Fic rec: Merlin

[katikat]

"Blood and Bloom" by canarypaper | Future!fic | Merlin/Gwaine; Lancelot/Gwen and Arthur/Gwen implied | "To see Merlin standing there, his blue cloak in tatters and his eyes shining golden made Arthur's heart stop in fear for the man. Felt his stomach twist at what Merlin was doing in the name of Camelot. What he was doing in the name of duty." | ~8.000

For the love of Camelot, Arthur repeated, watching as Gwaine reached over from his own horse to brush his fingers against Merlin's arm, an unreadable expression in his eyes.

For the love of Camelot, he thought, watching as Merlin's face remained stony, but his hand reached out to grasp Gwaine's own.

Or maybe, Arthur thought, staring at the misty valley unfurling before them, where Morgana's army awaited their fate, maybe just for love.

"For Albion," Merlin whispered, looking toward Arthur as he dismounted his horse. He stared at him, long and hard. "It has been an honor, my king," he said, slipping the blood vial from around his neck to pour it over the invisible barrier.

Wow. Seriously. Wow. This fic floored me. Must be one of the best Merlin fics I've ever read. Although Merlin is in a relationship with Gwaine and Arthur is married to Gwen, the fic is all about the depth of friendship between Merlin and Arthur, about what Merlin means to his king. Amazing!