[Merlin] On the Proper Balance of the Elements (Merlin/Arthur, gen)

[b_hallward]

Summary: Merlin only shrugs in response, turning a page. "Gaius won't let me into the study again till I've read this." (Post series one). For bewarethesmirk.

Comments

[_profiterole_]

Awwwwww~! ♥♥♥

Why is the Merlin fandom so wonderful today? *happy sigh*

[b_hallward]

Thank you! A bit of fluff never hurts. *g*

[samescenes]

eeeeee! I love it so much! I am ridiculously in love with the detail that Arthur puts his head on Merlin's legs.

[b_hallward]

Thanks! I am glad you liked Arthur lying on Merlin--I debated with myself over its plausibility, but then went with it anyway. *g*

[veleda_k]

This is so lovely. Your work is amazingly evocative. This story feels just like a warm, lazy summer day. It's so soft, quiet, and peaceful--a delicate moment in time. And the easy companionship between Arthur and Merlin is wonderful.

[b_hallward]

Thank you! I'm so glad the lazy, quiet atmosphere came through. I like the adversarial nature of Merlin and Arthur's relationship but there is a charm to seeing what a moment of respite might look like.

[puckling]

Oh wow. The setting in this is just so evocative, and I love how you weave in the larger world and its concerns into it, and show how that affects Merlin and Arthur.

[b_hallward]

Thanks! I think that for Merlin and Arthur you'd only ever get these isolated moments of respite, that the outside world and its demands will always be there. There is so much about their relationship that is poignant, however you work out the details of who they are to each other.

[puckling]

I think that the thing about Merlin and Arthur is that even if they aren't IN love with each other, they clearly still love each other. And when you add in Arthurian legend...well, it's probably not going to end well for them. D:

[bewarethesmirk]

Who needs porn when there's this? Stylistically, your writing is porn.

It never fails, your writing. Never does anything less than reorder my universe. The way you piece words together shuffles, refits, and seams. You wield power over language - it's masterful, awe-inspiring.

Just to read your work is a pleasure. To beta for you is an intellectual exercise I find blissful. I'm inspired to learn more about writing, for others and for myself, because of your work.

And for this to be for me? Is just so, well--*clears throat*--iT'S MINE, IT'S ALL MINE.

Oh, right. *g*

In short: I love this. You do Arthur's voice so well (Arthur considers explaining just how many things are wrong with that statement). The imagery is lush and succinct and just--fucking--heaven. It complements the mood so well. Thin willow branches trail like shifting curtains. - trail - lovely, shifting curtains - genius.

All told, it's easier just to drop down and, on a whim, rest his head on Merlin's outstretched legs.♥ ♥ This melts my heart in a

[b_hallward]

Thank you so much! You give marvelous feedback *g* And I am just so pleased that you liked this.

I actually debated for quite some time whether it was OOC for Arthur to rest his head on Merlin's legs like that. I decided to let it stand for reasons that might not bear too close scrutiny, but I'm relieved it seems to work.

seeing Merlin through Arthur's eyes

I find how puzzling Merlin must be to Arthur itself fascinating. Arthur clearly knows that Merlin doesn't add up, that there are things he can't quite put his finger on. So what Arthur sees and doesn't see, how he can get the details wrong but still often knows Merlin, and yet doesn't--I just find that just fascinating.