1st July 2021

Merlin Canon Fic Recs – The List

Fascination Frustration D&C Supporting Material, Destiny & Chicken 6 Comments

Click here to listen to the podcast episode

We failed to mention this in the podcast episode, however, as per a write in request Iris recommended this fic about Arthur, Merlin, Tristan & Isolde: Refined – almostwhimsical. Thank you.

Ivy and Amaranth – Thursday_Next

Explicit, 41000 words

While clearing out Morgana’s old rooms, Merlin discovers a pair of unusual magical bracelets. Arthur wants to destroy them, of course, and so begins a quest that will take them over snowy mountains and through rain-soaked forests, dealing with Druids, bandits and inns of questionable repute. With the future of magic itself hanging in the balance and matters complicated by the changing nature of their relationship, Merlin discovers that destiny comes at a price.

Strange and Fearless – wangler

Teen and Up, h/c, Post 3×13, 1600 words

Merlin soaks his bruised ribs in Arthur’s big bath.

there are only walls to hold me here – little_giddy 

PG13, 3200 words, post 1×13

Merlin felt his stomach lurch when he carefully and deliberately said, “Lad, I don’t think I can save the arm.”

Carried in the Stillnesss – wangler

Gen, 2400 words

Leon observes his fellow knights in the aftermath of a battle against Mercia.

Honour in one eye and death in the other – push dragon  

PG, mostly Gen, 5000 words

A tribute to the shiny new Arthur of season 4, and his relationship with Merlin that seems to have evolved over the break. Sometimes it’s little things, in all the mortal peril, that turn a friendship on a new path. This is one way it might have happened, and it starts with Arthur breaking his leg.

The Beltane Cycle Series – Astolat

Mostly Gen – last part mature for sexy times, 27,727 words – 4 parts

Merlin discovers he’s the son of Herne the hunter. His magic is ultimately exposed. Highjinks ensue.

Instructions to Make it Perfect – kickflaw

Explicit, 4800 words

Written for the KinkMeMerlin prompt: Arthur thinks that he is a sex GOD. Merlin is dubious and not impressed. Chaos ensues. Reserve.

Though You Were Only Sparring – Emjayelle

Explicit, 2200 words

They do not touch. They never touch. That’s the Rule.

Reciprocation – astolat

Explicit, 8600 words

He only meant to complain; you didn’t take serving girls on hunting trips, and the alternative interpretation didn’t even occur to him until Merlin said indignantly, “I’m not going to do that!”

Winterbloom – shinybug

Explicit, 6200 words 

Deep in the woods in the frozen heart of winter, a careless comment leads to a redefinition of Arthur’s relationship with his manservant.

By the Pricking of My Thumbs – Fee_Folay

Explicit, 58000 words

Warnings: Graphic violence, sexual assault,  Hurt, very little comfort

It is Arthur Pendragon’s destiny to unite all of Albion, but a reign of such power will not be won without sacrifice and bloodshed. When Morgana uses dark magic to lay a trap for Merlin, she unwittingly aids Merlin in becoming the weapon Arthur needs to defeat his enemies. With Arthur, and all of Camelot, at his mercy, Merlin struggles not to become that which he fears most – a dark sorcerer.

Will Arthur be drawn into a deadly battle with his friend and lover?

Will Merlin ultimately be destroyed by the malice lurking within his soul?

Will Camelot fall to the evil that Morgana has unleashed upon them all?

Making Apologies – marguerite_26

Mature, 5000 words, h/c, flogging (aftermaths & aftercare only)

When Arthur returns from an impromptu hunting trip to find the stocks empty, he’s surprised by Uther’s leniency. But Merlin doesn’t get away with making Arthur’s excuses so easily this time.

Catapult – wangler 

Gen, 9,708 words, established relationship

Merlin gets his first taste of war when he helps Camelot’s army fight magical beasts.

Obeisance – casspeach

Gen, 5800 words

It’s not that Arthur won’t share his toys, just that he expects to get them back undamaged.

The Coming of Spring – ingberry

Explicit, 9,700 words

Kings, even new ones, were not supposed to long for their menservants. They shouldn’t let their eyes linger on their wrists, the plump of their lips, or the shape of their thighs. Arthur knew this, but he still wanted. There was nothing about Merlin he didn’t want.

To Be Known – sometimessophie

PG13, 3650 words, Set after 1×13

So this is what it felt like to be normal. Merlin opens his eyes to the cool, shining metal of Arthur’s unsheathed blade.  “Sorcerer,” Arthur spits.

Everything, Always – dreamdustmama

Explicit, 6500 words

Arthur discovers Merlin’s magic, but no matter how hard he tries he can’t tell him that he knows – even when he starts having nightmares about Merlin’s death.

Lost a Gesture and a Pose –  mad_poetics

PG, Gen, Set after 2×13, 9,300 words

Deprived by circumstances of anything else to do, Arthur asks a great deal of questions. Eventually, Merlin answers.

The Sorcerer and the King – winterhill

Explicit, 85000 words

Merlin’s death is only the beginning; with no-one to protect the kingdom, Camelot falls to an enemy sorcerer and Arthur is forced to serve in the court that he once ruled. When an escape attempt goes horribly wrong, Arthur is rescued by someone he never expected to see again — and it’s their destiny to put things right.

I’m Colourblind, Kid – brbsoulnomming

Teen and Up, 14000 words

“It figures that even as a dog, you’d be a prat.” Arthur gets turned into a dog, and is the worst pet Merlin’s ever had, despite being completely adorable.

Shelter – sinestrated

Teen, 39,504 words, Non explicit Merlin burned at the stake.

Eight years have passed since Merlin fled Camelot after revealing his magic, leaving behind a home and a budding relationship with Arthur. Now, with his kingdom crumbling beneath a mysterious magical attack, Arthur reaches out to sorcerers throughout the land in search of a solution–and gets one sorcerer in particular he never expected. After so much time apart, Merlin and Arthur have to learn how to fit each other all over again, and all the while sinister forces bent on the destruction of Camelot threaten everything they have ever believed in.

Onfindan – astolat

Mature, 15800 words

Arthur didn’t speak to him for a week after he found out.

A Heavy Heart to Carry – Thursday_Next

Mature, 12000 words, Set between s3 & s4

When Merlin is captured and injured, Arthur must face up to his own feelings for his manservant as well as the many secrets he discovers are being kept from him.

Fostered – rageprufrock

Teen and Up, 6500 words

Obviously, it was not just any sort of egg.

In Joy and Woe, as in a Doubtful Ease – AngelQueen

Gen, Canon Pairings, Teen and Up, 49000 words

Morgana’s second occupation has wrought extensive damage and in the weeks following his restoration, Arthur struggles to help Camelot recover its former strength. With starvation a looming threat to his people, he seeks the aid of his foreign allies. However, a helping hand comes from an unexpected source – the kingdom of Cornwall, which has been closed and silent to Camelot for decades. After accepting an invitation to visit the mysterious kingdom and its equally mysterious ruler, Arthur finds himself thrust into a web of secrets kept from him his entire life.

So Are They All, All Honourable Men – seperis

Explicit, 18199 words

Considering Arthur’s future wife will be chosen less for compatibility than for her political value, Merlin may be the only marriage he’ll have that won’t end in bloodshed or a great deal of fortifying wine.

The Tournament of All Magicks – Cori Lannam

Explicit, 41300 words

Merlin was flattered to be invited to compete in a magical tournament to crown the sorcery champion of Albion. Accepting the invitation probably wasn’t his brightest idea.

Seven Magpies – syllic

Explicit, 33500 words

Arthur wakes up somewhere he doesn’t recognise, but where he clearly belongs.

The Crown of the Summer Court – astolat

Explicit, 24300 words (warning: drunk on magic (dub con) sex scene, and magic flogging M/A)

“The king sent me to get you,” Merlin said, with a tone that implied strongly that he wasn’t rolling his eyes where Arthur could see, but just wait until his back was turned. “He said you’re to get changed into formal clothes and meet him in the Great Hall, there’s a delegation coming from the Summer Court.”

Nothing Ever Promised – caitcupcak

PG13 (with NC17 epilogue), 69000 words, Post S3, canon era fic

Between the trees of Cenred’s ruined kingdom, a heartbroken Arthur and an orphaned Merlin discover new feelings for each other, but quickly learn that nothing is promised, and no lie can stay hidden forever.

Gadarene – unpossible

Explicit, slavery, rape (non graphic), 75000 words

Uther died long before Merlin came to Camelot, Arthur suffers from bouts of insanity, and Agravaine has taken over the throne, and turned Camelot into something unrecognisable.

Line of Dance – Thismaz

Explicit – 44000 words, Established relationship. (Mention of the rape and murder of a female OC, who would be under-age in the 21st Century)

Arthur has come to the throne. He needs to establish himself and demonstrate his difference from his father. Too soon, a murder changes everything and Arthur has to go to war.

In Want of a Wife – syllic

Explicit, 43200 words

When Merlin first hears that Arthur has been betrothed, his ribs pull inwards with an odd little hitch, and he only allows himself a second—which he needs in order to coordinate spinning in place without falling on his face—before he’s running to Arthur’s chambers.