A/N: Well… There are no excuses for this. I can't think of a single one and I am a clever lass. Also this may be the only fic of its kind. Strange…. If there are more that you know of you guys will tell me, right? I'll love you forever. On another note, I am on a creative ROLL this week… except not in the multichapter Merthur fic I should be updating XD lol. Forgive me anyone who watches that fic. I know not why I do what I do.
14. Hindsight
Looking back Merlin and Arthur reminded Gaius of a pair he knew before the purge; a young, happy pair who were inseparable.
Uther was hot headed even back then, but there were a lot more trials and fewer executions. Tristan kept him in line, whether the King wished to admit it or not. Gaius rarely had to reel the King back from rash and harsh decisions. Yet Uther was blind to how Tristan looked at him, and that might have been for the best. Tristan gave him everything; his heart, body, soul, even his beloved sister. He trusted Uther completely.
Ygraine would often joke that Uther loved her brother more than he loved her. The two men were always joking and hunting and riding together. They were rarely gone from each other's side. If it were true, he never told Gaius. But many nights, Tristan would stumble into his chamber and prattle on about how amazing he thought Uther was and the ache he felt for his king. He felt he was betraying his always kind sister. But any other time Tristan was happy simply to be by his side…
Until the death of his sister.
When he heard from Nimueh what Uther had done, he just could not handle it all anymore. It was more anguish than any man should have to stand, and he couldn't go on. He challenged Uther knowing full well he would lose the duel. What better way to die? He had asked Gaius, as the older man tried to reason with him. They fought, though both blinded by tears. Tristan would not yield. Uther pleaded with him that he'd already lost her. He pleaded please, for the love of God not to make him do it. He tried everything, anything. He had never meant for this to happen. Tristan screamed he could killed his sister, one more De Bois should be easy. Uther won. But with his last breath, Tristan didn't gasp a threat of revenge. Not with his last, anyway. No, it was only a whisper probably only heard by Gaius as he checked if he was alive but it was still said.
Even as he kills me I love him… I'm the cursed one.
"Gaius?"
Gaius snapped out of his day dream as Merlin looked at him expectantly.
"What was that?"
"About my friend? And the-… The person he likes. They kind of have done everything but say they love each other but they are scared because- well the person's father WILL NOT approve and it isn't exactly conventional and what if it doesn't work out and they laid their feelings to bear for no reason at all-"
"A person should always be honest with how they feel. They will regret what goes on unsaid."
The image of Uther clutching Tristan close, sobbing like a child and kissing his forehead flashed into his mind. The straw to break the horse's back.
"Yes, honesty. Even if it kills you."
"This wasn't about me; it's about my friend."
"Of course it is, Merlin. My mistake." With that he went back to preparing the medicine for Uther's battle wound, feeling old.
EndNote: So yeah… That was the Black Knight and Uther… in love? Idk I was really bored and reading the entire back story for Uther in the show… This idea intrigued me. If ANYONE has heard of a Uther/Tristan(Black Knight) fic please let me know. I want to read them. Thank you all.