FIC: Sleight of Hand [T] Gwen/Morgana
Dec. 31st, 2020 10:58 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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merlin_holidaysTitle: Sleight of Hand
Recipient: Atlanta_Black
Rating: T
Pairings: Gwen/Morgana
Word Count: 42,281
Content Notes/Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence
Summary: The castle watches. It listens. And one day, it will feast on all their bones.
Gwen has grown up inside the looming castle which towers over Camelot, in the shadow of the butcher's rule. In the wake of Morgana's disappearance, as the lower town struggles with their monarch's tyranny and rumor grows of a sorcerous kingdom rising up against Uther, Gwen must face what it means to call Camelot her kingdom, and what she will do to save it.
Author's Notes: Atlanta_Black, it was a positive delight to write for you! I saw that you had Gwen/Morgana on your list, with the two of them refusing to hurt each other no matter what happens, and from those words this story grew. I tried to incorporate elements from across your prompts as well (Merlin not shying away from his magic, telling Morgana about his abilities, and training with the Druids; a magic reveal which puts Arthur on the spot; Gwen not being too nice), but this fic ran away from me in the end, in unexpected ways. I hope you enjoy it!
With greatest thanks to Anya, for a thorough and insightful beta on a fic that kept sprawling beyond its bounds.
AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27750199/chapters/67925905
Recipient: Atlanta_Black
Rating: T
Pairings: Gwen/Morgana
Word Count: 42,281
Content Notes/Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence
Summary: The castle watches. It listens. And one day, it will feast on all their bones.
Gwen has grown up inside the looming castle which towers over Camelot, in the shadow of the butcher's rule. In the wake of Morgana's disappearance, as the lower town struggles with their monarch's tyranny and rumor grows of a sorcerous kingdom rising up against Uther, Gwen must face what it means to call Camelot her kingdom, and what she will do to save it.
Author's Notes: Atlanta_Black, it was a positive delight to write for you! I saw that you had Gwen/Morgana on your list, with the two of them refusing to hurt each other no matter what happens, and from those words this story grew. I tried to incorporate elements from across your prompts as well (Merlin not shying away from his magic, telling Morgana about his abilities, and training with the Druids; a magic reveal which puts Arthur on the spot; Gwen not being too nice), but this fic ran away from me in the end, in unexpected ways. I hope you enjoy it!
With greatest thanks to Anya, for a thorough and insightful beta on a fic that kept sprawling beyond its bounds.
AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27750199/chapters/67925905
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