Best Arwen Slow Burn Fanfics
The best slow burn Arwen (Arthur Pendragon/Gwen (Merlin)) fanfiction on AO3, curated by popularity. Readers love the anticipation, the meaningful character development, and the eventual payoff of a well-earned romance.
Top Arwen Slow Burn Fic Recs
1 slow burn Arwen fic matched, followed by other top-rated Arwen stories.
Well, I'm alive!
Slow Burnby Little_little_one
After the final of the series, Arthur is back alive and will have to face the world after a thousand years of his absence. Of course, Merlin waited for him
King Merlin of Oplaria
by ilikereadingig
Second work, the first is King Emrys of Oplaria, so please go and read that first, spoilers after this. Agravaine has been defeated and so has Morgana, Camelot is safer than ever. While Arthur and Gwen plan their wedding Merlin sets off on a journey to save Morgana from the Tower and heal her. But i
you are like me, you will die too
by DancingLilies
He couldn’t go to Camelot after— after Arthur. They wouldn’t blame him, of course they wouldn’t blame him. He blamed himself, though. It had been his job to protect Arthur, to bring about Albion and the Once and Future King. It had been his job and he had screwed it up.Despite what he may wish, Merl
You were the one to teach me how to use knives: Vol 5
by Obsessedwithfanfiction
Morgana's memory curse is still in place, but Leon's no longer the only person suspicious of her. Gwen's got a mystery to solve and a long-lost brother to deal with. Morgana's determined to get closer to Merlin again to try and find out how long he's been hiding his magic from her. Meanwhile Merlin'
Hemlock
by SheerWillpower
Morgana uses Lancelot to get revenge on Merlin for betraying her so long ago, rather than sabotaging the wedding. Merlin, of course, refuses to die. This time he may manage to save Lancelot as well.
Their Great Secret
by Nataniel_A
Merlin defied the Great Dragon and refused to kill Morgana to save Camelot, thus, contrary to the prophecies, freeing both Camelot and Arthur from a potential arch‑enemy. Now the warlock and the sorceress must forge a new alliance, but is their path truly so simple?
The Royal Wedding
by sull3n_d0ll
Arthur Pendragon is getting ready for what is supposed to be the happiest day of his life.Camelot has spent weeks preparing for the royal wedding. The kingdom is celebrating, the castle has never looked finer, and in just a few hours Arthur will marry Guinevere and begin a new chapter as king.Morgan
Take My Life (And Hold It Tight)
by DollopheadedMerlin
After Gaius dies at the hands of Agravaine in the events of The Secret Sharer, Merlin reveals his magic to Arthur as a last ditch effort to see if Destiny was truly on his side.What follows is a terrible series of revelations, dubious rituals, offensive job offers, and lots of not-quite secrets stil
After the Fall (Working Title)
by l0cal_bl00d_g0d
Camelot fell, but Merlin lives on. He's lived many lives over the years, guarding the place his pain stems from during most. When his magic isn't enough to hide Camelot castle and its found by an odd group of archeologists, he does what he does best- creates a new life to continue protecting his pas
I'm not the one you want, babe.
by 3mrys_cc
After Gwen's exile, Arthur is left adrift—grieving, lonely, and desperate for something solid to hold onto. Over time, he begins to seek comfort in Merlin, relying on him more than ever before, until their bond slowly blurs into something deeper. But when Guinevere returns. Arthur is left to untangl
Your Love Warms My Bones
by PageTurnerEm
Merlin has been waiting for Arthur's return for centuries. When Merlin agrees to attends a renaissance faire with his friend. Arthur comes back and wanders into the renaissance faire thinking that he is back home. They meet again, But will it be the same? Will they have to courage to say what they h
The new round table
by Jxck_h
Merlyn is the ward of Uther Pendragon. Arthur Pendragon and Merlyn are chaotic siblings and Sir Leon being a tired older brother. If Leon, first knight of Kamalot and soul mate of two Pendragons, had been told in advance how chaotic his life would be, he probably would have laughed or fled. It all b
The Blacksmith's Daughter
by apinchofm
Mithian meets the new Queen of Camelot, the Blacksmith's daughter who had upheaved the natural order of things.
Always the Past Controls Your Mind
by aNerdyWhovian
When Gwen returns from her disappearance, something is clearly wrong, worse than the trap set by Morgana and Morgause. For Arthur, this is a mission to protect his love. However, for Merlin, it's a reminder of his life long before Camelot. One he hoped he'd never have to relive.
Master of Time: Guardian of Magic
by jaqtkd
The circle has opened and closed many times whilst Merlin continues to play his part as Guardian of the Crystal Cave. Now, in the 21st century, the story is set to start again.This time, however, the Round Table will need Morgana's dubious help in order to defeat their enemy. Neither human nor beast
Once and Future Destiny
by BoredTeacher
Arthur surged to his feet and began pacing, sword clenched in one hand. He didn’t speak for several minutes. His heart raced and memories crowded in his head. He remembered letting go. He remembered feeling regret at not being able to see those he loved again. A part of him had known the wound was f
expanding beds
by HeraLysistrataEliaVisenya
Freya never thought this would be her life
dress
by HeraLysistrataEliaVisenya
Arthur had felt jealous of Merlin when she had seen them with a noblewoman's dress, which was why she went to Gwen for help
Thirty Days of Light
by loser_boy08
Thirty days. Thirty stories. One month of becoming. At Camelot University, June arrives with rainbow banners, late-night conversations, bad coffee, and the slow, sometimes messy work of figuring out who you are and who you want to be. Merlin is learning how to say things out loud. Gwen has receipts.
Spun Faster and Faster
by Fallenmagic
After they had all died, all left him behind, Merlin had withdrawn from the world, wandering aimlessly alone for years. As the gap of time passed while Merlin sat on the floor, he could feel that pain, that loneliness. The time ticked on. By this point, the sun had set long ago and the moon was ma
Find More Arwen Slow Burn Stories on AO3
Browse the full AO3 archive for slow burn Arwen fanfiction, sorted by kudos. Then read offline with Fanfict Reader.
Why Slow Burn Arwen Fanfiction Works So Well
Arthur Pendragon/Gwen (Merlin) — BBC Merlin reimagined Guinevere as a blacksmith's daughter whose prince fell for her honesty long before her crown. Their slow rise from servant and prat to king and queen gave the show its central het romance alongside the Merthur juggernaut.
Slow Burn — A romance that develops gradually over time, with tension building across chapters or the entire story.
Gwen never once flattered Arthur, and watching a future king court the one person who tells him the truth still lands. Readers love the anticipation, the meaningful character development, and the eventual payoff of a well-earned romance. That's why slow burn Arwen fanfiction is one of the most consistently popular combinations on AO3.
Slow Burn in Other Ships
Love slow burn? Explore the same trope in other popular pairings:
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