jubilantTitle: Of Recoil and Grace
Author:
kepp0xyPairings/characters: Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Morgana, Uther, Morgause, Mordred, Lancelot, Leon, Freya, Gaius, Igraine. Central pairing is Arthur/Gwen, with numerous shades of multiple others.
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~27 K
Warnings: Character death. Some dark themes. Fiddle-fooling with Arthurian legends. Working with established canon from series 1 & 2.
Summary: The shaping of a new Camelot begins with Arthur's coronation, Merlin and Gwen on his either side. But unbeknownst to the three of them, Morgana is guiding her own piece of Albion, heedless to Camelot's changing currents.
As they adjust to their roles to shape the kingdom, Arthur, Gwen, Merlin and Morgana must undergo their own trials and personal victories. Choices in private will affect actions in public, and they must each strike a balance to avoid the collapse of everything they've worked for.
Author's notes: Written for
paperlegends: A Merlin Big Bang challenge. My everlasting and enormous thanks go to la_esmeralda_, anjali_organna, _autumncolours, and_i, the_muppet and especially imigination. And as they deserve far more effusive words of appreciation than I can reasonably write herein, please see my full author's notes here. Title from The Smashing Pumpkins.Art link: Herein lie most beauteous creations by the incredibly talented and patient
la_esmeralda_. Please go shower her with the praise and flail she deserves ♥Disclaimer: Did not make Merlin. Do not make money from this either. Such is life.
Merlin was never comfortable here.
The firelight flicked along the walls, stroking and prodding the heavy ornaments which adorned the king's chambers.
Arthur, alternately restless and stock still, so angry - furious - with fear that he would lose his father. The words hung in the air as though an invisible hand had written them in cursive flame from the hearth: I'm not ready.
