Merlin Rec Post
MERLIN
Canon Era
A Coin Toss and a Fork in the Road | qwerty
A sorcerer casts a curse to enchant Arthur into a woman's shape, with the only thing that can save his life being to have sex. One of two things happen.
A Prince's Tale of Cats and Warlocks | dornfelder
Arthur finds out about Merlin's magic, and he reacts badly. In the aftermath he's left to deal with the consequences and the pieces of a life that refuse to fit together as they used to. On his way towards understanding, he gains an unexpected, albeit reluctant ally - of the furred and four-legged kind. It takes more than a few words of regret to earn a warlock's forgiveness though.
All Its Splendid Glory | lozenger8
In the two years and five months Merlin has known him, Arthur has been enchanted to love people he ordinarily wouldn’t nine times. Merlin simply never expects Arthur to be enchanted to love him.
And None But We Can Be Such Kings | janne_d
Merlin really was the court idiot. Was this what the Dragon had meant by halves of a whole?
anything else but the truth | retts
Even though it was not part of 'pretend as though it never happened', Merlin couldn't help but avoid Arthur unless absolutely necessary.
Aspects | lycoris
When Arthur is hit by a curse that splits him into two people, Merlin has to try and take care of both of them until Gaius finds a cure. But with the two Arthurs so violently opposed to each other, will it ever be possible for them to reunite?
Warnings: attempted non-con
Assumptions | wrtrs_blck
Everyone assumes Merlin knows what is going on. He really, really doesn't.
A Study in Natural Philosophy | Mad_Maudlin
It wasn't all that unusual for people to hide their daemons; Merlin, however, seems to be taking it a little far.
At Our Best When It's From The Hips | derryere
Merlin goes to a brothel to get rid of that virginity thing and runs into Arthur. From there on, it's all madness.
Backfire | oxoniensis
In which there are giant ears, a curious cat, backfiring spells, a stick figure Arthur, some unfortunate truths and some very welcome ones.
Before The Sun Breaks Another Day | accordingtomel and adelagia
Three months after her disappearance, Morgana returns to Camelot with a hidden agenda, but she's not the only one keeping secrets, and a series of unintended revelations forces her, Merlin and Arthur on an intertwined journey of revenge, redemption and love.
Before the Sun Rises | marguerite_26
After saving King Arthur’s life, a seventeen year old Merlin is asked to move to Camelot and become his manservant.
Beltane Cycle | astolat
(1) Beltane: There is a story that is not told in Ealdor anymore, not for many years now, a story about Beltane Eve.
(2) Coming of Age: "I have called you to give you a warning," the dragon said. "A red moon rises over Camelot this night. The Wild Hunt will ride."
(3) That Shall Achieve The Sword: Arthur had just started to get really irritated, as opposed to the low-grade and permanent Merlin-is-late-again irritation that somehow managed to be endearing -- and how exactly Merlin had managed that, Arthur would really have liked to know, mostly so he could work out how to use it on Uther.
(4) An Exile In Albion: Arthur in Ealdor was like a tame lion at the dinner table: you weren't necessarily worried you were going to get torn to pieces, but it was still dangerous, decidedly out of place, and made the neighbors nervous.
Breathe In, Breathe Out (I Love the Way You Move) | leashy_bebes
Arthur makes Merlin wear a corset laced too tight for him to breathe properly while he fucks him up against a wall.
Warnings: breathplay, forced feminisation, slight dub-con
Bring Us Emrys | enviropony
Someone has butchered five of Camelot's best not two leagues from the castle gates, and left a blunt note: 'Bring us Emrys.'
Chosen | archaeologist_d
Sometimes when all you have is love unrequited, you'll take what you can get.
Common Practices | marguerite_26
There are times when Merlin thinks Arthur is good and just. And there are times he doesn't. Merlin never hesitates to show his disappointment.
Crown of the Summer Court | astolat
"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."
Dying to Return | StormDancer
When they hang him, he floats. They put him on the pyre at dawn. He doesn't burn.
Feel Your Pain | myashke
Merlin takes Arthur's pain without permission.
Finding Home | riventhorn
When Gaius retires, a new physician takes over, one that quickly kicks Merlin out of his room and takes it for himself, Arthur finds Merlin sleeping in the stables..and it's winter.
Fixing What Isn't Broken | lycoris
Merlin only meant to turn himself into a woman for a night, just to give Arthur what he wanted. But when he gets pregnant, he finds himself trapped in more ways than one.
Fools of Us All | adelagia
Merlin accidentally makes everybody in Camelot fall in love with him. Everybody except Arthur, that is.
For the Good of the Kingdom | magog_83
Merlin returns from his sojourn with the druids in the company of a man who is criminally handsome. Arthur reacts in the mature and reasonable fashion you would expect.
For the Weary | lady_ragnell
When Arthur becomes King, Merlin overworks himself.
Sequel: Simple Math | After Gwen and Lancelot leave, Arthur and Merlin learn to take care of each other.
Four Times Merlin Cock-Blocked Arthur and One Time He Didn't | oxoniensis
He doesn't mean to the first time. Truly. It was an honest mistake.
From the Ashes | randomslasher
When Merlin uses magic to save Arthur’s life, he is condemned to death, and Arthur is too late to save him. But when the grief-stricken prince, along with Morgana and Gwen, journeys to Ealdor to return Merlin’s ashes, a series of strange events leads them to believe the warlock may not be as dead as they thought.
Gadarene | unpossible
“You’re the Prince?” Merlin says, eyeing him. He hesitates, then adds, defiant, “The Mad Prince of Camelot.”
Warnings: slave!fic
Gramarye | lisztful
In the wake of the dragon's escape, Morgana is missing and Uther is running Arthur and his knights ragged with fruitless searching. As the hunt continues, Merlin must come to terms with his growing feelings for Arthur, his discomfort at the way Arthur throws himself into danger in order to prove himself to his father, and his suspicion that Morgause may not be as evil as he'd once thought. Just as things begin to fall into place, a revelation about Gwen's past throws the court into turmoil, causing Uther's rage to spiral out of control. Finally, prompted by the return of Mordred, Merlin and Arthur must choose between Uther's Camelot and the people they love, perhaps including each other.
Grave Mistake | kick_flaw
The ghost of Arthur's creepy great, great uncle starts following Merlin around and making lewd comments. Fortunately - or unfortunately - only Merlin hears him most of the time.
Green-Eyed Monster | twisting_vine_x
Jealous!Merlin, oblivious!Arthur, first time
His Own Hand | mpoetess
In which Merlin is punished for saving his life for the thousandth uncredited time, and arguing with Uther is the stupidest thing Arthur's done until the next thing.
Warnings: spanking, voyeurism of a sort, made them do it
I Love You Even Though You Are A Raging Douche | Anonymous
“Oh my god, you’re an idiot,” said Merlin. “How I fell in love with you, I’ll never know.”
(Merlin Fandom 101)
In the Spaces Between | neathsunnyskies
Merlin dies. Arthur is so stricken with grief that he goes on a mad quest looking for a sorcerer to bring Merlin back to life.
Warnings: unhappy fic, attempted suicide, self-harm
In Time of Trial | shinetheway
Uther fears his son's power, and Merlin has helped Arthur flee to escape imprisonment. Now the two of them must fight to regain Arthur's rightful place in Camelot.
In Want of a Wife | syllic
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.
Instruction to Make It Perfect | kickflaw
Arthur thinks that he is a Sex God. Merlin is dubious and not impressed. Chaos ensues.
Insubordination | tourdefierce
MAGICAL REVEAL PORN
Job Orientation | seperis
In the not so distant future, Merlin builds a tower. That's not suspicious at all.
Leaving Only Bells of Lightening | shes_gone
Arthur is king, and Merlin is avoiding him. Also, it's raining.
Lemon Meringue | adelagia | Arthur/Merlin
Arthur exiles Merlin for his own safety, but even from afar Merlin manages to make his presence felt anyway.
Less Than One Blow | lady_ragnell | girl!Merlin
16 year old Merlin is captured by bandits on the road to Camelot for the first time. 22 year old Arthur, more arrogant than ever, saves her. After getting yelled at for his efforts, he falls hard and begins to "court" her, while she mostly just thinks he's an idiot.
Lost at Sea (Not a Team-Building Exercise) | xsmoonshine
There are sharks and octopuses...octopi? Crack.
Mental Note | social_retard86
“No, I mean...” Merlin paused, running a hand over the cover of the book. “The old woman that gave them to you... You didn’t think she was a little, I don’t know...” he waved a hand vaguely, “creepy?”
Misrule | thehoyden
"Well," Morgana said, looking pleased, "Maybe Arthur won't actually throw the tourney this year."
Neither Fish nor Fowl | adelagia
Trusses of flowers, personalised letters and whole roast chicken had always been sure-fire ways to win a person's heart, at least in Arthur's experience. Merlin's heart, however, was an entirely different story.
Nineteen | kick_flaw
Arthur is too old for this.
No Loyal Knight and True | i_claudia
Neither of them can resist; neither can turn away.
Warnings: Unhappy, implied character death, incredibly brief non-explicit non-con
Peach, Plum, Pear | sweetestdrain
How in his tenth year of rule King Arthur chose a man to take the role of Court's Magician, and how Arthur made his decision.
Polarity | castmeaway
A Camelot still reeling from Morgana’s betrayal plays host to the visiting king of the only nation militant enough to pose a viable threat. Only, a surprising twist is revealed when the heirless king of that nation announces that the dragon lord Balinor was actually his formerly lost and disinherited brother, therefore making Balinor’s son, Merlin, the sole blood heir to his throne.
Warnings: dub-con, character death
Remember, Remember the Fifth of November | Anonymous | Arthur/girl!Merlin
Merlin is Uther's illegitimate daughter.
Warnings: unknowing incest (half brother/sister)
Render It True | cleo_jay
A spell gone awry causes a series of revelations for a hapless Merlin, some more horrifying than others.
Rheged | mcshame
Gwen and Arthur have been married for several years, Merlin's magic has been revealed and Arthur has now reached a kind of cold peace with it. Then a delegation arrives from a kingdom based on magic, and suddenly Destiny is starkly and ruthlessly to the fore. The question is should - can - it be avoided?
Rivers 'til I Reach You | tourdefierce
Sometimes Merlin gets lost and he needs to be guided back home.
Warnings: D/s, spanking, violence, depictions of war, felching, rough sex, and language
Seven Magpies | syllic
Arthur opened his eyes a minute later to the sight of seven magpies streaking across the top of the clearing, their shapes dark against the white clouds and the muted grey of the sky. He tried to remember what it was that seven magpies meant-he’d had a nurse who had sung the rhyme to him as a child-but couldn’t.
Smoke and Mirrors | Footloose
Merlin's magic has been revealed and it has all gone wrong. Arthur might hunt him, he might hate him, but Merlin can't help but protect him from afar.
Soldered | julesoh
Merlin fell to the side, clutching at his leg in agony, and the blue sky dimmed and wavered in his vision, ice-white clouds mocking him as they swirled. He opened his mouth to cry out, but a name came to his lips instead, unbidden: “Arthur.”
Sparring and Submission | leashy_bebes
Merlin leaves the training session weighed down with the usual armour, swords, and the rest - but he barely notices, his head still teeming with thoughts. To do that, to make Arthur work for the control he feels entitled to, to make him fight for it. What must that feel like? It's an interesting notion, to say the least. But it's just a notion, and Merlin thinks it'll always stay that way.
Stranded | fluffssnowflake
When Merlin and Arthur find themselves in a tight spot, they get help from an unexpected source
Such Fractured Shadows | i_claudia
Lionel is the first, approaching Merlin one late summer afternoon as the sun slants through the dust in the stables and turns the air into heavy fire.
Warnings: EXTREMELY explicit serious non-con with threesomes, choking, knifeplay (I skip part one)
That Time of Truth | hwc
Druids start to slowly come out of hiding, living their lives peacefully in the kingdom and even sending a diplomat or two to Camelot. After a close call or two, Merlin has to have a chat with them about not revealing Merlin's identity. While no one ever does reveal Merlin is Emrys, a lot of people start to talk about Emrys in Camelot.
The History of Two Conversations (On Paper) | takadainmate
Books are defaced. But it's all for a good cause. Really.
The Hunt | novemberlite
“Those Pendragons, they’re a different sort. Beastly, but clever. It’s said they’re drawn to magic--to power--and that’s how they find their... mate.”
The Joye of Sexe | aleathiel
Arthur has a lot of sex.
The One Where Gwaine Gets Cockblocked By Destiny | tourdefierce
Gwaine is supposed to be getting some sexy-times with Merlin. He doesn't understand why that isn't happening and he's going to find out, dammit.
The Play's the Thing | shinybug
Arthur had to spare a thought to be impressed at how many slanderous and untrue things Merlin had managed to insert into such a brief statement: that Arthur liked to drink, and that when he did drink too much he had a tendency to inflict bodily harm upon his manservant, either in the form of beatings and/or possibly sodomy, and that chambermaids were more or less involved in these indiscretions.
The Undiscovered Country | angelqueen04 | girl!Merlin
When Hunith comes to Camelot seeking help against Kanen, one of the nobles recognizes her.
These Castle Walls Bleed Lies | marguerite_26
With his father unfit to rule and Camelot decimated, Arthur must assume the role of King. But the truths he discovers shake the foundation of all he holds dear.
These Private Hours | misswinterhill
During the day, King Arthur and Court Sorcerer Merlin belong to the world. In the time between first and second sleep, they belong to each other.
Three Tasks | syllic
Arthur is the Royal Arbiter for Suitable Suitors' Disputes. He (and his trusty companion, the golden-dragon-tasselled hat) alone can determine who is fit to woo royal servants and other assorted courtiers in Uther's court.
to the victor | novemberlite
in which arthur's the victor, and merlin's the spoils. right?
Warning: slavefic, consent issues, bondage
Together But Sometimes Apart | pepperlandgirl4
They had been brave all day, watching with blank, neutral faces as King Arthur wed Guinevere. Merlin had known Lancelot wouldn’t do anything as unbecoming as shed tears in open court, but he didn’t have so much faith in his own ability to mask his emotions.
Touch Me (Not) | veronamay
In which Merlin is reluctantly pure, Arthur is unfairly tempting, and the Great Dragon sits back with popcorn to watch.
Tristan & Isolde | niennahfic
When King Mark, Queen Isolde and the knight Tristan come to Camelot, Arthur learns what true love really means.
Truth is a Whisper | seperis
Words can also be mightier than the sword.
Until the Pieces Fit | Anonymous
Merlin sees something he shouldn't.
Warnings: dub-con, humiliation, homophobia
Warlock | aftertherain
Take me up; cast me away. What happens in the aftermath of a truth revealed.
Modern
A Binding Contract | eldee
In a society where people with magic are considered to be dangerous, are labelled as freaks, and have their powers cut off from them, Merlin does whatever he can to survive the hard life he’s faced with. When he’s in desperate need of money, Merlin’s landlord Aredian arranges and offers a magically binding contract in which Merlin is to become a ‘companion’ to Uther Pendragon’s son, Arthur. And when Merlin feels compelled to accept it, he never would have imagined that one man could change his life so completely.
Warnings: Sex trade work; authority figures (control over magic); some violence; mentions of minor character death; attempted suicide
A New Low | rosemaryandrue
Diabetic Merlin stuck in a lift.
Burning for Burning | frantic_allonsy
Merlin finds out that his boyfriend is cheating on him. So he goes to his best friend Arthur for some advice on how to confront the cheating boyfriend.
Champagne from a paper cup (is never quite the same) | anna_zee
Arthur is a professional footballer on the verge of making history. Merlin is a medical student with special powers who's just been hired to work for Arthur's club. You know the rest.
Dear Idiot | magog_83
Arthur is at last reborn but, when he is still a baby, he is left orphaned and alone in the world. Fortunately for him he always has Merlin - even if he doesn’t always know it.
So much love for this fic <3
Drastically Redefining Protocol | rageprufrock
In which Prince Arthur meets Merlin and all hell breaks lose.
Extra: DRP Wedding | Merlin had been in absolute, exquisitely embarrassing ecstasies for the entire first month he was engaged.
For Your Information | reni_days
Merlin sighs. "After your...announcement," he explains, "your father decided he needed a bit more information. Which is apparently where I come in. I'm sort of like his gay tutor, it's hard to explain."
Fucking Tradition | hermette
It’s a regency AU with girl!Merlin and literal bodice ripping, okay? It doesn’t get to have a summary.
Heartbeats | tourdefierce
Being a medical student is hard. Puns totally intended.
In Love With My Radio | munchinglunch
Merlin listens to the radio on his iPod, Arthur stalks Merlin, Morgana lives to create chaos in Arthur's life, and then everyone goes to McDonalds!
Journey Into the Interior | Amber
Merlin works in Camelot Massage Parlour, London. This is where Arthur finds him. | 'Arthur' chokes and flushes, as though they're not standing in an erotic massage parlour, as though 'Arthur' doesn't have a copy of Penthouse held loosely in one hand. "I'm hardly trying to pick you up, Merlin." He chuckles a little bitterly. "Look, d'you really not know who I am?"
Keep Calm and Carry On | tongueincheeky
How Arthur Pendragon, Director of Communications for Prime Minister Gaius, and his assistant, Merlin Emrys, fell in love - a story in goldfish, cats, webcomics, cups of tea, and sharpies.
Laws of Attraction | ChristyCorr
Merlin Emrys had strong convictions on the subjects of love and marriage - namely, that they should be avoided at all costs.
Love, Toast, and Post-It Notes | themadlurker
It was love at first sight, and Merlin knew it - when it came to the flat, that was. Merlin wasn't anything like as clear about the man he was going to have to live with.
Mending Wall | frantic_allonsy
Arthur and Merlin have shared a living space for over six years and can hear each other very clearly through the wall between their rooms.
Miscommunication (Or the Strangest Family Ever) | candycanearms
Gwen and Merlin are coworkers who vent about their lives to each other but never meet outside of work. Over the years, Merlin hears her gush about the man that has proposed to her, her wedding, and then moan about married life. Meanwhile, Merlin has met this frustrating, amazing man and has fallen hard.
Natural Selection | minor_hue
In which Arthur goes on blind dates, Merlin is his waiter, and everyone takes a ride on the crazy train.
No Business Like Show Business | lady_ragnell
In which Merlin is promoted from production intern to talent, is easily mortified, and has Post-It arguments with Arthur while the art department watches in glee. Also, there are gay dragons.
Ocean Soul | chippyofyonder
Merlin should have died. He formed a bond instead.
Oscillate Wildly | suntipped
Fucking Arthur, he thinks, pushing his head against the seat. It’s not so much that he’s breaking promises left and right by bringing up that thing between them in public again; it's just his ever-irritating sense of entitlement. It’s Arthur being a prick and thinking he can go around doing anything he wants sometimes, because obviously, obviously the entire world exists only to amuse him.
Palm to Palm | jasmasson
Merlin's lyrics probably aren't as good as Shakespeare's verses, but then Arthur's no Romeo.
Pairing: Pendragon/Merlin | Anonymous
Arthur is a BNF and Merlin is his prized beta
Pockets of Stones (Lay Me Down) | kianspo | non sexual Arthur/Merlin
“You can’t,” Gwaine says in a pained voice. “Merlin... True or false: if Arthur had so much as a single gay bone in his body, a single gay hair on his head, even, you’d be married to him by now?
Reaching a Fever Pitch | Anonymous
Arthur spends the night out clubbing, being groped and propositioned left and right, while his boyfriend is waiting for him at home.
Warnings: slight dub-con
Shadowplay | adelagia | Arthur/Merlin
Stood down from duty on convalescent's leave, secret agent Arthur Pendragon wonders if sheer boredom might just do him in. But when his handler saddles him with a caretaker who is by turns completely inept and strangely brilliant, and invites trouble wherever he goes, Arthur has to concede that death by boredom looks less and less likely. Death by goon squad, high-speed car chase, poison, or fiery explosion, however...
Shosholoza Meyl: A Pleasant Experience, or, Arthur Gets Laid on a Train | Mellacita
Arthur Pendragon is on a last holiday before assuming the mantle of responsibility, and receives an unexpected roommate for a night aboard the Shosholoza Meyl train from Johannesburg to Cape Town, South Africa.
Sort of a Tourniquet | Thursday_Next | Arthur/Merlin
Arthur gives Merlin a plastic ring as a joke. But what nobody knows is how much Merlin really likes wearing it.
Straws in the Wind | i_claudia
Merlin meets Arthur when Arthur runs him over on the ski slopes. Everything goes downhill from there.
The Future Soon | lady_ragnell | Arthur/Merlin, Gwen/Lancelot
Arthur sees a vision of himself and Merlin married and happy, but they can barely stand each other. They both start doing everything they can to avoid it happening.
The Good Times Are Killing Me | minor_hue
In which the boys pretend to still be together for Christmas (and there is more than one kind of charade).
The Hardest Way Possible | lady_ragnell
Merlin's addicted to Craigslist, Arthur's looking for love in all the wrong places, and with a little help from their friends, they manage to get it together.
The Incident With the Thingy or Arthur's Adventures in Spying | sparky77
Arthur is a spy. Merlin is his handler. What? It makes perfect sense. Really.
The Meat Feast | cornmouse
Merlin is a BNF fanartist for The Roman, a camp HBO gladiator show. He accidentally becomes involved with The Roman's lead actor, Arthur Pendragon, over Skype without realizing it. Many pornographic shenanigans and misunderstandings ensue.
The Student Prince | FayJay
A modern day Merlin AU set at the University of St Andrews, featuring teetotal kickboxers, secret wizards, magnificent bodyguards of various genders, irate fairies, imprisoned dragons, crumbling gothic architecture, arrogant princes, adorable engineering students, stolen gold, magical doorways, attempted assassination, drunken students, shaving foam fights, embarrassing mornings after, The Hammer Dance, duty, responsibility, friendship and true love.
Extra: Straight On Til Morning | Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games
The Wrong Avalon | leashy_bebes | Merlin/Doctor Who Crossover
Arthur's been stuck in this mysterious place for what feels like years, all invisible to the strange people who surround him. He's given up on anything changing until the arrival of a madman with a blue box.
Things Fall Apart | frantic_allonsy
Merlin Emrys, a graduate student in the creative writing programme at Camelot University, really, completely, seriously hates his poetry professor and does not love him even slightly
Time Forward | kianspo
While still at uni, Arthur Pendragon meets two people who become his best friends. He falls in love with one of them... but marries the other. This isn't his story to tell; it's Merlin's. And Merlin will always remember that he met Arthur first.
World Enough and Time | neathsunnyskies
Arthur had had it all figured out. And then Merlin shot him in Beijing.
Warnings: violence, bondage, references to past minor character death, angst, brief mention of bloodplay
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free | vampiric_mcd
The trouble with reincarnation - and actually remembering your past lives - was that it got a bit repetitive after a while.
Sequel: 3am | tetsubinatu | It wasn't until the third lifetime where Merlin didn't show up that it occurred to Arthur that he might be doing it on purpose.
Spin-off: Compulsion | angelqueen04 | More than once, Gwen has wondered over the issue of addiction.
Warnings: Major infidelity, unhappy
Episode Tags
The Breaking | anyssah
Aftermath of 3x03 Goblin's Gold. At first, Merlin thinks he’s lost control of his magic.
There Are No Legible Signs | frantic_allonsy
"I'm getting you down, idiot," Arthur replied. "Just try not to giggle too girlishly if I tickle you." (1x10 Moment of Truth)
His Rightful Place | lycoris
Missing scene from 4x05 His Father's Son.
Other Pairings
For You, My Liege, the World | eosrose | dark!Merlin
Gwen and Lancelot cannot be allowed to get away with their betrayal of Arthur.
Son of Camelot | arobynsung | Arthur/Gwen/Lancelot
Camelot needs an heir, but the Old Religion is still punishing the Pendragon line.
EDIT: July 2, 2014