The Heart of King Arthur masterpost
Title: The Heart of King Arthur
Author: dk323
Artist: one_dreamery
Link to Art: Story Cover + Fanmix
Word Count: ~39,382
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, past Arthur/Morgana, Merlin/Nimue, Gwen/Lancelot, Richard/Kahlan, The Great Dragon (Kilgharrah), Cara, Mordred, Morgause, Ygraine, Uther, OCs
Rating: PG-13
Content Advisory: violence, implications of incest, mind control
Disclaimer: The show “Merlin” is property of the BBC. Legend of the Seeker is property of Terry Goodkind. This story was initially inspired by the 1996 film “DragonHeart” directed by Rob Cohen. “Once Upon A December” lyrics sung by Liz Callaway. Dialogue (slightly edited by me) taken from “Snow White: A Tale of Terror”, a movie based on the Grimm Brothers’ version of Snow White (Little Snow-White). Elements from variations of Arthurian legend have been blended together here. No money being made.
Summary: Prince Arthur was saved by the Great Dragon, Kilgharrah, forever linking his life to the magical creature, after a battle that killed King Uther left an eleven year old Arthur the King of Camelot. That's when he met the dragon's Keeper, the immortal Dragonlord, Merlin.
Merlin's entrance into a young Arthur's life resulted in more than the young King gaining a mentor. But Arthur's love for Merlin is left hopelessly unrequited and Arthur turns to Merlin's daughter, Morgana, as a friend, a lover... but Arthur never imagined that the child he had with Morgana would be an important piece of the puzzle to unraveling Merlin's secrets.
Centuries after Camelot, Arthur is reincarnated for the first time. On the eve of his remembering his former life as King of Camelot, Arthur finally learns the truth.
A story of love, tragedy, and acceptance.
(more detailed summary in Part 1)
Author's Notes: Thank you to my betas a8c_sock, archaeologist_d, and otterfudge for looking over this story and helping to make it better as a result. :) I don't know where this story would be without your words of advice. I truly appreciate your support and spurring me on to finish this even as I felt frustrated a number of times. Thank you all so much. :D *hugs* Thank you to my artist one_dreamery who made the beautiful story cover above (that's the dragon in the sky to the right by the way) and a lovely fanmix to go along with the story. :) Special note to the "Dragonheart" theme music as that movie inspired me to do this idea in the first place. Art Link: Story Cover + Fanmix
Also, a big thank you to the whizzbangpop mods for organizing this challenge. :)
This fic is very much a Merlin/Legend of the Seeker fusion...but any Legend of the Seeker characters are AU! in a way as I incorporated them fully into the Merlin world. It's an AU!Camelot in the first place, so it's pretty much an AU on both sides. I also play around with the idea of Confessors here.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7