The theme of secrecy also pops up a lot. Arrow has his own secrets to keep in his fight against crime, and Merlin has to keep his magic a secret in a world that might not accept it. Fanfictions play around with how they both handle their secrets, and how these secrets can either bring them closer together or cause problems in their relationship.
One common theme is self - discovery. As Merlin learns to use the bow and arrow, he often discovers new aspects of his own strength and abilities. For example, in some stories, he realizes he can use magic in new ways while handling the weapon.
One great Merlin Arrow fanfiction is 'The Arrow's Magic'. It combines the world of Merlin with the skills and story of Arrow in a really interesting way. The characters are well - written and the plot is full of twists.
One great Merlin bow and arrow fanfiction is 'The Archer's Quest'. It focuses on Merlin's journey to master the bow and arrow for a special mission. The story has great character development and action scenes.
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 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.
A prevalent theme is the exploration of different cultures. The feudal Japanese - inspired world of Naruto and the more contemporary, Western - style world of Arrow offer a great contrast. Fanfictions might explore how the characters from each world react to the cultural differences, and how they might learn from one another. It can be a really fascinating exploration of two distinct fictional universes.
Well, time - travel related themes are quite popular in Arrow fanfiction. Fans like to imagine what would happen if Oliver could go back in time and change certain events. This could lead to alternate storylines where characters have different fates. Additionally, crossovers with other DC universes are a big thing. For instance, combining the Arrowverse with the Gotham universe, and seeing how the characters interact. And of course, the love - interest relationships, like Oliver and Felicity's relationship, are often explored in different and more creative ways.
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.