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crack_van2012-11-26 08:05 pm
duonoaikouka.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2012-11-26 08:05 pm
Belong to the Living by Lady Ragnell (PG13 by reccer)
Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, Uther/Ygraine
Length: ~16,000 words
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lady_ragnell
Author Website: AO3; Masterlist on LJ
Why this must be read:
Author's Summary: A sorceress's spell brings Ygraine back from the dead with no memory of what's happened in the years between. | When the queen is brought back, all of Merlin's secrets start coming out.
I would have loved if canon followed the same route as this fic. A nice way to balance out the angst of most reveal!fics, this one leads to the big revelation on a much gentler slope. Morgause uses the ultimate sacrifice to bring back Ygraine and through her save the future of magic in Camelot. Ygraine brings so much balance and gentling to those around her that she allows for a smoother transition into a magic-restored Camelot.
Lady's characterization of Ygraine is superb; she's wise, distinguished despite her years, and determined to right the wrong she sees in her kingdom. The characterizations of everyone else is also very well done. Morgana feels betrayed but is willing to forgive in future. Gwen is gentle and supportive. Uther is angry yet grows wiser each day in regards to magic. Arthur is brash and heroic. Then there's Merlin. A bit afraid to reveal himself but finding the courage to do so as he sees Arthur being more open to magic. This whole fic made me smile like crazy.
“Don’t apologize for my death,” she said when it became clear that he wanted some sort of response. “That’s the least your fault, of all that’s happened.”
Uther stiffened, drawing himself back up and pulling on the mantle of king easily. It had taken him a long time to learn that skill. “I have done the best I could in your absence.”
“Blaming all of magic for one mistake? Killing hundreds, even thousands?” She shook her head when his face flooded red with temper. “I won’t fight, not about this. But if magic took me away, Uther, can you not remember that it brought me back as well? A nameless woman gave her life for me, and still you don’t change your mind.”
“It isn’t that easy.”
“It was easy enough to—no.” Ygraine stopped herself snapping and ate another bite instead. “I will only ask that you think about it. I will keep defending anyone who hasn’t actively hurt another with their magic, though.”
“Magic still demanded you as the price for Arthur, even if Nimueh didn’t do it on purpose. I can’t trust it.”
Ygraine thought of dropping the subject, at least for the time, because the set of his jaw was going ever tighter, but she couldn’t let it rest quite yet. “But you can perhaps try to trust those who use it, again.”
Somehow, it was the right thing to say. She didn’t expect that he would change the laws first thing in the morning, but he relaxed back against his chair and picked up his goblet. “I’ve missed this,” he said again, and she wondered who he’d spoken to about such things in the twenty years she was gone. If he’d had anyone, or if he’d had to keep it to himself, and perhaps if that was why it had all gone so wrong.
So, instead of continuing the argument, she raised her goblet as well, toasting him across the table. “To many more such discussions in the future, then.”
Uther leaned across the table to bump his goblet against hers.
Belong to the Living
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, Uther/Ygraine
Length: ~16,000 words
Author on LJ:
lady_ragnellAuthor Website: AO3; Masterlist on LJ
Why this must be read:
Author's Summary: A sorceress's spell brings Ygraine back from the dead with no memory of what's happened in the years between. | When the queen is brought back, all of Merlin's secrets start coming out.
I would have loved if canon followed the same route as this fic. A nice way to balance out the angst of most reveal!fics, this one leads to the big revelation on a much gentler slope. Morgause uses the ultimate sacrifice to bring back Ygraine and through her save the future of magic in Camelot. Ygraine brings so much balance and gentling to those around her that she allows for a smoother transition into a magic-restored Camelot.
Lady's characterization of Ygraine is superb; she's wise, distinguished despite her years, and determined to right the wrong she sees in her kingdom. The characterizations of everyone else is also very well done. Morgana feels betrayed but is willing to forgive in future. Gwen is gentle and supportive. Uther is angry yet grows wiser each day in regards to magic. Arthur is brash and heroic. Then there's Merlin. A bit afraid to reveal himself but finding the courage to do so as he sees Arthur being more open to magic. This whole fic made me smile like crazy.
“Don’t apologize for my death,” she said when it became clear that he wanted some sort of response. “That’s the least your fault, of all that’s happened.”
Uther stiffened, drawing himself back up and pulling on the mantle of king easily. It had taken him a long time to learn that skill. “I have done the best I could in your absence.”
“Blaming all of magic for one mistake? Killing hundreds, even thousands?” She shook her head when his face flooded red with temper. “I won’t fight, not about this. But if magic took me away, Uther, can you not remember that it brought me back as well? A nameless woman gave her life for me, and still you don’t change your mind.”
“It isn’t that easy.”
“It was easy enough to—no.” Ygraine stopped herself snapping and ate another bite instead. “I will only ask that you think about it. I will keep defending anyone who hasn’t actively hurt another with their magic, though.”
“Magic still demanded you as the price for Arthur, even if Nimueh didn’t do it on purpose. I can’t trust it.”
Ygraine thought of dropping the subject, at least for the time, because the set of his jaw was going ever tighter, but she couldn’t let it rest quite yet. “But you can perhaps try to trust those who use it, again.”
Somehow, it was the right thing to say. She didn’t expect that he would change the laws first thing in the morning, but he relaxed back against his chair and picked up his goblet. “I’ve missed this,” he said again, and she wondered who he’d spoken to about such things in the twenty years she was gone. If he’d had anyone, or if he’d had to keep it to himself, and perhaps if that was why it had all gone so wrong.
So, instead of continuing the argument, she raised her goblet as well, toasting him across the table. “To many more such discussions in the future, then.”
Uther leaned across the table to bump his goblet against hers.
Belong to the Living