MERLIN BIG BANG 2018 MASTERLIST
Note: Before open sign ups for our 2019 fest, we have a little housekeeping that needs to be done for the sake of record keeping! We realized we never posted our 2018 masterlist. We sincerely apologise for this oversight!
We would also like to take a moment to say thank you to all the writers and artists who participated last year and we hope you will consider participating again this year!
After Camlann Masterlist 2018
Below are the 2018 Merlin Big Bang entries listed alphabetically.
Title: A Fae Inquest
Author: rotrude
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 32,600
Warnings: None
Summary: Victorian Age, Reverend Arthur Pendragon is sent to the Land of the Fae, a newly discovered province, with a mission, and it's not converting the magical populace. Amid enchantments and danger he will have to find out who killed his predecessor.
Story Link: On AO3
Title: After the flood
Author: bunnysworld
Artist: eisbaerfussel
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 55,983
Warnings: none that I can think of right now
Summary: Merlin is known as the “Wizard” in his Search- and Rescue Unit. Flying a helicopter is second nature for him and he takes pride in getting people out of tricky situations. When severe weather causes a huge flood in a part of the country, he and his team do everything they can to get everybody out and to safety.
Arthur is the prince of the kingdom and not happy with his father’s ideas of keeping their (royal) distance. He wants to be part of the action and show that he cares about the people of the kingdom by doing more than giving speeches and looking good at charity events.
Things come to a head when Merlin’s team falls apart and he needs to find replacements if he wants to keep his chopper in the air and continue his mission.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Back to the Start
Author: magicalmischel
Artist: matchboximpala
Pairings/Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, Uther, Original Male Character (the witchfinder), Sir Leon, Kilgharrah
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 87,799
Warnings: violence
Summary: There's a new witchfinder in Camelot. He's younger but smarter, more dangerous and hell-bent on hunting down a sorcerer called Emrys. Fearing the worst, Merlin flees and leaves Arthur only with a letter. But Arthur, being as stubborn as ever and not liking the idea of Merlin out there alone, sets off after him, finding out more about his servant and friend than he'd ever wanted to as a result. Not only must Merlin and Arthur learn how to be friends again, but also how to work together and get rid of the witchfinder, who's meant to stay by the king's side forever. Especially after he finds out who Emrys is and where he's hiding.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Camelot Escapes
Author: Ivalee
Artist: Rou/Brolinskeep
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 26,062
Warnings: None
Summary: Merlin and Arthur decide to open a set of Camelot-themed escape rooms with a couple of twists: their escape rooms are actually located in an old castle, and they are offering an all-night option, utilizing every room for a truly immersive escape experience. Before opening, they invite their friends to spend a night in the castle for a test run, but the puzzling quest turns into a genuine mystery when their friends start disappearing one by one, and it seems the only explanation might be... magic.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3 & On Tumblr
Title: cèilidh
Author: amuk
Artist: whimsycatcher
Pairings/Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gwaine, Percival, Tristan, Lancelot, Elyan, Leon, Gwen, Morgana, Mordred, hints of Arthur/Gwen
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 42,772
Warnings: None
Summary: The once and future king had a nicer ring to it back when Arthur was in Camelot. Now transplanted in a world millennia later, surrounded by strange machines, he had to work with Merlin to find his missing knights and save the world.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Clouds on the Horizon
Author: Diana Prallon
Artist: Kate
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Merlin, Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana, Leon, Elyan, Gwaine, Albion Royalty
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 49,979
Warnings: Angst, Self-Hatred, Canon-typical violence, Magical Reveal/Magic Revealed, established relationship, Magic is allowed, "flashbacks"
Summary: The Golden Age has arrived.
It's been three years since King Arthur Pendragon legalised magic once again in Camelot. Side by side, magical and non-magical folk have worked to rebuilt the land that was torn in the war against magic just as the King and his sister try to heal the rift between themselves. In times of peace, Albions prospers.
Prosperity, however, brings a new threat to the land, one that Camelot cannot face without the aid of its allies. Meanwhile, Arthur and Merlin have to figure out how to live with each other now that there are no more secrets between them.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr
Title: Emrys & Pendragon (Deceased)
Author: ext-4137531
Artist: LFB72
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Arthur/Gwen, Gwen/Lancelot, Merlin/Gwaine, Merlin/Mordred
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 123,448
Warnings: Mentions of a past suicide
Summary: When running a private detective agency, you expect a little bit of excitement and drama. But you certainly don’t expect death. After Arthur is killed in a strange accident one night, Merlin can’t help but think that there's more to it than meets the eye. Now he's stuck with a ghost for a partner, and time is running out for Arthur to resolve his unfinished business before he ends up trapped here for good. It's up to Merlin to help him figure things out so that he can cross over, but that's easier said than done when there's a murderer on your tail.
One thing's for sure: as best friends for life, Merlin and Arthur won’t let a little thing like death come between them.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Father and Son
Author: clea2011
Artist: lfb72
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 58,700
Warnings: I don’t think any are needed
Summary: “You’re gay!” Uther exclaimed, as if Arthur had handed him some delightful gift. “That’s wonderful! I’m so proud!”
And that, really, should have been a warning. But nothing could have been a warning for what happened next.
In which Uther is the king... of rock and roll, Merlin is a magical singer, Morgana casts a spell over everyone, and Arthur.... Well, Arthur really wishes he was anywhere but here.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: For the Love of All Who Gather
Author: Nebula5030
Artist: LittensTinyMittens
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Gwaine, Merlin & Arthur, Arthur/Gwen, Background Canon Relationships, Merlin, Gwaine, Aithusa, Arthur, Iseldir, Hunith, Other Canon Characters, OC Villain, Various Druid OCs
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 91699
Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Canonical Character Death
Summary: Merlin hadn't wanted Arthur to discover his magic like that: with Merlin performing a spell in the woods and Arthur simply stumbling across him. But with wounds both old and new festering within him, Arthur believes he has no choice- and banishes his dearest friend.
Forced from Camelot, Merlin and Gwaine find themselves living amongst Druids, and Merlin discovers he has the chance to learn more about his magic, his heritage, and the prophecy that binds him and Arthur together. But with tensions stirring both near and abroad, past lies come to light, and everyone finds that not everything is truly as it seems.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Here We Go Again (a What's Your Number? AU)
Author: yesiamafan/daroh
Artist: alby_mangroves
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur; minor or previous Merlin/Mordred, Merlin/Gilli, Merlin/Daegal, Merlin/George, Merlin/Leon
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 42,000
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Summary: Merlin's determined to find the best ex of his life; Arthur, the best sex. Arthur proposes a neighbourly arrangement to get them both what they want. What could possibly go wrong?
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr
Title: Hidden Dragons
Author: LittensTinyMittens
Artist: whimsycatcher
Pairings/Characters: Balinor/Hunith, Merlin/Arthur/Gwaine, Will/OC, Kilgharrah, Aithusa, OC Dragonkin and Dragons
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 103,388
Warnings: None
Summary: When the Purge began, the Dragonlords fled to the mountains and created their own little society with the dragons. Merlin is born and raised with his family and his people, only learning of his destiny when he is 16 years old. No one knows how he will meet the Once and Future King, since these days leaving the mountains can be a death sentence.
Lucky for him, the Once and Future King finds him, but to everyone's shock, it is Arthur Pendragon. Merlin can't help but feel drawn to him and is then tasked with the mission of teaching the Prince all about magic and their people. Along the way, they're joined by a handsome traveler named Gwaine, and Merlin feels the pull of destiny with him too...or is it really destiny?
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Hymns for the
Immortal Wind
Artist: Marmaladica
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Merlin
Warnings: N/A
Summary: Fantasy AU. After the death of his father Arthur must take the throne as King of Camelot and fill his place in the High Council where all the decisions concerning Albion are made. Arthur seeks to integrate the magical folk who have been ignored despite their own claim to the forests in the land, having representatives of the Faërie Court, the Mages, and Alfheim, the Elven Kingdom sit in the council. Arthur will not only have to prove himself as the king, but fight through the loss of his father and the shock of emotions the sudden return of Merlin-Prince of the Elves and his former lover-causes in him.
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Kingship
Author: sidhe_faerie
Artist: altocello
Pairings/Characters: Uther/Ygraine, Gaius/Alice, Balinor/Hunith, Arthur/Guinevere, Nimueh, Will, Leon, Tom, Merlin, Morgana, original characters
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 28,506
Warnings: Character death
Summary: (Canon Era)Two kings with very different experiences rule in different ways. the actions of one affect the thinking of the other in ways that noone could forsee.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Our Destinies Our Own
Author: Katheryne from Philly
Artist: Lao-Pendragon
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 96,619
Warnings: Contains sexual content
Summary: In the few weeks since Arthur stepped out of Lake Avalon, he's been confronted by perplexing technology, ancient prophecy, and belated epiphany about his true feelings for his manservant turned friend turned- god help him- lover.
With prophecy fulfilled, Arthur and Merlin now face a new adventure: Finding their place in the modern world.
This is the story of what happens next. After Arthur and Merlin save the world and find each other. Of how an immortal sorcerer and an ancient king learn to move away from the past, and into the future, in love and together.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr 1, 2, 3
Title: Over the Lights, Under the Moon
Author: slantedknitting
Artist: schweet_heart
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Merlin/Gwaine, Merlin/Elyan, Leon/Freya, Gwen/Lance, and a couple other spoilery ones :)
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 110,736
Warnings: Anxiety and panic attacks, alcohol and drunken antics, slow and slower burn romances, semi-public sex acts. Mostly just a bunch of sex and Pendragon family drama. Arthur has some anxiety. Characters drink often but there isn’t any dramatic drunkenness. One of the main characters is trans and there are a few secondary trans characters as well. (No transphobia.) There are some brief mentions/discussions of polyamory/open relationships. Also some exhibitionism. And a LOT of waffles.
Summary: Modern AU.
Arthur-a well-off biomedical engineer who designs artificial joints-has been lusting after Merlin in the gym for months but never thought to actually make a move. Then his flatmate Gwaine makes a move instead, and suddenly Merlin is around their flat all the time, funny and gorgeous and no longer available.
Arthur can almost deal with that, but then his sister decides to go and ruin their father’s career and blow up their entire family in the process, and Arthur can’t deal with anything anymore. Not his job-which he might just ditch to become a professor-and especially not Merlin, who is frustratingly kind and supportive. And who invites Arthur along on his business trip to Canada so that Arthur can get away from the drama.
-
Merlin-a trans video games concept artist-is back in London after several years in Montréal, enjoying his new freelance job and the local dating scene. He reconnects with a university friend, Gwaine, who happens to live with Arthur, the guy Merlin has been eyeing at the gym ever since he moved back. Things with Gwaine are fun and hot, and it’s only a little awkward whenever he has to interact with Arthur. But then they keep interacting more and more, and, soon enough, they are good enough friends that Merlin feels compelled to invite Arthur with him on a trip back to Canada.
Also, I don’t know anything about biomedical engineering, concept art, academia, or video games. Whoops! Title from "Kite" by Kate Bush.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: The Love You Make is Equal to the Love You Take
Author: emrys_mk
Artist: lfb72
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur (main), Morgana/Gwen, Hunith, Leon, Freya, Gwaine, Agravaine, Mordred, Arthur/Myror
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: ~26K
Warnings: explicit sexual content, minor character death, violence (one scene), language, cancer
Summary: Three years ago Merlin was cruelly forced to leave Arthur under false pretenses. Now separated by the English Channel-Arthur in post-Edwardian England and Merlin in Les Années Folles of Paris-both are left reeling and resigned. They have little hope of absolution, but when Merlin’s mother gets sick, everything changes. Merlin returns to Camelot, Arthur discovers how ruthless family members can be, and in the end…
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: The Puppet King
Author: watchherrise
Artist: aithusaaa
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Gwen
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 34,192
Warnings: mind control, emotional abuse (childhood flashbacks), dealing with trauma
Summary: When Morgana takes over Camelot for the second time, Merlin enchants Arthur to get him safely away. Except instead of the spell wearing off in Tristan and Isolde’s camp - it doesn’t. With Camelot’s king under his control, Merlin has the power to change things in Camelot to his agenda, to set Camelot on the path he was promised it would be.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr
Title: To Start Anew
Author: Kateis_Cakeis
Artist: mella68
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Percival, Gwen/Lancelot
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 51,921
Warnings: Child Abuse, Violence
Summary: Was it possible, to correct the wrongs of the world? To go back and see if choices really mattered. To see if people could change, or if they were always the same at their core.
Were events always destined to happen? Fixed?
Well, a disgruntled Merlin was about to find out. For waiting a hundred years was enough. Going back in time and making alterations, surely that would be the answer. Because if he was kind, perhaps things could be new, could be different. Maybe Arthur could live.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Will you search through the lonely earth for me?
Author: Camelittle
Artist: Merlocked18
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 54,000
Warnings: Graphic descriptions of violence, kidnapping
Summary: A-level student Arthur Wildforest wouldn't mind being dyslexic if people didn't keep pushing him into writing essays. He dreams of being an artist, but his father, Hector, has other ideas. When Arthur sneaks onto a school art research trip to the local museum, he encounters Merlin- a curator with uncanny abilities. They quickly strike up an unlikely friendship, defying Hector's specific orders to the contrary. One day, while they are bumbling around the Somerset Levels with Merlin’s metal detector, they unearth a powerful artefact that overturns Arthur’s entire world view and catapults them both into the heart of a dangerous power struggle between warring magical factions.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
We would also like to take a moment to say thank you to all the writers and artists who participated last year and we hope you will consider participating again this year!
After Camlann Masterlist 2018
Below are the 2018 Merlin Big Bang entries listed alphabetically.
Title: A Fae Inquest
Author: rotrude
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 32,600
Warnings: None
Summary: Victorian Age, Reverend Arthur Pendragon is sent to the Land of the Fae, a newly discovered province, with a mission, and it's not converting the magical populace. Amid enchantments and danger he will have to find out who killed his predecessor.
Story Link: On AO3
Title: After the flood
Author: bunnysworld
Artist: eisbaerfussel
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 55,983
Warnings: none that I can think of right now
Summary: Merlin is known as the “Wizard” in his Search- and Rescue Unit. Flying a helicopter is second nature for him and he takes pride in getting people out of tricky situations. When severe weather causes a huge flood in a part of the country, he and his team do everything they can to get everybody out and to safety.
Arthur is the prince of the kingdom and not happy with his father’s ideas of keeping their (royal) distance. He wants to be part of the action and show that he cares about the people of the kingdom by doing more than giving speeches and looking good at charity events.
Things come to a head when Merlin’s team falls apart and he needs to find replacements if he wants to keep his chopper in the air and continue his mission.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Back to the Start
Author: magicalmischel
Artist: matchboximpala
Pairings/Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, Uther, Original Male Character (the witchfinder), Sir Leon, Kilgharrah
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 87,799
Warnings: violence
Summary: There's a new witchfinder in Camelot. He's younger but smarter, more dangerous and hell-bent on hunting down a sorcerer called Emrys. Fearing the worst, Merlin flees and leaves Arthur only with a letter. But Arthur, being as stubborn as ever and not liking the idea of Merlin out there alone, sets off after him, finding out more about his servant and friend than he'd ever wanted to as a result. Not only must Merlin and Arthur learn how to be friends again, but also how to work together and get rid of the witchfinder, who's meant to stay by the king's side forever. Especially after he finds out who Emrys is and where he's hiding.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Camelot Escapes
Author: Ivalee
Artist: Rou/Brolinskeep
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 26,062
Warnings: None
Summary: Merlin and Arthur decide to open a set of Camelot-themed escape rooms with a couple of twists: their escape rooms are actually located in an old castle, and they are offering an all-night option, utilizing every room for a truly immersive escape experience. Before opening, they invite their friends to spend a night in the castle for a test run, but the puzzling quest turns into a genuine mystery when their friends start disappearing one by one, and it seems the only explanation might be... magic.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3 & On Tumblr
Title: cèilidh
Author: amuk
Artist: whimsycatcher
Pairings/Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gwaine, Percival, Tristan, Lancelot, Elyan, Leon, Gwen, Morgana, Mordred, hints of Arthur/Gwen
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 42,772
Warnings: None
Summary: The once and future king had a nicer ring to it back when Arthur was in Camelot. Now transplanted in a world millennia later, surrounded by strange machines, he had to work with Merlin to find his missing knights and save the world.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Clouds on the Horizon
Author: Diana Prallon
Artist: Kate
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Merlin, Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana, Leon, Elyan, Gwaine, Albion Royalty
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 49,979
Warnings: Angst, Self-Hatred, Canon-typical violence, Magical Reveal/Magic Revealed, established relationship, Magic is allowed, "flashbacks"
Summary: The Golden Age has arrived.
It's been three years since King Arthur Pendragon legalised magic once again in Camelot. Side by side, magical and non-magical folk have worked to rebuilt the land that was torn in the war against magic just as the King and his sister try to heal the rift between themselves. In times of peace, Albions prospers.
Prosperity, however, brings a new threat to the land, one that Camelot cannot face without the aid of its allies. Meanwhile, Arthur and Merlin have to figure out how to live with each other now that there are no more secrets between them.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr
Title: Emrys & Pendragon (Deceased)
Author: ext-4137531
Artist: LFB72
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Arthur/Gwen, Gwen/Lancelot, Merlin/Gwaine, Merlin/Mordred
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 123,448
Warnings: Mentions of a past suicide
Summary: When running a private detective agency, you expect a little bit of excitement and drama. But you certainly don’t expect death. After Arthur is killed in a strange accident one night, Merlin can’t help but think that there's more to it than meets the eye. Now he's stuck with a ghost for a partner, and time is running out for Arthur to resolve his unfinished business before he ends up trapped here for good. It's up to Merlin to help him figure things out so that he can cross over, but that's easier said than done when there's a murderer on your tail.
One thing's for sure: as best friends for life, Merlin and Arthur won’t let a little thing like death come between them.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Father and Son
Author: clea2011
Artist: lfb72
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 58,700
Warnings: I don’t think any are needed
Summary: “You’re gay!” Uther exclaimed, as if Arthur had handed him some delightful gift. “That’s wonderful! I’m so proud!”
And that, really, should have been a warning. But nothing could have been a warning for what happened next.
In which Uther is the king... of rock and roll, Merlin is a magical singer, Morgana casts a spell over everyone, and Arthur.... Well, Arthur really wishes he was anywhere but here.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: For the Love of All Who Gather
Author: Nebula5030
Artist: LittensTinyMittens
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Gwaine, Merlin & Arthur, Arthur/Gwen, Background Canon Relationships, Merlin, Gwaine, Aithusa, Arthur, Iseldir, Hunith, Other Canon Characters, OC Villain, Various Druid OCs
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 91699
Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Canonical Character Death
Summary: Merlin hadn't wanted Arthur to discover his magic like that: with Merlin performing a spell in the woods and Arthur simply stumbling across him. But with wounds both old and new festering within him, Arthur believes he has no choice- and banishes his dearest friend.
Forced from Camelot, Merlin and Gwaine find themselves living amongst Druids, and Merlin discovers he has the chance to learn more about his magic, his heritage, and the prophecy that binds him and Arthur together. But with tensions stirring both near and abroad, past lies come to light, and everyone finds that not everything is truly as it seems.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Here We Go Again (a What's Your Number? AU)
Author: yesiamafan/daroh
Artist: alby_mangroves
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur; minor or previous Merlin/Mordred, Merlin/Gilli, Merlin/Daegal, Merlin/George, Merlin/Leon
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 42,000
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Summary: Merlin's determined to find the best ex of his life; Arthur, the best sex. Arthur proposes a neighbourly arrangement to get them both what they want. What could possibly go wrong?
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr
Title: Hidden Dragons
Author: LittensTinyMittens
Artist: whimsycatcher
Pairings/Characters: Balinor/Hunith, Merlin/Arthur/Gwaine, Will/OC, Kilgharrah, Aithusa, OC Dragonkin and Dragons
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 103,388
Warnings: None
Summary: When the Purge began, the Dragonlords fled to the mountains and created their own little society with the dragons. Merlin is born and raised with his family and his people, only learning of his destiny when he is 16 years old. No one knows how he will meet the Once and Future King, since these days leaving the mountains can be a death sentence.
Lucky for him, the Once and Future King finds him, but to everyone's shock, it is Arthur Pendragon. Merlin can't help but feel drawn to him and is then tasked with the mission of teaching the Prince all about magic and their people. Along the way, they're joined by a handsome traveler named Gwaine, and Merlin feels the pull of destiny with him too...or is it really destiny?
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Hymns for the
Immortal Wind
Artist: Marmaladica
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Merlin
Warnings: N/A
Summary: Fantasy AU. After the death of his father Arthur must take the throne as King of Camelot and fill his place in the High Council where all the decisions concerning Albion are made. Arthur seeks to integrate the magical folk who have been ignored despite their own claim to the forests in the land, having representatives of the Faërie Court, the Mages, and Alfheim, the Elven Kingdom sit in the council. Arthur will not only have to prove himself as the king, but fight through the loss of his father and the shock of emotions the sudden return of Merlin-Prince of the Elves and his former lover-causes in him.
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Kingship
Author: sidhe_faerie
Artist: altocello
Pairings/Characters: Uther/Ygraine, Gaius/Alice, Balinor/Hunith, Arthur/Guinevere, Nimueh, Will, Leon, Tom, Merlin, Morgana, original characters
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 28,506
Warnings: Character death
Summary: (Canon Era)Two kings with very different experiences rule in different ways. the actions of one affect the thinking of the other in ways that noone could forsee.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Our Destinies Our Own
Author: Katheryne from Philly
Artist: Lao-Pendragon
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 96,619
Warnings: Contains sexual content
Summary: In the few weeks since Arthur stepped out of Lake Avalon, he's been confronted by perplexing technology, ancient prophecy, and belated epiphany about his true feelings for his manservant turned friend turned- god help him- lover.
With prophecy fulfilled, Arthur and Merlin now face a new adventure: Finding their place in the modern world.
This is the story of what happens next. After Arthur and Merlin save the world and find each other. Of how an immortal sorcerer and an ancient king learn to move away from the past, and into the future, in love and together.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr 1, 2, 3
Title: Over the Lights, Under the Moon
Author: slantedknitting
Artist: schweet_heart
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Merlin/Gwaine, Merlin/Elyan, Leon/Freya, Gwen/Lance, and a couple other spoilery ones :)
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 110,736
Warnings: Anxiety and panic attacks, alcohol and drunken antics, slow and slower burn romances, semi-public sex acts. Mostly just a bunch of sex and Pendragon family drama. Arthur has some anxiety. Characters drink often but there isn’t any dramatic drunkenness. One of the main characters is trans and there are a few secondary trans characters as well. (No transphobia.) There are some brief mentions/discussions of polyamory/open relationships. Also some exhibitionism. And a LOT of waffles.
Summary: Modern AU.
Arthur-a well-off biomedical engineer who designs artificial joints-has been lusting after Merlin in the gym for months but never thought to actually make a move. Then his flatmate Gwaine makes a move instead, and suddenly Merlin is around their flat all the time, funny and gorgeous and no longer available.
Arthur can almost deal with that, but then his sister decides to go and ruin their father’s career and blow up their entire family in the process, and Arthur can’t deal with anything anymore. Not his job-which he might just ditch to become a professor-and especially not Merlin, who is frustratingly kind and supportive. And who invites Arthur along on his business trip to Canada so that Arthur can get away from the drama.
-
Merlin-a trans video games concept artist-is back in London after several years in Montréal, enjoying his new freelance job and the local dating scene. He reconnects with a university friend, Gwaine, who happens to live with Arthur, the guy Merlin has been eyeing at the gym ever since he moved back. Things with Gwaine are fun and hot, and it’s only a little awkward whenever he has to interact with Arthur. But then they keep interacting more and more, and, soon enough, they are good enough friends that Merlin feels compelled to invite Arthur with him on a trip back to Canada.
Also, I don’t know anything about biomedical engineering, concept art, academia, or video games. Whoops! Title from "Kite" by Kate Bush.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: The Love You Make is Equal to the Love You Take
Author: emrys_mk
Artist: lfb72
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur (main), Morgana/Gwen, Hunith, Leon, Freya, Gwaine, Agravaine, Mordred, Arthur/Myror
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: ~26K
Warnings: explicit sexual content, minor character death, violence (one scene), language, cancer
Summary: Three years ago Merlin was cruelly forced to leave Arthur under false pretenses. Now separated by the English Channel-Arthur in post-Edwardian England and Merlin in Les Années Folles of Paris-both are left reeling and resigned. They have little hope of absolution, but when Merlin’s mother gets sick, everything changes. Merlin returns to Camelot, Arthur discovers how ruthless family members can be, and in the end…
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: The Puppet King
Author: watchherrise
Artist: aithusaaa
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Gwen
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 34,192
Warnings: mind control, emotional abuse (childhood flashbacks), dealing with trauma
Summary: When Morgana takes over Camelot for the second time, Merlin enchants Arthur to get him safely away. Except instead of the spell wearing off in Tristan and Isolde’s camp - it doesn’t. With Camelot’s king under his control, Merlin has the power to change things in Camelot to his agenda, to set Camelot on the path he was promised it would be.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On Tumblr
Title: To Start Anew
Author: Kateis_Cakeis
Artist: mella68
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Percival, Gwen/Lancelot
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 51,921
Warnings: Child Abuse, Violence
Summary: Was it possible, to correct the wrongs of the world? To go back and see if choices really mattered. To see if people could change, or if they were always the same at their core.
Were events always destined to happen? Fixed?
Well, a disgruntled Merlin was about to find out. For waiting a hundred years was enough. Going back in time and making alterations, surely that would be the answer. Because if he was kind, perhaps things could be new, could be different. Maybe Arthur could live.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3
Title: Will you search through the lonely earth for me?
Author: Camelittle
Artist: Merlocked18
Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 54,000
Warnings: Graphic descriptions of violence, kidnapping
Summary: A-level student Arthur Wildforest wouldn't mind being dyslexic if people didn't keep pushing him into writing essays. He dreams of being an artist, but his father, Hector, has other ideas. When Arthur sneaks onto a school art research trip to the local museum, he encounters Merlin- a curator with uncanny abilities. They quickly strike up an unlikely friendship, defying Hector's specific orders to the contrary. One day, while they are bumbling around the Somerset Levels with Merlin’s metal detector, they unearth a powerful artefact that overturns Arthur’s entire world view and catapults them both into the heart of a dangerous power struggle between warring magical factions.
Story Link: On AO3
Art Link: On AO3