MERWAINE FEST 2023 - Starting July 30th - August 5th
tag #merwainefest2023 or this account directly ♥️
FOR FANFIC WRITERS - prompts and/or themes for inspiration:
day one: “i’ve been alone all my life” + angst
day two: “who did this to you?” + hurt/comfort
day three: “i’m not afraid of you.” + bamf!merlin
day four: “you feel like home to me” + protective!gwaine
day five: “i trust you.” + fluff
day six: “who am i?” + angst with a happy ending
day seven: free day♥️
FOR GIFS/ VIDEO/ ART CREATORS - quotes and/or themes for inspiration:
day one: “have you ever been in love? horrible isn't it? it makes you so vulnerable. it opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up.” (neil gaiman) + red
day two: poem of your choice + orange
day three: your favorite quote + yellow
day four: “love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” (robert a. heinlein) + green
day five: “i am not afraid to die; i am only afraid of saying goodbye to you forever.” (shannon l. alder) + blue
day six: song lyrics that screams merwaine + purple
say seven: free day♥️
NSFW IS ALLOWED BUT PLEASE TAG APPROPRIATELY ♥️ ALSO i have an ao3 collection from all the merwaine fests that can be used for this one, too!
as always, if you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to either dm this account or my main ( @bellamyblakru ) or drop an ask!! 🥰
Congratulations to everyone for an amazing exchange! Thank you all for contributing your time and effort, all of the work you’ll find below was an absolute delight.
Here is a masterlist of all the content that was created for the Gwaine Fest Holiday Exchange. Please show everyone your support by reading, viewing, and offering kudos and comments on all the work below!
Creator | Giftee | Characters | Type
@wesawbears | @siennavie | Gwaine/Arthur | Fic | LINK
@fictionalinfinity | @wesawbears | Gwaine/Merlin, Gwaine/Percival | Fic | LINK
@jgvfhl | @candicewright | Gwaine, Percival | Fic | LINK
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Merlin (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Gwaine & Merlin (Merlin), Gwaine & Gwaine’s Sister (Merlin), Gwaine & Gareth, Gwaine & Clarissant, Gwaine & Knights of the Round Table
Characters: Gwaine (Merlin), Merlin (Merlin), Gwaine’s Sister (Merlin), Clarissant (Arthurian), Gareth (Arthurian), Hierna (Arthurian), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Percival (Merlin), Elyan (Merlin), Leon (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin), Gwen (Merlin), Guiromelant (Arthurian)
Additional Tags: Canon Era, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Merlin’s Magic Revealed (Merlin), (To Gwaine at least), Gwaine Knows About Merlin’s Magic (Merlin), Gwaine’s Nobility Revealed, Arthurian Legends Remix, Canon-Typical Violence, Epic Bromance, BAMF Merlin (Merlin), BAMF Gwaine, Protective Gwaine (Merlin), Mentions of past family death, Imprisonment, Rescue Missions, Guilt, Forgiveness, Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Family Feels, Found Family, mild language warning, Minor Gwen/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Slight Irreverent Treatment of Your Local Dungeon Skeleton, (Clarissant and Gwaine’s Sister are the same person), (Just borrowing one of Gawain’s sisters from the legends lol), Alternative Title: I Throw Merlin and Gwaine Into a Video Game/D&D Dungeon and Hope Y'all Enjoy It, Gwaine Fest 2019, Mild medical care, Yule, (Riiiight at the end though lol)
Summary:
Gwaine hasn’t seen his siblings in ten years. After a fight between he and his sister, he left home, with no plans to ever return.
But when Gwaine’s brother, Gareth, stumbles across their patrol in the middle of the night, Gwaine learns a horrible truth: that a sorceress from their mother’s past has abducted his sister and is holding her in a dungeon in which almost no one comes out alive, Canguin Rock.
Armed with nothing but their determination, a sword, and a magical staff (and wasn’t that a surprise), Merlin and Gwaine set out for Canguin to rescue Gwaine’s sister and restore his family.
And maybe right the wrongs Gwaine committed over a decade ago.
My @gwainefest fic for @siennavie. You asked for Gwaine/Arthur, and it was really fun to write! I hope you enjoy and happy holidays!
As always, follow the cut.
–
Gwaine wasn’t sure what had gotten into him. Helping Arthur and fighting with the Knights was meant to be a favor to Merlin, a bit of fun, a reprieve from the monotony of going tavern to tavern and town to town. Now, though, he found himself taking a vow, promising himself to a higher cause. It was all very noble, and very unlike himself.
Making a vow and committing himself to keeping it were two very different things, though. He had many strong suits- courage, loyalty, humor- but discipline was not among them. Committing himself to the daily grind of training and staying in the same place every night was an experience he wasn’t entirely sure he was equipped for. Still, a part of him he was trying to listen to more wanted to prove himself, and to show that nobility truly was about what you do. The other knights were enjoyable enough, and even if he could be a pompous arse at times, he believed Arthur was worth following.
That said, the prospect of the upcoming yuletide celebrations had Gwaine in higher spirits. If there was one thing he loved, it was an excuse to have a good time, and what better way to get to know his brothers in arms then with some jubilation? Surely some of the other knights would have different definitions of fun than Gwaine’s own, but with enough drink and needling, he was sure he could wear them down.
It was a week or so before Christmas celebrations in Camelot would truly begin, but already the citadel and lower town were getting crowded as people’s families arrived from outer villages and towns to spend the holidays with loved ones. Decorations of evergreen, holly, and ivy were gradually appearing in house windows, along with candles at night. There was snow on the ground, but there hadn’t been a huge snowfall yet, although everyone knew it would come. Camelot always got snow for Christmas. The taverns and inns were reaching capacity by this time, and the evenings inside were even more crowded than normal, often with standing room only.
Luckily, Gwaine knew to get there early. Getting to the Rising Sun tavern early meant two things: there was still hot cider left, and you could get a seat. So he had done that tonight, although he was alone. Usually, he could convince someone to come with him, but the knights he had asked had all been busy. Many of them had extra duties in the evenings this time of year due to the influx of people into the city. Gwaine didn’t particularly mind. He was a sociable person, and he had found people to talk to at the tavern. But it was getting late, and the tavern was filling up fast, getting louder and more raucous with each new addition. Gwaine finished off his tankard, delivered it to the bar, said goodnight to the owner and his wife, and began the task of finding the door.
Posting period begins on Friday, December 13 and ends on Friday, January 3! This spaces out the pieces so we get them throughout the entire holiday period. Each participant will be assigned a week to post their gift at any time within the period.
If you are concerned about missing your posting period, please let me know right away so we can make arrangements!! And if you do miss your posting week, there will be a period of posting amnesty at the end.
Everyone has done such an amazing job so far, and we’re almost at the finish line! I can’t wait for you guys to share your final pieces. 8)
Where to post
AO3 Collection: If you are posting your work to AO3, please post to the collection!
Please tag @gwainefest in any Tumblr posts so I can reblog! Please also submit the link if you are not posting it to Tumblr so that we can share it.
If you are in the Discord, please share the link there for us to see! 8)
When to post
Week of December 12 - 19: @candicewright, @fictionalinfinity, @olympain
Week of December 20 - 26: @wesawbears, @jgvfhl, @wlizards
Week of December 27 - January 3: @siennavie, @the-astro-ace
You are revealing yourself as you give the gift, meaning there is no need to stay anonymous once you post! Let me know if you have any questions, and HAPPY GIFTING!
It's time for your second (and final!) check-in! If you need to withdraw, drop, or have any other concerns, now is the time to let me know.
Howdy Gwaine Lovers! Please send your final check-ins!
This check-in is mandatory. If you do not check in by the end of the day on December 1st, I will assume you are no longer participating and find someone else to fill your request.
Yay, everyone! It's already time for first check-in! I am not looking for progress at this time, I only want to confirm that everyone is comfortable with their matches. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any concerns.
Howdy, Gwaine Lovers! Today is the first check-in for Gwaine Fest 2019: Winter Holiday Edition! Please fill out the form as soon as your able.
Claims form has closed and all matches have been sent out. Please let send a message if you have not received one! First check in will be November 8, no WIPs will be expected at that time. Happy Gwaine-ing!
Gwaine Fest 2019 claims are now open! Please review the prompts HERE and select your top three choices. Claims will close on Monday the 28th, or when everyone has filled out the form, whichever comes first.
Once the claiming form closes, I will try to send out your assignments by the following weekend. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Thank you everyone for signing up! Below the cut are the prompts that are available for claiming. If you have signed up to participate, then please peruse these prompts at your leisure. The claiming form will open on Friday, October 25 at 12:00 PM PST (noon; countdown clock here) and will remain open until Monday, October 8, or everyone has replied (whichever comes first).
You will be asked to list your top 3 choices.
>> Claiming Form <<
>> Countdown Clock <<
Prompts below!
1.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Gwaine/Percival, Gwaine/Arthur/Merlin, just general knight friendship and shenanigans
Prompts:
Modern au: knight group secret Santa and/or snowball fights
Either canon or modern: gwaine getting really excited about snow and someone finding it adorable. Bonus points for a grumpy Arthur snowman existing
Cuddling for warmth. Preferably Gwaine using Percy as a human space heater. Can be established relationship or catching feelings.
Any tropes that really get you excited?
I am a sucker for bed sharing, fake relationships, and soulmate au
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
First snow of the year, gift exchanges, drinking warm drinks by a fire, obnoxious sweaters. If modern au, lots of lights (though i guess with magic that could work with canon).
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
No major character death, non-con, dark themes. Its a holiday thing, so mainly looking for fluff here. Hurt/comfort super okay as long as it gets resolved
Anything else you'd like your match to know?
I'm pretty easygoing!
.
2.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Gwaine, Merlin, Arthur, Knights of the Round Table
Prompts:
Gwaine’s nobility getting revealed, Merlin and Gwaine going on an adventure, Gwaine finding out about Merlin’s magic and/or dragon lord heritage
Any tropes that really get you excited?
Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Whump
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
Exchanging gifts!! That’s where it’s at
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
Smut or slash
.
3.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? I’m a sucker for all things Perwaine, but also ALL THE KNIGHT SQUAD BOOOIIIISSSSSS i love them
Prompts:
Soothing nightmares, Gwaine’s childhood, surprise holiday gift, SNOWBALL FIGHTS, traveling around the kingdom, GWAINE WRAPPED UP IN A FUZZY BLANKET WITH SOME HOT COCO WITH MARSHMALLOWS HOLY CRAP
Any tropes that really get you excited?
Most tropes get me pretty excited
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
Snowball fights, hot coco, roaring fires, SLEDDING, s’mores over said fire, cats playing in wrapping paper, homemade Christmas ornaments, ugly sweaters
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
No smut please. No death please. Keep the clothes on please.
Anything else you'd like your match to know
Gwaine+ponytail/bun=adorableness
.
4.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Gwaine/Percival, Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (secondary pairing), Morgana, Kinghts of the round table...
Prompts:
1. Gwaine is in the tavern one night when he gets attacked by a group of guys. Percival saves him. 2. Gwaine finds out about Merlin's magic and decides to have fun with it.
Any tropes that really get you excited?
Hurt/comfort, fluff, humour, angst with a happy ending...
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
Yule or Christmas, but anything is fine!
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
Mpreg, A/B/O dynamics, rape/non-con between main characters, vampires, werewolves, fuck or die, magic made them do it.
.
5.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Gwaine and Merlin and Arthur is an iconic trio if this is all about friendship, ship wise I'm into Merthur!!!
Prompts:
GWAINE TRYING TO GET MERLIN AND ARTHUR TOGETHER SOMEHOW? OR MERLIN MAKING GWAINE GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH HIM FOR ARTHUR ??
Any tropes that really get you excited?
I like meet cutes!! BED SHARING TOO THOUGH IDK HOW THAT WOULD WORK.
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
MISTL E TOE BABEYYY !!! OVERSIZED SWEATERS ADN BEING WARM?? So CUDDLES... I celebrate Christmas so it would be fun to see that~
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
Don't have anything I can think of from the top of my head!
Anything else you'd like your match to know?
Nope!
.
6.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Percival/Gwaine; (Just a hint of Merthur, maybe)
Prompts:
- Gwaine helping couples get together, but being totally oblivious to his own love life
- Gwaine and snow/winter activities (e.g. ice skating, building a snowman, etc.) That’s it.
- A pile of Love Letters to Gwaine just magically shows up on his doorstep and they date back all the way from a decade ago to present day
- Or Gwaine writes love letters to this one person he likes over a decade, and they miraculously disappear. Until he realizes someone found them and sent all of it to the addressee (ala To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before) just in time for the Christmas party at said person’s house
- Winter ball/masquerade (maybe?)
Any tropes that really get you excited?
Caught underneath the Mistletoe; Accidental confessions; Scarf/Umbrella-Sharing; Snow in Hair/Eyelashes/Etc.
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
Hot cocoa; snow days; Christmas; Cuddling by the fireplace; Air so cold that your breath can be seen;
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
Character death (it’s unlikely to show up, but still! I can never be too sure.)
Anything else you'd like your match to know?
Angst is perfectly fine (I actually kinda love angst), so long as a happy ending is involved.
.
7.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Besides Gwaine, Arthur foremost (Gwaine/Arthur would be awesome). Merlin and the other knights would be great, too (as friends, but I'd be interested in Gwaine/Leon romance too!).
Prompts:
Gwaine finding home and hope in Camelot (basically, a missing scene between S3 and S4). Gwaine sharing a personal holiday tradition with one or more of the boys. As many of the boys as you want having a peaceful and joyful gathering in Arthur's chambers. Gwaine and Percival getting up to no-good in the castle during the holiday festivities (and maybe dragging some of the other knights into it).
Any tropes that really get you excited?
For Gwaine/Arthur - soul bonds/marks. And generally speaking, I just like the idea of brotherhood among the knights (+ warlock)...is that a trope?
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
Christmas
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
Dub/non-con between the main pairing. Pure smut (Nothing against it! I'd just like something more character-driven this time).
Anything else you'd like your match to know?
Just how excited I am to see what they create! :)
.
8. DROPPED
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Perwaine for sure :)
Prompts:
Snowball fight
Fireplace
Ice skating
Ugly Christmas sweater!
Sharing a scarf!!
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
H o t chocolate!!
Mistletoes !!
Snow!!
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
I’m fine with everything !
Anything else you'd like your match to know?
I’m french, English isn’t my first language !
.
9.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Merlin and Gwaine's friendship / Knight of the round table / Just Gwaine alone is also fine
Prompts:
Getting up to trouble together / Strength, courage and magic / Fighting side by side / Having a feast together as a family
Any tropes that really get you excited?
Found family / Chosen one
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
Christmas
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
Shipping
.
10.
Characters or pairings you'd like to see featured? Merlin/Gwaine, Gwaine & Merlin, Gwaine & Aithusa, Gwaine & Gwen
Prompts:
- Modern!Merwaine: First holiday together.
- Golden Age AU: Aithusa has to stay in the castle over winter because it's cold - she and Gwaine get up to all sorts of mischief.
- Or, Merlin has to do something and asks Gwaine to babysit her.
- "And there was only one bed"
- Merwaine: Gwaine is gone on an extended patrol, filled with pining and letters
- Or, really, just general winter shenanigans with a Gwaine and/or Merwaine focus would make me happy lmao
Any tropes that really get you excited?
- Hurt/Comfort
- Angst with happy ending
- "I didn't know how much I cared for you until I almost lost you"
- Domestic fluff
- Epistolary fic
- (Gwaine!)whump with happy ending
- Reunion after one of them thinking the other is dead
- Druid Centric AUs
- Accidental Baby Acquisition
Favorite wintery things? What winter holidays might you like to see featured?
Yule, Ice skating, hot chocolate, watching the snow fall
Squicks, triggers, or other content you do NOT want in your fill:
- Large age differences/underage
- Please no Merlin/Arthur even if it's only background
Anything else you'd like your match to know?
I hope you have fun :D
theartofmadeline
germansingergirl
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
