Title: Stars Above, Stones Below & Para Bellum
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Categories: Canon Divergence, Romance, Magic Revealed, Hurt/Comfort
Length: Epic (46,843 and 51,464 words respectively)
Warnings: Canon typical violence, implied threat of non-con (Para Bellum -- no non-con actually takes place)

Author on LJ: destina
Author Website: Destina

Author's Summary:
Stars Above, Stones Below

After the disastrous end of his betrothal to Gwen and the regret of his offer to Princess Mithian, Arthur swears off finding a wife until he's ready to wed. When Merlin offers himself to Arthur as bedmate, Arthur suggests they hand-fast in secret for a single year of mutual pleasure without obligation. As their year together unfolds, and secrets and betrayals unravel around them, Arthur and Merlin learn there is no such thing as uncomplicated pleasure. Everything they thought they knew can change in the span of a single year.

Para Bellum

After Merlin goes missing, Arthur forges new alliances to repel a deadly threat to Camelot. Nothing will stop Arthur from finding Merlin, and nothing will stop Merlin from protecting Arthur -- no matter the cost.

Review:
You'd think it would be easy to write about fics that you love and are really passionate about, but in this case I found it incredibly difficult. I don't think any review I write can possibly live up to how amazing these stories are, but I'll certainly do my best.

Stars Above, Stones Below diverges from canon after episode 04x11 (The Hunter's Heart), which I think is an ideal point at which to take things in a new direction. Destina's writing is incredibly gorgeous, and her Merlin and Arthur are absolutely pitch perfect -- their banter, their passion for one another, Arthur's commitment to his honor and Merlin's devotion -- all of these are beautifully portrayed as the author weaves an amazing romance. The love scenes are intimate and filled with emotion as what was intended to be a year of mutual pleasure instead evolves into the love of a lifetime. The magic reveal is a critical and highly successful element of the story, which a heroic, powerful Merlin using his magic to save the king (and kingdom).

Para Bellum features an established relationship, and you're really able to feel the devotion and deep love between Arthur and Merlin. Canon-era fics where Arthur and Merlin marry (or hand-fast) seem to be somewhat rare, and rarer still are fics that show their lives together as King and Consort. I loved seeing them as true partners, and the lengths to which they would go to protect and care for one another. There were shades of Uther in Arthur's reaction to Merlin's abduction. You could feel how profoundly the loss affected him, how desperate he was to have Merlin returned to him, and when they were finally reunited and Merlin called Arthur "husband", it nearly gave me chills. There was some lovely hurt/comfort to follow, as well! Finally, the ending ties up the loose ends nicely and also serves as a sort of balm for that post 05x13 heartache.

Stars Above, Stones Below
Para Bellum