Don't give up, when you have come so far
The dragon told him that there was nothing he could do. But Merlin was kind of used to people saying this. Gaius would repeat these words many times in the past, yet Merlin always found the way to get over the problem. So seriously, did the dragon really believed that he would give Arthur up just like this? Because Merlin knew that he would not back off until he did everything that could be done and at that time it meant putting all his power into saving Arthur's life. Arthur was Once and The Future King and he would create the Albion. Merlin truly believed in it and what he believed was right. He happened to be Emrys, the greatest sorcerer of all times, after all. And he also knew that sometimes it was better not to put too much trust into dragon's words. They could be… misleading. He and Arthur were two sides of one coin. How can the coin even exist without the other part? Arthur couldn't be dead, because if he was, Merlin knew he would throw himself in the waters of Avalon just after the boat with Arthur burned down. There was no option he would survive even a single day without his king, let alone thousands of years.
That is why Merlin didn't give up. He placed Arthur in a boat, even though Kilgarrah said there was no point in doing so. And then Merlin did exactly what he came to this island for.
The dragon might have been wise and he may have had the knowledge Merlin had never dreamed of. But what was the point in being the greatest sorcerer, if you cannot even save your friend?
"The King is dead", stated Sir Leon sadly and the hall was filled with silence. The knight hold his breath for a moment and then he wanted to add "Long live the queen", but the opening of the entrance door cut him off.
"Actually, he isn't", said a powerful voice. A blond figure walked into the aisle.
"Arthur!", the queen shouted, relieved to see her husband well-being and unharmed. "We thought you were dead!"
"I thought that too", Arthur admitted. "But fortunately, I have a very powerful ally. So I'm sorry my lady, but getting rid of me won't be that easy", he added cheerfully.
Guinevere embraced her husband warmly.
"Long live the King!", she cheered and the crowd happily repeated these words.
And when the voices died down, Arthur finally spoke.
"In the last few days I have been forced to change many of my views. It may appear to be sudden and unexpected, because it's exactly how it is, however I'm deeply convinced that soon you will understand my decision. Now I see many mistakes my father had made and I will do my best to make it up. Therefore from now on magic can be freely used within the borders of this kingdom!"
Shock written on the knight's faces was indescribable. It deepened even more when the king added.
"And now I shall introduce my court sorcerer. Please, show yourself, Merlin!"
From now on, there was probably nothing that could astonish king's knights more than hearing the name of a simple servant boy.
But hey, stranger things happen in the world, don't they?