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

[leashy-bebes.livejournal.com]

Okay so I'm finally (possibly haha, no promises) coherent enough to leave feedback. Hope, this is just such a gorgeous world you've created for the boys and I love that, although they're at the heart of it there are so many wonderful other characters. Gareth in particular was a perfect addition and I love Gwaine's acceptance once he learned the truth.

I know that Arthur and Merlin often get the epic label, but the scope of this fic gave Gwaine and Merlin their own epic romance (you were not wrong in calling it that haha) without ever taking away from or ignoring the things Arthur and Merlin have done and will do together, which is not the easiest line to tread, but you did it perfectly, setting their romance against the backdrop of all this wonderful (and very plausible, I can really imagine something like this as the canon future) political stuff.

I've always had a weakness for epistolary fiction and the letters in particular were just so beautiful, the kind of thing you'd treasure for absolutely ever. Much like this fic haha, which I will be rereading on my commute today anyway because it's so great. Well worth finishing, switching off the light, and it being bright outside haha.

[hope]

Thanks so much for the delicious feedback! I'm really glad you enjoyed it :D

Have fun with rereading, too! <3