Shadowlord and Pirate King
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Shadowlord and Pirate King |
| Author(s): | footloose (author), mushroomtale (artist) |
| Date(s): | 07 September 2013 |
| Length: | 169,425 words |
| Genre: | Space AU, Pirate AU, Big Bang fic, slash |
| Fandom: | Merlin |
| External Links: | Shadowlord and Pirate King (AO3) Fanart, Fanmix, Art Walkthrough: Shadowlord and Pirate King (AO3) |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Shadowlord and Pirate King is a Merlin/Arthur story by footloose. It was written for the Paperlegends Big Bang 2013 and it's a Space Pirates AU.
mushroomtale created several pieces of amazing fanart for this story that are just as epic as the story itself.[1]
Summary:
A fast ship, a good crew, a treasure, a Clan to lead -- that's all Arthur Pendragon has ever wanted. He sits on the Council, he supports his father's kingship, and he keeps an eye on the Imperial Conglomerate when they come too close to Pirate space.One day the Conglomerate infiltrates the Clans and poisons the King. Arthur must search for a cure to keep his father alive and the Clans from civil war.
An escape route, a sharp knife, a target, the shadows at his command -- that's all Merlin has ever needed. He fulfills his assignments, he uses the Sterling to sustain his once-royal House in their exile, and wages a private war against the Imperial Conglomerate.
When he learns of an elaborate plot to assassinate him, Merlin does the opposite of what's expected. He flees onto a Pirate ship.
There's a saying among the Pirates: that one's fate is written in the stars. Destiny will always set to rights what has been made wrong.
Arthur and Merlin know that they were meant for the other from the moment they meet. They can feel it from across the galaxies separating them. Nothing can stop them from being together or from fulfilling an ancient prophecy.
Recs and Reviews
Utterly astounding. So rich and vibrant. If I ever figure out how to make my own hardcover books, this is the first one that will go on my shelf.[2]
Basically the best Sci-Fi fic I have ever read in any fandom. The length is worth it. Reminds me a little of Treasure Planet.[3]
If there is someone I know who can write an epic, Footloose is that person. By far my favorite Merlin author, she's probably best known for her Loaded March series [...]. Her plots are amazing. Everything is so well researched and thought out (no, seriously, check out the bonus material which contains her thought process). Her world building is spotless. She crafts an entire universe filled with all sorts of people, and it's like you're there, peeking into their lives. It's convincing. The relationship build up makes you dance around impatiently, but the pay off is so worth it. It's a space opera. It's bound to be exciting and epic and dramatic and Footloose more than delivers.[4]
Fanfreakingtastic!! The world building is amazing and it has great fan art included in the book. This is a mm space pirate action/romance based on King Arthur and Merlin. This is one of the best books I've read this year I can't believe it is a free read. This is from the same author as Loaded March and one of the most talented I've ever read. It is witty suspenseful loaded with action and a timeless romance between Arthur and Merlin.[5]
About the Fanart:
Oh. My. God. Oh every one of these is so stunning. I can only flail for now. Gah--the detail, the coloring, the way they completely set the tone that what's going on is obviously epic and bad ass and did I mention the coloring? :) The costume design here is amazeballs. The Lady Morgana one alone, but I really love Arthur and Merlin's so much too. So much talent![6]
I arrived here via Footloose's post, because although I'd seen the art, it took me a good ten minutes of staring to come up with enough coherency to comment. The fic, I'm saving for my holiday next week. This art, I may just stare at until then.These are all beautiful pieces, that I want to take my time with, but my gut reaction is so strong I had to comment first. I love them all, the way Merlin's darkness contrasts with Arthur's light, all the way through, and the detail on these is beautiful. But oddly, the one that jumps out at me is Morgana's, the way she's looking straight out, and that look in her eyes. It's not just beautiful, it's so full of character that I feel I know her, even before reading a word.
You have an amazing talent, and thank you so much for sharing these. Wonderful.[7]
This is absolutely gorgeous work. I loved the motion through the pieces, the emotion that seemed to come from every line. Loved the coloring, too. Just fantastic![8]
Gallery
cover art and 2 illustrations by mushroomtale (Tumblr post)
2 illustrations by mushroomtale (Tumblr post)
2 illustrations and chapter header by mushroomtale (Tumblr post)
Extra art by mushroomtale (LJ post)
Fortune Favours the Bold, A Shadowlord and Pirate King fanmix by mushroomtale (Tumblr post)
Links
- Shadowlord and Pirate King website with eBook Downloads downloads (Mobi, ePub and PDF versions)
References
- ^ mushroomtale. 2013 Paper Legends: Shadowlord and Pirate King, 07 September 2013. (Accessed 29 June 2014)
- ^ kes05d. AO3 bookmark, 16 May 2014. (Accessed 29 June 2014)
- ^ MissRubykins. AO3 bookmark, 11 September 2013. (Accessed 29 June 2014)
- ^ flyby311 in epic_recs. Shadowlord and Pirate King, 22 September 2013. (Accessed 29 June 2014)
- ^ Riva in Goodreads. Shadowlord and Pirate King, 18 November 2013. (Accessed 29 June 2014)
- ^ prime_meridian. LJ comment, 07 September 2013. (Accessed 29 June 2014)
- ^ jadesfire. LJ comment, 07 September 2013. (Accessed 29 June 2014)
- ^ archaeologist_d. LJ comment, 07 September 2013. (Accessed 29 June 2014)