Privileges of Rank

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Fanfiction
Title: Privileges of Rank
Author(s): seperis
Date(s): 10 February 2009
Length: 8,000 words
Genre: slash fanfiction
Fandom: Merlin
External Links: Privileges of Rank (AO3)
Privileges of Rank (Livejournal)
Podfic by xan_reads (xancredible)
Podfic cover art by xan_reads

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Privileges of Rank is a Merlin/Arthur slash story by seperis (~8,000 words). It won the Spring 2009 Merlin/Arthur Fanfic Awards in the category Best Merlin Characterisation and was a runner-up in the category Best Humour Fic.

Summary: Arthur's biggest problem to date, Merlin thinks darkly as he carries yet another load of suspiciously not-really-dirty clothing down the stairs, is an unaccountable fear of anyone, anywhere, suspecting he's capable of being other than a complete and utter prat.

Recs and Reviews

"Merlin, after drinking himself silly, loses the key to his room and Gaius locks him out. He's got no choice but to crawl over to Arthur's..."[1]

"Merlin hasn't figured out the castle politics. Features a delightfully arrogant and handsy Arthur."[2]

"Arthur manages to be both "The Prince," with all the casual effortless authority/ruthlessness/arrogance that his rank entails, and simultaneously "Merlin's friend," buried deep down but clear and compelling when he chooses to let it out. And your descriptions of the internal downstairs politicking, combined with Merlin's education in his rather elevated rank among the servants (and THANK YOU for the image of a well-fucked Merlin directing servants from Arthur's bed, yes, that was very nice, my brain did a nice moment of "gfjhgfd!") as well as a lesson in his rather elevated rank as regards to Arthur." (shinetheway)[3]

"I love how Arthur pretends to be a prat but is incredibly protective of Merlin. I love the lesson in below-stairs politics by the firelight. I love how all that affection and protectiveness conflagrates into desire." (witheredsong)[4]

A pleasant little story that has a scorching amount of porn, but just enough in-character lead in and build-up to make it sweet and interesting. I love Arthur in this - he’s so very sure of himself, and he’s smart and observant which is okay, maybe a little OOC depending on whether or not you think he knows about Merlin’s magic in the show, but feels right when you consider how he was raised and who he’s going to be. I love aggressive Arthur, and Camelot politics, and dirty talk, and I am super-fond of the “BEDDING DOWN TOGETHER BECAUSE IT’S REALLY COLLLLLDD” trope despite the temprate Camelot climes.[5]

References

  1. ^ Maddy_Snape's Fave Fics. (Accessed 25 July 2010)
  2. ^ merrily. Sunday Links & Recs Post: Things I Found That You Might Like, 15 February 2009. (Accessed 25 July 2010)
  3. ^ shinetheway. Comment, 10 February 2009. (Accessed 25 July)
  4. ^ witheredsong. Comment, 10 February 2009. (Accessed 25 July 2010)
  5. ^ slashdragon. privileges of rank - seperis. (Accessed 29 April 2012