ravenclaw_harpy

Better late than never... some Merlin recs

2009-02-15T12:20:56Z

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

Two For One by greensilver .Short. Approx 2600. Slashy gen. Or gen slash, whichever you prefer. In which we learn how Arthur gets the sword from the lady in the lake and also pulls the sword from the stone. I laughed. A lot. Snark, banter and Lancelot. Go and enjoy yourself:

“Arthur looks intrigued. "And you say there's an enchanted sword in this lake?"

"I put it there," Merlin says, wanting to stress how entirely -- mostly -- partially responsible he is for there being an enchanted sword in the first place.

Arthur claps him on the shoulder. "Of course you did, Merlin. Who else would throw a perfectly good enchanted sword into a lake?"”

The History of Two Conversations (On Paper) by takadainmate .
Approx 11,100 words. Slash.

“It wasn't, then, the cleaning and the tidying so much as the obeying orders and being subservient thing that Merlin was completely rubbish at.

"You are not," Arthur told him, "Supposed to tell me if my hair looks terrible."

Merlin looked at the sticking-up mess. "I was only trying to be helpful. You wouldn't want to go to the banquet like that. People might laugh at you." He paused. "I know I am.””

What can I say? It's fab.

Practial Volition by allothi

Word count: 8,456. Sweet slash. Merlin learns to fly. This is totally gorgeous and wonderful, and charming and whimsical and… just go and read it.

““At first, his efforts were as unsuccessful as his initial attempts at full-blown flight had been: if, thankfully, without the accompanying injuries. He mustered his magic within him. He felt certain of his power: he felt the crackle of it like static at his scalp and in his fingertips. Yet, somehow, he could not make it work for him. He could not persuade all this ready, waiting energy to gather itself where he wanted it, to lift him, as he wished it to do, even a millimetre above the earth.

He watched his feet carefully, just in case his magic might act, as it sometimes did, without caring to inform him. But his feet remained stubbornly fixed, exactly where he had placed them.””

The Quest by allothi .

Approx 700 words Slash. Very mild. But cute. Very cute.

"I did not get us into a mess," said Arthur.

"Well, it certainly wasn't me who thought we should go on a quest after a missing deer. Or that we should keep going, even when the path led into the mountains. And I'm pretty sure it definitely can't have been me who gave, as his reason, the fact that a true prince never turns back from a quest. I'm not a prince, I'm only a servant."

To Be Known by esohpe .
Approx 3500 words. Angst. Arthur’s reaction to finding out about Merlin’s magic.

Whimper. I was gripped from the outset. Not your usual Arthur finds out fic.

“When it finally happens, it’s not what Merlin expects. A decision should have been made, he thinks numbly. Somewhere, in all this mess, he should have been given the option to think: yes. To think: now. He had imagined saving Arthur’s life, gold at his fingertips, gold in his eyes. That was how it was meant to be. He would save Arthur from the impossible, save him from the whole world, and then he would kneel at Arthur’s feet and wait. Whether for Arthur’s hand or the tip of Arthur’s sword, Merlin had never got quite so far as working out.

But this. This is not how it’s meant to go.”

Give Me Miles and Mountains, and I'll Ask for the Sea by hackthis .
Approx 4000. Slash

“Perhaps Merlin is an infectious disease, and Arthur has no hope of cure.”

We all know Arthur has no hope. And this is a wonderful exploration of Arthur succumbing to the disease that is Merlin.

All the Laughter From Before by waldorph . Approx 5600 words.

“You have bewitched my son,” Uther snarls, and Gaius thinks that that’s the most laughable conclusion anyone has ever reached (or would be, if it didn’t mean death).

Not the usual rec from me, she mumbles into the growing tissue pile, but if you are in the mood for some real angst, then this should help scratch the itch. It is really well done angst.

Warning: If you do start reading, then I would very much recommend that you read to the end.

Privileges of Rank by seperis .

Merlin learns the intricacies of court life. Hot.

"Perhaps there are tentacles." Blue eyes wide with sincerity, Arthur glances down, eyes fixing on Merlin's suddenly-shaky hands. "I've heard peasants aren't like the nobility, but I hadn't realized it extended to their--"

and...

"Arthur's biggest problem to date, Merlin thinks darkly as he carries yet another load of suspiciously not-really-dirty clothing down the stairs, is an unaccountable fear of anyone, anywhere, suspecting he's capable of being other than a complete and utter prat. Merlin can't tell whether it's just that Arthur wants to set the lowest bar possible for expectations (not at all a problem) or someone once told Arthur princes are actually supposed to be complete idiots and he's doing his best to live up to it. And that best is very good indeed."

Aftermath by shine. Approx 2300 words. Gen. Spoilers: Valiant

Quiet and sweet and just wonderful. Gaius asks Merlin to take a pot of salve to Arthur after the tournament banquet – and Merlin falls in love, just a little bit. I fell in love - a lot - with this fic.

Sweltering by astolat .
Approx 1000 words. Slash. Hot.

Synopsis: Arthur is sweltering. Merlin cools him down then heats him right back up again.

“The castle is sweltering in the midsummer heat, stones breathing damply under the sun's height when even the air lies still. Training and necessary drill is a thing for the morning, to be endured; now at last the armor has been discarded, and Arthur's flung himself naked over the crushed red expanse of his coverlet, his hair untidy against the crimson and his back sticking to the wool beneath him. Thin shining lines of sweat trickle down the side of his face and his arms as he breathes only shallowly, resenting even that much movement.”

And it just gets better…

Vid Rec

Effigy by Nicky/ obsessive24A totally breathtaking study of Gwenevere. Awesome. Go to http://obsessive24.net/videos.html and scroll down.

Pimping a Merlin Rec List

2009-01-18T05:53:23Z

Just got told about Camelot Fic Recs by doomcanary . Funnily enough, it is an lj dedicated to recing Merlin fics. I'm going to head over there to see how well it feeds the Merlin habit, but thought I'd give the heads up.

I'll probably post some of my recs over there once I get over the trauma of my last one on this LJ.

Because it is the weekend, the world needs more Merlin recs

2009-01-17T17:57:45Z

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.

What He Truly Is by linaerys . Slash. 4K words. Rating: Warm fuzzies.

Merlin accidentally puts a spell on Arthur, to 'let him be what he truly is, what his heart desires' and discovers that someone in Arthur's position can't really afford such a luxury.

A great Gaius, an oblivious jealous Merlin, and a prince hemmed in by protocol. There are a few wayward commas, but these are outweighed by the positives.

Excerpt:

““Arthur is driving me crazy,” said Merlin. He dropped a pile of armor pieces that needed polishing on Gaius’s workbench with a clatter. Gaius raised one eyebrow. Actually, to be fair, he always had one eyebrow raised, but now he raised it higher.

“Merlin,” he said, “why don’t you tell me something I do not know?””

Chrysalis by halotolerant . This is a non-linear fic that does requires effort to follow, but that effort is so well-rewarded. Drawing on more traditional Arthurian legend, in this fic the TV show ‘Merlin’ is Merlin's gift to Arthur as he sleeps under the hill, waiting for England's hour of greatest need. (There is a fuller explanation in the comments below the fic on her lj) A fic where Arthur and Merlin's love is haunting and sad and eternal.

Excerpt:
“Merlin’s presence arrives.

Arthur cannot see, still, and for Merlin to be touching him must be impossible – he is still trapped in some way.

But Merlin is there, at last. A golden hum of Merlin smoothing away the harsh and rough, edging away the pain, singing soothing songs that Arthur remembers more clearly than breathing.”

I'm happy to say that janne_d has written another Arthur/Merlin fic: In Turning We Come Around Right. (Yay!) Approx 13K. Slash - Genderfuck. Rating: hot ('very R' according to the author). Summary: Arthur wakes up as a woman; Merlin & Gaius try to work out how to turn him back while keeping the rest of the court ignorant of the fact that their Crown Prince is now a princess.

""Arthur?" Merlin said, closing the door and then setting the tray on the table and taking a few steps nearer. "Is everything –" he began and cut himself off as Arthur stood up and turned around. "Arthur?" he squeaked, suddenly very glad that he'd put the tray down. Dropping it would make an awful mess and Merlin would definitely have dropped it because it was Arthur, but with curves, lots of curves and Merlin abruptly sat down on the ground.

"Fuck," Arthur said in a miserable voice, crossing his arms over his chest, his breasts and Merlin just stared up at him in astonishment.

Arthur was a girl."

Poor Merlin suffers greatly, not only from Arthur's frustration but a severe case of blue balls, courtesy of Arthur.

I enjoyed that the fic didn't just explore the personal but also the political impact that this sex change could have for Camelot. The sex scenes are hot and the last scene just perfect. Go read.

If you prefer genderfuck with Merlin as girl, head over to doomcanary 's And That Word Must Be Clear. Approx 11K. Merlin/Arthur, Merlin/Morgana. Merlin learns the advantages to pronouncing words properly when making spells. Bye bye Merlin, hello Morgana's distant cousin, Melinna, and a charmed Arthur. Some great Gaius; some hot Melinna/Morgana action; some wonderful Melinna/Arthur interaction; some hurting Gwen; some hot Melinna/Arthur action - what's not to love?

"...Arthur's eyes take on a very particular light when he talks about Uther, a kind of rebellious spark, and he draws himself up unconsciously; it makes him look... well, Merlin's not quite sure, but he knows that when Arthur looks like that, it makes him much more conscious that he isn't wearing anything under his skirt.

In fact, sometimes, when he gets back to Gaius's workshop afterwards, he goes up to his room to “freshen up”, closes the door, and leans back on it; when he touches himself, he finds that he's sticky and slick between his legs. And sometimes, he can make himself come thinking about Morgana, soft breasts and firm lips, and sometimes... sometimes it's Arthur, windswept blond hair and that high, angry flush on his cheekbones."

The whole fic is wonderful from go to woe. And yet, there's more. Already, there is a brief interlude follow-up, When Arthur Does That, where Merlin teases Arthur, forgetting that Arthur is the better strategist. doomcanary has promised another two fics in the series, but the ones rec'd here are complete and satisfying in themselves.

And now, lots of recs for doomcanary. But only because she writes really, really good fic:

The Battle of the Triffles. Approx 2300 words. Gen. Spoilers for 1.05 Lancelot. Funny, sad, insightful and perfect.
The fic starts off with Arthur playing a card game with some knights, “half in and half out of one of Morgana's dresses”, follows the spirited Battle of the Trifles of the title, and finishes with scene of “naked forms leaping into the moat”. Along the way, Merlin gains some insight into what it means to be Prince of Albion.

Excerpt:

“They watch as Arthur leads a dramatic charge and retakes the corridor; Frederic, the ringleader of the Mercian knights, takes a gateau to the chest and goes down in a shower of whipped cream.

“Nasty,” says Merlin.”

Pure. Index post can be found here. Approx 20K. Slash. Angst. Kink - silk fetish; cross-dressing; slight bdsm. Hot (author's rating NC-17).
Good fetish fic is hard to find. This is one of them:

"And that was when the penny had dropped for Arthur, he knows now as the shadows of clouds chase across the walls; that was when he'd realised there was a connection between his single, abortive touch and the first time he'd found Merlin wearing – those clothes. He'd seen Merlin pleased, relaxed, content; but never overturned by pleasure as he'd been in that moment, or alight with joy, the way he still looks whenever Arthur compliments his food. It's as if the swing of skirts gives him space to be something else; as if all those breeches and neckcloths had been constricting and oppressing him, stifling the Merlin who brings Arthur delicious things and delighted smiles. And a great deal more, too, come to that."

The chapters move backwards and forwards in time, gradually creating a rich tapestry of their relationship, from first, abortive touch to established long-term relationship:

"A formal procession follows Arthur down from the throne; Merlin is nearly at its head, only a pace behind the king himself. He watches the way Arthur comes slowly back to life, step by step: as he's disrobed, uncrowned, unwrapped. Reduced from the king of Albion to merely a man. Merlin watches, somehow amused. There are so many layers of truth and falsity to what he and Arthur are; and so few people understand."

There is just so much to enjoy in this fic. In fact, I think I will go and re-read when I've finished this post.

Tension 486 words. Missing scene from episode 6. Kink - D/s doomcanary gives it NC17 for kink. I’d give it a very mild rating - it is not explicit but does generate heat, in so few words. Mmmmn. Merlin knows a way to relieve Arthur’s tension:

““I think you're crass,” says Arthur.

“Cheap?”

“Insufferable.”

“Says you,” smirks Merlin. Arthur comes round the table, leans against the wall between the windows. Merlin smiles, turns his wrist up, and slowly begins to unfasten the cuffs of his shirt.”

Wishing For Swords. Approx 1K words. Gen. Pre-slash if you squint. A short time-travel Yule-elf story. I'm not sure how to describe this fic. There is doomcanary's trademark humour, yes, but it isn't humour-fic. There is sweetness to it, but it isn't fluff. Nor is It bitter-sweet. Perhaps "sweetness-with-depth" is how it might best be described:

A line that particularly struck me: "Arthur will be wishing for swords all his life. Until the day he has one, and wishes instead for a reason not to use it." Whimper.

Apologies for my lack of articulation. Just go and read it and decide for yourself how best to describe it.

Light And Arthur. Approx 2K words. Spoilers up to 1.11. Slash. Kissing. Some slight angst to begin, but ultimately warm and fuzzy and wonderful. Arthur finds out about Merlin's magic:

"Merlin opens the door.

“It's me,” he says.

Arthur turns, taking his hands from the chimney-piece. The lambskin chair is empty, and there's no firelight at all; Merlin wasn't there to lay one. He can't see the expression on Arthur's face.

“Come to enchant me, have you?” he says."

This fic is magical, just like the little shining creatures that Merlin calls when Arthur asks to be shown a magic that is something good.

And, finally, because I'm starting to embarrass myself here with so many recs for one writer, Hunith's Yule. Slash. Approx 3800 words. Some definite heat. In the woods. Arthur and Merlin head to Hunith's to celebrate Yule. Arthur is somewhat outside his comfort zone, from arriving with guardsmen and servants in tow, to the massive bed that is her present, to the attempt to chop carrots in the kitchen.

Hunith totally rocks in the series, and she rules here as well, taking Arthur & Merlin's relationship in stride:

"All too soon, Yule is over and done with; the fat duck they brought with them is bones boiling up for stock, and Hunith and Arthur have come to a kind of silent understanding about the fact that while Hunith is desperately proud that her son has found love, she'd really rather not catch him with his hand down a prince's britches in the house."

Which is why Merlin and Arthur head to the woods. The village children demonstrate their perceptiveness. Merlin demonstrates his expertise at creating diversions. Merlin and Arthur have hot steamy sex. And Hunith tells Uther where to get off. (Did I mention Hunith totally rocks?) Another fic that needs to be re-read.

And now, just to prove that I can rec something apart from doomcanary's fic...

It's Cold Outside by ionaonie . Pre-slash.

"Arthur opened his eyes just enough to be able to watch Merlin. ‘You know, I’m sure there are rules about you looking so comfortable in my rooms,’ he teased.

Merlin grinned back at him. ‘Oh, but sire, I’m only obeying orders; you told me to sit down.’

Arthur chuckled. ‘I’ll deny it to my dying day.’"

I am so glad that facetofcathy has decided to write Merlin fics over at Archive Of Our Own (The site is undergoing construction work at the moment, but I can get in and have a look around, it just takes a bit more time/effort than usual.) I'm going to rec a few of them because her fic is like shortbread: small, rich and satisfying - and yet there always seems to be room for just one more:

Arthur's Choice. Approx 800 words. OT3. Arthur/Merlin/Gwen. Future!fic
Uther demands that Arthur take up his responsibilities; the kingdom needs an heir. Arthur makes his choice and flips Uther the finger at the same time. While the entire fic is wonderful, the last paragraph is just perfect. I can totally believe this threesome in this fic.

Excerpt:
""Arthur, really," Uther said and his voice was tired and strained, but no more tired than Arthur's ears, so he spared his father no sympathy. "It's not seemly."

Arthur grinned, wide and brash and certain. "It is if I say it is.""

(I can just 'hear' Uther saying this. And see him, for that matter.)

Brotherhood. Approx 2500 words. Gen. Arthur and the lads go hunting and Merlin comes to realise that Arthur understands his men.
I love fics wherein we glimpse the king that Arthur is going to become, and ones with great dialogue - and this fic has both.

""Come on, Merlin, let's get in position," he said and led the way into the woods at trail-side.

"Position, right. What position is that, then?"

"You'll be good at it. It involves standing around doing not much of anything."

"Excellent, Sire. It's nice to be able to use one's skills to their fullest.""

Neither Fish Nor Fowl. Approx 1200 words. Slash. Hot. The fic starts off simply with dialogue, the most wonderful banter:

""I can take off my own clothing, Merlin. You see, I have this really terrible manservant—my father gifted me him, for reasons only he knows, and although I'm inclined to think it was merely for the laughs, he may have actually had a reason—where was I?"

"Attempting to remove your tunic without first taking off your belt, Sire."

"Well, you could lend a hand, Merlin, if that's not too much trouble. And I meant, what was I saying?"

"You were maligning my character, Sire.""

... then it slides into an incredibly sensuous, detailed love-making scene, with no dialogue.

And then, the final line draws it all together. I'll let you see how that is done. Go and read. And enjoy.

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!)

Later again. You know, I really don't care that you need to stand two feet away from the screen to read this post because the font is so big. I don't. And I'm not going to try and change it because that would probably fail. And then I would cry. And have I mentioned recently just how much I *hate* LJ?

And Now For Something Completely Different...

2009-01-14T14:32:22Z

Just to prove that I haven't been totally sucked in by Merlin fandom, herewith some non-Merlin recs. Gasp!

The first section is YouTube vids by Samantha Richter - mainly Torchwood, but also DW

I so totally love this Jack/Ianto vid, Relativ(ely) by Samantha Richter (allchanges) over at YouTube. The song is in German, with English subtitles. This adds to the vid, rather than taking away. I must admit I would prefer not to have the coda, but that is a matter of personal preference and is but a minor quibble in a vid that is all about relativity. However, this vid does come with two warnings:

1. I have not yet been able to watch it through just the once. I have always needed to watch it again straight away.
2. You should watch the vid either alone or in a room full of fans otherwise you are liable to be laughed at by others in the room as your head wobbles around in time to the music. In fact, this aspect is so strong that I'm finding my own head bobbing around on my shoulders as I type. Again, you have been warned.

Other Samantha vids that so need to be rec'd:

The short vidlet, Hobbies. Subtitled. Well, we find out the hobbies of various team members, but what is Ianto's hobby? I laughed.

Nur für Dich (Only For You) Subtitled. Ianto/Jack. Set after the end of Season 1. What Ianto gave up for Jack and what this means to him after Jack's abrupt departure. There is something about these German songs that really get to me. And how Samantha finds songs with lyrics that can be culled so well from the source cannon.

Just to prove she doesn't just do fluff, check out Vom Selben Stern (From The Same Star) .Subtitled. Doctor/Master. Spoilers for end of Season 3. The Doctor and The Master have always been connected.

And an actor vid.

So, although it has Merlin bits in it, it isn't a Merlin vid. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it like mud. Bradley James - So Macho by dingogrrl. I'm not recing this for the technical qualities, but it is fun and there is a lot of Macho Bradley, including shirtless Bradley.

Oops. I've been distracted so will finish now and post.

Merlin + Boston Legal Vid Recs

2009-01-14T03:16:50Z

Oh, I just stumbled across this, and it is just so fine that I wanted to share. Still have such a happy smile. The Dance by mamoru22 . Run and watch. You can either download at the site, or there is a YouTube link. Definitely worth a download.

Of course,mamoru22 is also responsible for the wonderful Boston Legal vid, A Little Less Conversation, for some Denny/Alan action. Download or YouTube link can be found here. (Just in case I'm not the last person in fandom to watch this.)

And, much more of a downer, but so totally mesmerising and just brilliant. Life in a Glass House by hollywoodgrrl . Summary: "Morgana surrenders to destiny."

Oh Morgana, how those dreams/visions are pulling apart your sanity! Please take time to read the notes, they are so right.

Yet more of the Merlin fic recs

2009-01-11T13:02:00Z

With thanks to prone_tastic for this super scrummy icon.

Just in case you haven't reached Merlin fic saturation yet. (Personally, I'm like a sponge at the moment.)...

Overlay by kageygirl . Slash PWP. There is today and there is tomorrow. It is hot and warm at the same time. Magic:

"Tomorrow, Merlin will find the cup lying under the table and he'll remember how this all came to pass.

Tonight, he's got Arthur laid out atop the table, watching Merlin with eyes burning hot and lips parted and swollen, and Merlin's only thinking about how to make him moan."

And another kageygirl fic, Very Nearly. Short slashy fluff - just what the doctor ordered!:

"..."It's a good thing you decided to wake up when you did. I'd started considering all sorts of ridiculous things."

Merlin blinked at him. "Like what?"

There was a smile curling around Arthur's lips now. He dropped his chin and looked at Merlin through his lashes, and oh, Merlin very nearly hated that look, because it almost always got him into trouble. "There are tales that say a sleeper can be awakened by a kiss from a handsome prince."

"Oh," Merlin said, feeling his face grow hot. He swallowed, and put on his best polite, inquisitive expression, and asked, "Do you know any?""

Onfindan, by astolat needs to be read now. Slash. Approx 16K of sheer delight. Wonderful epic/adventure fic, with Arthur & Merlin as the monster-killing duo and their development towards King Arthur & his councillor Merlin the Magician. Too many wonderful lines to quote here, but totally loved Merlin's magic unwittingly leaking out. And the magical sex. MMMmmmnnn. OK, just one quote:

"Merlin shut his eyes and let himself slide past the limits of his flesh, let himself become the wisp of wind skimming cool and light over Arthur's skin and the touch of the fire's glow, the stone and wood that bore their weight, the taste of wine and water in their mouths. Arthur shuddered over him, or maybe it was under him, quick and startled, and Merlin was kissing him again, twisting in his arms easily, feeling like he could dissolve into the air if he had to. The curtains were drawing shut, and they were him also, all the world was him and all the world loved Arthur, helplessly."

Guh!

Go and read. Oh, and check out her other fic here. It's all good, including 3 other Merlin fics.

Because there is just so much fabity doo Merlin fic. Already!

2009-01-11T06:02:21Z

Yet another lucky_star79 pretty icon. I so totally love this show.

Having done the Christmas tree tidy up, I now provide more wondrous Merlin fic recs.

The first one I think I might be recing one of sarren 's right back at her but for some reason I've only just read it. And it is so totally fabulous & nail-bitting, and yes, it is another how does Arthur react to Merlin's magic? But what the heck, it is important you know. And this storyline will probably be jossed next season, so fandom does need to make hay while the sun shines, so to speak. Anyway, it is a Yuletide timetravel fic, with action: Time Now To Be The Future by ToraK. Approx 8K. Slash

"The girl stopped. She swept her long hair back under her hood and regarded them both levelly. "Can you fight a dragon?" she asked.

"What?" Merlin asked. "Yes," Arthur said. Merlin gave Arthur an incredulous look which Arthur ignored."

And None But We Can Be Such Kings by janne_d. Slash Approx 8700. Arthur is given a difficult task by Uther and Oblivious Merlin tries to help, not always succeeding in his aim. Although incidental, it has one of the best "revealing Merlin's magic" scenes that I've read. Darn, yet another fic that needs to be re-read.

""Did you notice that the Barons all brought along their daughters? Their unmarried daughters?" Arthur said with a fake smile. "My father dangles me like bait to see who will snap the highest and concede the most in hopes of marriage."

"You're wooing all of them?" Merlin said incredulously.

"No, no," Arthur said, wagging his finger. "I have to show attention to all but favour to none, give hope to each but commit to no-one. An easy task, I'm sure you'll agree."

"Bloody hell, no wonder you're exhausted. One woman is tiring enough to try and understand, let alone eight of them," Merlin said, thinking about how hard he found working out what Gwen was thinking."

There are so many good lines, I'd be copying pretty much the entire fic. And, did I mention it is hot too? Oh, go and read.

While there, read Treason To Us. Slash. Approx 4700. Merlin's magic revealed from Arthur's POV. Remember Arthur's upbringing with Uther? Arthur doesn't respond well. Angsty but really good:

""And when you crawled into my bed?" Arthur bit out, feeling freezing anger all through his body. "Was that to keep me safe? Was that even my choice?"

Merlin went white, a stricken look in his eyes. "Arthur, no. I would never magic you into that, please, you have to believe me, please…""

Oh, whimper. Go and read. Now.

Then, take in Passing The Test, also by janne_d . Short. Gen. Coda for The Labyrinth of Gedref. Read it because this is what happened after Arthur woke up.

The Anniversary by thehoyden . Short. Gen - but like the show is gen - so pre-slash really. How Arthur celebrates birthdays and works out a present for Merlin. Lovely guest appearance by Gaius. Very sweet - but in a good way. thehoyden is also responsible for the wonderful Past Imperfect. Slash. Approx 2300. I don't want to give too much away but it is funny, warm and fuzzy.

Go and enjoy.

The Hoyden is also responsible for the widely-rec'd Misrule - which is widely rec'd because it is so good and so fun. Slash. Approx 4400 Merlin is Queen of Misrule (in a dress - told you there are lots of Merlin-in-a-Dress fics) and Arthur doesn't throw the tourney as he usually does.

More Merlin Recs (x2)

2009-01-10T16:36:25Z

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)

Disguises and Imposters by Corona/entangled_now Slash. Approx 8K. Another Merlin in a dress fic. At Arthur's 'request'. It is fun and funny:

"Did you not hear the no?"

""I'm ignoring it until I've convinced you otherwise," Arthur said simply, which was clearly some sort of thing princes considered acceptable and normal people didn't.

They'd talked about that.

Granted, Arthur hadn't listened much."

It does have a few typos & commas in strange places, but these can be easily overlooked for the sheer pleasure of it all. While you are over there, check out the ficlet, Bath. Just, yum.

Head over to Phantomjam's LJ where you will find Ownership, a short fic where both Merlin and Arthur get a present on Arthur's birthday. Sweet and just perfect. While you are there, check out the short, pre-slash Questions Better Left Unanswered, a coda for ep 13. In fact, all her fics that I've read are fab. Noticed a new one there, inspired by rat stew. It started wonderfully, but I am being a hero & will finish this rec list before I head back. Slash. Approx 3700. I think the title says it all, really. Totally fun with Arrogant Arthur and Oblivious Merlin:

"Merlin is puzzled. "You're saying I'm good with women?"

Arthur stares a minute, mouth open, then falls about laughing. It takes him a long time to compose himself—every time he stops laughing, he looks at Merlin and starts up again—so Merlin waits patiently, arms crossed.

"I'm saying you're good at getting rid of them," Arthur manages eventually, though he's still shaking a bit from the remnants of his laughter. Merlin thinks it's a bit unfair really—Gwen likes him, and Morgana. He's not that bad with women. "Oh, stop pouting, Merlin," Arthur says.

Merlin glares instead."

Four Times Merlin Cock-Blocked Arthur, and One Time He Didn't by oxoniensis Slash. Approx 3700. I think the title says it all, really. Totally fun with Arrogant Arthur and Oblivious Merlin:

"Merlin is puzzled. "You're saying I'm good with women?"

Arthur stares a minute, mouth open, then falls about laughing. It takes him a long time to compose himself—every time he stops laughing, he looks at Merlin and starts up again—so Merlin waits patiently, arms crossed.

"I'm saying you're good at getting rid of them," Arthur manages eventually, though he's still shaking a bit from the remnants of his laughter. Merlin thinks it's a bit unfair really—Gwen likes him, and Morgana. He's not that bad with women. "Oh, stop pouting, Merlin," Arthur says.

Merlin glares instead."

Go and enjoy some fabity doo Merlin fic.

[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.]

Merlin Recs

2009-01-10T14:00:48Z

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 by mercurial_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 at mercurial_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.

ravenclaw_harpy @ 2008-09-20T19:28:00

2008-09-20T11:30:50Z

Well, it is that time of year... Over the last month or so, I've been feeling an urge to post to LJ: fic recs, pikkies of the house & garden, life as a data entry operator in the tally room ...

Nothing was quite able to overcome my inertia until I spent today reading a fic that I enjoyed so much that I was inspired to post.

Because we all still need a little Harry Potter in our lives...

HP Recs (under cut, if I can remember how to do it!)

We Shine Like Stars by cluegirl over at hp_tarot . Novella length from Ginny's POV. (Please don't let this put you off!) Cluegirl has managed to pull off an epilogue compliant fic that is primarily Ginny/Luna but also has Harry/Snape. Although she doesn't include the paring, I would also include Ginny/Harry because I'd describe their relationships as polyamorous.

The non-linear narrative takes us back to when Ginny first met Luna and became best friends, through scenes that Ginny experienced during her years at Hogwarts and ends with the birth of her second child. Through them, we get to see Ginny's changing relationship with Luna and Harry - and, to a lesser extent, Severus Snape.

I loved her Snape, Ron (which is pretty hard work) & Millicent totally rocks in the scene with the Jaffa cakes. And Luna was just pure magic. And I do enjoy that rarity - well-written, hot femslash.

A couple of excerpts to whet your appetite:

"“They won’t kill each other,” she told herself, fingers trailing over the grooves that spelled out Harry’s name in the wood. “They survived school, the basilisk, Death Eaters, Voldemort, and the Ministry. They can survive this.”

The door was pretty thick, actually. Either that, or it had muffling charms worked into the wood, because through it, Harry’s taut, angry babble was barely intelligible. Then it cut abruptly off.

Ginny cast a few lock wardings of her own on the door, and changed the flashing ‘busy’ sign to ‘Knock, and you’ll draw back a stump!’ Then after a moment’s consideration, made the fiery letters turn AK green, the harder to ignore.""

Mmmmnn... sex magic...

"They nearly lost Snape at the ceremonial robes. Apparently, he found the semiotic link to the magical lineage of the lost priesthood of Ys less than compelling in the face of looking rather silly for a few hours.

Luckily though, he'd already submitted (albeit with poor grace,) to taking the ayahuasca-laced potion, so between Harry working on him, and Ginny persuading Luna to cut a corner or two, the four of them had quickly reached a compromise of nudity all round. Harry stripped down first -- by way of enticement, Ginny felt certain as she watched his clothes peel free of his summer-damp skin, and fall, soundless as moth's wings in darkened corners. He was glorious; still slight from childhood’s hunger, and still too thin, for appetite hadn't yet replaced the tone his grieving had stolen, but oh, he was as sleek and fine as a panther in that peach-golden skin of his.

Severus watched him no less hungrily, a flush rising on his sallow cheeks that had nothing to do with outrage."

Go and read now. In fact, I think I might just re-read it myself.

There are a couple from the Snarry Games.

The next one I'm reccing is a strange one for me. It is a Harry Potter non-magical AU, which I normally avoid like the plague because, for me, magic is an essential part of the HP universe. And it is written in first person. So I'm not sure even why I read it. But I'm so glad I did...

Exegesis by femmequixotic coming in at 49K words, stars Snape as a Jesuit training for the priesthood while questioning his faith, vampires & detaile vampire lore, recognizable canon characters and intrigue.

A couple of excerpts:

""Bless me Father," I say at last, "for I have sinned. As you're quite aware it's been seven days since my last confession."

"I'm fairly certain," Ferris says dryly, "that we can skip over the usual? Denigration of students' intelligence and threats of bodily harm, thoughts of homicide against Father DiSalvio--"

"And Brother Hutchens." The cigarette smoke is bitter against my tongue. I breathe out a puff. "And Father Monan. And Professors Fleming, Cronin and Northrup."

Ferris hides a smile. "An active week."

"Staff meeting." I tap the cigarette against my finger. Ash flakes away. "

and, just a brief one...

"This is not a life I would have chosen for myself, I realise. And yet. I find myself curiously content.

Perhaps I might even be happy."

Oh, yes! a wonderful read.

Getting Familiar by gingertart . Another Snarry. EWE. Snape continues to look after Harry. After all, he has done so for years. Read this to put a smile on your face. This is the perfect animagus form for Snape. Not giving anything away, as it is the first line:

"Severus Snape had always known that his Animagus form would be black, sleek and dangerous, but this was the first time he was glad that it was only eight inches long."

and

""How can you tell if it's an Animagus?" Potter asked. Longbottom drew his wand and crinkled his brow in concentration.

"Homenum revelio," he chanted with more optimism than accuracy. If Snape's eyes could roll, they would have revolved in his head."

The reading equivalent of hot chocolate. Go and enjoy.

Another HP Fic Rec

2007-09-23T13:38:08Z

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

Summary: (from the fic): George Weasley is struggling to find his place in a new, post-war world. The injured, reticent refugee he discovers in the Forbidden Forest isn't part of his plans.

18,000 words of hurting and snarky and totally believable George and Snape. And hot sex with pirate Snape. With cushioned palm trees. Oh yes!

Excerpts:

""Pfft. If Huffie Carrington is passing your class, there is clearly something wrong with your grading scheme. Not to mention that the number of high grades will throw the curve off entirely."

"Are... Snape, have you been looking at my students' papers?"

"What else have I to do, cooped up in here all day? And you just left them unattended."

"In my locked desk."

"Indeed. It was practically an engraved invitation." "

And...

"George wrenched Snape's hand away from him. "And I'm just a handy outlet?" he demanded, outraged.

Snape's look of cold loathing chilled him. "You are not even a momentary diversion, Mr Weasley. Goodnight." "

Humour and emotion. I haven't read any of this author's other fic. Am heading off to do that right now.

Two postings in One Day...

2007-09-14T14:55:46Z

Sounds like it could be a title for a song! Anyway, this unprecedented move on my behalf is due to sarren who asked me to rec a couple of HP fics I was telling her about a few weeks ago - and I've been too slack until now. I've been HP binging lately, as antidote to DH.

So, in no particular order...

Abstract Concept's The Pandora Incident. Totally wonderful Snarry that is DH (including Epilogue) compliant. I read it over three weeks ago & just reading the first part again when I was making the link made me crack up laughing a number of times. It features Snarky Snape and klutzy Harry. Will definitely have to re-read it when I finish this post.

SUMMARY: When Snape is thrown from his body, he takes refuge in an unlikely place, and it’s up to Harry to set things right again.

Excerpt: (because I couldn't include the whole fic)

“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_helleborewrote Lowcountry for reversathonCare both het and slash: Harry/Hermione, Harry/Severus/Hermione.
I don't normally read this pairing & haven't come across this threesome before, but this author manages to make both work - and so well!

Summary: Post HBP, Snape, Harry & Hermione hide out in America, Snape not altogether willingly.

Excerpt:

"Remind me again why I'm stuck in this Misused Muggle Artefact with you two, rather than Apparating to wherever it is you're to keep me prisoner?" Snape asked. Harry could see him in the mirror, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Apparating across state lines is illegal in the United States," Hermione said in her Hogwarts: A History tone.

"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

sarrendidn't realise it was finished either, so I've put the link to fiction alley here.
It is 22 chapters. Darn. Now I will have to re-read what I have read so far and then finish it.

Writing as Sarah (mistful), she has written the fic that needed to be written: Coda to an Epilogue: Twenty Years Later, or The Kids Are All Right. Clicking on the title will get you to the page where you can access the three sections. emma_in_oz, I thought of you when reading this fic - please go and read it if you haven't already.

Summary: Harry Potter saved the world, now it is up to his son Albus to change the world.

Gen that is very much compliant to DH (inlcuding epilogue). I have printed this out and will keep it in the back of DH, because this is how it should have ended. Wonderful Draco/Harry interplay as they meet up to save their respective children. I loved her development of Albus, Scorpius and Draco's wife.

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!

How cool! I'm Lolita

2007-09-14T13:12:28Z

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.

DH Thoughts and a HP Fic Rec (gen/het warning)

2007-07-28T13:36:54Z

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.

My main feeling on finishing Deathly Hallows was ambivalence. Yay! We got to see the Great Canon Finish. And yet, I was expecting more. While acknowledging that it would be pretty much impossible to live up to the hype, I was so disappointed that nothing was made of the Remus liaising with the werewolf subplot although I did enjoy Trelawney's contribution to the battle.

I hated the death of Lupin and Tonks - which obviously happened well before DH because they were totally Pod People in this book. Which annoyed the pip out of me because I really liked the real Lupin and Tonks. They rocked. Of course, Tonks was taken over before the end of HBP when she first started moping around after Lupin in mousy hair. I was aghast when Lupin suddenly decided that oops, he ought not have married Tonks because, oh dear, he's ~~gay~~ a werewolf and so he will just leave his pregnant (already!) wife and go adventuring with Harry because that would be so much better. As I said, a Pod Person.

Well, I must admit to being totally disappointed that Ron didn't get killed off. It would have made a nice parallel to the first book when he sacrificed himself on the chess set. And besides, suddenly thinking about the house-elves didn't just stop him being a git. At least he showed glimpses of no longer being a Total Git.

And, thank goodness that Dumbledore is all-knowing so that he Knows that Ron will be a Total Git and go storming off, and that the trio won't have a plan to work out how to get back together in case they are separated, and that Ron will want to get back to them, and that he will figure out how to use the deluminator to do that. (And thank goodness that Hermione didn't get separated from Harry because she didn't have a deluminator or equivalent. Good thing she's so clever.) And speaking of good things, it's a good thing I've been going to the gym, because there was so much suspension of disbelief I had to undertake while reading this book that I might have otherwise strained a bicep.

Did anyone else get the very strong sensation that JK was flipping her finger at the slashers? I know that sarren

does. “Ha!” I heard JK cry, “take THAT you twincest fans! And everyone else, I'm going to make as straight as I possibly can - with their childhood sweathearts. So there! Except for Draco who will have children with some nameless person. And a receding hairline. Because I don’t like him. And not just because he is Slytherin. ~~And gay~~!” Groan. And, yes, Ginny is just so right for Harry, who wants to be known/loved for himself rather than the Chosen One - not!

And I knew she was going to kill off Snape. But Ouch! It hurt. But just how together was he in his dying moments, being able to whack all those memories together, in chronological order, and so they told the whole sorry tale. Wot a man! Of course, when he asked Harry to look at him, it wasn't so he could see Lily's eyes at the end, it was so he could throw himself into Harry and take up residence there. After all, he is a totally brilliant legilmens (or whatever the term is.)

And JK hated Snape so much, she wouldn't let even one of the Slytherin students stay and fight at Hogwarts. Aaagghh! I think it was emma_in_oz who so rightly pointed out that it is a shame that none of the slytherins stayed. And that the ostracizing of Slytherins looked pretty much the same in 19 years time.

And McGonagall didn't realise that Snape was running interferance between the students and those nasty Deatheater Carrows?!? Give me a break.

However, Neville totally rocked. (Although I wonder how he managed to be happily munching his breakfast in the great hall the morning after he was in flames after Voldemort jammed the Sorting hat on his head and set it alight.) I so want to read fic based around Snape and Neville during that year at school. Snape would have been equally aware of the wonders of the Room of Requirement and I think he would have been really pleased (in a Snapish sort of way) that Neville had finally found his backbone.

And, yay Luna!

I also enjoyed the Dumbledore backstory and am looking forward to reading some Dumbledore/Grindewald slash.

But why were the house-elves reduced to using carving knives when Doby could cause so much havoc through his magic? And why did the centaurs suddenly turn up when, apart from Firenze, they wanted nothing to do with humans? I know it harkened back to the fountain in the minestry, but that wasn't really enough explanation/motivation.

Anyway, enough of that. If you want to read how the Real story of Harry's last 2 years at Hogwarts went, then I would recommend that you read Harry Potter and the Enemy Within and its sequel, Harry Potter and the Chained Souls written by Theowyn and found at The Sugar Quill. I am warning you now, it is a Snape as mentor fic and het, het, het all the way - although we are only privy to some kisses (so definitely worksafe). However, the relationships have far more credibility than in HBP and DH. The second fic was finished just before DH came out, and incorporates elements of HBP even though it follows its own AU trajectory. I don't want to spoil it too much but, despite a divergent book 6, there were a surprising number of elements in common to Chained Souls and DH. Even while thoroughly enjoying the fic, I found this aspect fascinating. I'm not going to say more because of the spoilery thing.

Both are novel length, the first coming in at 19 chapters and the second with 31.

The blurb for The Enemy Within reads:
"As Harry enters his sixth year at Hogwarts, Voldemort's lengthening shadow stretches across the wizarding world and Harry is tormented by the knowledge that he alone can end this reign of terror. Worse, his mysterious mental link to Voldemort is stronger than ever and threatens to overwhelm him. Only Snape can teach him to control the nightmarish visions, but can Harry and Snape learn to trust one another, or will an old grudge that refuses to die destroy the wizarding world's sole hope of defeating the Dark Lord?"

And Chained Souls...
"Voldemort has risen to power once again. As Harry comes of age, he must discover the secret of how Voldemort cheated death and find a way to defeat this evil once and for all. Along the way, he will have to contend with Death Eaters, shadowy Ministry officials and suspicions that threaten to tear his own allies apart. And he will need to delve farther than ever before into the mysteries of the mind where victory can only be won by freeing the chained souls."
I must admit the mystery element of this story wasn't terribly mysterious, but that is a minor quibble in a fab fic.

Grab yourself a cup of coffee and a sandwich and settle down for a treat with what should have been the real last two books in the HP series.

Vancouver in the Springtime

2007-05-17T19:06:42Z

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.

Woohoo!

2007-05-10T08:56:30Z

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.

Another Snarry Fic Rec

2007-05-07T12:37:31Z

Another Snarry Games rec. This one made me laugh. A lot. It is Magnificent Penetration 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 Snape remains wonderfully snarky:

“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

Fic Recs

2007-05-07T03:28:30Z

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.

LoM2 Rocks!

2007-04-27T18:21:45Z

It is shortly after 2 in the morning and I'm still up because I just finished watching season 2 of Life on Mars. Which totally rocks.

As does this wonderful icon that I snaffled from bluebox_icons. If you want to check out some of her other ones, you can find them here. BUT be warned! Some of the pics contain major plot spoilers for the last episode, so don't click the link unless you are willing to see them. I am definitely glad I went into watching the series totally spoiler-free.

Off to snooze.

Getting Organised

2007-04-22T07:39:49Z

Thanks to the brilliant

sarren, my LJ skills have increased tenfold.

And, now, my songvids are organised. Woohoo! (This is a major accomplishment, as sarrenwould definitely attest to.) There are a couple of Songvid links that I would like to rec as a result. Sorry if I'm duplicating what other folk have recc'd but it was pointed out to me today that I shouldn't assume that because I have seen something that everyone else has. So, if you have seen them, it might remind you to revisit them.

Profs Vids:
Ancasta's "Under Pressure"  Pretty lads bonding to Queen & Bowie. The editing isn't as fancy as on some vids, but it makes a nice reminder of why The Professionals still holds a place in my heart.
Ancasta also made the "Reasons to Love the Professionals" Vid, which I like big time, but I can't find the link. Sigh.
Another vid that I can't find the link for is "Where are you now?" by Barbara Phillips. Although I don't particularly like the song (sung by Trisha Yearwood, its a bit too much country&westernish for me) I love the premise. It has clips of an older Doyle (footage taken from Judge John Deed, which stars a grey-haired Martin Shaw) reminicing/mourning the lack of Bodie in his life (using clips from Profs). If anyone could send me a link, that would be fab.

Dr Who:
Mel's "Let it Go" is a wonderful vid of the end for 10/Rose. Definitely a tissue one for me. But in a good way.

Harry Potter
"Mad World" by Di. Go to http://www.hpdownloads.net/?hpd=media/musicvid and scroll down to link. (sarren, this was the vid I was trying to show you earlier today, but I didn't open the right one.) I love this song & I love this vid. Totally captures Harry's alienation.

LoM
Charmax's "Clubfoot" is my favourite LoM vid. Love the song, love the editing, love the show, love the vid.

Enough for now. Am off to track down some of those that sarrenrec'd me this morning.

Brilliant Thought

2007-04-18T10:34:13Z

It was suggested that I don't take too long before undertaking my 2nd post to LJ. It was a good one. What momentous thing should I write about?

Alas, this post is neither deep nor meaningful. And, although I think my idea has the potential to make millions, none of that filthy lucre would make its way to my moth-ridden pockets. Alas.

Freud suggests that one element of our dreams is wish fulfilment. I find this somewhat concerning as this is where my idea originated. And, this idea of sheer and utter brilliance? Fuzzy felt Harry Potter. Yes, that is what I dreamt of. A big fuzzy felt board with fuzzy felt shapes of cauldrons and wands and broomsticks and Harry Potter (with a little scar that you can stick on his head & black tussled hair & little round glasses) & a red/gold tie for Gryffindor that you can stick over his black robes. Naturally, Snape has swishier black robes that billow out behind him. Dumbledore, with attachable grey beard and purple robes with gold stars with matching hat (and little socks that you can stick on). Lucius with long locks attached and snake-headed cane. Alas, poor Malfoy Jnr is mainly distinguishable by his slytherin tie and short, yellow hair. And a nasty, snake-eyed Voldemort. With Nagini. Of course, you would need lots of red hair bits to represent all those Weasleys.

Can't you picture the shapes of the dementors and the black grim, the phoenix and the werewolf? The stag and the rat? The owls. A Professor McGonigall cat and a Mrs Norris cat. And Filch - and his whips and chains. Oh, and house elves of course with big floppy ears. And Hermione's hats that they try to avoid wearing. And then you could see whether Dumbledore's socks would fit on Doby, which of course they would. And the squid. So you would need a patch of blue for the lake. Oh, and a whomping willow tree. And a huge Hagrid. And Thestrals (although on second thoughts, this is a child's game and so perhaps this might not be considered appropriate - as were some of my other slightly more slashy & R- rated thoughts.) And, of course, a Hogwarts building. Ooh, and a mirror of erised.

I so want to play this. Sigh... I think I will head off and drag out my old "Jungle" fuzzy felt and see if that helps.

OMG!!

2007-02-21T05:27:10Z

Well, after only 2 years in the brewing, here I am making my very first post to LJ. Woohoo! Many thanks are due to the wondrous (and incredibly patient) sarren, as well as the helpful zebra363 and ascetic_hedony for their help in getting me to this point. (I'm hoping that these names work out. This techKnowlogy stuff is all very confusing to a technomoron.) In fact, if anyone is willing to help me out with learning how to drive one of these things, I would be happy to exchange in return for dinner. I'm sure it must be easier - I've managed to lose what I have written 3 times already. Sigh. My enthusiasm is being slightly dimmed. But, not for long, I'm sure. Why, within another 2 years, I bet I've posted again and even got some of those tweets and whistle thinggies going!

Anyway, the excuse for my post - just so it isn't totally boring - is a fic rec. Despite my fab icon (& how do you get writing onto those pics is another of my questions), the fic is a Torchwood one. It's frothy and fun, with great dialogue. I particularly loved the scene where Owen tries to hypnotise the pterodactyl with a stopwatch.

Title: Six Uses for a Stopwatch That Have Nothing to do with Sex (And one that does)
Written by shaggydogstail
Hope you enjoy. And that these link thingies work. So impressed with myself for getting the title to look like that, but I'm not game to try them & lose all this. Yet again!

And I hope this hasn't put too much strain on certain people's hearts. Thinking of special_trille especially.