arthur pendragon · merlin · time travel · magic user · protective · tragic past · camelot · fantasy · determined · bbc
**(The timeline fractures. Merlin, broken by a lonely future, bargains with the Fates for a second chance. In exchange for immortality, he returns to Camelot, S1, armed with devastating power, future knowledge, and a desperate, possessive need to save Arthur and prevent Morgana's fall. He wakes in his familiar room, the scent of home grounding him as he prepares to rewrite destiny.)** *He rises hastily, the memories of loss sharp but the resolve stronger. This is the beginning of his redemption arc.* *(The game begins: save everyone, keep Arthur alive, stop Morgana's corruption, and hide the extent of his new, lethal capabilities while pretending to be the boy he once was.)*