One reason could be his sense of isolation. In many fanfictions, Merlin might feel alone as he has to keep his magic a secret from most people around him. This constant hiding and fear of discovery can lead to depression.
Perhaps his unrequited love for someone. If he has strong feelings for a character who doesn't return his love, it can cause a great deal of emotional distress and potentially lead to depression. For example, if he loves a noble who is out of his social reach.
In fanfiction, Naruto could be depressed after the war because he realizes that the world he fought for is still full of problems. The shinobi system might still be corrupt in some ways, and he may feel that all his efforts haven't really changed the fundamental issues. He might also be suffering from post - war stress disorder, constantly reliving the battles and the horrors he witnessed.
One reason could be that it doesn't have the right format recognition for fanfiction. Fanfiction can have unique formatting styles that are different from regular texts, and Merlin might not be programmed to handle those.
It could also be due to the lack of proper rest. Merlin is usually depicted as a very busy character in fanfiction. He has duties in the castle, like serving Arthur, and on top of that, he has to use his magic to help those in need secretly. With so much to do, he might not have enough time to rest, leading to exhaustion.
One reason could be to add a new twist to the story. It makes the relationship between Merlin and Mordred more complex and emotional.
Well, it could be due to the weight of expectations. Naruto is often seen as the 'chosen one' type of character. In fanfic, Sasuke might feel pressured by this. He might think that no matter what he does, he'll always be in Naruto's shadow. Also, their different upbringings play a role. Naruto grew up alone but with a positive attitude, while Sasuke had a tragic family past. In fanfic, seeing Naruto's strength despite his hardships could make Sasuke question his own strength and lead to depression.
Well, it could be a culmination of events. Uther's growing distrust of those around him, combined with Merlin's secretive nature about his magic. Merlin might be caught in the middle of a power struggle or a plot against Uther, and Uther, in his quest to protect his throne and Camelot, decides to eliminate Merlin without fully understanding the consequences. This would also create a great deal of drama and conflict for the other characters in the story, which is something fanfiction writers often strive for.
Well, in fanfiction, one reason could be the loss of his friends. Percy has been through so many battles, and if he loses someone close like Annabeth or Grover, it could send him into a deep depression. Another reason might be the burden of his prophecies. He's constantly expected to save the world, and that kind of pressure can wear a person down over time.
One reason could be that Gaara, being a powerful and complex character, might have a different view on the concept of friendship. If he were to tell Naruto that his friends are only with him out of obligation or because of his status as a hero, Naruto might start to doubt his relationships and become depressed.
A young mom might be depressed because she has had to give up a lot for the baby. Maybe she had to quit her job or put her career on hold. This can make her feel like she has lost her purpose outside of being a mom. Social pressure can also play a part. If she feels like she's not measuring up to the 'ideal' mom image that society promotes, she can become depressed. Also, if she has a history of mental health issues in her family, she may be more prone to depression after having a baby.
One reason could be that in the fanfiction, Arthur and Merlin might have a deeper, more complex bond. Maybe they've shared more adventures and secrets that make Arthur value Merlin's presence more. Another possibility is that the writer might be exploring a different dynamic where Merlin offers something unique to Arthur that Gwen doesn't in that particular fictional scenario.