To You I Pledge, by beren_writes (NC-17)
Title: To You I Pledge
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Categories: Romance, Hurt/Comfort
Length: Epic (~45,000 words)
Warnings: imprisonment
Author on LJ: beren_writes
Website: Author's List of Merlin Fic
Summary: Merlin lays his life on the line to save Arthur yet again, only this time there are witnesses, lots of them. Only Arthur prevents him going to the headman's axe straight away, but Arthur alone cannot save him. That is up to both of them.
Review:
This is a excellent take on the classic "Merlin is outed as a warlock" trope. The plot is exciting and well-paced, and I found myself on the edge of my seat as Merlin's trial commenced. As is required in all good Merlin fics, there's some soul-bonding and magical shenanigans and a sinister plot on one of the royals' life. I found Uther's characterization in this fic quite compelling, and the conversations between Merlin and Uther are the best parts of the story for me. Although the writing tends to lean heavily on fandom tropes (see: soul-bonding), don't let that deter you. Even then, I found this to be a well thought out and interesting fic, full of drama and intrigue.
To You I Pledge
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Categories: Romance, Hurt/Comfort
Length: Epic (~45,000 words)
Warnings: imprisonment
Author on LJ: beren_writes
Website: Author's List of Merlin Fic
Summary: Merlin lays his life on the line to save Arthur yet again, only this time there are witnesses, lots of them. Only Arthur prevents him going to the headman's axe straight away, but Arthur alone cannot save him. That is up to both of them.
Review:
This is a excellent take on the classic "Merlin is outed as a warlock" trope. The plot is exciting and well-paced, and I found myself on the edge of my seat as Merlin's trial commenced. As is required in all good Merlin fics, there's some soul-bonding and magical shenanigans and a sinister plot on one of the royals' life. I found Uther's characterization in this fic quite compelling, and the conversations between Merlin and Uther are the best parts of the story for me. Although the writing tends to lean heavily on fandom tropes (see: soul-bonding), don't let that deter you. Even then, I found this to be a well thought out and interesting fic, full of drama and intrigue.
To You I Pledge