2023 Summaries for Artist Claiming!
Below you will find the summaries available for artists to claim. Only artists who have officially signed up for the After Camlann Big Bang will be eligible to claim a summary.
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Claims will open in a separate post on Saturday, June 3 at 3pm BST.
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On June 3rd, claims will be on a first come-first served basis. You will be able to pick a 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th choice. You may claim one summary in the first round. If there are any unclaimed prompts after everyone has picked, then we will open up another round of claims for artists to claim additional summaries.
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Unfortunately LJ has recently disabled anonymous comments, so we will have 2 ways for artists to claim summaries when claiming opens next Saturday: you can either log into your LJ account and leave a comment on the claiming post, or you can fill out an Airtable that will be linked on the claiming post. We will still be assigning matches on a first-come, first-served basis based on timestamps. Please do not fill out both methods - only choose one!
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Number 1: CLAIMED
Title: A Smooth Sea Never Made A Skilled Pirate
Current Word Count: 25,971
Estimated Final Word Count: 40k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Arthur & Leon
Content Warnings: No archive warnings should apply, but there will be canon typical violence, and several injuries (mostly to Arthur, he has a lot of head trauma).
Art/Podfic Preferences: While I love all art types, and everything you lovely creators make, I do think traditional, digital, or graphic art would be the best for this fic.
Art Specifics: I don’t intend to have any smut here, so I don’t expect anything explicit. However, if you aren’t comfortable drawing water/different outfits for the characters, then this probably isn’t the best for you, either. It is optional, but you can also help me design pirate outfits for Arthur, Merlin, Gwaine, Lancelot, and Leon! None of these outfits are written into the story yet and just have place holders, but I can create them on my own too if that is not your speed.
There are several scenes written so far that I think would be good to look into drawing, however, including a heart to heart between Arthur and Leon as Arthur is throwing things into the ocean, a heart to heart with Arthur and Merlin up in the crow’s nest, or a few fighting scenes that could involve Arthur and Merlin, including Merlin helping Arthur off of the ground of a tavern, Merlin and Arthur sword fighting back to back, or Merlin and Arthur sparring with each other on the deck of the ship.
Podfic Specifics: English
Fic Summary for Artists:
Camelot is now a port city, with a young and carefree prince who longs to spend some time on the sea. However, Uther won’t allow it, and until now, Arthur has listened to him. Instead, he sneaks out of the castle with the help of his friend, Leon, who covers for him as he explores the town and the docks. It isn’t until Uther reveals that he has arranged a marriage for Arthur with a princess who isn’t fond of the sea that Arthur realizes if he stays, he will be locked into a position and a marriage that will never make him happy. He runs away right into Merlin, who is resting at a tavern and, after hearing that Arthur is looking for a way to get onto a ship, proposes an idea to help them both get on a nearby pirate ship.
Merlin convinces Arthur to help him rob the castle, and Arthur goes along with it on the promise that he can finally get out on the sea. Not everything goes to plan here, however, and Merlin finds out that Arthur is actually the prince while completing their small heist. They manage to escape once again thanks to Leon, but before they make it to the ship, Arthur is knocked out. He then finds out that Merlin was Captain Emrys all along, and had only planned for Arthur to take the fall in the castle if they were caught. Now, though, he can earn them so much more money by sending a ransom back to Camelot.
Arthur spends his first few days at sea stuck in the brig with only Gwaine to keep him company before an attack from a rival pirate ship means Merlin dresses Arthur up as a crewmate and sets him free to help fight and increase his chances of surviving. After Arthur saves Merlin, he’s reluctantly made a temporary member of the crew. He quickly grows on everyone and begins to feel like a real member until they dock again and receive Uther’s response to the ransom, suddenly reminded of the money they can get by returning Arthur.
After lots of arguing and debating, it’s determined they don’t actually want to lose Arthur. However, he’s still going to be returned to Camelot-Uther will pay them the money, Arthur will spend a few hours back in the castle, and then they will break him out again once more. After they succeed, they plan to continue to con the kingdom out of their money until maybe one day, the kingdom will fall and the people will be freed from a ruler.
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Number 2: CLAIMED
Title: Sorcerers take camelot
Current Word Count: 14,366
Estimated Final Word Count: 25,000
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Graphic violence (begins with sorcerers overthrowing Camelot, Uther and a lot of unnamed characters are killed), MCD (Uther), fear that loved ones have been killed (Arthur spends first few thousand words worrying Morgana might be dead), captivity (Merlin claims Arthur in order to protect him from the sorcerers who want him dead, Arthur is concerned what this might entail but it's Merlin so obviously it entails nothing bad)
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional art, digital art, moodboards/aesthetics
Art Specifics: Preferred rating G-T
Podfic Specifics: N/A
Fic Summary for Artists:
Told from Arthur's POV.
Short summary: Camelot overthrown by sorcerers (inc Merlin, Nimueh, Morgause). Uther executed, Arthur is Merlin's prisoner because alternative is his execution too (Arthur unimpressed, cue murder and escape attempts). Morgana gets Merlin to give Arthur more freedom, training with knights, slowly sees not all sorcerers bad, hears prophecy about him and Merlin from Kilgarrah. Nimueh, unhappy with Merlin's management style, plots his death. Arthur overhears plot, warns Merlin, big magical challenge battle, kiss for good luck. Merlin wins fight, super awkward around Arthur, sends him away on patrol knowing he might use opportunity to escape/rally allies rather than come back. Arthur comes back, happy ever after.
Detailed summary: Camelot is overthrown by a group of sorcerers headed by Nimueh, Morgause and Merlin (who never came to Camelot in this AU). Uther is promptly executed, and in order to save him from execution the new king (Merlin) claims Arthur. Arthur is not happy about this (understandably a bit worried about what being Merlin's property entails, plus his dad is dead and he's got no idea if Morgana survived the initial attack), makes several attempts on Merlin's life, eventually manages an escape attempt.
He's caught before he can get out, rescued by Morgana before he can be killed. Learns that Morgana is the mysterious queen he's heard mentioned but never met (co-ruling with Merlin rather than being his wife), that she's magic, and that she conspired with Morgause to start the initial attack. Again, Arthur is understandably not happy.
Morgana convinces Merlin that while keeping Arthur locked in his room might be keeping him safe, it's also not great. Arthur is allowed to roam Camelot under guard (for his protection), which is when he starts to realise that while Nimueh might be a bad guy and Morgause might be cold most sorcerers are just normal people. He begins training again, meets the knights, realises Leon isn't dead, sort of adjusts to his new life.
Dragons arrive, Arthur horrified but also kind of awed when he sees twiglet Merlin can control them. Kilgharrah demands an audience with Arthur alone, Merlin basically shrugs and leaves them to it. K tells Arthur there’s a prophecy about him and Merlin, and that he needs to help Merlin be a better king. Arthur isn’t impressed. Later, Merlin tells him whatever K said is probably garbage, prophecies are bullshit.
Merlin studying records in the evenings, grumbles to Morgana that it’s stupid and ridiculous and Arthur huffs and says it’s not that hard.
Start working together on more things, slow buildup of trust (Merlin watches Arthur on the field, praises him, stops keeping him away from sharp objects, Arthur sees harmless magic (fixing grazed knees, summoning flowers when people are sad, etc), Arthur realises he actually has the opportunity to kill him now and yet he doesn't because he- fuck, he actually likes him and sees he wants what's best for everyone)
Nimueh thinks Merlin is too soft, tries to off him - Arthur overhears plan, agonises for a while, breaks and tells Merlin just before it's going to happen. Merlin reminds Nimueh there's a reason he's king and if she wants to overthrow him she can challenge him. Doesn't expect her to say yes, because he's more powerful. She does.
Big magic fight. Arthur finds himself encouraging Merlin beforehand, knows kingdom is better with Merlin than Nimueh, kiss for luck, *shit what the fuck was that why did I do it arrrgh*
Merlin wins, Nimueh dead, awkward conversation that night in their room about how Arthur doesn't owe him anything for keeping him alive and safe, no obligation, Merlin will never ask, etc
Arthur tuts, rolls his eyes, demands Merlin pass him his paperwork so he can show him what he's doing wrong this time, wonders how he'd feel if Merlin did ask
Merlin sends Arthur out on patrol to border, clear gesture of trust, knows might not come back or might return with an army, but what will be will be
Gwaine tells Arthur Merlin told him not to stop him if he tries to run - keep himself alive but let Arthur go if that's what he wants. Arthur doesn't think it is.
Patrol returns, Arthur still there. Actually happy to come home. Missed Camelot, missed Merlin.
Merlin hearing petitions, asks for Arthur's advice (have a seat, tell me what you think - seat where? - conjures throne next to him, big dumb gesture, Arthur sits)
Merlin arranged room for Arthur while he was gone, Arthur realises how much he was looking forward to sharing space with him again, squabbling over paperwork and arguing merits of different approaches to things, sharing food, hearing him snore at night.
Goes to Merlin. Smooches.
Year anniversary of overthrow, Arthur walking through castle, kingdom at peace, all is well.
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Number 3: CLAIMED
Title: The Chough's Call
Current Word Count: 54,171
Estimated Final Word Count: 90,000
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Minor Character Death (Antagonists Only), Violence (Comparable to Show)
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional Art or Digital Art preferred. Would be open to a fanvid or fanmix.
Art Specifics: I'm open to any of the scenes being created that are from the story. Some things that might be fun to work with could be the visions that Arthur gets, the final battle, how the refugee sanctuary looks (an overgrown stone city in the mountains with many dragon designs around an a castle with a dome), a mural of the Once and Future King that appears later in the story, or even something related to Arthur's tarot decks or his chough companion.
Podfic Specifics: Podfic not preferred.
Fic Summary for Artists:
When Arthur went back to his hometown to find his missing sister, he wasn’t sure what he would find. He simply hoped that there would be some clue that would lead him to her. A clue, he did find, but instead of pointing him in a direction, it led to him being knocked out and waking up in a different world, one with magic.
Taken, rescued, and now staying in a refugee sanctuary, Arthur was now not just searching for his sister but also the figure known in history and legend as the Once and Future King. As he works as an assistant to a sorcerer named Merlin, befriends a group of knights, and is accompanied with his childhood figurine turned living chough, Arthur starts to question if he would want to go home after all of this is over. Of course, that is only if the others and him can survive the prophecy, the return of the ancient evil known as the Ivory, and if Emrys can fulfill his part by finding the Once and Future King.
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Number 4: CLAIMED
Title: A Reluctant Prince
Current Word Count: 18,390
Estimated Final Word Count: 29-30k
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: some violence
Art/Podfic Preferences: traditional art, digital/graphic art
Art Specifics: I don't mind what rating the art is.
Chibi / cartoon type art is not really my thing - other than that I'm happy with anything in traditional art or digital / graphic art.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Modern Royalty AU with magic
Prince Arthur is not happy. He will do his duty and put aside his own preferences for the sake of his father, the crown and his people. And then he meets Merlin the Magnificent, a stage magician with secrets in his past even he doesn't know about. They fall in love but it seems like a doomed romance - and there is an enemy waiting to strike.
Some visuals (without giving too much of the plot away at this stage!)
- Merlin does a stage show that includes a dragon swooping over the audience
- Gwen is an artist and paints scenes on their magic props
- Arthur and Merlin spend a week at Ygraine's country home - a beautiful Palladian manor house
- Arthur and Merlin meet after Merlin has performed at a Royal Variety Performance. They meet in the receiving line afterwards - Gwen is Merlin's assistant (though she wears a tuxedo, not the usual skimpy dress!)
- Lance is one of Arthur's bodyguards - he mistakenly tackles Gwen to the ground outside Merlin's flat
- There are many scenes with Arthur and Merlin together
- Merlin and Gaius in Arthur's room at the palace. Merlin has written a fantasy novel and it is in Arthur's room, a slightly dog-eared copy, face down
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Number 5: CLAIMED
Title: Le Chanson de Voloir (The Song of Vows)
Current Word Count: 15,025
Estimated Final Word Count: 25,000
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Mithian, Vivian/Elena, Morgana & Arthur, Gwen & the knights, Gwen & Merlin, Merlin & Gwaine, Leon & Elyan
Content Warnings:
-attempted murder
-some narrated violence
Art/Podfic Preferences: If pressed, I would prefer digital/graphic art, but honestly would be so so pleased with and grateful for anything you make for my fic!
Art Specifics: I have no specific requests for visual art. I really just want my writing and your work to compliment each other, which I am confident they will!
Podfic Specifics: I use english, and some dragonspeak in my fic (just the bit of Merlin calling Kilgarrah). I will be sectioning my fic into chapters, so though I am not sure what specific sections would be best for a podfic, They will be in chunks that are more manageable on their own!
Fic Summary for Artists:
Ten years before the series’ events, Arthur, Morgana, Gwen, Leon, and Elyan chanced to meet at a tourney in Camelot. They explore the catacombs together and are cornered by a strange, magical creature to whom they all make promises.
Flash forward to Season 3, and all but Gwen have broken the promises and largely forgotten about that strange incident. Besides, they all have one much more pressing matter: three kings are visiting Camelot to present their daughters, Vivian, Elena, and Mithian, for Arthur’s betrothal. Arthur is ambivalent towards the whole affair, and Merlin is far too overworked for anything to go wrong. However, the day the princesses are supposed to arrive... Arthur has disappeared! As have Lady Morgana, her maidservant, the captain of Uther’s guard, and the old blacksmith’s son!
They have been magically kidnapped by the trickster from their pasts, who challenges each of those who have broken their promises to a series of trials to make up for it. While this goes smoothly for Gwen, Leon, and Elyan... Arthur had promised to do right by all people of Camelot, and Morgana had promised to always cherish the friends she had that very day- Arthur a vital part of that group. Working out their differences involves breaking down the thick walls of secrets and denial both have built, promising neither to come around unchanged.
Meanwhile, Merlin is near hysterics. He cannot find Arthur, and Uther has made it quite clear that if the prince does not show up to greet the princesses, Merlin will be the one to pay for it. Desperate, he magically disguises a visiting Gwaine as Arthur, who will have to court all of the princesses and keep up the guise until Arthur returns. However, he seems keener to play matchmaker for Vivian and Elena and pester Merlin over his crush on Arthur than to do “his” duty.
Gwen is released early (as she kept her realistic promise to be the best apprentice to her father that she could be). She is similarly drafted to play as Morgana. However, she soon learns of one final, deadly wrench in Merlin’s plan- Morgause is in Camelot, disguised as Vivian’s lady-in-waiting, and expects “Morgana” to help her kill the king!
Possible Visuals/ Scenery:
- Children! Gwen, Morgana, Arthur, Elyan, and Leon dressed in fancy “medieval” clothing (think show-canon “medieval”) and knights’ heraldry for Leon- either at a joust or finding an impish trickster in the catacombs
- The same group of characters as adults in Ancient Celtic/ Gallic clothing (I can provide reference material if desired- vibes are just visually archaic from the medievalist setting of Camelot), interacting with the same trickster character in an old forest-castle setting
- Ancient ruins in a forest, or alternately a lofty fortress/temple; an old labyrinth that Morgana and Arthur are trying to navigate; Camelot as-per the show, but decked out with heraldry, banners, and all that jazz
- Merlin and Gwaine (disguised as Arthur) treating with various princesses (as well as Morgause dressed as a lady-in-waiting) at Camelot; Similarly, Gwen disguised as Morgana, treating with the court at Camelot
- There are four princesses (Mithian, Elena, Vivian, and an OC), all of whose kingdoms I made up heraldry for, so there will be a noted presence of sigils and bold-colored banners/ gallantry, which I fear the show sorely lacks at times.
- I want this work to emulate the vibes of the show, so both kind of goofy and corny while also being severe and melodramatic at points, with this kind of random magic and trickery that is flavored with new and exciting scenery, but brought back to the images of Camelot and through-line of court life for the main characters (I hope that makes sense lol). Whatever the art accompaniment is (be it illustrations, podfic, concept art, boards, or anything else) would ideally lean into the shared corn and melodrama of the show in whatever way the artist feels works best with their medium and style.
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Number 6: CLAIMED
Title: Labyrinth of Gedref: Hard Mode
Current Word Count: 40k
Estimated Final Word Count: 40k
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: canon-typical violence, blood and injury, so many minor character deaths, explicit sexual content
Art/Podfic Preferences: i would love traditional or digital art
Art Specifics: i'm happy with any rating, and i don't have any specific preferences for art styles or anything like that
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Instead of participating in a deadly drinking game by the sea to save Camelot from unicorn-related famine, Arthur finds himself in a cave, along with a bunch of total strangers. The catch? The only thing each of them remembers is their name. Before panic can truly set in, an old man with a staff appears out of thin air to tell them it’s all part of a test: only the first of them to reach the exit will be permitted to leave. The others won’t be so lucky… The quest sounds straightforward enough, but on the way, Arthur and his fellow amnesiacs are faced with wicked traps, dangerous creatures, and some threats that may even come from within their group. And as if that’s not enough trouble to face without his memories to guide him, Arthur also has to deal with his increasingly distracting feelings for a certain dark-haired sorcerer among their group, going by the name of ‘Merlin’…
What can you as an artist expect from the fic? This story takes place during the episode "The Labyrinth of Gedref", so in addition to the core four, there’s a bunch of pre-1x11 characters (Mordred, Edwin, Valiant, Sophia, Will, Lancelot, Gaius). Also, there is quite a bit of canon-typical violence and injury, and what appears to be a LOT of minor character deaths, so if that’s not your thing you might want to avoid this one. Visuals mostly include caves, tunnels, and more caves, various creatures such as Serkets and giant baby rats, lots of fighting and running, sooo many spheres of magic to light up the dark tunnels, eleven (well, initially eleven) strangers slowly learning to work as a team, and Merlin and Arthur generally kicking ass.
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Number 7: CLAIMED
Title: Cabbages and Kings
Current Word Count: 21k
Estimated Final Word Count: 35k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Canon-typical everything
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional Art or Graphic art
Art Specifics: As this is essentially a canon rewrite there’s the opportunity for screen cap redraws as well as original scenes. A lot more interaction between the big 4 (Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana) both explicit and implicit in the story so art that has all four of them in it would be great. The fic will be maximum T-rated, so no Explicit art, please.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Arthur dies at the end of S5 and gets yeeted back to the beginning of S1Ep1. This time, he’s aware of magic and gets to watch the events of the first few episodes unfold, this time knowing about Merlin and with a very different opinion on Magic itself. He also can’t help but meddle in things and feels strongly about making changes to the timeline so events start to veer out of the canon really fast. Arthur starts a magical railroad, Merlin is sus of Arthur’s motivations, and Uther is oblivious to the fact that his son is a completely different person all of a sudden.
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Number 8: CLAIMED
Title: Merthur does The Wire
Current Word Count: 22,569
Estimated Final Word Count: 30-35k
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Addiction, Recovery, Character Illness, Vomiting (this is fairly graphically written), Near Death, Depression, Seizures. All that applies to Merlin. Morally Grey!Morgana (though this is very very peripheral)
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional art, Digital art, textile art all welcome. Anything visual is welcome.
Art Specifics: My fic has nothing sexually explicit in it so I wouldn’t imagine there would be any of that to draw about, but nothing sexually explicit. Other than that, I don’t have any preference. Go nuts, as long as you don’t show nuts XD
Podfic Specifics: Having never listened to a podfic or even really any audiobooks I'm not quite sure what to put here.
Fic Summary for Artists:
Following the dragons attack upon Camelot, Arthur notices Merlin’s health deteriorating. When Arthur is brought to Merlin drunk in a hallway, Merlin has a seizure. Upon bringing Merlin to Gaius, Arthur finds out Merlin’s magic has gone wild and is attacking him. As Gaius struggles to find out what’s wrong with Merlin, Arthur vows to see Merlin returned to health no matter the cost.
Arthur nurses Merlin as he struggles with the initial withdrawals from a spell. We see this in a series of snapshots, not sitting too heavily in each bleak moment. When Merlin gets worse, Gaius tells Arthur Merlin’s only hope for recovery is for Arthur to confront Kilgarrah and beg for something to help Merlin. So Arthur does. Merlin recovers and in a quiet moment when Merlin’s better, feelings are revealed.
If you’ve seen the DS9 episode, The Wire, the story is vaguely based around the plot of that episode, but you don’t need to have seen the episode to enjoy or understand the fic. It’ll just sit as a fun little easter egg for those that have.
This story involves addiction and addiction recovery. Despite the rather grim looking warnings, it is ultimately about recovery and hope, but there is a rough road to get there. Merlin’s magic is revealed and that reveal involves Merlin telling the tale of Kilgarrah being released in a number of different ways, none of which truly captures the true circumstances of his release.
The story is set in canon era, just following the dragons attack. Camelot is still recovering. Morgana did not get taken by Morgause; her and Merlin worked out a solution that didn’t involve Morgana being betrayed. Despite this she is still an angry and scared person whose beliefs are absolute. She is morally grey in this, but her involvement is peripheral to the story. This is ultimately a story about Merlin and Arthur.
Arthur spends a lot of time pondering over his relationship with Merlin. There is a deep, deep well of a mess of love, care and duty towards Merlin within Arthur, and this story is about him figuring it out himself.
Some of the visuals/notes for artists:
- The story takes place largely within the bounds of Camelot, and primarily in Gaius’ and Arthur’s chambers.
- There is a scene in the end where Arthur faces down Kilgarrah, with no sword or armour in the clearing where Kilgarrah normally meets Merlin. Have not decided yet whether it’s in the day or night.
- There are a number of moments where Arthur is leaning over Merlin’s ill form, in Arthur’s bed, or in Gauis’ chambers. A lot of potential for angsty, hopeless (or hopeful and full of love) moments there.
- Closer to the end, there is a moment where Arthur and Merlin clasp hands, Merlin while sick in bed and Arthur about to go face down Kilgarrah. Arthur is leaning over Merlin and Merlin has just decided that death is preferable to living with his addiction (wow that sounds bleak, it’s really a very powerful, hopeful moment where Merlin decides to grab hold of his future and rest assured in Arthur’s return).
- There’s a lovely moment where a very conflicted Arthur is comforted? But not really comforted by Gwen in Gaius’ chamber. Her hand clasps his shoulders from where he’s sat on the ground, rethinking his whole relationship with Merlin.
- Merlin gets drunk on wine and sits himself on the floor of a hallway grasping a jug, yelling to Arthur to give back his jug (after Arthur takes it). It’s a rather sad moment but also a little funny and I think would be really effect in visual format.
- There is a lot of yelling in this fic. A lot of moments where Merlin and Arthur get in each others faces, or they gesticulate at each other from across the room or just yell from across the room. I think there’s a few moments that the motion of them could be captured really well in a visual format.
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Number 9: CLAIMED
Title: Nerdboy and the Incredible Prat
Current Word Count: 16k
Estimated Final Word Count: 25k
Fic Rating: General Audiences
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Morgana/Gwen
Content Warnings: Enemies to lovers. Making out in a public (but empty) hallway
Art/Podfic Preferences: I would prefer no podfics because I tend to edit until very late in the game. Besides that, all art is wonderful :)
Art Specifics: Please nothing explicit, although the fic also doesn't lend itself to that
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
The guy Merlin keeps running into at Comic Con, wearing matching cosplay, just might be his soulmate. Too bad he’s kind of an asshole.
Cosplayer and unabashed nerd Merlin lives for going to Comic Con every year. When he meets another cosplayer dressed, like him, as a Doctor Who at the pre-party, he's extremely excited - only to find out the guy is a giant prat. Unfortunately, he keeps running into Prat, and Prat keeps wearing very well made cosplays that match Merlin's painfully well. Thrown together by the fact that Arthur's cosplaying sister has taken a liking to Merlin's best friend and cottagecore queen Gwen, they romp around the convention, posing for instagram pictures and becoming mildly famous for their cosplays.
After three days of accidentally matching and slowly growing to like each other, Merlin and Arthur decide to enter a cosplay contest on their last days. Unfortunately, they only realize at the contest that they do not actually match this time - Arthur's male Rapunzel and Merlin's male Maleficent draw a lot of attention, but they're not a couple's cosplay. Enter Gwaine, Merlin's other best friend and a notorious flake. Cosplaying as Flynn Rider, he whisks Arthur away onto the stage in an attempt to win the contest. Merlin storms the stage in his full Maleficent get-up, duelling Gwaine with sword and Rapunzel's frying pan over the opportunity to compete with Arthur. Although he wins, all three of them end up getting disqualified. Merlin doesn't care, though - he's won his guy, and they have a ton of matching cosplays to plan.
The cosplays:
-Merlin as Doctor Who #11
Arthur as male Doctor Who #13 (Doctor Who)
-Merlin as Sherlock
Arthur as Watson
Morgana as female Sherlock (BBC Sherlock)
-Merlin as Loki
Arthur as Thor (Marvel Movies)
-Merlin as male Kiki (Kiki's Delivery Service)
Arthur as Howl (Howl's Moving Castle) (both Ghibli)
Morgana as Catwoman (DC)
-Merlin as male Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent)
Arthur as male Rapunzel
Gwaine as Flynn Ryder (both Tangled)
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Number 10: CLAIMED
Title: We Are Made for Flying
Current Word Count: 37,833
Estimated Final Word Count: 58k
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): The main pairing are Merlin/Arthur (Merthur), but Morgana/Leon, Gwen/Lancelot, Gwaine/Percival appear as well.
Content Warnings: Injuries occur but are not described graphically, Uther is a real catch (aka a bit of a meanie but nothing too drastic here either)
Art/Podfic Preferences: I'd love to work with traditional or digital/graphic art as I have done that before and loved it.
Art Specifics: As the story will probably be rated mature, I'd suggest that as the highest rating for the images as well.
I’d be absolutely happy with anything that is drawn for my story so please view the following as mere inspiration/ideas that I had.
- Merlin in the ring (either alone or with the rest of his team), in their dark, hooded costumes with mysterious stage lighting (possibly even smoke?)
- Merlin on his motorbike on the street, wearing his leather gear and a helmet (obviously), looking over his shoulder to wink at Arthur with an opened visor
- Arthur training with the crew: Arthur as he climbs up the rope ladder to the platform in the tent Merlin is sitting on, who is smiling down on him;
Arthur as he lifts up Merlin, holding him tightly by the waist while Merlin grins proudly; Arthur as he flies through the tent, grinning like a maniac
- Arthur and Merlin eating out at a cozy Indian place, sharing food and smiling happily
- Merlin and Arthur watching a movie in Merlin’s trailer after Merlin’s injury
- Merlin alone at night in the hospital, sitting in his wheelchair in the hallway while talking to Arthur over the phone
- Merlin and Arthur hugging on the bed, Arthur tries his best to keep his weight off of injured Merlin who mocks him over his shaking arms
- Merlin and Arthur hugging after they find out that Balinor knew Uther, Arthur tries to console him
- Merlin and Arthur on romantic walks through the winter wonderland that is Merlin’s hometown after Christmas
- Merlin and Arthur riding his motorbike into the sunset after finally making up again
Podfic Specifics: I'd prefer working with a traditional/digital artist since I don't think my story is really suitable to be podficced?
Fic Summary for Artists:
Merlin and Arthur meet at Camelot circus. While Merlin is an acrobat, living for the circus and the thrill, Arthur usually spends his days in his office at Pendragon & partners. He only attends a show because Uther invested in the circus for a reason Arthur cannot fathom at the time.
But when he lays eyes on Merlin, he is done for, and a complicated relationship is on the horizon. Merlin can’t stand Arthur at all, but they form an unlikely alliance to uncover the reason for Uther’s strange involvement.
Arthur gets to know life at Camelot and they grow closer while trying to solve the riddle that is Arthur’s father. Amidst all of it, they become friends.
But when Merlin is hurt in training and Arthur begs him to take it easy, it is revealed just how big the distance between their worlds actually is. They fight and make up as they always do but tensions are rising.
While Merlin is recovering, he finally meets Morgana who found her long lost friend Gwen at the circus. As they uncover the truth behind Uther’s investment and Arthur believes that they finally have peace, he finds that Merlin has a setback in his recovery as he had been doing shows again. Arthur is blinded by his worry while Merlin cannot stand sitting around doing nothing.
They clash again and it takes some persuasion from Gwen and Morgana for Arthur to finally cave in and rush to Camelot. He finds Merlin in his trailer and they finally kiss after a heartfelt apology and love confession.
While Merlin finishes the last shows of the year, fighting through the pain, Arthur and Morgana agree to plan their father’s downfall. They also get to meet the entire crew properly.
But Christmastime is upon them and the feared Christmas dinner at Pendragon manor isn’t far away either. Arthur silently suffers through it but takes Merlin up on his invitation to visit his hometown. He leaves London the moment he can and spends the end of the year with Merlin, his mother, and (to Arthur’s suffering) Will.
They fall in love over and over again in this winter wonderland but New Year’s arrives quickly and after a joyful time away from the city, life continues for both of them.
Morgana, planning on proposing to Leon, had also been finalizing the details for Uther’s involuntary disappearance from the CEO position of Pendragon & partners. She and Arthur sit through unofficial meetings and plan out press releases. The little free time he has Arthur spends at the circus where another challenge to their relationship is rising.
Merlin, somewhat recovered and eager to get back to business, plans a new act. When he shows Arthur a series of breathtaking motorcycle stunts he had been working on for the past few years it causes the same argument they had time and time again.
This time, Arthur finally finds the strength to let Merlin go and do whatever his heart desires. He realizes that Merlin didn’t choose this life for nothing and so he stops trying to protect him from it.
Merlin swears to take care of himself and invites Arthur to join him on a fun ride. While Arthur still hates the idea of Merlin endangering himself, he sees the joy that comes with it. They make it work and finally get their happy ending.
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Number 11: CLAIMED
Title: Chase the Sun
Current Word Count: 27,272
Estimated Final Word Count: 27,272
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Some discussion/subject matter of grief (Will dies, before the story begins). Merlin doesn't realize how worn through he is until he gets help. The whole fic is learning to let yourself be loved and helped by your friends, and is very light on angst, but I understand if it's not the subject matter that everyone is looking for!
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional/graphic art, fanmixes!
Art Specifics: Nothing higher than the fic rating I think! Otherwise open as to what someone is interested in doing. The focus of the fic is just as much friendship as love, so lots of options for gen as well.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Modern AU. Finished, but willing to discuss things with artists if they have ideas for specific images that fit well!
A hurt comfort story that is almost entirely comfort. Merlin has had it rough since university; a series of bad flatmates and one misfortune after another. When Mordred leaves him high and dry he thinks that's the end of his life in London. Meanwhile Arthur's life is firmly on the upswing; if only he had someone to share it with!
Visuals: Set in London in spring, featuring Merlin as an artist. He volunteers at an animal shelter, and does move in with his best friend Arthur and his (insanely gorgeous) house. Museums! Restaurants and parks! Fashion! Good haircuts! Arthur's love language is gift giving, and Merlin's love language is having no idea what's going on.
I tried to have a variety of environments, but spot art with no environments at all are totally welcome. Arthur and Merlin are the main characters, but Gwen, Morgana, Freya, Gwaine, Leon and others feature here and there as well. GwainexElena, GwenxLance in the background. Past!ArthurxOthers mentioned and ArthurxVivian technically, but we never see her/no infidelity.
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Number 12: CLAIMED
Title: Flicker Of A Candlelight, Heat Of An Inferno
Current Word Count: 51.5k
Estimated Final Word Count: 80k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Morgana
Content Warnings: canon-typical violence, light description of injury, minor character death (Morgause)
Art/Podfic Preferences: I would prefer traditional or digital art (but I'd be okay with anything really)
Art Specifics: I'm open to basically all things! I'm sure I'll be very very happy with whatever you choose to do <3
Podfic Specifics: same thing applies here as with art specifics
Fic Summary for Artists:
Canon AU, starting just before 2x08 - Sins Of The Father. Faced with the true extent of his father's injustice and hypocricy, Arthur seeks to invoke an ancient contract between the kingdoms of Albion; one that would put an end to the reign of Uther Pendragon once and for all. For this, he has to convince the rulers of the seven kingdoms surrounding Camelot that Uther's wrongdoing is too great to allow him to keep his power. To help with his quest, Arthur finds unlikely allies in Morgause and Morgana, who will overthrow Cenred and take over as the new queen and heir of Essetir.
Meanwhile, following an injury during a hunting trip, Arthur's developing relationship with Merlin turns everything a thousand shades more complicated. Through confessions, secrets, fights, and separation, their impossible love perseveres, despite every logical part of Arthur telling him that it's dangerous and forbidden. Their strained relationship is difficult to balance with all their circumstances, but they both know they can't let that interefere with their goal. The lives of their people, magical or otherwise, must come before the matters of their hearts.
Examples of visuals: Arthur carrying an injured Merlin back to Camelot, moments of reluctant intimacy, a romantic moment between Merlin and Arthur in the snow, negotiations, a tournament with a knight who isn't all that (s)he seems, Merlin and Arthur sneaking out to the druids to get eloped, a dramatic death scene, and a soft epilogue with our boys happy and swimming in a lake.
Prominent settings include: castle (usually Camelot's) interior, forests, briefly Ealdor, and the occasional other canon-typical environment (tournament grounds, inn, courtyard, etc.)
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Number 13: CLAIMED
Title: master of all, master of none
Current Word Count: 38,216
Estimated Final Word Count: 60-65K
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Gwen/Arthur, Merlin/Morgana, past Merlin/Freya, Merlin & Gwaine
Content Warnings: Canon-typical violence (but involving guns and a little more graphic), character death (not Merlin, Gwen, or Arthur), relationship angst (but involving trust and communication, not jealousy or cheating), heavily referenced minor character death
Art/Podfic Preferences:
-Traditional or digital/graphic art, podfics
-Preferably not fanvids or fanmixes
Art Specifics: Possible wants: character portraits, action scenes, comics, whatever catches the artist's eye as I'm quite open to anything
Podfic Specifics: English, ideally full fic to be recorded
Fic Summary for Artists:
Modern/crime AU. Two years after the plot that left his girlfriend Freya dead, con artist and criminal consultant Merlin Emrys has found himself in a burgeoning relationship with the MI5 agent who once arrested him, Arthur Pendragon, and his event planner wife Gwen. But on the eve of Freya's unsolved murder, Merlin's nemesis Morgana Le Fay comes knocking and brings with her a proposition -- Merlin's help with a treasure hunt, Morgana's for luring out the mastermind of Freya's death.
Yet, as Merlin finds himself working with Morgana, he finds himself risking everything he has built with Arthur and Gwen as well as falling into his alluring criminal past.
(Or: a Mergwenthur White Collar AU, featuring an established but angsty Mergwenthur relationship impacted by Merlin's poor decision-making, an oversuspicious and loyal co-criminal Gwaine, Morgana generally being post-betrayal Morgana, a treasure hunt, and an action-packed final act. Plus, some heists, cool disguises, and Ocean's 11/White Collar vibes all set in London.)
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Number 14: CLAIMED
Title: And All the Bells Are Ringing
Current Word Count: 25k
Estimated Final Word Count: 30-35k
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Canon typical violence, major character injury, minor character injury and death, animal death (mostly offscreen), Uther Pendragon’s A+ parenting, break up and make up, arranged marriage (not between Merlin & Arthur).
Art/Podfic Preferences: No podfics, sorry! Otherwise, I would love some traditional art or digital painting/drawing, but I'm also open to gifsets, fanvids and fanmixes.
Art Specifics: The fic itself is rated Explicit due to sexual content, so you will need to be over 18, but otherwise I'm happy with art of any rating from General through to NC-17.
In my head, I have a kind of dreamy, semi-Impressionist style in mind for this, something that incorporates a lot of light and landscape as well as the characters themselves. That being said, I enjoy a variety of different art styles and don't want to narrow things down too far! The only thing I'd really rule out is chibi style drawings-while they are adorable, I don't think they'd work in relation to this fic.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Canon Divergence AU set loosely around the end of Season 1, but incorporating characters/plot from 3x06 (The Changeling). Spurred on by the news of Arthur’s impending engagement, Merlin and Arthur strike up a ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement, with the mutual understanding that it will be broken off once the betrothal is announced at Yule. Arthur is quietly smitten with Merlin, but Merlin is oblivious, both to his own love for the prince and to Arthur’s true feelings towards him. The story follows them through the four seasons of their relationship, beginning in high summer and moving through autumn, winter and spring. As their lives (and hearts) grow ever more intertwined, Camelot begins to blossom with returning magic, on the cusp of a new Golden Age, only for this destiny to be threatened when Arthur finally makes his feelings known-and is rejected (temporarily, ofc!).
There are four chapters in total, each corresponding to one of the seasons, each more or less self-contained while also advancing the broader overarching plot. Ideally, I’d love it if each chapter could have its own piece of art along with a seasonal themed scene divider, but I understand if that's too much work! The overall vibe is very nature-focused, with a low-key, character-driven storyline and Merlin and Arthur’s connection to magic, each other and the land as a recurring theme.
Some scenes I'm particularly fond of include:
+ Merlin and Arthur skinny-dipping in midsummer. I picture this as being lots of dappled light, deep green water and dry, pale grass, with the two of them splashing each other or making out/having sex beneath the trees.
+ Arthur kissing a worried Merlin before leaving on a quest, with knights in the background and a fine mist of rain falling over them.
+ Merlin conjuring fireflies while looking out over a snow-covered forest, a giant stag emerging into the moonlight below.
+ Merlin healing a gravely injured Leon, leeching the life from a clearing full of wildflowers while a distraught Arthur watches on.
Other potential visuals include magical creatures (a hippogriff, the Wild Hunt, possibly a unicorn), some hurt/comfort moments (e.g. rescuing Merlin from an icy lake and huddling together for warmth, Merlin comforting Arthur after Leon's close call), a springtime hunting scene, various characters questing across an autumnal landscape, sharing a bottle of wine atop one of Camelot's towers, Arthur wrapping Merlin’s neckerchief around his wrist as a token, Arthur giving Merlin his mother's seal, Merlin trying on Arthur's crown.
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Number 15: CLAIMED
Title: can't bury anything without diggin' it up
Current Word Count: 19.5k
Estimated Final Word Count: 25-30k
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): mostly gen. morgana-centered. large focus on morgana & arthur, with background hints morgana/gwen in the past. morgana/merlin, arthur/merlin, and poly v/hinged morgana/merlin/arthur.
Content Warnings: canon-typical violence (Morgana thinks about being stabbed and poisioned by Merlin, she is burnt at the stake by medivel witch hunters, and killed by a violent distruntled sexist man) none of these are explicitly drawn out by any means, I'm not dwelling in it). period-typical sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and anti-sex work views show up slightly in second act in the brothel era, but again, trying not to focus on or dwell on it. a heads up that arthur and merlin are both rule 63'd/gender swapped in their reincarnations. some explicit sexual scenes, some magic use during sex (including making a strap-on feel more "real" and various other magical restraints/light bondage), some power imbalance dynamics (both sexual and not), Morgana angsty/in pain both mental and physical, but overal, the end goal is everyone largely safe and happy and dealing with their traumas and issues, def bittersweet/more open/happy together.
Art/Podfic Preferences: I'm fine with any kind of art medium! Mine might be kind of hard to podfic/I'm not as versed in it, but I'm willing to work with you/give it a try if mine is the one you want.
Art Specifics: I don't know enough to give you specific requests exactly and I don't really want to curb anybody's creativity/ideas, so I can just say some of the scenes/vibes I'd love to see visualized somehow are: Morgana and Arthur in the cadillac/the diner/the motels; Morgana, Arthur, and Merlin walking down the roads to return to "Camelot" with very much the vibe of the shot in the show of the core four on horses to go save Merlin's town. Morgana and Elaine (the feral child she takes on) in her hag/witch in the woods vibes gardening at her cottage. But whatever makes you inspired/excited, go for that!
Podfic Specifics: All of my fic is in English with the exception of like... (I think, one or two words in French in the second act). It's assumed they're all speaking French in that act, but I don't need or expect an accent or the language at all, I express it in English in the fic. I honestly don't know much about podfic or the proccess of it. I'm not done and do stil have a lot of outline bits interspersed within the third act (and a lil bit of the second, but i'm 100% confident that beyond a Major Life Event suddenly cropping up unexpectedly, i will be finishing it on time). But I don't think it would be feasible to do the whole fic and make it work. If you want to just do part of it... hmm I'm not sure what would be the best options, maybe one of the more flashback chunks? I wish I was better at giving you more info, I guess if you can try and make the voices somewhat distinct? They don't have to be suuper characterized/different, just a little more clear who's talking etc.
Fic Summary for Artists:
Post-series canon au. Morgana centered, with reincarnation and redemption themes as the focus. Non-linear in that Morgana has a lot of flashbacks/thinks back over her childhood/life before with Arthur and co. in Camelot. There are three sort of "rencarnation timelines" if you will: a vauge kind of Norman invasion/Crusades-eqsue time like aprox. 200ish years post-series; then 1876 in Paris, France; and then modern day road trip in America (with a lil blip of going back to "Camelot" lands modern day at the very end). I will be rule 63-ing/gender swapping both Arthur and Merlin in their reincarnations (Arthur only appears in third act beyond flashbacks, Merlin is there but not seen in act one, there on page Rule!63'd in acts 2 and 3). Heavy on Morgana & Arthur as overal relationship focus (but a lot of that is in the background/Morgana thinking of him until the kind of third act when she appears). Third act is heavy on road trip vibes through the desert; Morgana and Arthur eating in roadside diners, sleeping in motels, driving around in an old gold cadillac as they bond again, and Merlin eventually joins them. Out of order, but first act is very "Morgana is a hag in the woods living in a cottage that she built herself with a feral little girl she finds in the forest as her apprentice" vibes. (She will be burnt at the stake in the end of this era, heads up and ref for a visual, not super explicit descriptions, though). Second act in Paris, the brothel is supposed to be very luxurious, Morgana is sort of the "live-in doctor" for the workers. I imagine the vibes are sort of like the movie Pretty Baby with Brooke Shields in terms of aesthetics of costumes and the building (time-wise that's probably not quite right/accurate, so do whatever you want tbh), but instead of one big house more of a big Paris like... brownstone/rowhouse situation in the city? (Morgana will once again be killed in this reincarnation, sort of "things come in threes" kinda vibe--likely a violent end from a disgruntled man re: brothels and also magic, but again, not super explicit in the decriptions of the actual violence much/not something I want to dwell on. I plan to have a few explicit sex scenes: one with Morgana and one of the sex workers at the brothel (brief, mostly) one (mayyybe another but i'm leaning towards no) with Rule 63!Merlin and a very hate sex/working out a lot of their tension/issues in the brothel era (so... likely a little bit of D/s slightly rougher vibes, little magical bondage). I'm currently not planning for any in the third act, but I might change my mind, though I'm fairly confident in saying I won't. I'm fine with explicit art if you want, but you def can ignore it if it's not your vibe. Morgana is going to think about Gwen quite a bit, but she's not going to appear on page. (Same, kinda, with Uther).
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Number 16: CLAIMED
Title: (I'm getting there)
Current Word Count: 16,156
Estimated Final Word Count: 26,000
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Lancelot/Gwen
Content Warnings: Explicit sex scenes, cheesiness probably, canon typical violence, jerk Merlin in the beginning sort of, some angst, happy ending
Art/Podfic Preferences: I'd love any medium!
Art Specifics: Would prefer Teen to Explicit rated visuals, but no chibi content or portraits please! I'd like some typography work or something similar for Naming Day, specifically for Arthur's full name when it appears in elegant golden light lettering, and the creation of a large ethereal crystal that sort of looks like two lovers embracing each other. Maybe some dividers based on entwined gold strings and a vertical title cover.
Podfic Specifics: My fic is all in English! I prefer a recording of the full fic but if not possible, an excerpt of the prologue and chapter 1 would be nice (Arthur has his Naming Day and is severely disappointed, only for him to find his destined one in the dungeons.)
Fic Summary for Artists:
Arthur has waited for Naming Day all his life, but could not be disappointed more when he finds out who the Soul Stone names for him. It isn’t the prisoner he meets in the dungeons, but his heart aches for him anyway.
Merlin has never thought about soulmates until they come knocking at his door in Ealdor. Convinced that there’s something wrong with the Soul Stone, he travels to magic-banned Camelot to end its influence. He doesn't anticipate that he would be enraptured by the crown prince who comes to interrogate him.
Some scenes to art:
- the Soul Stone, which is a life-sized crystal that looks like two abstract people hugging/curled against each other at some angles. (or like a lump of heart). When it’s healthy, gold strings can be seen forming letters inside. When it’s tainted, it looks as if there are lightning clouds in it. Otherwise kind of rainbow-ish, with flecks of gold, and very fractal-ly and shiny. Or maybe a translucent rose quartz look with gold flecks in it
- Arthur seeing Merlin for the first time in the dungeons: it’s mostly dark but he sees his golden eyes peering through the dim cell
- Merlin kissing the back of Arthur’s neck while trapping him through the cell bars; his eyes are glowing still
- Arthur’s name being formed in the Soul Stone with cursive lettering that’s thin and shiny like stars or fairy lights
- an injured Merlin holding Arthur’s hands that try to bandage him while Merlin lies on a bed in Arthur’s ante-chamber
- a relieved Merlin hugging Lancelot with Gwen and Arthur fuming in the background at Gwen’s place
- reluctant Merlin holding Arthur’s and his gold string of fate in a fairy light-ish world with some faint greenery in the background, or the both of them standing in front of the stone
- the Soul Stone floating just above ground level at the end of Destiny Hall, a grand hall with high arches, tall windows, lots of white space, some long flowy curtains, and multiple galleries/balconies around it (similar to the chapel in the Château de Pierrefonds, which Camelot castle was filmed in)
- a lonely Morgana sitting on a stone/log in the quiet of the forest with Leon holding his hand out to her
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Number 17: CLAIMED
Title: it's a fated thing
Current Word Count: 22,333
Estimated Final Word Count: 35-40k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Merlin & Morgana
Content Warnings: whump merlin, losing control, being out of control, mild unreality, some scenes with non graphic violence, stabbing, blood. character death (1) but also not really because of time loops, mental health issues, hints of ptsd but not really discussed
Art/Podfic Preferences: Digital Painting and Drawing
Art Specifics: i absolutely adore shading in drawings, the depth they get is amazing to me. colors in drawnings are wonderful. lineart or not, either if very cool.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Summary: Canon era, divergence and complaint because we are dealing with Time Magic and Time Loops.
A man captures Court Sorcerer Merlin, holding him in a cave using runes and enchantment and iron shackles, to use his magic to change “the past”. We go through Merlin making many different choices for several instances of his life, which lead to A White Light washing over everything that had happened and taking him back to a moment where he is forced to change his decision. The first time it happens is in Ealdor, when Merlin tells Arthur about his magic, but is forced to repeat the moments just before he came clean.
To find some semblance of control in his life, Merlin decides to help Morgana with her visions and magic, but however he tries, time keeps resetting. Finally, in a fit of impulsiveness, he promises aid to Morgana from a mysterious, slightly unhinged, druid woman who is named Dahlia. Dahlia is Merlin transformed into a woman via spells and enchantments. (merlin discovers his genderfluidness)
I focus on Merlin & Morgana, Merlin/Arthur and also a lot of Merlin. There are also a few scenes of Merlin losing control, of either his magic or his words which causes a lot of emotional expressions (eg Arthur having expressions ranging from horrified to sad to happy) or murderous reactions (uther finding out about magic in one of the loops).
the ending is happy, or extremely hopeful heading towards happy.
some visuals for the story include: White Light (time magic) washing over scenes to rewind, genderfluid Merlin (in this case they would be wearing dresses and using spells to shift their body and looks), Arthur looking golden in the light of the fire or sun, Arthur in pretty clothes (red with golden stitchings), Morgana and Merlin (in disguise aka woman form) learning magic in secret, a few scenes with Merlin bleeding (not life threatening just whump), Merlin held captive, Arthur as king, a few very intense scenes between Merlin and Arthur doing their eye contact thing.
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Number 1: CLAIMED
Title: A Smooth Sea Never Made A Skilled Pirate
Current Word Count: 25,971
Estimated Final Word Count: 40k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Arthur & Leon
Content Warnings: No archive warnings should apply, but there will be canon typical violence, and several injuries (mostly to Arthur, he has a lot of head trauma).
Art/Podfic Preferences: While I love all art types, and everything you lovely creators make, I do think traditional, digital, or graphic art would be the best for this fic.
Art Specifics: I don’t intend to have any smut here, so I don’t expect anything explicit. However, if you aren’t comfortable drawing water/different outfits for the characters, then this probably isn’t the best for you, either. It is optional, but you can also help me design pirate outfits for Arthur, Merlin, Gwaine, Lancelot, and Leon! None of these outfits are written into the story yet and just have place holders, but I can create them on my own too if that is not your speed.
There are several scenes written so far that I think would be good to look into drawing, however, including a heart to heart between Arthur and Leon as Arthur is throwing things into the ocean, a heart to heart with Arthur and Merlin up in the crow’s nest, or a few fighting scenes that could involve Arthur and Merlin, including Merlin helping Arthur off of the ground of a tavern, Merlin and Arthur sword fighting back to back, or Merlin and Arthur sparring with each other on the deck of the ship.
Podfic Specifics: English
Fic Summary for Artists:
Camelot is now a port city, with a young and carefree prince who longs to spend some time on the sea. However, Uther won’t allow it, and until now, Arthur has listened to him. Instead, he sneaks out of the castle with the help of his friend, Leon, who covers for him as he explores the town and the docks. It isn’t until Uther reveals that he has arranged a marriage for Arthur with a princess who isn’t fond of the sea that Arthur realizes if he stays, he will be locked into a position and a marriage that will never make him happy. He runs away right into Merlin, who is resting at a tavern and, after hearing that Arthur is looking for a way to get onto a ship, proposes an idea to help them both get on a nearby pirate ship.
Merlin convinces Arthur to help him rob the castle, and Arthur goes along with it on the promise that he can finally get out on the sea. Not everything goes to plan here, however, and Merlin finds out that Arthur is actually the prince while completing their small heist. They manage to escape once again thanks to Leon, but before they make it to the ship, Arthur is knocked out. He then finds out that Merlin was Captain Emrys all along, and had only planned for Arthur to take the fall in the castle if they were caught. Now, though, he can earn them so much more money by sending a ransom back to Camelot.
Arthur spends his first few days at sea stuck in the brig with only Gwaine to keep him company before an attack from a rival pirate ship means Merlin dresses Arthur up as a crewmate and sets him free to help fight and increase his chances of surviving. After Arthur saves Merlin, he’s reluctantly made a temporary member of the crew. He quickly grows on everyone and begins to feel like a real member until they dock again and receive Uther’s response to the ransom, suddenly reminded of the money they can get by returning Arthur.
After lots of arguing and debating, it’s determined they don’t actually want to lose Arthur. However, he’s still going to be returned to Camelot-Uther will pay them the money, Arthur will spend a few hours back in the castle, and then they will break him out again once more. After they succeed, they plan to continue to con the kingdom out of their money until maybe one day, the kingdom will fall and the people will be freed from a ruler.
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Number 2: CLAIMED
Title: Sorcerers take camelot
Current Word Count: 14,366
Estimated Final Word Count: 25,000
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Graphic violence (begins with sorcerers overthrowing Camelot, Uther and a lot of unnamed characters are killed), MCD (Uther), fear that loved ones have been killed (Arthur spends first few thousand words worrying Morgana might be dead), captivity (Merlin claims Arthur in order to protect him from the sorcerers who want him dead, Arthur is concerned what this might entail but it's Merlin so obviously it entails nothing bad)
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional art, digital art, moodboards/aesthetics
Art Specifics: Preferred rating G-T
Podfic Specifics: N/A
Fic Summary for Artists:
Told from Arthur's POV.
Short summary: Camelot overthrown by sorcerers (inc Merlin, Nimueh, Morgause). Uther executed, Arthur is Merlin's prisoner because alternative is his execution too (Arthur unimpressed, cue murder and escape attempts). Morgana gets Merlin to give Arthur more freedom, training with knights, slowly sees not all sorcerers bad, hears prophecy about him and Merlin from Kilgarrah. Nimueh, unhappy with Merlin's management style, plots his death. Arthur overhears plot, warns Merlin, big magical challenge battle, kiss for good luck. Merlin wins fight, super awkward around Arthur, sends him away on patrol knowing he might use opportunity to escape/rally allies rather than come back. Arthur comes back, happy ever after.
Detailed summary: Camelot is overthrown by a group of sorcerers headed by Nimueh, Morgause and Merlin (who never came to Camelot in this AU). Uther is promptly executed, and in order to save him from execution the new king (Merlin) claims Arthur. Arthur is not happy about this (understandably a bit worried about what being Merlin's property entails, plus his dad is dead and he's got no idea if Morgana survived the initial attack), makes several attempts on Merlin's life, eventually manages an escape attempt.
He's caught before he can get out, rescued by Morgana before he can be killed. Learns that Morgana is the mysterious queen he's heard mentioned but never met (co-ruling with Merlin rather than being his wife), that she's magic, and that she conspired with Morgause to start the initial attack. Again, Arthur is understandably not happy.
Morgana convinces Merlin that while keeping Arthur locked in his room might be keeping him safe, it's also not great. Arthur is allowed to roam Camelot under guard (for his protection), which is when he starts to realise that while Nimueh might be a bad guy and Morgause might be cold most sorcerers are just normal people. He begins training again, meets the knights, realises Leon isn't dead, sort of adjusts to his new life.
Dragons arrive, Arthur horrified but also kind of awed when he sees twiglet Merlin can control them. Kilgharrah demands an audience with Arthur alone, Merlin basically shrugs and leaves them to it. K tells Arthur there’s a prophecy about him and Merlin, and that he needs to help Merlin be a better king. Arthur isn’t impressed. Later, Merlin tells him whatever K said is probably garbage, prophecies are bullshit.
Merlin studying records in the evenings, grumbles to Morgana that it’s stupid and ridiculous and Arthur huffs and says it’s not that hard.
Start working together on more things, slow buildup of trust (Merlin watches Arthur on the field, praises him, stops keeping him away from sharp objects, Arthur sees harmless magic (fixing grazed knees, summoning flowers when people are sad, etc), Arthur realises he actually has the opportunity to kill him now and yet he doesn't because he- fuck, he actually likes him and sees he wants what's best for everyone)
Nimueh thinks Merlin is too soft, tries to off him - Arthur overhears plan, agonises for a while, breaks and tells Merlin just before it's going to happen. Merlin reminds Nimueh there's a reason he's king and if she wants to overthrow him she can challenge him. Doesn't expect her to say yes, because he's more powerful. She does.
Big magic fight. Arthur finds himself encouraging Merlin beforehand, knows kingdom is better with Merlin than Nimueh, kiss for luck, *shit what the fuck was that why did I do it arrrgh*
Merlin wins, Nimueh dead, awkward conversation that night in their room about how Arthur doesn't owe him anything for keeping him alive and safe, no obligation, Merlin will never ask, etc
Arthur tuts, rolls his eyes, demands Merlin pass him his paperwork so he can show him what he's doing wrong this time, wonders how he'd feel if Merlin did ask
Merlin sends Arthur out on patrol to border, clear gesture of trust, knows might not come back or might return with an army, but what will be will be
Gwaine tells Arthur Merlin told him not to stop him if he tries to run - keep himself alive but let Arthur go if that's what he wants. Arthur doesn't think it is.
Patrol returns, Arthur still there. Actually happy to come home. Missed Camelot, missed Merlin.
Merlin hearing petitions, asks for Arthur's advice (have a seat, tell me what you think - seat where? - conjures throne next to him, big dumb gesture, Arthur sits)
Merlin arranged room for Arthur while he was gone, Arthur realises how much he was looking forward to sharing space with him again, squabbling over paperwork and arguing merits of different approaches to things, sharing food, hearing him snore at night.
Goes to Merlin. Smooches.
Year anniversary of overthrow, Arthur walking through castle, kingdom at peace, all is well.
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Number 3: CLAIMED
Title: The Chough's Call
Current Word Count: 54,171
Estimated Final Word Count: 90,000
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Minor Character Death (Antagonists Only), Violence (Comparable to Show)
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional Art or Digital Art preferred. Would be open to a fanvid or fanmix.
Art Specifics: I'm open to any of the scenes being created that are from the story. Some things that might be fun to work with could be the visions that Arthur gets, the final battle, how the refugee sanctuary looks (an overgrown stone city in the mountains with many dragon designs around an a castle with a dome), a mural of the Once and Future King that appears later in the story, or even something related to Arthur's tarot decks or his chough companion.
Podfic Specifics: Podfic not preferred.
Fic Summary for Artists:
When Arthur went back to his hometown to find his missing sister, he wasn’t sure what he would find. He simply hoped that there would be some clue that would lead him to her. A clue, he did find, but instead of pointing him in a direction, it led to him being knocked out and waking up in a different world, one with magic.
Taken, rescued, and now staying in a refugee sanctuary, Arthur was now not just searching for his sister but also the figure known in history and legend as the Once and Future King. As he works as an assistant to a sorcerer named Merlin, befriends a group of knights, and is accompanied with his childhood figurine turned living chough, Arthur starts to question if he would want to go home after all of this is over. Of course, that is only if the others and him can survive the prophecy, the return of the ancient evil known as the Ivory, and if Emrys can fulfill his part by finding the Once and Future King.
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Number 4: CLAIMED
Title: A Reluctant Prince
Current Word Count: 18,390
Estimated Final Word Count: 29-30k
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: some violence
Art/Podfic Preferences: traditional art, digital/graphic art
Art Specifics: I don't mind what rating the art is.
Chibi / cartoon type art is not really my thing - other than that I'm happy with anything in traditional art or digital / graphic art.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Modern Royalty AU with magic
Prince Arthur is not happy. He will do his duty and put aside his own preferences for the sake of his father, the crown and his people. And then he meets Merlin the Magnificent, a stage magician with secrets in his past even he doesn't know about. They fall in love but it seems like a doomed romance - and there is an enemy waiting to strike.
Some visuals (without giving too much of the plot away at this stage!)
- Merlin does a stage show that includes a dragon swooping over the audience
- Gwen is an artist and paints scenes on their magic props
- Arthur and Merlin spend a week at Ygraine's country home - a beautiful Palladian manor house
- Arthur and Merlin meet after Merlin has performed at a Royal Variety Performance. They meet in the receiving line afterwards - Gwen is Merlin's assistant (though she wears a tuxedo, not the usual skimpy dress!)
- Lance is one of Arthur's bodyguards - he mistakenly tackles Gwen to the ground outside Merlin's flat
- There are many scenes with Arthur and Merlin together
- Merlin and Gaius in Arthur's room at the palace. Merlin has written a fantasy novel and it is in Arthur's room, a slightly dog-eared copy, face down
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Number 5: CLAIMED
Title: Le Chanson de Voloir (The Song of Vows)
Current Word Count: 15,025
Estimated Final Word Count: 25,000
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Mithian, Vivian/Elena, Morgana & Arthur, Gwen & the knights, Gwen & Merlin, Merlin & Gwaine, Leon & Elyan
Content Warnings:
-attempted murder
-some narrated violence
Art/Podfic Preferences: If pressed, I would prefer digital/graphic art, but honestly would be so so pleased with and grateful for anything you make for my fic!
Art Specifics: I have no specific requests for visual art. I really just want my writing and your work to compliment each other, which I am confident they will!
Podfic Specifics: I use english, and some dragonspeak in my fic (just the bit of Merlin calling Kilgarrah). I will be sectioning my fic into chapters, so though I am not sure what specific sections would be best for a podfic, They will be in chunks that are more manageable on their own!
Fic Summary for Artists:
Ten years before the series’ events, Arthur, Morgana, Gwen, Leon, and Elyan chanced to meet at a tourney in Camelot. They explore the catacombs together and are cornered by a strange, magical creature to whom they all make promises.
Flash forward to Season 3, and all but Gwen have broken the promises and largely forgotten about that strange incident. Besides, they all have one much more pressing matter: three kings are visiting Camelot to present their daughters, Vivian, Elena, and Mithian, for Arthur’s betrothal. Arthur is ambivalent towards the whole affair, and Merlin is far too overworked for anything to go wrong. However, the day the princesses are supposed to arrive... Arthur has disappeared! As have Lady Morgana, her maidservant, the captain of Uther’s guard, and the old blacksmith’s son!
They have been magically kidnapped by the trickster from their pasts, who challenges each of those who have broken their promises to a series of trials to make up for it. While this goes smoothly for Gwen, Leon, and Elyan... Arthur had promised to do right by all people of Camelot, and Morgana had promised to always cherish the friends she had that very day- Arthur a vital part of that group. Working out their differences involves breaking down the thick walls of secrets and denial both have built, promising neither to come around unchanged.
Meanwhile, Merlin is near hysterics. He cannot find Arthur, and Uther has made it quite clear that if the prince does not show up to greet the princesses, Merlin will be the one to pay for it. Desperate, he magically disguises a visiting Gwaine as Arthur, who will have to court all of the princesses and keep up the guise until Arthur returns. However, he seems keener to play matchmaker for Vivian and Elena and pester Merlin over his crush on Arthur than to do “his” duty.
Gwen is released early (as she kept her realistic promise to be the best apprentice to her father that she could be). She is similarly drafted to play as Morgana. However, she soon learns of one final, deadly wrench in Merlin’s plan- Morgause is in Camelot, disguised as Vivian’s lady-in-waiting, and expects “Morgana” to help her kill the king!
Possible Visuals/ Scenery:
- Children! Gwen, Morgana, Arthur, Elyan, and Leon dressed in fancy “medieval” clothing (think show-canon “medieval”) and knights’ heraldry for Leon- either at a joust or finding an impish trickster in the catacombs
- The same group of characters as adults in Ancient Celtic/ Gallic clothing (I can provide reference material if desired- vibes are just visually archaic from the medievalist setting of Camelot), interacting with the same trickster character in an old forest-castle setting
- Ancient ruins in a forest, or alternately a lofty fortress/temple; an old labyrinth that Morgana and Arthur are trying to navigate; Camelot as-per the show, but decked out with heraldry, banners, and all that jazz
- Merlin and Gwaine (disguised as Arthur) treating with various princesses (as well as Morgause dressed as a lady-in-waiting) at Camelot; Similarly, Gwen disguised as Morgana, treating with the court at Camelot
- There are four princesses (Mithian, Elena, Vivian, and an OC), all of whose kingdoms I made up heraldry for, so there will be a noted presence of sigils and bold-colored banners/ gallantry, which I fear the show sorely lacks at times.
- I want this work to emulate the vibes of the show, so both kind of goofy and corny while also being severe and melodramatic at points, with this kind of random magic and trickery that is flavored with new and exciting scenery, but brought back to the images of Camelot and through-line of court life for the main characters (I hope that makes sense lol). Whatever the art accompaniment is (be it illustrations, podfic, concept art, boards, or anything else) would ideally lean into the shared corn and melodrama of the show in whatever way the artist feels works best with their medium and style.
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Number 6: CLAIMED
Title: Labyrinth of Gedref: Hard Mode
Current Word Count: 40k
Estimated Final Word Count: 40k
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: canon-typical violence, blood and injury, so many minor character deaths, explicit sexual content
Art/Podfic Preferences: i would love traditional or digital art
Art Specifics: i'm happy with any rating, and i don't have any specific preferences for art styles or anything like that
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Instead of participating in a deadly drinking game by the sea to save Camelot from unicorn-related famine, Arthur finds himself in a cave, along with a bunch of total strangers. The catch? The only thing each of them remembers is their name. Before panic can truly set in, an old man with a staff appears out of thin air to tell them it’s all part of a test: only the first of them to reach the exit will be permitted to leave. The others won’t be so lucky… The quest sounds straightforward enough, but on the way, Arthur and his fellow amnesiacs are faced with wicked traps, dangerous creatures, and some threats that may even come from within their group. And as if that’s not enough trouble to face without his memories to guide him, Arthur also has to deal with his increasingly distracting feelings for a certain dark-haired sorcerer among their group, going by the name of ‘Merlin’…
What can you as an artist expect from the fic? This story takes place during the episode "The Labyrinth of Gedref", so in addition to the core four, there’s a bunch of pre-1x11 characters (Mordred, Edwin, Valiant, Sophia, Will, Lancelot, Gaius). Also, there is quite a bit of canon-typical violence and injury, and what appears to be a LOT of minor character deaths, so if that’s not your thing you might want to avoid this one. Visuals mostly include caves, tunnels, and more caves, various creatures such as Serkets and giant baby rats, lots of fighting and running, sooo many spheres of magic to light up the dark tunnels, eleven (well, initially eleven) strangers slowly learning to work as a team, and Merlin and Arthur generally kicking ass.
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Number 7: CLAIMED
Title: Cabbages and Kings
Current Word Count: 21k
Estimated Final Word Count: 35k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Canon-typical everything
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional Art or Graphic art
Art Specifics: As this is essentially a canon rewrite there’s the opportunity for screen cap redraws as well as original scenes. A lot more interaction between the big 4 (Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana) both explicit and implicit in the story so art that has all four of them in it would be great. The fic will be maximum T-rated, so no Explicit art, please.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Arthur dies at the end of S5 and gets yeeted back to the beginning of S1Ep1. This time, he’s aware of magic and gets to watch the events of the first few episodes unfold, this time knowing about Merlin and with a very different opinion on Magic itself. He also can’t help but meddle in things and feels strongly about making changes to the timeline so events start to veer out of the canon really fast. Arthur starts a magical railroad, Merlin is sus of Arthur’s motivations, and Uther is oblivious to the fact that his son is a completely different person all of a sudden.
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Number 8: CLAIMED
Title: Merthur does The Wire
Current Word Count: 22,569
Estimated Final Word Count: 30-35k
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Addiction, Recovery, Character Illness, Vomiting (this is fairly graphically written), Near Death, Depression, Seizures. All that applies to Merlin. Morally Grey!Morgana (though this is very very peripheral)
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional art, Digital art, textile art all welcome. Anything visual is welcome.
Art Specifics: My fic has nothing sexually explicit in it so I wouldn’t imagine there would be any of that to draw about, but nothing sexually explicit. Other than that, I don’t have any preference. Go nuts, as long as you don’t show nuts XD
Podfic Specifics: Having never listened to a podfic or even really any audiobooks I'm not quite sure what to put here.
Fic Summary for Artists:
Following the dragons attack upon Camelot, Arthur notices Merlin’s health deteriorating. When Arthur is brought to Merlin drunk in a hallway, Merlin has a seizure. Upon bringing Merlin to Gaius, Arthur finds out Merlin’s magic has gone wild and is attacking him. As Gaius struggles to find out what’s wrong with Merlin, Arthur vows to see Merlin returned to health no matter the cost.
Arthur nurses Merlin as he struggles with the initial withdrawals from a spell. We see this in a series of snapshots, not sitting too heavily in each bleak moment. When Merlin gets worse, Gaius tells Arthur Merlin’s only hope for recovery is for Arthur to confront Kilgarrah and beg for something to help Merlin. So Arthur does. Merlin recovers and in a quiet moment when Merlin’s better, feelings are revealed.
If you’ve seen the DS9 episode, The Wire, the story is vaguely based around the plot of that episode, but you don’t need to have seen the episode to enjoy or understand the fic. It’ll just sit as a fun little easter egg for those that have.
This story involves addiction and addiction recovery. Despite the rather grim looking warnings, it is ultimately about recovery and hope, but there is a rough road to get there. Merlin’s magic is revealed and that reveal involves Merlin telling the tale of Kilgarrah being released in a number of different ways, none of which truly captures the true circumstances of his release.
The story is set in canon era, just following the dragons attack. Camelot is still recovering. Morgana did not get taken by Morgause; her and Merlin worked out a solution that didn’t involve Morgana being betrayed. Despite this she is still an angry and scared person whose beliefs are absolute. She is morally grey in this, but her involvement is peripheral to the story. This is ultimately a story about Merlin and Arthur.
Arthur spends a lot of time pondering over his relationship with Merlin. There is a deep, deep well of a mess of love, care and duty towards Merlin within Arthur, and this story is about him figuring it out himself.
Some of the visuals/notes for artists:
- The story takes place largely within the bounds of Camelot, and primarily in Gaius’ and Arthur’s chambers.
- There is a scene in the end where Arthur faces down Kilgarrah, with no sword or armour in the clearing where Kilgarrah normally meets Merlin. Have not decided yet whether it’s in the day or night.
- There are a number of moments where Arthur is leaning over Merlin’s ill form, in Arthur’s bed, or in Gauis’ chambers. A lot of potential for angsty, hopeless (or hopeful and full of love) moments there.
- Closer to the end, there is a moment where Arthur and Merlin clasp hands, Merlin while sick in bed and Arthur about to go face down Kilgarrah. Arthur is leaning over Merlin and Merlin has just decided that death is preferable to living with his addiction (wow that sounds bleak, it’s really a very powerful, hopeful moment where Merlin decides to grab hold of his future and rest assured in Arthur’s return).
- There’s a lovely moment where a very conflicted Arthur is comforted? But not really comforted by Gwen in Gaius’ chamber. Her hand clasps his shoulders from where he’s sat on the ground, rethinking his whole relationship with Merlin.
- Merlin gets drunk on wine and sits himself on the floor of a hallway grasping a jug, yelling to Arthur to give back his jug (after Arthur takes it). It’s a rather sad moment but also a little funny and I think would be really effect in visual format.
- There is a lot of yelling in this fic. A lot of moments where Merlin and Arthur get in each others faces, or they gesticulate at each other from across the room or just yell from across the room. I think there’s a few moments that the motion of them could be captured really well in a visual format.
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Number 9: CLAIMED
Title: Nerdboy and the Incredible Prat
Current Word Count: 16k
Estimated Final Word Count: 25k
Fic Rating: General Audiences
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Morgana/Gwen
Content Warnings: Enemies to lovers. Making out in a public (but empty) hallway
Art/Podfic Preferences: I would prefer no podfics because I tend to edit until very late in the game. Besides that, all art is wonderful :)
Art Specifics: Please nothing explicit, although the fic also doesn't lend itself to that
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
The guy Merlin keeps running into at Comic Con, wearing matching cosplay, just might be his soulmate. Too bad he’s kind of an asshole.
Cosplayer and unabashed nerd Merlin lives for going to Comic Con every year. When he meets another cosplayer dressed, like him, as a Doctor Who at the pre-party, he's extremely excited - only to find out the guy is a giant prat. Unfortunately, he keeps running into Prat, and Prat keeps wearing very well made cosplays that match Merlin's painfully well. Thrown together by the fact that Arthur's cosplaying sister has taken a liking to Merlin's best friend and cottagecore queen Gwen, they romp around the convention, posing for instagram pictures and becoming mildly famous for their cosplays.
After three days of accidentally matching and slowly growing to like each other, Merlin and Arthur decide to enter a cosplay contest on their last days. Unfortunately, they only realize at the contest that they do not actually match this time - Arthur's male Rapunzel and Merlin's male Maleficent draw a lot of attention, but they're not a couple's cosplay. Enter Gwaine, Merlin's other best friend and a notorious flake. Cosplaying as Flynn Rider, he whisks Arthur away onto the stage in an attempt to win the contest. Merlin storms the stage in his full Maleficent get-up, duelling Gwaine with sword and Rapunzel's frying pan over the opportunity to compete with Arthur. Although he wins, all three of them end up getting disqualified. Merlin doesn't care, though - he's won his guy, and they have a ton of matching cosplays to plan.
The cosplays:
-Merlin as Doctor Who #11
Arthur as male Doctor Who #13 (Doctor Who)
-Merlin as Sherlock
Arthur as Watson
Morgana as female Sherlock (BBC Sherlock)
-Merlin as Loki
Arthur as Thor (Marvel Movies)
-Merlin as male Kiki (Kiki's Delivery Service)
Arthur as Howl (Howl's Moving Castle) (both Ghibli)
Morgana as Catwoman (DC)
-Merlin as male Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent)
Arthur as male Rapunzel
Gwaine as Flynn Ryder (both Tangled)
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Number 10: CLAIMED
Title: We Are Made for Flying
Current Word Count: 37,833
Estimated Final Word Count: 58k
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): The main pairing are Merlin/Arthur (Merthur), but Morgana/Leon, Gwen/Lancelot, Gwaine/Percival appear as well.
Content Warnings: Injuries occur but are not described graphically, Uther is a real catch (aka a bit of a meanie but nothing too drastic here either)
Art/Podfic Preferences: I'd love to work with traditional or digital/graphic art as I have done that before and loved it.
Art Specifics: As the story will probably be rated mature, I'd suggest that as the highest rating for the images as well.
I’d be absolutely happy with anything that is drawn for my story so please view the following as mere inspiration/ideas that I had.
- Merlin in the ring (either alone or with the rest of his team), in their dark, hooded costumes with mysterious stage lighting (possibly even smoke?)
- Merlin on his motorbike on the street, wearing his leather gear and a helmet (obviously), looking over his shoulder to wink at Arthur with an opened visor
- Arthur training with the crew: Arthur as he climbs up the rope ladder to the platform in the tent Merlin is sitting on, who is smiling down on him;
Arthur as he lifts up Merlin, holding him tightly by the waist while Merlin grins proudly; Arthur as he flies through the tent, grinning like a maniac
- Arthur and Merlin eating out at a cozy Indian place, sharing food and smiling happily
- Merlin and Arthur watching a movie in Merlin’s trailer after Merlin’s injury
- Merlin alone at night in the hospital, sitting in his wheelchair in the hallway while talking to Arthur over the phone
- Merlin and Arthur hugging on the bed, Arthur tries his best to keep his weight off of injured Merlin who mocks him over his shaking arms
- Merlin and Arthur hugging after they find out that Balinor knew Uther, Arthur tries to console him
- Merlin and Arthur on romantic walks through the winter wonderland that is Merlin’s hometown after Christmas
- Merlin and Arthur riding his motorbike into the sunset after finally making up again
Podfic Specifics: I'd prefer working with a traditional/digital artist since I don't think my story is really suitable to be podficced?
Fic Summary for Artists:
Merlin and Arthur meet at Camelot circus. While Merlin is an acrobat, living for the circus and the thrill, Arthur usually spends his days in his office at Pendragon & partners. He only attends a show because Uther invested in the circus for a reason Arthur cannot fathom at the time.
But when he lays eyes on Merlin, he is done for, and a complicated relationship is on the horizon. Merlin can’t stand Arthur at all, but they form an unlikely alliance to uncover the reason for Uther’s strange involvement.
Arthur gets to know life at Camelot and they grow closer while trying to solve the riddle that is Arthur’s father. Amidst all of it, they become friends.
But when Merlin is hurt in training and Arthur begs him to take it easy, it is revealed just how big the distance between their worlds actually is. They fight and make up as they always do but tensions are rising.
While Merlin is recovering, he finally meets Morgana who found her long lost friend Gwen at the circus. As they uncover the truth behind Uther’s investment and Arthur believes that they finally have peace, he finds that Merlin has a setback in his recovery as he had been doing shows again. Arthur is blinded by his worry while Merlin cannot stand sitting around doing nothing.
They clash again and it takes some persuasion from Gwen and Morgana for Arthur to finally cave in and rush to Camelot. He finds Merlin in his trailer and they finally kiss after a heartfelt apology and love confession.
While Merlin finishes the last shows of the year, fighting through the pain, Arthur and Morgana agree to plan their father’s downfall. They also get to meet the entire crew properly.
But Christmastime is upon them and the feared Christmas dinner at Pendragon manor isn’t far away either. Arthur silently suffers through it but takes Merlin up on his invitation to visit his hometown. He leaves London the moment he can and spends the end of the year with Merlin, his mother, and (to Arthur’s suffering) Will.
They fall in love over and over again in this winter wonderland but New Year’s arrives quickly and after a joyful time away from the city, life continues for both of them.
Morgana, planning on proposing to Leon, had also been finalizing the details for Uther’s involuntary disappearance from the CEO position of Pendragon & partners. She and Arthur sit through unofficial meetings and plan out press releases. The little free time he has Arthur spends at the circus where another challenge to their relationship is rising.
Merlin, somewhat recovered and eager to get back to business, plans a new act. When he shows Arthur a series of breathtaking motorcycle stunts he had been working on for the past few years it causes the same argument they had time and time again.
This time, Arthur finally finds the strength to let Merlin go and do whatever his heart desires. He realizes that Merlin didn’t choose this life for nothing and so he stops trying to protect him from it.
Merlin swears to take care of himself and invites Arthur to join him on a fun ride. While Arthur still hates the idea of Merlin endangering himself, he sees the joy that comes with it. They make it work and finally get their happy ending.
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Number 11: CLAIMED
Title: Chase the Sun
Current Word Count: 27,272
Estimated Final Word Count: 27,272
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Some discussion/subject matter of grief (Will dies, before the story begins). Merlin doesn't realize how worn through he is until he gets help. The whole fic is learning to let yourself be loved and helped by your friends, and is very light on angst, but I understand if it's not the subject matter that everyone is looking for!
Art/Podfic Preferences: Traditional/graphic art, fanmixes!
Art Specifics: Nothing higher than the fic rating I think! Otherwise open as to what someone is interested in doing. The focus of the fic is just as much friendship as love, so lots of options for gen as well.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Modern AU. Finished, but willing to discuss things with artists if they have ideas for specific images that fit well!
A hurt comfort story that is almost entirely comfort. Merlin has had it rough since university; a series of bad flatmates and one misfortune after another. When Mordred leaves him high and dry he thinks that's the end of his life in London. Meanwhile Arthur's life is firmly on the upswing; if only he had someone to share it with!
Visuals: Set in London in spring, featuring Merlin as an artist. He volunteers at an animal shelter, and does move in with his best friend Arthur and his (insanely gorgeous) house. Museums! Restaurants and parks! Fashion! Good haircuts! Arthur's love language is gift giving, and Merlin's love language is having no idea what's going on.
I tried to have a variety of environments, but spot art with no environments at all are totally welcome. Arthur and Merlin are the main characters, but Gwen, Morgana, Freya, Gwaine, Leon and others feature here and there as well. GwainexElena, GwenxLance in the background. Past!ArthurxOthers mentioned and ArthurxVivian technically, but we never see her/no infidelity.
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Number 12: CLAIMED
Title: Flicker Of A Candlelight, Heat Of An Inferno
Current Word Count: 51.5k
Estimated Final Word Count: 80k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Morgana
Content Warnings: canon-typical violence, light description of injury, minor character death (Morgause)
Art/Podfic Preferences: I would prefer traditional or digital art (but I'd be okay with anything really)
Art Specifics: I'm open to basically all things! I'm sure I'll be very very happy with whatever you choose to do <3
Podfic Specifics: same thing applies here as with art specifics
Fic Summary for Artists:
Canon AU, starting just before 2x08 - Sins Of The Father. Faced with the true extent of his father's injustice and hypocricy, Arthur seeks to invoke an ancient contract between the kingdoms of Albion; one that would put an end to the reign of Uther Pendragon once and for all. For this, he has to convince the rulers of the seven kingdoms surrounding Camelot that Uther's wrongdoing is too great to allow him to keep his power. To help with his quest, Arthur finds unlikely allies in Morgause and Morgana, who will overthrow Cenred and take over as the new queen and heir of Essetir.
Meanwhile, following an injury during a hunting trip, Arthur's developing relationship with Merlin turns everything a thousand shades more complicated. Through confessions, secrets, fights, and separation, their impossible love perseveres, despite every logical part of Arthur telling him that it's dangerous and forbidden. Their strained relationship is difficult to balance with all their circumstances, but they both know they can't let that interefere with their goal. The lives of their people, magical or otherwise, must come before the matters of their hearts.
Examples of visuals: Arthur carrying an injured Merlin back to Camelot, moments of reluctant intimacy, a romantic moment between Merlin and Arthur in the snow, negotiations, a tournament with a knight who isn't all that (s)he seems, Merlin and Arthur sneaking out to the druids to get eloped, a dramatic death scene, and a soft epilogue with our boys happy and swimming in a lake.
Prominent settings include: castle (usually Camelot's) interior, forests, briefly Ealdor, and the occasional other canon-typical environment (tournament grounds, inn, courtyard, etc.)
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Number 13: CLAIMED
Title: master of all, master of none
Current Word Count: 38,216
Estimated Final Word Count: 60-65K
Fic Rating: Mature
Pairing(s): Merlin/Gwen/Arthur, Merlin/Morgana, past Merlin/Freya, Merlin & Gwaine
Content Warnings: Canon-typical violence (but involving guns and a little more graphic), character death (not Merlin, Gwen, or Arthur), relationship angst (but involving trust and communication, not jealousy or cheating), heavily referenced minor character death
Art/Podfic Preferences:
-Traditional or digital/graphic art, podfics
-Preferably not fanvids or fanmixes
Art Specifics: Possible wants: character portraits, action scenes, comics, whatever catches the artist's eye as I'm quite open to anything
Podfic Specifics: English, ideally full fic to be recorded
Fic Summary for Artists:
Modern/crime AU. Two years after the plot that left his girlfriend Freya dead, con artist and criminal consultant Merlin Emrys has found himself in a burgeoning relationship with the MI5 agent who once arrested him, Arthur Pendragon, and his event planner wife Gwen. But on the eve of Freya's unsolved murder, Merlin's nemesis Morgana Le Fay comes knocking and brings with her a proposition -- Merlin's help with a treasure hunt, Morgana's for luring out the mastermind of Freya's death.
Yet, as Merlin finds himself working with Morgana, he finds himself risking everything he has built with Arthur and Gwen as well as falling into his alluring criminal past.
(Or: a Mergwenthur White Collar AU, featuring an established but angsty Mergwenthur relationship impacted by Merlin's poor decision-making, an oversuspicious and loyal co-criminal Gwaine, Morgana generally being post-betrayal Morgana, a treasure hunt, and an action-packed final act. Plus, some heists, cool disguises, and Ocean's 11/White Collar vibes all set in London.)
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Number 14: CLAIMED
Title: And All the Bells Are Ringing
Current Word Count: 25k
Estimated Final Word Count: 30-35k
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur
Content Warnings: Canon typical violence, major character injury, minor character injury and death, animal death (mostly offscreen), Uther Pendragon’s A+ parenting, break up and make up, arranged marriage (not between Merlin & Arthur).
Art/Podfic Preferences: No podfics, sorry! Otherwise, I would love some traditional art or digital painting/drawing, but I'm also open to gifsets, fanvids and fanmixes.
Art Specifics: The fic itself is rated Explicit due to sexual content, so you will need to be over 18, but otherwise I'm happy with art of any rating from General through to NC-17.
In my head, I have a kind of dreamy, semi-Impressionist style in mind for this, something that incorporates a lot of light and landscape as well as the characters themselves. That being said, I enjoy a variety of different art styles and don't want to narrow things down too far! The only thing I'd really rule out is chibi style drawings-while they are adorable, I don't think they'd work in relation to this fic.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Canon Divergence AU set loosely around the end of Season 1, but incorporating characters/plot from 3x06 (The Changeling). Spurred on by the news of Arthur’s impending engagement, Merlin and Arthur strike up a ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement, with the mutual understanding that it will be broken off once the betrothal is announced at Yule. Arthur is quietly smitten with Merlin, but Merlin is oblivious, both to his own love for the prince and to Arthur’s true feelings towards him. The story follows them through the four seasons of their relationship, beginning in high summer and moving through autumn, winter and spring. As their lives (and hearts) grow ever more intertwined, Camelot begins to blossom with returning magic, on the cusp of a new Golden Age, only for this destiny to be threatened when Arthur finally makes his feelings known-and is rejected (temporarily, ofc!).
There are four chapters in total, each corresponding to one of the seasons, each more or less self-contained while also advancing the broader overarching plot. Ideally, I’d love it if each chapter could have its own piece of art along with a seasonal themed scene divider, but I understand if that's too much work! The overall vibe is very nature-focused, with a low-key, character-driven storyline and Merlin and Arthur’s connection to magic, each other and the land as a recurring theme.
Some scenes I'm particularly fond of include:
+ Merlin and Arthur skinny-dipping in midsummer. I picture this as being lots of dappled light, deep green water and dry, pale grass, with the two of them splashing each other or making out/having sex beneath the trees.
+ Arthur kissing a worried Merlin before leaving on a quest, with knights in the background and a fine mist of rain falling over them.
+ Merlin conjuring fireflies while looking out over a snow-covered forest, a giant stag emerging into the moonlight below.
+ Merlin healing a gravely injured Leon, leeching the life from a clearing full of wildflowers while a distraught Arthur watches on.
Other potential visuals include magical creatures (a hippogriff, the Wild Hunt, possibly a unicorn), some hurt/comfort moments (e.g. rescuing Merlin from an icy lake and huddling together for warmth, Merlin comforting Arthur after Leon's close call), a springtime hunting scene, various characters questing across an autumnal landscape, sharing a bottle of wine atop one of Camelot's towers, Arthur wrapping Merlin’s neckerchief around his wrist as a token, Arthur giving Merlin his mother's seal, Merlin trying on Arthur's crown.
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Number 15: CLAIMED
Title: can't bury anything without diggin' it up
Current Word Count: 19.5k
Estimated Final Word Count: 25-30k
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): mostly gen. morgana-centered. large focus on morgana & arthur, with background hints morgana/gwen in the past. morgana/merlin, arthur/merlin, and poly v/hinged morgana/merlin/arthur.
Content Warnings: canon-typical violence (Morgana thinks about being stabbed and poisioned by Merlin, she is burnt at the stake by medivel witch hunters, and killed by a violent distruntled sexist man) none of these are explicitly drawn out by any means, I'm not dwelling in it). period-typical sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and anti-sex work views show up slightly in second act in the brothel era, but again, trying not to focus on or dwell on it. a heads up that arthur and merlin are both rule 63'd/gender swapped in their reincarnations. some explicit sexual scenes, some magic use during sex (including making a strap-on feel more "real" and various other magical restraints/light bondage), some power imbalance dynamics (both sexual and not), Morgana angsty/in pain both mental and physical, but overal, the end goal is everyone largely safe and happy and dealing with their traumas and issues, def bittersweet/more open/happy together.
Art/Podfic Preferences: I'm fine with any kind of art medium! Mine might be kind of hard to podfic/I'm not as versed in it, but I'm willing to work with you/give it a try if mine is the one you want.
Art Specifics: I don't know enough to give you specific requests exactly and I don't really want to curb anybody's creativity/ideas, so I can just say some of the scenes/vibes I'd love to see visualized somehow are: Morgana and Arthur in the cadillac/the diner/the motels; Morgana, Arthur, and Merlin walking down the roads to return to "Camelot" with very much the vibe of the shot in the show of the core four on horses to go save Merlin's town. Morgana and Elaine (the feral child she takes on) in her hag/witch in the woods vibes gardening at her cottage. But whatever makes you inspired/excited, go for that!
Podfic Specifics: All of my fic is in English with the exception of like... (I think, one or two words in French in the second act). It's assumed they're all speaking French in that act, but I don't need or expect an accent or the language at all, I express it in English in the fic. I honestly don't know much about podfic or the proccess of it. I'm not done and do stil have a lot of outline bits interspersed within the third act (and a lil bit of the second, but i'm 100% confident that beyond a Major Life Event suddenly cropping up unexpectedly, i will be finishing it on time). But I don't think it would be feasible to do the whole fic and make it work. If you want to just do part of it... hmm I'm not sure what would be the best options, maybe one of the more flashback chunks? I wish I was better at giving you more info, I guess if you can try and make the voices somewhat distinct? They don't have to be suuper characterized/different, just a little more clear who's talking etc.
Fic Summary for Artists:
Post-series canon au. Morgana centered, with reincarnation and redemption themes as the focus. Non-linear in that Morgana has a lot of flashbacks/thinks back over her childhood/life before with Arthur and co. in Camelot. There are three sort of "rencarnation timelines" if you will: a vauge kind of Norman invasion/Crusades-eqsue time like aprox. 200ish years post-series; then 1876 in Paris, France; and then modern day road trip in America (with a lil blip of going back to "Camelot" lands modern day at the very end). I will be rule 63-ing/gender swapping both Arthur and Merlin in their reincarnations (Arthur only appears in third act beyond flashbacks, Merlin is there but not seen in act one, there on page Rule!63'd in acts 2 and 3). Heavy on Morgana & Arthur as overal relationship focus (but a lot of that is in the background/Morgana thinking of him until the kind of third act when she appears). Third act is heavy on road trip vibes through the desert; Morgana and Arthur eating in roadside diners, sleeping in motels, driving around in an old gold cadillac as they bond again, and Merlin eventually joins them. Out of order, but first act is very "Morgana is a hag in the woods living in a cottage that she built herself with a feral little girl she finds in the forest as her apprentice" vibes. (She will be burnt at the stake in the end of this era, heads up and ref for a visual, not super explicit descriptions, though). Second act in Paris, the brothel is supposed to be very luxurious, Morgana is sort of the "live-in doctor" for the workers. I imagine the vibes are sort of like the movie Pretty Baby with Brooke Shields in terms of aesthetics of costumes and the building (time-wise that's probably not quite right/accurate, so do whatever you want tbh), but instead of one big house more of a big Paris like... brownstone/rowhouse situation in the city? (Morgana will once again be killed in this reincarnation, sort of "things come in threes" kinda vibe--likely a violent end from a disgruntled man re: brothels and also magic, but again, not super explicit in the decriptions of the actual violence much/not something I want to dwell on. I plan to have a few explicit sex scenes: one with Morgana and one of the sex workers at the brothel (brief, mostly) one (mayyybe another but i'm leaning towards no) with Rule 63!Merlin and a very hate sex/working out a lot of their tension/issues in the brothel era (so... likely a little bit of D/s slightly rougher vibes, little magical bondage). I'm currently not planning for any in the third act, but I might change my mind, though I'm fairly confident in saying I won't. I'm fine with explicit art if you want, but you def can ignore it if it's not your vibe. Morgana is going to think about Gwen quite a bit, but she's not going to appear on page. (Same, kinda, with Uther).
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Number 16: CLAIMED
Title: (I'm getting there)
Current Word Count: 16,156
Estimated Final Word Count: 26,000
Fic Rating: Explicit
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Lancelot/Gwen
Content Warnings: Explicit sex scenes, cheesiness probably, canon typical violence, jerk Merlin in the beginning sort of, some angst, happy ending
Art/Podfic Preferences: I'd love any medium!
Art Specifics: Would prefer Teen to Explicit rated visuals, but no chibi content or portraits please! I'd like some typography work or something similar for Naming Day, specifically for Arthur's full name when it appears in elegant golden light lettering, and the creation of a large ethereal crystal that sort of looks like two lovers embracing each other. Maybe some dividers based on entwined gold strings and a vertical title cover.
Podfic Specifics: My fic is all in English! I prefer a recording of the full fic but if not possible, an excerpt of the prologue and chapter 1 would be nice (Arthur has his Naming Day and is severely disappointed, only for him to find his destined one in the dungeons.)
Fic Summary for Artists:
Arthur has waited for Naming Day all his life, but could not be disappointed more when he finds out who the Soul Stone names for him. It isn’t the prisoner he meets in the dungeons, but his heart aches for him anyway.
Merlin has never thought about soulmates until they come knocking at his door in Ealdor. Convinced that there’s something wrong with the Soul Stone, he travels to magic-banned Camelot to end its influence. He doesn't anticipate that he would be enraptured by the crown prince who comes to interrogate him.
Some scenes to art:
- the Soul Stone, which is a life-sized crystal that looks like two abstract people hugging/curled against each other at some angles. (or like a lump of heart). When it’s healthy, gold strings can be seen forming letters inside. When it’s tainted, it looks as if there are lightning clouds in it. Otherwise kind of rainbow-ish, with flecks of gold, and very fractal-ly and shiny. Or maybe a translucent rose quartz look with gold flecks in it
- Arthur seeing Merlin for the first time in the dungeons: it’s mostly dark but he sees his golden eyes peering through the dim cell
- Merlin kissing the back of Arthur’s neck while trapping him through the cell bars; his eyes are glowing still
- Arthur’s name being formed in the Soul Stone with cursive lettering that’s thin and shiny like stars or fairy lights
- an injured Merlin holding Arthur’s hands that try to bandage him while Merlin lies on a bed in Arthur’s ante-chamber
- a relieved Merlin hugging Lancelot with Gwen and Arthur fuming in the background at Gwen’s place
- reluctant Merlin holding Arthur’s and his gold string of fate in a fairy light-ish world with some faint greenery in the background, or the both of them standing in front of the stone
- the Soul Stone floating just above ground level at the end of Destiny Hall, a grand hall with high arches, tall windows, lots of white space, some long flowy curtains, and multiple galleries/balconies around it (similar to the chapel in the Château de Pierrefonds, which Camelot castle was filmed in)
- a lonely Morgana sitting on a stone/log in the quiet of the forest with Leon holding his hand out to her
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Number 17: CLAIMED
Title: it's a fated thing
Current Word Count: 22,333
Estimated Final Word Count: 35-40k
Fic Rating: Teen and Up
Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur, Merlin & Morgana
Content Warnings: whump merlin, losing control, being out of control, mild unreality, some scenes with non graphic violence, stabbing, blood. character death (1) but also not really because of time loops, mental health issues, hints of ptsd but not really discussed
Art/Podfic Preferences: Digital Painting and Drawing
Art Specifics: i absolutely adore shading in drawings, the depth they get is amazing to me. colors in drawnings are wonderful. lineart or not, either if very cool.
Podfic Specifics: n/a
Fic Summary for Artists:
Summary: Canon era, divergence and complaint because we are dealing with Time Magic and Time Loops.
A man captures Court Sorcerer Merlin, holding him in a cave using runes and enchantment and iron shackles, to use his magic to change “the past”. We go through Merlin making many different choices for several instances of his life, which lead to A White Light washing over everything that had happened and taking him back to a moment where he is forced to change his decision. The first time it happens is in Ealdor, when Merlin tells Arthur about his magic, but is forced to repeat the moments just before he came clean.
To find some semblance of control in his life, Merlin decides to help Morgana with her visions and magic, but however he tries, time keeps resetting. Finally, in a fit of impulsiveness, he promises aid to Morgana from a mysterious, slightly unhinged, druid woman who is named Dahlia. Dahlia is Merlin transformed into a woman via spells and enchantments. (merlin discovers his genderfluidness)
I focus on Merlin & Morgana, Merlin/Arthur and also a lot of Merlin. There are also a few scenes of Merlin losing control, of either his magic or his words which causes a lot of emotional expressions (eg Arthur having expressions ranging from horrified to sad to happy) or murderous reactions (uther finding out about magic in one of the loops).
the ending is happy, or extremely hopeful heading towards happy.
some visuals for the story include: White Light (time magic) washing over scenes to rewind, genderfluid Merlin (in this case they would be wearing dresses and using spells to shift their body and looks), Arthur looking golden in the light of the fire or sun, Arthur in pretty clothes (red with golden stitchings), Morgana and Merlin (in disguise aka woman form) learning magic in secret, a few scenes with Merlin bleeding (not life threatening just whump), Merlin held captive, Arthur as king, a few very intense scenes between Merlin and Arthur doing their eye contact thing.