Author's Note: I wanted to post this earlier than planned after seeing the promo for next week's episode. Oh my God did it look awesome! Not to spoil anything, but I think part of this idea will probably come up in some form, so I thought posting it earlier was fitting. Anyway, I wrote this in the first place because I honestly don't think Arthur is given enough credit! I think if it was anyone else but Merlin, he would definitely be suspicious, but it's precisely because it is Merlin that he isn't! "Aithusa" was a perfect example. For instance, he sees Merlin messing around in his room and acting suspicious twice, and soon after that the vault is broken into by someone who had a key. It didn't even occur to him that Merlin might be involved. So I make my point- Arthur trusts Merlin too much to even think to be suspicious of him. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys this!
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter 31: Blinded by Trust
Merlin is constantly accused of sorcery. With anyone else, Arthur would be wary, but magic is evil and dark, and sorcerers don't understand goodness or loyalty. Arthur will never associate that with Merlin.
If Merlin is too knowledgeable, if Arthur survives by luck, wakes up too often to danger averted, his servant the only witness, then it never fully registers in Arthur's mind. He trusts Merlin more than he's ever trusted anyone.
If he's ever proven wrong in that trust, Arthur might break completely.
Arthur doesn't think the person he'd become after that would be capable of trusting fully again.