we have to thank our brave soldiers in fandom who write gen fics. we have to thank our brave soldiers in fandom who write character studies and stories with no focus on romance or sex. we have to get on our knees and thank the brave soldiers in fandom who write about minor characters and friendship and family with no focus on romance or sex. i know it’s hard to care about characters in a world that seems to only revolve around ships but i see you. and i love you
I hope it's okay to add links in a reblog! (I'm on my phone so it's easier to do it here than in a comment)
I realised I suck at bookmarking apparently. but still here's a few:
The "Arthur knows about Merlin's magic" series by onceandfuturewarlock (37k words)
A series of ficlets focusing on Arthur and Merlin's (platonic) relationship in an unspecified post-magic reveal AU in which Arthur didn't die. I'm probably fond of this series because it's one of the very first fics I read in this fandom, but it's funny and cute. Background Merlin/Freya – it is in fact the fic that injected "he's married to a lake!" into my vocabulary, for which I will always be grateful. Technically not complete but each part can be read as a standalone ficlet.
Quiet, still by onceandfuturewarlock (~400 words)
Really short Gaius-centric ficlet but I'm sneaking this in because Gaius and Merlin's relationship is literally my favourite in the show.
Something Blue by alittleacatalepsy (10.5k words)
In which Gwen is getting married, but as far as I remember the focus is more on Gwen and Merlin than Arwen? It's marked as gen, anyway. The closest thing to "Merlin goes full wedding planner mode" I could ever find (we were robbed by the time skip!). Don't remember much else but I liked it enough to bookmark it.
Unfit by s0mmerspr0ssen (106k words)
An AU fic in which Arthur is disabled (leg amputation) and suffering from "fits of madness", and thus in danger of losing his claim to the throne. It deals with themes of disability and depression, but less gloomy than it might sound (again, from what I remember). Some budding romance between Arthur and Gwen but that isn't the focus (though I found it sweet!) – the central relationship is Arthur and Merlin's friendship.
Bloodbind rabies by agapantoblu (3.4k words)
In the author's own words: Arthur has "rescued" Morgana from the Sarrum's wells, so now it's like having a rabid raccoon under house arrest in Camelot. Forced "rehabilitation" by awkward family dinner? Or, Arthur won't give up on his sister no matter what. (I'm sure @agapantoblu has written more gen fics so check her other AO3 fics – I trust my friend Agap, she write extremely well <3)
And if self recs are okay... [looks around nervously]
An Act of Balance (6.5k words)
Daemons!AU, because... I love creatures! Background Arthur/Gwen, but really only a dash. The main relationship is Arthur & Merlin.
The Game of Kings (4k words)
Same as above – minus the daemons. A post-magic reveal AU, follows the evolution of Arthur and Merlin's relationship through a series of (chess-themed) vignettes.
+ a short one, but it fits the theme:
season of mists and mellow fruitfulness (~1k words)
Aroace Merlin. In which Gwen asks Merlin something she's been wondering about for a while. (Post-Canon AU, Queen Gwen & Court Sorcerer Merlin).
Adding some of my own Merlin genfic reccs <3
⭐️ Wheel of the Year by panharmonium (100k words)
Brilliant pre-canon fic about Merlin & Will. Super immersive & well researched. A textured, compelling version of Will. Beautiful, ambling, pastoral prose, and vivid, tactile description of setting.
Knights of the Round Table by panharmonium (~6k words)
A series of charming portraits that examine Merlin’s relationships with each of the knights. Really sweet, fun & heartwarming. Panharmonium’s approach to describing Merlin’s magic is unmatched!
Words Are Dead by LeMightyWorrier (500 words)
Devastating shortfic about returned!Arthur, immortal!Merlin, and a language barrier. Merlin can't remember how to speak Arthur's language, and Arthur does not know Merlin's. The dialogue in this fic is painful, desperate, and masterfully concise. Reading it is having violence done to you.
A Moment of Reprieve by adhd-merlin (544 words)
Gwaine and Elyan share a moment in the dungeons as Morgana tortures and toys with them. This fic picks just the right little details to give their friendship, nobility, and ordeal depth and grace.
some self-promo if nobody minds that 😅
To Be A King (127k words)
When Merlin discovers that his father was an estranged prince and he himself is now the only heir to the throne of a magical kingdom, he is forced to leave Camelot for the perils of a royal court. Will Merlin be able to win Arthur's favor again before Morgana launches an attack on a defenseless Camelot? Will he be able to defend his own kingdom at the same time or will all be lost?
^ contains canonically established Arthur/Gwen, but the primary focus is on the platonic relationships
Onsægness (5.6 words)
Onsægness (f. noun): a sacrifice. As Arthur lies dying, Merlin summons up the spirit of Nimueh so that he may learn to use the Cup of Life to trade his life for Arthur's, but will the revelations Nimueh brings with her be enough to break Merlin for good?
To The Death and companion piece Nothing to Prove (7.9k, 10.2k)
An unknown knight arrives at Camelot to challenge Merlin to single combat, a fight to the death. He accepts it willingly, but will he be able to survive the duel without using his magic?
A foreign knight challenges Merlin to mortal combat. Arthur tries to persuade Merlin to withdraw from the duel, and come to terms with the possibility of losing his best friend.





















