Pairing: Guinevere "Gwen"/Merlin, Morgana/Arthur Pendragon
Fic Title: close your eyes (and it will seem)
Author:
ice_connoisseurLink: http://letherebelight.livejournal.com/1691.html
Rating/Warning(s): G
Genre: Fluff, AU
WIP?: No
Why This Must Be Read: A beautiful story that takes the pairings that were hinted at in the first series and takes them in a completely different direction. The story is told by Morgana and Merlin, mainly, but the voices of Gwen and Arthur are equally as strong. We see how things might have been different if just one little thing here and there had changed -- if Arthur had held his tongue just once, or if Merlin had learned caution just a little more quickly, and so on. The story revolves around the choices the characters make, and how their lives are shaped by them. Destiny takes a different road, and the end result is far more beautiful than any could ever have hoped for.
A lovely, lovely story.
Fandom Category: Merlin BBC
Pairing: Elena/Elyan, Guinevere "Gwen"/Arthur Pendragon
Fic Title: Breaking Tradition (Practically a Family Tradition)
Author:
misscamLink: http://misscam.livejournal.com/413334.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13; implied sexual activity, SPOILERS for Series 3
Genre: Fluff, future!fic
WIP?: No
Why This Must Be Read: Quite possibly one of the most adorable fics ever. Elyan is having a little trouble with the fact that he'll soon be the brother-in-law to the king -- namely, the fact that he's suddenly surrounded by simpering, silly ladies who really know nothing about him. And just when he's about to lose his mind, he meets a decidedly non-traditional lady -- Elena, Arthur's one-time-would-be bride.
misscam gives Elyan an amazing voice in the story, providing him with more of a personality than we've yet been able to see in canon. She brings Elena to life perfectly, playing on the delightful character we saw for only one episode, but who still made a wonderful impact. She bring Elena and Elyan together in a humorous, sweet way that would make anyone smile Gwen and Arthur, meanwhile, are creating their own adorableness in the background, and are great supporting characters for Elena and Elyan.
A very cute, fluffy fic, and one that you'll love to read again and again.
Fandom Category: Merlin BBC
Pairing: Guinevere "Gwen"/Arthur Pendragon
Fic Title: Yet Another Wedding
Author:
rubberglueLink: http://rubber-glue.livejournal.com/32144.html
Rating/Warning(s): G; SPOILERS for Series 3
Genre: Humor
WIP?: No
Why This Must Be Read: I love this short little ficlet for a multitude of reasons. One, overall, the story is hysterical. Two, the author's rendition of Gwen is just great, because a sarcastic Gwen isn't one we see very often. Three, we have a Gwen and Arthur who still feel secure in their relationship, despite Uther's many attempts to marry his son off (thank goodness for Merlin derailing them). The ship has a very light presence in the story, as the ficlet is mainly focused on Gwen, but it fits perfectly with the light, funny tone.
And it will make you laugh, which is always a plus.
Fandom Category: Merlin BBC
Pairing: Morgana/Arthur Pendragon
Fic Title: it's stupid how we always seem to do it again
Author:
theangelunknownLink: http://theangelunknown.livejournal.com/14179.html
Rating/Warning(s): G; character deaths, vague SPOILERS for Series 3
Genre: Angst, future!fic, reincarnation
WIP?: No
Why This Must Be Read: Morgana and Arthur are literally caught up in each other in this story, encountering each other in lifetime after lifetime. I love that we catch glimpses of other time periods through Morgana's eyes, and how Arthur fits into each of them. Their lives are never easy ones, and each lifetime drives home just how human the two of them are, not above all the emotions that drive people.
What I also love about this fic is that it does take into account the big reveal of the third series about their relationship, however briefly, and how it might have affected them. They dance around one another through the various lifetimes, "[doing] it again", until finally, they're able to step out of the mold and start anew. A great short story.
Fandom Category: Merlin BBC
Pairing: Morgana/Gwaine, Morgana/Arthur Pendragon
Fic Title: The Cost of a Smile
Author:
doylefan22Link: http://doylefan22.livejournal.com/147555.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG; SPOILERS for Series 3
Genre: Fluff, humor
WIP?: No
Why This Must Be Read: A kind of a missing subplot for 3x04 Gwaine, and one that would have been utterly adorable if it had been included in the episode.
doylefan22 captures Gwaine and Morgana's characters in all the glory of who they are at this point in time -- he the drifter who is more than he seems, and she the unhappy, secret sorceress in Camelot. I love how the author was able to capture Morgana's suffering, and how Gwaine was able to, in his own charming way, foster a small sense of renewed hope in the future of Camelot. That, and her amusement of his outrageous flirting with her. Additionally, Morgana's relationship with Arthur, while more secondary, was every bit as important to Morgana's character. She wants so desperately to cling to the hope that Arthur will be a better man than his father, but finds it harder and harder to do so as they continue to find themselves on opposite sides (even if one of them is still unaware of that). A great, great addition to the episode, adding a wonderful new flavor to it.
