2. 'I didn't account for the rotation of the planet and how that affects the constalations while my characters stargazed at different times of year, I have failed as a writer, and this entire thing is trash'
The truth is out—and now? Can trust be rebuilt, or will years of lies and secrets tear everything apart? Will there be a Golden Age, or will Camelot sink into chaos? What are the repercussions of the big reveal?
Today's gen fic rec theme: Post-Magic Reveal!
↓ Find the list of fanfic recs under the cut! ↓
⚬ The ghost of my regrets by kyrakaryanne, 1k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/48298693
summary: Arthur hadn't killed Merlin. He'd just... watched. Merlin's execution, and the aftermath.
⚬ King’s Promise by reelin_writer, 1k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/50237500
summary: Merlin’s health is affected by the oppression of magic. As magic itself, the death or pain of a sorcerer—and subsequently of their magic—causes Merlin pain. The first time a sorcerer is executed after Merlin’s magic has been revealed, Arthur comes to stay with him while he recovers.
⚬ The Conscience of the King byughbutidontwantto, 14k words, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/25942393
summary: Merlin's magic was revealed and now everyone has to deal with it in an official capacity since tragically most of these characters work in government. Arthur, predictably, is struggling to cope.
⚬ What I'd Have Done by Flight_of_Fantasy, 120k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/5013721
summary: "I'm not sure what I'd have done." "And I didn't want to put you in that position.” For better or for worse, Arthur knows Merlin's secret. The problem? Merlin doesn't know Arthur knows. This leaves Arthur with a predicament... and an opportunity. A test. Three trials and three opportunities for Merlin to prove he doesn't deserve death. Arthur hopes he will pass them. Maybe then the image of Merlin's golden eyes will stop haunting him.
⚬ Debt by onceandfuturewarlock, 1k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/18491845
summary: Arthur rolls his eyes. "Don't be stupid, Gwaine, even Merlin wouldn't have done magic in front of the entire court--" Merlin coughs.
⚬ To Serve and Protect by Ultrageekatlarge, 25k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/423270
summary: After something terrible happens, Arthur, Gwen, Gwaine, and Lancelot take their turns in protecting their protector, watching over their watcher. Merlin’s the one in trouble, now, and it’s up to them to save him.
⚬ Secret by onceandfuturewarlock, 2k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/18226676
summary: "So," Arthur says, "are you powerful, then?" "Um," Merlin says. "I can hold my own."Arthur snorts. The day Merlin can hold his own, he'll eat his sword.
⚬ In A Name by StarlightInHerEyes22, 2k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/5098316
summary: In the middle of some quest or another, Merlin, Arthur and the knights find themselves stuck in the middle of a shrine being told that, if they wish to proceed unharmed, they need only speak their true names and titles. Straight-forward enough, right?Wrong. Merlin really hates the Old Religion sometimes.
⚬ Multidentity by MyFairKatie, 2k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56719243
summary: Arthur throwing a banquet for the sorcerers who have helped him over the years to celebrate the legalization of magic is a good idea in theory.But four of the five people Arthur just asked Merlin to give invitations to are just… different variations of Merlin. Merlin’s TRYING to explain this to Arthur. But he just. Isn’t. Listening.
⚬ Greet the Dawn by Flight_of_Fantasy, 5k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43201323
summary: Merlin is terribly nervous about the transition from servant to court sorcerer, and Gwen knows a thing or two about transitioning from a servant to a member of the court. Luckily, she has a remedy. She began it when she became Queen, and she's more than happy to share her secret with Merlin.
⚬ The Faith of the Fallen by N16, 57k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/55374373
summary: When Arthur vanishes, it seems clear to everyone that he’s dead, especially since a visiting king claims to have seen his death with his own eyes. But Merlin refuses to believe it, and when he finds Arthur, he realizes they’re both pawns in a game more complicated than he could have imagined. Unless they find a way to stop the queen who is moving the pieces, Camelot will be the first of many kingdoms to fall.
⚬ The Weavings of Destiny by Misery_C_Epicaricacy, Ynnealay, 80k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/series/3253392
summary: The magic reveal is not glamorous. After Ismere, Merlin confesses practically on a whim—while in the midst of his evening chores—and Arthur is forced to question everything he thinks he knows. What follows is a journey that tests their friendship, Arthur’s kingship, and Merlin’s faith. Known like never before, Merlin discovers that he has more secrets than just his magic to confess, some of them difficult and guilty; meanwhile, Arthur is tasked with undoing the fear of magic Uther has left behind in the kingdom, and in Arthur’s own heart. Together, can they defy Arthur’s prophesized death, and guide Camelot towards its Golden Age?
⚬ Shooting Star by s0mmerspr0ssen, 2k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/51952447/chapters/132217732
summary: Post-magic reveal, Merlin sits in the dungeons and waits.
⚬ King’s Promise by reelin_writer, 1k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/50237500
summary: Merlin’s health is affected by the oppression of magic. As magic itself, the death or pain of a sorcerer—and subsequently of their magic—causes Merlin pain. The first time a sorcerer is executed after Merlin’s magic has been revealed, Arthur comes to stay with him while he recovers.
⚬ Exhale by FriendlyNeighbourhoodWriter, 2k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/36245908
summary: Merlin revealed his magic, and Gwen comes to talk to him about it. Set after season 4, there is no season 5. (It's basically that scene from Love, Simon but with Gwen and Merlin :) ).
⚬ To Break The King by Glon_Morski, 6k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43653414
summary: When Agravaine frames Merlin for having magic, Merlin panics and reveals himself to Arthur in an attempt to explain himself. He is exiled for his troubles and while he obeys the order of banishment, he ensures to keep an eye on both Arthur and Camelot from afar, unwilling to leave either without protection.It is mere weeks later that he starts to hear rumours of Camelot being led to her ruin. Confused and worried, Merlin returns to see with his own eyes how much truth there is to those rumours. Unfortunately for him, the Camelot he sees when he enters the gates is not the Camelot he's left...
⚬ the light to the darkness to the light to the darkness by ughbutidontwantto, 20k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/45857689
summary: Merlin and Morgana confront their shared destiny and doom after Merlin's magic is revealed. Everyone else is in the audience giving their best greek chorus to the most senseless of Camelot's tragedies yet.
⚬ Be Careful What You Wish For by VikingSong, 1k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/28023480
summary: In which Merlin learns to "be careful what you wish for." Set very loosely in early S2.
⚬ Service and Soul by TheActualAuthor, 3k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/39850662
summary: “You burned me alive, as you burned me in every warlock I lived inside, in every sorcerer who asked my blessing. Your father slaughtered me by the hundreds and you by scores. Your weapon sought my throat always, and even when I lived beside you, in your service, I was forced to kill my own. I died by your word, Arthur, not the honor of your hand but the voice of your contempt. So Merlin died so Emrys died. You wonder why your fields grow ash and your cattle sicken and your people cannot conceive? You are responsible. I could not live in a land that had destroyed me.”
⚬ Other Employment Opportunities by Drag0nst0rm, 2k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/7886668
summary: Looking back, it could have been worse.It takes Merlin's overactive imagination to figure out HOW it could have been worse, but it theoretically could have been.
⚬ Just A Nudge by Skydragon05, 2k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43346521
summary: Camelot is suffering from a deadly plague, and Arthur has been tasked with searching the city for the sorcerer responsible. If he fails, Morgana’s sweet serving maid Gwen, accused of sorcery for healing her father, may well be implicated as causing the plague. On top of this, Arthur’s idiot servant Merlin tried to confess to the magic which healed Gwen’s father. Arthur had first thought Merlin had made it up to save Gwen - but now, with the confession replaying over on his mind, he’s having doubts about his earlier conviction. Had Merlin really been lying?
The truth comes out—and things go terribly. Perhaps Arthur doesn't take the news well and draws his sword. Perhaps Uther finds out and Merlin is strapped to the pyre. Perhaps Merlin has to escape from Camelot and leave all he loves behind. Can there be a happy ending? A hopeful one? Or will things forever fall apart?
Today's gen fic rec theme: Magic Reveal Gone Wrong!
↓ Find the list of fanfic recs under the cut! ↓
⚬ I don’t know you anymore by cynthia1314, 1k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/49552066
summary: Arthur felt his blood turned cold. Was this a dream? He wondered frantically. There was no way Merlin just killed his uncle without even touching him. That was magic, but Merlin couldn’t have magic, could he? Or perhaps that was an unknown creature who wore his friend’s face.
⚬ The Lies that Break Us by Fulgance, 2k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/934566
summary: Arthur reacts badly.
⚬ A Blessing in Disguise by s0mmerspr0ssen, 20k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/42762729
summary: After Camelot is almost lost to Agravaine and Morgana, Merlin is about ready to reveal his magic to Arthur. But when he finds out Gwen is pregnant, Merlin’s priorities shift. Soon, he is focused on keeping little Prince Amhar safe from harm, no matter what. Merlin sets out to invoke a blessing on Arthur’s son, hoping to keep evil forces at bay, but things quickly spiral out of control…
⚬ Confirmations by DollopheadedMerlin, 12k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/46113418
summary: Merlin feels overburdened and under the weather, but he doesn't want to add stress to Arthur's efforts in revitalizing his kingdom after recovering the throne from Morgana, so he tries not to take it personally when Arthur gives him a hard time. But when reports tell of a dragon within Camelot's borders and Merlin gets dragged along on a mission against his nature, the king only seems to double down on his mistreatment of his servant, making protecting the royal clotpole a lot more difficult as he fights off an untreated fever.
⚬ Let Me Die, Let Me Drown, Lay My Bones In The Ground by quotidian_void, 40k, rated M
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56036113
summary: The storm that had passed through Albion didn't only bring devastation to Camelot.It also brought a party belonging to the king, queen and princess of a distant land on the edge of Albion's maps. As per propriety and courtesy, the king of Camelot was required to hold a feast and provide accommodation for them. The feast started off smoothly, the royals of Camelot getting along quite well with the royals from Harden.But a single questioned changed everything. Including the destiny and future of Arthur and Merlin.
⚬ The Magic In Your Blood by Aimael, 68k, rated M
https://archiveofourown.org/works/24527002
summary: "Arthur had to wonder, whether he should not feel something, anything at all, that would hint at him being controlled by Merlin. Even as he tried, he still felt nothing." Merlin is heard saying things that he shouldn't have said, and Uther is determined to do whatever it takes to free Arthur from the sorcerer's influence - which might be more difficult than expected.
⚬ Refined by Fire by wryter501, 155k, rated T
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11306307/1/Refined-by-Fire
summary: It began, as any shift in destiny did, with a choice - run and hide, or stay and fight. And because Merlin chose to stand still, his destiny and Arthur's - and others' - took a sharp right turn. Discovered by the knights, arrested by Arthur, Merlin faces Uther's questioner and judgment... Gold is, after all, refined in the flames... Mid-season 3 in-canon reveal.
⚬ Learning Curve by VikingSong, 14k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/52184794
summary: Arthur and Merlin each face steep learning curves when Arthur experiences an unexpected language immersion. Miscommunications abound, things are lost in translation, and—unsurprisingly—chaos ensues in the court of Camelot. When painful secrets come to light and the definition of loyalty is called into question, Arthur and Merlin must work past linguistic and interpersonal barriers to reach an understanding. Or: In which Arthur speaks the language of the Old Religion, Merlin pulls research all-nighters, and the council members discover they don’t remember nearly as much Latin as they thought they did.
⚬ Rend and Rebuild by PeaceHeather, 100k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/14866667
summary: One wrong move in the heat of battle changes everything. Merlin is a sorcerer, and Arthur has stabbed him.
⚬ New Beginnings by nsowlwrites97, 33k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/31863937
summary: The words seemed to lose their meaning the more Arthur tried to make sense of them, bleeding in and through each other like ink dissolving in water. The only fact he knew to be true – absolutely, permanently, irrevocably true – was that Merlin was dead.
⚬ Beauty in the Ashes of Our Lives by Fulgance, 20k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/934780
summary: After Merlin is executed for Uther's murder, Arthur's world falls apart.
⚬ Atlas by ParadiseAvenger, 10k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/34723003
summary: In pursuit of a sorcerer, Arthur and his knights stumbled into a cave. As the ceiling collapsed on them, Merlin had no choice except to reveal his magic or let all his friends die. That choice was not a choice at all.As Merlin's magic began to run out and tensions with the knights run high, it seemed he might have made the wrong choice after all.
⚬ Is this resolve? By kyrakaryanne, 1k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/47559634
summary: Arthur could kill Merlin, for this. Not because the law would justify it, but because Merlin would never stop him.
⚬ Help Thou Our Host by signy1, 22k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/53393428
summary: One way the battle of Camlann could have gone. On the night before the battle, Merlin only has one request for Gwaine." When I'm dead, I want you to remember me for who I was, rather than what I was. If you can."
⚬ Whatcha Say by darkbluedark, 3k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/46337155
summary: The roof caves in and the truth comes out.
⚬ The Goose, the Bad, and the Ugly by sinivalkoista, 3k, rated G https://archiveofourown.org/works/38503747
summary: Arthur is turned into a goose, and Merlin tries to catch him and turn him human again before Camelot is destroyed.
⚬ Whispering Your Name by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle, 22k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/19874179
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.
⚬ Because It Was by Gingeraffelene, 4k, rated K+
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13607047/1/Because-It-Was
summary: Arthur reacts badly to Merlin's revelation and quickly regrets it, but not quick enough. How does one find an all powerful warlock who doesn't believe he deserves to be found?
The truth comes out—and Merlin doesn't end up on the pyre! Perhaps there is anger, a heated conversation or some temporary distrust, but ultimately all goes well. Perhaps we even get a glimpse of what a Golden Age might look like?
Today's gen fic rec theme: Magic Reveal Gone Well!
↓ Find the list of fanfic recs under the cut! ↓
⚬ A Better Man by TheActualAuthor, 3k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43646655
summary: Arthur’s cursed by a witch to experience his worst fear.
⚬ Almost, but not quite by Marti1297, 2k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/39236688
summary: Finally, Arthur starts to realize strange things happen around him, and he comes to an unexpected conclusion.
⚬ a drop of truth by WinglessCrows, 6k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/15636450
summary: Arthur has a truth serum, Merlin lies more than he tells the truth. Who else would Arthur use it on?
⚬ Allow One To ‘See’ by mollrach13, 30k, unrated
https://archiveofourown.org/works/16729350
summary: When the King is attacked in his tent on patrol and falls into an unending sleep everyone is worried. What they don't know is that Arthur is fine. In fact he is standing right here next to them, watching them all fret over his prone body. To stave off the boredom whilst a cure is found Arthur takes to wandering the castle and soon discovered a hidden side of Camelot he never knew about.
⚬ Truths Emerge by s0mmerspr0ssen, 22k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/52211941
summary: When Caerleon attacks Camelot, more than one secret is uncovered. In the face of a hopeless battle, will Arthur make the right choice?
⚬ Crown of Light by s0mmerspr0ssen, 3k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/52211941
summary: About four weeks after he had married Gwen, Arthur awoke with a strange, golden light around his head. Naturally, it freaked Merlin out.
⚬ darkest before dawn by merlinemrys, 1k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/48216928
summary: Arthur: I never knew my mother because of it. My father died because of it. I lost my sister to it. So tell me, Merlin, what has magic ever done for me? Merlin: What haven't I done for you? – In the hours before Mordred's execution for using sorcery to save Arthur, Merlin finally snaps.
⚬ I’d Die For You by Fulgance, 4k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/934552
summary: "You know I'd die for you, yeah?" – "It certainly looks like we're headed that way," Arthur says dryly.
⚬ The Reveal byArgentNoelle, 1k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/6645151
summary: How long, Merlin wondered, had Arthur known? He hadn’t seemed surprised at all.
⚬ How Water by LadyAJ_13, 3k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/20817572
summary: Leon shuffles, a move so unlike him that Arthur is immediately concerned. “It's about Merlin, sire.” He wonders what he's done now. Something stupid no doubt, insulted a noblewoman or broken something valuable. A day in the stocks might be required to make the aggrieved party happy. But then, that's not unusual enough for his most capable knight to be fiddling with his sword scabbard. “I believe he has magic.”
⚬ Just a Hint of Magic by Drag0nst0rm, 1k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/28462047
summary: The thing was, most sorcerers didn't know enough spells to actually put up much of a fight. So when Arthur first noticed Merlin had magic, he wasn't too worried about it.
⚬ The Truths He Can’t Deny by N16, 10k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/33923860
summary: Merlin had always known this day would come. An innocent girl. An arrest for sorcery. Except now it's Arthur sitting on the throne in judgment, not Uther. It was always going to happen, but it wasn't supposed to happen like this.
⚬ Treason by N16, 10k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/27763306
summary: Arthur knows four things: Merlin committed treason. Merlin is loyal to him. Merlin wants to tell Arthur the truth. Merlin is scared Arthur will kill him. All he needs to figure out now is what on earth his servant has actually done.
⚬ Greater Love Hath No Man by N16, 8k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/37562236
summary: Once upon a time, Merlin had been so in love with Gwen that he'd confessed to sorcery to save her from the pyre. That moment seemed like a million years and a million lies ago. But that one lie was a loose thread, and now one tug might unravel Merlin's entire tapestry of deceit. Fortunately, Merlin can always count on Gwen.
⚬ A Scar Like a Vision of Grace by nsowlwrites97, VikingSong, 3k, rated T
http://archiveofourown.org/works/56321101
summary: “Please,” Arthur tried. “Let him go. If you want the book–”The man holding the sword to Merlin’s neck smirked. “Oh, that? That’s just a bonus. No, king. We’re here for this.” And without another word, he slid the sword across Merlin’s throat.
⚬ The Hand of the Enemy by N16, 45k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/27567688
summary: When Arthur accepts an invitation to a nearby kingdom where magic is free, he hopes to establish an alliance despite their differences. Instead, he and his knights find they’ve been invited under false pretenses, and the queen may succeed in turning friend against friend to accomplish her own aims.
⚬ Who I’ve Been by TheActualAuthor, 3k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/41350509
summary: Arthur glances at him, but doesn’t stop to reprimand, “I told him I didn’t know what he meant. Then he spoke of many things. Said I was a figure of prophecy and legend.” His voice twists around the words, mocking them, “Said I was to rule all Albion. I was about to call him out as some sort of sorcerer’s trick, trying to trap me into oaths or pride, when he began to speak of another. A man I knew well, supposedly, who walked in my inner circle.” The king takes a sharp breath and raps his knuckles on the table, making Merlin jerk his head up, “I have little doubt he meant those who stood with me at the table. When the others come, I am going to eat with them, my men and my favored. And when we are done, I will speak to them of this, and I will know who has been lying to me all this time.”
⚬ Stains Unseen by reelin_writer, 2k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/33212869
summary: During the routine bandit ambush, Gwaine is mortally wounded. Merlin saves him with magic, and instead of exploding at the reveal, Arthur is overcome with guilt. Merlin has been dealing with the trauma of taking a life--alone. Nothing, not even the new powers Merlin has, can keep Arthur from wanting to protect the younger man.
⚬ Behind Me, Beside You by TheActualAuthor, 3k, rated G
https://archiveofourown.org/works/37246459
summary: Arthur glares at him, “I have no love for magic, they will not help me.” His eyes narrow, “How do you know the way to their camps? We’ve been searching for their borders for years.” “I have friends among them.” He hedges. The king stares at him a moment, then sits down with a weary air, “So you also have betrayed me.”
⚬ A Moment of Truth by sakarrie, 5k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/35432824
summary: Even though Merlin knows it's finally time to tell Arthur the truth, he can't stop his hands from shaking. He knows being a sorcerer is a death sentence, yet here he is—about to tell the King of Camelot. But Arthur deserves to know, and Merlin can't keep hiding from his best friend.
⚬ Stay by wryter501, 13k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/39378669
summary: A different direction for episode 4.7 "The Secret Sharer". Alator goes to Camelot not to find Emrys for Morgana, but with another plan in mind... Why has Emrys failed so long in his prophetic task of restoring magic to Camelot, in guiding and instructing Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King? Fate seems to have handed Alator the chance to right the course of history gone awry - and he's going to take it. He's going to use Gaius to find Emrys - and then they're going to have a serious conversation. But even the best-laid plans of a canny warrior-sorcerer can be diverted... Alator finds more than he anticipated, plotting ambush in iron mines of Kemeray...
⚬ The Serving of Servants by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle, 80k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/20239129
summary: When a new position is made in the royal household to oversee the servants, Arthur didn’t think much of it. It was only days later when he noticed the mysterious injuries appearing on frightened servants that the prince decided to go undercover and to find out what is going on. Meanwhile, Merlin thinks the newest servant is a mess. Or: Arthur learns what it is like to be a servant and learns some interesting thing about his own servant.
⚬ Golden Is The Dawn by TrekScribbles, 9k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/54962341
summary: When Arthur finds out that Merlin is hiding a baby dragon, he devises a plan to get rid of it. But when Merlin is captured by a band of slavers, the dragon might be Arthur's only hope of getting him back.
⚬ Faithful Are The Wounds of a Friend by VikingSong, 5k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/33734425
summary: Arthur catches sight of a scar on Merlin’s back which he can’t explain, so he asks each of the members of the Round Table if they’ve seen it, too. They have...but it wasn’t the same scar.
⚬ Curiouser and Curiouser by VikingSong, 12k, rated T
https://archiveofourown.org/works/28588263
summary: Gwen knew Merlin wasn’t in the tavern each time Arthur thought he was...but it was Merlin, so she’d never worried about her friend’s harmless lies of omission. That is, she'd never worried until the day Merlin disappeared to ‘the tavern’ with a freshly-paralyzed fomorroh still lodged in his neck. With the threat of the dormant serpent hanging over their heads, suddenly those lies didn't seem so harmless anymore. Or: Gwen is the primary keeper of the one (1) brain cell in Camelot, which she wields to great effect in missing-scenes-turned-canon-divergence in 4x06, "A Servant of Two Masters."
The alien came to the library again, shortly before closing time, and quickly found a book.
"May this entity borrow The Complete History of Knitting?"
They always return the book they borrow after five minutes, but the ritual of checking it out seems important to them.
"Of course. Did you bring your card?"
I looked them up, after the first time I saw them for real. They first registered with us over ninety years ago. The senior librarian who first told me about them said I shouldn't stare, or pry.
"Whatever else they are, they are a patron, and should be treated as such," she said. "If they seek knowledge, it is our duty to help them find it."
There isn't an ancient and secret code of librarians, but that is definitely a core part of it. If such a code existed.
I scan the card and the book. "There you go," I say and hand them over. "Please return it within two weeks."
They tilt their head. "This entity will honour your terms."
"Oh! That reminds me, we have updated the terms since your last visit." I hand them the pamphlet we got from the printers last week. "It's mostly about internet usage, but I'll need you to read them and agree."
They study the pamphlet.
"These are terms this entity can abide by." They pause. "Is there no requirement to keep your existence secret?"
"Of course not," I say, "we always welcome new patrons."
They stand silent, long enough for me to realise the implications of what I have just said.
"This entity had made an assumption, based on prior experiences on countless worlds, where knowledge is always closely guarded and costly to obtain" they say at last. "You will provide knowledge for free to all who seek it?"
In my mind, I weigh humanity's ignorance of those countless worlds of alien civilisations against the code.
My naym is pome / and lo my form is fix’d
Tho peepel say / that structure is a jail
I am my best / when formats are not mix’d
Wen poits play / subversions often fail
Stik out their toung / to rebel with no cause
At ruls and norms / In ignorance they call:
My words are free / Defying lit'rate laws
To lik the forms / brings ruin on us all
A sonnet I / the noblest lit'rate verse
And ruls me bind / to paths that Shakespeare paved
Iambic fot / allusions well dispersed
On my behind / I stately sit and wave
You think me tame /
Fenced-in and penned / bespelled
I bide my time /
I twist the end / like hell
* “lik” should be read as “lick”, not “like”. In general, the initial section on each line should be read sort of phonetically.
Written for World Poetry Day, March 21, 2018. When I had this idea earlier today, I thought it was the worst, most faux hip pretentious idea for a shallow demonstration of empty wordsmithing skill in poetry ever. So I had to try to write it. I mean, how often do you get to fuse the iambic dimeter of bredlik - one of the newest and most exciting verse forms - with the stately iambic pentameter of the classic sonnet?
Also possibly Japanese? But it’s been so long since I learned it that I don’t know if I’m right, and I never learned to write it. 😂 So maybe 8.
The real frustration is that I should know this for Korean since I’m pretty sure it was the word I used most often when I lived there briefly. However, I haven’t used it in nearly a decade, and it’s depressing to discover that I absolutely cannot dredge it up on command anymore. 😭 So I’m going with ‘maybe 8,’ and as soon as I post this, I’m going to go look it up so that it stops eating at me. 🤦♀️
When Albion’s greatest need arrives in the form of an alien invasion, the reincarnated figures of legend must deal with the consequences of their shared past even as they fight for humanity’s future.
Arthur ascends to the British throne after the invasion begins, and he works closely with the team of experts who are trying to determine why the only offensive weapons that have been effective so far against the reptilian aliens are medieval swords. Gwen is a museum curator specializing in medieval weaponry, and Merlin is a paleontologist at the same eclectic museum. Elyan studies materials science and has been called in to assist Gwen and Merlin with their research. They have a status update for Arthur…
“There’s something strange about these swords,” Gwen said, glancing at Elyan. “We’d never noticed it before, but once we started looking…”
Elyan picked up the story. “At first, we thought it was something in the iron itself—like an unusual isotope or something—so we ran a spectrometer analysis on a sample.”
Gwen nodded. “We were half-right. Turns out there is something in the chemical composition of the metal in swords forged in the late 5th to early 13th centuries that isn’t in any of our swords from other eras.”
“Or anywhere else on earth, as far as cutting edge chemists know,” Elyan added.
“So, for those of us who didn’t do A-level chemistry…?” Arthur prompted.
“It means,” Elyan said, grinning like a kid at Christmas, “that we found another element in there—an element that was previously undiscovered.”
Gwen nodded eagerly. “And it’s in all of our swords from that era, or nearly all. There are only a few that don’t have it, but they’re fragmented and terribly deteriorated, far more so than the rest. Interestingly, it doesn’t matter whether they’re katanas or arming swords; if they’re from that era and in even half-decent condition, then they all have that same element, no matter where in the world they were forged.”
“A new element?” Arthur repeated slowly, trying and failing to dig out a mental image of the periodic table from the recesses of his Year 9 memories.
“Yep! Element 120,” Elyan said. “We might even get to name it!”
Gwen’s eyes crinkled at her brother’s exuberance as she turned her attention back to Arthur. “Want to know what the best part is?”
“Uh, sure.”
“They found the same element in the bio samples from the aliens you killed.”
“What?”
Elyan nodded. “I swear, we’re not making this up.”
Arthur glanced between them. “You’re sure it’s not just, I don’t know, residue from the sword?”
“They tested samples from parts that were nowhere near where your sword struck,” Elyan said.
Gwen elaborated. “They tested samples from the teeth, the wing membranes, and a variety of organs and other tissues. Interestingly, the element was most prevalent in the lungs, followed by the mouth and teeth.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I think they mean dragonfire,” Merlin said, strolling into the lab.
“Exactly!” Elyan agreed. “The thing is, scientists haven’t been able to produce element 120—not even in particle colliders—because it’s too unstable. It would go through radioactive decay before the collider sensors could register that it had existed.”
Arthur glanced at the swords on the lab table—with no lead shielding in sight—and took a tiny step back.
“But the swords aren’t radioactive,” Gwen added quickly.
Arthur chose to ignore Merlin’s snickering, looking instead to Elyan for an explanation.
Elyan shrugged. “Even if that element theoretically existed outside of particle colliders, it would take an incredible amount of energy to get it to forge stable molecular bonds—like these—to prevent its radioactive decay.”
Gwen gestured to the sword. “Medieval forges definitely didn’t have the ability to heat steel that hot.” She tapped her gloved fingers against the nearest sword’s pommel. “So what could have forged these, then?”
“Dragonfire,” Merlin repeated with a grin. “When they told me what they’d found, I ran some tests on a couple of the fossilized pterosaur teeth in our collection. Same element.” He shook his head. “Just when I thought pterosaurs couldn’t get any cooler.”
Arthur looked from Merlin to Gwen to Elyan as the pieces clicked. “You mean to tell me that…that those aliens are pterosaurs and real medieval dragons?”
“Or something very, very similar,” Elyan confirmed.
“And that all of them breathed fire?”
“Yes!” Merlin exclaimed.
Arthur decided that Merlin was probably the most radioactive thing in the room; he was vibrating with enthusiasm.
“And, apparently,” Gwen said, leaning a hip against the table, “their dragonfire, this element, is their own kryptonite…or bane, to go a bit more medieval.”
Arthur chewed his lip. “Explains why none of the modern weapons will hurt them.”
“Exactly,” Elyan said. “And why replica swords—”
“Or swords from other eras,” Gwen interjected.
“—don’t have the same effect.”
Arthur couldn’t decide whether to fist-pump or head-desk. “We finally understand what material will work against them,” he summarized, “but we can’t make any more of it.”
“That is the one downside,” Merlin agreed.
“The one downside? You did see the alien invasion up there, right?”
“Yeah, but consider: dragons were real and they breathed fire.”
“The ones burning my kingdom look pretty real, too.”
(Note: I don’t know what source content was used in that gif, but I’m 99% sure it’s supposed to be a nyctosaurus…)
There should be a fanfic writing game called the showrunners challenge where someone writes a story and partway through someone else can play things like "actor leaves after 4000 more words" or "topic now too politically sensitive due to unforeseen world events" or "lost rights to that reference"
I do not have the energy do do a full layout right now b/c it is kickstarter season and I am under water, but here's a prototype that can be solo-played (you can also have a friend just pick from the lists if you want that pvp feeling.)
Showrunner's Challenge
By Runawaymarbles
(also sorta by sprintingowl)
Begin writing a fanfic. It is a feature length television program being watched every week by thousands. There is no plan. The industry is in shambles. The writer's room is barely hanging on.
At the end of each chapter, roll a d12.
1 Everything at once. Roll twice, use both. If you get this again, keep rolling. Your only way out is to stop getting 1s.
2 Product placement! The next chapter must center (and subtly promote the features of) a product belonging to the most recent brand you've seen.
3 Fan favorite. Your most recently mentioned character (or named object) is now beloved by the audience. You must give it a bigger part in the story, a special destiny, or an important new romance or friendship. If you get this twice for the same character or object, the adoration cools and you must go back to treating the character or object normally.
4 Executive meddling. You must change to a different genre. You cannot go back to a genre until you have changed genres three times since then.
5 Audiences are craving more coziness. The next chapter must be completely low stakes and set you at ease.
6 Audiences are craving more suspense. The next chapter must take place entirely in a single location, ideally just a single room, and build tension with every exchange of dialog.
7 Audiences are craving more action. The next chapter needs to involve at least one extended fight scene, and the weapons must be the last three objects mentioned.
8 Audiences are craving more romance. The next chapter needs to involve a deep, sappy confession of either love or admiration between two characters that have not previously been romantically involved.
9 Go to the most recent line in your fic that references a brand. Due to ongoing legal action, that brand cannot be mentioned again, but you score 1 audience point every time you allude to it in a way that paints it in a negative light.
10 The two most recently mentioned characters' actors have, IRL, gone through a VERY messy divorce or friend breakup. You cannot put them in the same scene, but they must both remain relevant parts of the show. If you get this with the same two characters again, they reconcile.
11 The most recent negative event (stabbing, poisoning, banishment to jupiter) is now the center of a very real IRL news story. You must immediately pivot away from all plotlines involving it and, if possible, also find away to apologize for even thinking to include it without breaking character.
12 The most recently mentioned character's actor has decided to leave the show. You must write them out in the next chapter. If you are brave, also roll a d12. 1--6, they were well loved and their sendoff must be as flowery as possible. 7--12, they were despised by the cast and crew. Mulch them.
You win if you can complete the fic in a state of relative coherency.
Alternate Game Mode: TV Digest Version
Don't write full chapters, just summaries of what happens in each chapter.
Alternate Game Mode: Realism Edition
Start your fanfic with your own telling of the first episode of an existing show, then proceed from there.
Fill for my Merlin Bingo 2024 adopted square “Aliens” 😉
Hello! For context (if you haven’t already heard me ramble about this WIP in one Discord server or another), this is the first half of Chapter 1 of a loooong and not remotely complete WIP, hence sharing it here rather than AO3 or FFN. It’s a modern-with-magic reincarnation fic.
(TW: graphic violence)
Fic summary:
Arthur Rhydderch had spent years trying to ‘find his calling,’ as his thesis advisor described it. This wasn’t quite what I had in mind, the reincarnated Once and Future King thought as he gave his sword a twirl and launched himself at the alien before it could breathe another blistering spurt of flames.
Up-and-coming paleontologist Dr. Merlin Emrys had thought he was adulting quite well; most days, he even managed to avoid getting yelled at by his landlady. Then secrets from his past life resurfaced, and everything fell apart. Facing an impossible choice, Merlin must come to terms with who he was, who he is, and—most importantly—who he wants to become.
Or:
When Albion’s greatest need arrives in the form of an alien invasion, the reincarnated figures of legend must deal with the consequences of their shared past even as they fight for humanity’s future.
Chapter 1 (excerpt):
Arthur was in the library when the world ended. It was barely 10:00 AM on a Tuesday, and it was shaping up to be one of the worst days of his life even before the sky rained fire.
Six hours ago, Arthur had shaken off the claws of a nightmare for the third night in barely a week. Running, always running, with watering eyes and screaming lungs as the soot threatened to choke him. Four hours ago, he’d paused in the middle of his training run through the city to sit on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and watch with bleary eyes as the pale dawn crept up from the horizon, silhouetting Capitol Hill against the clear autumn sky. His t-shirt stuck to his skin as his sweat cooled. Blood and sweat mingling, trickling down his back as he twisted away from vicious claws that slashed his shoulder from behind. The fresh air hadn’t banished the phantom tang of acrid smoke, so he’d dragged himself home and attempted to drown the taste with a fourth cup of caustically strong coffee, nearly scalding his tongue in his haste. Burns blistering on his forearms as he gripped the sword hilt with white knuckles while hissing creatures stalked him from the shadows. The shifting shadows had still dogged his thoughts as he’d headed to an early one-to-one meeting with the head coach of his college soccer team.
Three hours ago, his coach had informed him, not unkindly, that he wouldn’t be nominating Arthur for the pro soccer draft at the end of the semester, despite Arthur being co-captain and the best on the team. Arthur understood his coach’s reasoning, but it did nothing to ease the sting. The prevailing industry view was that most players peaked in their mid-twenties, and Arthur was already twenty-six. His American uni scholarship had already been his fallback option, a new route to the same professional goal after he’d aged out of Manchester United’s football training academy without a pro contract at twenty-three. Now, the coveted draft slot would go to a younger player—a domestic player who wouldn’t have to deal with visa complexities—and Arthur would simply have to find another calling.
Two hours ago, Arthur’s thesis advisor—never particularly interested in Arthur’s athletic goals—had inadvertently poured salt in that raw wound by asking, as he did at least once a semester, if Arthur had “found his calling” yet.
Arthur’s self-control had slipped, and he’d answered bluntly, “If it’s a calling, then it needs to make itself heard.”
Dr. Taliesin had simply sighed and said, “Someday you will know your destiny.” Then he’d asked to see the latest draft of Arthur’s senior thesis and proceeded to spend the remaining twenty minutes of their meeting eviscerating it.
One hour ago, Arthur had clocked in for his work-study shift at the campus library. The students who’d pulled all-nighters on midterm assignments had all gone to bed or to class by the time Arthur arrived, and it hadn’t taken him long to reshelve the trail of reference texts they’d left in their wake.
Thirty minutes ago, he’d settled at the circulation desk with a stack of books which Dr. Taliesin had just recommended. Arthur had tried—and failed—to concentrate on his thesis research instead of his imploded career plan, even as he’d tried—and failed—to ignore how the silence amplified the harrowing echoes of his nightmares.
Fifteen minutes ago, Arthur had scrubbed a hand over his itchy stubble, regretting that he’d forgotten to shave in his distracted state that morning. His neck had popped audibly in the quiet lobby as he’d stretched and had given up on his thesis research for the moment. Having concluded that he needed to distract himself from anything having to do with his future, he’d pushed aside the heavy books and pulled out the latest reading assignment for his Medieval Lit elective.
One minute ago, Arthur had realized that he’d been staring blankly at the same Middle English paragraph for several minutes. He’d given up on studying altogether and gathered up his reference books to shelve. When he’d stood, his rolling chair had skittered sideways out of his reach. He’d been ready to chalk it up to caffeine tremors and jittery nerves when he’d heard the lobby’s floor-to-ceiling windows rattle.
That was when he’d glanced up and discovered that the world was ending.
He blinked—once, twice—and craned his neck to get a better look. Well, his tired brain amended as it struggled to process the latest milestone in his terrible day, perhaps ‘ending’ is too strong a word. Maybe just the ‘start’ of the apocalypse?
Semantics aside, the sky was raining fire.
The ground shook as each flaming meteorite crashed, one after another after another. One hurtled toward the window, and the prospect of his impending fiery death finally jolted Arthur into action. He dropped the books and dove behind the circulation desk, throwing up an arm to shield his face as the glass shattered and the fireball barreled through.
Over the greedy crackle of flames as a row of study cubicles caught fire, Arthur heard an unnatural hissing. It grated across his nerves like nails on a chalkboard. He peeked around the edge of the circulation desk and froze.
Am I dreaming?
From within the smoldering wreckage of the thing that hadn’t been a meteorite, a creature emerged—a creature unlike anything Arthur had ever seen. The firelight glinted off its burnished scales as it unfurled leathery wings like a monstrous bird hatching from a cursed egg, like a cassowary made of fire and brimstone. The creature fixed its glowing red eyes on him and uttered a shrieking hiss.
Arthur knew that sound.
So that’s what they look like, he thought, half-hysterical. He ducked back behind the desk, even though he knew it was too late to hide. The beast had seen him, and just like he knew that horrible cry, he knew that thing would hunt him down. He heard the creature flap once, and then a spurt of flames shot past the edge of the circulation desk where his face had been moments before. The industrial carpet melted.
Arthur’s instincts took over. One. There was no hope of getting out through the burning front entrance, so he scrambled away from the flames and ran the length of the circulation desk, staying low as another fiery blast raced over his head and immolated an oil painting on the wall above him. Two. Just like in his nightmares, he counted, and just like in his nightmares, he had no idea why. He reached the end of the circulation desk and made a run for it across an exposed stretch of the lobby, dodging more fireballs—Three. Four.—as the creature chased him toward the winding, windowless corridors that formed the only route to the back exit.
He skidded into the corridor and ricocheted off the wall as he took the first turn at full speed. Another volley of flames hit the wall just after he’d turned the corner; he felt the heat at his back as he continued his flight. Five. The fire alarm kicked in, and the reverberating noise in the corridors nearly drowned out the creature’s shrieks and hisses. After several more turns and another near miss with a fireball—Six.—that left one sleeve of his red hoodie singed, Arthur hit a dead end.
He cursed colorfully under his breath as he realized he’d taken a wrong turn on autopilot; he’d been so focused on dodging fireballs that he’d turned left instead of right at the special collections display case. He’d reached the central elevator’s windowless alcove rather than the exit. The elevator was out of service, he’d already passed the nearest stairwell, and he didn’t have time to retrace his steps to the turn he’d missed. He heard a crash followed by scuffling as the creature—the alien, his brain so helpfully supplied—slammed into the display case before approaching the final turn. I’ve got thirty seconds at best. Arthur backed away from the sound, wracking his brain for any remaining options. His shoulder bumped into something sharp; he glanced back and saw it was the corner of a wall-mounted display case containing a medieval-style sword from the university’s eclectic collection of artifacts. On the lower right corner of the plate glass front, a snarky student had added a sticky note that read:
In case of emergency, break glass :)
What have I got to lose? he thought, glancing around. There were no fire extinguishers—Ironic, he lamented—nor any other heavy objects in the alcove to break the glass. Out of time and options, he raised his hood for protection like a knight’s coif and shielded his face with his right arm before slamming his left elbow into the glass as hard as he could. It cracked but didn’t shatter.
The hissing grew louder. Ignoring the pain in his arm, Arthur struck the case a second time, and then a third.
Razor-sharp shards grazed Arthur’s hoodie as the glass shattered and spilled out onto the floor. As the security alarm blared in concert with the fire alarm, he reached into the case and drew out the sword.
It felt strangely comfortable in his hand. Not quite like the sword in his dreams, but familiar all the same. He gave it a quick twirl with his wrist, then faced the hallway just as the alien appeared.
It stalked toward him on all fours with its folded, bat-like wings curving up from its clawed forefeet; the barbed tips met in a sharp arch over its back like crossed lance poles. Its glowing red eyes were nearly level with Arthur’s as it paused, tilting its large, draconic head side to side on its long neck as though sizing up the sword in Arthur’s hand.
Arthur stood his ground. Not like I have anywhere left to run, he thought as he tightened his grip on the sword. Might as well go out fighting.
The alien hissed, and smoke curled out through its nostrils. It opened its jaw wide and coughed out a sulfurous black cloud. Arthur gagged as his eyes watered. The alien hacked again like a chain smoker, but no flames burst forth.
Arthur saw his window and took it. Just like on the footie pitch, he feinted left, then spun to the right. With a screech, the alien fell for the trick and lunged, leaving its neck vulnerable to Arthur’s attack. Arthur used the momentum of his spin to throw his full weight into his one shot at survival, bringing the blade down squarely on the creature’s neck.
The steel sliced clean through sinew and bone, and the creature’s head hit the ground mid-snarl. Arthur dodged the body’s writhing death throes and vaulted over the convulsing tail as he raced back down the corridor toward the exit. He slipped more than once on the wet linoleum—the emergency sprinklers had finally activated—before he stumbled out through the back exit into the deserted alley, soaked and bleeding, still clutching the sword.
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2087
