Thread:Merlinarthur/@comment-3481504-20140929171319/@comment-5674726-20141003231530

Not to worry.

A good rule of thumb would be to only detail what is seen on the show rather than to put one's own spin on it.

It's particularly tricky when it comes to a relationship being characterised as familial (non-biological) or romantic (apart from canon romantic relationships) and I think that there needs to be a firm rule that any such characterisations should be supported by canon and removed if they are not.

For example, we know that Arthur thought of Morgana as his sister before he learned that they were biologically related. How do we know this? Because he said so in The Crystal Cave, so that quote can be included in an article about them as evidence of a sibling bond on Arthur's side. Likewise, quotes could be found to support Arthur and Guinevere having a romantic feelings for one another, and their marriage is also proof as it was not a political union.

In the absence of such a clear statement by a character, or of a specific action that would differentiate, I don't think that we should describe a relationship as familial or romantic.

Saying that Merlin and Arthur are friends is fine, as both characters have said that they are. Saying that Arthur thinks of Merlin as a brother or that their relationship is a brotherly one is not, unless there is a specific quote to support this claim. Same goes for any other friendship. If it is to be characterised as brotherly/sisterly, or even parental, there needs to be specific canon evidence of the distinction. If not, it becomes a case of I see it as a friendship, you see it as a brotherly bond; you see it as a mentor-protégé relationship, I see it as father-son.

Likewise a relationship should not be characterised as romantic without specific canon evidence.

The Golden Rule needs to be facts, not opinions.

If the relationship pages can serve as a chronology of events, supported by relevant quotes, readers can make up their own minds.