Merlin still wasn't sure if he made the right decision. Was it a good idea to encourage the bane of someone's existence to spend more time with said someone?

As Merlin watched them laugh and joke, he truly wasn't sure. But at least Mordred was right in front of him. He could protect Arthur from any direct attacks. He had proven that several times. It was the sneaky, behind everyone's back, put poison in their goblets type attacks that worried him. As he had learned with Gwen, he doesn't always quite figure that out in time.

But what Merlin was most worried about was that if he kept pushing Mordred away, he would push him over the ledge that would lead him straight to killing Arthur. In a weird way, Merlin was trying to prevent the future by not trying to prevent the future. Merlin shook his head. That was just a road too complicated to think about.

As they got closer to the Cauldron of Arianrhod, Merlin felt a knot of worry form in the pit of his stomach. It seemed the more he tried to ignore it, the more it twisted and turned, reminding him of his anxiety. He wasn't sure if he was so nervous because of Mordred's presence or because of the impossible task he was about to complete.

A few moments later, he got his answer. It was neither of them. Merlin had always been rather astute, contrary to popular belief. He could sense when they were heading straight into trouble. For whatever reason, he hadn't thought of anything other than their current mission. That was how he was completely blindsided when he heard a deafening roar and saw a mangled, white dragon fly into view. A dragon Merlin immediately recognized.

Instinctively, he opened his mouth, ready to use his dragon lord powers to send Aithusa away. It would be easy. Just like summoning Kilgharrah. It was in his nature to connect with the dragons. Aithusa would not be able to ignore his command.

"We need to get to safety!" Arthur's voice called, reminding Merlin of why he couldn't use his dragon lord powers right now. He immediately came back to reality and shot an anxious look towards Arthur. Arthur needed to get out of the way so Merlin could use his powers. If Merlin had to, he would use them in front of Arthur, but he would rather wait until after he fixed Gwen for the big reveal. Or later than that really. Perhaps when Arthur wasn't so hateful of magic. when he can see it as a good thing. Something that can be a help as well as a hindrance.

"Sire, don't worry about me. You need to go. Get to safety," Merlin called nervously. He didn't know if Arthur would listen to him, but he doubted it. Arthur doesn't listen to anyone.

Arthur turned to look at Merlin incredulously. "I'm not leaving you here alone! That thing will incinerate you!" Arthur protested. There was no way Arthur was going to be responsible for Merlin's demise.

"Arthur, you've got to protect Gwen. Get her to safety!" Merlin told him harshly. Why does Arthur have to choose now to be protective of Merlin? "Think about Gwen. Your wife. If something happens to her now, this was all for nothing. If something happens to her now, there's no going back. You will either have to be on your guard the rest of your life or incarcerate Gwen, which I know you won't do."

Arthur froze. He realized the truth in Merlin's words, but it was more than that. He was torn.

Arthur had assumed that he would never have to choose between Gwen and Merlin again. He had assumed that once Gwen was better, she would never put him in that position. After all, no one should make him choose between his best friend and his soul mate. But now, he was being forced to make a decision. Not by his possessed wife, and not by a direct force. He had to choose who he wanted to save.

The realization that this could potentially be a decision he will have to make again and again in the future shattered his resolution. It wasn't part of being king; it wasn't even part of being a knight. It was part of being a friend and a husband.

He had told Merlin he had chosen him, but that was when he knew Gwen wasn't Gwen. He had chosen Gwen over Merlin, but that was when he knew Merlin was safe. The idea of either of them being harmed caused Arthur unimaginable sorrow.

Because somewhere along the way, the two ordinary servants burrowed their way into his heart. They changed him with talks of destiny and potential to be a great king, and in Merlin's case, words like prat and dollophead. He had always thought he would be able to protect them.

But now, the two people he loved most were in danger. And he had no idea who to choose.

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