In a fanfiction where Merlin is separated from his mother for a long time and then finds out she has passed away without him being able to say goodbye. His mother is an important figure in his life, and this kind of loss would surely make him cry.
One scenario could be when Merlin loses his best friend. In some fanfictions, if Arthur is killed in a battle and Merlin is powerless to save him, he would break down in tears. He has dedicated his life to protecting Arthur and seeing his failure would be a huge blow.
They can describe his physical reactions. For instance, 'Merlin's shoulders shook as he sobbed, his hands covering his face as hot tears streamed through his fingers.' This gives a vivid picture of his crying.
It could be for comedic effect to lighten the mood and add some fun to the story.
If Merlin died in the fanfiction, it could trigger a series of tragic events. The balance of power could tip, and the villains might seize the opportunity to attack. It could also bring out hidden strengths in the remaining characters as they try to cope with the loss.
In a more humorous take on the 'Merlin tied to a bed' fanfiction, it could be that Merlin has fallen ill and the overly - protective Gaius has tied him to the bed to make sure he rests. Merlin, being the active person he is, complains constantly. Arthur comes to visit and teases Merlin about finally being still for once. Meanwhile, Merlin tries to convince Arthur to let him loose, promising that he'll be fine. Eventually, Gaius relents and unties Merlin, who then immediately starts bustling around the room.
If Merlin is a Dark Lord in fanfiction, it could be an interesting exploration of the 'nature vs. nurture' concept. Maybe he turned dark because of the constant fear of being discovered and persecuted for his magic. His actions as a Dark Lord might include taking over Camelot or exacting revenge on those who wronged him in the past. It gives a whole new perspective on his character.
One more idea is that Merlin is tied to the bed in a dream - like state created by an ancient magic. In this dream world, he is faced with his deepest fears and insecurities. His friends in the real world notice his strange behavior and try to wake him up. Merlin, while in the dream, has to find the source of the magic that is binding him and break free. Through his inner strength and the memories of his friends, he manages to do so and wakes up, having learned more about himself and his magic.
The plot structure might be different. Other Merlin fanfictions could follow the general storyline of the show, with Merlin helping Arthur and dealing with the usual villains. However, 'not just a servant' might have a completely different plot. It could be centered around Merlin's own adventures, independent of Arthur, or it could be a story that rewrites the entire Camelot mythology from a new perspective with Merlin at the center in a non - servant role.
In some fanfictions, Harry could be related to Merlin through a magical bloodline. Maybe Merlin's magic has been passed down through generations and somehow intertwined with Harry's family tree, like a distant ancestor connection.
One possible reason could be a magical curse. In many Merlin fanfictions, magic is often used as a plot device. A dark sorcerer might cast a spell on Merlin to make him forget certain things, perhaps to prevent him from using his powerful magic to oppose them. Another reason could be a self - imposed forgetting due to trauma. Merlin has witnessed and endured a great deal of pain and suffering. To protect his own mental state, his mind might subconsciously block out certain memories.
Perhaps some of the snooty nobles who look down on Merlin and constantly try to get him into trouble. They could be making fun of his clumsy ways one too many times and he just snaps and hits them with a shoe. It would be a moment of satisfaction for the readers who don't like those arrogant characters.