And like the cycle of the year, we begin again

by katherynefromphilly

Set after the Merlin Series 5 Finale "Diamond of the Day".
Canon Compliant. In Character. Arthur Pendragon Returns.
Cover art by Lao-Pendragon

------

For many long years Merlin waited.

For the other part of his soul, for the other half of his life. He was born to serve Arthur. So that meant he was also born to wait. Even if it took a thousand years. Even if the wait seemed never to end.

Until one day, suddenly, it did.

When Arthur stumbles from the Lake of Avalon 1,500 years after his death, he finds a world unlike the one he knew. Faced with the loss of everyone he loved, and the threat of impending prophecy, Arthur must learn what it means to be not just a king, but the Once and Future King. Merlin does all he can to guide him, even as he struggles to hide his love for his king, and his fear of losing him again.

Story includes sass, banter, horseplay, & True Love.

848 pages, Unknown Binding

Published November 27, 2016

Reviews

[Ru & her books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m absolutely obsessed with this fanfic! In love with it! Hands down the best one I’ve ever read in my life and that’s saying something, because I’ve been reading fanfics since 2009. I’ve read hundreds of fanfics across different fandoms, but this one completely stole my heart. Maybe it’s because Merlin is my all-time favorite show, it’s literally carved into my heart and this fanfic felt like the season 6 we never got.

The ending of season 5 traumatised me, but this fic healed me. Five stars honestly aren’t enough; it deserves infinity. I can’t remember the last time a fic made me this happy. I just know I’m about to fall into a reading slump after this one! Infinity stars for my babies Merlin and Arthur 🥹😭

Ps: I read it within 3 days!!! And it is almost over 840 pages. I would’ve finished it sooner if my eyes didn’t hurt so much from reading.

[Vishmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the slow burn. The fluff was so good I was curling my toes.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

not to be dramatic but this piece of literature fcking changed my life. it is so well written and filled the whole the merlin finale left in my heart (iykyk). it‘s exactly what i hoped would happen after what we saw happen in the final episode. i am so thankful this exists and found its way to me because my life is better because of it. the essence of both merlin‘s and arthur‘s characters are so well captured and everything they do and say is so on brand it feels like it‘s canonically a sequel to the series. i genuinely loved every single chapter and i can‘t wait to read the next parts 😭 @ the author thank you thank you thank you if you ever start selling physical copies pls let me know until then i will have to print it out and put it in my bookshelf in case someone asks to see my favorite book (sorry the song of achilles). seeing merthur edits on tiktok hits different now because i now see the scenes from this before me and i am smiling watching them now thank you so much. ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[lavender haze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobbing and crying. After watching BBC Merlin season 5 last episode. I nearly threw up from crying and with the need of closure I ended up here and i found it. The way the plot unfolded was amazing, the characterisation just immaculate and the slow burn WAS ABSOLUTELY CHEF’S KISS. It had me screaming, giggling and sobbing hysterically. If there were a season 6 this would be it because the way Arthur cane back when it was Albion’s greatest need yeah that was amazingly done. The way it portrays emotions of watching people you love die in-front of you for centuries, for not being able to tell the whole truth and fear of always staying behind just is unexplainable. I felt those emotions deeply in my bones.



I have read many Merthur fanfic and one thing or another made me feel like the characterisation isn’t real but here the way both Arthur and Merlin like always immediately get in that flow, get that bond, and understand one another falling into that cohesion along with bickering. The angst was just so beautifully written.
5 out of 5 stars.

[Loie☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4 for Goodreads
Overall, it was enjoyable, a bit of a trek to get through, had loveable original characters, and I liked how they incorporated stuff from the show, but it didn’t quite punch me in the gut like I was hoping it would.
I will definitely be on the hunt for another fic set directly after the fifth series to fill the hole in my heart that’s still there after the last episode.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently rereading forever

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Merlin Season 6 we deserved.

[Joe A.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think i've ever cried or loved a fanfiction as much as this one. it is so well done.

[Madalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written for fanfiction. The characters are true to source material and the plot is quite interesting, it really feels like it is the legitimate continuation of the story in the tv series.

[Chloe Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

a canon season 6! everything i wanted and more! i come back and re-read ALL the time. i’ve read this all the way through twice

[Leah O’Reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5