Merlin doesn't have enough to handle now...

Sure, he's the emperor's bodyguard/bagman/spymaster...

But I'm talking of his personal life...

He's been around for about 5 years now, so now that he's not a new face anymore, I'm wondering which of the crown's genuine allies are going to start making noise about Merlin as a match for some fine woman coming from a good house of marriageable age.

I mean, if one lives in a society such as the Safehold, the emperor's body guard is a high status individual, and his mot being married would present some... interesting possibilities, even if they weren't aimed at getting close to the emperor for an nefarious acts.

Marrying the emperor's bodyguard is a sure way to advance your family's fortunes.

Although we haven't seen it yet, I am wondering how The Crown would have to react to approaches from there supporters offers of fine ladies for Merlin's hand...

Interesting thought. But on a practical level, I think there are already enough plotlines going on in the books. Some people have already complained about the pacing of the last few books. So I am not sure that adding a romantic plotline for Merlin would be a good idea.

At least until the current military situation starts to be resolved. Once peace treaties start getting signed, this idea might be more practical. As I recollect, in feudal/aristocratic societies peace treaties were often accompanied by a marriage to help seal things.

Well, the last we saw of Merlin, he had a lovely lady in his bedroom so romance may have found him.

Seriously good points Henry.

Henry Brown wrote:Interesting thought. But on a practical level, I think there are already enough plotlines going on in the books. Some people have already complained about the pacing of the last few books. So I am not sure that adding a romantic plotline for Merlin would be a good idea.

At least until the current military situation starts to be resolved. Once peace treaties start getting signed, this idea might be more practical. As I recollect, in feudal/aristocratic societies peace treaties were often accompanied by a marriage to help seal things.

Mitchell, Esq. wrote: I'm wondering which of the crown's genuine allies are going to start making noise about Merlin as a match for some fine woman coming from a good house of marriageable age.

I find myself in agreement with you. In fact, I started a thread some time ago titled, "Romance" that promoted much the same idea. If you're curious you might go looking for it.

~Tonto

Mitchell, Esq. wrote:Sure, he's the emperor's bodyguard/bagman/spymaster...

But I'm talking of his personal life...

He's been around for about 5 years now, so now that he's not a new face anymore, I'm wondering which of the crown's genuine allies are going to start making noise about Merlin as a match for some fine woman coming from a good house of marriageable age.

I mean, if one lives in a society such as the Safehold, the emperor's body guard is a high status individual, and his mot being married would present some... interesting possibilities, even if they weren't aimed at getting close to the emperor for an nefarious acts.

Marrying the emperor's bodyguard is a sure way to advance your family's fortunes.

Although we haven't seen it yet, I am wondering how The Crown would have to react to approaches from there supporters offers of fine ladies for Merlin's hand...

I think that likely won't happen. Merlin is more than the Emperor's bodyguard. He's also a known senjin(?). As far as I know, the senjin don't have wives, and they are expected to be somewhat distant from normal people. There might be some nobles not in the inner circle that might want their daughters to marry Merlin, but I don't see that getting any traction. Despite his rank, Merlin isn't a noble and has no wealth and I think it will stay that way. It makes Merlin less of a target for any noble house with marriageable daughters. Not to mention, it would be seen as a possible ploy to gain influence on Merlin and the Emperor/Empress.

Zakharra wrote:

I think that likely won't happen. Merlin is more than the Emperor's bodyguard. He's also a known senjin(?). As far as I know, the senjin don't have wives, and they are expected to be somewhat distant from normal people. There might be some nobles not in the inner circle that might want their daughters to marry Merlin, but I don't see that getting any traction. Despite his rank, Merlin isn't a noble and has no wealth and I think it will stay that way. It makes Merlin less of a target for any noble house with marriageable daughters. Not to mention, it would be seen as a possible ploy to gain influence on Merlin and the Emperor/Empress.

It's not just nobles who seek advantageous marriages. A medium to high profile merchant family would definitely see him as a worthy match for social reasons. I mean surely the Emperor with eventually ennoble Merlin and then your family with have a direct tie to the nobility. I could very much see it happening in a non fiction situation. But I think the point Henry brought up is the most telling one. Life can have unlimited plot threads going on but books get a little bogged down.

Btw what do you think about starting a kickstarter to bribe RFC to starts snippets. lol I'm in for $20.

I've given this some more thought and I think that there is an even more interesting scenario. A noble or influential family trying to marry their daughter to Seijin Merlin in order to establish ties to Imperial Royal family is an entertaining scenario. But those same families trying to marry their sons to Seijin Nimue could be *EXTREMELY* entertaining.

How stop the marriage fever: let it be quietly known that Merlin and Nimue are already married - to each other.

John Prigent wrote:How stop the marriage fever: let it be quietly known that Merlin and Nimue are already married - to each other.

That is even more disturbing than the Luke/Leia kiss in the first Star Wars movie.

Zakharra wrote: He's also a known senjin(?). As far as I know, the senjin don't have wives, and they are expected to be somewhat distant from normal people.

So were popes...