In a different scenario, it could be a humorous situation. Merlin might accidentally sit on Arthur's lap in a hurry, perhaps while trying to avoid being caught by the guards for some minor mischief. Arthur is outraged at first but then they both end up laughing about it and it becomes a funny anecdote within the castle.
One possible plot could be a moment of comfort. Maybe Merlin has had a rough day dealing with magical threats in Camelot. He sits on Arthur's lap, and they have a heart - to - heart talk about their friendship and the future of Camelot. Arthur, initially surprised, soon realizes Merlin needs this closeness and they end up strengthening their bond.
The physical closeness of Merlin sitting on Arthur's lap can be the start of a deeper emotional connection. Arthur might become more aware of Merlin's vulnerability, which could lead to him being more open and caring towards Merlin in general. For example, he could start sharing his own insecurities with Merlin.
One possible plot could be a moment of deep friendship. Maybe they are in a private chamber, discussing a serious matter about the kingdom. Merlin, in his eagerness or perhaps to show his loyalty closely, sits on Arthur's lap. They then have an intense conversation where Merlin reveals some hidden knowledge or a plan to save Camelot from an upcoming threat.
In a 'Merlin and Arthur at Hogwarts' fanfiction, the story could start with Merlin accidentally casting a spell that sends them both to Hogwarts. At Hogwarts, Arthur is amazed by the magical creatures and the Quidditch games. Merlin tries to blend in but his unique abilities make it difficult. They both get caught up in a mystery within the school, like a hidden chamber that holds a powerful and ancient magic. As they explore, they discover that their fates are somehow linked to the history of Hogwarts, and they must use their combined skills - Arthur's leadership and Merlin's magic - to solve the mystery and find a way back to their own world.
In a fanfiction, it could be that an evil sorcerer casts a spell on Gwen and Arthur's unborn baby. The baby starts to show strange and dangerous symptoms. Merlin is the only one who can sense what's really wrong. He has to race against time to break the spell. He delves deep into his magic knowledge and also consults ancient magical texts. Along the way, he has to hide his actions from those in Camelot who still distrust magic, all while trying to save the baby and ensure the future of Camelot's royal family.
In this type of fanfiction, it could start with Merlin having a prophetic dream where he sees himself kissing Arthur instead of Gwen. This dream haunts him and makes him realize his deeper, unacknowledged feelings for Arthur. As he tries to avoid this fate, circumstances keep pushing them together. Eventually, during a magical incident where emotions are heightened, Merlin accidentally kisses Arthur. This sets off a chain of events where they have to face the reactions of their friends and the court, and also explore their own feelings which they had previously buried deep inside.
He might be initially startled. Arthur is used to a certain propriety in the court, so having Merlin suddenly on his lap would catch him off - guard. But then, depending on their relationship at that point, he could either laugh it off if they are in a very friendly stage or he might be a bit flustered and ask Merlin to get up if there are other people around.
One possible secret could be that Merlin is a powerful sorcerer from an ancient and powerful magical lineage. Maybe his family has a long - standing connection to Camelot that has been kept hidden.
It could be that Gwen unknowingly has some sort of magical influence over Arthur. For example, if there is some ancient magic tied to her lineage that she's not aware of, and it's causing Arthur to focus only on her and forget about Merlin. Another aspect could be that Arthur's love for Gwen is so overpowering that it's subconsciously pushing out other important relationships, like the one with Merlin.
Well, perhaps Merlin has made a big mistake in Arthur's eyes. Maybe he used magic in a way that was too obvious or endangered the kingdom, so Arthur, in his kingly way, sends Merlin to the stocks as punishment.
Yes, in some Merlin Arthur fanfiction, there might be extreme or controversial plots like this. However, such themes are often used to explore complex social or moral issues within the fictional context. It's important to note that not all fanfiction follows this route, and most tend to focus on more positive aspects of the Merlin - Arthur relationship, like their friendship, loyalty, and the fight against evil.