a cartoon.
Animated Merlin BBC when?🧙♂️
I'm gone. I'm a few episodes into s2 and I'm lost on them. I went to sleep thinking about them. I woke up thinking about them. There's no escape
That'd actually be such a great magic reveal, because Merlin would 100% be like "go ahead and tell someone, no one will believe you."
And Audrey would hate him all the more, both for making her look like a madwoman if she (rightfully) accuses him of stealing her cooked chickens using magic and for being fully capable of making her life so much easier by simply making Arthur's food with magic but refusing to.
I love it!
‘gwaine’s reaction to the magic reveal’ this and ‘leon’s reaction to the magic reveal’ that. focus. we need The Cook Merlin Had Unexplained Beef With’s Reaction to the Magic Reveal
Since my last modern au idea was a hit, here's another one!
In this au, old man Merlin's still waiting on Arthur by the shore of Avalon, even in the 21st century. He's mostly isolated, but occasionally ventures out into the nearby town to buy groceries and chat with some of the locals.
It's on one of these trips that he hears something he wasn't expecting to: apparently the BBC is making a show about him and Arthur, and the first season has been pretty popular.
Intrigued by this, Merlin does some digging (and watches the first season of the show), and he finds out that the BBC are casting for some minor characters to add for the second season. And, seeing as how Arthur probably isn't waking up any time soon, Merlin decides to brush off his old shapeshifting skills and audition for the show, figuring that he'd get a good laugh out of it at the very least.
Sure enough, the casting directors loved his audition, and he was added into the show as a minor character with a few guest appearances throughout the season. And his name?
Leon.
(And Merlin then convinced that directors to not kill off his character under any circumstances, just for the fun of it.)
I had a lot of fun working with Griffon on this fic! I had a blast writing the identity shenanigans between Merlin and Emrys!
A big thank you to my beta reader, Sage_Owl on Ao3, and to the reverse bang mods for organizing this event! :D
Merlin BBC Reverse Bang 2024/25 - Mitosis and its Consequences
Author: @ramblings-of-a-chaotic-neutral Arthis: @griffonskies Rating: Teen and Up Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Summary:
“Merlin, do you know this fiend? Has he threatened you into allowing him to take your appearance somehow?!” “Yes, I do know him, but he hasn’t stolen my appearance or anything of the like. It is, technically, his face too.” Arthur’s brows furrowed with confusion. What was Merlin going on about now? “This really wasn’t the introduction I would have liked, but I guess it’s too late for that now. Everyone, I’d like you all to meet my twin brother, Emrys.” ~ After a ritual gone wrong, Merlin's soul is split into two different bodies: one with magic and one without. And because destiny apparently had it out for him, the knights catch both of them in the same place. Without any better explanation, Merlin blurts out the only believable lie that he can think of: that the two identical Merlins are twin brothers.
Link to fic HERE
Since I've been on a roll with short au prompts recently, here's another one! This is an au where, during the battle of Camlann, Merlin manages to save Arthur and defeat Morgana and her army. However, it comes at the cost of revealing his magic and his identity as Emrys. Furious at the perceived betrayal, Arthur attempts to fight him, but Merlin doesn't want to fight.
Here's the twist though: the story is written like a video game boss battle from Arthur's perspective. Here's an example:
Final Boss: EMRYS ATK: 999999999 DEF: 999999999 HP: ∞
EMRYS: I don't want to fight you, Arthur.
What will you do? >Attack Talk Use Item Run
You attack with a steel sword! 0 damage!
EMRYS: Please, stop this. EMRYS chooses to spare you!
What will you do? Attack >Talk Use Item Run
What would you like to say? >Insult Question Appease
You call EMRYS a traitor. EMRYS looks guilty. EMRYS's DEF lowered!
EMRYS: I never wanted to hurt you. EMRYS chooses to spare you!
What will you do? Attack >Talk Use Item Run
What would you like to say? Insult >Question Appease
You ask EMRYS why he has magic. EMRYS: I was born with it. I use it only for you, Arthur. EMRYS's DEF lowered!
EMRYS: My life has always been yours. EMRYS chooses to spare you!
What will you do? Attack Talk >Use Item Run
What item would you like to use? Dagger Steel Sword >Excalibur
You draw Excalibur from its sheath! EMRYS's ATK, DEF, and HP lowered!
EMRYS: If that is what you want, then I will accept it. EMRYS chooses to spare you!
SECOND PHASE CONDITIONS MET!
Final Boss: MERLIN ATK: 0 DEF: 0 HP: 1
MERLIN looks at you with tears in his eyes. MERLIN: I will accept your judgement, Arthur.
What will you do? >Attack Talk Use Item Spare
…
What will you do? Attack Talk Use Item >Spare
Me: Ugh, why is dating so difficult? I guess the dating pool where I live is bad :(
Also me, attempting to flirt: How's your day been? :) Did you know that trees pump nutrients into nearby stumps in an effort to keep them alive, resulting in stumps that survive for years entirely on the support of the tree community around them? I like how the trees can sense through their shared root system that their neighbor has been felled, and instead of taking advantage of the new lack of competition, they use their own nutrients to support their now-cut brethren. It's an act of innate, selfless community love from an organism that you'd think is incapable of such a thing, and, in a sense, it's a form of grief, because those surrounding trees won't be able to keep the stump alive forever, and yet they try to keep it alive for as long as possible anyways. It's both touching and a bit disturbing, the sense that trees are trying to hold off the death in their community for as long as possible, almost like they're unable to come to terms with it initially. It seems as though the themes of loss and grief transcend even animal life and have a presence in everything in the world around us. What're your thoughts on that? :D
(As it turns out, turning cool science facts into an analysis of literary themes doesn't make for a good pickup line. Who would've thought?)
happy Neil banging out the tunes day!
Here's a quick au idea that just came to me today:
In a modern au where Merlin is still waiting on Arthur, historians recently discovered a whole batch of legal documents from Arthur's reign. These documents detail many changes he made to the laws of Camelot, including the repeal of the magic ban (which the historians assumed was just a halt on witch hunts).
However, one thing that the historians note as strange were the large number of laws that only applied to the king's personal manservant, who was never mentioned by name in the documents. These laws range from oddly specific, such as 'the king's manservant shall not accompany knights to the tavern', to downright bizarre decrees that make no sense, like 'the king's manservant is hereby forbidden from pointing out stew in the king's hair.'
The historians' first guess was that perhaps King Arthur was going a bit mad in his later years, but they didn't find any other ludicrous laws besides the ones pertaining to his manservant, which then led the historians to question the identity of this manservant and his relationship to the king.
All of this culminates in a historical exhibit showcasing the documents and postulating on this mysterious manservant of king Arthur. Many scholars flock to the exhibit, eager to examine the documents and debate their meaning and impact within a historical context.
Which then leads to a very tired Dr. Merlin Emrys, a medieval history professor, being dragged by his colleagues to see the exhibit and having to stifle is laughter as these world-renowned scholars tear their hair out trying to understand what was essentially a prank war between him and Arthur.
THE HOT MEDIEVAL & FANTASY MEN MELEE
THIRD ROUND: 5th Tilt
William Thatcher, A Knight’s Tale (2001) VS. Sir Lancelot, BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)
Propaganda
William Thatcher, A Knight’s Tale (2001) Portrayed by: Heath Ledger Defeated Opponents: - King Arthur [Charlie Hunnam], King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) - King Vortigern [Jude Law], King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) - Frodo Baggins [Elijah Wood], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
“13-year-old me had such a HUGE crush on Will Thatcher / Ulrich von Liechtenstein, and you know what? 13-year-old me was RIGHT (and had much healthier taste in men). He's a dreamer, he's sweet (except maybe when you're dismissive about jousting...), he gives to others despite having little himself, he has the most charming, contagious smile. And to play us out... he's blonde! He's pissed! He'll see you in the lists! Lichtenstein! Lichtenstein!”
Sir Lancelot, BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012) Portrayed by: Santiago Cabrera Defeated Opponents: - Sid [Luke Youngblood], Galavant (2015-2016) - Chu Hun [Peter Ho], Double World (2020) - Sultan Alauddin Khilji [Ranveer Singh], Padmavaat (2018)
“THE MOST PERFECT LANCELOT TO EVER LANCELOT. Sorry I don't make the rules. He's got pretty hair and kind eyes and a killer smile and he's brave and noble and gorgeous and idiotically self-sacrificing in every aspect of his life and he's got hidden chaotic depths and everyone falls in love with him a little bit!!!!!!! And how can they not!!!!!!!!! How could you ever resist that intensity of loyalty and gorgeous brown eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Additional Propaganda Under the Cut
Additional Propaganda
For William Thatcher:
“HE'S SO CUTE AND BRAVE AND STUPID AND DETERMINED AND FUNNY AND POETIC AND HE HAS BIG BEAUTIFUL BROWN EYES AND FRECKLES AND HE'S BISEXUAL-CODED HE'S MY BOY I LOVE HIM SO MUCH”
“The only man that could have pulled off a David Bowie dance scene within a medieval ballroom.”
For Sir Lancelot:
“He's just so pure and kind and romantic and also god*damn* his face is *literally* flawless and he's got those big brown eyes you could just fall right into and its an actual travesty that they only had him on the show like once a season he should have been a lead, that man deserves justice. For further propaganda I would like to submit the entirety of S2E4, which absolutely rewired my brain chemistry.”
“Hot as the dorky lowborn night with fluffy hair and as the evil, come-back-from-the-dead temptation.”
“Pretty much the whole of Camelot falls in love with him”
You know what type of characters are my favorite? The ones that aren't just doomed by the narrative, but the narrative seems to have a personal vendetta against them.
I'm talking about characters who the narrative wants to fistfight to the death in a Denny's parking lot at 3am. Characters who get tied behind the narrative's truck and dragged through a minefield of angst and pain. Characters that the narrative will turn into a pathetic, sopping wet cat. Characters that the narrative will elbow slam into the floor from the top rope while they're down just for the fun of it.
I just love characters that don't pass the narrative's vibe check and get put through the horrors and come out the other side a different person because of it.
Submitted by ramblings-of-a-chaotic-neutral
BBC Merlin from Arthur and Merlin's perspectives, respectively.
it’s psychological horror to YOU. to me it’s a romcom
Back on my "Merlin is symbolized by butterflies in the finale, but specifically a species that feeds on corpses because his rebirth and the completion of his character arc are intrinsically tied to Arthur's death" bullshit.
Just for fun, here's a comparison between the purple emperor butterfly (a species that will feed on carrion) and Merlin's butterfly in the finale:
Now, am I reading too far into this? Absolutely. But will the symbolism haunt me for months anyways? Definitely.
So just a typical tuesday
Honestly devastating that we didn't see more instances of Merlin just throwing hands with people for Arthur. Like we got Cedric, but in most cases he uses his magic and like work with what you got buddy, but he's a country boy he's gonna know how to scrap whether or not he's good at it. It's a shame the writers didn't add another Cedric type of situation where Merlin just fucking loses it and starts fistfighting some bitches
I will always love the idea of Merlin using his powers to become Morgana's sleep paralysis demon (see: Dragoon & Morgana's interaction in "A Servant of Two Masters")! Could you imagine if Merlin decided to keep spooking Morgana as Dragoon? Just, this immortal warlock popping up to foil Morgana's plans when she least expects it. I love it lol!
incorrect merlin quotes #14
Behold! Dragoon the Great pondering his orb!
I wonder, what secrets of the universe is he peering into?
A silly short Merlin au inspired by that one post where Merlin is put on trial in the blorbo court:
An evil sorcerer manages to capture Arthur, Merlin, and the knights as revenge for what Camelot did to the druids. However, this sorcerer is a devout follower of the old gods, so he decides to put Arthur on trial for his crimes against magic to let the gods pass judgement on him. After all, Emrys would surely show no mercy towards the son of the tyrant who burned Emrys's temples and slaughtered his worshippers.
So the sorcerer performs the ritual to summon Emrys, who appears looking like an eldritch monstrosity. It's a good thing everyone's too distracted by the glowing, incomprehensible god in front of them to notice that Merlin's soul has just been forcefully yanked from his body.
Of course, Arthur and the knights are terrified. They're bound, weaponless, and their hindbrains are telling them to run away now! The sorcerer, meanwhile, is giddy. He welcomes Emrys and presents Arthur to him, inviting him to judge the son of the butcher king as he sees fit.
Merlin, at this point, is just pissed. Getting one's soul yanked out from you body isn't exactly a pleasant experience! And now this nuisance who just kidnapped all of them was demanding that he kill Arthur!
But Merlin decides to play along for a bit, just to make this sorcerer suffer for his idiotic choice in trying to kill Arthur. So, Merlin replies, "he is innocent."
The entire room falls silent. Everyone looks at him in shock, but perhaps no one looked as shocked as Arthur. The beat of silence passed quickly though, as the sorcerer starting yelling.
"What?! How can that be true? Lord Emrys, you surely must know of this man's crimes against magic, against your people! He must be punished!"
"I am the judge here, aren't I? I say that he is innocent. You, on the other hand, are not."
Emrys then wastes no time in striking the fool down with lightning. Honestly, who did he think he was, making such demands? Arthur was Emrys's favorite mortal, he could do no wrong in Emrys's eyes!
TL;DR:
Arthur gets put on trial for crimes against magic, but Merlin declares him innocent because Arthur is his favorite little guy!
@larluce This seems to be a popular opinion lol!
New REBLOG Game
Just fucking lie about the previous poster
Prompt 6: trial
A big thanks to @mortiscausa for this wonderful challenge, I had a lot of fun drawing with palette and seeing art from other artists! :D
@sugar-coated-prat-dragon They all knew that my ideas were too powerful 😔
New REBLOG Game
Just fucking lie about the previous poster
@saladscream the way I wheezed after reading that! 🤣
Is this because of the spitroasting gif? 🤔
New REBLOG Game
Just fucking lie about the previous poster
@tansyuduri has the ability to look into alternate realities, but exclusively uses this power for fanfic purposes. That's how her au's are all so phenomenal, she's seen them herself!
@guiltyscarlet @thedragonlies @achillesuwu @theroundbartable @larluce
@justaz @sugar-coated-prat-dragon @griffonskies @saladscream @dollopole
New REBLOG Game
Just fucking lie about the previous poster