#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

[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.

[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

Remember that one time Merlin called Arthur a toad then said magic was outlawed so he’d never turn into a handsome prince?

What if he kept doing that casually, as his way of showing Arthur magic can be useful.

For example:

Arthur: do you ever wish there was a way to start fires without needing to gather firewood?

Merlin: there is. Your father outlawed it.

Arthur: there must’ve been a reason. Fire can be dangerous if it gets out of control.

—

And he tries to defend it, but it doesn’t hold up and over time Arthur starts just making sarcastic comments instead of actual defenses

—

Arthur: torches are so inconvenient. We need a better way to make light that can keep hands free for swords or other weapons.

Merlin: Magic, but it’s illegal so you’re stuck with carrying a torch.

Arthur: last time I needed light because you were dying it wasn’t evil.

Merlin: well, it’s unfortunate that you don’t know how to use magic then, sire.

—

Until he just can’t defend it

—

Arthur: six weeks?! I can’t miss six weeks of training for a broken foot! Is there some way to speed it up? Or just… fix it now?

Gaius: I don’t think-

Merlin: yes.

Gaius, who knows Merlin’s plan: *sigh*

Arthur: Thank god. Do it then.

Merlin: No. It’ll land us all on the pyre and I’m quite fond of, y’know, breathing, so suck it up.

Arthur: why is that kind of magic illegal? Surely healing isn’t evil.

Gaius: what you ask is treason, sire. Please be cautious.

Arthur: …

—

Merlin: who knows? Maybe all the bandits will decide to magically take a day off so you can go hunting without being hunted.

A few hours later, being chased through the woods by bandits:

Arthur: non magic sucks!

Merlin: yep. You can always repeal the ban once you’re king!

Arthur: huh… you know, I think I will.

Merlin: great, pardon my treason then. *magically knocks out the bandits and summons their horses and Arthur’s weapons back*

Arthur: THIS WHOLE TIME?!

Merlin: yep.

Arthur: …

Arthur: I can’t believe that worked.

Merlin: me neither, to be honest, sire.

—

Then they both laugh about it and Arthur repeals the ban, magic is free, Morgana is never evil, Agravaine doesn’t exist, and Mordred comes back to Camelot and gets therapy.

[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.

[justaz]

omg omg omg

arthur gives merlin his mothers sigil thinking that hes going to die and wants to finally tell merlin how he feels and what better way of conveying the intensity of his emotions and how serious he is other than marriage? merlin accepts the sigil which means theyre married!! yay!! only. they both survive and arthur QUICKLY realizes that merlin has no idea the significance of the sigil. he has no idea theyre married. and arthur has no idea how to tell him bc then he’ll have to explain WHY he gave him the sigil aka WHY HE PROPOSED and now that hes not staring death in the face. he just. cant.

blah blah blah time skip to happy ending

the druids invite arthur and merlin to a celebration of the unification of emrys and the once and future king and the fruition of their destinies. merlin and arthur are excited bc finally peace is here and magic is returning and this can be the next big show of trust and reconciliation between camelot and the druids and so theyre there in the druid camp having fun when theyre approached and asked to participate in the ceremony. theres a huge buzzing crowd watching as the elder druid ties their hands together and goes on and on about the magnificence of two men standing before them and their great destinies and how the two sides of the same coin are joined finally as the prophecy said all those years ago. merlin doesnt realize it was a handfasting ceremony until hes talking to a few of the druids later on

anyway. merthur accidental wedding(s). now they both know theyre married but they dont know the other knows theyre married bc different ceremonies and traditions and all that. arthur is all awkward about it bc hes emotionally constipated. merlin is convincing himself he doesnt have to bring it up to arthur bc its not like the DRUID marriage ceremony is legally binding in camelot. they didnt sign any papers or anything. theyre not really married in camelot so arthur doesnt have to know. and then merlin can selfishly keep this truth close to his heart. even if its not reciprocated.

married life shenanigans ensue. merlin and arthur both have to physically stop themselves from calling the other their husband. jealous spats when out in the tavern or when visiting royals/nobles stop on by. leon knows all and is this close to snapping. extra protective idiots. and idk someone catches merlin holding the sigil and explains the significance of it or a druid asks arthur where his husband emrys is and my boy is STRESSED about being caught but then the druid brings up the handfasting ceremony. stupid idiot x stupid idiot.

you see my vision, right?

[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-)

[nextstopparis]

i really like the hc that magic loved arthur and protected him until merlin came into the picture but very specifically bc it means his idea of like. the laws of physics and How Nature Works would be completely warped. the reason why all those miraculously falling branches didnt raise any questions? its been happening to him his entire life

[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: 😏

[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)

[that-nerd-who-writes-fanfiction]

Gwaine: it’s like Merlin always says: If at first you don’t succeed, it’s only attempted murder.

Arthur, the skeptic: Merlin? Merlin always says that?

Lancelot, wiping a tear: Inspirational.

[gaiussleechtank]

They both wake up to Merlin spread out in the centre across Arthur’s massive gargantuan bed like a starfish with Arthur practically attached to Merlin’s side, head heavy on Merlin’s shoulder, hand clinging to Merlin’s chest, arm tucked in between the space nook between them, legs knotted together.

Merlin has never slept in such a luxurious bed before.

Arthur has never shared a bed with someone else before.

Yet it doesn’t surprise them both when their share that first with one another, that it ends up working so well. Merlin indulging in the softness and sheer space, delighting in Arthur’s unconscious affections. Arthur giving in to his want for human touch and Merlin being so willing.

They don’t talk about how they woke up, just that that was the best sleep they’ve ever had.

The first of many great sleeps.

[themerlinrewrite]

kilgharrah: a half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole… you and arthur are two sides of the same coin… he is your destiny

merlin, who hasn’t slept in three days and is currently wanted dead by twelve different people: stop fucking calling me gay