Title: Occupy Camelot
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Categories: Canon AU, humor, drama, romance
Length: Epic (41,762 words)
Warnings: None

Author on LJ: stagarden
Author Website: stagarden

Author's Summary:
After Arthur promises the spirit of the Druid boy who possessed Sir Elyan to treat the Druids with the respect they deserve, he is soon put to the test. A large group of Druid protesters shows up in his courtyard to demand that he honor that promise, and they stage increasingly outrageous demonstrations to advance their agenda. Arthur is quickly drawn to their leader, Merlin. A story based loosely on the “Occupy Wall Street” protests in Manhattan.

Review:
This is an absolutely delightful story. On the surface, it might seem odd to combine canon-era Merlin with the Occupy movement, but it works. It really, really works.

I really loved the equanimity with which Arthur approached the protest, no matter how obnoxious or obscene it became. Even when the protestors' skits portrayed him negatively - a false king kicking a sorcerer in the arse or striking a woman, for example, Arthur kept his cool and demonstrated the kind of Kingship I like to see.

He is clearly smitten with Merlin from the first glance, and the way the relationship between them evolved was absolutely lovely and sweet. Despite Merlin's position as a part of a protest against him, Arthur showed Merlin kindness and care, and even offered advice on how to deal with some of the problems that inevitably come up with communal outdoor living. There are so many little details here that the author handled with aplomb -- the way that the group functioned as a collective, the challenges that come with trying to get everyone to do their part, the committees, the mission statement...it was all so well executed.

While there are anachronisms aplenty, they never felt jarring. The author took the concepts associated with the modern Occupy movement and translated them to the Merlin setting perfectly, crafting a story that is both thoughtful and entertaining.

Occupy Camelot