Issue #16
Picks of the Month from eosrose
[art] The Emperor Concerto by nachte | WS | 1 works
Summary: Modern AU inspired by Nodame Cantabile.
eosrose says: Pianist!Merlin and Conductor!Arthur are hard at work and utterly gorgeous!
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern
[art] Untitled Fanart by kurage-no-hone | WS | 1 works
Summary: Frog!Arthur and Frog!Merlin cuddling.
eosrose says: I requested the boys as frogs and was more than impressed by this fill. It's currently my desktop wallpaper. So cute!
Themes: animals
[art] Fonder Than comic by nachte | WS | 5 works
Summary: Merlin tends to fall asleep on the floor (forest ground/Arthur's room/random grassy hill) with his stomach exposed. Arthur is amused and tugs down his shirt for him.
eosrose says: This fandom doesn't have nearly enough comics--nachte makes me feel that lack deeply. If you haven't read this, you need to stop what you're doing and do so at once!
Themes: era - camelot, protective!arthur
[fic] Mentor by ivyelevast | PG-13 | ~29,000 words
Summary: In which Arthur dreams of being a knight and Merlin has a vendetta against Destiny. Loosely based on Disney's The Sword in the Stone.
eosrose says: An adorable AU where in Arthur grows up an orphan nobody and Merlin isn't too impressed by destiny. For those of you who weren't all that fond of The Sword in the Stone or aren't generally fond of fusions, allow me to assure you that the story deviates enough to make things plenty interesting. I was an utter puddle of goo by the time I finished this one.
Themes: arthur knows, au - with magic, era - camelot, excalibur, first kiss, jealous!arthur, shape changing Picks of the Month from katerina_black
[art] Untitled Fanart by arid_hugs | R
Summary:"...Because now, because of his complacency and his insistent need to please his father, he was losing the greatest friend he had ever had, his closest confidant, his lover."
katerina-black says: The detailing in this piece is exquisite, and the emotions are extremely evocative.
Themes: era - camelot, uther finds out, hurt/comfort, established relationship, imprisonment
[fic] Everything and Nothing by ragdoll987 | PG-13 | ~5,500 words
Summary: They came in the late summer, when the heat was highest and the people most sluggish and the knights the least prepared. Though they numbered fifty, they made no noise, moving with speed and silence only magic could bringÉ
katerina-black says: I love ragdoll987's style, and this was a fantastic bit of friendship fic with an episodic feel to it.
Themes: era - camelot, friendship, old religion/druids, powerful!merlin, pre-relationship
[fic] It's not the end of the world (but you can see it from here) by corilannam | NC-17 | ~33,000 words
Summary: Arthur, Prince of Wales, finds it hard to accept that he and Merlin have no future. Then he finds out that neither does anyone else.
katerina-black says: I've not seen 2012, but this fic almost made me want to. Disaster films are not my thing, but this fic was poignant, and Merlin and Arthur were spot on.
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern, established relationship, king arthur, protective!arthur, apocalypse, fusion
[fic] Must be Drunk by pushergon | NC-17 | ~7,000 words
Summary: "Love potion" pretty much sums it up.
katerina-black says: I adore the love potion cliche, and this is a hot piece of burning that somehow manages to be sweet as well.
Themes: era - camelot, bottom!merlin, first kiss, first time, magical accident
[fic] A Process of Healing by shinetheway | G | ~1,500 words
Summary: It takes Arthur two months to fully recover from the Questing Beast.
katerina-black says: This is just a wonderfully sweet, short coda to the Series 1 finale. A perfect taste of a larger story.
Themes: era - camelot, arthur knows, first kiss, episode related, hurt/comfort, injury
[fic] The Sinner in Me by shesakicker | R | ~17,000 words
Summary: In which Merlin has amnesia, Arthur has a horrible beard, Nimueh has spies and we all learn not to play with fire. Or snakes.
katerina-black says: My not having seen the movies from this year's reel_merlin seems to be a theme. But what I think I loved most about this was that it wasn't Arthur as Bourne, as I would have expected, but Merlin.
Themes: au - with magic, era - modern, first time, first kiss, powerful!merlin, protective!merlin, amnesia, fusion,
[fic] Should You Choose to Accept It by rurounihime | PG-13 | ~12,000 words
Summary: It started out as a little practice. Of course, at twelve years old, everything seemed that simple.
katerina-black says: This was really, really, really awesome bit of teenage flangst. I don't actually have a lot of words for how much I loved this.
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern, first kiss, unrequited love, jealous!merlin, childhood
[fic] Winning the World Championships by rotrude | NC-17 | ~17,000 words
Summary: March 2010. Arthur is now a retired skater who has taken over Merlin's coaching. He's determined to drive Merlin to victory.
katerina-black says: I absolutely adore this series, and I loved how in this installment, Merlin and Arthur had to struggle to figure out how they fit as coach and skater as well as lovers. Plus there's hot fluff!
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, established relationship, bottom!merlin, insecure!arthur, protective!arthur, massage, jealous!arthur, injury
[fic] The World Forgetting by the World Forgot by copperiisulfate | PG-13 | ~40,00 words
Summary: In which Morgana erases memories for a living, Merlin and Arthur meet for (what they believe to be) the first time, and Gwen remembers everything.
katerina-black says: I love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and this fic did a wonderful job of blending the plot premise, and some of the actual plot, with the characters and relationships of camelot. I felt this was a very realistic picture of how the characters would fit within the modern world.
Themes: au - with magic, era - modern, amnesia, fusion, established relationship, first kiss, first time, experienced!arthur, experienced!merlin Mutual Pick of the Month
[fic] The Lure Would Prove Too Much by minor-hue | NC-17 | ~4,200 words
Summary: In which Arthur fucks Merlin for a hazing ritual (and then there is talk about wallpaper).
eosrose says: The summary alone actually frightened me off initially, but when I gave it a shot--wow! The dialog is hilarious, the action hot, and the finish unexpected. If you want to read something smutty, this is definitely a good choice.
katerina-black says: This was smoking hot. Like whoa. I almost didn't read it, because the premise didn't seem up my alley, but it was SO worth it.
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, bottom!merlin, exhibitionism, established relationship
[fic] Mending Wall by franticsga | NC-17 | ~5,100 words
Summary: Arthur and Merlin have shared a living space for over six years and can hear each other very clearly through the wall between their rooms.
eosrose says: The story begins on a sad note, with Arthur pretty much crazy in love with Merlin, who happens to be in a committed relationship, but it has a very satisfying finish.
katerina-black says: This one was a bit heartbreaking until it wasn't. Very well done modern AU, with the boys dancing around their feelings because they can.
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern, first time, first kiss, unrequited love, voyeurism, experienced!merlin, experienced!arthur, jealous!arthur Classic of the Month
[fic] The Student Prince by pandarus | NC-17 | ~150,000 words
Summary: A Modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship and true love...
eosrose says: Some stories just suck you in and refuse to let you go--not even after you've soaked in the very last word. This is one of them. Most Modern AUs (especially reincarnation fics) tend to adhere to the tropes and characterizations of the original series, but this one takes a notably different stance: magic is legal--and that makes a big difference in how things play out. Those individuals we've only seen as villains are given a chance to shine. Romance and destiny have never been so much fun!
katerina-black says: So, I got a message from eosrose that said, essentially, 'read this; it's an insta-classic.' My god, was she ever right. This fic was epic, and had fantastic bits of humor, and the boys were spot on. The slash dragon is completely his old self. This had bits that, of course, reminded me of 'Drastically Re-defining Protocol,' but it was something new and wonderful all on its own. I could probably go on forever, but really, you should just read it. ^_^
Themes: au - with magic, era - modern, first time, first kiss, unrequited love
[art] The Emperor Concerto by nachte | WS | 1 works
Summary: Modern AU inspired by Nodame Cantabile.
eosrose says: Pianist!Merlin and Conductor!Arthur are hard at work and utterly gorgeous!
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern
[art] Untitled Fanart by kurage-no-hone | WS | 1 works
Summary: Frog!Arthur and Frog!Merlin cuddling.
eosrose says: I requested the boys as frogs and was more than impressed by this fill. It's currently my desktop wallpaper. So cute!
Themes: animals
[art] Fonder Than comic by nachte | WS | 5 works
Summary: Merlin tends to fall asleep on the floor (forest ground/Arthur's room/random grassy hill) with his stomach exposed. Arthur is amused and tugs down his shirt for him.
eosrose says: This fandom doesn't have nearly enough comics--nachte makes me feel that lack deeply. If you haven't read this, you need to stop what you're doing and do so at once!
Themes: era - camelot, protective!arthur
[fic] Mentor by ivyelevast | PG-13 | ~29,000 words
Summary: In which Arthur dreams of being a knight and Merlin has a vendetta against Destiny. Loosely based on Disney's The Sword in the Stone.
eosrose says: An adorable AU where in Arthur grows up an orphan nobody and Merlin isn't too impressed by destiny. For those of you who weren't all that fond of The Sword in the Stone or aren't generally fond of fusions, allow me to assure you that the story deviates enough to make things plenty interesting. I was an utter puddle of goo by the time I finished this one.
Themes: arthur knows, au - with magic, era - camelot, excalibur, first kiss, jealous!arthur, shape changing Picks of the Month from katerina_black
[art] Untitled Fanart by arid_hugs | R
Summary:"...Because now, because of his complacency and his insistent need to please his father, he was losing the greatest friend he had ever had, his closest confidant, his lover."
katerina-black says: The detailing in this piece is exquisite, and the emotions are extremely evocative.
Themes: era - camelot, uther finds out, hurt/comfort, established relationship, imprisonment
[fic] Everything and Nothing by ragdoll987 | PG-13 | ~5,500 words
Summary: They came in the late summer, when the heat was highest and the people most sluggish and the knights the least prepared. Though they numbered fifty, they made no noise, moving with speed and silence only magic could bringÉ
katerina-black says: I love ragdoll987's style, and this was a fantastic bit of friendship fic with an episodic feel to it.
Themes: era - camelot, friendship, old religion/druids, powerful!merlin, pre-relationship
[fic] It's not the end of the world (but you can see it from here) by corilannam | NC-17 | ~33,000 words
Summary: Arthur, Prince of Wales, finds it hard to accept that he and Merlin have no future. Then he finds out that neither does anyone else.
katerina-black says: I've not seen 2012, but this fic almost made me want to. Disaster films are not my thing, but this fic was poignant, and Merlin and Arthur were spot on.
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern, established relationship, king arthur, protective!arthur, apocalypse, fusion
[fic] Must be Drunk by pushergon | NC-17 | ~7,000 words
Summary: "Love potion" pretty much sums it up.
katerina-black says: I adore the love potion cliche, and this is a hot piece of burning that somehow manages to be sweet as well.
Themes: era - camelot, bottom!merlin, first kiss, first time, magical accident
[fic] A Process of Healing by shinetheway | G | ~1,500 words
Summary: It takes Arthur two months to fully recover from the Questing Beast.
katerina-black says: This is just a wonderfully sweet, short coda to the Series 1 finale. A perfect taste of a larger story.
Themes: era - camelot, arthur knows, first kiss, episode related, hurt/comfort, injury
[fic] The Sinner in Me by shesakicker | R | ~17,000 words
Summary: In which Merlin has amnesia, Arthur has a horrible beard, Nimueh has spies and we all learn not to play with fire. Or snakes.
katerina-black says: My not having seen the movies from this year's reel_merlin seems to be a theme. But what I think I loved most about this was that it wasn't Arthur as Bourne, as I would have expected, but Merlin.
Themes: au - with magic, era - modern, first time, first kiss, powerful!merlin, protective!merlin, amnesia, fusion,
[fic] Should You Choose to Accept It by rurounihime | PG-13 | ~12,000 words
Summary: It started out as a little practice. Of course, at twelve years old, everything seemed that simple.
katerina-black says: This was really, really, really awesome bit of teenage flangst. I don't actually have a lot of words for how much I loved this.
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern, first kiss, unrequited love, jealous!merlin, childhood
[fic] Winning the World Championships by rotrude | NC-17 | ~17,000 words
Summary: March 2010. Arthur is now a retired skater who has taken over Merlin's coaching. He's determined to drive Merlin to victory.
katerina-black says: I absolutely adore this series, and I loved how in this installment, Merlin and Arthur had to struggle to figure out how they fit as coach and skater as well as lovers. Plus there's hot fluff!
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, established relationship, bottom!merlin, insecure!arthur, protective!arthur, massage, jealous!arthur, injury
[fic] The World Forgetting by the World Forgot by copperiisulfate | PG-13 | ~40,00 words
Summary: In which Morgana erases memories for a living, Merlin and Arthur meet for (what they believe to be) the first time, and Gwen remembers everything.
katerina-black says: I love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and this fic did a wonderful job of blending the plot premise, and some of the actual plot, with the characters and relationships of camelot. I felt this was a very realistic picture of how the characters would fit within the modern world.
Themes: au - with magic, era - modern, amnesia, fusion, established relationship, first kiss, first time, experienced!arthur, experienced!merlin Mutual Pick of the Month
[fic] The Lure Would Prove Too Much by minor-hue | NC-17 | ~4,200 words
Summary: In which Arthur fucks Merlin for a hazing ritual (and then there is talk about wallpaper).
eosrose says: The summary alone actually frightened me off initially, but when I gave it a shot--wow! The dialog is hilarious, the action hot, and the finish unexpected. If you want to read something smutty, this is definitely a good choice.
katerina-black says: This was smoking hot. Like whoa. I almost didn't read it, because the premise didn't seem up my alley, but it was SO worth it.
Themes: era - modern, au - no magic, bottom!merlin, exhibitionism, established relationship
[fic] Mending Wall by franticsga | NC-17 | ~5,100 words
Summary: Arthur and Merlin have shared a living space for over six years and can hear each other very clearly through the wall between their rooms.
eosrose says: The story begins on a sad note, with Arthur pretty much crazy in love with Merlin, who happens to be in a committed relationship, but it has a very satisfying finish.
katerina-black says: This one was a bit heartbreaking until it wasn't. Very well done modern AU, with the boys dancing around their feelings because they can.
Themes: au - no magic, era - modern, first time, first kiss, unrequited love, voyeurism, experienced!merlin, experienced!arthur, jealous!arthur Classic of the Month
[fic] The Student Prince by pandarus | NC-17 | ~150,000 words
Summary: A Modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship and true love...
eosrose says: Some stories just suck you in and refuse to let you go--not even after you've soaked in the very last word. This is one of them. Most Modern AUs (especially reincarnation fics) tend to adhere to the tropes and characterizations of the original series, but this one takes a notably different stance: magic is legal--and that makes a big difference in how things play out. Those individuals we've only seen as villains are given a chance to shine. Romance and destiny have never been so much fun!
katerina-black says: So, I got a message from eosrose that said, essentially, 'read this; it's an insta-classic.' My god, was she ever right. This fic was epic, and had fantastic bits of humor, and the boys were spot on. The slash dragon is completely his old self. This had bits that, of course, reminded me of 'Drastically Re-defining Protocol,' but it was something new and wonderful all on its own. I could probably go on forever, but really, you should just read it. ^_^
Themes: au - with magic, era - modern, first time, first kiss, unrequited love