#merlin rec

[jfcidgafayo]

I started reading Merthur fanfics for the first time. It took me a while to make this decision, years if I'm being honest.

These two hurt so much, you know? Merthur was one of my first heartbreaks and until this moment it still hurts so much.

That Christmas was so sad for my 16-year-old self, I was inconsolable, crying for almost a week and my family didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to do.

I want to read good happy fanfics, if anybody wants to give me a recommendation, I'm happy to read them.

[im-that-onebitch]

Let me see you

Merlin/Arthur Pendragon

Rating: G

1.6k

Summary:

“I’m not who you think I am.”

“I don’t care. Whoever this is I love them,” Arthur spoke resolutely.

“I have done things. Terrible things. Things I can never take back. Things I can’t atone for.” His tone was pleading, eyes growing wide and arms wrapping around himself, as if trying to console himself.

“Fine.”

“I did things in your name, that I don’t know if you would care for. If you might see them as betrayal. As breaking trust; what you stand for.”

“Merlin,” Arthur breathed. “Do you truly think I care for you so little that betraying me would make a difference?”

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

i've started watching merlin recently then discovered your writing and i am OBSESSED. i have a small self indulgent thing to ask of you: do you have more of the very specific niche of merlin getting stabbed through with a sword/dagger/whatever but being completely fine, much to the shock of arthur+the knights who didn't realize how powerful merlin actually is? i read the five part-er where merlin yells at arthur in the forest and the one where he laughs about it and kills the mercs with vines while saying "i can't believe you think you get to kill me" but are there any others you can link me to? i LOVE immortal merlin shrugging off mortal wounds while arthur and the knights stand in the background like "OHMYGOD?!?!?!?!?!?" i'll take whatever you have for me, your writing, your friend's writing, someone random's writing, just anything of merlin shrugging off getting stabbed. love your work and hope your day is wonderful!! 💖💖💖💖

My GOD I love that trope!! I love when he's a badass, I love love love it!! When he gets injured, mortally or otherwise as long as it's bloody, and he just... deals with it. Whether it's with a smile on his face or just an annoyed tick of the mouth before he gets on with things... I love it.

So, in terms of fics (other than Scary!Merlin, and Angry Magic Reveal) that have this trope.... I don't really have any. I've got PLENTY that have Merlin being injured and just sort of... shrugging it off, but I don't think I've got many/ant others where he shrugs off a mortal wound.

These are the closest I can find on my Masterlist:

7 Times Merlin is in Physician Mode, in the +1 Merlin has an arrow in his shoulder, and is trying to deal with it best he can whilst the others freak out. Though there's no bamf or angry Merlin, he's just kind of annoyed at the others making a fuss of nothing? (Around 8k)

A God in the Throne Room?, Ok, so he doesn't get stabbed, but he does get tied up. When he gets angry with the conversation he effortlessly breaks himself free, and turns into this... terrifying God, who has his “How dare you call my name?” moment, which is very satisfying and chilling. The others almost piss themselves. (4.8k)

Fae!Merlin, Similar to above in that he doesn't get hurt, but he suddenly reveals himself in a rather terrifying way. (8.1k)

Merlin is a badass, Merlin is generally kickass through this whole series, but in the third and final part he does get stabbed in the shoulder, which annoys him more than it hurts him, and he stitches up the wound and begins torturing the man who threw the dagger whilst the others watch on in mild horror (three parts, totalling around 22kish)

The Guard Dog, Merlin is in an underground fighting ring, and the others sneak in only to see him kick ass. This is more crack-y than it is serious, and there's no magic or near death or blood. It's basically the crack-y version of this trope, whilst still having Merlin being a bamf. (6.5k)

Now for fics off my Rec List:

Crossing the Line, Merlin's anger in this is definitely more of a crack-y anger. A whole bunch of sorcerers attack Camelot, and Merlin repeatedly has the shit beaten out of him before he goes "fuck it" and reveals his magic in front of Arthur. It's pretty funny, but Merlin is also very badass. I really love this one lol (4.1k).

no. Just…..no, Merlin's magic is discovered, Uther repeatedly orders his execution, and whilst Merlin avoids it best he can, sometimes people sneak up on him. Every time he dies he just wakes up again, rolls his eyes at Uther, and continues to serve a very baffled Arthur (7.6k)

A Considerable Headstart, Merlin sneaks away to deal with a troublesome visiting Lord, the others follow him. They see him fight, and win, against said Lord, but not without receiving an injury. A Druid comes along and helps stitch him up, and Merlin just spends the entire time kind of exhausted and annoyed and resigned. The conversation between the Lord and Merlin before the fight is probably more interesting and bamfy than the fight and the aftermath (14k).

Is This the Best You Can Do?, probably the CLOSEST to the trope on this list, a set of two fics in which Merlin, without his magic, shows off how bamfy he is whilst the knights watch on, baffled. In one he gets tortured and then kicks ass and breaks everyone out, in the other, he gets poisoned, it doesn't work, and he kicks ass and breaks everyone out (6k and 2k)

Hide Your Scars, Merlin's scars are revealed to the knights one by one, and they help him with his secret kick ass life. He accumulates a multitude of horrifying scars and injuries that he's just resigned to, but he still has to hide from Arthur (the only one who, by the end, doesn't know about his magic before all is revealed) (12k).

~

None of these are exactly like this trope, bar Is This the Best You Can Do?, but they're all pretty close. If you're looking for others, I'd suggest taking a browse through my Rec List. All of them are on AO3, all of them have a rough word count and a description so you don't waste time on ones that aren't your sort of thing! There's a real mix of pairings, length, and trope on there :D

Sorry it took me so long to reply anon, but my Rec List is MASSIVE, so it took me a while to sort through them all😅

[ravenwilds]

Merlin Flash Bingo Rec List - ‘Home’

This is a rec list about Arthur making Merlin and him a home, because there should be more of Arthur building stuff and making stuff and doing DIY. It’s also because I meant to write something for the December Merlin Flash Bingo and it didn’t quite happen, but I want one of Peach’s lovely badges :))

New Home by Sunfall_of_Ennien. This is a lovely piece of Merthur fan art. I adore their pose and their tattoos and the domesticity (teen, fanart, 2021)

The House on Castleview Road by PlaneJane. A classic. Arthur doing renovations and DIY and finding himself along the way. Merthur. Slow burn. Lovely. (mature; 34K words, 2010)

Ashes, Embers, Flames by Unpossible. Another classic. I don’t think the summary of this fic begins to do it justice. Another slow burn but with an exciting ending. The house Arthur’s renovating feels like a character in this fic. Merthur. (explicit, 65K words, 2012)

Whole Lotta Love by Leandra. Okay so there’s not a huge amount of Arthur doing DIY in this fic, but those kind of fics are a rare breed and there is some, so I’m including it. Plus this is worth reading for all sorts of other reasons - as is the whole series. Set in 1960s London with hippy, yogi Merlin and ex-army Arthur. Merthur. (explicit, 12K words, 2021)

Home Sweet Home by RavenGirl42. This is a self-rec, which I wouldn’t normally do but there really is so little of Arthur doing DIY. Short and hopefully cute and a bit funny. Merthur (teen, 1K words, 2021)

That’s all I have for builder!Arthur, DIY!Arthur (or any other character for that matter). If you know of others please tell me! But a couple of bonus recs that fit the theme of ‘home’, if not the DIY aspect:

Working from Home by Ybrows. This is so funny. It’s not finished but it doesn’t really matter, it works fine as a one shot. This fic is so worth the few minutes it takes to read (and has Merlin knitting, which really needs a rec list all of its own). When workaholic Arthur meets Merlin during a Saturday night Zoom call, he doesn't expect to find the bane of his lockdown existence, a new assistant and the love of his life all in one ukulele-playing, amateur knitting, part-time magician. Merthur (mature, 2.5K words, 2021)

The Only Safe Thing by SPowell. This is a story about Arthur learning to make a home by letting someone into his life by looking for a flatmate. Merlin is the new flatmate of course. He has ADHD and is the opposite of Arthur, but they both learn from each other. It has a great cast of characters and, as the summary says, includes karaoke, posing in the nude, Neil Diamond, sleep-walking, dirty dancing, sex toy stores, and mid-night confessions. And, just maybe, love! Merthur (explicit, 60K words, 2013)

[bellamyblakru]

☕️ (Mercelot), ✍️ (Merlin) and 👀 -- if i'm allowed to do 3. If not you can just give me the Tea™ 🤩

thank you so much for sending me these🥺 i accidentally typed way more than i expected lmfao

☕️ + send me a ship/character/movie/book and ill give you my opinions on it

not me looking up who mercelot entailed 😂 but, okay, real tea™️ here: i love their friendship—like, i love it with my entire being. i write them as bffls in probably every one of my fics because their dynamic (in the small amount we saw them together) was honestly one of my favorite things that we witnessed in this show.

there was something so beautiful about lance knowing about the magic. lancelot saw merlin entirely, and merlin needed that with someone. he deserved to have someone look at him with such awe and devotion and pride—to be told that he was the bravest of them all. and lance did that...and he did it so fucking brilliantly.

i think that’s why i constantly have lance alive in my fics because when he died, i was so fucking devastated. not just because he did die, even though that was horrendous, but because he “willingly” left merlin. i know lance did it because he is so incredibly noble and becuase of that entire conversation: “I look at you and I wonder about myself. Could I knowingly give up my life for something?” “You have to have a reason. Something you care about. Something that's more important than anything.” AND THEN THE MF SACRIFICES HIMSELF IMPLYING THAT MERLIN IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING. god, im sad all over agin...but, back on topic, at the end of the day, lance left merlin alone to shoulder his burdens (merlin was set to die, but then lance leaves and i can’t imagine how fucking alone merlin must have felt when lance was gone).

lance was someone truly unique for merlin, someone who helped him feel less like a monster and more like the tragic hero he was...but he still left him. and with the way that seasons 4/5 just continued to get worse for merlin, lance dying was like a bad omen (it was like their version of saying macbeth during a play). SO thats why i keep him alive! because lancelot, i believe, at least, was one of the best people to come into merlin’s life and our boy deserved that.

so oops i may have taken this question a little too seriously? i feel deeply about them😔 but, if you were asking if i ship them? the answer will be a nah from me lmfao

✍️ - give me a fandom and ill rec one of my favorite fics

oh my god i have so, so many for merlin. here is one of them🥺: I suppose that I look different (without the robes and crown) by WingedWolf121

👀 - and ill tell you a parallel from merlin or the 100 that still fucks me up

OH BOY. parallels make me feel some type of way😩 here is one that still fucks me up by the incredibly talented @arthurpendragonns

[irisrecs]

So...... I finished those recs you wonderfully gifted me with. And I also had a look through your other recs, somehow you manage to find the best fics and I’m? In awe? So, just wondering, got anything where everyone else/the knights/Morgana and Gwen can see merthur are in love/think they’re together? Or similarly are trying to set merthur up? I also like a bit of angst with what seems to be fatal injuries and/or spells. Thank you so much for your previous recs btw!! You are now my favourite.

Oooooo the compliments just dished out made me wEAK kind madam, thank you so much! I am so honoured!

Let me see what I can do!

Follow Me Until You Can’t— Mischel

Summary: Let's play a game called "how much can you piss off Arthur tonight"! Or what happens when Arthur leaves Camelot in the night and Merlin follows him, not realizing he's also being followed by someone, who's also being followed by someone who's also being... how many knights did Arthur have again?

My Notes: This is hilarious, and the knights are serious merthur shippers. A bit of angst and magic reveal.

Until You Do (I’ll Bring You Tea and Honey)— The Avalonian

Summary: Modern AU: Everyone keeps assuming that Merlin and Arthur are together, so as a joke, they start pretending it's true. And then, suddenly, it is.

A story of giant teddy bears, meddling sisters, nonexistent homoerotic subtext (or is it?), and accidentally falling in love.

My Notes: incredible story with lots of pining and EVERYONE SHips them and, like, thinks they’re together. it IS a Modern AU so I understand if you pass— but if you’re going to read ANY modern AU’s read this one. It’s adorable.

I Love You With Or Without Fleas—CallMeHopeless

Summary: Morgana challenges Arthur to kiss the person he loves most...

My Notes: Morgana ships it so hard, and Arthur is shockingly sweet and considerate, it’s adorable!

Kiss Him!— @tehfanglyfish

Summary: After being abducted by an infuriating dragon, Arthur finds Merlin unresponsive, suffering ill-effects from a sorcerer's attack. According to the dragon, there's only way for Arthur to save him.

My Notes: Kilgharrah is a bit of a dick in this one, but he’s just trying to *save destiny* and basically sets Merthur up, and hey, he got them to kiss, so!! I think you’ll like this one.

Gifts of Gold and Amber— CandiceWright

Summary: If someone hadn't known better, they would have attributed the blush in both their cheeks to the wine they'd been drinking. But Gwen and Morgana did know better, and upon looking at them they shared a knowing glance reflecting months of frustration. It was then that Morgana felt a surge of determination going through her.

“Alright. I think that we both know that this is getting ridiculous.”

In which Morgana and Gwen are fed up with the fact that Merlin and Arthur don't realize their feelings for each other so they take matters into their own hands.

My Notes: This one fits your description almost perfectly: Gwen and Morgana have to do something about how Merlin and Arthur are being idiots, and the whole court joins in!

ice skates— rainbow_porcupine_ninja

Summary: It’s the dead of winter, and Arthur and his knights plan to skate on the lake to pass the time. With Merlin of course.

Little does Arth3ur know that a devious plot is being made by Gwaine and Leon, involving ice skating lessons, dead branches and a little push...

My Notes: mk look I don’t usually rec my own works. That’s a baaadd move. But hey, I wrote this when I was, like 13, it was my first work, and it’s pretty funny to look back on for me. I’m pretty proud of how far I’ve come. Nevertheless, it DOES have all the knights shipping Merthur, and I suppose it’s pretty cute, so here it is in all it’s teenage glory.

Love that was in here— @arthur-of-the-pendragons

Summary: Arthur is not accustomed to hearing the lustful moans of a couple in passionate embrace in the castle unless he is one of the two; he is especially unused to hearing Merlin let out such sounds, so that he is undoubtedly hearing Merlin sigh, “Oh, please,” in that wanton tone makes his heart clench anxiously and him quicken his footsteps towards the sound.

(Alternatively, the one where Arthur tries to reconcile being jealous and selfless at the same time, Merlin tries to fix an imagined fuck-up, and Gwaine just is an A+ friend to both of them.)

My Notes: One of my fave stories of all time. Gwaine helps to give merlin and arthur a little *push* and is generally a sweetie, Arthur is a dumbass, what more could you want,,,

I really hope you enjoy these! I’m so glad you liked my other lists. Please please please let me know if there are more things that you would like to read from my good ol’ bookmarks, I love to be of assistance!

—Iris

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Hello! Love love the blog so much!!! The stories are incredible. I particularly like the part in the one story where Merlin is a secret BAMF with a sword. I know you don’t really do this so feel free to ignore this question but do you know any other stories that involve the same idea?

(Masterlist) (Rec List)

Uuuhhh... Merlin being good with a sword and/or generally badass. That could be a couple of mine:

Merlin is a Badass Series - Not so much with a sword, but he kicks a ridiculous amount of ass with daggers and his fists, and then semi-tortures someone for information.

Scar Reveal Series - Arthur forces Merlin to join in on training one day, and Merlin beats both Lancelot and Arthur in a sword spar. Though the main point of the story is that Merlin's tunic comes off and all of his scars are revealed.

Marksman!Merlin - Merlin learns to use a longbow, not much actual fighting in it, but he still kills a few people, much to the bewilderment of the others.

Child!Soldier!Merlin - I think this might be the one you're thinking of. Merlin's tragic past as a child soldier from Essetir is revealed by his previous... owner? Said Essetirian Lord convinces Arthur to make Merlin join in on training, where he beats all five knights (Lance, Elyan, Gwaine, Percival, and Leon) and then refuses to fight Arthur.

As for other Recs, these ones from my Rec List have Merlin being a Badass outside of his magic:

Is This the Best You Can Do? - A set of two fics in which Merlin is just generally really cool and keeps saving the gang. Not with swords, but in one he just takes torture really well and then leads the rescue mission, and in the other he survives being poisoned and then kills the people that had captured him and the gang. I think. It's been a while since I read them lol.

Throwing Them Through Hoops - Merlin makes a bet with a mean knight that he can throw daggers better than everyone else. He wins the bet.

A Considerable Headstart - The gang follow Merlin into the woods, where they see him have a VERY concerning conversation with an evil visiting Lord. Then they have a sword fight, which Merlin wins. That's only half of the fic, the rest is about everyone realising that they teat Merlin badly, and don't really know anything about him anymore. Still a GREAT fic though.

The servant´s tournament - Uther decides that because of how often Arthur gets attacked, his manservant needs to also be able to act as a bodyguard. He insists on a tournament that anyone can enter, and the winner will become Arthur's new manservant. Arthur basically resigns himself to losing Merlin, who he is convinced is a wimp with a sword. Merlin wins, though the tournament is anonymous so no one knows until he reveals himself at the end and Uther goes "Oh... I guess as a reward you can... keep your job?". Arthur is dumbfounded, 'tis very funny.

Do You Have Need of Me? - Merlin is the Spymaster, and has been since not long after he arrived in Camelot. He reveals himself to Arthur and things get really tense and angsty because trust issues. A healthy dose of God!Merlin later on. Happy ending though :D

Around the Corner (Secrets Lie) - Elyan accidentally walks in on (without Merlin noticing) Merlin apprehending and consequently extracting information from a would-be assassin. Before killing him, and then just going about his day. Elyan is like... not sure whether to be horrified, impressed, guilty, proud, or what.

~

There are plenty more on both my Masterlist and my Rec List with Badass!Merlin with his magic, but these are all the ones where he's badass specifically without his magic :D

[bitsandbobsofwriting]

Hello!!! I'm a huge fan of all your writing, literally read everything of yours multiple times. But I think I've gone slightly insane, because did you write a about the gang learning that Merlin wasn't ever trained for his job. I'm sorry if that was actually someone else!

(My Masterlist)

Ah you're so sweet!! I love you!!!

That sounds like something I've got on my Rec List?? The one where Arthur finds out exactly why Merlin is such a bad Manservant, Arthur discovers that Merlin is so terrible at his job because he was never actually trained in anything, or even told what his job actually entails. He's also having his pay (which Merlin wasn't even aware he was due) being withheld. Arthur marches down to the Steward's office to set the guy straight. It's sorta pre-Merthur, (but could also just be bros, if I remember correctly). It's not the whole gang though, just Arthur, though it is one of my favourites so I wholeheartedly recommend it anyway, if you haven't already read it!!! It's only about 3k as well, so a quick read :D