Pairing: Guinevere "Gwen"/Merlin, Morgana/Arthur Pendragon
Fic Title: close your eyes (and it will seem)
Author:
Link: 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:
Link: 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.
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:
Link: 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:
Link: 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:
Link: 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.
A great, great addition to the episode, adding a wonderful new flavor to it.