Uther watched the boy flee Camelot with his tail between his legs. He was glad that Merlin and that abomination were out of his kingdom. That child was unnatural, born of magic…who even knew if it was even human.
Uther silently wondered why he hadn't just killed Merlin. Servants were expendable. Especially inept male servants who were pregnant sorcerers. But then he thought of Ygraine, heavy with child and absolutely glowing. He thought of Arthur as a babe, so much like his mother, so happy and innocent, the only bright spot in that time of grief. But, a voice in his head whispered, Arthur was also born of magic and you love him more than life itself. Uther silenced that voice fairly quickly.
But he also thought of the present Arthur. Just the presence of Merlin brightened up his day. Uther had realized a while ago that their relationship wasn't just physical, they had an emotional bond as well. Uther thought of what Arthur would do when he found out that his own father had killed his lover and unborn child. Uther knew better than anyone that grief made people irrational. There was no telling what Arthur would do if Merlin died. No, it was best this way. Merlin had been a loyal, if insolent, servant; perhaps he didn't deserve to die. Uther shook himself. He was getting soft in his old age.
First Uther cornered Gaius and secured his silence. He knew the old man didn't like it, but he wouldn't dare to directly disobey an order like that. Uther might have also threatened his old friend with a painful death, but he obviously didn't mean any of that.
Uther also discreetly found servants and had them lay down a false trail for him. He hadn't done any of this kind of sabotage since before he took the throne. His body may not be in top shape, but his mind certainly was. Uther was crafty, he had held on to the throne this long, after all. He knew how to manipulate public opinion and Uther always knew exactly what was going on in his castle, even if he hid it well behind an aloof mask.
He began sowing the seeds at dinner.
"It's a shame about your servant," Uther mentioned nonchalantly.
Arthur's head snapped up. "Merlin? Do you know where he is?"
"Of course I do. I thought you knew."
"Knew what? Is he okay?" Arthur looked around wildly, as if Merlin would just jump out from behind a curtain.
Uther shook his head sadly. "Oh Arthur, I suppose he didn't tell you. Merlin revealed himself as a traitor, he's a sorcerer. When the guards tried to apprehend him, your boy did a runner. He's gone and I have men after him, searching the forest. Don't worry, he can't have gotten far."
"No, no you're wrong. Even if Merlin were a sorcerer, he wouldn't hurt anyone. He's loyal to Camelot, to me."
Uther patted Arthur's arm awkwardly. "I'm sorry it had to turn out this way. I know the nature of your relationship was…unusual, but…"
"Father, you don't understand. I love him."
Uther was confused. His son loved a peasant? How was that even…? Was it just a childish whim? Arthur couldn't possibly fathom what love was. Then Uther remembered what Merlin was, and he understood.
"Arthur, he's a sorcerer, he ensorcelled you. You aren't really in love with him. No matter, you will be freed soon enough." He knew he had to get rid of that boy or Arthur would never be free of the enchantment. Uther had toyed with the idea of hunting down Merlin himself but quickly threw that idea out. Instead he found a suitable bounty hunter-turned-assassin who would track Merlin with utmost discretion.
Arthur shook his head furiously. "No, don't hurt him. It's not a spell, we really are in love."
"You said that about the last girl you tried eloping with."
Arthur tried to argue but Uther put his hand up, he wouldn't hear any of it. His son wasn't in his right mind.
Uther had always struggled with balancing his kingdom and his family. After Ygraine, he would never make that mistake again. Family always came first. But here was a situation that would benefit both. He would purge Camelot and cure Arthur with Merlin's death, it was his duty after all.
Uther knew his son and he knew Arthur would try to sneak out sooner or later. He had guards posted outside his door and below his window. Two men were following him at all times.
When Arthur irritably complained about it, Uther informed him that it was for his own safety, should the sorcerer return for revenge.
Uther watched his son change slowly as the weeks went by. At first, Arthur staunchly believed in Merlin, he believed Uther was lying and his Merlin would return.
After a month with no sign of Merlin, Arthur began loosing hope. He was heartbroken, eating and sleeping less and less while training harder than ever. Arthur was quiet, keeping to himself and preferring to spend his days holed up in his room or throwing himself into drilling on the pitch with his knights. Uther was beginning to doubt his decision that made his son so distraught. But in the end, he reminded himself that it was for the better and living a deluded life was worse than a lonely one.
I've never portrayed Uther like this. I'd like to think he isn't evil, only misguided and stubborn. He's doing what he thinks is right for his son, he's got good intentions.
