The Tavern

Welcome to The Tavern, a BBC Merlin prompt challenge and fanworks blog. Every 3 months we share a new prompt challenge for you to fill, as well as host quarterly "quests" or mini-fests based on specific themes. You're welcome to join us on Discord (note: 18+ only)!

[tavernfest]

hi 🙋‍♀️ will there be a new quest in the next year?

Hi! We're working on it! Keep an eye out for announcements, we hope to have a quest for January!

[slantedknitting]

FIC: Roses Are Falling for You by SlantedKnitting

Merlin/Arthur | Explicit | 11.5k words

Summary: The pleasure of Merlin’s company can be bought, but when he falls for one of his clients, his business and livelihood are at risk. He must either shake his feelings or own up to them, and neither is an easy option.

Content: Sex Work, Hanahaki, Physical Disabilities

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/67654406/chapters/174881831

Notes: This fic fills my @merlinbingo square of "Hanahaki" and was originally written for @tavernfest's Sex Worker Wednesday quest. Also fills @yearoftheotpevent's May 2025 prompt of "Hanahaki" and my @julybreakbingo square of "I don't really think I'm in love" (and with that, BINGO BABY!) Thanks to @thesongistheriver for betaing for me!

[tavernfest]

His name is Merlin

Creator: Saladscream Rating: Explicit Length and/or Medium: 27k Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur Warning(s): Alternate First Meeting, Canon Era, Pprostitution, Angst, Fluff, Abuse (referenced), First Time Round/Quest: Sex Worker Wednesday Quest 6 Summary: A whore is not someone you attempt to woo or charm. A whore is not someone you should strive to impress. A whore is someone whose opinion matters very little. Someone you rent for a bit of fun and release. You just put money on the table and they get to say yes or no – and for the record, they seldom say no. So a whore is no one to pine for. Which is just as well, because Arthur isn’t pining for anyone.

And certainly not anyone who’ll disappear off with any random knight for the right amount.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/67618621

[tavernfest]

Sex Worker Wednesdays fest round-up!!

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our Sex Worker Wednesday quest! In case you missed them, you can find a link to the fantastic fanworks below ❤️

NOTE: If you started to create something for the quest but didn't finish it in time, never fear! The AO3 collection will stay open, and if you submit your work to us, we'll still promote it on our blog and discord server! We just won't be retroactively updating the round-up.

If you want a place to hang out and chat about Merlin stuff with other fanwork creators, you can join us on Discord (18+).

Now without further ado... the round-up!

FIC:

The Lesson by ravenwilds Merlin & Arthur | Explicit | 100 words

ART:

Lap Dance by count-pudding Merlin/Arthur | Mature

Roleplay by count-pudding No Pairing | Mature

Favorite Star by count-pudding Merlin/Arthur | Mature

Pretty Merlin by count-pudding Merlin/Arthur | Mature

Special shout-out to count-pudding for absolutely spoiling us with art every week of the quest!!

[count-pudding]

(tw suggestive) pretty Merlin

[count-pudding]

(tw suggestive) favourite star

inspired by fic I cannot stand the way you tease - Sage_Owl - Merlin (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

[tavernfest]

The Tavern Presents: Sex Work Wednesdays!

Welcome, Tavern-goers, to our sexy new sixth quest: Sex Worker Wednesdays!

With Thick Arthur Fest firmly behind us in the rear view mirror… (check out the masterlist here if you missed it!) it's time to introduce our sixth monthish-long quest! Need something to hold you over until (or warm you up for) Kinkalot? Well, sink your teeth into Sex Worker Wednesdays!

Running on Wednesdays from June 4th to July 2nd!

From porn stars to exotic dancers to escorts, we want to see your characters engaging with the world's oldest profession.

Here are the rules of the quest:

All works should focus on sex work and at least one characters from Merlin!

Any pairings and types of fanwork are welcome.

The minimum requirements are:

Fanfic: at least 500 words.

Fanart: at least 1 completed work.

Podfic: at least 5-10 minutes long (and please get the fic creator’s permission!).

Fanvids: at least 2-3 minutes long.

For any other fanwork formats, please contact us so we can decide on a suitable minimum amount.

Please note: No AI generated or assisted works are allowed for this fest

The fest is self-posting and runs on Wednesdays from 4 June - 2 July 2025. Anything posted beyond that timeframe will not be included in the masterlist/fest round-up post.

How do I participate?

Post your fanwork wherever you like. You are more than welcome to post your creation to our AO3 Collection specifically for this fest (tavernfest_quest6). 

Follow the instructions and submit your work to us here: https://tavernfest.tumblr.com/submit

Please make sure to use the "#quest: sex worker wednesdays" tag in addition to #tavernfest!

That’s it! We'll promote anything you create here on Tumblr and in our dedicated prompt fill channel in our Discord. Thank you! We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[tavernfest]

TWO, count-em, TWO sex worker wednesdays left!! (including today) Send us your sex work-y creations today or next week (july 2) to join in on the fun!

[count-pudding]

(tw suggestive) Roleplay

[count-pudding]

(tw suggestive) Lap dance

[tavernfest]

The Lesson

Creator: Ravenwilds

Rating: Explicit

Length: Drabble (100 words)

Pairing: Merlin/Arthur

Warnings: None

Quest: Sex Worker Wednesday

Summary: Merlin is determined, so Arthur teaches him how it is done

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/66181822

[tavernfest]

The Tavern Presents: Sex Work Wednesdays!

Welcome, Tavern-goers, to our sexy new sixth quest: Sex Worker Wednesdays!

With Thick Arthur Fest firmly behind us in the rear view mirror… (check out the masterlist here if you missed it!) it's time to introduce our sixth monthish-long quest! Need something to hold you over until (or warm you up for) Kinkalot? Well, sink your teeth into Sex Worker Wednesdays!

Running on Wednesdays from June 4th to July 2nd!

From porn stars to exotic dancers to escorts, we want to see your characters engaging with the world's oldest profession.

Here are the rules of the quest:

All works should focus on sex work and at least one characters from Merlin!

Any pairings and types of fanwork are welcome.

The minimum requirements are:

Fanfic: at least 500 words.

Fanart: at least 1 completed work.

Podfic: at least 5-10 minutes long (and please get the fic creator’s permission!).

Fanvids: at least 2-3 minutes long.

For any other fanwork formats, please contact us so we can decide on a suitable minimum amount.

Please note: No AI generated or assisted works are allowed for this fest

The fest is self-posting and runs on Wednesdays from 4 June - 2 July 2025. Anything posted beyond that timeframe will not be included in the masterlist/fest round-up post.

How do I participate?

Post your fanwork wherever you like. You are more than welcome to post your creation to our AO3 Collection specifically for this fest (tavernfest_quest6). 

Follow the instructions and submit your work to us here: https://tavernfest.tumblr.com/submit

Please make sure to use the "#quest: sex worker wednesdays" tag in addition to #tavernfest!

That’s it! We'll promote anything you create here on Tumblr and in our dedicated prompt fill channel in our Discord. Thank you! We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[tavernfest]

The Tavern Presents: Sex Work Wednesdays!

Welcome, Tavern-goers, to our sexy new sixth quest: Sex Worker Wednesdays!

With Thick Arthur Fest firmly behind us in the rear view mirror… (check out the masterlist here if you missed it!) it's time to introduce our sixth monthish-long quest! Need something to hold you over until (or warm you up for) Kinkalot? Well, sink your teeth into Sex Worker Wednesdays!

Running on Wednesdays from June 4th to July 2nd!

From porn stars to exotic dancers to escorts, we want to see your characters engaging with the world's oldest profession.

Here are the rules of the quest:

All works should focus on sex work and at least one characters from Merlin!

Any pairings and types of fanwork are welcome.

The minimum requirements are:

Fanfic: at least 500 words.

Fanart: at least 1 completed work.

Podfic: at least 5-10 minutes long (and please get the fic creator’s permission!).

Fanvids: at least 2-3 minutes long.

For any other fanwork formats, please contact us so we can decide on a suitable minimum amount.

Please note: No AI generated or assisted works are allowed for this fest

The fest is self-posting and runs on Wednesdays from 4 June - 2 July 2025. Anything posted beyond that timeframe will not be included in the masterlist/fest round-up post.

How do I participate?

Post your fanwork wherever you like. You are more than welcome to post your creation to our AO3 Collection specifically for this fest (tavernfest_quest6). 

Follow the instructions and submit your work to us here: https://tavernfest.tumblr.com/submit

Please make sure to use the "#quest: sex worker wednesdays" tag in addition to #tavernfest!

That’s it! We'll promote anything you create here on Tumblr and in our dedicated prompt fill channel in our Discord. Thank you! We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[tavernfest]

The Tavern Presents: Sex Work Wednesdays!

Welcome, Tavern-goers, to our sexy new sixth quest: Sex Worker Wednesdays!

With Thick Arthur Fest firmly behind us in the rear view mirror… (check out the masterlist here if you missed it!) it's time to introduce our sixth monthish-long quest! Need something to hold you over until (or warm you up for) Kinkalot? Well, sink your teeth into Sex Worker Wednesdays!

Running on Wednesdays from June 4th to July 2nd!

From porn stars to exotic dancers to escorts, we want to see your characters engaging with the world's oldest profession.

Here are the rules of the quest:

All works should focus on sex work and at least one characters from Merlin!

Any pairings and types of fanwork are welcome.

The minimum requirements are:

Fanfic: at least 500 words.

Fanart: at least 1 completed work.

Podfic: at least 5-10 minutes long (and please get the fic creator’s permission!).

Fanvids: at least 2-3 minutes long.

For any other fanwork formats, please contact us so we can decide on a suitable minimum amount.

Please note: No AI generated or assisted works are allowed for this fest

The fest is self-posting and runs on Wednesdays from 4 June - 2 July 2025. Anything posted beyond that timeframe will not be included in the masterlist/fest round-up post.

How do I participate?

Post your fanwork wherever you like. You are more than welcome to post your creation to our AO3 Collection specifically for this fest (tavernfest_quest6). 

Follow the instructions and submit your work to us here: https://tavernfest.tumblr.com/submit

Please make sure to use the "#quest: sex worker wednesdays" tag in addition to #tavernfest!

That’s it! We'll promote anything you create here on Tumblr and in our dedicated prompt fill channel in our Discord. Thank you! We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[tavernfest]

Thicc Arthur Fest round-up

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the Thicc Arthur Fest! In case you missed them, you can find a link to the fantastic fanworks below ❤️

Keep your eyes peeled for our next quest announcement in a few days...

If you want a place to hang out and chat about Merlin stuff with other fanwork creators, you can join us on Discord (18+).

ART

Bear Arthur by places-across-time Arthur | Teen and Up

The more things change, the more they stay the same by places-across-time Arthur & Merlin | General Audiences

FANFICTION

I Thank My Wicked Dreams by BeBraveDearHeart Merlin/Arthur | Explicit | 3,127 words

Live Here (In The Moment We Found) by thesongistheriver Merlin/Arthur | Explicit | 14,400 words

Make a Big Man of Me by reges_criniti Merlin/Arthur | Explicit | 5,180 words

Soft on You by figachilles Merlin/Arthur | Explicit | 8,319 words

Thank you for the meal by places-across-time Gwen/Merlin/Arthur | Explicit | 3,363 words

[tavernfest]

Thank you for the meal

Creator: places_across_time

Rating: Explicit

Length: 3,363 words

Pairing(s): Gwen/Arthur/Merlin

Warning(s): None

Summary: Gwen continues regaling her boys with her day all the while, weaving a tale of rich idiots and the rays of hope whenever one of the peasant-born knights spoke up.

Arthur watches his beloved partners from where he’s wrapped up in blankets and furs, head buried in the softest pillows of the kingdom. Merlin very much likes this view of Arthur, his king completely at ease and relaxed, surrounded by luxury and comfort.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/65197183

[tavernfest]

Soft on You

Creator: figachilles Rating: E Length: 8,319 words Pairing(s): Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin) Warning(s): No Archive Warnings Apply Summary:

Arthur is insecure about a bit of softness to his stomach. Merlin tries to keep things in his pants.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/64877311

[places-across-time]

The more things change, the more they stay the same :)