A bit of a rush job.  But at least there are lots of great fics under this cut.

That is my excuse & I'm sticking to it.  There are so many good Merlin fics around.  Here are a few that deserve to be read by many and have made me happy over the last couple of days...

I'll finish up now because it is way late (this lj recing always seems to slurp up so much time - possibly because I start re-reading fics as I do it.)  Hope you enjoy the fics - and let the writers know if you did.

ETA.  I'm hoping that this is an actual cut now & not whatever dire thing I did at 3am this morning.  Fingers crossed!

ETA (Again).  OMG.  Honestly, when I looked on Preview, it did look ok, although I think it was trying to tell me I had linked the entire thing when I thought it was telling me it had done a cut..  It did make sense.  Honest! At some stage the whole post became jumbled up into the most horrendous mess.  I’m hoping that this works.  Sarren, give me a hoy if it doesn’t. It’s getting pretty ripe over here in these stocks.  And I can’t even see Merlin anywhere around to brighten up the situation.

 (Although I will preview again.  Honest!)

I knew there was a reason to do more than one Merlin Rec post.  Points to totally gorgeous icon gaked from lucky_star79 over here.  Isn't it pretty?

Yes, much time has been wasted, er used constructively, by me over the last day or so.  Including much Merlin fic reading, show/vid watching and icon drooling.  More recs under the cut (I hope)

 [ETA.  I posted this and half of it went missing and most of the links didn't work.  And I am so totally frustrated at the moment.  Aaagh!  Hoping it works ok this time.]

[ETA again.  This is the THIRD time.  Or is it the fourth.  I HATE LJ.  And I’m sure it has absolutely NOTHING to do with me being a technomoron.]

Because Merlin is my new shiny fandom [points happily to very pretty new icon, snaffled from prone_tastic  over here ] and because sarren  asked for some recs... 

Herewith some that I have been reading in the last few days - several gen & pre-slash, as well as slash.  I must admit I haven't gone looking for any het as Merlin just doesn't hit my het button, as it were.  (I might be doubling up some of cupidsbow's Merlin recs over at Crack Van.  Apologies if I do, but I'd head on over there for starters because she has certainly been enabling my Merlin habit and you know she always makes a good rec.  There are some vid recs too.) And, as Merlin/Arthur is my OTP in this fandom, all the recs can be understood to be Marthur.  (OMG. What a terrible contraction!)

First one is Three Tasks by syllic .  Slash.  Approx 31K. It sounds like it might be crack at first, what with the lilac robes and all (that Uther has reluctantly handed over to Arthur, along with the responsibilities of being 'Royal Arbiter for Suitable Suitors’ Disputes'.  It is laugh out loud funny, but also shows a maturing Arthur and a sweet development of the relationship between Arthur & Merlin.  In fact, I have this very strong urge to go and read it again.

The Slow Progress of Comprehension by allothi . Slash.  Approx 5K. One of those "How does Arthur respond to finding out about Merlin's magic" fics.  Which I am a total sucker for.  And this is so nicely written.

Or, alternatively, if Merlin doesn't tell him, also by allothi : Excerpts: Merlin Keeps His Secret. Approx 1500 words. Slash - hot and sad. But good.

And Eyes Without Speaking Confess by black_eyedgirl. Gen/pre-slash. Approx 2300. These are 5 short scenarios regarding what happens when Merlin's magic is discovered by Arthur. Warnings for first one, but worth skipping over if you are sensitive to that kind of fic (which I am in the usual way of things).   I especially liked #3.  Gives me the warm mushies, just like the show.
While you are there, check out Words Which Aren't Names, where Merlin doesn't use magic to save himself because he knows that Arthur will come and do that for him. Pre-slash.

Quickening Days bymercurial_wit.  Merlin meets Ground Hog Day. Slash. Approx 22K.  Everything that makes for the happy in this fandom.  Wonderful humour & dialogue. Merlin in a dress (there seems to be a few of these.  Must be his cheekbones/collarbones.)  Going back to read this one again too.

While you are over atmercurial_wit's site,check out Meteorology. Approx 4600. Gen/Pre-slash. Merlin working through Arthur's prattishness.

 A Strongly worded letter to Geoffrey of Monmouth by ethrosdemon.  Hmm. I'd classify it as Gen - mention of established relationship between Merlin & Arthur but it concentrates on Merlin & Morgana.   Approx 3800.  This isn't a happy fic. Set in the time shortly after Uther's death, it is laden with portents of the future. Merlin has well and truly come into his magic.  It isn't the joyful, pratful, dorky time of the show but I love the language & it draws on Arthurian legend:

 "There comes a point, but not a point, a series of disconnected points that are actually connected in a way that's unknowable, when Merlin no longer thinks in linear time. He disregards such meaningless trivialities as dates and hours and the fiction of forward movement. But this now isn't that time yet, this is before, when Merlin was tethered to the present with an invisible umbilical cord. Now is the liminal period after Uther dies, while Gaius is still alive, and everything that comes after."

It's "ouch", but a good ouch.

I'll post this now & put together a second one.  Hoping that there is something here that sarren hasn't read yet.


 

A rare pare this time - and part of HP summersmut. Post DH Snape & George. 

Title: Is That a Decoy Detonator in Your Pocket, Or are you Happy to See Me?

Author:

rose_whispers

sarren

“A freaking glass tomb,” he said wonderingly. “Who did you think you were? Lenin? Snow White?” Harry’s smile faded a little as he gazed down at that pale face, unchanged even after so many years. “I guess we’ll never know now, will we?”

“Because research is so tedious and there are so many Snitches to be caught,” Snape’s snide voice replied.

Harry dropped his whisky. “Damn!” he swore as the flask tumbled and the liquor sloshed over his loafers. “Now when I go to pick the kids up, Ginny’s going to think I’m turning into a lush because she left me.” He looked at his shoes. He was hearing voices—Snape’s voice. Maybe he was turning into a lush.

“Good Gods; spare me the revolting details of the inner workings of your love life,” Snape moaned. “Either that or put me out of my misery.” 


If you have run out of hot chocolate, go and read this.  It will warm you even better!

peony_hellebore

reversathon

"Last I checked, so was kidnapping," Snape muttered, and then gasped as Hermione swerved again. "Granger, who taught you to drive, Hagrid?"


The author takes her time developing both the plot and the relationships.  Lots of UST.  No Ron Weasley. Snarky yet insecure Snape.  Wonderful detail.  Hot sex. The author has said she has plotted a further two arcs to the story.  In the meantime, spend a few hours enjoying this fic, which is complete in itself.  

Now I want to read this one again as well.



When I was trying to work out what my next rec is (well, you try having a sieve for a brain like I do!), I discovered that Maya completed Underwater Light.  Like ages ago.  I think pretty much everyone knows this Harry/Draco fic where it is Draco that Harry has to save in GoF rather than Ron.  However, if you haven't read it, then go and do so now.  

Summary from Fictionally: Featuring an extremely depressed Harry, in a war-torn wizarding world, about to get the shock of his life when he discovers that Draco Malfoy is slightly more important to him than he would have ever guessed. Including a very odd friendship, lots of angst, suspicions, conflicted loyalties, clueless Ron, on-the-warpath Hermione and two very messed-up boys.

Maya writes great Harry/Draco.  Anyway, I know that

sarren

mistful

emma_in_oz

Excerpt:

“You lost my children in the sewers! The sewers which are crawling with giant alligators!”

Harry paced the room for the fourth time, giving the portraits of Durmstrang’s former headmasters and headmistresses a filthy look. The portraits looked at Harry as if they thought he was making a big fuss over nothing as well.

“Let us hope this experience will be character-building,” Professor von Bosau said with an attempt at cheerfulness. “Meanwhile, I have contacted the Aurors’ department, and I have no doubt that they will send a splendid team along shortly. Would you care for tea?”

NB: On her LJ, Sarah/mistful/Maya has written that she will be taking down all her fic on 6 Sept 2008, so make sure you save any fic you want to keep.  She has promised to complete the two that are currently WiPs.

Which reminds me, here is another of her fics which is a favourite of mine: Flame and Shadow.  Please note it is het and written some years ago. 

Summary: Sometimes the losers get lucky. Ron/Pansy, past R/Hr, past Ron/OC, Harry/OC, implied past H/D.  NC-17.

Now, I'm not a Ron fan, so it must be a great fic to make it a favourite.

Hope you enjoy!

Just did a book quiz and It turns out that I'm ...

Lolita!
by Vladimir Nabokov
Considered by most to be depraved and immoral, you are obsessed with sex. What really tantalizes you is that which deviates from societal standards in every way, though you admit that this probably isn't the best and you're not sure what causes this desire. Nonetheless, you've done some pretty nefarious things in your life, and probably gotten caught for them. The names have been changed, but the problems are real. Please stay away from children.

The only thing that sort of worries me is how pleased I am with the result.

Note to self: must re-read before Little Johny Howard comes and grabs it off my bookcase and burns it.

If you want to try the quiz for yourself head over here.

I wasn't going to bother adding yet another comment on the Deathly Hallows, but I've just finished reading 2 HP fics that I want to rec, and I need to refer to DH to rec them.  So, under the cut so I don't spoil the one person out there who hasn't had the chance to finish DH yet.

Just getting my first access to Internet.  Been way to busy, but taking time to be computer savy.  <g>

Flight over was very long and very tedious & wondrous gadget with movies on demand wasn't working properly. :-(

Spent so long in queues for immigration and customs.  Had to do the whole business in San Francisco - even though we were only in transit.  So I went out the doors on the way to our flight to Canada.  So I have now officially been to America.  Woohoo!  My sister wouldn't come outside for something so trivial and just spent the time rolling her eyes.  [Hope they got sore from all that exercise.]  Took photo of Golden Gate bridge from plane.  And bought a sweater for hubby.  Just cos.  <g>

The hotel is incredibly swank.  Our bedroom window looks right out over the bay where the cruise ships come in, with Grouse Mountain in background.  It is one of those hotels where they have the bathrobe on the back of the door.  People wear them down to the pool and spa - and drip on back to the room.  This is quite all right if you are staying in a 5 star hotel.  Very much frowned upon if you are only in a 3 star hotel, of course!  And the soap smells nice!  Two humongous beds.  Will do the photo thing when I can.  Which I guess means anytime between now and 3 year's time.

Having totally wonderful time.  Went up to Grouse mountain & saw the 2 grizzly bears up there.  Got a sunburnt nose from sunlight off the snow.  Doing a fab immitation of Rudolf the Rednose Reigndeer.  Went on the Capilano suspension bridge - very high & bouncy over deep gorge with river at bottom.  Also went on treetop walk which was fab.  Similar to Pemberton but redwoods & firs/hemlocks all around.

Went up to the snowfields at Whistler , which was fab - especially the trip there and back.  And being on lots of snow and seeing people ski past (& underneath while on gondola ride.)  It is where the outdoor events will be held at the 2010 Winter Olympics.  I'll be able to say, "ooh, I've been there!".  Which is always fun.

Went on winery tour yesterday.  Just me and my sister.  Taken by Alfred (who was great fun and v. tall & originally from Holland).  Was supposed to be 5-6 hours.  We had 8 hours and he took us to White Rock just because it was a lovely day (didn't rain after all and was nice and warm). 

Have met pathologists from Sweden, Tennessee, Caribean, England, Lithuania, Siberia (mainly sign language with this chap) at the conference dinner that my sister is going to. Very international.

Just taking the skytrain around the city today.  Weather is nice today but changeable.  I'm zipping/unzipping my jacket.  Putting it on and off. 

Before here I had a coffee in a small coffee shop.  The rest of the patrons were from France but mostly Italy.  Best coffee I've had since we've been here. Most of it is dishwater.

Ozzies are everywhere.  Can't believe how many are tootling around.  Most Canadians can pick our accent.   

We might be able to get into a hockey game on the weekend.  Fingers crossed.

All for now.

Will log in again when I have another 5 mintues to spare from this hard touristy work.

I can't believe it.  Flying over to Sydney tomorrow morning, then on to San Francisco the next day.  Arriving there before we leave Sydney after a 13 hour flight.  Oooh, I feel like Dr Who doing the time/space thing.  Then it is 2 hours before we fly to Vancouver.  Where we are staying in the Fairmont Waterfront.  Which is apparently very swank.  Guess it will be very swank + me for a week!

Only just getting excited.  I only got the itinery/tickets etc from my sister on Tuesday, so it hasn't seemed real until now.

Last week the max was 12 - 14C.  This week, much better at 17 - 19C.  Hope this trend continues.

Must go and do all those last minute things.

by the_con_cept.  Genres: romance and humour.  Prompt: Seige. 22,000+ words

Harry has managed to do in Voldemort, but now he and Snape have to hang out together in Grimmauld place to avoid Lucius Malfoy, who is out to get both of them for dire revenge. Snape might enjoy the pleasures of a bored and randy Harry, but he is determined that his heart won't be broken through becoming yet another notch on Harry's broomstick.  Yet AbstractConcept's

“For some inexplicable reason, Longbottom is downstairs. I can’t get anything out of him other than frightened squeaks and indecipherable stutters. You speak fluent idiot; see what you can decode from his inanities.”

or

"Very well, my stunted stud."

And so many more wonderful one-liners.

Malfoy makes a star appearance and Moody gets to complain about being sexually molested by Snape. The sex is hot.  The laughs are many.  A wonderful ride, with the ending pure hot chocolate. 

Go and enjoy

Well, the Snarry games are on again.  Wartime vs postwar fics using prompts combined with different genres: humour, hurt/comfort etc. The overall quality is solid, but there are some totally fab ones in the mix.

I totally fell in love with sinick & ac1d6urn's fabulous wartime fic, The Two Lockets.  
Genre(s): Hurt/Comfort & Romance   Prompt: Grimmauld Place.

I enjoy their collaborative work so much that I started to read it as soon as it was posted yesterday.  Had to finish it today before I could think of starting my work.  At 57000 words, it is a nice, long read, with plot and character development.  Set in Grimmauld place, Snape & Harry fight a horcrux curse or two.  The house is very much a character in its own right, with candles waddling like ducks after Harry, and the library filled with helpful books, with fab titles: Armageddon Some: Mass Destruction For Fun And Profit; How to Win Fiends and Inferius People; The Joy of Hex and all 666 volumes of the Encyclopaedia Satanica.

And Regulus is very much fleshed out, together with his history with Severus.  And we are given a rare, softer look at Mrs Black's portrait.

Darn, if I were to go through all the good bits, I'd just have to reproduce the entire story.  Do yourself a favour and go and read it now.  Definitely a keeper.



I'm being lazy for the next rec and just including its summary:

"Harry rubbed his eyes. He felt quite a lot better for sleeping. 'You didn't forget again, did you?' 

'No, I am in St Mungo's Hospital on the Spell-Damage Ward with my prof--with Severus Snape.' 

'Very good, Longbottom.'

'Ha bloody ha.' "


At 18,000 words, Barmy by schemingreaderis a great way to spend some time.  
Genre: Hurt/Comfort and Humour   Prompt: Memorial.  

Totally worth it for the image of Severus Snape driving along in suit, tie & sunnies while singing along (loudly) with the Clash. Oh, and Snape's attempts at comforting Harry, causing Harry to exclaim "You're pants at this sympathy business." 

A difficult mix of genres combined brilliantly.  Hot, touching and funny.


Must do some writing now.  Will rec more down the track.

Thanks to the brilliant

sarren

sarren

sarren

sarren