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Trying to rescue a neighbouring princess, Arthur and Merlin get captured by an evil sorceress intent on carrying the next heir of Camelot. In a dire moment Merlin reveals his magic and the evil sorceress is defeated. The new life chooses the closest viable host and Merlin finds himself in a predicament he never thought possible.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 83,803
- Chapters:
- 31/31
- Comments:
- 440
- Kudos:
- 3,601
- Bookmarks:
- 698
- Hits:
- 68,253
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
01 Nov 2025
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And like the cycle of the year, we begin again by katherynefromphilly
Fandoms: Merlin (TV)
27 Nov 2016
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Summary
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.
Series
- Part 1 of We Begin Again
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 207,580
- Chapters:
- 39/39
- Comments:
- 6,167
- Kudos:
- 39,053
- Bookmarks:
- 9,179
- Hits:
- 1,048,176
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
11 Oct 2025
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“Where did you learn to do that?” Gwaine asked, following Merlin up the bank.
“This is how normal people fish,” Merlin replied dryly. “Not trying to stab them with swords.”“This is a knife,” Gwaine retorted, sounding every bit as sulky as he felt.
“Still, you didn’t catch a fish.”
------------------------------------------------------Gwaine saves a young Merlin from a beating and ends up with a new little brother to take care of on his travels.
Or, what would Merlin be like if he had Gwaine influencing him over his formative years?
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 142,115
- Chapters:
- 26/26
- Collections:
- 5
- Comments:
- 981
- Kudos:
- 7,056
- Bookmarks:
- 2,062
- Hits:
- 176,598
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
10 Oct 2025
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Arthur’s heart dropped to his feet. “It’s too hard, Gaius. I can’t do it anymore.” Arthur had never heard Merlin in so much pain before. Not when they’ve been attacked or kidnapped or almost killed. But that, it sounded like Merlin was choking on his own cries, on his own tears, and it took everything Arthur had for him to not ram the door open in that moment. “I can’t keep lying to him. I can’t keep doing this to Arthur!”
Merlin and Gaius were always so busy running around the citadel trying to stop assassins and sorcerers and everything else in-between that they often forgot other people were around. Whether it was the fact that their door being closed didn’t suddenly mean no one would ever be able to hear them, or the fact that talking loudly in a hallway wasn’t a secret place, the two of them seemed to give out more of their treason acts than they knew.
With the Guards and Knights of Camelot stumbling across these two men in various stages of illegal activities, just how long can Merlin stay off the pyre and keep his head? And just how long will it be until it’s Arthur himself who overhears one of their conversations about all the ways they break the law?
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
09 Oct 2025
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Summary
A trap in the woods allows a meddling, mysterious stranger to render Arthur and the knights unconscious, leaving only Merlin and Lancelot alone. The two of them must complete 3 trials to get their friends back.
With Merlin's powers it should be a cinch, but unbeknownst to them, Arthur and the knights can see everything they're doing—and Lancelot has decided now is the best time to have a personal, in-depth conversation about Merlin's power and recklessness.
Series
- Part 5 of Living's Standalone Merthur Fics
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 35,288
- Chapters:
- 5/5
- Comments:
- 152
- Kudos:
- 3,096
- Bookmarks:
- 605
- Hits:
- 31,046
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
28 Apr 2025
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Arthur tried to find words to express his utter, complete, absolute disbelief of the situation, but nothing seemed to come out. Finally, Merlin took over.
"So let me get this straight," he said slowly "A goddess came from the sky...Told you that you had a destiny to, um, help this Emrys-"
"Actually," Lancelot cleared his throat "She requested I serve as an ambassador between Emrys and Arthur."
Merlin stared.
"Right..." He frowned "So, uh, she told you to do that and...Gave you a chicken to close the veil between worlds?"
Percival looked at the pile of feathers with a grimace as he nudged them away with the toe of his boots.
"Yeah, that about covers it." Lancelot said and shrugged "My lord, does this mean you’re going to kill me?" He asked, turning to Arthur. "Because I’m pretty sure this this crystal ball has magic in it."
Arthur wished he would have thrown himself in that damned veil when he had the chance.
Or
Instead of sacrificing himself to the veil, a goddess of the Old Religion decides to use Lancelot for the greater good of the prophecy. Lancelot...Decides to take a different route.
Series
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 15,986
- Chapters:
- 2/2
- Comments:
- 361
- Kudos:
- 9,711
- Bookmarks:
- 1,479
- Hits:
- 93,365
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
28 Apr 2025
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Morgana ties Arthur's life to Merlin's, thinking that it'll be much easier to kill a helpless servant than the King of Camelot.
Aka, Morgana unwittingly binds Arthur's life to the most powerful sorcerer to walk the earth.
Aka, not only can they physically not leave each other's sides, but also anything Merlin feels, so does Arthur--and vice versa.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 105,716
- Chapters:
- 13/13
- Collections:
- 2
- Comments:
- 548
- Kudos:
- 4,292
- Bookmarks:
- 1,095
- Hits:
- 103,563
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
28 Apr 2025
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Summary
"I don't think you understand," Merlin said as he started walking backwards, brows wrinkled in confusion. "I can rip your throat out with my teeth and drink your blood. Does that not bother you?" He asked. Arthur finally glanced up from the papers in his hand to look at him, pausing his steps altogether. Merlin waited.
"...Merlin, you fell over trying to put boots on." He said. Merlin grimaced, looking down at his feet.
"I hadn't realized you were supposed to wear them all the time." He muttered, uncertain what this had to do with the fact he could murder everyone within a ten mile radius. Arthur sighed. "And those are bold words from someone who can't dress himself!" He added indignantly. Another sigh. Humans did that a lot as it turned out.
"Merlin, that's your job."
"And I've taught you several times. It isn't that hard."
"No, I - " Arthur started and closed his eyes. "I don't have time for this."
Or
After living with demons for sixteen years, Merlin decides to explore his human side by venturing to Camelot. Also, he has a destiny to unite his species and bring magic back into Camelot, but he's not too worried about that.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 93,779
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Comments:
- 689
- Kudos:
- 5,911
- Bookmarks:
- 1,703
- Hits:
- 90,305
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
27 Apr 2025
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Summary
Astarion has spent more than his fair share of time in and out of hospitals and emergency rooms, and one thing is always guaranteed : no one knows what to do with him. He's used to being misunderstood, questioned, and flat-out accused of lying or exaggerating.
But he's sick. He knows he is. He just doesn't know why.
Dr. Gale Dekarios has always loved a challenge. A chance encounter with a beautiful - and mysterious - patient leaves him thinking about the man for days, and when the man appears in his office a week later, Gale is determined to find the answers he deserves.
A story about being seen, being cared for, and falling in love.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 150,158
- Chapters:
- 24/24
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 1,842
- Kudos:
- 732
- Bookmarks:
- 156
- Hits:
- 20,744
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
27 Apr 2025
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- Words:
- 345,794
- Works:
- 5
- Bookmarks:
- 96
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
24 Apr 2025
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Summary
Arthur and Merlin have a special relationship. They always have, even when they were prince and servant. While many question it when first noticing, eventually it becomes an understanding in Camelot—and even among some other countries—that where there is Arthur, there is Merlin. And, where there is Merlin, there is Arthur.
OrArthur and Merlin's relationship as witnessed and explained by others.
Also, or
Five times someone realizes that Merlin is the Queen, one time Merlin realizes it himself, and one time he owns it.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 62,269
- Chapters:
- 8/8
- Collections:
- 52
- Comments:
- 1,865
- Kudos:
- 31,770
- Bookmarks:
- 9,365
- Hits:
- 645,656
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
28 Feb 2025
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Summary
Astarion, making a whole meal of his trust issues, volunteers to beta-read Gale's in-progress historical chronicle of their adventures, intending to control his image and gather intelligence on his companions. Instead, their written exchanges through margin notes and editorial comments evolve into genuine intellectual discourse and unexpected intimacy.
Reader beware: massive geeks perpetrating geekery until they finally manage to get it on. And then they are still geeks.
Series
- Part 1 of Mayhem in the Margins
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
06 Feb 2025
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Come Midwinter by caffeinated_nightmares, TrashPandaSaga
Fandoms: Baldur's Gate (Video Games)
27 Jan 2025
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Summary
"Hold onto me, love." Gale looked up at the elf, eyes heavily lidded and cheeks flushed, "I will not stop until the only thing you remember is my name."
The sight nearly took Astarion’s breath away. Gale was a vision on his knees, stray strands of hair sticking to his forehead and the sides of his face, the way those dark eyes burned with resolve as droplets of water trickled down his face.
The last semester had kept Gale and Astarion apart; they focused on the pursuit of knowledge rather than the pursuit of each other. Now that finals were over and Midwinter break had begun, they were more than eager to take respite in one another. But how they go about it has left them scrambling.
or...
In which, two writers smashed dolls together for the Midwinter Trade Event.
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
06 Feb 2025
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The Death of Peace of Mind by caffeinated_nightmares
Fandoms: Baldur's Gate (Video Games)
10 Jan 2025
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Summary
Astarion had spent centuries surviving Cazador and then immediately spent months surviving tadpoles and a crazy cult. But now… there was no Master, tadpole, Emperor nor Nether Brain. Now, he was left in the aftermath of overwhelming space to process his trauma and heal; how could he overcome his destructive thoughts and find agency? How does he survive the new world when it comes crashing down in blood and flames once more?
The answer is simple: Gale Dekarios. Leave it to the former Archmage to help Astarion pick up the pieces from the rubble of ash and bone.
Work Complete!
Ch4 Artwork by Calolily!
Bonus Chapter 7 featuring more Artwork by Calolily!Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
13 Jan 2025
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Summary
The Chosen Aquatics: Splash Your Way To Better Health!
You don’t have to be a kua-toa to explore these waters, join today and improve your balance, build muscle, and increase your mobility. In Chosen Aquatics, each and every one of you can be “chosen”!
Today’s Instructor: Gale DekariosAstarion stares at the giant sign with distaste, already frustrated by the poor use of colors. It’s an awful mix of blues and teals no doubt used in the hopes of simulating the color of water or something equally boring, but the only effect it achieves is pain as Astarion looks at it.
He’s not looking forward to his very first water aerobics class.
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
09 Dec 2024
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The Last Will and Testament of Cazador Szarr by AbigailMoment
Fandoms: Baldur's Gate (Video Games)
16 Feb 2026
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Summary
"First," said Gale. "Do not kill any thinking creatures in Waterdeep unless you must to protect yourself or you have my express permission."
As Gale spoke, he could feel the weight of his words sinking into the person sitting across from him. It was like casting a spell, but took no effort. Astarion had been staring hollowly into his goblet of blood, but at this he made a faintly interested noise. As if the rule were novel and he was considering the shape of it.
"Second, you will obey me in all things," said Gale. There didn't feel like there was any honest way of softening that. Astarion didn't make any sound at all.
"Third, do not leave the tower without permission." Astarion made another speculative noise, considering this one too. But then his shoulders hunched and his eyes skittered down, as if he didn't want to look at what was about to happen.
"Fourth," Gale said, and paused. He started with some context: "There is a tressym upstairs."
Astarion's head twitched. He looked up at Gale, blinking, startled. He had the air of someone who had been bracing for a blow and instead had just been handed a balloon animal.
"A what?" he asked.
Series
- Part 1 of Will & Testament
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 234,498
- Chapters:
- 61/61
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 8,394
- Kudos:
- 5,917
- Bookmarks:
- 1,347
- Hits:
- 217,496
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
09 Dec 2024
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But … But that would mean …
That would mean everything might have been real. The villagers might have been right. And Gale …
Gale might have just found a fae in his backyard.After his divorce, Gale moves to the countryside in search of a quiet life.
He finds more than he bargained for.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 104,494
- Chapters:
- 24/24
- Comments:
- 1,293
- Kudos:
- 1,046
- Bookmarks:
- 247
- Hits:
- 26,120
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
09 Dec 2024
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Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes by humboldtoctober
Fandoms: Baldur's Gate (Video Games)
30 Oct 2024
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Summary
Post Canon - Gale invites Astarion to Waterdeep after the defeat of the brain.
Healing isn't a linear process and Astarion's not as well adjusted as he'd thought.
One shot character exploration of Astarion's first experience with actual safety. Additional one off incident studies may follow.Edit: I am a fool and a liar. Y'all are incredible to write for and this will now proceed as a mini fic.
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
09 Dec 2024
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Gale can’t determine if the sense of emptiness comes from his chest, his stomach, or somewhere lower. There’s something about the effortless way Astarion carries himself, confident and cocksure, that has an old flame sparking back to life. A hunger so altogether different, so long forgotten to him that it feels almost foreign when he first recognises it.
He watches. He wants.
They both know what it's like to never have enough.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 41,276
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 206
- Kudos:
- 444
- Bookmarks:
- 100
- Hits:
- 8,008
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
07 Nov 2024
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What's An Elf Like You Doing In A Place Like This? by bloodweaver (Quint_Essentially)
Fandoms: Baldur's Gate (Video Games)
23 Sep 2024
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Summary
Astarion had spent ten years perfecting his craft and he was good at it. A little wine here, a little lean there, a bat of the eye-lashes, and maybe getting on his knees in an alley, and they were his - love-struck, dumb, and compliant. They were ready to follow him 'home' - back to the palace. So what if he was wracked by guilt every waking second that he wasn't being tortured or abused? It got the job done and kept his master happy.
So why exactly was this stranger in a terribly ugly purple tunic sticking his oar in?
OR: Astarion meets a mysterious wizard in Elfsong Tavern in 1278 who promises to make all his problems go away, with no strings attached.
Series
- Part 1 of One Wish, For The Road
Bookmarked by Dancingwithdaffodils
07 Oct 2024
