Merlin Big Bang Rec

[marguerite_26]

Destiny That Darkly Hides Us by nympha_alba Merlin/Arthur [NC-17, warnings] (40k)
Summary: Historical AU with magic. It's 1913, the practice of homosexuality is unlawful, so is the practice of magic. When Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Emrys meet as Cambridge undergrads, they are both hungry for a real and true connection without secrets. For a short time they believe they may have found it. But war breaks out and separates them, and it seems unlikely that they will meet again. After all, what are the odds?

I'm not big on war fics, or war films or really anything to do with war. I'm such a wuss when it comes to the grit and pain of war. So, while this is a historical AU in which WWI happens and affects the characters dramatically, I think it would be selling this story short by calling it a war fic. I would consider it more a journey of Arthur and Merlin's relationship through the many obstacles of school and the class system and politics and, of course, the war that all occur in the early 1900's. That said, the war scenes are incredibly powerful, depicted with respect and realism, yet fleeting enough that I wasn't drowning in the angst of it. There is a lot of wonderful things going on in this fic and in the end, I was left very satisfied on all counts, particularly beauty of the love story. And the writing is nothing short of stunning.

And the art just got posted! (Sorry for being too impatient to wait)

Art by tindu

It is PERFECT!!! Perfect Art! and not spoilery, if you worry about that. :)

Comments

[lolafeist.livejournal.com]

WOMAN. HOW DO YOU READ SO FAST?

This is on my Kindle, and my Kindle is staring at me with woobie eyes and it's killing me not to start reading RIGHT NOW.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

I CHEATED!!!

I beta'd it. I've been reading it for MONTHS. :D

It's fabulous. gah! so much love. I'm very proud of her for this story.

[lolafeist.livejournal.com]

Doh! I totally saw that this morning and forgot. (I'm running on three hours of sleep.) Beta-recs are my favorite recs. THIS MAKES ME EXTRA EXCITED.

[prplhez8.livejournal.com]

I got in on the ground floor on this one too and I could never convey the right amount of AWE I have for her and this story. The whole thing is just this beautiful painting of love.

:SIGH:

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

*beams* yeah, it's really so lovely. I'm glad it's finally posted. I hope it gets a great reception despite the warnings.

[nympha-alba.livejournal.com]

♥♥♥♥♥

[cassie-black12.livejournal.com]

I love this fic sooooo much. It has such a glorious period feel to it - I felt a bit like I was lost in Brideshead Revisited. And the war scenes rang so true, without detracting from the main story itself. Merlin is awesome in it, but I think it was Arthur who truly stole my heart ♥

Definitely one I'll be reading again and again, I'm sure!

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

And the war scenes rang so true, without detracting from the main story itself. Merlin is awesome in it, but I think it was Arthur who truly stole my heart ♥


YES! to both of those points. YES!

[nympha-alba.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, what a rec. Thank you for that, and FOR ALL YOUR HELP. I truly don't know what I'd have done without you!
<3333 and ♥♥♥♥♥ and more hearts all over the place!

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

YOU GOT ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT!!! And it's gorgeous! :DDDD

And you are welcome! It was an honour to beta this gorgeous bit of writing. Glad I could help. ♥

[kathyh]

It was wonderful. At times I felt I was reading poetry and the love story was beautiful.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I jumped on this one and it really is fantastic.

[lolafeist.livejournal.com]

Okay I just spent all night reading this and I am basically INCOHERENT with love. I honestly can't remember ever enjoying a Merlin fic this much.

*happysigh* I do very much love war stories too, so it had the perfect amount for me, without being just too, too sad.

I loved it so much. Will rec tomorrow when I can make words go.