1. Uncle Arthur by platonic_boner (@vegan-hermione)

Merlin saves the day as Dragoon, but then botches the potion to turn himself young again.

Meanwhile, Arthur makes a new friend: a five-year-old named Marlin.

~~~

arthur liking kids is so cute and the moment where he realises marlin and merlin are the same person is just so heartbreaking for a moment but we (thankfully) don't get a long and drawn out angst session and things are resolved quite quickly and naturally soon after that.

2. A Beary Happy Family by platonic_boner (@vegan-hermione)

The newest addition to Merlin and Arthur’s household is named Andrew.

~~~

this work is technically part of a series so it might make more sense if you read the previous works first, but it’s so cute. the entire series is essentially tooth rotting fluff after tooth rotting fluff and i love it so much. i was cackling when i got to the end of this fic. i love how chaotic the entire household is. it’s super cute, like the rest of the series.

3. and the sky is clear and bright by ariadne_odair 

“What,” Arthur asks slowly, “is that?”

Merlin shuffles. “Um. A baby.”

“A baby what?” Arthur says immediately.

-

In which it's the golden age of Camelot, but destiny might still have some surprises in store. (Well, Merlin is blaming destiny. Arthur is blaming Merlin's inability to keep out of trouble.)

~~~

Title: let this road be mine (series)

Author: ariadne_odair

Pairing/Character Focus: Merlin/Arthur

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 226,862 (the first 221K of that is the main fic of the series, “so close and i’m halfway to it”)

Author’s Summary: Merlin swears he doesn’t go looking for trouble, but it seems to follow him around regardless. After being ambushed by a group of bandits, it’s up to Arthur and Merlin to rescue the rest of the knights. Of course this involves journeying through a forest full of magical creatures- because nothing in Merlin’s life is ever easy.

That would be more than enough for Merlin to deal with, but nights alone in the wilderness and escaping death every five minutes, have a funny way of bringing two people together. Merlin doesn’t want to reveal his true feelings to Arthur, but then he never wanted to reveal his magic to anyone, either.

And look how that turned out.

It's a lot easier to manage Merlin's secrets between them when they're surrounded by nothing but trees. But Arthur and Merlin will have to return to Camelot eventually. Merlin's destiny might just be closer than he thinks.

My thoughts behind the cut...

Chapters: 44/44 Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Leon & Merlin (Merlin), Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen/Lancelot (Merlin) Characters: Hunith (Merlin), Gaius (Merlin), Knights of the Round Table (Merlin), Original Characters, Iseldir (Merlin), Mordred (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Adopted Sibling Relationship, Found Family, Humor, Eventual Happy Ending, Magic Revealed, Protective Older Brothers, Sir Leon the Long Suffering, Do Not Re-Post To Another Site, Good Morgana (Merlin), Good Mordred (Merlin), Screw Destiny Summary:

Fleeing from Essetir in the bloody beginnings of the Purge, Hunith finds herself on the doorstep of old friends. That's all it takes to untangle the skeins of destiny and weave a new tapestry.

1. so close and I'm halfway to it by ariadne_odair

Merlin swears he doesn’t go looking for trouble, but it seems to follow him around regardless. After being ambushed by a group of bandits, it’s up to Arthur and Merlin to rescue the rest of the knights. Of course this involves journeying through a forest full of magical creatures- because nothing in Merlin’s life is ever easy.

That would be more than enough for Merlin to deal with, but nights alone in the wilderness and escaping death every five minutes, have a funny way of bringing two people together. Merlin doesn’t want to reveal his true feelings to Arthur, but then he never wanted to reveal his magic to anyone, either.

And look how that turned out.

It's a lot easier to manage Merlin's secrets between them when they're surrounded by nothing but trees. But Arthur and Merlin will have to return to Camelot eventually. Merlin's destiny might just be closer than he thinks.

~~~

it’s 200k+ words but it only feels like 30k. that’s how good the writing is. conflicts and plot points don't get dragged out unnecessarily and the pacing just moves so well. it doesn’t feel rushed at all, and developments happen at just a fantastic pace. honestly, this fic deserves a michelin star for fics at the very least. 1000000/10 would recommend.

2. Next to You (It's the Rule) by LunaMyLove

Arthur and Merlin have a special relationship. They always have, even when they were prince and servant. While many question it when first noticing, eventually it becomes an understanding in Camelot—and even among some other countries—that where there is Arthur, there is Merlin. And, where there is Merlin, there is Arthur.

Or

Arthur and Merlin's relationship as witnessed and explained by others.

Also, or

Five times someone realizes that Merlin is the Queen, one time Merlin realizes it himself, and one time he owns it.

~~~

ahhhhhhh this fic is so good. it made me laugh so hard, and it has good!mordred !!!!

3. and it changed everything you know (how we were and the wonders we love) by vivahate (@shakespears)

“Arthur,” Merlin admonished, managing to sound at once fond and exasperated, and Gods Arthur was so gone for this infuriating man. “You know how important this is.”

Well. If Merlin insisted on being so damn stubborn.

~~~

1. Inseparable (Physical Touch) by TheCourtSorcerer

Merlin knocked his knee against Arthur’s twice gently in a silent, but playful ‘ugh, royals’ gesture; he saw Arthur bite back grin before lightly kicking him in the calf to say shut up.

Arthur cleared his throat and gave a polite, kingly smile to the messenger boy. “Thank you, you may be dismissed, if that is all.”

~~~

this is merlin season 5 and i don't accept criticism. 

2. still, i find you there (next to me) by duckette

Late night talks about what a great burden it is to be marrying the High King of Albion. Merlin can't stop short-circuiting every time Arthur mentions their wedding; Arthur takes full advantage. Also, there's slow dancing.

~~~

hello,,, this is so sweet i can't

3. And I’m Ready Now by AeonTheDimensionalGirl

For a moment, the King is silent, watching one of Merlin’s younger apprentices happily conjure up a shower of rose petals over an amused Morgana.

“I’m so proud of you” Arthur softly said, placing a kiss on top of his head.

The opening day for the school was finally here, and the Prince Consort is a ball of nervous excitement.

~~~

Chapters: 19/19 Fandom: Merlin (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin) Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Leon (Merlin), Gwaine (Merlin), Percival (Merlin), Gwen (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Alternate Universe - Arranged Marriage, Slow Burn, Minor Original Character(s), Weddings, King Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Good Morgana (Merlin), BAMF Merlin (Merlin), Gay Panic, Consort Merlin (Merlin), POV Alternating Summary: