Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Length: 5387
Author on LJ: flammablehat
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

For the gorgeous description and vivid capturing of all the feelings. This is one of my favorite fics to come out of Camelot Remix earlier this year. It contains two of my favorite things, being a historical!AU (set in Edwardian times) and pining with absolutely gorgeous writing. There's something about pining and having the courage to say what you feel about someone...and somehow Merlin finds the courage to do just that. It's a first time fic that begins around a bath and the writing is really what elevates this into something more. There is such vivid imagery that feels almost surreal at moments, so much unresolved tension between Arthur and Merlin that you can feel it. And it is super-hot. It's the remix to teprometo equally hot Brighter When We Come.

( Summary & Excerpt )

Night Sky Changing Overhead (the Brighter When We Come Remix)

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Gwen/Merlin/Morgana/Arthur
Length: 6041
Author on LJ: fleete
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

Because it's a wonderfully written OT4 reincarnation fic, but even more so, it's a well-written fic about trust and letting go of the past but also finding each other again. There's great nods back to canon and the people they once were but also gives lovely details about who they are this time around. There's plenty of endearing moments and the fic reminded me so much about the earlier seasons of Merlin when there was a strong sense of camaraderie between the four of them. And I really enjoyed Morgana's characterization in this.

( Summary & Excerpt )

Ancient Methods of Roasting Chickens

Since we have posting access til the 6th, I'm going to rec a few more fics before then. Up first is a fic that was just posted today for merlin_holidays

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Length: 9495
Author on LJ: destina
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

This fic was such a joy to read from the beautifully captured moments, the quiet intimacy between the characters to the gorgeous setting and vivid descriptions to the wonderful writing.  Merlin's devotion to Arthur is so steadfastly evident, much like canon but it was Arthur's characterization that completely stole my breath.  He was everything I had imagined him to be one day as king.  Each one of his interactions with Merlin revealed a little bit more about him.   If there could be a perfect canon winter first time M/A fic this would be definitely be in contention.

( Summary & Excerpt )

Hidden Light

I debated over what to rec as my last fic, especially with the news of crack_van closing and decided to pick a story that featured one of my very favorite rare pairs in Merlin.

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Elena/Mithian
Length: 1884
Author on LJ: non_island
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

I'm a sucker for compelling characterizations, especially ones that lead to an unexpected relationship between the two most unlikely characters set within canon. I particularly loved Mithian's characterization in this which is portrayed by some great details. The way she struggles between what she has been taught and her duty with her own desires is wonderfully well-written. And the slow, but evolving relationship she has with Elena is just lovely.

A Perfect Woman, Nobly Planned

Vidder: Obsessive24
Musical Artist: "Va Va Voom" by Nicki Minaj
Length: 3:06
Vidder on LJ: obsessive24
Vidder's Website: Here
Why this must be viewed: After the Merlin finale, there's been a lot of great vids that pay homage to the series.  Many of them have been pretty angsty or melancholic, but among my favorite is this wonderful vid that just premiere this summer at Vivid Con 2013.  obsessive24 manages to capture all the hilarious and amusing aspects of the show, especially Merlin and Arthur's relationship, that I loved and makes it into this brilliantly edited vid.  It's a great song choice and the vid is super fun, tongue-in-cheek at times, chock full of innuendos and such a great look at Merlin and Arthur's dynamic.  I can't tell you how many times I must of seen this and just how happy this vid makes me. If you ever loved watching Merlin, definitely check this out!

Va Va Voom

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Length: 4947
Author on LJ: emjayelle
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

This sweet and undeniably scorching hot fic is listed as PWP, but don't let that fool you. It's so much more than that. Equal parts sexy and humorous, in emjayelle hands the sex turns into something more than a drunken wager. In midst of the bet, the lovely banter and the hot sex, Arthur woos Merlin with poetry and it's glorious. I can't even do justice in describing how lovely this fic is. There's lots of wonderful details, great tension and a surprisingly sweet ending.

Summary: "Merlin's Friday isn't going to plan, to say the least. Especially when he takes the wrong late-night bus and ends up in Frat Row where he meets Arthur, the annoying frat boy that sits behind him in poetry class, who, by the way, is entirely to blame for the drunkenness, betting, sex, and poetry reciting that follows."

If Greater Want of Skill

Fandom: MERLIN/DOCTOR WHO
Characters/Pairing: gen; Morgana, Donna Noble, The Tenth Doctor
Length: 2861
Author on LJ: netgirl_y2k
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

Summary: That time the Doctor and Donna accidentally kidnapped Morgana.

I think a significant number of Merlin fans would agree with me when I say that Morgana got the short end of the stick on the show both in terms of the story and her character trajectory. Which means I generally turn to fics for a better narrative for Morgana. And one of my favorite things about the recent Doctor Who has been the wonderful camaraderie of The Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble. So I was thrilled when I stumbled upon this crossover fic where The Doctor and Donna inadvertently kidnap Morgana and take her time/space traveling.

The story is set much earlier in the show, right at the cusp of where everyone Morgana trusted kind of fails her and in this verse, The Doctor and Donna are there for her. And perhaps that was what made the difference. The story is at times humorous and sweet, full of warmth and wonderful characterizations. It's about Morgana finding herself, but mostly it's about finding a family to call your own in the most unlikely of places.


The Future is Full of Possibilities (and chocolate biscuits)

Hi, I'm unbidden_truth and I'll be driving the van for the next month.  Hopefully timing works out on my end this time around unlike the previous month.  I'm hoping to rec as many rarepair/gen fics this month as I can as well as highlight fics from recent fests.  And of course, there will definitely be a couple of Merlin/Arthur fics rec'd as well.

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Nimueh/Uther Pendragon, Yvgraine de Bois/Uther Pendragon, implied past Nimueh/Yvgraine de Bois/Uther Pendragon
Length: 1673
Author on LJ: lady_ragnell
Author Website: AO3
Warnings: Dub-con, character death
Why this must be read:
( For it's take on canon )

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Gwaine/Elena, various other pairings
Length: 3323
Author on LJ: giselleslash
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:
( Read more... )

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Length: 4754
Author on LJ: alby_mangroves
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

( Because flirting in silence has never been this hot... )

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur&Merlin
Length: 4:04 min
Author on LJ: trelkez
Author Website: trelkez on youtube
Why this must be watched:

This vid just premiered at VividCon 2013 and it captures the spirit of Merlin the show with Ghosts That We Knew by Mumford & Sons. It's melancholy and hopeful and plays out the event through the end of the series. It reminded me of all the reasons I love Merlin and Arthur - their friendship and companionship through everything that has happened to them. In short, it's fabulous and makes me want to hug the boys.

Ghosts That We Knew

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: pre-slash: Arthur/Merlin, tiny bit of het: Gwen/Lancelot
Length: ~45,000 words
Author on LJ: cat_77
Author Website: cat_77 on AO3
Why this must be read:

Realms is a fantastic what-if wrapped in an alternate universe. A portal has opened in Gauis's rooms and Merlin has been crossing into an alternate Camelot - one where Ygraine survived and the Purge never happened. The Camelot there is drastically different from the one Merlin lives in, and yet, the similarities too are striking. What this story does so well is follow the points of divergence all the way through, with excellent world building and fully fleshed out characters. At the same time, the Merlin and Arthur that we know are at the heart of the story.

***
( Excerpt )
***

Realms

Meant to get this out earlier this week, but better late than never.

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Gwaine/Merlin
Length: 64,000 words
Author on LJ: junkshop_disco
Author Website: Fic Master list
Why this must be read:

With Merlin and Arthur's epic destiny, there are not a lot of stories that allow room for Merlin/Gwaine to happen, but this one pulls it off beautifully. The story begins with a classic magic gone wrong plot that dives straight into the central magical conflict of Camelot - a magical curse, a magical remedy, and who will pay the price. Merlin is of course at the center of everything, but this time Gwaine is right there with him.

The start of their relationship is a bit of a surprise to them both, and they have to navigate it through the crisis and around Merlin and Arthur's friendship, which is spot on. There's a lot of things I love about this story, but I think my favorite is watching Gwaine and Arthur's relationship grow and change.

( Excerpt )

A Fistful of Infinity and Starlight

Fandom: MERLIN/ DRESDEN FILES (Books)
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Length: ~6,000 words
Author on LJ: ras_fic
Author Website: ras_fic
Why this must be read:

So, in this reincarnation, Merlin can't find Arthur. So what's a wizard to do? Hire another wizard to find him of course! This is a fun little crossover between Merlin and the Dresden Files, told from the point of view of Harry Dresden who is none to pleased to find a really powerful wizard on his doorstep, much less a cheerfully cryptic one. It's a delightful and funny outside pov on Merlin.

Don't worry if you're not familiar with the Dresden Files. This story can be read without knowing it.

***
Excerpt

I couldn't help but boggle at the kid. First he had broken through my wards with no problems, had batted aside my (admittedly impulsive) attack without any visible effort, and now he was claiming to have helped make an ancient, powerful sword rumored to be Excalibur itself. I couldn't figure out if he was a really good liar or just batshit insane. It was too much to even try to understand, and I still didn't have an answer to the simplest question I'd asked from the start. I repeated it again, this time feeling even more frustrated and out of my depth than before. "Who are you?"

A strange smirk spread over the kid's face. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

I felt my hands ball into very frustrated fists and said through clenched teeth, "Try me."

And the kid's face lit up with a smile brighter than the glow of the sword currently cradled lovingly across his chest. "I'm Merlin."

I blinked. "You're right. I don't believe you."
***

The Once and Future Pain In My Ass

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.

***
( Excerpt )
***

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: None
Length: 5000 words
Author on LJ: misswinterhill
Author Website: her AO3 page and Master List of Fic
Why this must be read:

If this story had a subtitle, it would be "A Boy and His Dragon." The fic is really about Merlin and Kilgarrah and their changing relationship as dragon and dragonlord. What I really love about it, is watching their friendship grow from the semi-antagonism and Merlin commanding Kilgarrah at the beginning to real compassion and care for each other by the end. Kilgarrah is one of the two people who know who Merlin is completely, someone that Merlin doesn't have to protect, but rather who will protect him.

The story is set post-seaosn 3 because the knights are mentioned, but there are no real spoilers.

Four Times Merlin didn't Save Arthur, and One Time He Did

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Gwaine
Length: 63,400 words
Author on LJ: angstslashhope
Author Website: AO3 author page
Why this must be read:

This post season 3 story is set immediately after Arthur and his new knights take back Camelot from Morgana, Morgause, and Cenred, who leaves his kingdom without a king and vulnerable. Arthur sends Gwaine and Lancelot with his envoy to take over. What follows is Gwaine's journey into foreign territory to keep the peace. While he's away, he and Merlin write and with each letter their romance blooms despite the distance.

What this fic really has going for it is its worldbuilding. This is a post-war Camelot that you can touch. Every OC is a person, and since the story is told from Gwaine's point of view you get to know him and the knights as fully fleshed out soldiers, trying to be better people and make a better world. This story is as much about Gwaine learning to be the knight he wants to be as it is with how to move forward in a changed world. Plus, this has my favorite version of Gareth as Gwaine's squire and a gorgeous reconciliation of magic back into Camelot.

Along a Wandering Wind

Here's my last rec of the month. I've enjoyed driving the van for Merlin for the month of June! Hope you've enjoyed my rec's.


Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 9131
Summary: High school au, Arthur tries to tell Merlin he's in love with him, but things keep going wrong.
Why This Must Be Read: High school fics are always fun. Pining Arthur is sweet, and this story is fluffy and hot, too. I love it when Arthur isn't an arse.
Link: AO3

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin friendship--could be slash if you squint
Rating: G
Word Count: 1965
Summary: Merlin tends to Arthur's hurts.
Why This Must Be Read: Beautifully written, this canon piece evokes the feeling of the servant for his prince.
Link: AO3

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 7,564
Summary: Arthur needs a nanny for his son Gwaine. He's expecting the Albion Agency to send a woman, but he get's Merlin, who's rather sharp-tongued and wonderful.
Why this must be read: A really cute and fluffy kid-fic romance with great fluff and.banter.
Link: Not Quite Mary Poppins

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: ? In 10 parts. Not too long.
Summary: When Arthur finds out his best friend, Merlin, is gay and in love with him, his reaction is unexpected.
Why this must be read: This is adorable. I love Arthur--just a pig-headed prat, but so determined to get his way and really a sweetheart underneath.  He methodically thinks through things and doesn't let anyone stop him from getting what he wants. A very satisfying read.
Link: The Unexpected

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG-13--for topic of homosexuality
Word Count: 16,000
Summary: In his third year at uni, Arthur gets the courage to go to an LGBT soc, where he meets Merlin.
Why this must be read: It's a delightful tale of Arthur entering the gay scene (or a sweet version of a gay scene) at uni and falling for Merlin. Lots of rainbows and balloons.
Link: Rainbow Cake

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG
Word Count: 9,000
Summary: Arthur flees to Italy to get over a bad romance and to write his book. A young Italian man named Merlin changes his life.
Why this must be read:I'm a sucker for a good romance, and the language difference made this even sweeter.
Link: Words

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 11378
Summary: Shy Arthur calls a phone sex line and quickly become addicted to number 17's sexy Welsh accent.
Why This Must Be Read: I don't bookmark many fics. I just don't. But the combination of shy Arthur and phone sex operator Merlin (who's always fought to cover his Welsh accent) just gets to me. It's funny and sweet and hot--my favorite combination. A sexy, romantic read.
Link: AO3

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, Merlin/Will
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 4650
Summary: Arthur is a prat movie star and Merlin is his PA. Attraction ensues.
Why this must be read: When the story begins, Merlin is with Will and Arthur's a complete arse.  I enjoy that the story is told all in Merlin's pov so the reader is never quite sure what Arthur is thinking. uther's a turd, Morgana isn't perfect, and Merlin has magic, which is always a plus. Story also includes Gwen, Lance, and Nimueh.
Link: Fame and Fortune

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG-13 (Rating is mine, not author's.)
Word count: 12335
Summary: Trapped by his father's expectations and his own fears, Arthur can see no way out of a life that is strangling him--until Merlin blunders into it.
Why this must be read: I loved the author's depiction of Lance and Gwen in this story, along with Arthur's vulnerability. I really felt for Arthur, and enjoyed how he comes into his own.
Link: AO3

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3,250
Summary: I think the author's summary is a bit misleading. Merlin and Arthur have been together for five years. It's Valentine's Day again, and although Merlin tells himself he doesn't mind that Arthur can't spend it with him again, everyone else seems to think they should be getting married.
Why this must be read: If you're anything like me, you love established relationship fics that are fluffy and sweet and make you feel as though you're a part of their lives. That's what this one does. I didn't want it to end.
Link: on author's LJ

Vidder: Sparralex
Musical Artist: Gotye - "Somebody that I Used to Know"
Length: 3:59
Vidder on LJ: n/a
Vidder's Website: on YouTube
Why this must be viewed:

A very convincing AU where Merlin and Morgana have known each other since they were kids.  The editing was really well done, I particularly loved how the scenes were placed together and the pacing.  This was a great song to illustrate both the tension between the characters and it also highlighted some of the choices they made within the series within the context of this AU.  Definitely changed my perceptions of Merlin and Morgana and I left the vid with so many feelings about them as a potential pairing.

Somebody that I Used to Know