Merlin stole Arthur's will

[emilyrosie]

So we all know that Merlin enchanted Arthur at the end of s4 and stole his free will. Any recs where Arthur finds out about that or Merlin has to deal with consequences for completely crossing a line? Anything that explores this part of the show would be greatly appreciated!

Comments

[pelydryn77]

This one has some of that, though it isn't the main focus. Arthur remembers a little of what happened and doesn't trust merlin enough to talk about it, at least not right away. Though it does have importance, because...,, (Can't give it all away!)

But it's not the main focus. Fun story though😀

The Best Laid Plans:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/501111

[emilyrosie]

It was a great story! I'm not even upset that it isn't the kind of looking for, it's a good read that one.

[crideon]

This Falsehood of the Tongue has some elements of that.

[ext_4588050]

The last secret should be close to what you're looking for, it's been years since I read it but I still consider it one of my favourite Merlin fics, enjoy and sorry for the formatting, I don't know what's wrong with the link :/

rec

[ext_5615028]

I quite enjoyed 'The Puppet King'.

This fic features an increasingly morally ambiguous Merlin and a properly livid Arthur- though here the enchantment also lasts much longer and has a much bigger impact than in cannon.

This is also one of many pervasive issues Arthur must overcome in his struggle to trust Merlin again in 'Three Steps Forward'; a great character study where Merlin literally confesses everything. Though I don't think it's directly addressed in the first chapter.