What does 'merlin is arthur toy fanfiction' mean?

For instance, in a 'merlin is arthur toy fanfiction', Arthur is a lonely child and he receives a Merlin - like action figure as a gift. This action figure is no ordinary toy. It has a mind of its own. At night, when Arthur is asleep, the toy Merlin comes to life and starts to clean his room, organize his books, and even leaves little notes with wise words. As Arthur grows up, the toy Merlin continues to be his secret helper, guiding him in his studies, his relationships, and eventually in his journey to become a great leader.

In Merlin fanfiction, Merlin calls Arthur sire as a sign of respect. In the Arthurian legend and related fictional settings, sire is a term used to address a nobleman or a person of higher status. Merlin, being Arthur's servant and advisor in many versions, uses this term to show his loyalty and deference to Arthur's position as king or prince.

Merlin might have used his knowledge of the castle's secret passages. He could lead Arthur through those passages, away from the assassins. Also, Merlin could have called upon some magical creatures he's befriended, like the dragon, to help him. The dragon could fly in and either scare the assassins or carry Arthur to safety.

Merlin could be heartbroken. He might retreat into himself and become more withdrawn. After all, he has a deep bond with Arthur, and this sudden break - up would be a huge shock.

Merlin would be very worried. He would probably stay by Arthur's side day and night, using his magic secretly to try and heal him. He might also search for rare herbs or magical items that could cure Arthur.

There's 'A Series of Unkindnesses'. It delves into how Arthur's upbringing in a strict royal environment makes him act mean towards Merlin, not realizing the harm he's causing. 'Cold Shoulders' is also interesting. Here, Arthur gives Merlin the cold shoulder for a long time, thinking he's a liability, but later realizes his mistake. And 'Unjust Accusations' where Arthur wrongly accuses Merlin of treachery, highlighting his mean streak but also setting up a great story of redemption.

In some fanfics, Arthur might be mean to Merlin because of jealousy. Merlin has magic, a power that Arthur doesn't fully understand and might envy on some level. Also, Arthur's position as king or prince makes him feel like he has to be tough, and Merlin, being his servant, is an easy target for his pent - up frustrations.

Well, it could also imply that there is a work titled 'Merlin' and some aspect of it, such as a new official canon, a new interpretation of the story, or a new development in the related media, has made it difficult for fanfiction writers to continue with their previous ideas. For example, if a new Merlin series completely changes the backstory or relationships of the characters, it can break the fanfiction that was based on the old understanding.

It could mean that the Merlin (maybe a character, a show, or something related named Merlin) had an impact that led to the end or decline of fanfiction related to it. Maybe some official decisions, like a very different ending in the official story that made fans lose interest in creating fanfictions.

One reason could be related to Arthur's relationships. If Arthur has a love interest or close friendships that Merlin wishes he could have with Arthur too. Like, if Arthur is spending a lot of time with a particular noble or a lady, Merlin might be jealous because he wants that same level of closeness with Arthur.