Title: To You I Pledge
Author: Beren
Fandom: Merlin (BBC)
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Summary: Merlin lays his life on the line to save Arthur yet again, only this time there are witnesses, lots of them. Only Arthur prevents him going to the headman’s axe straight away, but Arthur alone cannot save him. That is up to both of them.
Note: Part of the 2009 Box of Magic Challenge so follows Season 1 canon only.
Genre: Romance, first-time, hurt/comfort
Word Count: 45K
Why You Should Read This:
This is one of my favorite Merlin fics, second only to Astolat’s “Crown of the Summer Court”. Merlin’s devotion to Arthur is fierce and Uther isn’t this great ultimate evil. He’s very much a frightened man trying to destroy that which scares him. There are glimpses of the wondrous king Arthur might become and subtle explanations about Gwen, Lancelot, and Morgana. A very well-built and well-written story, by an author that I absolutely adore.