Some Merlin finale noodling - Merlin's future

[corilannam]

As long as I'm still crying over the end of Merlin the show anyway, I was doing some thinking about the future of Merlin the character.



Personally, I don't think Merlin will ever go back to Camelot. There's nothing for him there now. Gwen doesn't really need him, though I'm sure she'd welcome him with honors. Gwaine is dead, he was never all that close to Percival that we saw, and Leon outright doesn't give a shit about Merlin and never has.

That leaves Gaius. Merlin might go back long enough to say good-bye to Gaius, though more likely Gaius would have to come find him. If he had time, since he's now chief adviser to a newly widowed queen, and Gwen does need him. More likely, I think Gaius will make Merlin's favorite meal every night for the rest of his life, waiting for him to come home.

I can't really see Merlin ever straying very far from that lake. His devotion is to Arthur. He hasn't been released from his destiny just because Arthur is sleeping in Avalon now. He'll wait.



So what are your thoughts on Merlin's future?

Comments

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Pretty much what you said. He might go back to see Gaius one last time but not the others. I don't think he'd be able to stand seeing Gwen, knowing that he failed to save Arthur. I think he'd stay by the lake, waiting. Waiting for eternity if needs be.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I just can't see him ever wanting to live in Camelot again. It would just be too painful, and they did make a big point of saying how he and Arthur had accomplished everything and Camelot is nicely self-sustaining now.

[destina.livejournal.com]

Thus far, my thoughts go in three different directions and require the length of three stories to tell, and none of those stories involve Merlin being alone after Arthur dies. *g* But - if I had to say what I think would happen in canon, I'd agree Merlin isn't going to go to Camelot, other than to deliver the news of Arthur's death to Gwen personally and say goodbye to Gaius. He's going to wander and learn and grieve and be alone.

Aaaaaaaaaand that's why I'm writing three fix-its. Heh.

[ella-bane.livejournal.com]

Aaaaaaaaaand that's why I'm writing three fix-its. Heh.

That is awesome news. :D

[destina.livejournal.com]

You are so sweet. I just need to get away from my family and get peace and quiet to do it! :D

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, three fix-its. *rubs hands together* I want ALL THE FIX-ITS. GIMME.

I think Camelot will mourn Arthur, but they will also move on and start living again fast. Gwen has to care for her kingdom, make a place of life and prosperity, and I don't think Merlin is going to be ready to be a part of that for a long time.

[slightlytookish]

Merlin's last scene with Gaius felt very much like a goodbye. I hope they did see each other again though, if not in Camelot then maybe in Ealdor? (I really hope Merlin saw his mother again, too). But I could definitely see Merlin not wanting to return to Camelot permanently. The fact that he wasn't there at Gwen's coronation was very telling, I thought.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I thought that was telling as well. I actually have doubts about whether Percival will come back to Camelot, either, given that he wasn't there at the end (and not much to keep him there now).

[slightlytookish]

I've only seen the episode once but I thought I saw Percival standing there in the crowd at Gwen's coronation. I'd have to rewatch it to be absolutely sure, but if that's the case I could see him bringing the news of Arthur's death to Camelot (since it seemed like he was following Morgana, so that should've led him to Avalon) and then leaving Camelot himself, perhaps to go on a major quest like his legendary counterpart did.

[ella-bane.livejournal.com]

Argh, I can't give you a conclusive answer to that one. I lean more toward Merlin NOT going back to Camelot because it would just rub salt in his already enormous wound. You made me lol so hard at what you said about Leon thought, because I completely agree.

I do think Gaius would journey to the lake to say his goodbye to Merlin, because he knows exactly where he would be. Oh, Merlin! I can see him living in a hut near the lake, just wiling away his days while he waits. *sigh*

[destina.livejournal.com]

I really want the story in your last paragraph, because I so want Gaius and Merlin to have a proper goodbye. :/

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

I agree with this. My first instinct was that Merlin wouldn't go back. But then destina convinced me he might go to tell Gwen in person (and that Percival might show up looking for him to take him home). Then I thought of what I really wanted was for him to see Gaius one more time, and that was enough to make me think he might go back (though not permanently!) But Gaius coming to find him makes sense to me, too.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really don't think Gaius would leave Merlin there all alone if he could help it, not without checking on him. But it's always possible that he just won't be able to leave Camelot for a while because he has to help Gwen restore order.

Ah, Leon. *g*

[rane-ab.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was just thinking about that - just as the scene between Merlin and Gwaine felt very much like a goodbye (and it turned out to be), so did the scene between Gaius and Merlin, to me. Gaius may have said he'd have a meal waiting for Merlin, it seemed more like a comforting, hopeful thought to temper the fact that he doesn't really expect Merlin to come back. I imagine they might see each other again someday, but not immediately.

There's a lot of ways it could go, but I could see him roaming around for a bit, trying to learn what he can about magic now he has the freedom to, maybe even hoping he'll find a way to bring Arthur back or to find out more about the prophecy linked to him, and about his father and the dragonlords, too. Maybe he'll seek out Kilgharrah and spend some time with him, before he dies, too. And when he's ready, he'll probably go home to his mum for a bit. And maybe after, he'll visit Camelot. But yeah, I don't think Camelot will ever be the same to him - he spent so much of his time there at Arthur's side, that seeing it without Arthur would probably feel wrong to him, on a personal level, and not a place he can stay at for very long. I think he might be torn, at first, between staying close to the lake and Arthur, and wanting to get away from it to let his grief heal, but in the end he'll always end up right back there, and over time his grief will become laced with some kind of peace over what they've achieved and hope for the future, and it'll become a source of consolation for him, hopefully, and another destiny he can hope for - because Merlin seemed quite lost as to who he was and why he was like that before he learned of his destiny, and then he threw himself at it with unwavering devotion, and I think he needs that, on some level, and needs to know that Arthur might need him again some day, and that Merlin will be there when the time comes.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

There are definitely many ways it could go (which will hopefully all be explored in fanfic ASAP). I could see him visiting Camelot, but not staying long, or speaking to many people. His place was at Arthur's side, and without Arthur, I don't think Camelot will ever feel like home again.

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

It makes me want to write more reincarnation stories. :( I agree; I don't think Merlin will go far from Avalon unless he learns to apparate when the Arthur Risen Alarm chimes or he visits the creepy Torchwood girl pyschic who tells him the century will turn xyz times before he sees him again, like Jack and the Doctor. I do think he would say goodbye to Gaius, though. Perhap he went back to Ealdor for a bit, walking over that same sand track again, backpack slung over his shoulder, only instead of wonder and excitement he drags with the weight of postponed destiny...and Gaius and Gwen hear a rumour of him with his mother and travel to find him there and...damn, plot bunny.

I haven't watched it yet--I don't know what I am waiting for. Despite not having tuned in for most of the past two series, I am still not ready to close the book. If you are ever feeling up to watching it again...let me know.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

LOL! You made me laugh with the Arthur Risen Alarm. Love it.

I kind of envy you not having seen it yet! I'll be happy (well, that might be a strong term) to watch with you whenever you want (after my mom goes home this weekend).

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

Excellent. Fangirl day with Merlin viewing? My life has been far too dominated by real life medical issues and inappropriate workplace dilemmas. I have a CT the day after New Year's, and after that I may know either what is wrong with me or that I am actually fine barring the one solveable issue and I think either way I might need booze and fangirl time. It's been far too long and I have been far too lame about actually getting together. That will change in 2013!

(Also I have not seen the Hobbit yet....)

[ardisia.livejournal.com]

So many fans found the final episode unsettling.
I loved reading your fic 'Forever', and re-posted the link out to all those on merlinxarthur who are down broken hearted.

Totally agree with your latest thoughts here.