The guard's role is that of a savior. By stopping Merlin from committing suicide, the guard is preventing a tragic end. This shows the guard's sense of responsibility and his value for Merlin's life.
There could be several reasons. He might have been ostracized by his community, feeling all alone. Or perhaps he had made some terrible mistakes that he thought were unforgivable. Another possibility is that he was under a great deal of pressure, such as being expected to fulfill some impossible task and seeing no way out.
The key element is the relationship between Dawn and Paul. Their pre - existing dynamic, whether it was one of rivalry or begrudging respect, is important. If they were rivals, Dawn's act of stopping him shows a change in her perception of him. Another element is Paul's motivation for considering suicide. It could be related to his Pokemon journey, like losing a big tournament or his Pokemon getting seriously injured. Also, Dawn's method of stopping him is crucial. It could be through emotional support, logical reasoning, or a combination of both.
One possible plotline could be that Paul is at a very low point in his life. Maybe he has faced continuous defeats in Pokemon battles and feels like a failure. Dawn, being a kind - hearted person, notices his despair. She might approach him and share her own experiences of facing difficulties in her Pokemon journey. Through her words and friendship, she gives him a new perspective on his losses and stops him from taking such a drastic step.
Often, there's the theme of feeling alone. Even though they have each other, in the context of the fanfiction, they might feel that no one truly understands the burden they carry. This could be exacerbated by secrets they keep from the people around them. It could also be about the failure of their ideals. If they had grand visions for Camelot and things went terribly wrong, it could lead to such a dark state of mind.
Well, it might show their deep bond. If one of them attempts suicide, the other could be desperate to save them, highlighting their reliance on each other. For example, Merlin using his magic in a risky way to bring Arthur back from the brink.
In Royal Fem Merlin fanfiction, Merlin is female, which changes the power dynamics and relationships. For example, her interactions with Arthur might have a different romantic or platonic undertone. Traditional fanfiction usually follows the male Merlin's story.
Arthur is definitely one. His relationship with Merlin is a key part of the stories, and seeing his perspective on Merlin's magic can be really engaging. Another is Morgana. Her complex personality and her own magical abilities add a lot of depth to the fanfiction.
In 'badass Merlin fanfiction', Merlin is often more assertive. In the original series, he had to hide his magic a lot. But in fanfiction, he can be bold with his powers. For example, he might openly use magic in Camelot without fear. Also, the relationships in fanfiction can be more intense. His friendship with Arthur could be more of an equal partnership in terms of power, rather than Merlin always being in a subservient role.
Well, in the original Merlin series, Merlin is mainly a hero. But in Dark Merlin fanfiction, he becomes the antagonist or at least a morally ambiguous character. His actions and motives are often much darker.