A/N This episode had me in tears by sadness and by hilarity. I died many times over, and I learned to love Uther. But Arthur's tortured eyes upon asking Merlin whether what he was doing was right prompted me to write this drabble one-shot.
Obvious spoilers. I don't earn Merlin. Enjoy!
Magic.
It was all that Arthur had left to hope for now. Before today, he had known magic to be only cruel, the deepest evil that the world could endure. Morgana had shown him that, his father had showed him that.
But today, it was all he had left. As he asked Merlin his opinion, Arthur could clearly see that Merlin was also affected by what they were about to do.
"I would do whatever it took," Merlin answered firmly. And Arthur believed him.
But was it right? Was using magic to save his father right? Arthur was at a loss, all he knew was that he wasn't ready to be king. He had to do what he could to save his father from this terrible fate. His father had been protecting him, had saved him from the terrible fate that Odin had tried to force on him yet again. His father had saved his life.
But was it right for Arthur to save his? Especially using something so cruel and shady. It all boiled down to one thing.
Magic.