Recs - Historical AU [II]
This will be continuously updated and edited. A star will be next to anything new until the next time I update. This is more for bookmarking purposes than anything. Main pairing for all is Arthur/Merlin.
Rec Master Post
Recs - Canon (+ Canon AU) [I] | Recs - Canon (+ Canon AU) [II] | Recs - Canon (+ Canon AU) [III] | Recs - Historical AU [I] | Recs - Historical AU [II] | Recs - Modern AU [I] | Recs - Modern AU [II] | Recs - Modern AU [III] | Recs - Modern AU [IV] | Recs - Modern AU [V] | Recs - Modern AU [VI] | Recs - Miscellaneous AU
20th Century
Unspecified year (Edwardian Era (pre-WWI))
Not A Word Beyond by ravenflight21; Three Parts; PG-13; historical homophobia; for reel_merlin for the prompt Maurice; Arthur/Merlin (+ Arthur/Lance and Gwen/Lance); 13k words
Author's Summary: Arthur Pendragon is good-looking, athletic and from an excellent family - everything he needs for a conventional, successful life. He gradually realises, however, he’s attracted to his own sex, and the discovery turns his world upside down.
Art by gealach_ros
one | two | three
★At Swim, Two Boys by lyryk; NC-17; Major character death, dub con, sleep sex, violence; for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwaine/Merlin, Gwaine/Galahed, Gwen/Lancelot); 21.5k words
Author's Summary: Based on the novel by Jamie O'Neill. Historical (early twentieth century) AU. As the conflict between the authorities and magic users threatens to escalate into civil war, two boys are drawn to each other, and find an unexpected ally in the form of a disgraced aristocrat.
1911
★ Gentleman, Burglar by rotrude; One Part; NC-17; 5k words
Author's Summary: The Pendragon mansion gets burgled during a soirée. Some thefts take a bit of sleight of hand. Inspired by Maurice Lebanc's Arsene Lupin stories. The title is a nod to them.
LJ | AO3
1912
Salt, Water, My Wounds by ohwhimsy; Three parts; NC-17; character death, angst; 20k words
Author's Summary: This is for reel_merlin with the prompt Titanic.
one | two | three
The Entail by rotrude; Four Parts;NC-17; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwen/Lancelot, Alvarr/Morgana, Freya/Merlin, past Arthur/OC); 33k words
Author's Summary: Vaguely based on Downton Abbey. Early 1912. Things start to change at the Pendragon manor when Merlin Emrys is hired as the new valet to Arthur Pendragon, the Earl of Albion. Meanwhile a shooting party is scheduled and the Lady Morgana has to learn to deal with an antiquated law system any way she thinks she can.
one | two | three | four
1913
Destiny That Darkly Hides Us by nympha-alba; Seven Parts; NC-17; War, angst, minor character death, major character death (temporary/reincarnation); 40.5k words
Author's Summary: Historical AU with magic. It's 1913, the practice of homosexuality is unlawful, so is the practice of magic. When Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Emrys meet as Cambridge undergrads, they are both hungry for a real and true connection without secrets. For a short time they believe they may have found it. But war breaks out and separates them, and it seems unlikely that they will meet again. After all, what are the odds?
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | end notes | AO3 | art by tindu
1914
Leaves You, Alone by pixieblues; One Part; R; Character death; 750 words
Author's Summary: Written for Challenge 2 at the summerpornathon and was placed third (*flails happily*). Prompt was AU!fic. Set in WWI. An insight into the life of Merlin Emrys, and his relationship with Colonel Arthur Pendragon.
Note: Originally posted here (9).
Note [II]: Not explicitly stated that this starts in 1914, but it does start with Merlin enlisting at 17 and ends with him 20 years old.
The Nine of Wands by sunawareness; Two (four) parts; R;
Author's Summary: In 1914 Merlin decides to indulge a demanding young soldier, Arthur Pendragon. In spite of himself he falls in love, only to find that when returning on leave the young Pendragon doesn't seem to want him anymore. Can their destined love over come the troubled times? A love story which takes the characters from 1914 to 1918, from London to war torn France.
one (a) | one (b) | two (a) | two (b)
Note:This journal has been deleted and purged, and I am unable to locate this fic anywhere else.
Unspecified year (WWI)
trrrnch (smile, smile, smile) by joan-waterhouse; One Part; PG-13; WWI battlefield; For merlin-muses; 2200 words
Author's Summary: And then was now and now was then, and all the ages were but one, and the pain that tore his heart to pieces ripped from his soul Magic.
Journal | Merlin Muses | AO3
Tender Comrade by fr333bird; One Part; NC-17; For summerpornathon's AU challenge originally posted here (22);
Summary: “What will you do when the war is over?” Merlin’s voice is soft against his neck, barely audible over the constant boom of the shells.
1916
In War, There Are No Unwounded Soldiers by giselleslash; One Part; PG; WWI; 4400 words
Author's Summary: Written for this prompt at the KMM: dog tags/'come back to me'
One Last Time by nyargles; One Part; NC-17; 746 words
Author's Summary: For the summerpornathon Challenge 2: AU, and to fill my quill_it prompt tense. WWI trench warfare fic. The day before The Big Push.
Note: Originally posted here (27).
1917
My Fair Arty by batgurl88; Nine Parts; PG-13; 52k words
Author's Summary: Arthur is a royal who can't remember his past. Merlin and Gaius are con-men, hoping to return Arthur to Uther for a hefty reward, but little do they know they have the real deal on their hands.
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine
Note: Anastasia AU, Russian Revolution
Poppies for Young Men by rotrude; One Part; PG; Violence (war scene), wound treatment; 1140 words
Author's Summary: Written as a fill for this kinkme_merlin prompt: Arthur/Merlin War!AU I'm about to lose my mind/You've been gone for so long /I'm running out of time/ I need a doctor/ Call me a doctor/ I need a doctor, doctor/ To bring me back to life
1922
★Only Yesterday by riventhorn; Three Parts; NC-17; Cross dressing; 7.5k words
Author Summary: Written for the kinkme_merlin prompt: Arthur/Merlin, where one of them is wearing a full-skirted, floor-length gown and the other is extremely turned on and gives him a blowjob underneath it. Set in London in the 1920s. (+ Gray Lace and Satin Roses: Arthur loves pretty things and Merlin loves Arthur in them. A Golden Day: A sweep of blue silk lay on the bed, bright against the white coverlet. Arthur reached out to caress it before he could stop himself.)
Gray Lace and Satin Roses | Blue Danube | A Golden Day | AO3
1925
Paris in the Spring by graspthethorn; One Part; R; For the AU challenge at summerpornathon originally posted here (9); 759 words
Author's Summary: he was devouring his second breakfast, a handful of fried potatoes he had just bought for four centimes from a street-vendor.
1928
When Death Is Only the Beginning. (How the Bainbridge Scholars Were Mistaken) by rotrude; Four Parts; NC-17; character death; Written for reel_merlin with the prompt The Mummy; 31k words
Author's Summary: Cairo, 1928. Merlin Emrys is a special librarian and aspiring archaeologist. One day his brother, Will, brings him a new find of his: it could lead them to the fabled city of Amunhaptra, resting place of the pharaohs, and to some unforeseen adventures.
one | two | three | four
Unspecified year (1930s)
Masquerade by alba17; Two Parts; R; Homophobia appropriate to the period; For merlin-muses; 15.2k words
Author's Summary: 1930’s Hollywood AU. When the studio offers Arthur the role of a lifetime, is he willing to pay the price? In which there there is much drinking of champagne, Elena in trousers, a voyage at sea, and Merlin playing Chopin.
one | two | DW | AO3
1939
Where the Shadows Cease by miakun; One part; R; Minor off-screen character death, historical homophobia; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwen/Morgana) for camelotsolstice; 5579 words
Author's Summary: In the summer of 1939, Merlin tries to find something to write about in Spain and instead finds Arthur.
Title from La Fuite de la Lune by Oscar Wilde.
Camelot Solstice Post | Journal Re-post
Nota bene: The camelotsolstice link works, but the works on miafic are no longer online.
The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions by writteninhaste; One Part; PG-13; WWII, angst that completely shattered me, historical homophobia; Arthur/Merlin
Author's Summary: On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. By October 16 the ghetto had been established and over 100,000 Jews died from starvation or disease. An underground escape route was established through the sewers. Until the liberation of Warsaw in 1945, many men and women risked their lives trying to help Jews escape Nazi persecution. Merlin tried to help as best he could and it was in doing so, that he was reunited with Arthur.
Unspecified year (WWII)
We Carry the Dead in Our Hands by i-claudia; One Part; R; Character death (major); Arthur/Merlin (implied) (+ Arthur/Gwen); 2732 words
Author's Summary: “Mrs. Pendragon,” the uniformed man at her door says when she opens it, and Gwen doesn’t have to see the expression on his face or the telegram in his hands to know.
Note: Inspired by The Death of Captain Waskow, by Ernie Pyle
Temporary Note: I moved this down a little, timeline wise, because while WWII started in 1939 (for most countries), this fic is set during the war and so after Where the Shadows Cease, which is set the summer before the war, and The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions, which starts with the invasion of Poland.
tl;dr I'm a bit anal retentive.
★ One in Six by riventhorn; One Part; PG; 1.1k words
Author's Summary: WWII AU. Merlin is home on leave and telling his mum about the crew of the Lancaster bomber Excalibur.
LJ | AO3
1940
Knights of the Air by riventhorn; Five Parts; R; Character death (minor); 35k words
Author's Summary: It is the summer of 1940, and the Battle of Britain rages in the skies. As the Luftwaffe sends hundreds of bombers and fighters to prepare the way for an invasion, it is up to the pilots of the RAF to stop them.
one | two | three | four | five | music | glossary | AO3 | five pieces of art by amphigoury
1941
Of All The Gin Joints In All The World by rotrude; One Part; R; 2270 words
Author's Summary: Casablanca inspired scene. December 1941, Arthur meets someone from his past, someone he'd never thought he'd see again. Or let Arthur be Humphrey Bogart for once, because he'd look dashing in a white Tuxedo.
Tomorrow's Dust by i-claudia; One Part; NC-17; 2300 words
Author's Summary: His mother does not know or does not choose to speak of it. The neighbors, for all their spying, their peeking behind closed shutters opened only the merest of cracks, see nothing. It is only Merlin himself who carries this secret, layered within, lodged as a knife in his breast.
Note: This does not explicitly state it is set in 1941, but I put it here because Paris was occupied and the armistice was signed in June of 1940, so this reads like it would take place in the spring of the following year, in my opinion.
Unspecified year (1950's)
Behind Closed Doors by anon*; Comment fic on kinkme_merlin; Three Parts; NC-17; Threesome, violence, bondage; Arthur/Merlin (+ Arthur/Gwen, Merlin/Gwen, Arthur/Gwen/Merlin)
Prompt: Arthur/Gwen/Merlin, nineteen-fifties AU. "If only they knew."
Note: Inspired by Film Noir by pandora-gold originally posted in response to the same prompt here (also on DA).
Note II: Author de-anoned but has since removed the reposted version.
1963
What's Puzzling You Is the Nature of My Game by burningqueen; WIP; PG-13 (currently)
Author's Summary: It's 1963, the Cold War is in full swing, and Arthur Pendragon, agent of Her Majesty's Secret Service, is about to meet the Service's newest Russian double agent: Merlin Emrys.
This is completely beautiful.
one | two | three | four | five | six
1964
★ Can't Buy Me Love by shes-gone; Two Parts; NC-17; For merlin-games; 20k words
Author's Summary: In which it's 1964, Camelot is an advertising agency with a budget problem, Merlin is a copywriter who loves to twist, and Arthur is a junior partner who loves to shout. More or less. (Mad Men au)
Journal post: one | two | Merlin Games post: one | two | AO3
1965
Shake Your Windows and Rattle Your Walls by rosemaryandrue; Two Parts; PG; 5953 words
Author's Summary: They're all at Oxford in the 1960s, and Arthur's infatuated. (+ Were You Up For Pendragon?: Sequel to Shake Your Windows and Rattle Your Walls. Election Night, 1997, and there's only one Tory that Merlin wants to keep his seat.)
Shake Your Windows and Rattle Your Walls | Were You Up For Pendragon?
1969
As It Ever Was (or, Arthur and Merlin do Woodstock) by waldorph; One Part; NC-17; Drug use, reincarnation, character death (major); 3011 words
Author's Summary: Merlin fucking loves this decade.
LJ | AO3
★ We Are Stardust, We Are Golden by burningqueen; One Part; PG-13; 1.6k words
Author's Summary: The Merlin gang does Woodstock.
Unspecified year (1970's)
You Should Be Dancing by glimmergirl; drabble/ficlet 3 of 3; M; 1.9k words
Author's Summary: 70's disco club and dirty dancing
LJ | AO3
1977
Always Crashing In the Same Car by glimmergirl; One Part; M; 6400 words
Author's Summary: Written for the kinkme_merlin prompt that requested a Merlin and Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes fusion where Arthur is Gene Hunt and Merlin could be Sam Tyler or Alex Drake.
LJ | AO3
1978
Cyclical by anon; Comment Fic on kinkme_merlin (not reposted as far as I know); Reincarnation, character deaths (past) (major), character death (major); Four Parts
Prompt: Arthur/Merlin, AU. San Francisco, 1970s.
Note: Arthur is Harvey Milk (reincarnated). Merlin is Scott Smith (reincarnated).
Unspecified year (1980's)
Untitled by anon; Comment Fic on kinkme_merlin; Three Parts; NC-17; Prostitution, injuries, implied violence, underage (17)
Prompt: 80's AU; Merlin is a 17 year-old lot lizard, Arthur is a 20 something trucker.
Not quite Historical AU's and not quite Modern AU's:
1990's
Unspecified year (1990's)
Fame and Fortune by melusinahp; Seven Parts; NC-17; 42k words
Author's Summary: AU set in Los Angeles, California during the 1990's. Arthur is a movie star. Merlin is a waiter. The word "prat" is used.
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | art (or here) (DA) by tindu
★ Coming Up by xthursdaynextx; Five Parts; R/NC-17; 40k words
Author's Summary: 90s high school AU. Merlin can think of a billion reasons why moving to Camelot-on-Sea in the middle of his A-levels is a terrible idea. He would much rather play his guitar than work in his uncle's chip shop and he has no intention of making friends. Until he joins head boy Arthur Pendragon's wannabe-Britpop band and finds himself falling head over heels for the stuck-up prat.
one | two | three | four | five | AO3 | playlist | art by anoracle
1994
Could It Be Magic by planejane; Two Parts; NC-17; For glomp-fest; 12k words
Author's Summary: It’s early 1994, and age of consent for gay men is lowered from twenty-one to eighteen, which frees nineteen-year-old Merlin to pursue the Lesbian and Gay Society (LGSoc) golden boy, Arthur Pendragon. From the very beginning the attraction is mutual, but what they both discover as they fall head over heels, is that an even bigger freedom comes from knowing you’re truly loved, for everything you are.
one | two | AO3
1995
This Hide-and-Seek Makes Me An Addict: A Most Excellent Tale In Four Parts by syllic; One Part; PG-13; Arthur/Merlin (+ 'Bedevere'/'Tristan') 3600 words
Author's Summary: Uh. Written for worldwouldend's birthday, and, in the fine (for "fine" read "horrifying") tradition of birthday fiction written on this journal, effing ridiculous. Merlin is stranded in Mississippi (while underage) until Arthur calls him up for a little venture he likes to call Shiny Windsuits and Wind Machine, With Profit.
LJ | AO3
Unspecified year (approx. 1995)
Destiny Calling by sophieisgod; Three parts; PG-13; 6 POV's; for reel_merlin; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwen/Morgana, slight Gwen/Lancelot, Sophia/Will, past Arthur/Sophia); 17k words
Author's Summary: In which Merlin is guided by a force much greater than luck, Lancelot is excessively chivalrous, and Morgana is a very angry and confused young woman.
Art by lovestories
prologue | one | two| notes (+ 90's primer) | soundtrack
1997
★ Step By Step by eldee-fic; NC-17; 66.87k words
Author's Summary: The Knights: A Boy Band. (Or, rather, the ten year span of how Arthur Pendragon discovers who he truly is by going from teen idol to solo sensation, maintaining friendships with his Knights and close staff, inheriting a musical empire, and happening to find his #1 fan, best friend, and eventual love along the way.)
AO3 | art by gwyntastic
1999
★ Snapshots: Summer 1999 by glimmergirl; Five Parts; M; 8.3k words
Author's Summary: Wherein Arthur and Merlin work at the Camelot diner, drive down the shore, and manage to fall in love the summer before they leave for college. Modern AU, set in New Jersey at the end of the '90s. (A Take Your Fandom Home fic.)
Snapshots: Summer 1999 | Untitled (Jerseyfic) | Summer Vacation | August Rain | Sunday, November 21, 1999, 10.45pm | AO3 | Songmix: Snapshots
Miscellaneous
Romance and Cigarettes on the High Seas by lassroyale; One Part; PG-13; Written for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; Arthur/Merlin; 1127 words
Author's Summary: Arthur and Merlin are sailors who share cigarette and a moment, in the shade of the sails aboard the good ship Camelot.
I see this as late 19th Century. Nothing said as far as year.
Cultivation and Growth by srin; One Part; NC-17; Written for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; Arthur/Merlin; 2k words
Author's Summary: Wherein Arthur becomes preoccupied with his gardener and acts rather inappropriately, and Merlin is okay with that.
I like to think this is late 19th or early 20th century. All said was that this is 'not quite modern'.
A Color For Every Desire by phreakycat; One Part; NC-17; 3910 words
Author's Summary: Modern AU, Written for the kinkme_merlin prompt: Arthur/Merlin, shag bands.
This is here (even though the author says modern day AU) because when I'm reading this, I see it as a 1990's AU (or possibly early 2000's). Which means nothing other than I'm quite ridiculous.
2+ historical settings (reincarnation)
★ Though the Legends Cannot Be Trusted by burningqueen; One Part; PG-13; 2.4k words
Author's Summary: "Arthur would never admit it to anyone but himself, but he's always quite liked reading." Because Merlin/Arthur and Achilles/Patrocolus are basically the same ship.
★ True North by kroki-refur; One Part; PG-13; Written for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; 6.8k words
Author's Summary: Arthur is given a compass that is unable to tell north from south, but always points him to where Merlin is.
Rec Master Post
Recs - Canon (+ Canon AU) [I] | Recs - Canon (+ Canon AU) [II] | Recs - Canon (+ Canon AU) [III] | Recs - Historical AU [I] | Recs - Historical AU [II] | Recs - Modern AU [I] | Recs - Modern AU [II] | Recs - Modern AU [III] | Recs - Modern AU [IV] | Recs - Modern AU [V] | Recs - Modern AU [VI] | Recs - Miscellaneous AU
20th Century
Unspecified year (Edwardian Era (pre-WWI))
Not A Word Beyond by ravenflight21; Three Parts; PG-13; historical homophobia; for reel_merlin for the prompt Maurice; Arthur/Merlin (+ Arthur/Lance and Gwen/Lance); 13k words
Author's Summary: Arthur Pendragon is good-looking, athletic and from an excellent family - everything he needs for a conventional, successful life. He gradually realises, however, he’s attracted to his own sex, and the discovery turns his world upside down.
Art by gealach_ros
one | two | three
★At Swim, Two Boys by lyryk; NC-17; Major character death, dub con, sleep sex, violence; for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwaine/Merlin, Gwaine/Galahed, Gwen/Lancelot); 21.5k words
Author's Summary: Based on the novel by Jamie O'Neill. Historical (early twentieth century) AU. As the conflict between the authorities and magic users threatens to escalate into civil war, two boys are drawn to each other, and find an unexpected ally in the form of a disgraced aristocrat.
1911
★ Gentleman, Burglar by rotrude; One Part; NC-17; 5k words
Author's Summary: The Pendragon mansion gets burgled during a soirée. Some thefts take a bit of sleight of hand. Inspired by Maurice Lebanc's Arsene Lupin stories. The title is a nod to them.
LJ | AO3
1912
Salt, Water, My Wounds by ohwhimsy; Three parts; NC-17; character death, angst; 20k words
Author's Summary: This is for reel_merlin with the prompt Titanic.
one | two | three
The Entail by rotrude; Four Parts;NC-17; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwen/Lancelot, Alvarr/Morgana, Freya/Merlin, past Arthur/OC); 33k words
Author's Summary: Vaguely based on Downton Abbey. Early 1912. Things start to change at the Pendragon manor when Merlin Emrys is hired as the new valet to Arthur Pendragon, the Earl of Albion. Meanwhile a shooting party is scheduled and the Lady Morgana has to learn to deal with an antiquated law system any way she thinks she can.
one | two | three | four
1913
Destiny That Darkly Hides Us by nympha-alba; Seven Parts; NC-17; War, angst, minor character death, major character death (temporary/reincarnation); 40.5k words
Author's Summary: Historical AU with magic. It's 1913, the practice of homosexuality is unlawful, so is the practice of magic. When Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Emrys meet as Cambridge undergrads, they are both hungry for a real and true connection without secrets. For a short time they believe they may have found it. But war breaks out and separates them, and it seems unlikely that they will meet again. After all, what are the odds?
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | end notes | AO3 | art by tindu
1914
Leaves You, Alone by pixieblues; One Part; R; Character death; 750 words
Author's Summary: Written for Challenge 2 at the summerpornathon and was placed third (*flails happily*). Prompt was AU!fic. Set in WWI. An insight into the life of Merlin Emrys, and his relationship with Colonel Arthur Pendragon.
Note: Originally posted here (9).
Note [II]: Not explicitly stated that this starts in 1914, but it does start with Merlin enlisting at 17 and ends with him 20 years old.
The Nine of Wands by sunawareness; Two (four) parts; R;
Author's Summary: In 1914 Merlin decides to indulge a demanding young soldier, Arthur Pendragon. In spite of himself he falls in love, only to find that when returning on leave the young Pendragon doesn't seem to want him anymore. Can their destined love over come the troubled times? A love story which takes the characters from 1914 to 1918, from London to war torn France.
one (a) | one (b) | two (a) | two (b)
Note:This journal has been deleted and purged, and I am unable to locate this fic anywhere else.
Unspecified year (WWI)
trrrnch (smile, smile, smile) by joan-waterhouse; One Part; PG-13; WWI battlefield; For merlin-muses; 2200 words
Author's Summary: And then was now and now was then, and all the ages were but one, and the pain that tore his heart to pieces ripped from his soul Magic.
Journal | Merlin Muses | AO3
Tender Comrade by fr333bird; One Part; NC-17; For summerpornathon's AU challenge originally posted here (22);
Summary: “What will you do when the war is over?” Merlin’s voice is soft against his neck, barely audible over the constant boom of the shells.
1916
In War, There Are No Unwounded Soldiers by giselleslash; One Part; PG; WWI; 4400 words
Author's Summary: Written for this prompt at the KMM: dog tags/'come back to me'
One Last Time by nyargles; One Part; NC-17; 746 words
Author's Summary: For the summerpornathon Challenge 2: AU, and to fill my quill_it prompt tense. WWI trench warfare fic. The day before The Big Push.
Note: Originally posted here (27).
1917
My Fair Arty by batgurl88; Nine Parts; PG-13; 52k words
Author's Summary: Arthur is a royal who can't remember his past. Merlin and Gaius are con-men, hoping to return Arthur to Uther for a hefty reward, but little do they know they have the real deal on their hands.
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine
Note: Anastasia AU, Russian Revolution
Poppies for Young Men by rotrude; One Part; PG; Violence (war scene), wound treatment; 1140 words
Author's Summary: Written as a fill for this kinkme_merlin prompt: Arthur/Merlin War!AU I'm about to lose my mind/You've been gone for so long /I'm running out of time/ I need a doctor/ Call me a doctor/ I need a doctor, doctor/ To bring me back to life
1922
★Only Yesterday by riventhorn; Three Parts; NC-17; Cross dressing; 7.5k words
Author Summary: Written for the kinkme_merlin prompt: Arthur/Merlin, where one of them is wearing a full-skirted, floor-length gown and the other is extremely turned on and gives him a blowjob underneath it. Set in London in the 1920s. (+ Gray Lace and Satin Roses: Arthur loves pretty things and Merlin loves Arthur in them. A Golden Day: A sweep of blue silk lay on the bed, bright against the white coverlet. Arthur reached out to caress it before he could stop himself.)
Gray Lace and Satin Roses | Blue Danube | A Golden Day | AO3
1925
Paris in the Spring by graspthethorn; One Part; R; For the AU challenge at summerpornathon originally posted here (9); 759 words
Author's Summary: he was devouring his second breakfast, a handful of fried potatoes he had just bought for four centimes from a street-vendor.
1928
When Death Is Only the Beginning. (How the Bainbridge Scholars Were Mistaken) by rotrude; Four Parts; NC-17; character death; Written for reel_merlin with the prompt The Mummy; 31k words
Author's Summary: Cairo, 1928. Merlin Emrys is a special librarian and aspiring archaeologist. One day his brother, Will, brings him a new find of his: it could lead them to the fabled city of Amunhaptra, resting place of the pharaohs, and to some unforeseen adventures.
one | two | three | four
Unspecified year (1930s)
Masquerade by alba17; Two Parts; R; Homophobia appropriate to the period; For merlin-muses; 15.2k words
Author's Summary: 1930’s Hollywood AU. When the studio offers Arthur the role of a lifetime, is he willing to pay the price? In which there there is much drinking of champagne, Elena in trousers, a voyage at sea, and Merlin playing Chopin.
one | two | DW | AO3
1939
Where the Shadows Cease by miakun; One part; R; Minor off-screen character death, historical homophobia; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwen/Morgana) for camelotsolstice; 5579 words
Author's Summary: In the summer of 1939, Merlin tries to find something to write about in Spain and instead finds Arthur.
Title from La Fuite de la Lune by Oscar Wilde.
Camelot Solstice Post | Journal Re-post
Nota bene: The camelotsolstice link works, but the works on miafic are no longer online.
The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions by writteninhaste; One Part; PG-13; WWII, angst that completely shattered me, historical homophobia; Arthur/Merlin
Author's Summary: On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. By October 16 the ghetto had been established and over 100,000 Jews died from starvation or disease. An underground escape route was established through the sewers. Until the liberation of Warsaw in 1945, many men and women risked their lives trying to help Jews escape Nazi persecution. Merlin tried to help as best he could and it was in doing so, that he was reunited with Arthur.
Unspecified year (WWII)
We Carry the Dead in Our Hands by i-claudia; One Part; R; Character death (major); Arthur/Merlin (implied) (+ Arthur/Gwen); 2732 words
Author's Summary: “Mrs. Pendragon,” the uniformed man at her door says when she opens it, and Gwen doesn’t have to see the expression on his face or the telegram in his hands to know.
Note: Inspired by The Death of Captain Waskow, by Ernie Pyle
Temporary Note: I moved this down a little, timeline wise, because while WWII started in 1939 (for most countries), this fic is set during the war and so after Where the Shadows Cease, which is set the summer before the war, and The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions, which starts with the invasion of Poland.
tl;dr I'm a bit anal retentive.
★ One in Six by riventhorn; One Part; PG; 1.1k words
Author's Summary: WWII AU. Merlin is home on leave and telling his mum about the crew of the Lancaster bomber Excalibur.
LJ | AO3
1940
Knights of the Air by riventhorn; Five Parts; R; Character death (minor); 35k words
Author's Summary: It is the summer of 1940, and the Battle of Britain rages in the skies. As the Luftwaffe sends hundreds of bombers and fighters to prepare the way for an invasion, it is up to the pilots of the RAF to stop them.
one | two | three | four | five | music | glossary | AO3 | five pieces of art by amphigoury
1941
Of All The Gin Joints In All The World by rotrude; One Part; R; 2270 words
Author's Summary: Casablanca inspired scene. December 1941, Arthur meets someone from his past, someone he'd never thought he'd see again. Or let Arthur be Humphrey Bogart for once, because he'd look dashing in a white Tuxedo.
Tomorrow's Dust by i-claudia; One Part; NC-17; 2300 words
Author's Summary: His mother does not know or does not choose to speak of it. The neighbors, for all their spying, their peeking behind closed shutters opened only the merest of cracks, see nothing. It is only Merlin himself who carries this secret, layered within, lodged as a knife in his breast.
Note: This does not explicitly state it is set in 1941, but I put it here because Paris was occupied and the armistice was signed in June of 1940, so this reads like it would take place in the spring of the following year, in my opinion.
Unspecified year (1950's)
Behind Closed Doors by anon*; Comment fic on kinkme_merlin; Three Parts; NC-17; Threesome, violence, bondage; Arthur/Merlin (+ Arthur/Gwen, Merlin/Gwen, Arthur/Gwen/Merlin)
Prompt: Arthur/Gwen/Merlin, nineteen-fifties AU. "If only they knew."
Note: Inspired by Film Noir by pandora-gold originally posted in response to the same prompt here (also on DA).
Note II: Author de-anoned but has since removed the reposted version.
1963
What's Puzzling You Is the Nature of My Game by burningqueen; WIP; PG-13 (currently)
Author's Summary: It's 1963, the Cold War is in full swing, and Arthur Pendragon, agent of Her Majesty's Secret Service, is about to meet the Service's newest Russian double agent: Merlin Emrys.
This is completely beautiful.
one | two | three | four | five | six
1964
★ Can't Buy Me Love by shes-gone; Two Parts; NC-17; For merlin-games; 20k words
Author's Summary: In which it's 1964, Camelot is an advertising agency with a budget problem, Merlin is a copywriter who loves to twist, and Arthur is a junior partner who loves to shout. More or less. (Mad Men au)
Journal post: one | two | Merlin Games post: one | two | AO3
1965
Shake Your Windows and Rattle Your Walls by rosemaryandrue; Two Parts; PG; 5953 words
Author's Summary: They're all at Oxford in the 1960s, and Arthur's infatuated. (+ Were You Up For Pendragon?: Sequel to Shake Your Windows and Rattle Your Walls. Election Night, 1997, and there's only one Tory that Merlin wants to keep his seat.)
Shake Your Windows and Rattle Your Walls | Were You Up For Pendragon?
1969
As It Ever Was (or, Arthur and Merlin do Woodstock) by waldorph; One Part; NC-17; Drug use, reincarnation, character death (major); 3011 words
Author's Summary: Merlin fucking loves this decade.
LJ | AO3
★ We Are Stardust, We Are Golden by burningqueen; One Part; PG-13; 1.6k words
Author's Summary: The Merlin gang does Woodstock.
Unspecified year (1970's)
You Should Be Dancing by glimmergirl; drabble/ficlet 3 of 3; M; 1.9k words
Author's Summary: 70's disco club and dirty dancing
LJ | AO3
1977
Always Crashing In the Same Car by glimmergirl; One Part; M; 6400 words
Author's Summary: Written for the kinkme_merlin prompt that requested a Merlin and Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes fusion where Arthur is Gene Hunt and Merlin could be Sam Tyler or Alex Drake.
LJ | AO3
1978
Cyclical by anon; Comment Fic on kinkme_merlin (not reposted as far as I know); Reincarnation, character deaths (past) (major), character death (major); Four Parts
Prompt: Arthur/Merlin, AU. San Francisco, 1970s.
Note: Arthur is Harvey Milk (reincarnated). Merlin is Scott Smith (reincarnated).
Unspecified year (1980's)
Untitled by anon; Comment Fic on kinkme_merlin; Three Parts; NC-17; Prostitution, injuries, implied violence, underage (17)
Prompt: 80's AU; Merlin is a 17 year-old lot lizard, Arthur is a 20 something trucker.
Not quite Historical AU's and not quite Modern AU's:
1990's
Unspecified year (1990's)
Fame and Fortune by melusinahp; Seven Parts; NC-17; 42k words
Author's Summary: AU set in Los Angeles, California during the 1990's. Arthur is a movie star. Merlin is a waiter. The word "prat" is used.
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | art (or here) (DA) by tindu
★ Coming Up by xthursdaynextx; Five Parts; R/NC-17; 40k words
Author's Summary: 90s high school AU. Merlin can think of a billion reasons why moving to Camelot-on-Sea in the middle of his A-levels is a terrible idea. He would much rather play his guitar than work in his uncle's chip shop and he has no intention of making friends. Until he joins head boy Arthur Pendragon's wannabe-Britpop band and finds himself falling head over heels for the stuck-up prat.
one | two | three | four | five | AO3 | playlist | art by anoracle
1994
Could It Be Magic by planejane; Two Parts; NC-17; For glomp-fest; 12k words
Author's Summary: It’s early 1994, and age of consent for gay men is lowered from twenty-one to eighteen, which frees nineteen-year-old Merlin to pursue the Lesbian and Gay Society (LGSoc) golden boy, Arthur Pendragon. From the very beginning the attraction is mutual, but what they both discover as they fall head over heels, is that an even bigger freedom comes from knowing you’re truly loved, for everything you are.
one | two | AO3
1995
This Hide-and-Seek Makes Me An Addict: A Most Excellent Tale In Four Parts by syllic; One Part; PG-13; Arthur/Merlin (+ 'Bedevere'/'Tristan') 3600 words
Author's Summary: Uh. Written for worldwouldend's birthday, and, in the fine (for "fine" read "horrifying") tradition of birthday fiction written on this journal, effing ridiculous. Merlin is stranded in Mississippi (while underage) until Arthur calls him up for a little venture he likes to call Shiny Windsuits and Wind Machine, With Profit.
LJ | AO3
Unspecified year (approx. 1995)
Destiny Calling by sophieisgod; Three parts; PG-13; 6 POV's; for reel_merlin; Arthur/Merlin (+ Gwen/Morgana, slight Gwen/Lancelot, Sophia/Will, past Arthur/Sophia); 17k words
Author's Summary: In which Merlin is guided by a force much greater than luck, Lancelot is excessively chivalrous, and Morgana is a very angry and confused young woman.
Art by lovestories
prologue | one | two| notes (+ 90's primer) | soundtrack
1997
★ Step By Step by eldee-fic; NC-17; 66.87k words
Author's Summary: The Knights: A Boy Band. (Or, rather, the ten year span of how Arthur Pendragon discovers who he truly is by going from teen idol to solo sensation, maintaining friendships with his Knights and close staff, inheriting a musical empire, and happening to find his #1 fan, best friend, and eventual love along the way.)
AO3 | art by gwyntastic
1999
★ Snapshots: Summer 1999 by glimmergirl; Five Parts; M; 8.3k words
Author's Summary: Wherein Arthur and Merlin work at the Camelot diner, drive down the shore, and manage to fall in love the summer before they leave for college. Modern AU, set in New Jersey at the end of the '90s. (A Take Your Fandom Home fic.)
Snapshots: Summer 1999 | Untitled (Jerseyfic) | Summer Vacation | August Rain | Sunday, November 21, 1999, 10.45pm | AO3 | Songmix: Snapshots
Miscellaneous
Romance and Cigarettes on the High Seas by lassroyale; One Part; PG-13; Written for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; Arthur/Merlin; 1127 words
Author's Summary: Arthur and Merlin are sailors who share cigarette and a moment, in the shade of the sails aboard the good ship Camelot.
I see this as late 19th Century. Nothing said as far as year.
Cultivation and Growth by srin; One Part; NC-17; Written for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; Arthur/Merlin; 2k words
Author's Summary: Wherein Arthur becomes preoccupied with his gardener and acts rather inappropriately, and Merlin is okay with that.
I like to think this is late 19th or early 20th century. All said was that this is 'not quite modern'.
A Color For Every Desire by phreakycat; One Part; NC-17; 3910 words
Author's Summary: Modern AU, Written for the kinkme_merlin prompt: Arthur/Merlin, shag bands.
This is here (even though the author says modern day AU) because when I'm reading this, I see it as a 1990's AU (or possibly early 2000's). Which means nothing other than I'm quite ridiculous.
2+ historical settings (reincarnation)
★ Though the Legends Cannot Be Trusted by burningqueen; One Part; PG-13; 2.4k words
Author's Summary: "Arthur would never admit it to anyone but himself, but he's always quite liked reading." Because Merlin/Arthur and Achilles/Patrocolus are basically the same ship.
★ True North by kroki-refur; One Part; PG-13; Written for this prompt on kinkme_merlin; 6.8k words
Author's Summary: Arthur is given a compass that is unable to tell north from south, but always points him to where Merlin is.