#arthur pendragon headcanon

[mandoriana]

What if...Ygraine Returns as a Ghost to Care for Her Son

Servant: Sir, I came to inform you that the knights you sent to battle are all dead.

Uther (sitting on the throne, distracted): Well, send their belongings to their families and tell them they were heroes. And bring more cookies, I'm hungry.

Arthur (six years old, watching the scene with distracted eyes next to a very angry ten-year-old Morgana): Good people die young, so when I grow up, I want to be bad like mom. 😌

Morgana: What are you talking about, Arthur! Your mother was a kind and good woman! Where did you get the idea that she was bad!?

Arthur: Yesterday I heard mom say that her dream was for a manure cart to run over dad so he would die once and for all. 🙂

Morgana (eyes wide in complete shock): Your mother would never say such a thing, Arthur… 🫢

Ygraine (next to Uther, trying to strangle him but unable to because she is a ghost): Don't listen to her, baby, mom hates dad and doesn't support anything he's doing! I still can't believe I married this man, listen to what mom says, Arthur, don't follow in his footsteps!

Arthur (turns to Morgana): Mom just said she hates dad, she's also trying to strangle him, but her hands keep going through his body, I think she's a ghost. 🫠 *slowly losing sanity*

Morgana (realizing that the young prince might be crazy): Arthur, maybe she's just joking…

Ygraine (trying to make Uther trip by stepping on his own cape): I'M NOT JOKING! If I could, I would kill him myself! I just can't because I can't touch him!

Arthur: I don't know if the gods would like so much violence…

Ygraine: The gods don't like your father!

Arthur: Okay… 🙂 *takes a cookie from the tray the servant brought*

[imagine-to-be-a-pike]

Sometimes a character is written so badly that He exhibits bpd syndromes

[justaz]

The knights love and hate Merlin coming to training. They love it because Merlin is their little cheerleader and they seem to perform better when Merlin is there to cheer them on. They hate it because he never cheers Arthur on and Arthur gets jealous and shows off to catch Merlin’s attention which means that Arthur performs better when Merlin is there which makes him a demon on the field. Which means the knights have to visit Gaius after training to get new bruise salves and that one time when Percival had to get his broken nose set because he ducked too late when Arthur was swinging the hilt of his sword down because he was exhausted from how hard Arthur was pushing them

[rainbowsmagicandshit]

Headcanon that when Merlin started working for Arthur, he didn’t know what over half the names of things were—not only the parts of armor, but also just things around the castle and noble/city life—so he’d just make up names for them. When Arthur would ask for something, he’d have to describe what it was he wanted if Merlin didn’t recognize what the thing was by name, and then Merlin would go “oh, you mean the (weird name he came up with)!” and go get it. It always frustrates and annoys Arthur, and he tries to correct Merlin every time. Merlin eventually does learn the names of most of the stuff but still calls everything by the names he came up with because he knows how it annoys Arthur. Arthur still tries to correct him sometimes, but after a few years has accepted that Merlin’s not gonna stop and is doing it on purpose. Arthur will sometimes ask for something and Merlin will “correct” him with “you mean the (wacky name he came up with for it)” and Arthur rolls his eyes throwing something at him or cuffing him over the head as Merlin ducks away with a grin to get what he asked for. Eventually it gets to the point that Arthur adopts Merlin’s names for things without really realizing it. It just saves time. It gets to the point that Arthur will be talking to his knights or some noble or royal and he’ll end up using Merlin weird name for something. No one will know what he’s talking about and ask him to repeat himself. He does and they still look at him confused. He goes to explain what he’s talking about because he’s used to doing so with Merlin, and halfway through his explanation he realizes he called it Merlin’s stupid name and clears his throat and calls it by it’s proper name, a slight blush on his cheeks. No one calls him out on it or says anything to his face because he the prince and then the king, but Arthur stil complains to Merlin about what happened and “this is all your fault!!” while Merlin is grinning and laughing until Arthur has enough and throws something at him.

I just really want these two to have a language together. We get them having “prat,” “dollophead,” “cabbagehead,” etc. but I want it to extend to random objects too. Arthur adopts Merlin’s insults in canon and throws them back at Merlin occasionally, so I wanna see them do it with other stuff also. I think it’s be so funny and cute. Showing that Merlin really has a big impact on Arthur even down to the vocabulary he uses—changed irrevocably forever after. No longer the arrogant prince but the king Merlin made him, using vocabulary from the people rather than just the nobles and royals, setting him apart from his predecessors.

[immabitqueer]

I have a hc that Arthur just picks Merlin up like a sack of flour whenever and everyone just gets used to it. I mean not a soul mentioned Arthur dragging Merlin out of the throne room in The Witch Finder. I like to imagine that that's just how they are. Merlin starts to pick a fight in the market with a neighboring kingdoms knights? Arthur has an easy solution. Throw that servant over your shoulder and walk away. Is Merlin trying to join a fight with no weapons to protect himself? As soon as your open and the other knights can handle it grab him bridle style and haul ass. Works every time. When this first started Merlin would try and fight back and squirm away but it was no use so he just goes with it now.

[quinnoliver]

Merlin: you're a good horse *kisses*

Arthur: ....

Merlin: hi! You're so smart! *Kisses a dog*

Arthur: Merlin

Merlin: what? Do you also want kisses and get called a good king or something?

Arthur: ...................yes

[chasingwhitebunnies]

Headcanon that Merlin buys a new era-appropriate outfit for Arthur around every decade so he’ll have something to change into, but can never bring himself to throw anything out so he’s just got boxes and boxes of clothes (mostly red) from every decade. Also, he only has Arthur’s fashion sense from the 1500s to go on, so he spends ages choosing the outfits specially and imagining what Arthur would like in the new age because he wants to make his transition as comfortable as possible

[thefabledpheasant]

I fully believe Arthur says Merlin’s name in his sleep regularly. Not everyday, but too often for it to be platonic. Am I supposed to believe that the two times he does it on screen are the only times it has happened?? No.

[merlinmylove]

Merlin is on bed rest and unavailable to work so George has to step in for a few weeks

“George, where are my socks?”

“They’re in the sockdrawer sire, next to your smallclothes — here, i’ll grab them for you”

“But why are they there??”

“Because…that’s where the socks belong?”

“But Merlin always kept my socks in the basket next to the wardrobe”

“Why would he do that? that makes no sense?”

“Huh…no idea… but I prefer it that way, so dump the socks into the basket and leave the drawer empty”

🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺

“Your breakfast is on the table sire, i’ve pressed your formal robe so it’s ready for petitions in the afternoon, and your ceremonial circlet is polished for you”

“Why are you standing over there? aren’t you gonna drag me out of the bed feet first?”

“Your majesty!? why on earth would I do such a thing?!”

“It’s just…that’s usually how merlin wakes me up — nevermind, hand me that apple”

🍏🍏🍏🍏🍏🍏

“I’ve packed your saddlebags for the hunting trip, my lord”

“Good, It’s going to be a great day for fishing”

“Fishing sire? I’m afraid I haven’t packed anything for a fishing trip, forgive me sire, I had no idea your plans had changed”

“Oh right, you wouldn’t know. Merlin hates hunting, so we always fish, but we still call it a hunting trip so that others won’t ask any questions”

“I see, sire (he didn’t) but are you still going fishing now that Merlin is on bedrest and unable to join?”

“Ah…I hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps you would join me?”

“I …thank you sire, but my chores…”

“Of course, you’re right. I’ll ask Sir Percival if he will join me instead”

🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟

“My lord, might I help you with — that?”

“Ah no thanks George, I’ve got it”

“Right of course sire. Might I ask, no forgive me, its not my place to question his majesty”

“No no, go ahead, just ask”

“What…or I guess, why are you…dusting under the bed?”

“Merlin gets terribly sneezy when it’s dusty, so I always make sure it doesn’t get too dusty in here, otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it, ahaha”

“But why isn’t Merlin, your manservant, dusting under the bed himself?”

“Oh he hates dusting”

🧹🧹🧹🧹🧹🧹🧹

[gldnstrngs]

the hc that uther is against magic but isnt a homophobe is genuinely so funny to me like he dgaf that arthur is gay as long as he doesnt end up with a magic user💀

arthur: father, i like men.

uther: [unbothered] okay whatever

[merlin looking flabbergasted in the background]

arthur: … you’re not angry?

uther: no, i don’t care.

uther:

uther: i can excuse you liking men, but i draw the line at you liking magic users!!!!

arthur & merlin: [confused] you can excuse liking men?!?!?!!?

[bamboozledcorvid]

Merlin’s secret headcanons

All of the knights know Merlin has a secret, they don’t all know what it is but they have ideas.

- Lancelot knows that Merlin is a sorcerer, him and Merlin talk about it, he knows about the prophecy.

- Gwaine knows that Merlin is a sorcerer, he also knows that sorcery is illegal and that as a knight he has a duty to turn him in, so he pretends not to know. He also always covers for him when he disappears and Arthur comes to the tavern looking for him.

- Elyan has suspicions about Merlin being a sorcerer (it’s not very well hidden) but is convinced that no one is stupid enough to deliberately practice magic that close to the pendragon so he assumes that Merlin doesn’t know what he’s doing.

- Leon knows for certain that Merlin is gay. He understands it’s frowned upon which is why it’s a secret and that clearly Merlin wants it to be a secret so he doesn’t bring it up but sometimes he worries for the boy’s safety cause he is not hiding it well.

- Percival is pretty sure Merlin has a crush on most of the knights, definitely Lancelot and Arthur, maybe also Gwaine. He thinks that everyone knows he’s gay and that they just don’t bring it up. (He also thinks Gwaine is bi and Arthur is at least a little interested in men).

- Arthur believes Merlin is gay, he also believes Merlin doesn’t know he’s gay. He doesn’t bring it up he’s trying to let Merlin discover himself in his own time though he does something made the odd remark to try and nudge his discovery along a bit. (He also believes Merlin has a crush on him).

[mandoriana]

*When Gwaine discovers that Merlin is a virgin*

Gwaine: WHAT THE HELL, MERLIN!

Merlin, *genuinely scared*: What, what happened?

Gwaine: HOW COME YOU'RE A VIRGIN?!

Merlin, *blushing*: And what does that have to do with you?!

Gwaine, *gesticulating dramatically*: YOU'RE MORE SLUT THAN I AM!

Merlin, *completely red with embarrassment*: NO, I'M NOT!

Gwaine: YES, YOU ARE! HOW CAN YOU BE A VIRGIN AND A SLUT?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE WORLD?!

Merlin, *trying to defend himself*: I just... I just haven't found the right person yet!

Gwaine, *laughing*: The right person? Merlin, you could have anyone, even me! Why not me?! *joking*

Merlin, *sulking*: So what? I have my principles!

Gwaine, *winking*: Oh, so you're waiting for someone special? Maybe a certain idiot "princess"?

Merlin, *rolling his eyes*: Oh, shut up, Gwaine!

Gwaine, *hugging Merlin from the side*: Don't worry, Merlin. We'll find someone who deserves you. Until then, you remain the purest promiscuous person I know!

Gwaine approaches Merlin with a mischievous smile.

Gwaine: You know, Merlin, I always thought you had a secret, but this... this is pure gold!

Merlin, *sighing*: I knew telling you was a mistake.

Gwaine: Ah, relax! Let's throw a "Merlin's Farewell to Virginity" party! We'll invite everyone, even Arthur.

Merlin, *horrified*: DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

Gwaine, *laughing loudly*: Oh, Merlin, you're too much! But seriously, if you need tips, I'm a great teacher. *wiggles eyebrows*

Merlin, *sarcastically*: Oh, sure, because I really want to learn from you, the guy who hasn't asked Percival out yet.

Gwaine: Hey, I'm mentally preparing! Have you seen the size of Percival? He'd break me in half!

Merlin: Oh, so you're the bottom? *teases*

Gwaine: Are you saying you're not?

Merlin: Shut up, Gwaine.😒

Gwaine: 😏

[hey-im-okay]

So do we just all agree that the knights absolute love Merlin the way cat owners love their cats?

Knights, holding up Merlin from under his arms: so this is Merlin and he’s so nice and we love him.

Merlin: *is actively breaking the law by existing* *has literally killed people* *drops branches on peoples heads* *and even tried to kill the king*

Knights: he’s just a funky little guy :)

I would even bet money he knocks glasses off tables when he wants to annoy someone (Arthur-)

[justaz]

oooouuuuu you KNOW merthur fight like them toxic couples that just love to argue. Merlin would come into arthur’s chambers, stop, look around, look at him, then go “why was george in here?” And arthur would roll his eyes and say something about him needing a competent servant every once in a while so his chambers don’t grow fungus or whatever and then they’d just go back and forth but their point would change every minute. Like in the beginning merlin is arguing that he’s a perfect servant and arthur is arguing that merlin never gets anything done, the next merlin is saying that if arthur really wants that then he should just keep george and fire merlin and arthur is like “??? wtf no ur not leaving me” and argues that merlin is being ridiculous.

Merlin storms off and sends george in to clean and arthur is just like “fine! Yeah! I would rather have george as my servant!” And merlin storms in like “wow so I’m just replaceable like that huh?!” And it’s just back and forth back and forth back and forth and poor george is just trying to do his job he didn’t want to get pulled into all this. Anyways, merlin is waiting for arthur to cave and switch his argument but he doesn’t so merlin starts ordering george to leave (EVEN THO HE BROUGHT GEORGE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE-) and arthur tells george to stay. Merlin orders him to leave. Arthur orders him to stay. For some reason, merlin’s orders have the same weight and authority behind them as the king’s…..anyways-

Merlin is still waiting for arthur to switch up and say he would rather keep merlin but he doesnt so merlin just goes “fine. keep him then.” And goes to walk out but arthur grabs his arm and orders george to leave (he leaves with extraordinary haste and refuses to be within fifty feet of either merlin or the king for the next week) then pulls merlin towards him and is like “don’t be stupid. You’re my servant not him.” And merlin just huffs and puffs until arthur looks away and then he’s giggling and twirling his hair OOOOUUUUUU THEY THRIVE OFF THE TOXICITY IM TELLING YOU LISTEN TO ME IM RIGHT-

[achillesuwu]

Merlin isn't afraid that arthur will kill him if he discover his magic, he isn't afraid about people putting him on a pyre. He can snuff the fire if he wished to. He can cut sword (he literally does it as a 80 yo man)

Merlin is stronger than anyone else if he really wanted to, if he wasn't blocked by something else nothing could bare him from conquering the world.

Then what scare Merlin so much? What could make someone who is literally magic make himself appear weak, make him lie so many time that he starts to believe he can be stopped?

Love. Merlin is afraid to be unlovable. To be a monster. He is afraid to never find somewhere to belong to. That's what drive him and what pull him down.

[maddybthorne]

I love fics where everyone (but mostly Arthur) realizes how important Merlin is to Camelot.

Like I’m not only talking about Magic reveal fics where they find out how badass he is and how many times he’s saved their asses (though I love those) but specifically about the times they realize he basically Runs the Castle.

I’m fairly sure I read a fic or a head canon somewhere that Merlin leaves to visit his mother for a week and Camelot falls apart because this boy was doing everything to keep that Castle in order. And Arthur kept firing servants cuz “they weren’t up to standard” (aka they weren’t Merlin)

And these fics could be gen or Merthur (though I do love the latter ngl)

But yeah I just love it when my boy gets the recognition and respect he deserves.

(Bonus if Leon is losing his mind the entire time. He’s done with their bullshit. He’s seen too much. He’s tired. #LetLeonRest2024)