weekly round-up 4

[aeroport_art]

Huzzah for the hols and its accompanying challenges! The one that's cropped up this week is yuletide. You'll find some real gems coming out of it, and my favorite of the bunch are listed here.

Due to shepsangel's on-going friending meme, I'm in a fuzzy fandom mood. Hi people! \o/ I'm not the greatest with remembering names/screen names so tell me something interesting about you! I'd like to know the people on my f-list.

And without further ado:

Weekly Round-Up
Titles in bold are extra-recommended ♥


Fleet of Foot by enjambament (PG, 5k)
Summary: These days, Arthur is as grey as the sky and she wants to cry for Merlin’s absence because Arthur won’t, but they are playing a waiting game and soon enough the King will be made of light again. Written chronologically backwards.
Notes: This is so lovely and it reads like a fairytale. I read it down and then read it back up, just to get the full effect. The writing is very good, and this is just so romantic.

Buggre Alle This by oxoniensis for yuletide (PG-13, 12k)
Summary: Bodyswap. Nimueh casts a spell that will (supposedly) tear Arthur and Merlin apart.
Notes: Eeee, bodyswap! Everyone loves a well-done fandom cliche, and this is definitely one of them. It's light-hearted and a breeze to read, with subtle humor and great tension about how Arthur discovers Merlin's aptitude for magic.

Double-Edged Sword by valderys for yuletide (PG, 3k)
Summary: Being a Seer is a burden, but Merlin finds he has a unique opportunity when he meets Taliesin, Chief of Bards. Taliesin is a powerful Seer in his own right, and may have the answers that Merlin seeks. Written by the author to explore one of the legends that Merlin's memory is progressing backwards.
Notes: Romaaaaaantic and a totally original, interesting character study into this branch of the Merlin legend.

The Accidental Seduction by ras_fic (NC-17, 9k)
Summary: Arthur's a bit dim and a prank goes horribly awry, but in the end this works out to the benefit of all involved. [Arthur] is a bit of an oblivious, arrogant dick, but Merlin and I still love him anyway. Contains absurd situations, potential historical inaccuracies involving fruit, and possibly rampant OOCness, because this is blatant self indulgence.
Notes: This story is STUPENDOUS. It's been a little while since something this genuinely FUNNY has come out, but this fills the void nicely. I love how shamelessly OTP it is; I was on the edge of my seat with all the baiting and sexual angsting. Arthur's voice is gloriously hilarious, and God, this was just. So. Entertaining.

That Shall Achieve the Sword by astolat for yuletide (PG-16, 6k)
Summary: Arthur wakes to a sudden confrontation by twelve sorcerers, and Merlin is the only one who can stave them off.
Notes: It's rare to find an action-driven piece like this keep my interest (I have a personal preference for UST, romance, or comedy). It showcases Merlin's power wonderfully, and the story holds an undercurrent of humor with great lines like this: "He didn't incite anyone!" Merlin said, dragging his wobbly head up. Wonderful. It was like being defended by a drunk kitten. Arthur jabbed him in the side with an elbow to shut him up.

Tales From a Camden Flat by iamlolweasel (PG-13, ~9k)
Summary: The lives of students Arthur and Merlin told from their Camden flat and other assorted venues. Arthur and Merlin are roommates in this modern-day AU, and this is the story of how everyone they know is trying to get them together.
Notes: Hee hee, this story will tickle you pink. It's silly and cute and genuinely fun to read, and while the liberal sprinkle of misspellings and typos were a little bit off-putting, they don't obscure the personality of this snarky piece. Arthur is wonderfully prattish and Merlin is an adorable, sulky BOY. My favorite cameos have got to be Will and Uther--God, Uther and Gaius in this are awesome.

Girlfriend by simply_luriem (vid)
Summary: Gwen is Merlin's girlfriend. Arthur doesn't like her one bit. Crack, Arthur/Merlin. Fanvid done to "Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne.
Notes: AHAHAHAH I LOVE IT. Arthur is a possessive hotass.

Looking for previous recs? Check the tag. For FAQ and list of all bolded titles, check the primer.

Comments

[betsyli.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks for compiling!

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Shore shore! Thanks for the acknowledgment *_*

[betsyli.livejournal.com]

Always, always! :D

[rushhour.livejournal.com]

I literally went 'yaaaay!' out loud when I saw your post. :D

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Yippee!!! You don't know how happy that makes me XD I'm glad you're finding them useful!!

[bethac.livejournal.com]

I have been meaning to tell you for a month or so I love your recs! If it is in a fandom I am interested in or not, I know if I read it I will more likely than not enjoy it. I hope you do not mind mind I friended your journal, so I can keep track of your recs, and your writing, too!

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Eeeee, you're such a sweetheart!! I'm just glad someones getting use out of these old things. And of course I don't mind you've friended me, I'm honored <3

[doomcanary.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad someone's bothering to do weekly rec lists - the fandom's got so big recently I've taken to posting fic and running away, because I can't keep up. It's nice to be able to keep in touch!

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Gosh, this fandom is insansely prolific! I was starting to get overwhelmed a few weeks ago, and I have no idea why that prompted me to start this rec list because now I have to read EVERYTHING. It feels like work...like very, very FUN work.

At any rate, I'm glad you're finding use for it!!

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Haha did you come up with anything!?

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

That totally worked! And yesssssss coffee addiction ftw.

[kuhekabir.livejournal.com]

thanks

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Thank YOU!

[thriae5.livejournal.com]

thank you for sharing the joy x i've been waiting impatiently all week for this!

and just because I'm going to friend you, I hope you don't mind?

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Of course I don't mind! I'm just happy people are finding a use for this weekly round-up thing :D

[lilyoftheval5.livejournal.com]

Thanks a bunch for recommendations. I totally forgot to visit the Yuletide Treasure Chest for a while.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Of course! It's FUN to make these up each week :)

[se7enthsamurai.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say that I find your Merlin recs EXTREMELY helpful! Thank you, thank you:D

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

YAY I'm happy to hear that!! \o/

[luisadeza.livejournal.com]

Thanks once more for your recs, especially since I've been away for half a week and feel absolutely overwhelmed by all the output already. XD

Also, I wondered if I might friend you because I ended up on your journal more than once already and enjoy your posts greatly.
There's not much Merlin content on my journal (so far) I fear, so you really don't have to friend me back, I'd just like to follow your contributions to Merlin fandom. :)

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

you're using my iiiiconnn!!!!!! and of COURSE I don't mind you friending me. Thanks for commenting, I'll seeya round :D

[agreva.livejournal.com]

Thanks for putting this together!
I didn't quite know where to start to look for great Merlin fics, so this is very helpful.

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear! It must be hard being a newcomer to the fandom, because it just about EXPLODED over the last couple months.

[agreva.livejournal.com]

It's unbelievable how much there is out there. I've only be reading the fan-fiction for just about a week, and I already have so many added to my memories, and a massive list yet to read.
It's great!!

[busarewski.livejournal.com]

Hi! excellent compilation of recs. I'm adding you to the f-list so I can keep up with them

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Sure! Seeya round.

[simply-luriem.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO MUCH, again! I'm so honoured to get recced :) Yay!

[aeroport_art.livejournal.com]

Thank YOU for the awesome vidding, babe!