More Merlin
Oct. 31st, 2013 09:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sally_mariaI promised one more set of recs before the end of October, and here I am practising my usual last-minuteism. :-) These are all canon-era Merlin stories, with a focus on plot, and on Merlin and Arthur's friendship as much as romance.
First is one of the longest Merlin stories I've ever read:
The Ivy Crown by dayari
" Merlin couldn't have picked a worse time to finally tell Arthur about his magic. In the wake of the battle against the immortal army, a strange visitor disrupts the court, calling himself the Green Knight and proposing a test of the court's integrity. Although Uther turns him away, several of Camelot's northern allies end up mysteriously beheaded over the next few months, and Arthur, Merlin and the knights set out to investigate. They encounter more than they'd bargained for on the way—a reckless young boy, a lady in search of a husband, a centuries-old fairytale that holds more than a grain of truth... and a challenge that ends up being more than just a game."
I really loved this - it makes excellent use of the Arthurian Green Knight story, while weaving it into the Merlin take on the legends. The length gives Arthur and Merlin long enough to really come to terms with the magic reveal - it isn't easy, but their relationship is strong enough to overcome the very real problems caused by Merlin's secrets and Arthur's learnt hatred of magic. That isn't all there is to the story, though - it's one thread in a tale of Morgana's latest attempt to destroy Camelot, with all of the knights given their due and Gwaine really put to the test.
The second is another Big Bang story, though not as long:
Crossroads of Disbelief by thoughtreflex
"A case of mistaken identity leads to trouble for Arthur, until it becomes more than a bid for his own freedom, but a struggle of survival that encompasses not only himself, but Merlin, and two kingdoms on the brink of war. "
Arthur is really put through the wringer in this story of magically stolen identity, but Merlin is there to believe in him and help him fight to regain what is rightfully his.
An early story in the fandom, written in 2009, but still a very enjoyable one:
The Knights Have a Thousand Eyes by stakeaclaim
"In which Arthur is out of sorts. His manservant leaves a lot to be desired, Morgana is scary, Merlin's 'luck' is becoming too noticeable, his knights need to learn some lessons, and they're beginning to act very strangely. Arthur blames Merlin."
Arthur may be an arrogant prat sometimes, but he's also learning to be a noble and accomplished leader of men. His knights need to learn some humility, and respect for everyone in the kingdom, not just the nobility, and Merlin needs to learn that he is trusted and loved.
Finally a story from the Kink meme, but not a kinky one - this is completely gen.
Bottle by anon
The prompt was: "Canon era magic reveal. Merlin accidentally reveals his magic in front of several of Arthur's knights. (Would love to see Leon, Percival, Elyan, Lancelot, Gwaine if you can cram them all in.) Anon is looking for drama as the knights each react a little differently - not all of them completely okay with the magic issue. Up to author whether Arthur is there when the reveal happens or if he's fetched or if Merlin is brought to him. How does Arthur handle this knowing everyone now knows?"
A really nice take on the prompt - none of the knights are the bad guys, but they all have their fears and concerns when it comes to magic. Arthur's response is just right, in a short space of time - as I said, there's nothing romantic in this story, but the love that exists between all of the characters shines through.
First is one of the longest Merlin stories I've ever read:
The Ivy Crown by dayari
" Merlin couldn't have picked a worse time to finally tell Arthur about his magic. In the wake of the battle against the immortal army, a strange visitor disrupts the court, calling himself the Green Knight and proposing a test of the court's integrity. Although Uther turns him away, several of Camelot's northern allies end up mysteriously beheaded over the next few months, and Arthur, Merlin and the knights set out to investigate. They encounter more than they'd bargained for on the way—a reckless young boy, a lady in search of a husband, a centuries-old fairytale that holds more than a grain of truth... and a challenge that ends up being more than just a game."
I really loved this - it makes excellent use of the Arthurian Green Knight story, while weaving it into the Merlin take on the legends. The length gives Arthur and Merlin long enough to really come to terms with the magic reveal - it isn't easy, but their relationship is strong enough to overcome the very real problems caused by Merlin's secrets and Arthur's learnt hatred of magic. That isn't all there is to the story, though - it's one thread in a tale of Morgana's latest attempt to destroy Camelot, with all of the knights given their due and Gwaine really put to the test.
The second is another Big Bang story, though not as long:
Crossroads of Disbelief by thoughtreflex
"A case of mistaken identity leads to trouble for Arthur, until it becomes more than a bid for his own freedom, but a struggle of survival that encompasses not only himself, but Merlin, and two kingdoms on the brink of war. "
Arthur is really put through the wringer in this story of magically stolen identity, but Merlin is there to believe in him and help him fight to regain what is rightfully his.
An early story in the fandom, written in 2009, but still a very enjoyable one:
The Knights Have a Thousand Eyes by stakeaclaim
"In which Arthur is out of sorts. His manservant leaves a lot to be desired, Morgana is scary, Merlin's 'luck' is becoming too noticeable, his knights need to learn some lessons, and they're beginning to act very strangely. Arthur blames Merlin."
Arthur may be an arrogant prat sometimes, but he's also learning to be a noble and accomplished leader of men. His knights need to learn some humility, and respect for everyone in the kingdom, not just the nobility, and Merlin needs to learn that he is trusted and loved.
Finally a story from the Kink meme, but not a kinky one - this is completely gen.
Bottle by anon
The prompt was: "Canon era magic reveal. Merlin accidentally reveals his magic in front of several of Arthur's knights. (Would love to see Leon, Percival, Elyan, Lancelot, Gwaine if you can cram them all in.) Anon is looking for drama as the knights each react a little differently - not all of them completely okay with the magic issue. Up to author whether Arthur is there when the reveal happens or if he's fetched or if Merlin is brought to him. How does Arthur handle this knowing everyone now knows?"
A really nice take on the prompt - none of the knights are the bad guys, but they all have their fears and concerns when it comes to magic. Arthur's response is just right, in a short space of time - as I said, there's nothing romantic in this story, but the love that exists between all of the characters shines through.
