Featured Character: Merlin
Rating/Warnings: K
Word Count:
Summary: How did Merlin feel when he stopped the fight between Arthur and Uther? Drabble for Sins of the Father.
Merlin charged into the throne room with Sir Leon close behind him. He knew he had to stop Arthur from killing Uther. There were two reasons why he wanted to thwart the fight. One was selfish. A small part of him wanted Arthur to see the good in magic and killing Uther now would cause the prince to hate magic just as his father did. If the Prince succeeded in the deed, the young man would, in essence, lose both parents to magic. Arthur could and would never see that magic could be used for good if it happened.
However, a larger part of Merlin's heart knew it would be wrong. Arthur needed his father. The prince had lost one parent; he shouldn't lose the other so soon. He still had a lot to learn about life and about ruling a Kingdom.
The warlock knew what he had to do. He had to lie to Arthur. Merlin had to tell his friend that Morgause had been lying. Sure, it would not make magic look good, but at least it wouldn't make Arthur completely hate people with a gift. It was the selfless thing to do. It was also the right thing to do.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Morgause... is lying. She's an enchantress. She tricked you. That was not your mother you saw. That was an illusion. Every...everything your mother said to you... those were Morgause's words." He hated saying those things. Merlin knew that Morgause wasn't playing any tricks. While he hadn't understood all of the words said, Merlin picked out enough to know it really had been Ygraine. But, the warlock had to convince Arthur that it was just a trick to cause a rift in the Pendragon lineage. This was the only way.
He sighed with relief as Arthur dropped his sword and sunk down beside his father. Leaning his head against Uther's leg, Merlin was shocked to see the King caress Arthur's hair as Prince openly wept and sobbed. Seeing this intimate scene, Merlin knew he had done the right thing.