Keep the Magic Alive

Fan negotiations of multiple materials in relation to the Arthurian Legend, as

evinced in Merlin fanfiction

Arthurian Legend• Builds upon itself.• From Geoffrey of

Monmouth to Cretien de Troyes (Lancelot-Grail Cycle), to Thomas Mallory(Le Morte d’Arthur), to T.H White (Once and Future King), and many others.

Merlin CanonNotable divergence:• Morgana starts out as a protagonist• Arthur is a prat• Merlin is young and really foolish• Guinevere is Morgana’s maidservant.

Left to right: Guinevere, Arthur, Merlin, Uther, and Morgana.

Fanfiction (Fic)• Most Merlin fans have been in other fandoms• Most are knowledgeble about the Arthurian legend.

Merlin, Arthur, and Arthur’s Knights. Lancelot stands directly behind Arthur.

Playing with the Legend1. Making Merlin canon

and Arthurian legend fit together

2. Fixing the Legend• Happier endings for our

characters usually or changing relationships

3. Fixing the Canon• More knights, etc.

A King and His Sorcerer– Once and Future

King• T.H White

– History of the Kings of Britain and Biography of Merlin• Geoffrey of

Monmouth– Le Morte d’Arthur

• Thomas Mallory– Idylls of the King

• Tenneyson

The two dragons• Tarayith • Geoffrey of Monmouth

Merlin’s Nature

• Wild Man• Prophet• Son of an

Incubus• Timeless or

Immortal

Beltane Cycle • Beltane Cycle• 4 fics: 1. Introduction to Herne2. Encounter with Herne3. Revelation of magic:

banishment and Arthur’s Knights

4. Tournament at Vortigern’s castle, and encounter with the Saxons.

Herne and Our Heroes.• "A priestess of the Isle gave

her power, your father his honor, your mother her life, and the blood of a thousand sorcerers has been spilt… all that you might live…You are the bait in the trap: a prison he would choose…They forgot that I am unbound. And not even your destiny can stand against me, once and future king.”

Herne, the Hunter

Conclusion