"So," Arthur says, "are you powerful, then?" / "Um," Merlin says. "I can hold my own." / Arthur snorts. The day Merlin can hold his own, he'll eat his sword. / AU. Post-S4, post-reveal.

Based on the Tumblr prompt: "Shh, it's alright," the villain said. "You're doing beautifully and I'm so proud of you. But that's enough now. It was cruel of them to make you fight me - you could never have won. It's not your fault." AU

He smiled with pride as he stood up, "Emrys is the greatest man who has ever lived. It is his destiny to help you become the Once and Future King and bring about the golden age of Albion. He fights from the shadows everyday and asks for no recognition but Emrys, should you need us, you have an army of men who would be willing to die for you. I am honored to be in your presence."

Young Merlin's magic is observed in Ealdor by Queen Annis, and he's offered adoption and the throne. Merlin learns what it means to be a prince and an enemy of Camelot - til the day he's captured by Prince Arthur's border patrol. Uther holds a prisoner with magic that he can't afford to execute, and Arthur meets a rational sorcerer for the first time. No slash.

Leon can't help but think sometimes how there's no one to look after Merlin. One-shot. Literally just ridiculous fluff.