A/N. In this story I want to explore Arthur's thoughts during the events of the episode 'The Death Song of Uther Pendragon'.
The first chapter takes place just before the old witch, who is named Valdis according to Merlin Wiki, gives Arthur the Horn of Cathbhadh.
In my version of the story, the village leader accuses Valdis of something other than what happened in the original (spreading sickness using magic). I have made this change so that Arthur's views upon magic can be challenged to a greater degree.
Merlin studied Arthur closely as he made another adjustment to the cloak that was wrapped around the old witch they'd just rescued from the enraged villagers; the tenderness he observed touching him deeply. Despite both the warmth coming from the camp fire beside her and the insulation provided by the red fabric, her bony frame still trembled with the cold.
Merlin rubbed his hands together thoughtfully, his gaze moving from the recumbent woman to his King. Once the initial adrenalin rush had worn off and he'd had a moment to reflect upon what had just happened Merlin couldn't help the flush of pride he felt for Arthur burst within him.
'Well,' Merlin began, raising his eyebrows in mock horror as he spoke. "That was something I thought I'd never see; the King of Camelot, no less, demanding the release of a suspected magic user!"As he watched his friend closely for a reaction, Merlin thought back to the obnoxious, narrow minded youth he had come across that very first day he came to Camelot.
"I mean, you do realise you've just completely gone against everything you were taught about witches don't you? About how evil and dangerous they are?"
Arthur sighed and raised a brow in melancholy.
"Do you really think this feeble old woman is a danger to the people of Camelot Merlin?" Arthur gestured toward where the slight figure lay, still shaking weakly. "Even you could overpower her Merlin!" he added sarcastically.
The action he had just undertaken was effectively a rejection of all he'd learned at his father's side and its significance was not lost on the young King. Merlin could see the tension lines in Arthur's face and the momentary stiffening of his shoulders as he replied and recognised the jibe for what it was; Arthur's way to keep things in a sphere where he felt comfortable with them.
The fire continued to crackle beside them as Merlin shifted a little before he spoke again, the warm orange glow shone into his face and revealed the earnestness in his eyes.
"It seems to me Arthur, that you are finally emerging from your father's shadow and allowing yourself to act in a way you know in your heart to be right."
Arthur turned his head to the side so that Merlin could not see him properly and allowed himself the hint of a smile. It was absolutely ridiculous to even care what a servant thought but somehow the approvals of Merlin (and of his beloved Guinevere) were the most important things in the world to him.
"Perhaps ..." Arthur started, staring off into the darkness solemnly, "If there is anything i've come to learn over my time as King these past few years Merlin, it's that my father wasn't without fault." He turned back to the fire so that his facial expression was once again visible to Merlin.
"Don't get me wrong Merlin. My father was a great King and I miss him dearly but I think sometimes his," Arthur squinted and pulled his lips back in thought as he searched for the right word, "his passion prevented him from acting justly."
Merlin stared at the king with a mix of wonder and delight. Had his friend and associate-in-destiny finally reached the point where he may be able to see magic for what it really was? A picture flashed through Merlin's mind of himself sitting Arthur down and telling him about his long hidden abilities. For so long he'd worked toward this point; overcoming set back and loss to keep on going. Now that he seemed to sit on the very precipice of a monumental shift, Merlin felt the air tingling around him as though his own magic sensed the magnitude of Arthur's words.
"Could it be possible that he was wrong about magic?" Arthur continued, rubbing his brow as he struggled with his ideas. "The Druids only ever acted against Camelot because they were forced to due to my father's orders against them. What if it's the same for those with magic? Maybe I've only ever experienced anger and viciousness at their hands because of the relentless violence with which they were pursued?"
Merlin's mouth almost dropped open as he heard Arthur's words.
"Where did all this come from Arthur?" Merlin asked in an astounded voice. He had no idea that Arthur was even capable of viewing the actions of his father to be at fault; much less that the oblivious prat could have such an awareness of what others were suffering. "Surely you didn't just come up with that since this morning?"
"No Merlin, of course not," Arthur retorted condescendingly.
Not long after Uther had died, Arthur had begun to read accounts of Camelot's past history, figuring it was part of his duty as the ruler of the kingdom to know what had come before him. The sheer brutality that has been projected onto anyone known to possess magic and anyone who knew or associated with them, was not a complete shock to Arthur but the scale of the genocide and the complete absence of justice involved, was a jolt to his knightly sensibilities.
Little wonder he had been a target for their vengeance time and time again.
Mistaking Merlin's shocked expression for that of confusion, Arthur tried to explain himself again.
"Imagine Merlin that there was another group of people, another Kingdom for example that attacked and killed another, just for who they were. Let's assume it to be those of Pendragon lineage for purposes of my explanation. Furthermore, anyone who showed any sort of kindness toward the family or did business with them was also convicted and slain. Would it not be understandable that any Pendragon who managed to escape such slaughter would wish to avenge their fallen kinsmen?"
Merlin continued to stare at Arthur with wide eyes. Realising that Arthur was expecting an answer he managed regain his senses enough to respond.
"I suppose so."
"Not that that excuses all the evil that has been done toward Camelot and my father and I. But it certainly gives a different perspective doesn't it?"
"Certainly does." Merlin guffawed, giving a wry shake of his head.
"I no longer believe that all those with magic are inherently evil Merlin. This woman," Arthur tilted his head downward. "The villagers were going to burn her for fixing a child's broken limb. How can it be wrong to stop an innocent from suffering?"
Unable to form a reply, Merlin shrugged. A quiet descended the glade again, broken only by the crackling fire. Arthur had been expecting more than that and found Merlin's lack of words disquieting. After a few moments he could contain himself no longer.
"It's not like you to keep your opinions to yourself Merlin," he chided his friend. "I'd value your opinion greatly on this matter." Arthur's voice had dropped and he was looking toward the man beside him with a very expectant and earnest expression.
"Well," Merlin began awkwardly, wiping his palms of his hands on his trousers nervously. "I can't tell you what to think Sire but obviously you've been doing a lot of research and thinking and maybe you trust the conclusions which you have made."
Arthur peered at Merlin with deep concentration. His brows were furrowed and his eyes glistened with anticipation as he digested Merlin's words.
"But what do you think Merlin?" He asked exasperatedly. "Do you believe magic can ever be anything but wicked? Is it possible?"
Merlin tilted his head to the side, gathering his answer together. Should he tell Arthur the truth or was it still too risky? Once before Arthur had been on the point of allowing magic back into the kingdom again and Merlin had pinned all his hopes and dreams onto those words only for it all to blow up in his face. Should he place himself at risk of such pain again?
"Arthur," he began, and then quieted again momentarily. "I think... I don't think that every person who possesses magic wants to cause harm Sire. I know in the past many Healers used magic and I think that, well, that there are people around today who would use their magic for good. If they were allowed that is."
Arthur reeled back from the fire and stood abruptly. Merlin watched him closely, worried that he's just committed the direst of treason's. He felt his heart racing in his chest as Arthur drew his sword, the metal screeching as he pulled it from the scabbard.
"What have I done?" Arthur's anguished voice cried as he used all the strength he could muster to throw his sword into the ground a few metres away. "How many people have died needlessly because I never questioned the teachings of my father?"
Merlin jumped to his feet, the pain in Arthur's voice and the way he stood - hunched and beaten - breaking his heart.
"You can't undo what he has already been done Arthur." Merlin began in a soft voice, placing a hand on one of his King's shoulders gently, "But you can stop any further injustices."
Before they had a chance to speak further, the old lady came around from her disturbed slumber and tried to sit up. Arthur rushed back to settle her again while Merlin retrieved a water skin from the horses.
"Just lie still. You're safe now." Arthur reassured. "Try to sleep a little more."
"Very soon that is all I will do Arthur Pendragon," the witch whispered. "Just listen for a minute. I have something for you." From beneath the folds of her tatty clothing the old lady produced a horn made of ivory hung upon a chain which had seen better days.
It was many years ago - over 20 years in fact - that the grey haired Druid had given Valdis the sacred Horn of Cathbhadh and told her that she'd know who to give it to when the time came. While doing further research on the item, Valdis had learned that the next person destined to put it to use was the Once and Future King. A deep calmness settled upon the old lady as she realised the time to carry out her foretold future was upon her.
A/N: Perhaps the witch heard Arthur's words and that's why she trusted him with the sacred item?At the beginning of the episode I loved the way Arthur and Merlin jumped in without hesitation to save the old lady who had obviously been condemned to burning due to witchcraft, but it seemed to be a bit of a bolt out of the blue. There had been no indications prior to this that Arthur had changed his view on sorcery so why was he so adamant that she be saved? Sure, he's big on justice and wanted to give her a fair trial but could it have been more than that? I like to think so because really, by this stage in the progression of the show, Arthur should have been very close to accepting magic. Then we might have actually gotten to see Merlin get what he worked so long and hard for; freedom to use magic again in Camelot and acceptance for what he truly is.