crack_van | Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance by Mellacita (Mature)

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Length: 11,000 words
Author on LJ:

mellacita
Author Website: on livejournal and on AO3
Why this must be read:

This was written on the Merlin kink-meme, set post season 2. The story is simple: after the dragon is defeated Merlin goes to retrieve his father's body and Arthur, curious and exasperated, follows him. The story is a magic reveal told from Arthur's point of view as all the pieces abruptly fall into place about Merlin.

What I love about this story is that it's a long renegotiation of Arthur and Merlin's relationship. At the start Arthur feels betrayed and Merlin is weary and heartbroken, but now that his secret is out, he owns it. The writing could be stronger but the emotions present are just right.

***
"Do you really expect me to kill you?"

"Not yourself. You already proved you don't have the balls to do it."

Arthur's eyes narrowed and he had to count to ten. "Do you really think I'll turn you over to my father?" he tried again through gritted teeth.

Merlin sighed, and started gathering his pack together. "No, Arthur. I know you. I think you'll leave me at the border and return to Camelot, where your father will ask where I've got to. You'll make up a story, he'll doubt it, and I'll spend the next several years of my life wondering when I will wake to find knights beating down my mother's door. At which point she and I will flee Ealdor, and I'll probably spend the rest of my life in a cave hiding from Camelot until one day you need my help and it gets me killed."

Arthur looked away.
***

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance