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ealdorsprinceIC Information;
Character Name; William
Canon; Merlin - http://merlin.wikia.com/wiki/William
Canon Point; Season 01, Episode 10
Age; Early Twenties
House; Hel – While his personality may not seem to fit Hel, those who know Will know that his father was killed as he fought for King Cenred . Will has dwelt on this fact and because of his inability to let go he severely distrusts royalty. His own death would also be a reason for him to be put into Hel’s house.
Power; Body Control
Personality
Will is a secondary character from the BBC show Merlin, and is also known as Merlin’s childhood friend. While he is only in one episode, his personality is established enough throughout to give us a good clue as to what type of person he was and what type of personality he had. Will is a pretty straight forward character which makes him an interesting childhood friend to have for someone like Merlin.
The first part of Will’s personality that stands out most prominently is his sarcasm and his sense of humor. The first thing he does upon seeing Merlin again is to prod at the other’s magical ability and tell him he didn’t want “his kind” around there, before breaking into a grin and hugging his friend. He also calls himself “William Prince of Ealdor” after interrupting Arthur when he tried to talk with the Ealdor townspeople despite Arthur giving his royal status.
This leads the audience to discover another side to his personality and some of his history together. William distrusts and dislikes royalty and would rather keep them at an arms distance or away from himself and those he cares for. When he was younger, his father had died fighting for their King, and ever since then Will had developed an intense dislike for royalty and the way they “lorded themselves over others” which Merlin is quick to defend Arthur against him putting him in an awkward position between Arthur and William. The other doesn’t understand why his friend would defend someone like Arthur or see himself as his friend, to which Merlin insists that Arthur is a friend and there to help their village.
When hearing something he doesn’t like or being angry, William doesn’t get physical but he doesn’t emotionally pull punches intending to let the comments sting those who have made him mad. When in his argument with Merlin, he asks the other why his other “friend” didn’t know about his magic and that he was running away to protect Arthur by not using his magic to save his friends and family. This comment hurts Merlin and makes him momentarily doubt Arthur and his friendship. He also does this to Arthur when a villager is sent back to the town with an arrow in his back and a message from Kanan. He makes Arthur doubt himself, and Merlin ends up pep talking the future king into having the people stay and fight for their home.
William is not above withdrawing his help or leaving if he thinks a situation is pointless. He packs to leave after he realizes that Arthur has talked the village into fighting what he sees as a lost cause. However, this is not because William wants to be cruel, he wants people to see the points that he is making and making them take a look at their actions. It makes him come off as a little more abrasive, but he is really just Merlin’s friend looking out for his friends and family. Will even goes so far as to save Arthur from a mortal wound by Kanan’s crossbow, and to protect Merlin’s secret by saying that he was a sorcerer so Merlin could continue to be by Arthur’s side and protect him.
Will is a straight forward person who is quick to let people know if he has thoughts or questions or thinks something. This is seen when Merlin goes to get wood, and he asks why Merlin left sparking a discussion about Arthur, Magic and his home with his childhood friend. After being shot by the Arthur when the Prince says “You saved my life,” Will is quick to follow this up with, “Yeah. What was I thinking?” and then as he and Merlin are left alone as Will is dying he tells his friend, “I’m scared.”
While he did end up dying after only one episode, Will’s strong personality and his friendship with Merlin are one of the milestones of season one.
