One common theme is loyalty. Arthur's loyalty to Merlin drives his protective behavior. He doesn't want to lose Merlin, whether it's due to magical threats or political enemies.
The theme of sacrifice also appears. Sometimes, Arthur has to sacrifice his own comfort, reputation, or even safety to protect Merlin. This could be seen in situations where he has to stand up against the anti - magic sentiment in Camelot to keep Merlin's magic a secret and Merlin himself safe. It shows the depth of his protective feelings towards Merlin.
One common theme is loyalty. Arthur's protectiveness often stems from his deep loyalty to Merlin. He sees Merlin as more than just a servant but as a true friend, and this loyalty drives him to safeguard Merlin.
One common theme is loyalty. Arthur's protectiveness shows his loyalty to Merlin as his friend and servant. Another theme could be guilt. If Merlin is hurt because of Arthur in some way, Arthur feels guilty and that drives his protectiveness. For example, if Merlin takes an arrow meant for Arthur.
One common scenario is when they are out on a quest. Arthur always puts Merlin's safety first, even if it means putting himself at risk. For instance, in a dangerous forest filled with magical creatures, Arthur would stand in front of Merlin to face any threats.
One common theme is friendship. Their relationship is often at the heart of the stories, showing how they support and grow with each other. Another is loyalty. Arthur and Merlin are extremely loyal to each other in the original series, and this is often emphasized in fanfiction.
One common theme could be loyalty. Merlin is often extremely loyal to Arthur, and when he breaks a rule, Arthur's punishment might be a test of that loyalty. Another theme could be power dynamics. Since Arthur is the king and Merlin has magic which is often a secret, the punishment could be related to maintaining the balance of power in Camelot.
Another theme is the test of their relationship. The hotel can be a place full of challenges and temptations. It could be other people trying to come between them or some difficult situations that make them question their loyalty to each other. Like in some fanfictions, a powerful sorceress at the hotel tries to charm Arthur away from Merlin, but they overcome it and their relationship becomes stronger.
One common theme is loyalty. In these fanfictions, Merlin's loyalty to Arthur takes on a new, more intense dimension when there are romantic feelings involved. Another theme is sacrifice. Often, either Merlin or Arthur is willing to sacrifice a great deal for the other, which is a big part of their relationship in these stories.
The theme of secrecy also comes up a lot. Since their relationship in fanfiction is often not something that can be openly shown in the Camelot setting, they have to keep it a secret. This adds a layer of tension and drama to the stories. It also makes their relationship more precious as they have to hide it from the prying eyes of the court and the kingdom.
One common theme is the struggle against social norms. Arthur is a king and Merlin is his servant, so there's often the theme of them going against the class differences. Another theme is the discovery of true love. Arthur may not initially realize his feelings for Merlin, so it's about that journey of self - discovery.
The themes in Merlin and Arthur banter fanfiction are quite diverse. Friendship is a big one. Their banter is a sign of their close friendship, even if they don't always admit it openly. For instance, they can joke about how they would save each other's lives. Also, loyalty is there. When they banter, it's within the framework of their loyalty to each other. Arthur might say 'Merlin, you are the most annoying yet most loyal servant I have' and Merlin could reply 'My loyalty is only because I know you need me, sire.' It shows how their relationship is complex and multifaceted through the banter.