Monthly Fic Recs : September
Well, first off, there's no way I can list them all because ACBB flooded me with reading material and my list of recs would legitimately go on forever.
So first off, if for some reason you've been living under a rock, go and see all the amazing fanwork over at aftercamlann!
September Fic Recs
The Test of Honor - Rawks (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 297k
Merlin loses Freya and is off-kilter for a while. When a monster appears he misses a crucial piece of information which Prince Arthur is able to uncover. Things seem to go south when Merlin's magic is revealed. But as the stakes change with the arrival of King Galorian, Arthur has a change of heart. He begins to break away from his father's reign and acknowledges magic for what it is. Merlin's priority remains his devotion to Arthur, and he will do everything to prove it.
This monster kept me occupied for a good few days but it was sooo worth it! I loved the s2 twist and Merlin and Arthur relationship the most.
If You Will Be My Bodyguard - Tari_Sue (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 43k
If there is one thing that gets drummed into the heads of the kids around these parts, it’s this: Stay Away from Cenred Cole. If only boys would learn to listen to their mothers.
When Merlin Emrys witnesses the murder of his best friend, his life suddenly changes completely. Will is gone, and Merlin and Hunith are given new identities and relocated under the Witness Protection Scheme to a sleepy town in rural Gloucestershire.
Everything is different now, from his new job and friends to pursuing his love of art and the blond god who lives down stairs. But Will's murderers are ever lurking at the back of his mind, and he can't help thinking that some day soon they will track him down.
If only he really did have magic…
I loved Merlin's voice in this. The plot was really great and the characters handled really well.
The School of Merlin - Aelys_Althea (AO3) Gen, 175k
Merlin has a secret. A secret he knows he must guard with his life because most of the world won't understand. They'll think him Bad, Evil, Dark. So he keeps it hidden.
Unfortunately, secrets have a way of getting out.
In a world of magic, a world of learning that magic, of embracing it and exploring the wonders it can perform, Merlin is different. He's always been different, and that difference could be dangerous if he lets it run untethered and raging. What better solution could there be than to learn to tame his wayward power?
No one ever told him that school could be so terrifying, and that was to say nothing of the people there.
I don't usually try out crossovers but I'm glad I did this one. The whole thing was beautifully done, especially blending canon s1 and th world of Hogwarts together. It worked soooo well!
The Dragon Rises - Footloose (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 123k
If Into the Badlands met The Once and Future King, this is the story that would be told:
Merlin has three strikes against him: he's one of the last surviving members of the grove of Ironwood, he's renowned as the dread sorcerer Emrys, and there's a large reward hanging over his head like Damocles' sword. After decades of running, there's nowhere left to go. His dream of peace -- Ironwood's dream -- seems impossible to achieve until he meets the young son of a thane whose greatest secret is a traitorous desire for more than the tyranny that runs rampant throughout the Kingdoms of Albion.
It was disaster that brought the world to this. It's war that will cleanse it of its sins. But it is prophecy that heralds the day when the guardian of the realm can wear his mantle once again, and when the King of Kings will rise to take the throne that is rightly his.
I loved the world-building here and the Merlin/Arthur relationship was so perfect.
Bringing on the Great - Detochkina (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 18k
Arthur Pendragon has been on the fast track to Olympic success since childhood, fellow teammate and rival Merlin Emrys keeping Arthur on his toes. Between dueling fathers, doting mothers, and a media frenzy-there’s no room for error in Rio, let alone a romantic relationship. But when Merlin tries to confide to Arthur a secret, one linked to their shared pasts, Arthur needs to decide if his history with Merlin is worth more than gold.
OLYMPICS and MERTHUR and YES! This was gorgeously done.
Between Memory and Water - Camelittle (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 23k
Merlin's world implodes when the Prince of Wales staggers back into his life-broken, in pain and on the run.
One of those fics which I can't understand why I haven't found it before?!! I absolutely loved it, received all the thumbs up from me!
The Mirror, The Sword and The Shield - aelora (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 62k
Fate is a fickle mistress - or rather, the Fates are. When the Wyrd Sisters offer Nimueh a second chance to fulfill her destiny, she takes the opportunity to seek revenge on Merlin. When Uther enters the equation, Nimueh's victory seems certain. Loyalties and allegiances are tested, making Merlin question the lengths that Arthur will go to in order to protect him. Through daring escapes, attempted coups, and fierce battles, Merlin and Arthur discover that the twisting threads of fate are not easily understood, and that the webs they spin cannot be readily escaped.
A Box of Magic fic so we're going wayyy back here! Really, really loved the post-s1 twist, the Merlin/Arthur relationship, and the Arthur and Uther exchanges. The characterisation is just spot on here.
--
Currently Reading
Your Wings - narlth
The Dregs of Albion - aelys_althea
And I have a 'To Read' list about as long as my arm.
--
Currently Writing
winterknights fic
reel_merlin fic
First, the Heart - (LJ) Merlin/Arthur
Various AUs
So first off, if for some reason you've been living under a rock, go and see all the amazing fanwork over at aftercamlann!
September Fic Recs
The Test of Honor - Rawks (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 297k
Merlin loses Freya and is off-kilter for a while. When a monster appears he misses a crucial piece of information which Prince Arthur is able to uncover. Things seem to go south when Merlin's magic is revealed. But as the stakes change with the arrival of King Galorian, Arthur has a change of heart. He begins to break away from his father's reign and acknowledges magic for what it is. Merlin's priority remains his devotion to Arthur, and he will do everything to prove it.
This monster kept me occupied for a good few days but it was sooo worth it! I loved the s2 twist and Merlin and Arthur relationship the most.
If You Will Be My Bodyguard - Tari_Sue (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 43k
If there is one thing that gets drummed into the heads of the kids around these parts, it’s this: Stay Away from Cenred Cole. If only boys would learn to listen to their mothers.
When Merlin Emrys witnesses the murder of his best friend, his life suddenly changes completely. Will is gone, and Merlin and Hunith are given new identities and relocated under the Witness Protection Scheme to a sleepy town in rural Gloucestershire.
Everything is different now, from his new job and friends to pursuing his love of art and the blond god who lives down stairs. But Will's murderers are ever lurking at the back of his mind, and he can't help thinking that some day soon they will track him down.
If only he really did have magic…
I loved Merlin's voice in this. The plot was really great and the characters handled really well.
The School of Merlin - Aelys_Althea (AO3) Gen, 175k
Merlin has a secret. A secret he knows he must guard with his life because most of the world won't understand. They'll think him Bad, Evil, Dark. So he keeps it hidden.
Unfortunately, secrets have a way of getting out.
In a world of magic, a world of learning that magic, of embracing it and exploring the wonders it can perform, Merlin is different. He's always been different, and that difference could be dangerous if he lets it run untethered and raging. What better solution could there be than to learn to tame his wayward power?
No one ever told him that school could be so terrifying, and that was to say nothing of the people there.
I don't usually try out crossovers but I'm glad I did this one. The whole thing was beautifully done, especially blending canon s1 and th world of Hogwarts together. It worked soooo well!
The Dragon Rises - Footloose (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 123k
If Into the Badlands met The Once and Future King, this is the story that would be told:
Merlin has three strikes against him: he's one of the last surviving members of the grove of Ironwood, he's renowned as the dread sorcerer Emrys, and there's a large reward hanging over his head like Damocles' sword. After decades of running, there's nowhere left to go. His dream of peace -- Ironwood's dream -- seems impossible to achieve until he meets the young son of a thane whose greatest secret is a traitorous desire for more than the tyranny that runs rampant throughout the Kingdoms of Albion.
It was disaster that brought the world to this. It's war that will cleanse it of its sins. But it is prophecy that heralds the day when the guardian of the realm can wear his mantle once again, and when the King of Kings will rise to take the throne that is rightly his.
I loved the world-building here and the Merlin/Arthur relationship was so perfect.
Bringing on the Great - Detochkina (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 18k
Arthur Pendragon has been on the fast track to Olympic success since childhood, fellow teammate and rival Merlin Emrys keeping Arthur on his toes. Between dueling fathers, doting mothers, and a media frenzy-there’s no room for error in Rio, let alone a romantic relationship. But when Merlin tries to confide to Arthur a secret, one linked to their shared pasts, Arthur needs to decide if his history with Merlin is worth more than gold.
OLYMPICS and MERTHUR and YES! This was gorgeously done.
Between Memory and Water - Camelittle (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 23k
Merlin's world implodes when the Prince of Wales staggers back into his life-broken, in pain and on the run.
One of those fics which I can't understand why I haven't found it before?!! I absolutely loved it, received all the thumbs up from me!
The Mirror, The Sword and The Shield - aelora (AO3) Merlin/Arthur, 62k
Fate is a fickle mistress - or rather, the Fates are. When the Wyrd Sisters offer Nimueh a second chance to fulfill her destiny, she takes the opportunity to seek revenge on Merlin. When Uther enters the equation, Nimueh's victory seems certain. Loyalties and allegiances are tested, making Merlin question the lengths that Arthur will go to in order to protect him. Through daring escapes, attempted coups, and fierce battles, Merlin and Arthur discover that the twisting threads of fate are not easily understood, and that the webs they spin cannot be readily escaped.
A Box of Magic fic so we're going wayyy back here! Really, really loved the post-s1 twist, the Merlin/Arthur relationship, and the Arthur and Uther exchanges. The characterisation is just spot on here.
--
Currently Reading
Your Wings - narlth
The Dregs of Albion - aelys_althea
And I have a 'To Read' list about as long as my arm.
--
Currently Writing
winterknights fic
reel_merlin fic
First, the Heart - (LJ) Merlin/Arthur
Various AUs