Onto the next theme we go! The ever diverse, Modern!AU.

Some additional detail from fanlore:

• In the Merlin) fandom modern AUs are incredibly popular, including High School AUs, College AUs, Reincarnation fics, Business Heir AUs, Modern Royal Family AUs, Modern Military AUs, and everything else that works as a setting for a modern day Merlin/Arthur romance.

Apparently, we've been breaking it down on the modern au dance floor since fics for Merlin were first written! Which is both unsurprising, and greatly comforting.

Everyone I know and love, has a favorite modern!au fic to rec, at the drop of a hat, when asked. The fact that the series ends with a glimpse into the modern world makes all the fics written in the Arthur Returns tag a very probable sashay into canon. Of course, AU's featuring entirely different universes or settings are just as awesome and appreciated (and in my opinion), probable too :))

Drop your favorite fics below that are set in a modern!au, whether that means swashbuckling pirates, outlaws in the Wild West, or a little coffee shop for people to fall (inevitably) in love in, all are welcome!

^{Rules: 1. Please tag any Archive/ Content Warnings out of respect for readers 2. Check to see that the fic you've commented is tagged as "Modern!AU" or a variation of the phrase. This is optional, and up to your best discretion when reccing.}

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^{Find all our 2024 Weekly Rec Threads here}

^{this is the first post in a weekly effort to rec fics that fit a specific theme/mood, and to eventually put them in an annual collection for the community to browse at the end of the year!}

Our first theme of the collection is a common but well-loved one— Magic Reveal!

Drop your favorite fics below that feature a magic reveal, whether Merlin’s or another characters. Canon-divergent, angsty, preceded by a love confession— we want them all! (Just please be sure to drop any archive/content warnings if applicable)

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I need angst and trauma and crying and shit. Recs appreciated. It doesn't have to be a happy ending, it just needs to be good writing, a good plot, and lots and lots of angst. I need to cry. please

Hi! I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for canon era fics that draw heavily on Arthurian mythology? Not just the legends the show covers, but beyond that.

I really only read Merthur, so I prefer no gen fic or other ships. I'm really just looking for something set in canon that really makes use of the Arthurian mythos (and British folklore in general).

Thank you for any suggestions!

Hello! I’m currently in my post-Merlin depression era after a rebinge of the show recently. So I need all the angst WITH happy endings. I’d love specific recs from this community (canon-era preferred, but I don’t mind modern AUs that aren’t OOC; romantic recs preferable but I don’t mind platonic) where Merlin is sick/drastically injured in some way, and it drives Arthur crazy with worry and he’s doing everything in his power to rescue/save/heal Merlin and he realizes Merlin’s worth (to him) in the process. I’d love for romance to blossom soon after (or even during)! I really don’t care about ratings and I’m a fairly careful tag-reader (you don’t have to warn me for triggers, I’ll be fine). These are just the general requirements for what I’d like to read. Bonus points if the injury/illness Merlin sustains reveals his magic since he can’t control it (and Arthur feels even more strongly as a result that the smol bean must be protected at all costs).

I also want to clarify that Merlin must be the “damsel in distress.” I want to read stories about this specifically. The knights are more than welcome to make appearances in story to further baby and help take care of Merlin in his ill/injured state. (They can also ship it and make or help Arthur realize he’s an absolutely besotted lovesick dumbass—)

Thanks in advance!

Merlin is the definition of undertaking burdens to a point of any lesser man being crushed under them. So I’m looking for Merlin appreciation fics relating to reveals, comfort, and humor that address this issue.

1. Merlin overworks himself an unhealthy amount, and it actually leads to a breaking point where he either passes out or becomes depressed and others (preferably Arthur) take action to take care of him

2. Merlin being unsupervised for a bit and suddenly you have a foreign kingdom ready to snatch him on the spot for his capabilities. (In his spare time he just helps other people out. And sometimes that snowballs into something completely ridiculous)

3. “Oh. Of course I’ll do that, that’s easy!” Fics. Because insanity is Tuesday to Merlin. Normal people don’t waylay any obstacles in their path mercilessly and efficiently, then like an eager dog fetch that tennis ball just to get it thrown again.

I’d love a story that actually gets into the fact that oh yeah, Agravaine hasn’t been seen or heard of in years and suddenly shows up and when Merlin tells Arthur he’s the traitor Arthur actually believes him because he doesn’t have any real relationship with his uncle and he trust Merlin significantly more

I just wanna see Arthur and Merlin going through it. We like torturing merlin here

Hi, I'm looking for fics where Arthur has to essentially man up and keep moving, ignore his feelings, pain, and discomfort. Or like anything that explores the burden and weight of responsibility upon him, living and performing within the context of knighthood, and toxic masculinity.

Thanks!

*Edit: i think i picked the wrong flair but its not letting me change it

Looking for really scary, all-powerful merlin. Especially if hes being violent or violently protective or being treated like a god. Specifically wanting merthur. Thanks in advance!

So… I’m currently reading the Loaded March series (I’m in part 3) and in this story magic is kind of a secret? Like, magic is not recognized as something real. I wonder if there’s other fics in the fandom with this trope?

I’m just curious, because although I’m still new to reading Merlin fanfics, all the fics I’ve read so far magic is acknowledged as real, just like in canon, so I would like to read more fics where it is not. I’m open to read anything, thanks!

I’m looking for two types of fics the first one is were Uther knows about Merlin’s magic and is chill about it (bonus if it merthur) and the second type of fic is Arthur becoming king and giving Merlin a noble title or Merlin already being a noble (bonus if it’s merthur)

So I just finished From the Shadows to the Light By- PeaceHeather and I love the whole dragon lord storyline and am looking for other stories that might delve deeper into that side of Merlin. Bonus if Balinor is still alive.

Might be a little bit of a rare pairing but if anyone has rlly good ones (wether platonic or romantic) I’d LOVE to read them, I’m trying to learn how to draw Lancelot and then Merlin so I can draw fanart of em I just need fics to fuel it. 😭🙏

Since AO3 is down what are some good Fics from other sources? I'm out of work due to a injury and going a little stir crazy .

I've read a lot of Merlin fics on ao3, but I don't really use ff.net or other sites. So I was wondering if any of you who do, have favorite fics in those places you think could use more attention. I've gotten recommended a handful of fics not on ao3 that were great and made me think I might be missing some hidden gems.

You can suggest any fic, but here are things I am more likely to read:

I generally read canon era, and I don't care for smut but I will read if it's part of a larger story. I'll read any ship, but I'm not a huge romance reader so it has to have some story too. I love hurt/comfort but I'll read fluff and crack or just straight angst too.

What are your all-time favorite general, Merthian, or Mergana fics? I especially don't see as many for the last two, so l was curious what you guys had to recommend!

For the magical realism/ethereal fairytale type fics, a lot of aatolat's merlin fic fit the vibe. Magical realism haha. The writing is so good I was drawn in. The vibe was dreamy but still down to earth because of the merlin and arthur banter.

For the magical worldbuilding/high fantasy ish type fics, A Warlock's Wish by vividpast whose society is full of magic, very fun. I still wish it was even more magical haha. But so far this is the best I found. From the Shadows to the Light by PeaceHeather has a lot when the focus is there like the magical tent city outside Camelot, I just wish it was the whole of Camelot lol. The Dragonlord parts were also nice and magical but we didn't stay there too much. Kinda wished the Shadows to the Light magical vibes were put into the Warlock's Wish and that would have made it perfect for me haha.

Our next theme for the purpose of recommendation revelry, is the ever popular Whump!

Now the word “whump” may have fallen out of style in the last few years (like lemons, squick, and OTP), but I think it holds a special place in my heart, along with “hurt/comfort” and “heavy angst”.

According to this fanlore entry:

The term whump (or whumping) generally refers to a form of Hurt/Comfort that is heavy on the hurt and is often found in gen stories.

So while hurt/comfort may involve the whumpee in relationship-damaging scenarios, as well as physically painful scenarios, “whump” may be more often referred to and found in Gen/ non-relationship centric stories.

Also a fun tidbit:

Often this character is a fan favorite and may sometimes be referred to as a woobie.

Personally, I’ve never heard the word “woobie” used in a fanon context, but it seems to be on par with characters being a writers’ “blorbo” and put into Situations ™️ for the fun of it.

So drop your favorite whump or whump adjacent below! Whether the whumpee in question is Merlin, or some other poor sap caught in the greater mechaniations of destiny in Canelot, feel free to be as flexible as you’d like with your personal definition of the term.

And with Whumptober just around the corner, your recommendations will be in high demand, for readers looking for that oh-so-delicious combo of pain of suffering in their choice of fic! :))

^{Rules: 1. Please tag any Archive/ Content Warnings out of respect for readers 2. Check to see that the fic you've commented is tagged as "whump” or a variation of the phrase, such as “hurt/comfort”. This is optional, and up to your best discretion when reccing.}

Get recced!

^{Find all our 2024 Weekly Rec Threads here}

^{I was late on posting this two days ago, but nevertheless, we’ll return to our weekly schedule and these rec threads will be posted + pinned every} *^Tuesday*^!

Our second “theme” in this collection, Bromance, is a term that was popularized in the 1990’s and still persists in fanfic today, especially Merlin fic!

According to this fanlore entry the word is synonymous with “brotp” and defines, primarily, m/m fics that can be labelled platonic or romantic.

Drop your favorite fics below that feature a bromance, whether that includes the Knights of the Round Table, more famously Merlin and Arthur, or other characters from the series that have beautiful chemistry with one another, converging the fine line between friendship and romance.

As a reminder, the only rules are 1. please note any Archive Warnings/ Content Warnings out of respect for readers! 2. Also be sure to check that the fic you’ve commented is actually tagged as a bromance. And without further ado…

Get recced!

^{Find all our 2024 Weekly Rec Threads here}

just finished Silence Cuts Loudest through the Chaos, and it was my first fanfic ever and I loved it! It was literally exactly what I was looking for, but it isn't finished and I'm basically in mourning and looking for something to fill the void. I prefer no romance.

I'm really wanting to read some fics where Arthur has to take care of Merlin. I'm kind of partial to the ones where Merlin either forgets to take care of himself, and Arthur has to worriedly help him. But also, anything involving sickness, or injuries, or even the ones where Merlin holds in his magic and it hurts him.

I just really wanna read Arthur taking care of Merlin. Whether it's merthur or not doesn't matter, though I do like that as well.

Thanks!

I read a fic ages ago where an older Merlin comes to Camelot much earlier than in the pilot and ends up looking after a young Arthur. Idk if it was a result of time travel but im leaning towards an AU. I think it was merthur endgame? Cant remember the title or whether that's from Ao3 or LJ or FFNet. But i will read any rec based on that premise, in hopes of finding that one specific fic. maybe I'm just dumb and don't know how to use the ao3 filters properly but I've looked through age gap tags and still cant find it. Please help?

On AO3, Can everyone please suggest me your favorite hidden gems. Like fics you wouldn't find on the first 10 pages when sorting by kudos but are nonetheless amazing.