Stars Above, Stones Below by Destina (NC-17)
In commemorating the final year of paperlegends I plan on reccing several fics written last year for that particular challenge that I loved over the course of this month, starting with the fic that made me a casual watcher of the show into a fan (of the fandom at least). What I end up reccing barely scratches the surface of the amazing number of stories written for that challenge and I hope you get a chance and go take a look at the great stories that have been written for it in the past years.
Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Length: 46,843
Author on LJ: destina
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:
For the gorgeous, lush writing.
Summary: "After the disastrous end of his betrothal to Gwen and the regret of his offer to Princess Mithian, Arthur swears off finding a wife until he's ready to wed. When Merlin offers himself to Arthur as bedmate, Arthur suggests they hand-fast in secret for a single year of mutual pleasure without obligation. As their year together unfolds, and secrets and betrayals unravel around them, Arthur and Merlin learn there is no such thing as uncomplicated pleasure. Everything they thought they knew can change in the span of a single year."
This fic is the very definition of a sweeping epic romance full of sweetness, devotion and honor and the best part is that it is set within canon, which doesn't get written as much these days. This was the Arthur I wished the series had allowed him to evolve into: mature, wise, full of honor, and yet still human. The relationship between him and Merlin is full of tension and trust and it was wonderful to watch Arthur fall in love just as much as it was to see how devoted and in love Merlin had been since the very beginning. There are some standout scenes in the story, the hand-fastings and particularly the magic!reveal. It probably has one of my favorite magic!reveals I've read with perfect amounts angst and acceptance as Arthur comes to terms with Merlin having magic. While I do admit, this story is a lot more sweeter than canon and some readers may find Merlin too naive and innocent, the writing makes it worthwhile. But then again, I would expect nothing less than stellar writing from destina. I also highly rec the gorgeous artwork done by goss that went with this story (if you read the story on AO3, it's embedded throughout the story).
Excerpt:
"No one would have to know," Merlin said, withdrawing back to the fireplace.
"Someone always knows," Arthur said. "How many nights have you sat here, telling tales of ladies who have made ill-considered decisions, or knights who were too loud with their squires? The castle is not made for secrets of a certain kind."
Merlin nodded slowly, but there was still a thoughtful furrow on his forehead, as if he had the solution to a troubling problem just within sight. Arthur watched him for a moment as he went about his business, folding and tucking, tidying, lighting a few more candles in the antechamber. When the light struck his face, there was a depth to his features that made him seem older than his years. Handsome, even.
Arthur looked down at the papers in his hands. All of this collective wisdom, and yet nothing here could prepare him for the governance of his own heart. Everything he had wanted with Gwen was gone, and could not be so easily transferred to another.
"You've been alone a long time," Merlin said softly.
"Alone?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Merlin, I am never alone. I'm surrounded every moment of every day. I'm never allowed a moment's peace. Take now, for instance. I should be enjoying the peace and comfort of my rooms, and instead I'm listening to you lecture me -- again, might I add -- about what's good for me."
Merlin moved on to the bed, turning down the coverlet and fluffing the pillows, as he always did. He was doing it in silence, however; on the heels of Arthur's words, it seemed off-kilter. No jokes, no commentary about Arthur's staff of distinguished but ancient advisors...the quiet was unnerving. Something about Merlin's thoughtful expression, though, kept Arthur quiet in turn, until finally Merlin's busy hands came to rest on the soft blankets.
"Arthur," he said, not meeting Arthur's eyes. "You could...you could have me."
Arthur couldn't help it; his breath caught in his throat at the sudden flood of images -- Merlin beneath him, smiling up at him, his long limbs tangled with Arthur's in the very bed he had been tending all these many years. With effort, Arthur pushed the images away, even as a slow blush crept up Merlin's cheeks, and his hands resumed a restless sort of plucking at the pillow.
"Merlin!" he said, not exactly scandalized, but unable to think of a single thing to say that wouldn't be yes, please and thank you very much -- and neither was an appropriate response in the least. On the heels of that, a cold anger spread through him, that Merlin should think so little of his honor, after all these years.
Stars Above, Stones Below
Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Length: 46,843
Author on LJ: destina
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:
For the gorgeous, lush writing.
Summary: "After the disastrous end of his betrothal to Gwen and the regret of his offer to Princess Mithian, Arthur swears off finding a wife until he's ready to wed. When Merlin offers himself to Arthur as bedmate, Arthur suggests they hand-fast in secret for a single year of mutual pleasure without obligation. As their year together unfolds, and secrets and betrayals unravel around them, Arthur and Merlin learn there is no such thing as uncomplicated pleasure. Everything they thought they knew can change in the span of a single year."
This fic is the very definition of a sweeping epic romance full of sweetness, devotion and honor and the best part is that it is set within canon, which doesn't get written as much these days. This was the Arthur I wished the series had allowed him to evolve into: mature, wise, full of honor, and yet still human. The relationship between him and Merlin is full of tension and trust and it was wonderful to watch Arthur fall in love just as much as it was to see how devoted and in love Merlin had been since the very beginning. There are some standout scenes in the story, the hand-fastings and particularly the magic!reveal. It probably has one of my favorite magic!reveals I've read with perfect amounts angst and acceptance as Arthur comes to terms with Merlin having magic. While I do admit, this story is a lot more sweeter than canon and some readers may find Merlin too naive and innocent, the writing makes it worthwhile. But then again, I would expect nothing less than stellar writing from destina. I also highly rec the gorgeous artwork done by goss that went with this story (if you read the story on AO3, it's embedded throughout the story).
Excerpt:
"No one would have to know," Merlin said, withdrawing back to the fireplace.
"Someone always knows," Arthur said. "How many nights have you sat here, telling tales of ladies who have made ill-considered decisions, or knights who were too loud with their squires? The castle is not made for secrets of a certain kind."
Merlin nodded slowly, but there was still a thoughtful furrow on his forehead, as if he had the solution to a troubling problem just within sight. Arthur watched him for a moment as he went about his business, folding and tucking, tidying, lighting a few more candles in the antechamber. When the light struck his face, there was a depth to his features that made him seem older than his years. Handsome, even.
Arthur looked down at the papers in his hands. All of this collective wisdom, and yet nothing here could prepare him for the governance of his own heart. Everything he had wanted with Gwen was gone, and could not be so easily transferred to another.
"You've been alone a long time," Merlin said softly.
"Alone?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Merlin, I am never alone. I'm surrounded every moment of every day. I'm never allowed a moment's peace. Take now, for instance. I should be enjoying the peace and comfort of my rooms, and instead I'm listening to you lecture me -- again, might I add -- about what's good for me."
Merlin moved on to the bed, turning down the coverlet and fluffing the pillows, as he always did. He was doing it in silence, however; on the heels of Arthur's words, it seemed off-kilter. No jokes, no commentary about Arthur's staff of distinguished but ancient advisors...the quiet was unnerving. Something about Merlin's thoughtful expression, though, kept Arthur quiet in turn, until finally Merlin's busy hands came to rest on the soft blankets.
"Arthur," he said, not meeting Arthur's eyes. "You could...you could have me."
Arthur couldn't help it; his breath caught in his throat at the sudden flood of images -- Merlin beneath him, smiling up at him, his long limbs tangled with Arthur's in the very bed he had been tending all these many years. With effort, Arthur pushed the images away, even as a slow blush crept up Merlin's cheeks, and his hands resumed a restless sort of plucking at the pillow.
"Merlin!" he said, not exactly scandalized, but unable to think of a single thing to say that wouldn't be yes, please and thank you very much -- and neither was an appropriate response in the least. On the heels of that, a cold anger spread through him, that Merlin should think so little of his honor, after all these years.
Stars Above, Stones Below