#20k30k

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The Social Season

Author: DracoWillHearAboutThis

Rating: E

Setting: Other AU - The Selection, Choices The Royal Romance

Word Count: 21,642

Summary: 

When Gwaine told Merlin that he would sponsor him for the Social Season, he just laughed in his face. When Gwaine just smiled back mischievously, he started to worry.

***

Merlin unwittingly becomes a candidate in the traditional royal race to win Arthur's heart and marry him. Apparently, Gwaine was right when he'd said that the line between genius and insanity was a very fine one.

Thanks to Rai for sending in this rec!

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Reader’s Recs

Reasons Why Arthur Likes Gwen by kolachess

T | 5,023 | Canon | WARNINGS: Major Character Death | Summary: Everyone knows the Arthurian legends and how King Arthur was 'besotted' with Queen Guinevere. Here is Arthur's list of why.

I will bring you ruin by TyalanganD

M | 4,824 | Other AU | Summary: I must confess, he does not look like a monster I expected from Father’s description. But then again, those magicals rarely do. They beguile people to do their will.

Or, an excerpt from the diary of captain Arthur Pendragon, a monster hunter.

Time Forward by kianspo

T | 23,180 | Modern AU | Summary: While still at uni, Arthur Pendragon meets two people who become his best friends. He falls in love with one of them... but marries the other. This isn't his story to tell; it's Merlin's. And Merlin will always remember that he met Arthur first.

Thanks to @ladyalectrona for sending in these recs!

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It Was One Kingdom, Once

Author: queerofthedagger

Rating: T

Word Count: 28,531 (WIP)

Setting: Canon AU

Summary:

“He cursed me. I’m coughing up flowers, Gaius—what other possible explanation is there?”

“Well, there is—”

“He was mad at me, it’s exactly something he would do. Infuriating, obnoxious, thrice-damned sorcerer that he is probably finds it funny to—”

It is said that the sins of the father should not be cast upon the son. Unfortunately, a father's miscalculated bargain can still come back to haunt you—Arthur is twenty-one, has a kingdom to rule, and apparently, a magically binding marriage contract with the Prince of Escetir. Prince Merlin, who has magic, a dragon, great dislike for Arthur, and still no intention to back out of the contract.

The worst part is, to a degree, Arthur understands—as a sorcerer, he wouldn't trust Uther Pendragon's son either. So he simply has to convince Merlin that he can be trusted, and the contract can be broken while they secure peace between Camelot and Escetir. It's a good plan.

Right up until forces conspire against both their kingdoms, more secrets come to light, and Arthur starts coughing up flowers.

Thank you @yupkook for the submission!

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The Eternal Silence of These Infinite Spaces

Author: aoigensou

Rating: T

Setting: Canon

Word Count: 26,069

Summary: 

After a spat with Arthur, Merlin retreats for some quiet in the Darkling Woods. What happens there takes away his voice, and forces Merlin to figure out how to exist in a world where communication doesn't come easily.

Comments: This fic was fantastic! The UST (seriously, the UST!!!) between Merlin and Arthur made for a great read, and I really enjoyed seeing Merlin learn to cope with the curse as well. The magic reveal was intense and seeing Arthur so tender after he comes to terms with it (and slight ~spoilers: how the curse was broken) was just <3333.

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secrets i have held in my heart

Author: arthur_pendragon

Rating: E

Setting: Modern AU

Word Count: 20,044

Summary: 

Merlin carves himself into Arthur’s soul while the song of summer trails behind them in the sultry air; while the trees haggle with the sun over the price of autumn — separation. Arthur will forever remember this week in which he obtained his heart’s desire and had it ripped away from him.

Reader’s Comments: This story is, first and foremost, Arthur’s story. It’s angsty, incredibly sexy, and my heart just breaks for Arthur over and over again with all the things Arthur thinks he can’t say out loud and everything he thinks he can’t have. It’s a lovely story.

Thanks to @autumnennui for sending in this fic!

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Whispering Your Name

Author: CaffeinatedFlumadiddle

Rating: T

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 22,517

Summary: 

The Dorocha. They are the voices of the dead, my child. And, like the dead, they are numberless.

Or

A different take of the dorocha. Instead of them being faceless screams that attack you, they are actually figures of the dead. Merlin doesn't quite realize how much death affected him until him and the knights go to close the veil.

Reader’s Comments: It's the sort of fic that's similar to Merlin being called out by the past sort of thing. Just brilliant.

Thanks to @cloudyfromoobsession for sending in this rec!

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Beauty in the Ashes of Our Lives

Author: Fulgance

Rating: T

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 21,599

Summary: 

After Merlin is executed for Uther's murder, Arthur's world falls apart.

Reader’s Comments: Magic reveal gone wrong, temporary character death and of course, guilty Arthur. Not entirely satisfying because I really had to feel bad for him at times, then Arthur would have a comment or thought and I'd just be angry again but definitely worth the read.

Thanks to @cloudyfromoobsession for sending in this rec!

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Recommending another fic. I'm not sure if you have this one already but I had to. Let us Dare by kianspo?

Thanks anon for sending this fic in!

Let Us Dare by kianspo

M | Canon AU | 29,511 | Summary: Uther dies instead of Ygraine when Arthur is born. Balinor helps Ygraine secure her position as regent, magic isn’t banned, and Merlin and Arthur grow up side by side. Camelot is different but not cloudless, destiny is still a troublesome thing, and Arthur is still charmingly oblivious when it comes to things that matter most in life.