Absolutely fabulous.

Excellent. I love Annis.

Nicely told

Great. I do think that Morgana should have taken a few more minutes to agonize about her ambitions before asking for forgiveness.
Fabulous story.

Fantastic. We need more stories about Annis.

Very well written and original

First off I love the idea of Annis keeping Merlin's secret. It gives this story a real original twist. It is especially true whe she is watching Arthur's own attitudes about Merlin. The juggling scene was really effective here. I really enjoyed the idea about how Annis was almost treating Arthur as the fool, as he obviously has no idea about Merlin's true idenitity. I love the way she is watching the pair of them.

I also enjoyed the fact that we actually see Arthur hosting someone, and learning to get on with people. We never saw a lot of that in the actual show. But dealing with and socialising with people was another set of skills that needed learning.

The story really picks up when the messenger arrives of course. What I admire about Annis here is her thinking ahead. She knows even before Arthur has done it, that he wants to lend her his Knights. I do want to hit Arthur at his reaction when Annis suggests she wants Merlin.

Although having said that, he is at least concerned for Merlin as much as anything else. Another great part was the way she recognised the look which passed between Gaius and Merlin. I keep saying it, but her perceptions in events like these are brilliantly done.

You described really well the horrifying battle scene at Eppingham. It must be so galling for Annis in this moment, the despair of not being able to protect the innocent. Also the realisation that there is little she herself can do against Morgana. She was really courageous in her actions there a true Queen, but yet again she had at least a bit of empathy over how Morgana had once been.

The scene were Merlin and Morgana battle each other are hypnotic. As ever Morgana’s arrogance trips her up, as you know it will do. But again the way Annis can sense how Merlin struggles when he is Emrys is really interesting. It shows just how much she is watching and studying him. I so longed for her to say something to him. My heart stopped at the end, when it appeared that Merlin himself would say something. I will just have to wait I suppose.

The Gwaine part was interesting as well. Especially as he recognises Emrys, and actually goes for him. No wonder Annis was surprised. Little does Gwaine know.

That was another great chapter.

This is the only story I have not done a review for on here, so it gave me a perfect excuse to read it all over again. I have adored reading this first chapter as it’s totally awesome. For one thing writing it as the character, gives it so much more powerful authority. It makes it more real somehow.

You have done such a great job at catching Annis’s eye and personality. What a wise and perceptive character she is here. She see’s everything, that goes on nothing fools her for a second. Being forced to become a lone Queen, has obviously enabled her to hone her skills, she reads situations really well.

Her reading of the Arthur-Agravaine situation in particular impresses me, not for one minute does he fool her. I loved the way she confronted him when she caught him in that precarious position. Not for a minute is she fooled by his ridiculous excuse, and the way she dealt with him had me cheering from the sidelines.

Her study of Arthur himself too was brilliantly done. I loved the sympathy and empathy she felt for him, trying to make his path with the shadow of his father in the background. I really liked the way she could make judgements on Uther just by seeing his portraits, and that was a really powerful scene.

Also enjoyed the fact that she could recognise Arthur’s feeling for Gwen. It makes perfect sense, as someone like Annis would not miss something like that. I get the feeling Annis and Gwen would get along well.

But what I loved most of all was the skilled way she dealt with the Gwaine situation. First off the horror of realising her husband, had not acted honourably. But in accepting that, being determined to set it right, shows just what an incredible person she is. Gwaine of course doesn’t make it easy on her, but the way skilfully persuades him to accept the honour she bestows on him, is deftly done.

You really get the impression that she is someone, who would never let something like this happen in her own reign. She is a totally awesome, strong, principled woman not afraid to say anything or do anything that she feels is ultimately right.

But none of the above prepares you for the end. Oh my, I had forgotten just how incredible this whole event occurs. Now I just want to run over and immediately read the next chapter. Brilliant first chapter, you really know how to set up a story.

The Queen Annis POV is very well written. The Merthian conclusion made me smile.

Excellent! well done.

Why couldn't this be the show? It had a happy ending! Arthur didn't die! And it had Merthian! Why?!

thank you very much for an interesting take on changing the ending of the series!
i don't think i've ever read annis pov before, much less first person and the entire story, so kudos for that. and i do like 'seeing' merlin&arthur's unique relationship from someone else's point of view - i liked her guessing about merlin's magic before arthur did, and using it discreetly - and then being the one to advise and/or gently push merlin into his confession. the more i think about the reveal, the more i think there has to be a catalyst, merlin doesn't just decide one day to confess.
i also liked your take on mordred. with merlin's magic out in the open, then his issue with mordred can come out as well. and i do think this would be mordred's reaction, from the earlier days of his knighthood, and taking himself out of the country so not even an accident can happen, is a good decision. so camlann ends up being just morgana... i like merlin&arthur able to forgive morgana at the end, too, as well as her choosing simply to die and rest, rather than try to keep living.
(and i love me a good bit of merthian, too!)
well done!

I have really enjoyed this story, as you already know. Great job on showing us there is much more to Annis. She's a very interesting character. Thanks for this, and it certainly deserves all the reviews you are getting.

I loved this! Very nicely done!

OMGaius! This is amazing! I loved the short format and in Queen Annis' POV to boot! Sometimes I miss reading the events and reactions of scenes and other times it is nice to have a shorter story where the reader envisions the scene in their mind while allowing a quicker read. Sometimes I specifically look for a short story when I don't have a lot of time to commit to a longer read. This was perfect to start and read and finish before I had to start dinner! Thanks! I would have enjoyed witnessing the reveal, though, and was hoping Annis would stay for it and help Merlin if he needed it! And would have loved to see Annis' reaction to Merlin's juggling! But, it was still fantastic! I hope you write more, even a sequel to this would be awesome! I was pleasantly surprised when I saw how recently this was posted, as Merlin stories seem to be waning since it has been so long since it ended. Maybe this will inspire me to get the nerve to post some of my stories finally! Thanks again! (Sorry, didn't mean to ramble!)