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regulusrules · 12 days

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We're TRENDINGG for no REASONN just like god DECREEDD, so here are 5 fics that would steal your breath away:

1. My breaths are run by your compass by regulusrules. [T] [20K+] [post-camlann fix-it] [golden age but merlin stabs arthur in his heart first].

Not because it's my fic and it's genuinely so insane you won't believe it, but honestly, it's the best idea I've ever come up with, even better than the widely beloved my heart is readily yours. For me, it's the perfect continuation of their story, and the most unhinged plot twist you could find in a fic.

2. Half of my soul by @clockwrkpendrxgon. [G] [2K] [MCD] [golden age growing old together]

This fic is half of my soul, or what the poets say. It's so much better as an ending than what they've given us. At least this is filled with such golden love it makes you ache. At least this makes sense.

3. from hearth and ashes, we’re reborn by @remuscariad. [G] [5K] [canon era magic reveal].

This fic is so good you'll be on your knees from it. The prose, the characterization, the tropes used... it will linger in your mind and fester there from how beautiful it all is. And the art in it by @onepeppercorn... stunning.

4. Our broken pieces by @aramblingjay. [T] [10K] [canon era established relationship]

You can pry this fic from my cold dead hands. I will never stop recommending it until it gets the fame it deserves. One of the most beautiful fics ever written about them, and genuinely encompasses their characters so perfectly.

5. gentle as an early spring breeze by @prattery. [G] [2.5K] [canon divergence golden age]

They are alive and in love and we're all living in this fic because it's what they righteously deserved. The way their life was written here and the love between them... I swear this author could write anything and I'd kudos it before even reading it.

[For more recs]

#bbc merlin #no we won't ever die #we are #the once and future fandom #merlin #merlin fic recs #merthur #king arthur #regulusrules recs

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remuscariad · 12 days

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In honor of us TRENDINGG, here are five fics 💯 worth your time:

1. My breath are run by your compass by @regulusrules [20k+] [post-camlann fix-it]

This fic has torn and mended my heart at the same time; it’s what we deserve, what you deserve — the Golden Age after Camlann with a stab (in the heart, pun intended). But golden it is, I promise.

Need I say that this author is the same mastermind behind my heart is readily yours?

2. The Phantom of Arthur Pendragon by @clockwrkpendrxgon [15k+] [dark!arthur]

This fic is going to make on you on the edge of your seat 24\7, GUARANTEED. A mind-blowing plot twist and a new, sinister side of Arthur post-camlann. But we fix him, don’t worry, and it ends happily, I swear. Enjoy the ride!

3. hold me closer by summertimeroses [1k+] [touch-starved]

When I tell you I’m a complete sucker for touch-starved fics, especially when it’s Arthur, I mean it 100%. Short, sweet and so heartfelt. Our love needs to be held more, doesn’t he?

4. Sanctuary by LittleGreenGirlxx [3k+][domestic fluff]

Fluff. That’s it— fluff for our weary hearts. Winding down merthur fics will always be a top need for this fandom. We know enough pain. Complete idiots in love and soft Arthur POV.

5. and love, I find, has no considered end by @schweetheart [690] [sharing a bed]

I will never get tired of these two sharing a bed, especially when it’s winter. The softness. The warmth. It is moments like these that make us swoon over them over and over again.

#merlin #bbc merlin #merlin fic recs #arthur pendragon #merthur #ao3

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that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction · 2 months

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“I’m sorry for snapping at you. It’s not your… well it is your fault. It is entirely your fault. But still. I’m sorry for snapping.”

— Merlin after Arthur started reciting poetry while under a love enchantment. (Based on It's Magic, I Can Tell by KaztielCS118)

#bbc merlin #merlin #arthur pendragon #merlin emrys #incorrect merlin quotes #i’m bad at tagging #based on fanfic #ao3 fanfic #fic rec #merlin fanfic #merthur #merlin bbc #merlin x arthur #merlin fic recs

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the-once-and-future-love · 6 months

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29. Good Merlin Fics I've Read Recently (10/24/23)

5 times Arthur warms Merlin up by itsnautica

The Account of Sir Percival by Zaadi [gen]

a million little times by schweet_heart

A Quiet Decision by Zafra

All that Arthur loves by Adara_Rose

Alliance by NotInPublic

Amnesia by Theroundbartable [gen?]

The Beast of Winter by linaerys

Born to Rule the Storm by slightlytookish [gen]

Convivial by BeautifulFiction

Delirium by mithrel

Dirty Laundry by MerlinLikeTheBird

don't you love the way (I drag you down) by queerofthedagger

Epistemology by Solarcat

everything that I am by theotherpacman

Faded Scars by death_of_a_phangirl

Gossip travels like wildfire by Misaratis

the heart of a star by prattery

The Hunt for Red Emrys by darkbluedark

I walked into your dagger for the last time by PetrichorAndInk

i was fixed on your hand of gold by intothefirewego

In The Bleak Midwinter by raven (singlecrow)

The Last Word by Greensilver (Trelkez)

Learning to Communicate by Tamloid

Lines On A Map by MerlinLikeTheBird

Love Potion No. 9, or: A Midsummer Night's Dream in Camelot! by rubberbutton

Magic and Bravery by Titti

Merlin Emrys and the Last Dragon Egg by schweet_heart

Mount Badon by Betty

New Light by kageygirl

The Proper Course by mithrel

Rumor Has It by vintagelilacs

Safeguard by Solarcat

Seeing White by TheAsexualofSpades [gen?]

Serket’s Poison by death_of_a_phangirl

slán sábháilte by dotfic

The sword or the scabbard? by oconel

Take Me Up (cast me away) by sacredraisincakes

The Things We Do For Love - or the things Merlin swears he won't do for Arthur but ends up doing anyway. by ximeria

Things Left Unsaid by Cithara

Time Now To Be The Future by ToraK (torakowalski)

Trade by LadyoftheWoods

Treason, Love, Magic by harlequin (julie)

Warm by Penknife

(We Can Burn) Brighter Than the Sun by Batsutousai

Ygraine's Son by death_of_a_phangirl

#long post #merthur #merlin #bbc merlin #bbcm #merlin fic recs #fic rec list #fic recs #merlin bbc #bbc merthur #merlin/arthur #fic rec

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summertimeroses · 4 months

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just came across a fic where aithusia is still a dragon but is disguised? can shapeshift? into a human form (smol child) with merlin as her father and now i’m obsessed with the idea of this dynamic, so consider:

- dragonlords all have dragon forms. merlin has a dragon form

- dragons all have human forms. kilgharrah as a man, bitter and cryptic and scarred from the purge, angry for being chained. aithusia, a young child, bone-white hair flowing long over her shoulders. her arms bend wrongly at the joints and tiny, paper-thin scars cover her body, from her time with the sarrum of amata

- there’s a distinction between the magic of dragons and the magic of dragonlords. the markings of dragons are different. their eyes in human form are all amber-gold, something in their teeth not-quite human. dragonlords are the natural leaders of the dragons, often more powerful in certain magics, especially in human form.

- in books of magical creatures and sorcery, dragons and dragonlords are put side by side, but categorised separately, for the difference in their appearance and abilities in magic. the sketches all show men with a beastly shadow, enormous and scaled and expressions set equally angry.

- the dragons are all kin, so culturally they all have a responsibility over the young. this counts doubly for dragonlords, protectors of the dragons. this makes merlin the natural guardian of aithusia.

- merlin, after rescuing her from the sarrum, returns to camelot with a tiny, fragile girl in his arms, bundled in rough blankets. the only explanation he gives is my daughter before he’s pushing past arthur to take her to gaius, get her injuries seen

- alternatively, merlin approaches arthur asking for time off to go retrieve his daughter, the same way he asked it for his mother. he’s pale and shaken but there’s a steel in his expression that arthur doesn’t know what to do with

- also, merlin sired a child. his manservant.

- there’s about a million different magic reveals in this. too many to list, but the ideas are exploding in my brain. arthur, clocking on to the fact that aithusia is so obviously a magical child. arthur, heartbroken that merlin didn’t trust him. arthur, initially scared of what he sees as a beast. arthur, in awe of the dragon form, realising the power merlin has.

- the angst of merlin trying to hide her magic in camelot when she’s such a powerful child. the angst of him bringing her to camelot and revealing her existence to arthur only to immediately make plans to send her away to someone trusted, maybe hunith, and arthur doesn’t understand what he means by ‘she’s not safe in camelot’ until he does.

- gwen being so gentle with her. arthur being scared to break her. leon picking her up and letting her curl into the crook of his neck as he carries her back from somewhere she’s wandered off to.

- all the knights being doting uncles (most especially gwaine)

- arthur learning of what the sarrum did to her and why, and rethinking his stance on magic. arthur thinking of all the magical children killed too young, first tortured or persecuted. thinks of all the fear and grief they did not deserve to carry.

- merlin educating arthur on magic after the reveal. taking him to lessons with aithusia to teach her control of her magic, the pair of them watching her fly free in her natural form in the woods for a while. her injuries are healing, slowly, with the help of gaius and merlin’s magic.

- mordred, despite merlin’s suspicions, working hard towards earning trust he isn’t sure how he lost, and starting with proving he can be trusted with aithusia. he is, admittedly, really good with her and she loves him, so merlin can’t completely begrudge it. it leads to conversations that change all their fates.

- aithusia’s first language being the tongue of the old religion. the language of spells. she knows not to speak to avoid getting caught (merrlin tried his best to explain) but once, she slipped up around arthur. all of them freezing, even though arthur knows. the guilt he feels at her terror.

- kilgharrah’s anger at camelot manifesting again somehow. an attack of some kind. arthur being confronted with the question of the magic ban repeal and how to balance keeping his people safe from magic and reparations for decades of the oppression of magic users.

the fic that fuelled this is called The Darkest Dawn by spacegirl7 and quite a lot of the above takes elements directly from the fic, so definitely go read and check it out, it’s so good. i have been thinking about it and its premise for days.

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merlinemrys · 11 months

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hi, I hope I'm not bothering you😅😅but I was wondering if you have any Arthur centered fic recs?? whether it be angsty, fluffy, gen or shippy, just anything arthur centered is fine tbh

it's totally fine if not though, hope you have a good day/night 💕💕

hiiii ur not bothering me at all i love giving recs 💙 and i ALWAYS love arthur-centric fics so here r some i've read recently. hope u like them!

When I Didn't Know The Answer, I Found It In Your Eyes by ironfamjam (rated t, merthur, 36k)

Summary: “It was never supposed to end like this. You were both meant for such happier things.” “I was always meant to be a tragedy.” Arthur disagrees. “Dearest darling, you are the king of kings, this will not be your end.” With Arthur's death comes a single chance to go back to the beginning and save everyone he's ever loved. Seeing home in Merlin's eyes and a hope for a better world in Morgana's, Arthur knows what he must do. Only bringing magic back to Camelot will prevent the future he knows is coming from happening, but in his way is the only mountain he's never been able to climb; his father won't change for anyone, not even for his son.

Born of Magic by KingPrat (rated t, merthur, 77k)

Summary: Set after 1x13. When Arthur learns he is of magic, he decides it's time to grow out of Uther's shadows. Secrets are revealed, and Arthur comes to learn just how far his father is willing to go in his war against magic. With Merlin on his side, can Arthur build the kingdom he was destined to create?

How Arthur Got His Groove Back by thegeminisage (rated t, merthur, 134k)

Summary: Arthur Pendragon is at an all-time low: he's still suffering from the day he nearly dueled his father to the death, his sword arm has been wounded so grievously he may never fight again, and, worst of all, every last soul in Camelot and the kingdoms beyond have had magic forced on them overnight. Now Arthur must contend with the chaos of magic run rampant, his father's dangerous instability, Morgana's increasing distance, catching Merlin in more lies than he can count, and the magic that is now threatening to consume him—all while searching for a way to break the curse before it consumes them all. It's not going to be easy: Arthur grapples with a destiny he's not sure he can handle, and a past he'd rather forget—and if he wants to save his people, he must be prepared to confront hard truths and harder choices. It's a trial by fire, one that risks destroying everything Arthur has left to hold dear should he fail. But with enough courage, enough understanding, and maybe just a touch of magic, there's nothing he can't face.

I suppose that I look different (without the robes and crown) by WingedWolf121 (not rated, merthur, 18k)

Summary: When Arthur blows the horn of Cathbdhah for the second time, the horn doesn’t just send Uther to the other world. It sends Arthur away as well – to a world where Ygraine never died, the Great Purge never happened, and magic lives freely at court. As do those who practice it.

Wærcsár Tācnunge by Glon_Morski (rated t, gen fic, WIP, 190k)

Summary: When Arthur is born, Ygraine dies and Uther vows vengeance against all magic. When Arthur is four, Nimueh decides to take matters into her own hands and casts an enchantment on the prince as penance for his father. One which can only be removed by a magic user willing to undo the enchantment for the sake of helping Arthur, and no other reason. When Arthur is seven, the truth of the spell's nature comes to light. When Arthur is fifteen, the rumours of the worsening enchantment spread among the kingdoms until news it has been removed take their place and his father tells Arthur he must never let anyone know the truth of the matter. When Arthur is twenty, he lives with the firm belief the enchantment will never be lifted. When Arthur is twenty, a boy named Merlin arrives in Camelot and, by a streak of luck, becomes the enchanted prince's manservant...

Only Friend by CaptainOzone (rated gen, gen fic, 60k)

Summary: What if Arthur went after Merlin in the tunnels outside of Ealdor earlier? What would he think of the confrontation between him and Agravaine? And how will he deal with the revelation as they retake Camelot? 4x13 AU.

Beg, Borrow, Steal by s0mmerspr0ssen (rated t, gen fic, 23k)

Summary: Merlin has access to everything relating to the Prince, including the keys to Arthur’s coffer. And why shouldn’t he? If there’s one thing Arthur is certain of, it’s that Merlin can be trusted completely. Then, one afternoon, Arthur walks in on Merlin about to steal money from his strongbox. The incident leaves Arthur with one burning question: Why, after two years of loyal service, would Merlin (almost) turn into a thief?

↳ s0mmerspr0ssen has so many good fics, not just this one. not all of them are arthur-centric but the characterisation is so delicious. see also: unfit for another arthur-centric fic!

What I'd Have Done by Flight_of_Fantasy (rated gen, merthur, 119k)

Summary: "I'm not sure what I'd have done." "And I didn't want to put you in that position.” For better or for worse, Arthur knows Merlin's secret. The problem? Merlin doesn't know Arthur knows. This leaves Arthur with a predicament... and an opportunity. A test. Three trials and three opportunities for Merlin to prove he doesn't deserve death. Arthur hopes he will pass them. Maybe then the image of Merlin's golden eyes will stop haunting him. AKA an in-depth character study of Arthur. I do not endorse Arthur's actions, but this is what I think he'd do in canon. This was my season 3 prediction!

The Homecoming of Arthur Pendragon by TheSeasonOfWinter (rated t, gen fic, 91k, part 1 of an incomplete series)

Summary: The dragon leaned forward. "Your destiny is to protect Uther Pendragon's heir, the one who will be the Once and Future King and unite all of Albion." Merlin blinked. "But . . . Uther doesn't have an heir." . . . In many Arthurian texts, Arthur is raised as a peasant by Sir Ector with no knowledge of his royal lineage. Let's bring that back, shall we?

Requiem of a Forgotten Prince by queerofthedagger (writer), kairennart (artist) (rated m, merthur, 86k)

Summary: 'You will forget all that you hold dear,' the sorcerer had vowed before he attacked Arthur, leaving his patrol dead and Arthur achingly thankful that for once, Merlin hadn’t been with him. Well, and he is quite certain that he hasn’t forgotten anything. As it turns out, everyone else has; specifically about him, and that Camelot is supposed to have a crown prince. When Merlin stumbles across him by chance, Arthur should be relieved. And he would be, really—if he hadn’t just been stabbed, and found out that Merlin has magic while he was at it. That Merlin does not remember who he is, either. It all gets a lot more complicated from there on out as Arthur tries to keep his own secrets, deal with the revelations about Merlin, and find a way not only to restore Camelot's memories, but protect it against the threats gathering on the horizon, too. When it rains, it pours; sometimes, the aftermath might just be worth it.

aaaaannnddddd not to self-rec but here's a liddle oneshot

living legend by me (rated gen, gen fic/background arwen, 3k)

Summary: The birth of the young Arthur Pendragon marks a great change in the very heart of Albion. His name will stand the test of time. But, as you well know, accuracy is not a lauded trait. Gossipmongers, the lot of them. Or: Arthur Pendragon, as seen through the eyes of the people of Camelot.

#shows #bbc merlin #bbcm #arthur pendragon #arthur #merlin #merlin fic recs #fic recs #je réponds #la poste #ask #anonymous #sorry i was gna put this under a read more but it's too late #long post #tais toi lys #*#*frs

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emrys-and-his-king · 4 months

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Hi, I was wondering If you could help me find a fanfic. I remember that Merlin Arthur and the Knights hear a lot of rumours about Emrys for example that he sired a dragon. I sadly don't remember much else but i hope that is enough information.

heya, sorry this is a bit late—busy time of year and all.

true to my addiction, i was browsing around fics today and i do believe i’ve found it!

so here you go, Have You Heard by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle on ao3

i’m also going to recommend Emrys, The Really Truly Terrible by lindenwaverly (also on ao3) because it’s another fic in this vain and i really enjoyed it :}

#asks #hope i got it #merlin fic recs #teen audiences and up #merthur fic recs #magic revealed #emrys hijinks #merlin emrys #arthur pendragon #bbc merlin #bamf merlin #rook recs

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dragoon-the-greatest · 7 months

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Hey y'all if anyone was following my Merlin the Ghost fic outline on here, I started writing actual fic for it awhile ago. Got kinda off track for a while but I just posted chapter 3! Out of what I think will be 6 chapters but not completely sure at this point. Kinda angsty but also got some BAMF!Merlin in there too.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Major Character Death

Category: Gen

Relationship: Merlin & Arthur Pendragon

Summary:

Arthur felt the exact second that Merlin was gone. He felt it the way he would feel the absence of air, of gravity, of time. Indeed, Arthur seemed to be missing all of those things; no air reached Arthur’s lungs, and he felt weightless, like he had lost an anchor. He stared at the body of one of the greatest men he had ever known and it felt like an eternity. Merlin didn’t move, he didn't even twitch. Because Merlin was gone, he knew. He was gone. He was gone, but Arthur couldn't believe it.

.

Merlin was alone when he awoke.

Alone, and substantially lacking a body.

#bbc merlin #merlin emrys #arthur pendragon #sir elyan #sir leon #merlin fanfic #merlin the ghost #merlin angst #bamf merlin #merlin fic recs

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punkxcalibur · 8 months

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Does anyone have any good horror/creepy Merlin fic recs?

Preferable gen, but I'm not averse to reading pairings. The longer, the better :)

#Also don't be afraid to self-promote lol #I'm just praying there's some fics like this with Mordred in it because he's my skrunkly #If your fic has good Mordred characterisation I automatically love you #bbc merlin #merlin #Merlin fic #merlin fic recs #bbcm #merlin fanfic

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regulusrules · 11 months

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So merlin is trending, huh? Here are 5 fics you should read about those immortal idiots

1. and it will set you free series by @andiwriteordie. Arguably my favourite fix-it from so, so long. The way the author introspected about their entire lifetime was unbelievably powerful. And the way they gave Arthur agency to have had a say in the whole "destiny" debacle from the very beginning.. oh my. So creative and so incredibly loving. Honestly, all of this author's works are works of art and it's a crime against the fandom how very underrated they are.

2. Smile and Pretend by Fulgance. Yes fine I know I can't keep on recommending this author's Beauty in the Ashes of Our Lives every time I get the chance. But really, this one was just as amazing. My soft heart flutters for any and all Arthur-Finds-Out fics. Especially those where he lets Merlin come to him with it instead. aaaah. This fic is definitely one of the top tiers of the category.

3. To you I swear my solemn oaths by @regulusrules. Again, yes I know I should stop flouncing around My heart is readily yours every time I get the chance. It's my hyperfixation on fics that hyperfixate over Arthur, forgive me. TYISMSO was my first ever fic in the fandom, and I always look back at it with pride of how much faith I tried to breathe between them. They were in love, your honour. God I love those two idiots so much.

4. Fathom Me Out by @supercalvin. I don't know about you, but to me this is a requirement for our fandom. If you haven't read this fic, you haven't read anything. It is absolute brilliance— in writing, in the plot, in their characterization.. absolutely everything.

5. Still I Surface in Morning Light by @queerofthedagger. Scar reveal, but make it so good that you never stop thinking about it. I can hands-down say it's one of the best scar reveal fics I've read in this fandom. It's so intricately written and their conversations are otherworldly. The despair and love you see here.. a masterpiece.

#merlin #yes they will trend till the end of time #immortal idiots #bbc merlin #merlin fic recs #merthur #arthur pendragon #ao3 #merlin bbc #king arthur #merlin fic #ao3 fanfic #LJ recs #regulusrules recs

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centurieslove · 6 months

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@elesars so the fic is Accidental Memory in the Case of Death by derryere and it changed my brain chemistry it made me think of nothing else for months it made me so unwell then cured me (hands down, my favourite reincarnation au)

my brain rot makes me relate everything and anything to this dumb fic but here's a scene that feels relevant

Arthur doesn't quite give up. He sits next to Merlin the entire afternoon, either nagging insistently or wildly attempting to distract him by breathing hotly against his neck in the moments before being pushed off or replying to just about everything with shameless innuendos. It serves only to annoy Merlin even further. As the day progresses, the staff's nervousness increases, they're running behind or things go wrong, and Merlin—even though he's there with the intention to help, not because he has to—feels it rub off on him, too. Arthur flitters behind him as he works, following him around with that stupid grin, chewing on the fruit and asking what's that ("A spatula." "Oh, right."), what was that? ("Dunno." "Felt like—the ground was, uh, shaking." "They're probably just taking down the chandelier upstairs."), and once, when they're alone, sliding close with a hey, hey, what're you doing?

"Washing the cutlery, Arthur."

"Is the cutlery dirty, then?"

"What?"

"Is it very, very dirty, Merlin?"

"What?"

"Is it very, very—"

Merlin scoops up a cup of stale, shaded water and throws it unceremoniously in Arthur's general direction. Half of it is caught by his face, dripping down his front, staining his shirt. They both stare at the damage for a long moment, open-mouthed and disbelieving—did that actually just happen?—before Arthur starts laughing. Incredulous at first, a bit gasping, but soon it's a genuine laugh—rolling, loud, and Merlin can only give a weak smile as he picks up a piece of dry washcloth and tosses it at Arthur with the command to get himself cleaned. Arthur continues by tossing the cloth right back and following that movement, saying, "Oh, I'll get myself cleaned," trapping Merlin with two arms and rubbing his damp and dirty face into his neck and over his shirt.

Merlin protests, trying for serious but not exactly managing anything more than cut off exclamations of laughing disapproval, pulling Arthur's hair to get him off but quietly liking the stolen touches of grazing teeth to his neck. But then the amusement gives way to a more gasping sensation when there's sudden suction on his skin, a tongue, and Merlin tries to really mean it when he shoves at Arthur's shoulders—sending him stumbling back a step.

- Accidental Memory in the Case of Death by derryere

#helen talks about amitcod again #hehe #it made me unwell 🙃#merlin fic #derryere #accidental memory in the case of death #merlin fanfic #merlin fic recs

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that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction · 2 months

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Inspired by Wish You Were Sober by Conan Grey. I heard the song while I was reading Merthur and got inspired, but this has been sat in a folder of unfinished drafts for a while so do with that what you will.

— Summary —

Two months after Merlin starts working for Arthur, Arthur gets drunk at a feast and Merlin has to take him to bed. Just before this, Arthur dragged Merlin into bed saying it was cold. Merlin offered to light the fire but Arthur held onto him and said no to the fire. Nothing happened, Arthur just wanted a hug, but he’s drunk and Merlin is hesitant to cross boundaries. He agrees at first because “it’s just a hug and Arthur must just be clingy when drunk.” After a few minutes of quiet, this happens.

(Shortened version, I took out a lot to keep it relatively spoiler free if I decide to finish this)

— Preview —

He must’ve been too quiet because Merlin felt Arthur lean into his hair, nose nuzzling into the curls at the crown of his head.

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” Arthur said, his voice barely above a whisper in the empty room.

Merlin startled and ached at the confession. It could never be, and they both knew it.

“You’re drunk, Arthur.” Merlin told him, more sternly than the teasing remarks he’d made earlier, pulling away.

Arthur let him go. Let Merlin break free from him and take a few steps back.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered, the sound cut through Merlin like a spear to hear such resignation from the prince.

It made Merlin pause, a short distance away from the bed.

“It’s fine, what are friends for?” Merlin said, a false happiness forced to mask the ache in his chest.

Arthur wilted, but it was fine. It couldn’t be. Not while he had such a treasonous thing as magic to keep secret. Not while Uther was on the throne.

Not when Arthur was too drunk to hold himself upright, much less know what he was saying. Merlin could never take advantage of that. Even staying to simply sleep, it was more selfish than he could afford to be.

Merlin moved forward, brushing aside the blonde hair that fell into Arthur’s eyes. The prince watched him intently, “Go to sleep,” he muttered, “Sleep off the wine,”

Arthur’s eyes fluttered shut, “I’m sorry,” he whispered again, “Please don’t leave,”

“Never.” Merlin swore, Arthur opened his eyes hopefully. Merlin hesitated before sitting down on the edge of the bed not quite close enough to be pressed to Arthur’s side, “Don’t think I’ll scare so easily, Arthur.” He ran his fingers through blonde hair soothingly, “prat or not, you’re my friend. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

“Stay?” He asked hopefully, sounding so soft and more vulnerable than he’d ever seen of the man.

“Get some sleep.” Merlin told him, still met with hopeful eyes he couldn’t lie to. “I’ll be here when you wake up.” He said instead. Lying by omission once again and ignoring the dull ache in his chest.

Arthur nodded and closed his eyes again with a private smile on his lips. Merlin ached as he pulled himself away.

A quick glance over his shoulder as he stood in the doorway told him Arthur had fallen to sleep.

“Goodnight Prat,” he whispered into the room, before he slipped out and made for Gaius’ chambers.

—

Thoughts? Should I finish this?

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ink-through-her-veins · 5 months

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It’s been almost a year since posting Our Shared Wardrobe, and it’s got over 10,000 hits now!! Even more shocking Our Breach of Etiquette has over 2,000 kudos.

What!?! How!?! Ahhhhahhhh!?! Thank you to everyone who has read one of my fics.

#merlin #bbc merlin #merthur #merlin fic recs #merlin fic #merlin bbc

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the-once-and-future-love · 6 months

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The Witching Hour: Spooky BBC Merlin Fic Recs

A Modern Pygmalion by supercalvin

A Warlock's Blood by Lullabylily

Ain't No Grave (Can Hold Me) by Val_Creative

All the Dead Are Here by Footloose

all our dead, unfinished selves by schweet_heart

An Ox on the Tongue by seapotato

and with my opened mouth i join the singing light by intothefirewego

Death is Only the Beginning by Val_Creative

Deliquesce by BeautifulFiction

Dying to Return by StormDancer

Feeding Grounds by N16 [gen]

From Darkness Comes Light by beren

From The Ashes by RandomSlasher

Gibraltar May Tumble by shes_gone

Grave Mistake by kickflaw

Haunted Ride by Sage_Owl

How It Will Be by Trojie.

Hunter's Blood by Shadecat

I'll Be Your Fire (The Dragon Dream Remix) by claudine

In It For The Thrill by TheCourtSorcerer

Into the Dark by kriadydragon

i will always pick you up by daffodilprince

It Will Have Blood by kayura_sanada

London Tower by significantowl

Mating Call by orphan_account

My Breath In Your Lungs by Zaharya

Quickening Days by Fahye

Resurgam by La_Temperanza

Seeds of Darkness by N16 [gen]

The Devil's Table by kriadydragon [gen]

The Beast of Winter by linaerys

The Fallen by ArtemisPendragon

The Kingcraft of Arthur Pendragon by SauraUnderscore

The Maze of Malus by beckybrit

The Tomb by kriadydragon [gen]

The Washerwoman by schweet_heart

You Can Be King Again by asuralucier

#merthur #merlin #bbc merlin #merlin bbc #bbcm #mbbc #fic recs #fic rec list #merlin fic recs #merthur fic recs #bbc merthur #merlin/arthur #halloween #samhain

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wombo--combo · 1 year

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aghhh help!! Does anyone have any BBC Merlin fics where the Knights (+Arthur) discover Merlins magic/are just plain being mean (unintentionally so) and Lancelot is just. So pissed off. Like usually he's so calm and nice, but Merlin has done so much for them, with no recognition and he just. Snaps.

I apologize for the horrific way I've written this out but I am in no right mind to type like a normal person so....sorry?

#merlin #bbc merlin #arthur pendragon #sir gwaine #sir leon #sir lancelot #sir percival #sir elyan #i like using their silly little titles #Leon #gwaine #lancelot #percival #elyan #fic recs #ao3 recs #merlin fic recs

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merlinemrys · 11 months

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Hello there! I saw you giving some recs for Merlin fics and wanted to ask for some too if you don't mind 👉👈

Do you have any recommendations for Merthur gen angst hurt/comfort? Hell I need more angst in my blood stream

of course!!! idk if u mean merthur w a general rating or just gen fic that's focused on arthur & merlin, but just to play it safe im doing gen fic 💙 if u mean merthur fics that are gen rated then just lmk !

scorch marks and embers by southfarthing (rated t, 93k)

Summary: Everyone he trusted with his secret – Will, Freya, Balinor, Lancelot, and now Gaius – was gone. Arthur would never bring magic back to the land, and he would never let Merlin stand at his side the way Merlin had hoped he would. It was a cold awakening, years of baseless faith dashed against the fraying tapestry that destiny had made Merlin sew into his own skin, but an awakening nonetheless. Merlin is shaken out of his obsession with destiny and his blind faith in Arthur. Arthur just wishes he knew how to get his closest friend back.

New Beginnings by nsowlwrites97 (rated t, 33k)

Summary: Traitor. Merlin. Magic. Merlin. Traitor. Friend. Sorcerer. Merlin. The words seemed to lose their meaning the more Arthur tried to make sense of them, bleeding in and through each other like ink dissolving in water. The only fact he knew to be true – absolutely, permanently, irrevocably true – was that Merlin was dead.

go boldly by CaptainOzone (rated gen, 7k)

Summary: “It is not like you,” Arthur muses suddenly, and very, very quietly, “to lie to me.” Merlin’s lungs freeze in his chest. “What?” he chokes out. Or: yet another 5x05 The Disir AU.

New Duties by s0mmerspr0ssen (rated t, 17k)

Summary: With Uther’s death, Arthur ascends to the throne and officially becomes King of Camelot. Naturally, this means that Merlin is now the King’s manservant, not the Prince’s. What sounds like mere semantics turns out to be much more than that. As Merlin struggles to keep up with the demands of his new job, Arthur finds himself burdened by the realities of kingly responsibilities. Soon, the strain of stress puts their friendship to the test…

Treason by N16 (rated t, 9k)

Summary: Arthur knows four things: Merlin committed treason. Merlin is loyal to him. Merlin wants to tell Arthur the truth. Merlin is scared Arthur will kill him. All he needs to figure out now is what on earth his servant has actually done.

Loyalties by reelin_writer (rated t, 25k)

Summary: “Arthur.” “Merlin?” he said, instantly angry. He shoved himself into a sitting position, fumbling for the candle on the table by the bed, and blustered, “What on earth are you doing? It’s the middle of the night! I don’t know about you, but that’s when I sleep. Don’t you--” Finally managing to get the candle lit, he looked up at Merlin, fully prepared to continue his lecture. But the words died in his throat at the sight of the young servant, and he choked in the rush of panic that assaulted him. “Merlin!”

The Price of Loyalty by Obsessionist (rated t, 18k)

Summary: Uther activates a device that repels magic, but Merlin's loyalty to Arthur knows no bounds.

Loyalty Was Never A Question by ValiantGinger (rated t, 27k)

Summary: Morgana gets her hands on something that puts Merlin in very serious danger. When Arthur's manservant goes missing, he can't help but be worried about him - worry that becomes legitimate when it becomes clear that Merlin is being used as a trap to lure Arthur in. Still, it's Merlin. How can he do anything but go and rescue him?

Between A Rock and A Hard Place by LFB72 (rated t, 30k)

Summary: A visiting noble makes Arthur an offer he can't refuse, putting Merlin's secret in jeopardy. The warlock takes drastic action, risking his health and ability to respond when crisis strikes.

#shows #bbc merlin #merthur #arthur pendragon #arthur #merlin #merlin fic recs #fic recs #je réponds #la poste #ask #anonymous #tais toi lys #*#*frs

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