Fic: Along a Wandering Wind (Merlin (BBC), Gwaine/Merlin, NC-17)

[hope]

Title: Along a Wandering Wind
Author: hope / angstslashhope
Fandom: Merlin (BBC)
Wordcount: ~64,000
Rating: Mostly PG-13, eventual NC-17
Pairing: Merlin/Gwaine, peripheral Arthur/Gwen/Lancelot
Notes: This story could not have been completed without the support of my various alpha, beta and gamma readers: winterhill, vanessarama, true_statement, doro, msilverstar and the amazing neifile7, who helped me make the major changes that carved the story into a much better shape (and also came up with the summary. Seriously, thank you). Title is from Tennyson.

Summary: Just when Gwaine finds a reason to end his roaming, he must leave Camelot again, this time on royal orders. Whether and how he returns may depend on the secrets Merlin—and others—are keeping from him. (A romance of letters, intrigue and knightly apprenticeship, set post-S3.)

Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six

Note: due to length restrictions of LJ posts, all parts are posted on Dreamwidth. Please feel free to comment on the Livejournal masterpost if LJ is your preferred feedback space!

Or

Read the whole thing on the Archive of Our Own

ETA: Also check out the lovely fanart by waltzing_mice: Thinking of the Quill and Merlin's Letter.

Comments

[kattale.livejournal.com]

This was ... one of the most utterly beautiful love stories I have ever read. The characterization was amazing, I was so caught up in Gwaine's hopes and fears and self-doubt. Gods, long distance relationships are a bitch, even in Arthurian times, I guess! The story underlining the romance was compelling, I loved Gareth - you had me fooled, even though all the clues were so obvious in retrospect, you'd think I'd never read any Tamora Pierce, because I didn't know until you deliberately revealed the secret. Good on you for spinning out the clues at the right pace that nothing was given away, but it was all there to see. :)

The depth of love in this story was immense, and intense, and just leaves my heart overflowing. Truly a beautiful tapestry that you have woven. Thank you.

[hope]

Thanks very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it :) I'm not sure Gareth was doing any fooling, though; I think he was being exactly who he was all along :)

And yay for love stories. That was my primary objective, to write a romance. I'm so glad it worked :)

Cheers :D