A/N: You get two this time- the original prompt fill and then Arthur's perspective :)
Prompt: Choose one major decision a character has made on the show, then have them choose a different path.
"Well what is it, then?"
The pillow hitting his face was the last straw. Arthur was terrible at this 'friendship' business, but he was trying. I'm sorry, Gaius.
"I'll tell you," he swallowed, turning away. "Right before we left, Gaius told me... Balinor is my father."
The silence was so heavy Merlin felt a splash of icy fear, cutting through the maelstrom of emotion that had assailed him since Gaius' revelation. Had he made a mistake? Should he run now while Arthur was injured? He couldn't bring himself to look at the prince's face.
"Merlin."
That warm, concerned tone made him feel the fool- especially when a hand grasped his shoulder and he jumped involuntarily.
"Thank you for telling me, Merlin- but you must make sure no one else finds out. My father wouldn't take kindly to this news."
The servant nodded, keeping his face- and tears- hidden. He waited until Arthur returned to his bed before replying.
"Thank you."
B Side
Arthur froze. Balinor was Merlin's father? Never would he have guessed his servant's mood had been over something so... serious. He had only just begun to consider the implications of this fact and- lords had the idiot even thought about this at all? How could he give out life-threatening information so easily? It actually made him a little bit angry...
Rising from the bed he got a better look at the other man, clutching the pillow that had just been thrown at him as he trembled slightly. Well, if he hadn't thought about the danger before it seemed he did so now.
The prince sighed fondly. At least he would be able to look out for the fool, seeing as the man was completely incapable of doing so himself.
"Merlin." The servant jumped at what had been intended to be a comforting contact. Yes, he was properly afraid now. "Thank you for telling me, Merlin- but you must make sure no one else finds out. My father wouldn't take kindly to this news."
He chose his words carefully, not wishing to push his servant into all-out panic, then returned to his bot when no response was forthcoming.
"Thank you."
The two words were filled with such gratitude Arthur couldn't reply, remaining quiet until Merlin's soft snores filled the space.
The prince, however, could not pass so easily into rest. Images assailed him; entire families of sorcerers fleeing his knights, children being drowned as their parents burned... what if Merlin inherited his father's abilities? Arthur wouldn't even be surprised if the idiot had magic without noticing- it would certainly explain a few things...
Well, no use borrowing tomorrow's trouble; he'd simply have to be more vigilant- Merlin certainly wasn't going to be.
Resolve hardened, Arthur passed into blissful slumber.