Merlin Holidays

Title: What happens in Ealdor
Recipient: greenforsnow
Rating: PG
Pairings: Merlin/Gwaine
Word Count: 2795
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary: Merlin wants to go to Ealdor to see his mother. Gwaine is accompanying him. These few weeks in the little village will change many things for them.

Author's Notes:Dear greenforsnow, I hope you'll like this fic! I used one of your prompts but I also tried to add little punches of other prompts. This story could perhaps have been longer but you know...deadlines... ;-) I wish you very Happy Holidays!

Thanks to mother_of_dragons for the wonderful betareading work!

Thanks to the mods for keeping this fest alive every year and bringing joy through fanfics!


AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27959117

Title: Gratitude
Recipient: cookie
Rating: PG
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: ~2200
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary: On Merlin's first day, things go from bad to worse
Author's Notes: See AO3

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17181965

Title: This Must Be The Place
Recipient: wyvern
Rating: PG
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: ~5k
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary: Just when Arthur realizes the extent of his feelings for Merlin some truths come to light that causes Arthur to question not just his love life, but his destiny as well.
Author's Notes: See AO3

AO3 link to fanwork: http://archiveofourown.org/works/13123962

Title: All Our Stars Shine Brighter Together
Recipient: rayvn_ashling
Rating: PG
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon, Gwen/Lancelot, Gwaine/Percival, Hunith/Uther Pendragon, Morgana/Will
Word Count: 16,555
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary:
Hunith and Uther offer a solution when the winter holiday celebrations
bring dread rather than joy to Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana. Much to
everyone's surprise, Uther welcomes his children and their extended
family of friends for a multi-day, multi-holiday celebration. A little
snow, lots of food and laughter, celebration, and more than a little
love.

Author's Notes:
Beginning:
Hi Rayvn! Nice to meet you! I tried to fit almost everything you said you liked into this story, and ended up with the longest story I've ever written. (Since I didn't think I could do any of your prompts well, I tried to put in almost every like that you mentioned!) What an experience it's been for me :). Thanks for a request that ended up helping me push past my self-created boundaries. I dearly hope I managed to get some stuff in there that you'll like! Wishing you a wonderful winters and the happiest of any holidays that you celebrate!

Many thanks to the wonderful mods for their hard work and patience. This exchange is a wonderful gift you've given the fandom!

End Notes:
You wonderful ones will be named later after I de-anon:
_____________, thank you so very much for beta-ing this from start to finish, and even more, for holding my hand along the way. (Is that last comma ok?) I learn a lot from working with you, even if I give you a hard time sometimes, and I truly appreciate your generous offers of help. You deserve a special fandom award, both for all the beta work you do, but also for building this community by constantly encouraging us to connect with each other via comments, chatzy, etc.

_______________, your enthusiasm and joyful appreciation helped me through some of my roughest rough spots when I was frozen with insecurity! I doubt you really know how special you are!

_______________, your help was invaluable in so many ways. I was so lost and unable to latch on to anything. You are a brilliant brain-stormer. Your insightful critique has been invaluable in helping me go deeper in my writing. Also, thanks so much for this lovely title!

And to all you lovelies at Chatzy who kicked me out of chat when I needed to go write, or who sprinted with me, told me I could do it, answered my questions about writing, etc. I can't thank you all enough for the help and support!

Dear Readers: Thanks so much for reading! If you'd like to check out the wonderful community at the Merlin_Chat, here's the information. http://merlin-chat.livejournal.com/488.html
Join us for rewatches, sprints, far-ranging conversation, story recs, etc.

Comments are more than welcome!

AO3 link to fanwork: https://archiveofourown.org/works/12982260/chapters/29679582

Title: The Great Christmas Tree Hunt 2017
Recipient: KaleidoscopeGirl
Rating: PG
Pairings: Merlin/Gwaine
Word Count: 1580
Content Notes/Warnings: N/A
Summary: In which Merlin and Gwaine go hunting for a Christmas tree, there is hot chocolate, and all is well in the world.
Author's Notes: Gabby, it has been an honour and a privilege to write for you, and I do so desperately hope you like it.

AO3 link to fanwork: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12987576

Title: Winter White
Recipient: a_big_apple
Rating: PG
Pairings: Arthur/Merlin
Word Count: 2,158
Content Notes/Warnings: None
Summary: Winter descends on Camelot and Merlin divulges one more secret to Arthur.
Author's Notes: I wrote Winter White as a pinch hit for Merlin Holidays 2016. Thanks to a_big_apple for the wonderful whimsical prompts. I wish I had all year to write a fic that used any one of them. Thanks so much to my beta team and to the wonderful mods of this fun fest!

AO3 link to fanwork: http://archiveofourown.org/works/9093118

Title: The Edge of All I Know
Recipient: Cookie
Rating: PG
Pairings: Arthur/Merlin
Word Count: 5121
Content Notes/Warnings: None

Summary: When Merlin uses magic to save Uther’s life, the king shifts his views on the ancient practice of sorcery. Can Arthur do the same?

Author's Notes: I wrote The Edge of All I Know as a Merlin Holidays pinch hit for Cookie. Thanks so much for all the prompt notes that you left in your gift request. I tried to include as many of your likes as I could. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a magical Merlin holiday! Thanks to my awesome beta-x!

AO3 link to fanwork: http://archiveofourown.org/works/5552720

Title: Please Don't Let Me Go (I Desperately Need You)
Recipient: ArgentSleeper
Rating: PG
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: ~5K
Content Notes/Warnings: off-screen character death
Summary: "Why can't I stop? Why can't I just stop loving him?" Arthur's world is rocked when he overhears Merlin's confession of love. In his heart, Arthur knows what he needs to do. He's just not sure if he's brave enough to do it.
Author's Notes: ArgentSleeper, I hope you enjoy this fic! I tried to include as many of your likes as I could.

AO3 link to fanwork: http://archiveofourown.org/works/2700764

Title: Family
Recipient: aunt_agatha
Author: anonymous
Rating: PG
Pairings: Gwaine/Merlin
Word Count: 3034
Content/Warnings: Homophobia
Summary: Merlin's sneaks a look at Gwaine's mail and now they're off to meet Gwaine's family. Only, it isn't what Merlin was expecting. Even after the huge house.
Author's Notes: Thanks to my beta, vix_spes.
Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein belong to Shine and BBC. I make no profit from this endeavor.

Family

Title: I Will Always Find You
Recipient: sidhe_faerie
Artist: anonymous
Rating: PG
Pairings: Merlin/Morgana
Medium: Digital Art
Content/Warnings: None
Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein belong to Shine and BBC. I make no profit from this endeavor.
Artist's Notes: Reincarnation!AU - your request for something 'classical romantic' sparked so many ideas I couldn't choose which one to draw!

( I Will Always Find You )

Also on AO3