The Course of True Love

Fanfiction
Title:	The Course of True Love
Author(s):	Puckling
Date(s):	05 August 2009
Length:	44,899 words
Genre(s):	slash fanfiction
Fandom(s):	Merlin
Relationship(s):
External Links:	The Course of True Love (story) The Course of True Love (fanart) The Course of True Love (Ebook Library)
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The Course of True Love is a Merlin/Arthur story by Puckling. It was written for Box of Magic, the Merlin Big Bang challenge in 2009. Word count: 44,899. The fanart for this story includes a cover drawing by Korilian, a color illustration by brille (photoshop/drawing), and a color illustration of girl!Merlin by chaosraven (Painter 9.5).

Summary: After Nimueh's death Albion needs a High Priestess, but what it's got is Merlin. Fortunately he'll serve after a few...modifications. Unfortunately for Merlin, being turned into a woman would be enough of a shock even without becoming the High Priestess. As is, it's his duty to sleep with the king or doom all of Albion. (genderfuck)

Like Deluge, this Big Bang story directly follows the events of episode 1.13. The only way for Merlin to turn back into a man is to sleep with the king. Luckily for him, the Old Religion sees Arthur as the rightful king. However, Arthur doesn't know about Merlin's magic, about him suddenly being a girl, about his duty, or about Merlin's feelings. Thanks to a magical bond that insists on some sex magic, he finds out soon enough.

Reactions and Reviews

44k words. Great story: Merlin becomes female after killing Nemueh, and it turns it it’s because the Old Religion needs a new High Priestess now that he killed the old one. Simple solution, huh? Arthur finds out at an awkward time, Merlin is freaked 'cause he thinks he’s going to have to have sex with Uther (so much nope, you don’t even). His magic likes Arthur, surrounds him in a misty golden cloud and connects the two with a purring golden bond. His magic feels rather differently about Uther, who’s surrounded in a pulsing black hole of yuck. Story might have started a little slow (or I could just have been tired and distracted), but soon picks up speed. Funny, sexy and interesting. What’s not to love?