Charlatans and Ruffians
Title: Charlatans and Ruffians
Author: thenerdyindividual
Artist: kairennart
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Gwaine/Merlin
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 84 980
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Disclaimer: We do not own BBC Merlin nor its characters. This is a fanwork and no profits are being made from it.
Summary:
Merlin and Gwaine spend their days bopping around kingdoms, performing for the masses in exchange for petty coin. Sometimes they perform for room and board. When they perform at a tavern, the tavern owner gives Merlin a ring for payment, everything changes. Turns out the ring was haunted by the ghost of Queen Ygraine Pendragon. Now Ygraine is threatening to haunt Merlin for the rest of his life if he doesn't travel to Camelot to protect her son Arthur.
He goes to Camelot, and it turns out that Arthur is a huge pain in the ass. But he's also kind and does his best for his people, and that has Merlin and Gwaine falling for him.
If only Merlin didn't have to contend with a genocidal king and political plot involving the Kingdom of Magic.
Story link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49444369/chapters/124783297
Art link: https://www.tumblr.com/kairennart/726022889371041792/charlatans-and-ruffians-by-thenerdyindividual-for