Merlin Big Bang Recs

[marguerite_26]

still working my way through paperlegend fics...

What You Mean to Me (Right Now) by wanderhomeagain Arthur/Merlin [NC-17, warnings] (37k)
Summary: When Arthur Pendragon lost his leg his leg below the knee after an auto accident three years ago, he shut everyone out. Now with the help of his sister, some meddling kids friends, and a bastard of an ex-boyfriend who has the temerity to get off with someone else, Arthur begins to learn that he can let himself enjoy life in the company of others, especially the new pharmacist Gwen sent him to see.

This was a delightful h/c. I enjoyed the exploration of Arthur’s struggles, his self-image issues caused by his amputation. I think the author treated the matter with respect, and paired it well with Merlin who is sensitive and caring, but also not without his own scars. Very good read.

The Five Kingdoms by misswinterhill Merlin/Gwaine [NC-17] (81k)
Summary: It was meant to be a solo quest — Merlin struggling to find ingredients for a spell to save King Arthur’s life — until Gwaine was sent to check on him and decided to stay. Now he’ll follow Merlin to the four kingdoms of the elements and back to the mortal realm, meet his own destiny at the Green Chapel, and become the willing champion of the most powerful sorcerer to ever live.

There are a lot of ‘Quest’ fics out there, and this one without a doubt deserves the title ‘Epic Quest.’ Everything thing in this fic is done on a grand scale: amazing adventures, fascinating OCs, humour and pathos and triumph over adversity. I really appreciated the friendship and love between Merlin and Gwaine that went far beyond sexual attraction to being true partners in every sense and the Arthur factor was dealt with handily. Vague Spoilers: While Arthur was absent for the majority of the fic, he is still a specter between them (certainly from Gwaine’s POV) and not ignored to serve the plot. But rest assured that by the end of the fic Arthur is standing tall and proud with Merlin at his side. And Gwaine where he should be at Merlin’s side. Smiles all around.

Comments

[prplhez8.livejournal.com]

I loved loved loved wanderhomeagain's fic! But I love that you're posting recs for these fics too after they've pubbed and the excitement has waned a bit. I did one, too, this morning. PL churned out so much goodness.

AND FIFTEEN DAYS TILL CANON, MAGS! FIFTEEN DAYS!!!

*SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE*

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

I just saw your rec. I haven't read the neon tree fic yet... *adds it to the pile*

I'm going to be reading bb's until the cows come home. Then I'm going to make all the cows read them.

[wanderhomeagain.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[misswinterhill.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this rec! I was really delighted to see it; it cheered me up when I was feeling pretty in the dumps. I'm glad the adventures and the OCs worked for you, and Arthur, because they were all things I worried about when writing it :)