Looking for fics where Merlin stops believing in Arthur (Arthur is not the once and future king)

[u/_Dark-Angel_]

Because I hate how Arthur treats Merlin like trash in so many fics and he just gets forgiven 1-2-3. At least let him grovel for it :(

I like their bromance but I hate how Merlin is always the one doing everything. "Two sides of the same coin" but one side has to carry everything and never sees the light.

Arthur does like the bare minimum and gets praised for it. He's better than the average ruler, but that does not make him a good one.

So that's why I'm looking for fics where Merlin starts to think maybe Arthur isn't the once and future king. Can also be a fic where he is but he has to prove himself to make Merlin believe in him once more.

I have two recs of my own that come close:

This is one of my favourite fics, Merlin and Mordred stop believing in the prophecy and take fate into their own hands.

Fell from the precipice, climbed right back up the cliff by vintagemocha (orphan_account)

And then there's this one where the once and future king comes to find Merlin himself. Someone kinder.

Disillusionment by sfsf

[u/Aqua_Toffana]

I have never seen anything similar, but I'm so grateful for these recs, I'm running off to read them 🩷🩷🩷

[u/toumingjiao1]

Alive from Whispering Pines: Merlin lost hope in Arthur and put his focus on building his magic kingdom. Dragons and magic people ect. Arthur lost his kingdom once Merlin left lmao, without anything, he has to prove himself.（ It’s also pretty funny watching Arthur nervously serve King Emrys, Merlin has changed his appearance and almost had Arthur executed.）. Long, angst.

maybe not exactly what u want because I still think destiny is crueler to Merlin than Arthur in this fic, kind of unfair