#30k40k

[merlinfic]

um, excuse me? i was dying

Author: JoeyTheMusician

Rating: T

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 30,448

Summary: 

Gideon is a fourteen year old boy who wants to know the real tea. Camelot has a lot of secrets to offer.

1. The prince's manservant has magic and everyone knows (except the prince)

2. The prince is in love with his manservant and everyone knows (except the manservant)

OR The Office if it was Merthur in Camelot...

“Shouldn’t you be doing- do you have a job?” The two turned to him.

“I don’t have a job. I’m fourteen. Mum makes good money in the kitchens and I just stay out of trouble.” Sir Gwaine raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, you do a good job of that, do you?” He blushed. It wasn’t like he had been arrested yet.

“How do you come to the banquets if you’re not a servant yourself?” Merlin was gawking at him as he asked. It was the most emotion he had had on his face for days.

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about yourself? The love of your life is over there getting courted.” Gideon pointed over his shoulder.

Reader’s Comments: This is one of the most well written fluff pieces I have read that is slightly long with just perfect characterisations. The OCs are just too good and I always read this when I wanna feel good.

Thanks to @emrysmalfoy for sending in this rec!

[merlinfic]

How to kill a king

Author: Naelyn

Rating: G

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 38,102

Summary: 

"That is how you deal with your problems! By politely stating your aim and waiting for your turn to come, instead of coming here with your weapons and no word of warning! D’you reckon it’s easy for me? Not only do I have to deal with the mess he,“ Merlin pointed at Arthur with his chin, “leaves behind him, but now I also have to deal with unplanned assassinations? This world has become a crazy place, isn’t that right, Gwaine?”

or:

Arthur's assassins seriously lack style, and Merlin tells them as much. The knights are stunned. So are the assassins. Also, Merlin's mad at Arthur, and so he is determined to ruin his day as much as possible. In the meanwhile, Gwaine's just living his best life (isn't he always?).

Reader’s Comments: In which Merlin is sick and tired of defending Arthur from a hundred enemies every day so he develops a System(TM).

Sassy, a bit crack-y, and with a generous dose of casual Uther-bashing. Merlin is basically advising/critiquing Arthur's enemies at this point, he's so Done.

Ft. Merlin being a little shit, Sir Leon the Long Suffering, Supportive Lancelot and Gwaine, and Arthur being very exasperated with his warlock. Mark the Shy Bandit deserves an honorable mention.

Thanks to @friendly-callistoctopus for sending in this rec!

[merlinfic]

Heartbreak, Secret Friends, and Stupid Doodles

Author: i_know_its_0ver

Rating: G

Setting: Modern AU

Word Count: 35,842

Summary: 

Merlin has a secret crush on Arthur, who has no idea who he is. When Arthur has a bad break up, Merlin takes it upon himself to cheer him up. Secretly, of course.

Reader’s Comments: OH MY GOOODDD THIS FIC IS SO CUTE WTFFFFF it's like modern uni "coming out"-ish fic where arthur's a jock, merlin's a ... idk a typical dude ?? HAHAHAHHAHA Secret admirer antics ensue and it is absolutely adorable, my heart could not take the fluff 

Thanks to @merciifa for sending in this rec!

[merlinfic]

A Marriage of (In)Convenience 

Author: Camelittle

Rating: M

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 30,265

Summary:

When King Uther insists that Arthur joins a contest of suitors seeking Princess Mithian’s hand in marriage, Arthur remains determined to lose the contest as soon as possible… right up until he realises that his rivals include a certain scruffy Ealdorish dragonrider. Which changes things, because he can not let the pride of Camelot be dimmed by some impudent reptile-keeper, however high his cheekbones or plush his lips. And no, he’s not sore about that incident seven years, two months and five days ago when he and Prince Merlin first met, no matter what Leon says.

Comments: This fic is just wonderful! I loved the enemies to lovers vibe Merlin and Arthur had even though they both were pining after each other. The banter was great throughout the fic, and I loved how powerful and protective Merlin was of Arthur too. The background Morgana/Mithian was *chef’s kiss* as well. Just delightful!

[merlinfic]

Earth is all its Cracked Up to Be

Author: thenerdyindividual

Rating: T

Setting: Modern AU, Other AU

Word Count: 30,145

Summary: 

Merlin moves back to his tiny Welsh Village when his uncle retires from his vet clinic to live somewhere warm and tropical. This moves leads to many surprising things, but none more surprising than a spaceship crash landing in the field behind Merlin's house. Now he and Arthur have to struggle to keep Arthur's identity a secret as they try to find a way to get Arthur home. It won't be easy, especially with a sketchy detective with far too much interest in Arthur hanging around.

Thanks to @yupkook for sending in this rec!

[merlinfic]

the time is drawing near now (yours to claim it all)

Author: ariadne_odair

Rating: M

Setting: Canon

Word Count: 38,728 (WIP)

Summary: 

Camelot holding a tournament is never good news for Merlin. Visitors to Camelot inevitably mean trouble and when one of those visitors sets their eye on Arthur, Merlin isn’t sure if Arthur is at risk of being seduced or something more ominous.

Uncovering a murder plot isn’t nearly as scary as confronting his feelings for Arthur, but at least Merlin hasn’t been kidnapped. Yet. Or revealed his magic to Arthur. Yet.

His destiny may have other ideas.

Thanks anon for sending in this fic rec!

[merlinfic]

whatever here that’s left of me is yours, just as it was 

Author: lupinely

Rating: E

Setting: Canon, Post 5x13

Word Count: 31,931

Summary: 

It is the first time that Merlin has heard Arthur’s name spoken aloud since he died. He shuts his eyes. “How can this be it?”

“It hasn’t ended,” Gaius says. He clasps Merlin’s hands. “Not yet.”

(After Arthur’s death, Merlin lives a life. A very long life, indeed.)

Comments: Goodness, if you need a good cry do I have the fic for you! The fic starts out right after Arthur’s death and it follows Gwen’s reign (I mean......spoilers there’s a lot of characters dying as time goes by in the fic, but wait til the end!), as well as showing how everyone is coping, etc. and it’s so. good. And I was living for the flashbacks to Merlin and Arthur’s relationship! Overall, I love a good angst with a happy ending fic and this was one was great!

[merlinfic]

Do You Recall, Long Ago

Author: clotpolesonly

Rating: M

Setting: Modern Magical AU

Word Count: 38,661

Summary: 

It was bad enough that Merlin woke up in a field out of town missing five months' worth of his memories, but it was even worse coming back to find that his best friend couldn't stand him anymore and no one knew why. Reconciling with Arthur would be a lot easier if things were simple, but things in Merlin's life rarely are, and regaining his memories is only making things more difficult -- and more dangerous.

Thanks @the-goofster for sending in this rec!