#acbb 2022

*** Title: No Night So Dark Author: cithara_ao3 Artist: emhe67 Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon Rating: Explicit Word count: 121,128 Summary: 7 years ago, Arthur banished Merlin after finding out that he possessed magic, destroying the love they had built in the process. Now, with Camelot under threat from Morgana, Arthur swallows his pride and seeks help from the one person he knows he can trust. Merlin reluctantly returns to Camelot - with a son in tow. Arthur must try to make amends for the past while he struggles to reconcile the fact that Merlin's son is connected to him in a way he could never imagine. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: For We Shall Be Kings That Conquered Gods Author: royal_spud Artist: h-l-w aka poisedwalrus Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Morgana/Leon, Guinevere/Lancelot (mentioned) Rating: Mature Word count: 52,509 Summary:When Arthur races after a lost Merlin the moment he gets word that he's been held captive, a twisted revelation makes his own home a place he cannot return to. And presented with the choice of knowing and not knowing what the future held, and his home, and his people all on the line; the prince of Camelot is torn. Because if he knows, he would submit to the path the gods set for him, damn the consequences, damn the effects it could have on the people he loved. But if he doesn't..... If he doesn't... Arthur can only suppose there is a reason why no one dares to defy gods. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: some fictions we took to mean fate Author: MyKingdomComeUndone Podficcer: st4tic_whisp3r Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon Rating: Teen And Up Word count: 50,590 Summary: Destinies are troublesome things... Merlin has lived with the knowledge of his and Arthur’s shared destiny ever since he came to Camelot two years ago, but an attack during a routine patrol sets in motion a series of events that could make or break the prophesied golden age. Or, Merlin is hit with a curse that takes away his control over his magic, and the resulting revelations force Merlin and Arthur to face their past mistakes and to decide what exactly they want their future to look like. Story is here | Podfic is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Watered Down Author: bgn846 Artist: Viraha Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Mature Word count: 48,832 Summary: Arthur owns a grand estate in the English countryside and he’s just started a restoration project on the grounds. Unfortunately for him, Merlin is the ‘stickler for rules’ inspector sent out to give him permits and such. What follows may or may not be the worst battle of wills ever conducted. After some mishaps, including a terrible contractor (Cenred), a few misunderstandings, annoying delays, and a near-death experience they do that wonderful enemies to lovers thing. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Before The Tears That Tore Us Apart Author: ladydanielles Artist: Sunfall Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Lancelot/Gwen (minor) Rating: Explicit Word count: 61,058 Summary: After 1000 years, Merlin has paid his penance waiting for Arthur to return. He combines physics with new age magic to return to Camelot to change fate. This time he wants to honor his own destiny as Emrys, as well as keep Arthur alive. Though, once he alters the timeline, events won’t unfold as he was expecting. Even the greatest sorcerer ever to walk the earth has to face the fact that he can’t alter everything. The wrath of the goddess ensues. (Canon AU after Season 3) Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: alone in the forests of our minds Author: stanzasfic Artist: paintedpigeon Pairings/Characters: Gen, Elyan-centric Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 26,030 Summary: Dwell not on dreams, lest the illusions linger and delay the waking of the sleeper. Seek what lies beyond the mirrored veil. —— Merlin vanishes at an auspicious time in search of a mystical portal that borders the realm of the fae. Elyan embarks on a quest to find out where Camelot’s favorite Court Magician has disappeared to. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Here We Are, Born To Be Kings Author: Pearl09 Artist: muffins_at_sea / The Seaworthy Muffin Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon Rating: Teen and Up Word count: Word Count: 31,365 Summary: Camelot and Albion have long been enemies, ever since Uther announced a ban on magic and Albion opened their arms to the magic users running from the purge. As the feud begins to carry over into the next generation, Arthur can't decide where he stands on the idea of magic as everything he knows has been fed to him from Uther and his hatred for King Emrys. At least there are two people in his life that he can trust as he figures this out: Morgana, practically a sister to him, and his new servant, Merlin, who comes from somewhere outside of the city. They wouldn't hide any big secrets from him, would they? Story is here| Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: My Way Home is Through You Author: lea_ndra Artist: evaelisaa Pairings/Characters: Arthur Pendragon / Merlin Emrys Rating: Explicit Word count: 118,842 Summary: In the 21st century, Merlin Emrys is recovering from his stressful job as a paramedic at his father’s veterinary clinic in Wales. While undertaking a hike of the surrounding area, he stumbles upon a mysterious stone circle that seems to call to him... In the sixth century, King Arthur Pendragon finds a young, confused man in the woods. Even though the stranger doesn’t speak Britonnic, he immediately makes it clear that he thinks Arthur and his knights are a bunch of prats… Displaced in time and burdened with an unexpected new gift, Merlin needs to find his way back home. Meanwhile, Arthur is facing tough decisions of his own, as he too has to choose the path he’s going to follow. Story and Art are here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: A Single Thread Author: tyalangand Artist: aro-tarot Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Merlin/Cenred Rating: Explicit Word count: 26,214 Summary: When Arthur meets Merlin, he's an adorable, beautiful artist who loves talking about his art and fantasy. He's also in a relationship with Cen. And as Arthur begins to know Merlin better, he soon notices red flags abut Cen and the way he treats Merlin. Until one day, the truth comes to light. Will Arthur be able to help Merlin escape? Will Merlin be strong enough to heal? Story is here | Art is here here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: The Great Sword in the Stone Caper Author: scotscookie Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Mature Word count: 28,504 Summary: Merlin Emrys met his best friends at a funeral – to be exact at three funerals. After Merlin’s father is killed in action, along with the fathers of Gwen, Elyan and Will, his life changes for ever. With his uncle Gaius to teach him, Merlin becomes a con artist, his friends helping him as they fleece the dishonest and greedy. Several years later, they decide to con Uther Pendragon, using a replica of Excalibur. At least Merlin believes it’s a replica. Story is here | Art is here here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: The Chasm of the Night (and a Matter of Time) Author: Zorbo_Jorks Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur; Gwen/Lancelot; Characters:Morgana, Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, & the Knights of the Round Table Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 34,202 Summary: Morgana was a fluke. If her dreams were correct, she was supposed— fated, if that really existed— to die the day she killed Arthur, with Merlin surviving to trudge out eternity, instead. Destiny, for whatever reason, had failed all of them in that regard. She was forced into immortality, outlasting all she strove so fruitlessly for— helpless as everything withered into legend. Come the 21st Century, Morgana works with the reincarnations of Leon and Elyan at Pembroke Manor, a 1920s-themed improv retreat where groups come to roleplay a murder mystery for the weekend. Morgana is haunted by memories of her past life and continually belabored by a golden dragon for her failings when a surprising group comes to the Manor. Merlin, a young journalist, prepares to go with his boyfriend's improv troupe to Pembroke Manor, unsuspecting that Arthur intends to propose over the weekend. He is taken aback by the mysterious actress playing Lady Pembroke. What appears to be a shocking coincidence for Morgana sparks a cataclysmic transformation for everyone present. Past lives and long-forgotten memories bubble to the surface, and Morgana grows doubtful that she will come out of it unscathed. Story is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Requiem of a Forgotten Prince Author: queerofthedager Artist: kairennart Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Gwaine/Elyan, Gwen, Lancelot, Leon Rating: Mature Word count: 86,000 Summary: 'You will forget all that you hold dear,' the sorcerer had vowed before he attacked Arthur, leaving his patrol dead and Arthur achingly thankful that for once, Merlin hadn’t been with him. Well, and he is quite certain that he hasn’t forgotten anything. As it turns out, everyone else has; specifically about him, and that Camelot is supposed to have a crown prince. When Merlin stumbles across him by chance, Arthur should be relieved. And he would be, really—if he hadn’t just been stabbed, and found out that Merlin has magic while he was at it. That Merlin does not remember who he is, either. It all gets a lot more complicated from there on out as Arthur tries to keep his own secrets, deal with the revelations about Merlin, and find a way not only to restore Camelot's memories, but protect it against the threats gathering on the horizon, too. When it rains, it pours; sometimes, the aftermath might just be worth it. Story and Art are here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Stepping into the Wine Dark Sea Author: arete20 Artist: Stanzas Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Gwen/Morgana, Gwen & Merlin Rating: Mature Word count: 48,644 Summary: 366 BCE Ancient Greece Born poor, foreign, and illegitimate, famous actor Merlin has spent his entire life on the outside looking in. Arthur Pendragon is a young and inexperienced politician desperately trying to prevent a war, leading him to turn to Merlin for help. Guinevere of Athens has secretly been publishing philosophical treatises under a male pseudonym, escaping suspicion. Morgana is a priestess at the Oracle of Delphi, one of the few women in Greece to wield political power, yet still sidelined. One day, Merlin receives a mission that he cannot refuse, one that will draw the four of them together — but could incite a war. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: He Waits in the Woods Author: aro_tarot Artist: serpentinewizard12 Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 35,902 Summary: Seventeen years ago, Arthur found himself lost in the woods. A kind merlin helped him find his way back home, but this wasn’t before his mother went looking for him. She entered the woods at night, and like others in the past, the Beast made sure that she didn’t leave alive. Now Arthur finds himself going back to his old home to start a new life. Though, the past comes back. When Arthur enters the woods during the day, he meets the merlin that helped him all those years ago, and as he starts to get to know this merlin that is actually a man named Merlin, he starts to fall for him. There is danger though. A strange woman starts to follow him around, and as the story goes on, Arthur starts to learn that his mother’s story about the king that died is more than just a bedtime story. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: A Servant of Two Masters Author: chaosgenes Artist: eviko Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Explicit Word count: 44,197 Summary: Merlin meets a mischievous older alternate future Arthur who doesn’t know how he ends up there. While keeping him secret from the Pendragons, Merlin tries to send him back home while ignoring his suggestions to seduce Young Arthur, which “accidentally” happens many times anyway. Arthur begins to fall for Merlin and tries to help him send the other Arthur home, even if Arthur doesn’t like or trust his future self. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: The Way of the Sun Artist: willowsmarika Pairings/Characters: Ensemble cast Rating: Teen and Up Word count: Art Summary: Edits for the main houses of sparringett's epic Merlin/GoT crossover fic (to be posted later, hopefully). Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: come to burn your kingdom down Author: princessoftheworlds Artist: violetmessages Pairings/Characters: Gwen/Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, past Freya/Merlin, Merlin & Gaius Rating: Explicit Word count: 71,697 Summary: But Merlin had one fatal flaw. When he loved, he loved too deeply, too passionately, too recklessly. When tragedy strikes, DI Merlin Emrys is determined to avenge his ex-fiancée Freya. The targets? Arthur Pendragon and his wife Guinevere, leaders of the infamous criminal gang The Knights. But Arthur Pendragon isn’t as much of a fool as Merlin expects. Knowing Merlin’s reputation for investigating and arresting criminals of all types, he cuts Merlin a deal — help him, and he’ll help Merlin bring Freya’s killer to justice. Except neither Arthur, Merlin, nor Guinevere realize just how tightly entangled they will become, and just how much it will risk everything they have ever known. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: A Witch Hunter in Ealdor Author: thenerdyindividual Artist: kairennart Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Gaius, Gwen, Hunith, Will Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 46,634 Summary: Merlin's life in Eadlor is quiet. He keeps his head down, or tries to anyway, and spends his day working the land with his mother and Will. Then a peace treaty between Camelot and Essetir brings Ealdor into Camelot's borders. With it comes not only a flock of Camelot knights, but Prince Arthur himself; a man who was magically altered to give him special abilities to track and kill sorcerers. Arthur's duties in Ealdor consist of chasing off bandits, providing aid to the people, and making sure Ealdor follows the law of Camelot. Through a twist of fate, Merlin ends up as Arthur's scribe, and as they work together, Arthur comes ever closer to discovering Merlin's secret. Perhaps the worst part is that Merlin can't bring himself to hate Arthur as much as he should hate someone designed to kill him and his kin. He thinks if things had been different, he and Arthur might have been good friends. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Let Life Be Like Music Author: slantedknitting Artist: feuxx Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Arthur/Mithian, Morgana, Gaius Rating: Explicit Word count: 29,262 Summary: Arthur works in finance, but his real passion is music. He plays his piano every chance he gets, pretending that he is on stage in front of an audience and living his best life as a successful musician, even though that can never become a reality. Shortly after moving into a new flat, he receives a note under his door requesting he play a specific piece of music. When he complies, Arthur is shocked to hear his neighbour joining in on the music with their violin. Soon enough, Arthur and his mysterious neighbour are routinely playing their strange duets through the walls of their flats. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Haven Author: paintedpigeon Artist: Alduade Pairings/Characters: Merlin, Leon, Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, Elyan, Morgana, Hunith, Uther, Cenred Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 31,604 Summary: On a mission to provide aid to the Druids after a massacre, Leon and Arthur rescue Merlin, an eight-year-old sorcerer being hunted by Cenred’s men. He settles into Camelot, proving to be popular, adorable, and very magical, but some things can’t stay secret forever. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: One Flesh, One End Author: seadeepy Artist: chan Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur, Merlin, Arthur, Morgana, Gwen, Freya, Gwaine, Cenred, Morgause, and others Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 35,710 Summary: A sci-fi/fantasy AU based on the novel Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir. Merlin is the greatest necromancer of his generation, with instinctive powers that go far beyond the theorems and equations he’s studied. Arthur is the cavalier sworn to Merlin’s service, wielding a rapier and a general disdain for Merlin’s unusually common birth. The Emperor of their solar system is seeking new candidates to become his immortal servants, and as heirs to the Fourth House, Merlin and Arthur have answered his call. They gather in a long-abandoned mansion on a long-abandoned planet with seven other necromancer/cavalier pairs, and are offered the opportunity to achieve eternal life and unfathomable power. While they initially try to go their separate ways — Arthur explores the dilapidated rooms aboveground, while Merlin pushes himself past his limits in the ominous laboratories beneath the building — the two eventually must acknowledge their connection to each other, discovering that they can only unravel these millennia-old secrets by combining their unique talents. Story and Art are here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: Immortal Kings Author: chaosgenes Artist: eviko Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Merlin, Merlin, Arthur, (Gwen, Gwaine, Morgana) Rating: Explicit Word count: 46,930 Summary: Merlin is magically crippled after going back to the wrong time in medieval Camelot. Arthur lives but an evil Morgana is still in hiding and as Merlin tries to recover his magic, he also attempts to "fix" the past. Never would he have thought that everything would be set against him, even his own king, Arthur. (This is the darker prequel to A Servant of Two Kings but can stand alone.) Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: The Last Night (You'll Have To Be Alone) Author: Glon_Morski Artist: siennavie Pairings/Characters: Merlin & Arthur, Merlin & Mithian, Knights of the Round Table & Arthur, Gwen & Arthur, Merlin, Arthur, Mithian, Gaius, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Gwen, Knights of the Round Table, Several 1-episode-characters Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 127,333 Summary: Emrys Dragongreat is an old man who has been alone for a very long time, and he likes it that way. Arthur Goldraig is an abandoned boy barely thirteen years of age who is just desperately trying to survive on the streets. When the two meet, it is by accident, late on a cold winter evening. For Emrys, it is a regular Tuesday. For Arthur, it is anything but. Their meeting is brief and seemingly insignificant, but there’s something about Arthur that makes Emrys find him again and offer to take him in. The arrangement shouldn't change either of their lives, and Arthur doesn't expect it to. But as time passes, things change. And before either of them know it, they both find in the other what they never thought to have again. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: (extra)ordinary men Author: PetraPan Artist: chaosgenes Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Explicit Word count: 114,433 Summary: Long ago, Arthur Pendragon hunted down his half-sister, the Witch Queen, Morgana, and rid the world of her evil, but not before she cast a final spell upon him. Now, he has walked the earth over a millennium as the Witch Hunter, not understanding his immortality but embracing his eternal duty to protect humans from witches who believe as Morgana did and follow her old practices. But Morgana’s influence has been rising faster than one man—even an immortal—can keep up with. Arthur knows he needs help to stop it. All he needs is a half-competent witch who can help him understand how Morgana’s power has continued to grow. What he gets, is Merlin. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: As I wander in my time Author: slantedknitting Artist: lfb72 Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Explicit Word count: 25,263 Summary: Merlin cannot remember Arthur’s face, no matter how hard he tries. It’s simply been too long, and the world has changed too much, and Merlin has changed, too. He happens across a psychic who shows him a vision, and he can very nearly almost see Arthur’s face, but not quite. When the vision ends, Merlin thinks that’s as close as he’ll ever get. Then, while making lunch, he suddenly finds himself somewhere impossible, somewhere that doesn’t exist anymore, sometime that doesn’t exist anymore. But that vision doesn’t last long, either. Until Merlin finds himself back in Camelot again. And again. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here *** Title: While I Kiss The Sky Author: tari_sue Artist: lfb72 Pairings/Characters: Merlin/Arthur Rating: Teen and Up Word count: 77,077 Summary: One night of drunken freedom in Las Vegas leads two men from very different backgrounds into a strange year of pretending to be in love in front of the world, and pretending not to like each other to themselves, their friends, and families. A tale in which you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need. Also, Arthur is definitely not Elvis, Merlin is definitely not Marilyn Monroe, and they are both probably clotpoles. Story is here | Art is here | Reblog on Tumblr here