The Book High

Absolutely fascinating AU of the show Merlin.

Hunith became ill and so couldn't send Merlin to Gaius in Camelot as she'd planned. Just as Uther dies, Arthur begins having episodes of "madness" and therefore can't take the throne--thus Agravaine as regent.

I'm inexplicably fascinated with AU stories, and this one was delightful. Merlin and Arthur are both still very much like themselves, with only slight differences from the different way things happen. They're lovely together, and it was lovely to see them both become stronger and better from being together.

I can't help but wish, though, that the whole issue of Arthur looking for a wife had been more clearly settled before the end. He'd been looking for one before... but that was before. Does the line near the end where Arthur lists "potential wives to be dissuaded" mean he's not looking AT ALL anymore, or still just not looking at the ones he wasn't interested in before? Merlin deserves to have Arthur all to himself, dammit! And not being absolutely certain he's assured of that has me feeling like the story's not finished yet.

Favorite Quotes:
"Magical bloody sex assassin. Definitely."

"I might need you to carry something," Arthur says, then eyes Merlin doubtfully. "Something extremely light. And unbreakable."

"Hector," he says, more gently. "This is what I am for."

Sometimes it feels like his magic has a crush on Arthur that is completely separate from Merlin himself.

"I want," Arthur says into his mouth, "Merlin."
"You can have Merlin," he moans back. "You can absolutely--"

He knows in that one flash that he will never be free, never want another, never again will he be alone in this world, as long as there is Arthur.

"Political ambitions are one thing. But you hurt Arthur," he shook his head, voice dropping lower, "and that I will not abide."