As a part of the Fic Rec Days, I’m going to recommend some of my very favorite Barduil fics. Barduil is my otp, so as can be expected, I wanted to make a lot, but to make it more manageable, I decided I will only recommend fics, that I haven’t recommended before (see my recs lists I. II. III.), only one fic per writer, and only fics, that I think haven’t been discovered by enough people yet :)
Between the Pines by @northerntrash
The time of fairytales is ending, with the dawn of reason and industry chasing away the darkness, which once covered the uncharted world. Bard is traveling alone, in search of his place in life, when he stumbles upon a cursed forest where the last lord of the night still lingers behind the thick walls of his ruined castle. The cards are shuffled, a card is drawn, but for the first time since forever, it is not what he has expected…
This gorgeous vampire/beauty-and-the-beast AU might just be one of my all-time-favorites in this fandom! A gorgeous, complete long fic = everything I wished for this holiday season! If you haven’t read it already, go read it and leave the author a comment, because this story deserves a lot more of those!!!
Drive by @therepressedcreative
Bard gets a new job as the chauffeur of a wealthy businessman. Soon enough, Bard is completely smitten, but it seems he doesn’t stand a chance with his handsome, ice-cold employer. Well, not until copious amounts of alcohol wash away the mask of indifference and Bard discovers that Thranduil is not at all the way he pretends to be…
Gosh, this modern au porn+feels fic is so amazing and I really recommend it - it builds up nicely and doesn’t let up until the end! I would read more of this pure indulgence, if therepressedcreative ever writes more! Read this stuff!!!
ísmere by @homicidalmonday
A role-reversal/fairytale AU fic - Thranduil is a young prince, smitten by a princess as warm and beautiful as sunshine, however upon her request he must venture into the winter forest, in search of a purple flower, which only grows during summer. He finds the flower in the hands of a pale stranger, who would only trade the living blossoms for kisses as cold as the frost covering the frozen woods…
A truly beautiful and memorable fic, which is now complete. I really enjoyed the dark, moody atmosphere, and especially the interpretation of Bard’s dark fairytale version. The plot surprised me, but I won't’ comment on that, because I don’t want to spoil the story for you. Go read it :D
In the Land of the Dead by @tetanus-detonation
(Barduil Greek Mythology!AU where Bard is Orpheus, travelling to the underworld to save his dead wife, and Thranduil is Hades. )For those of you who don’t know how the myth goes, Orpheus is a mortal singer, who could enchant humans, animals and even the gods with his music. When his wife died, Orpheus went to the underworld to retrieve her and with his song, moved the god of the dead, Hades, to tears. Hades then agreed to let his wife go, but only on one condition…
This fic had me squealing - it’s well written and so full of potential! What I loved the most was definitely the moment when Bard managed to get the ancient god of the dead Thranduil to cry. I need this one shot to turn into a long fic, because I would read the hell out of this
Unnamed fic by @thrandythefabulous
A lovely role-reversal fic where Bard is an unruly, somewhat rebellious elf, while Thranduil is the scarred, stoic leader of the humans of Dale. This human fascinates the elf and Bard wishes to stick around to find out more. Meanwhile, Thranduil is going to find out that his beauty is not truly marred by the dragonfire as long as there is someone to appreciate him despite his scars…
I love role reversal fics, because they always bring forth the more subtle aspects of the characters and are tons of fun! I adored this one, because despite changing the races of the characters, they remained very close to their original roles. I would definitely read more of this if it ever turned into a multi-chapter fic!
Unnamed fic by @curmudgeony
The only thing that Bard hates more than the responsibilities of Kingship is leaving the Woodland realm, where he has been at the comfort and hospitality of it’s beautiful King. However the time for goodbyes has finally come and Bard must see Thranduil one more time before he departs…
This fic is based on some gorgeous fan art and is an altogether barduil fandom treasure! As always, curmudgeony’s writing is top notch and expertly draws us in the story, making this short fic an unforgettable emotional ride, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Two words: Read it!
theartofmadeline
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