Stars Above, Stones Below
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Stars Above, Stones Below |
| Author(s): | Destina |
| Date(s): | 02 August 2012 |
| Length: | 46,843 words |
| Genre: | slash fanfiction |
| Fandom: | Merlin |
| External Links: | Stars Above, Stones Below (AO3) Stars Above, Stones Below (LiveJournal) Art Masterpost (LiveJournal) |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Stars Above, Stones Below is a Merlin/Arthur story by Destina. The story was written for Paperlegends 2012 and it's a canon-era AU, which begins post-4x11 (The Hunter's Heart) and diverges from canon there.
Summary: After the disastrous end of his betrothal to Gwen and the regret of his offer to Princess Mithian, Arthur swears off finding a wife until he's ready to wed. When Merlin offers himself to Arthur as bedmate, Arthur suggests they hand-fast in secret for a single year of mutual pleasure without obligation. As their year together unfolds, and secrets and betrayals unravel around them, Arthur and Merlin learn there is no such thing as uncomplicated pleasure. Everything they thought they knew can change in the span of a single year.
goss painted four art pieces, one of which was used for a fic cover, and made three chapter dividers for the fic.[1]
Recs and Reviews
This is a gorgeous canon fic. I love the point in time the author decides to diverge from canon. That point in S4 is so full of possibilities and this fic takes it all in a wonderful direction. The idea of handfasting as a way of voluntarily (and temporarily) bonding, still kept the tension high while still allowing for Arthur and Merlin to have lots of sex become closer on a different level. There are so few (mostly) canon-compliant long fics being written right now and this one is a brilliant read.[2]
I quite liked this. It seemed very natural that things progressed the way they did. Also, loved Arthur being so noble and wanting to do a hand-fasting ritual to protect Merlin. That was so cute ^^ The magic reveal was also well done. A really good story. Go and read![3]
I'm not a Merlin fan, but this story kinda made me one, and I'm not actually exaggerating about that. Arthur and Merlin hand-fast in secret for a year. And oh, god, is it hot. Also emotional, and beautiful, and you know, destina, but there aren't many stories I'd go back and read for the sex alone. *coff*[4]
Oh this was WONDERFUL. How the end of series 4 should have been…from a Merthur point of view that is.It unfolds very beautifully, with Agravaine’s betrayal, Morgana’s attack on Camelot, a good and solid magic reveal, that also goes into the complications of reinstating magic into the kingdom and the laws that it implies.
But most of all, the development of Arthur and Merlin’s relationship was perfect. I LOVED how Arthur was bruised and a bit broken with his past relationships and the way his feelings and healing process were handled, before and after the reveal, was absolutely beautiful. His (short) courtship of Merlin was so on point and believable it made me smile like a loon. Oh, and Merlin and his unflinching, undeniable, unbreakable, and beautiful loyalty and love, were so endearing and heartbreaking and uplifting. Loved Gwen and the knights, and Mithian, and the tension with King Lox when they visited his kingdom.
I really loved this canon AU. It’ll make you sad that this is not actually the show…because it probably should be.[5]
References
- ^ goss. Art Masterpost (Merlin - Paperlegends Big Bang 2012), 02 August 2012. (19 September 2012)
- ^ marguerite_26. Merlin Recs - Paper Legends!, 09 August 2012. (Accessed 19 September 2012)
- ^ yasisfanficrecs. Stars Above, Stones Below (Merthur), 02 September 2012. (Accessed 19 September 2012)
- ^ killabeez. Recs!, 03 August 2012. (Accessed 19 September 2012)
- ^ dirtybookshelves. Stars Above, Stones Below, 19 September 2012. (Accessed 20 September 2012)