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Rheged
Post S5 (speculative); canon to the end of S4. Gwen and Arthur have been married for several years, Merlin's magic has been revealed and Arthur has now reached a kind of cold peace with it. Then a delegation arrives from a kingdom based on magic, and suddenly Destiny is starkly and ruthlessly to the fore. The question is should - can - it be avoided?
Words:124351
url: http://archiveofourown.org/works/4822...
Words:124351
url: http://archiveofourown.org/works/4822...
- GenresFan FictionM M Romance
369 pages, Online Fiction
First published August 22, 2012
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 23, 2013
Probably the best-written Merlin fan story out there. A complex and sophisticated tale. The writer is exceptionally talented and made an obvious commitment early on to pull no punches, to show these characters as flawed and human and imperfect. (For those who can't handle that, who prefer their heroes untouchable and beyond reproach, best steer clear.) It's set in a hypothetical sixth season (without Arthur's death having taken place)and after Arthur has learned of Merlin's magic (which takes place before the story opens). He didn't respond well, considering Merlin's lying/not confiding his magic in him to be a betrayal. Arthur has elevated Merlin, given him rooms in the palace, new clothes, new duties, and even his own manservant (Bran is hilarious! Great original character),but barely speaks to him and they've lost their closeness. Meanwhile, Merlin has taken up with Gwaine.
Then a contingent of magic-users from a far off land arrive in Camelot and wish to negotiate a treaty. They arrive expecting King Arthur to be married, but not to Gwen--to his sorcerer, Emrys. It has been foretold and prophesied for a thousand years.
What follows is a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications and some of the most touching angst and pathos I've ever experienced. There are revelations that are obvious to those who watched the Merlin series (such as the fact that Arthur is never really himself around his wife, always on his best behavior, but around Merlin, he can be as awful as he feels at times, and know that Merlin will still care and still be at his side. He doesn't have to be anything but Arthur around Merlin). This story doesn't have a traditional happy ending either. Everyone involved, Arthur, Gwen, Merlin and Gwaine, are left with half a loaf rather than their heart's desire. Gwen in particular has realized that her husband's heart lies first with Merlin, even though he loves and respects her and she is the queen.
I especially enjoyed the characterizations of Gaius in this, and also Gwaine. The sex is beyond hot, and we manage to gain a bit of insight into Arthur that might be unexpected. The fic is written from the hard pov of Merlin, who continually blames himself for every single thing that ever happened to Camelot or anyone he cares about, and feeds off his own guilt and sense of responsibility and "destiny". Things get very, very bad emotionally for him before they get better.
For those who are fans of the bond and banter between Arthur and Merlin and their inability to say just how much they love each other, this story will make you weep and will make your heart soar.
Then a contingent of magic-users from a far off land arrive in Camelot and wish to negotiate a treaty. They arrive expecting King Arthur to be married, but not to Gwen--to his sorcerer, Emrys. It has been foretold and prophesied for a thousand years.
What follows is a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications and some of the most touching angst and pathos I've ever experienced. There are revelations that are obvious to those who watched the Merlin series (such as the fact that Arthur is never really himself around his wife, always on his best behavior, but around Merlin, he can be as awful as he feels at times, and know that Merlin will still care and still be at his side. He doesn't have to be anything but Arthur around Merlin). This story doesn't have a traditional happy ending either. Everyone involved, Arthur, Gwen, Merlin and Gwaine, are left with half a loaf rather than their heart's desire. Gwen in particular has realized that her husband's heart lies first with Merlin, even though he loves and respects her and she is the queen.
I especially enjoyed the characterizations of Gaius in this, and also Gwaine. The sex is beyond hot, and we manage to gain a bit of insight into Arthur that might be unexpected. The fic is written from the hard pov of Merlin, who continually blames himself for every single thing that ever happened to Camelot or anyone he cares about, and feeds off his own guilt and sense of responsibility and "destiny". Things get very, very bad emotionally for him before they get better.
For those who are fans of the bond and banter between Arthur and Merlin and their inability to say just how much they love each other, this story will make you weep and will make your heart soar.
August 9, 2013
I consider this the pinnacle of any Merlin fics I read so far. The reasons?
1. Kilgarrah
2. Gaius and His Ever-Eternally Wise Subliminal Words
3. The Uber-Hot Intensity of Arthur Pendragon
But those reasons pale in comparison to how the writer made the complicated (understatement of the year) dynamics between Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Gwaine and how it was all finally resolved, with the helpful insight or two from Gaius and Kilgarrah, easier to swallow and provide the reader satisfaction in the end. How the writer weaved the entanglement and managed to guide me less scathed than Merlin (the poor bastard) is a monumental feat, I should say. This piece not only passed the time for me, it also made me think and care and understand about the characters, their motivations and selfishness and insecurities, in which only select few stories can only do.
Also, it doesn't hurt that the sex scenes are...oooomf!
1. Kilgarrah
2. Gaius and His Ever-Eternally Wise Subliminal Words
3. The Uber-Hot Intensity of Arthur Pendragon
But those reasons pale in comparison to how the writer made the complicated (understatement of the year) dynamics between Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Gwaine and how it was all finally resolved, with the helpful insight or two from Gaius and Kilgarrah, easier to swallow and provide the reader satisfaction in the end. How the writer weaved the entanglement and managed to guide me less scathed than Merlin (the poor bastard) is a monumental feat, I should say. This piece not only passed the time for me, it also made me think and care and understand about the characters, their motivations and selfishness and insecurities, in which only select few stories can only do.
Also, it doesn't hurt that the sex scenes are...oooomf!
June 9, 2013
2.5-3 Stars
Rheged is an interesting fanfiction that, despite it being M/M, still feels very much like the Camelot we all know and love. However, I find the greatest flaw in the story being the main character: Merlin. The story is pretty much the circular thoughts of Merlin in his stubborn and self denial in the circumstances that surrounds him. He was just a very unlikeable character. I think what I disliked most was his blatant denials and lies he would tell others to make it seem like something wasn't his fault, when he knows good and well he had a good hand in the decisions. What took me most by surprise was the fact that the relationship was not exclusive. Meaning it wasn't just Merlin and Arthur, which was a big turn off for me.
Rheged is an interesting fanfiction that, despite it being M/M, still feels very much like the Camelot we all know and love. However, I find the greatest flaw in the story being the main character: Merlin. The story is pretty much the circular thoughts of Merlin in his stubborn and self denial in the circumstances that surrounds him. He was just a very unlikeable character. I think what I disliked most was his blatant denials and lies he would tell others to make it seem like something wasn't his fault, when he knows good and well he had a good hand in the decisions. What took me most by surprise was the fact that the relationship was not exclusive. Meaning it wasn't just Merlin and Arthur, which was a big turn off for me.
November 28, 2013
Well written, I'll admit to that. Funny moments. Characterisations mostly good. Canon.
But.
Still.
The pace is very slow, dragging really. The best way to describe the plot, IMO, would be:
"Merlin's internal and external whiny, self-indulgent and often downright childish and defiant musings and behaviour."
Believe me, there are many, many musings that couldn't get more boring if one tried.
I'm sure I could'come up with one for Arthur's possessive, competitive and stubborn behaviour as well.
But really, Gwaine was the only character I really, truly felt for. Never have I ever read a merthur fic, in which I (very) actively rooted for them not to end up with each other. Srsly. Something there went quite wrong for me.
But.
Still.
The pace is very slow, dragging really. The best way to describe the plot, IMO, would be:
"Merlin's internal and external whiny, self-indulgent and often downright childish and defiant musings and behaviour."
Believe me, there are many, many musings that couldn't get more boring if one tried.
I'm sure I could'come up with one for Arthur's possessive, competitive and stubborn behaviour as well.
But really, Gwaine was the only character I really, truly felt for. Never have I ever read a merthur fic, in which I (very) actively rooted for them not to end up with each other. Srsly. Something there went quite wrong for me.
April 21, 2017
Me gustó bastante, aunque le hubiese dado tres yoyas a los dos en alguna ocasión.
November 15, 2016
Brilliant but not easy.
Heartbreaking but soul lifting.
Beautiful but so very flawed.
Whoa. I am not sure what to think. Part of me is disturbed but the other part of me is overjoyed.
This is not my typical read. There is a formula I like in my fanfiction. Honestly, there is a formula I like in my romance and this did not follow it at all.
I couldn’t put it down.
I believed it and in it. I hated how it played out but needed it to work regardless.
It’s Destiny after all.
Such an engaging retelling of a tale as old as time.
I loved it.
Heartbreaking but soul lifting.
Beautiful but so very flawed.
Whoa. I am not sure what to think. Part of me is disturbed but the other part of me is overjoyed.
This is not my typical read. There is a formula I like in my fanfiction. Honestly, there is a formula I like in my romance and this did not follow it at all.
I couldn’t put it down.
I believed it and in it. I hated how it played out but needed it to work regardless.
It’s Destiny after all.
Such an engaging retelling of a tale as old as time.
I loved it.
September 9, 2025
2.5
A decent read to fulfil the cravings left by Merlin, the TV show.
But it does have a heavy hint of misogyny? Like, the author holds Gwen responsible for the fate of the show and all that couldn’t be in the canon. Which I think is totally unreasonable.
And using ‘being like girls’ as an insult gets old quick.
I did like the moral conundrum Merlin faces throughout the story, because the choice or lack thereof he faces, is gut-wrenching.
Just hoped the author gave more grace to Gwen, the only female character present in the story and didn’t hold her responsible for their ship not sailing in the show.
A decent read to fulfil the cravings left by Merlin, the TV show.
But it does have a heavy hint of misogyny? Like, the author holds Gwen responsible for the fate of the show and all that couldn’t be in the canon. Which I think is totally unreasonable.
And using ‘being like girls’ as an insult gets old quick.
I did like the moral conundrum Merlin faces throughout the story, because the choice or lack thereof he faces, is gut-wrenching.
Just hoped the author gave more grace to Gwen, the only female character present in the story and didn’t hold her responsible for their ship not sailing in the show.
January 28, 2020
Well, that was a whole journey. Oh boy how I cried, my heart ached so bad in the first three chapters, and then everything started to slot into place after that and now my heart feels content(it's not a fairytale and not a total happy ending but at the same time, Arthur and Merlin will have eternity and if you see it that way, one life is just a tiny piece in the scheme of things.... and that thought now fills my heart).
October 11, 2019
Simply one of the most fantastic stories I've had the honour of reading. And re-reading. And re-reading.
November 25, 2014
So after reading 100s of merthur fanfics, I think this is the very best canon piece. It is very well written, a delisous length and is a highly believable emotional transition for Arthur from hetero to bi. He struggles with it, he chews on the idea and then jumps in with both feet. It really felt true to his character. This is a fabulous and very hot story that I have read several times. Love it!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews