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Merlin was born a girl and with magic. She doesn't conform to gender norms and Hunith didn't focus on traditional female expectations because of the magic. Her gender is kind of an open secret because while Merlin doesn't really hide her gender, she also doesn't focus on it or care how people see her. It's not a concern for her. Merlin doesn't like dresses. She wears a cap securely tied down because she wears it to work. When she gets to Camelot, it's basically always on because she's basically always working. Her hair is shoulder length. She also develops later due to lack of nutrition and the strain taken on her body by her magic being messed with.

The repression of Merlin's magic was why Merlin never met any others, like the driuds, because the couldn't sent her.

Of of fear for her daughter and to ensure that her daughter remains alive and safe, Hunith represses Merlin's magic with potions and methods that she learned from Gaius. She also continuously gaslights and uses techniques to alter Merlin's knowledge of magic while she is growing up, along with teaching her to hide her abilities and not fully trust others. Hunith unknowingly makes Merlin constantly sick and puts her close to death when she represses, which Merlin survives due to her magic. She also still has outbursts of magic, most which are not noticed by others until later, because her magic was so strong. When Hunith does notice, she makes the potion stronger. Merlin doesn't really interact with other kids as a child because she was sick often and was different.

By the time Merlin is fifteen, Merlin's magic can no longer be contained by her mother, and Will figures it out. Hunith blackmails/manipulates Will into silence and plans to send Merlin to Camelot so Gaius can get rid of her magic and sends a letter for Gaius to read. Will tries to give Merlin hints before she goes because he doesn't want to keep it from Merlin, but Hunith keeps them apart.

The first night after she leaves Ealdor, Merlin's able to see her mom and Will in spirit while she's asleep, and she learns the truth when they argue. She confirms what her mother did by reading the letter meant for Gaius. Merlin takes a detour to work on her magi, making her about a day or two later. The letter is destroyed. Merlin

As a result, Merlin's big on consent and personal boundaries, but she's still doesn't really share things about herself to others. However, she will share most information that she thinks is important to the person or that they have a right to know; she'll also have conversations/discussions with Arthur about magic and facts when they're in his room. Arthur will verify information like this and it will influence his rule and character growth. She'll also be more creative and address some things in certain scenarios.

Along with being born with magic and a dragonlady later (the first one), she'll be a seer, but not in the traditional way. She'll only see specific visions with crystals, but in general, Merlin will have passive knowledge of the past and future. Sometimes she'll sing lyrics to songs that haven't been written yet or quote pop culture things, like Monty Python or Dr. Who, which will confuse people. Her weaknesses with magic are healing magic, mainly due to emotional trauma from what her mom did, and love spells. She gets better with healing magic over time and somewhat better at spotting love spells, but it will probably be her biggest short-coming with magic overall.

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Lancelot's father comes from a family of slave traders and his mother was one of the slaves. They fell in love, and Lancelot's father sneaks her away by faking her death and moving her to a small village, where they pretended to be married. Lancelot was born there, and he grew up with his mother and father, who split his time with her and his life as a slave trader. Lancelot did not know the truth, and thought that his father was a boatman, or something requiring travel. Lancelot learned a lot of survival skills from his parents, as well as some manipulation and cons so he wouldn't get taken advantage of. He also dreamed of being a knight, like most boys.

Years later, when Lancelot was twelve or thirteen, the village was invaded by Lancelot's family because they discovered the truth about Lancelot's mother, and they were angry about their lost property. Lancelot also learns the truth before everyone else, including his parents, gets killed, which crushes him. As the only survivor, Lancelot wanted to be a knight more than anything because he wants to protect others. He also compartmentalizes parts of himself because he wants to be a good person, and he's worried about being bad. This will be one of the main things that Lancelot will need to come to terms with.

The story would also include Chilean influenced culture for world-building.

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How did Uther accomplish the Great Purge?

Answer: I'd say a mixture of violence and power, as well as weaponizing fear and prejudice.

How did Arthur live as long as he did? Why did no one try to kill him or hurt him before?

Answer: I'd like to think that he has a sense of magic since he was born of magic (I've seen this in some fics). Also, some magic users wouldn't want to kill a child, but they'd probably compare him to Uther as he got older. For the ones that didn't care, child Arthur probably had better protectors, like knights and Druids who knew the prophesy.

What are the other kingdoms like?

Answer: Basically world building, with exploring other cultures and diversity, as well as using creativity.

How did the Great Purge affect the other kingdoms?

Answer: A mixture of some kingdoms keeping magic and others rejecting magic, as well as a mixture of kingdoms abusing magic and using it for their own gain, or pretending to be against magic but still using it (allies of Camelot, particularly).

What's so special about Camelot?

Answer: I'd say it's about balance in the Old Religion.

Why did Nimueh wait so long to attack Camelot?

Answer: As a High Priestess of the Old Religion, Nimueh being a court sorceress was unorthodox and probably frowned upon, not forbidden; Nimueh was also a vain and arrogant person. After the Purge, Nimueh was so furious at Uther's response, as well as by how he treated her, that she did something horrible to get revenge on Uther later. For the plot, Nimueh used dark magic by tricking, killing, and sacrificing some of the other High Priestesses with dark magic. She's also the one who raised Morgause, who was brought to the Priestesses before the Purge began. She spent years training to perfect her craft.

Where was Morgause during the first season since she was given to the High Priestesses?

Answer: She was on a trip to be proficient in dark and evil magic and came back after Nimueh was killed.

Why do some magic users, like the Druids, sense Merlin and recognize her as Emrys while others don't?

Answer: There's a natural connection that can be felt if you play attention and feel magic. The druids and some natural magic users can feel this because they know how to be connected to magic. For those who learn magic, ignore magic, or pervert magic, it's harder and impossible for some to sense the magic in Merlin. Also, Merlin's magic signature will be a bit off from what her mother did and take some time to be more normal.

Why is Gaius loyal to Uther?

Answer: Two reasons. One is fear and being naturally inclined to self-preservation. The other reason is that Gaius and Uther were in a romantic and/or sexual relationship when they were younger.

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Merlin is about a day or two late because of what she learned about her mother. She also destroyed the letter and managed to forge a fake one to give to Gaius.

Merlin manages to hide her magic from Gaius (inspired by From the Start), but he does know that she's a girl. Kilgharrah has very little involvement with Merlin (inspired by Destiny Veiled) because he is locked in a crystal as a prisoner and is too weak to do much communicating at first, but he'll get stronger over time drawing strength from Merlin's heritage. In the first season, he'll send her strong mental images or warnings with a lot of effort, particularly with Mordred and Morgana.

Because of this, neither of them will mentor Merlin with magic. She will mostly be working by herself to figure out threats, but she'll still get help from others as needed, whether they know it or not. She also won't have any spells yet, hence why she'll need to improvise a lot and trust her instincts.

Merlin won't directly kill people because she's powerful enough to not need to; instead she'll banish, transform, and rehabilitate threats as needed, and still be effective.

Merlin will address Arthur's abusive behavior towards servants, and he slowly learns that things like throwing goblets and knives at servants is unacceptable. Merlin's tactics include tricks and how one would approach a small child, like taking away the goblet if he can't use it properly. She also reasons that Arthur was never taught better, so he should have the chance to learn first.

Merlin includes Arthur and the others in the decisions and situations that affect him by asking for advice, getting him to make his own choices, and telling him about things that affect him while also not revealing her magic or secrets, like with Sophia. She also asks Arthur for advice with Mordred like he did with Gwen after her dad was killed (also in The Homecoming of Arthur Pendragon).

After Will dies, Merlin starts to talk to Arthur about magic in private and he learns more facts, like how some people are born with magic.

After the Mark of Nimueh, Merlin starts to use disguises to be able to due magic and not be identified (inspired by Destiny Veiled).

When Lancelot comes and figures out that Merlin is a girl. When Merlin defeats the griffin, she's in disguise, and Lancelot figures out that it was Merlin. They don't commit identity fraud, but he does get to fight Arthur to test his skill with Merlin championing for him. Arthur is impressed, but Lancelot is wrongfully imprisoned due to some jealous, mega-prattish nobles, who were the ones that Arthur hung out with before Merlin came. After the griffin is eliminated, Lancelot's name is cleared and Arthur cuts his old friends out of his life and remembers for the future. There are also squires who want to learn from Lancelot, and he stays in Camelot for longer to do so. Furthermore, he was offered a position as a guard after he trains the squires, but he hasn't decided yet.

Merlin uses magic in Camelot, including for chores and sometimes fun. Lancelot is the one that catches her doing magic to do her chores in her room. He finds it funny and helps her with her chores, while also telling her to be more careful. They team up a lot while he's there. He stays until The Beginning of the End, where he decides he can't be a guard and hunt for a child like he just saw. He decides to look into his family to get some answers. He and Merlin stay in touch.

With Nimueh, she doesn't realize that Merlin is Emrys because of the black magic that she practices. Merlin breaks a connection from a ritual that she did when she mastered Life and Death and used the lightning, which caused Nimueh's downfall and freed the tortured spirits of the other High Priestesses, who decided to advice Merlin as thanks.

In the chambers, Merlin is very quirky while working at times; along with canon habits of waking up Arthur, she also will jump on the bed and sit on the desk occasionally. She also uses phrases and quotes from throughout time. One specific thing she does is sing and hum songs while working, like the Baby Shark song, which drives Arthur a little crazy.

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In Excalibur, Arthur uses Excalibur and names it Excalibur, but he decides that he's not ready for it, so Merlin puts it in the lake. (Inspired by From the Start and The Homecoming of Arthur Pendragon)

Mordred knows or learns about his part in the prophecy in The Beginning of the End. (Inspired by Destiny Veiled)

In the Moment of Truth, Hunith realizes that Merlin still has magic, but Merlin leaves before she can do anything. In Le' Morte Arthur, Merlin confronts her mother after everyone is saved and Merlin decides to go her own way. Hunith decides not to tell Gaius about Merlin's magic.

When Merlin first works at the castle as a servant, most of the other servants despise her because she received a high ranking job without going through the usual channels and she's an outsider. They try to sabotage her by not training her or helping her with chores that should be delegated to others. This backfires because Merlin gets all the chores done with magic, without them knowing. Because of this, they lose some work.

In The Curse of Cornelius Sigan, Cedric gets into the palace through traditional servant channels and by buttering up a senior servant and their dislike of Merlin's position and how she got it. Arthur doesn't fire Merlin, Arthur is emotionally constipated instead being a jerk; he was worried about Merlin but had no clue how express it well. This comes out at the end of the episode. When Cedric's nature is revealed, the servant who hired him gets punished. More and more of the servants warm up to Merlin over time. She also gets some proper training and assistance eventually, but she does still do some chores by herself, as well, and occasionally fill in for other servants.

Merlin boycotts the leech tank.

Merlin doesn't tell Morgana about her magic, but she doesn't deny Morgana's powers and tries to help her as a friend.

Merlin doesn't hide the truth of Arthur's birth from him, but convinces Arthur not to kill Uther. Uther has Gaius use magic to erase Arthur and Merlin's memory, which doesn't work on Merlin because of her growing powers and past experiences with being spelled by her mom. She finds a way to help Arthur remember, either soon or in the future.

In Sweet Dreams, instead of true love's kiss, Merlin finds a way to break the spell, but she needs Gwen to help convince Arthur to go through with it. Merlin also breaks Vivian's enchantment.

Freya can be a romantic or platonic match, but they also have a magic connection, like with the High Priestesses pre-Nimueh and pre-purge.

Merlin doesn't poison Morgana, there's an adverse effect to the spell instead. However, Morgana wrongly believes that Merlin poisoned her.

Kilgharrah latches on to Merlin's growing magic and their bond to free himself and attack Camelot. Gaius doesn't tell Merlin that Balinor is her father, but there are enough clues for her to figure it out. She becomes the first Dragonlady.

Merlin's magic senses begin to improve.

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Morgana's character will explore her strengths, as well as her flaws. The story would focus on how her passion and early compassion, as well as her self-righteousness, strong emotions, and impulsiveness.

There would also be a focus how much she is like Uther, highlighted by the misunderstanding with Merlin.

Also, there would be a focus on her as a noble, who also subconsciously believes in social class, which was shown in her treatment of Gwen when she had a vision of her being queen, as well as her actions when Gwen's dad was killed.

There should also be a focus on how the consequences of her actions were not as bad for her overall as for most because of her status and favor with Uther and the court, as well as the expectation that she would be the Queen of Camelot one day before the truth was discovered.

Lastly, it would be good to explore her relationships in court, and whether she had any friends other than Gwen, Merlin, and Arthur, and if not, why she had no other friends or acquaintances.

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Merlin and Lancelot keep in contact during Season 3 through letters.

At the end of season 3, Arthur figures out that Merlin is a girl, and he struggles with this in season 4 because he feels like some trust is lost. This is also a prelude to when he eventually learns about Merlin's magic and other big secrets, as well as getting an idea of Merlin's trust issues. This is also part of his reliance on Agravaine, as well as his desire for a family and insecurities in being king with his father's legacy. He's also a bit awkward and a prat in his interactions with Merlin after learning that she's a girl.

Merlin also doesn't see the big deal because of who she is and how she sees gender.

Gaius figures out that Merlin has magic in season 4, and in the Secret Sharer, he is still held hostage by Morgana, and he is considered a traitor and possibly dead away (inspired by Fools and Kings).

In Lamia, Merlin deals with the knights and enchantment creatively and chaotically, as well as with Gwen's help. She more or less channels characters like Wednesday Addams, Tommy Pickles, etc.

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In Queen of Hearts, Merlin and Arthur find out about the previous relationship between Uther and Gaius.

At the end of Lamia, the knights talk to Merlin and apologize.

During season 4, Arthur has an adventure where he's trapped in an alternate universe. In this world, he's raised as a peasant like in the traditional Arthurian legend (inspired by the Homecoming of Arthur Pendragon). This also serves as a character growth opportunity for Arthur.

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When Arthur becomes king, he makes some changes to the magic ban based on conversations with Merlin about the nature of magic and his own thoughts and opinions about the kingdom that he wants to rule over. Magic is still illegal, especially considering the politics and public opinion involved, but he does begin to make the laws more just. For instance:

1. He doesn't kill anyone under the age of twenty one accused of magic, and he doesn't put children in the dungeons. Families are offered things like relocation options. Violent, dangerous crimes are dealt with accordingly for those eighteen and older.

2. Druids will not be hunted or persecuted.

3. People who were born with magic or develop magic overtime will receive leniency if discovered.

4. Nonviolent uses of magic are not an automatic death sentence, with banishment being the worst punishment. Crimes are also judged more by what occurred then by simply the act of using or being associated with magic.

5. Healing magic used to save someone's life means paying a fine if done in Camelot.

6. People won't be severely punished or killed for seeking magic outside of Camelot for purposes that are not a threat to Camelot.

7. People cannot falsely accuse someone of using magic. If found doing so after an investigation, the accuser will pay a hefty fine or be entered into indentured servitude for a certain amount of time.

8. Everyone gets a fair trial, and Arthur uses legitimate methods of recognizing magical practices to make his judgments.

9. No torture or inhumane treatment of prisoners accused of magic.

10. Crimes like murder, treason, etc. are a death sentence with or without magic.

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Overall, Lancelot's feelings for Gwen gradually fade to friendship during his time in Camelot.

In The Darkest Hour, when Lancelot goes into the veil, he's in an in-between space where he's not quite dead and not quite alive. He also goes on a quest while there.

The story begins in Lancelot du Lac, where Morgana summons Lancelot with a different spell (inspired by Fools and Kings by Persephone's Kiss). The spell she uses brings him back as himself more or less, but exploits and twists his greatest connection to exploit it for her own agenda, which she believes is Gwen; her plan involves him being loyal to her schemes with the promise of getting what he desires most, which she believes is being with Gwen. This plan backfires because it depends on her idea of who Lancelot is and what he wants, and she has no clue that he feels closest to Merlin. She also has plans to destroy Merlin, which Lancelot objects to.

He secretly goes to Merlin one night, which is a special night for magic, and she thinks it's a dream (Fools and Kings), but she's happy to see him. This is when her magic interacts with him, and they are married through magic.

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The plan to sabotage the wedding goes a bit differently, including a double magically disguised as Lancelot, as well, to seduce Gwen and cement Lancelot's place in Camelot as a trusted spy along with Agravaine, especially as someone Merlin wouldn't be suspicious of.

The plot is uncovered and the Lancelot imposter is arrested or killed, but there is still a rift between Arthur and Gwen because it reveals that at much as Gwen loves Arthur, she's scared of being queen since she's only ever been a servant.

Lancelot manipulates Morgana, working against her as a double agent without her suspecting him. He also drops hints for Merlin.

Gaius is found and brought back to Camelot right before the invasion. He also drugs Arthur to take away his will, which Merlin is not impress with.

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In Ealdor, Merlin and Hunith have some tension, which Arthur notices.

Morgana pretends to hold Lancelot hostage, and releases him later, planning for him to spy on them. Lancelot uses this opportunity to kill Agravaine secretly.

Arthur still starts to doubt himself, but retrieves Excalibur on a quest, proving that he's ready for it. Merlin also still encourages him, and he starts to be more comfortable with Merlin as a woman.

Morgana orders Lancelot to attack at one point to reveal that she spelled him, but he double-crosses her, which surprises her.

After the fight, Morgana is held prisoner and put on trial for her crimes. She’s upset and confused that Lancelot betrayed her and played her for a fool, defying her magic. It comes out that Lancelot felt closest to Merlin and he was helping her. The reveal comes from Lancelot humming a song (I’m thinking Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day), and Arthur recognizing it. This is also when everyone learns that Merlin is a girl. Morgana gets furious with Merlin for ruining all her plans and confronts her about the poisoning, using a truth spell on her to reveal how awful Merlin is (in her opinion). Merlin then honestly reveals that she never poisoned Morgana, which truly shocks Morgana. Merlin then berates Morgana for her choices and all the damage she caused in her self-righteousness (inspired by Morgana’s Bastardization Arc and Why it Slapped by thenerdyindividual). She also defends Arthur as a friend and king who has grown a lot and will continue to build an amazing future.

Merlin, upset about Lancelot and all the pain Morgana has caused, enacts judgment on Morgana and Morgana’s magic is bound to serve the will of magic with her freedom severely restricted, binding her to the Isle of the Blessed. Morgana knows that the judgment was done by Emrys, but not who Emrys is (yet). She’s dragged back to the Isle.

Gaius decides to leave Camelot, maybe after covering for Merlin, deciding that it’s time for a new age in Camelot. He’ll also help train other physicians for Camelot.

Merlin searches for a way to help Lancelot, and goes on a journey with him to break the spell after finding an answer. They bond and have an adventure together, like before. They break the spell and find out that they’re married.

Arthur accepts Merlin as a girl.

Arthur and Gwen talk and decide to be friends and slowly re-explore a courtship.

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Everyone adjusts to Merlin being a girl with varying reactions, some funny, some accepting, and some cruel.

They figure out some things, like that Merlin's hair is always covered because she wears it to work and she's almost always working.

Arthur feels more confidant about knowing Merlin as a person and friend.

Gwen starts to learn about Camelot's politics and seeing what kind of Queen she would be after getting advice from Lancelot.

Merlin and Lancelot begin to navigate their marriage.

Merlin also introduces Lancelot to Aithusa.

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Instead of battling Morgana, Camelot deals with the legacy of hate established by Uther and Morgana. There are people who uphold Uther's laws and the Purge. There is also a radical cult following of Morgana's actions. Arthur works to atone for the sins of his family, as well as himself, and build a better future for everyone.

Lancelot deals with his past and confronts his grandfather.

Merlin grows more powerful.

Arthur and Gwen get married after the ground work is put in, and Gwen is prepared to be a queen.

Morgana goes through a redemption arc, which will be slow and include some setbacks.

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Mordred will be a liasion for the druids and magic community instead of a knight.

Uther's ghost won't return; instead Arthur will deal with some push-back and attacks from supporters of Uther.

The Odin episode will be the same except the villain will be someone radicalized by Morgana.

Arthur will go on some quests and challenges. Arthur comes into his own with being the Once and Future King.

Everyone gets used to Merlin being a girl.

Gwen comes into her own as Camelot's queen, kind, smart, fair, and strong. Her friendship with Merlin continues, and she also talks to Merlin as a woman, even makes her a dress that Merlin likes (and probably the only dress she'll ever own).

Merlin, Lancelot, and Gwen team up to deal with a threat. There are other various team-ups, as well in different episodes.

Gwen won't be possessed again. Instead, Kara is one of the magical radicals, but that won't be revealed until later. Kara interacts with Mordred over time, wanting to convert him to her side. She uses Mordred to gain information about Camelot, and also spells him to kill Arthur in the final battle.

Daegal lives and is co-parented/adopted by Merlin and Lancelot. (Inspired by The Servant's Apprentice, a fanfic that's no longer posted, but was hilarious).

Merlin decides to reveal her magic to Arthur at some point before the final battle. Arthur struggles but is also more patient and tries to understand due to the gender reveal, and how patient Merlin was with Arthur as a friend early on in their relationship. They start to work on Merlin's trust issues (inspired by N16 stories). Others will discover Merlin's magic after the final battle. More of her secrets will also be revealed over time after the final battle, including Merlin and Lancelot's marriage.

Arthur is nearly killed by Mordred but survives. Kara is killed. There are consequences to the injury, which is how the prophesy is fulfilled: Arthur can't have children. He also decides not to use magic, but to choose an heir later.

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People have various reactions to Merlin having magic, some good, some bad, some mixed.

Morgana would be upset, feeling that Merlin should have shared her magic with her. Merlin will challenge this since there's nothing to feel guilty about with how Morgana was treated by her.

Things will be settled with Merlin and Hunith to the point where Merlin can move beyond what was done to her.

Arthur returns in the 21st century in Albion's greatest time of need. Merlin and Lancelot will be there. Leon may be there, as well, but he'd be introduced later. Arthur adjusts to the 21st century, and also finally understands the stuff that Merlin kept bringing up in Camelot.

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Someone from Gwaine's past, probably connected to his father, comes looking for him for some reason that's not good. Merlin and Lancelot find out, and Lancelot pretends to be Gwaine to protect him. The others find out what's going on later. Gwaine also pretends to be Lancelot.