#50k60k

[merlinfic]

From Where You Stand 

Author: fifty_fifty

Rating: E

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 56,326

Summary:

It all starts with some goblets...

Comments: Oh wow, did I absolutely love this fic! I really enjoy a good bodyswap fic and this one is just *chef’s kiss.* I adored how protective Merlin and Arthur were of each other, and seeing Arthur work through the magic reveal (and his feelings for Merlin) while he was in Merlin’s body made for a great read. And even though much of the fic they’re bodyswapped I loved how they recognized each other so well and all the feelings that came with it. Just a wonderful fic!!

[merlinfic]

Love is Brewing at the Lazy Daisy

Author: tehfanglyfish

Rating: E

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 51,281

Summary: 

It’s been five years since Arthur took the throne and Camelot is thriving, thanks to his hard work and willingness to listen to his best friend and closest advisor, Gwen. Dedicated to improving life for his people, Arthur gave up on romance years ago to focus on economic revitalization and building a lasting peace with the Druids.

But everything changes when a new shop opens next door to the Rising Sun, selling a strange drink from a distant land. Arthur soon finds himself regularly frequenting the Lazy Daisy, drawn to the coffee and the captivating shopkeeper, a man called Merlin who seems strangely familiar. Will he be the one to convince Arthur to let down his defenses and follow his heart?

Comments: Oh man, what didn’t I love about this fic! I absolutely adored Arthur throughout the fic and seeing him wanting to and trying to change things in Camelot was fantastic. His banter with Merlin at the coffee shop made me all *heart eyes emoji* and I was so pleased when they finally got together. And honestly, I just loved all the characters in this fic—Gwen especially! It’s a great fic!

[merlinfic]

Morgana, Merlin and Magic, Oh My!

Author: dancinghopper

Rating: T

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 55,875

Summary: 

It was not Gwen's fault, truly. All she ever did was introduce Morgana to Merlin.

In which destinies are properly thrown out the window, and four young people decide that, you know, screw it, maybe they can and will bring the Golden Age of Albion about through nothing but a healthy dose of love, friendship, and good-natured shenanigans.

or, alternatively;

me watching merlin 1x10: hm. what if every episode was like this

Reader’s Comments: I absolutely adored this fic - I read it while it was being posted, and each new update never failed to make my day! The writing style is so wonderful and the relationships between the characters really shine through and I think this fic deserves all the love!

Thanks to Shayla for sending in this rec!

[merlinfic]

A Silly Teenage Love Story

Author: MarInk

Rating: T

Setting: Modern AU

Word Count: 51,179 (need ao3 account!)

Summary: 

Arthur is a student at Camelot High and his father is the Headmaster. All teachers know that and treat Arthur accordingly. Enter Mr. Emrys, the teacher of English literature who just refuses to understand how things work around here. Nothing is left for Arthur but to try and get him kicked out of the job and, subsequently, Arthur's life. Arthur tries. God knows, he really tries.

Reader’s Comments: This one is too special. It doesn’t involve actual stident/professor relationship btw. It ised to be in the kinkmeme lj page back in 2012, the author moves it to ao3 but sadly the traffic wasn’t the same as the lj, which is why I’d like to submit this story. It’s one of the fanfics that has leave with a feeling that everything will be alright even if it doesnt look like that right now.

Thanks to @nicecucumber for sending in this rec!

[merlinfic]

About Time

Author: rosewatergold

Rating: G

Setting: Canon, Post 5x13

Word Count: 55,214

Summary: 

After losing Arthur, Merlin semi-accidentally travels back in time. In an attempt to change the future, Merlin takes Morgana under his wing and trains her in magic, all the while trying to pretend he's not still in love with an Arthur who doesn't remember that they used to be married (in the future, that is), keeping an eye out for Morgause, and juggling Camelot's run of the mill crises. You know, the usual manservant stuff.

Reader’s Comments: A lovely time traveling fic where cannon is thrown out the window, as it should be after those last episodes. 10/10 would read again. Basically Merlin time travels into the past and is determined to change the future.

Thanks to @sophtatic for sending in this fic rec!

[merlinfic]

A Passage to Italy

Author: ArcadianMaggie

Rating: E

Setting: Modern AU

Word Count: 51,102

Summary: 

College sweethearts while at Cambridge University, Merlin is in the Department of English studying the works of E.M. Forster. Arthur is studying economics, readying himself to take his place at Pendragon Holdings. After a bitter breakup, Arthur travels to Rome on business. When he isn't consumed with work, the setting invariably elicits thoughts of a happier time when he and Merlin were still together. Everywhere he looks, he sees Merlin, even in the faces of Bernini's angels on the Ponte Sant'Angelo. Are they truly over or can they somehow still find their happy ending?

Comments: Goodness, I really loved this fic! The angst of Merlin and Arthur’s breakup (and the pining thereafter, oh boy) mixed with the flashbacks to when they were together was just fantastic. I also enjoyed how both Merlin and Arthur grew throughout the story (Arthur standing up to Uther, and Merlin owning up and realizing his own insecurities). And I mean, “a happy ending for M&A was always an imperative.” <33333 It’s a wonderful fic!

[merlinfic]

Ambivalence

Author: Pokeydotes

Rating: T

Setting: Canon

Word Count: 55,592

Summary: 

When a never ending drought plagues Camelot, Arthur and Merlin have bigger problems to deal with than pesky little things like feelings. Arthur and Merlin are clueless, and the Knights are tired of their bullshit.

Reader’s Comments:  This fic! I don’t know what I was expecting but, it wasn’t this! Everyone is super in character, it’s well written, a interesting premise, bad ass Merlin, Arthur and the Knights know about the magic, Arthur and Merlin are very oblivious to their own emotions but thats okay because the knights (and Gaius) are here to meddle. I really enjoyed this fic and highly recommend it! 

 Thanks to @gaylienz for the rec!

[merlinfic]

The Golden Path 

Author: blacktail_chorus

Rating: M

Setting: Canon AU

Word Count: 58,516

Summary: 

While Morgana is on the run after revealing herself as a sorceress, Arthur embarks on a quest for a blade rumored to be able to destroy the source of all magic–with Merlin, of course, in tow. On the road, a rash decision with unexpected consequences forces Arthur to confront a lifetime of prejudice against magic and decide how far he will go to make things right.

Comments: I absolutely loved this fic! I enjoyed the use of daemons in this and it was interesting to see what kind of animal each person had. (Side note: personally, I only have a vague notion of the “His Dark Materials” books but you definitely don’t need to have the full knowledge of it to understand what’s happening.) I loved that this fic had good!Morgana and her role throughout the fic was great. The angst of the reveal and what happens to Merlin was heartbreaking, but I loved how everything was resolved. And goodness, watching Arthur grow and learn and become King Arthur was just fantastic.