Well, 'The Dragon's Heir' is among the best Merlin fanfics. It has an exciting plot that involves Merlin discovering a long - lost prophecy related to his dragon - lord heritage. Then there's 'Friendship in the Shadows' which really emphasizes the friendship between Merlin and the knights in a very heartwarming way. 'Arthur's Redemption' is also a great fanfic as it shows Arthur's journey towards becoming a better king in a very engaging manner.
One of the great Merlin fanfics is 'The Once and Future Queen'. It beautifully reimagines the story with a strong focus on Gwen's character development. Another good one is 'A Different Kind of Magic' which explores a unique take on Merlin's powers and his relationship with Arthur from a new perspective. And 'Merlin's Hidden Legacy' is also popular as it delves into Merlin's secret past and how it impacts his present in Camelot.
One great Merlin and Uther fanfic could be one that explores their complex relationship before Uther's death. It might focus on how Merlin, despite Uther's harsh actions at times, still respected the king as the leader of Camelot. Another could be a fanfic where Uther discovers Merlin's magic early on and has to deal with his own prejudices in a different way. There are also fanfics that place them in alternate universes, like a modern - day setting where they have to adapt to new rules and social norms while still maintaining their core characteristics.
You can start by searching on popular fanfic platforms like Archive of Our Own (AO3). Just type in 'Merlin' in the search bar and then sort the results by kudos or bookmarks. These are often good indicators of popular and well - liked fanfics. Another option is to join Merlin - related fan communities on social media platforms like Reddit or Tumblr. Fans there often share and recommend their favorite fanfics.
One great Beltane Merlin fanfic is 'The Beltane Encounter'. It beautifully weaves the magic of Beltane into the Arthurian world of Merlin. The author does a wonderful job of describing the Beltane celebrations and how Merlin gets involved in a unique adventure during this time.
There's 'A Series of Unkindnesses'. It delves into how Arthur's upbringing in a strict royal environment makes him act mean towards Merlin, not realizing the harm he's causing. 'Cold Shoulders' is also interesting. Here, Arthur gives Merlin the cold shoulder for a long time, thinking he's a liability, but later realizes his mistake. And 'Unjust Accusations' where Arthur wrongly accuses Merlin of treachery, highlighting his mean streak but also setting up a great story of redemption.
A popular one is 'Merlin and Gwaine: Unlikely Allies'. This fanfic shows how their different personalities complement each other. It starts with them not getting along too well but as the story progresses, they form a strong bond. It's full of action and some really heart - warming moments between the two characters.
A common theme is empowerment. Female Merlin often shows great strength and intelligence in fanfics. She might outwit the villains in Camelot more easily than in the original story.
One common theme is the power aspect. Since both Harry and Merlin are powerful in their own rights, fanfics often explore how their combined powers would change things. For example, they might be able to defeat dark forces more easily.
One great Merlin and Arthur fanfiction is 'The Once and Future King' by [author's name]. It beautifully captures their complex relationship, adding depth to the characters. It shows Arthur's growth as a king with Merlin by his side in a very believable way.
There are many good ones. For instance, 'Merlin's True Destiny' which really focuses on what Merlin's ultimate purpose could have been. It's a long - form fan fiction that weaves in a lot of the show's elements in a new and interesting way. Then there's 'The Enchanted Forest Adventure' where Merlin and his friends find themselves in an enchanted forest with all kinds of strange creatures and new magical mysteries. Also, 'The Quest for the Lost Artifact' is a fan favorite as it sends Merlin on a quest that tests his skills and loyalty.
One of the great Merlin fanfictions is 'The Once and Future Queen'. It presents an interesting take on Arthur and Merlin's relationship in a more complex way. Another is 'A Different Destiny' which rewrites the fates of the characters in a creative and engaging manner. And 'Merlin's Hidden Powers' explores Merlin's magic in depth and shows how it could have been used in different scenarios.