Curses, second chances and chess #mymerlinrecs #17
This week I've been reading a lot of X-Men fic (again) and as I was reading No Longer in Silence by Black_Betty (the one where Erik is a captain and Charles is waiting for him 8 long years), I remembered how glorious The Check and Mate series has been!
So I'm bringing you ANGST + FIX IT. The stories reced today will SHATTER you only to MEND you again. <3
Check/Mate (series) by i_claudia
Arthur/Merlin | Words: 56,699 | Explicit | Historical AU
Summary: The first encounter Arthur had with Merlin Emrys was entirely unexpected.
Why I rec: This series is one of the most magnificent works in Merlin fandom. The heartache, the amazing historical setting, the absolutly marvelous, beautiful language in which the story is written - it all makes this series something so valuable and just... gorgeous. It's so beautifully written, with so much love and emotions.
I was left speachless and in awe after reading this series. It took me this long to read it, piece by piece, because for one - I couldn't take the heartache in one huge dose, and for two - I never wanted it to end. This story was beautiful through and through - the history itself was heartbreaking, captivating, the emotions were raw, deep, true, the setting was so incredibily well depicted that I could "feel" the times (all the places and especially the clothes!!!). The language that was used created the whole imagery and the mood of the story.
This story is challenging, demands attention and focus but the reward for the reader is something precious, because not only the history itself stays with the reader but also it leaves you with a feeling of experiencing something really worthy.
Also because of reading Cherik fics I've gone back to reread some of kianspo's Merlin stories and gasped when I realized I've never comment on the awesomness that Time Forward is. HOW COULD I??? My only explanation is that probably I was in too much of an awe to do it (it happens to me a lot with the best stories - I fret my comment won't be enough and... I never write it *headdesk*).
Time Forward by kianspo
Arthur/Merlin | Words: 23180 | Teen And Up Audiences | Modern AU
Summary: While still at uni, Arthur Pendragon meets two people who become his best friends. He falls in love with one of them... but marries the other. This isn't his story to tell; it's Merlin's. And Merlin will always remember that he met Arthur first.
(Modern setting. Angst. Arthur/Gwen --> Arthur/Merlin).
Why I rec: I've reread huge bits of this story lately and it never ceases to amaze me how good it is. How real. How true to how people really behave and feel. This is a story about second chances, love that is sometimes hurting not only the couple but also other people who get tangled up in the process. This is a heartbreaking one (my god, the angst) but very optimistic and just beautiful. An absolute must in Merlin fandom. If you haven't read it yet, YOU REALLY MUST, you won't disappointed.
Lately I've reread bits of my favorite fuck-or-die story. I love this trope like whoa and especially in the modern setting. And with added angst and self-hate. YES. YES PLEASE.
Continua by roamerArthur/Merlin | Words: 35002 | Explicit | Modern AU with magic | written for Paperlegends 2012
Summary: Modern AU with magic. Sex or die curse. They've had this arrangement for years now and it works. For Arthur, it's a duty, one he used to enjoy but doesn't anymore, and for Merlin, it's just something he has to do, like eating reasonably healthy food and getting enough sleep. The sex is part of their routines, a secret neither of them admits to anyone else, especially not to their partners. But maybe there is someone out there who can help them. And maybe, when faced with losing their connection, Merlin and Arthur start to rekindle a latent flame.
Why I rec: Even though it's been some time since I've read it I can still not only recall the story itself, but also the heartclenchy feeling I had while reading it. I had to go back to this one so many times over now that I can't count. It is just so so good. I love angsty sex, sad sex, all those feelings that are described here - the bitterness, the resentment the destruction that comes over the years of people hating each other, and yet, underneath it all, there is love - so strong that it can rip our hearts out. And I do love magic in modern world <3
And since today is the 1st of November it only feels right to rec a Samhain story ;)
Duck-Apple by Malu_3 (Grainne)
Arthur/Merlin | Words: n/a | Explicit | Canon AU | written for Tavern Tales
Summary: Come Samhain, the remaining High Priestesses of the Old Religion conspire to see that Emrys and the High King of Albion finally get their due. (Or, the one where Arthur bobs for cockapples... Inspired by an - I'm just now realizing - incredibly dirty Trickster/Coyote story I was exposed to as a child aka PSA: NOT ALL STRAWBERRIES ARE STRAWBERRIES OK? Um, yeah I'll just be over here feeling judged.)
Why I rec: This was super hot and magical and full of love and so in character and so funny too! I loved the ritual, the surprise awaiting for the boys, all the little word-plays Arthur and Merlin were playing, Merlin's clever answers and all the things that were VERY innapropriete ;) And the watching sorceress lol. Go read today when you are still in the Halloween mood, it's just a short one but SO WORTH trying out!
For more fresh Halloween stories go to Tavern-Tales where the theme Curses, Hauntings, Harvests has just wrapped up!
So I'm bringing you ANGST + FIX IT. The stories reced today will SHATTER you only to MEND you again. <3
Check/Mate (series) by i_claudia
Arthur/Merlin | Words: 56,699 | Explicit | Historical AU
Summary: The first encounter Arthur had with Merlin Emrys was entirely unexpected.
Why I rec: This series is one of the most magnificent works in Merlin fandom. The heartache, the amazing historical setting, the absolutly marvelous, beautiful language in which the story is written - it all makes this series something so valuable and just... gorgeous. It's so beautifully written, with so much love and emotions.
I was left speachless and in awe after reading this series. It took me this long to read it, piece by piece, because for one - I couldn't take the heartache in one huge dose, and for two - I never wanted it to end. This story was beautiful through and through - the history itself was heartbreaking, captivating, the emotions were raw, deep, true, the setting was so incredibily well depicted that I could "feel" the times (all the places and especially the clothes!!!). The language that was used created the whole imagery and the mood of the story.
This story is challenging, demands attention and focus but the reward for the reader is something precious, because not only the history itself stays with the reader but also it leaves you with a feeling of experiencing something really worthy.
Also because of reading Cherik fics I've gone back to reread some of kianspo's Merlin stories and gasped when I realized I've never comment on the awesomness that Time Forward is. HOW COULD I??? My only explanation is that probably I was in too much of an awe to do it (it happens to me a lot with the best stories - I fret my comment won't be enough and... I never write it *headdesk*).
Time Forward by kianspo
Arthur/Merlin | Words: 23180 | Teen And Up Audiences | Modern AU
Summary: While still at uni, Arthur Pendragon meets two people who become his best friends. He falls in love with one of them... but marries the other. This isn't his story to tell; it's Merlin's. And Merlin will always remember that he met Arthur first.
(Modern setting. Angst. Arthur/Gwen --> Arthur/Merlin).
Why I rec: I've reread huge bits of this story lately and it never ceases to amaze me how good it is. How real. How true to how people really behave and feel. This is a story about second chances, love that is sometimes hurting not only the couple but also other people who get tangled up in the process. This is a heartbreaking one (my god, the angst) but very optimistic and just beautiful. An absolute must in Merlin fandom. If you haven't read it yet, YOU REALLY MUST, you won't disappointed.
Lately I've reread bits of my favorite fuck-or-die story. I love this trope like whoa and especially in the modern setting. And with added angst and self-hate. YES. YES PLEASE.
Continua by roamerArthur/Merlin | Words: 35002 | Explicit | Modern AU with magic | written for Paperlegends 2012
Summary: Modern AU with magic. Sex or die curse. They've had this arrangement for years now and it works. For Arthur, it's a duty, one he used to enjoy but doesn't anymore, and for Merlin, it's just something he has to do, like eating reasonably healthy food and getting enough sleep. The sex is part of their routines, a secret neither of them admits to anyone else, especially not to their partners. But maybe there is someone out there who can help them. And maybe, when faced with losing their connection, Merlin and Arthur start to rekindle a latent flame.
Why I rec: Even though it's been some time since I've read it I can still not only recall the story itself, but also the heartclenchy feeling I had while reading it. I had to go back to this one so many times over now that I can't count. It is just so so good. I love angsty sex, sad sex, all those feelings that are described here - the bitterness, the resentment the destruction that comes over the years of people hating each other, and yet, underneath it all, there is love - so strong that it can rip our hearts out. And I do love magic in modern world <3
And since today is the 1st of November it only feels right to rec a Samhain story ;)
Duck-Apple by Malu_3 (Grainne)
Arthur/Merlin | Words: n/a | Explicit | Canon AU | written for Tavern Tales
Summary: Come Samhain, the remaining High Priestesses of the Old Religion conspire to see that Emrys and the High King of Albion finally get their due. (Or, the one where Arthur bobs for cockapples... Inspired by an - I'm just now realizing - incredibly dirty Trickster/Coyote story I was exposed to as a child aka PSA: NOT ALL STRAWBERRIES ARE STRAWBERRIES OK? Um, yeah I'll just be over here feeling judged.)
Why I rec: This was super hot and magical and full of love and so in character and so funny too! I loved the ritual, the surprise awaiting for the boys, all the little word-plays Arthur and Merlin were playing, Merlin's clever answers and all the things that were VERY innapropriete ;) And the watching sorceress lol. Go read today when you are still in the Halloween mood, it's just a short one but SO WORTH trying out!
For more fresh Halloween stories go to Tavern-Tales where the theme Curses, Hauntings, Harvests has just wrapped up!