Merlin Fan Fiction Rec. List
Because Merlin fanfiction continually boggles my mind with the awesome, I thought I'd create a rec. list for those fabulous stories I have come across so far (either because they were rec'd to me or because of google).
Note: these are in no particular order and the list is not complete yet.
Fanfiction:
Accidental Memory in the Case of Death
Author: derryere
Summary: Tony O does not befriend losers. Tony O is not gay, not crazy, he is not particularly nice and he is most definitely not royalty. Destiny disagrees.
Rating: NC-17
Why rec it: This is probably one of the best reincarnation fics for Merlin. (I say this only because I haven't read all of them yet). It's hot, it's angsty, but most of all it feels real. Also, this is one of the most popular fics in the Merlin fandom. Once you read it you'll know why.
After you've read it here is a trailer that sums it really well.
All I want for Christmas
Author: zafra
Summary: Arthur takes the manly route after a frustrating day Christmas shopping. He hides in the loo.
Rating: NC-17
Why rec it: This fic doesn't even NEED a rec. Boys, bathroom, avoiding Christmas shopping with sex? yeah, I'd read it now if I were you too.
Auscultate
Author: chicaintcheap
Summary: Written for kinkme_merlin for the prompt: Modern AU. Arthur's only seen the funny looking skinny kid from upstairs a few times, but he hears him crying late at night through the vent that runs through both of their bedrooms. And sometimes, he can hear the kid's stepfather sneak into the kid's room and hurt him. Arthur's dad tells him to mind his own business, but Arthur can't lie awake at night and listen to it any more. So one night, when he hears the skinny kid sobbing, he puts his face up to the vent and says "Hey, do you need some help?"
Rating: PG-13
Why rec it: It's predictable and shmoopy AU, but it's also shmoopy that is actually enjoyable to read and it melts the heart. So... read it yeah?
Coffee Shop Muffins
Author: skellerbvvt
Summary: Wherein Arthur And Merlin Are Dating, Save For the Part Where They Aren't. Also There Needs To Be A Girl Version Of “Bromance” But That’s a Discussion For Another Time.
Rating: R
Why Rec it: Goodness me this is the funniest Arthur/Merlin AU to date. I'm not even sure why! Except that it does sort of resemble the odd humor in Hitchhikers... maybe just a tiny bit.
Drugstore Flowers
Author: lady_ragnell
Summary: Merlin starts to receive lovely gifts (and less-lovely flowers) from a secret admirer.
Rating: G
Why Rec it: Just plain adorable. The perfect way to woo someone you like.
Every Time we Say goodbye
Summary: After Merlin travels forward in time to help Arthur win a battle, he finds the experience impossible to give up.
Rating: R
Why Rec it: There's only one thing to say about this story: it has bitter sweet similarities to The Time Traveler's Wife
The Good Times are Killing me
Author: minor_hue
Rating NC-17
Summary: In which the boys pretend to still be together for Christmas (and there is more than one kind of charade). Written for this kinkme_merlin prompt
Why rec it: God, everything about this fic is amazing. It ripped me to shreds!
Keep your Secrets
Author: lolafeist
Summary: Arthur is captured and held for ransom. As he awaits his freedom, he slowly gets to know the prisoner being held in the cell beside him, a young man named Merlin.
Why rec it: I am going through a hurt/comfort/angst faze and this fic fulfilled some of it. Arthur and merlin are perfectly characterized and their relationship development makes my heart beat really fast. :)
Leashed
Author: riventhorn
Summary: Written for the kinkme_merlin prompt ( here): In the fashion described regarding the treatment of Damane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damane) in The Wheel of Time, rather than killing all sorcerers, Uther has a select few "leashed" and enslaved to the service of his armies. Merlin is leashed and Arthur is his master
Why rec it: I think what I enjoyed the most about this fic. is that it was really in character and the emotions were well written. I get tired of those fics where Arthur turns all melty for Merlin and loses his love for Camelot, but in this case, that never happend. So much love for this <3
Like grabbing my heart and taking my breath
Author: pandatwirls
Summary: based off of kinkme_merlin prompt: Arthur/Merlin modern!au Merlin has severe asthma and always ends up with breathing difficulties when he looks at Arthur, is around Arthur, is kissing Arthur etc. Inhaler use a must.
Rating: NC-17 (I think... in the end)
Why rec it: Gaw, more shmoopy AU, but like THE BEST ever. This hooked me since Arthur started watching over Merlin from the get go.
Lions and Pebbles and Penguins, Oh My!
Author: fuzzytomato02
Summary: Sitting at the top of "Uther's All Time Parenting Backfires" is Arthur's fellow colleague and clumsy best friend - Merlin Emrys. Written for the kink_me prompt of: Arthur and Merlin as penguins, based on this article w/c is basically about 2 male penguins who paired off and raised an egg successfully. original post here
Rating: I think it ends up NC-17
Why rec it: I just want to pinch their cheeks and then go to the zoo with them.
MERLIN
author: moonythestrals
Summary: Arthur, Merlin, frat brothers, the Dragon, Arthur's BlackBerry, script writing, shitty hip-hop music, Dogma, FATE & DESTINY - oh God I wish I were joking.
Rating: R
Why rec it: This is my all time favorite Merlin fanfic so far. It's freaking hilarious, well written, and did I mention hilarious? I read it in a park while swinging and this group of teenagers randomly showed up. They thought I was insane because of how much I sniggered and outright laughed. There was a point when I nearly fell from my swing. So good!
Natural Selection
Author: minor_hue
Summary: In which Arthur goes on blind dates, Merlin is his waiter, and everyone takes a ride on the crazy train. Written for this kinkme_merlin prompt
Rating: NC-17
Why rec it: It's hilarious and plays out like a parady of the show sometimes. I think one of the main reasons I love it so is because I had to wait for updates on the kink me LJ. But aw so hilarious and cute
Pairing Pendragon/Merlin
Author: Anon
Summary: In response to kinkme_merlin prompt:Arthur is a BNF and Merlin is his prized beta
Rating: Pg-13
Why rec it: A fan girls world but for Arthur/Merlin. And it's the BNF fic that everyone has been talking about on the kinkmeme.
Romance and Cigarettes on the High Sea.
Author: lassroyale
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Arthur and Merlin are sailors who share cigarette and a moment, in the shade of the sails aboard the good ship Camelot.
A/N: Written for the kinkme_merlin: Kink Me! #9 prompt: Arthur/Merlin - Merlin rolls his own cigarettes (or Arthur does). Cause I cannot be the only person who finds that incredibly sexy...
Why rec it: Freaking hot without anythig Nc-17 rated. Hard to come by. (oh, and I'm reading Temeraire so I have a thing for ship crew. Yum
So are they all, all honorable men
Author: seperis
Summary: Considering Arthur's future wife will be chosen less for compatibility than for her political value, Merlin may be the only marriage he'll have that won't end in bloodshed or a great deal of fortifying wine.
Why rec it: Good lord, there wasn't a single thing I didn't enjoy about this fic. Everything, from the detail to the characterization. Merlin and Arthur's relationship feels tangible.
This Hole where you and I will Sing
Author: Anon
Summary: Merlin and Arthur share a jail cell.
Rating: NC-17
Why rec it: This braught tears to my eyes on several occasions. It's horribly painful and yet so beautiful. I guess this is the closest we'll ever get to finding out what would happen in the show if Uther condemned Merlin to death for his magic.
We're a Storm in Somebody Else's Teacup
Author: paperclipbitch
Summary: In which Gwen’s passive-aggressive revenge leads to, amongst other things, Merlin making a new friend.
Rating: PG-13
Why rec it: This was one of the most captivating stories. I literally had to know what happened each update (I think there are 8 and an epilogue). I find tt it is one of the only AU Merlin fics where there is actual character evolution for everyone. I LOVE this story and hope you do too. Please note: you have to scroll down the page I linked to to get to part one and then go back for each subsequent part.
What looks like Crazy
Author: hermette
Summary: Three years after being diagnosed with HIV, Merlin Emrys is managing, if not quite coping. Enter Arthur Pendragon, the man who doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.
Why rec it: I have been a little bit in love with Hermette ever since I joined the fandom (just her presense really) and now Im getting around to reading her fic and it's amazing. Everything about this fic is so painfully real. HIV is a scary thing, but when someone has it they have to live with it and that's exactly what this story is- the life that ends up worth living.
The Unbroken Thread
Author: anon
Summary: for the kinkme_merlin prompt: Athur/Merlin, canon era One of them has Micturation Syncope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micturition_syncope) which is "the human phenomenon of fainting shortly after or during urination.
Rating: PG-13
Why Rec it: My god, this fic is amazing! The characterization is spot on, the banter, the exposed honesty. It's so amazing and touching.
Untitled.
Author: anon
Summary: Response to this prompt: Arthur/Merlin, Merlin liked to curl up like a cat and sleep in front of Arthur's fireplace in the evenings. Arthur doesn't have the heart to yell at him.
Why rec it: So beautiful and so real.
FanVideos:
Me, Myself & Merlin
Editor: analyst_1
The story behind it is posted below the video, make sure to read that first.
Youtube link is on the post but she also provides the mp4 link for download (trust me, it's worth it).
Why rec it: First, the song rocks, second, the editing rocks, and most of all, the story behind the vid rocks.
To Kill the King
Editor: nuarity
Best Crack video EVER.
Merlin&Arthur [fingers]
editor: wearedestinedstudios
Fffff. UNF. BEST FOUR MINUTES OF MY LIFE!! (also, f-ing hot)!