Hearts of Camelot
3rd Required Featured Character: Gaius
Ratings/Warnings: K
Word Count: 376
Summary: Gaius and Merlin talk about Mordred. Set in 5x05; The Disir
Gaius looked over at Merlin in shock, he never thought in a million years that Merlin had come to the decision to want Mordred to die, a druid like him.
He studied the boy—no, man, that he had grown to love as his own son, Merlin's eyes were haunted and his cheekbones seemed hollowed out.
"What happened to the young boy who came into my chambers just a few years ago?" Gaius spoke.
Merlin answered in an uncharacteristically serious voice, "He grew up. And he learnt the meaning of duty."
Gaius knew he would never forget these words, not as long as he lived. Merlin's words echoed his own philosophy, vowing to serve his king and friend Uther Pendragon. There was a limit to Gaius' loyalty though, when it came to his beautiful sweet Alice, whom he loved with his whole heart. Of course, he loved Uther too as a friend, despite Uther's flaws and prejudices against those with magic.
Gaius felt a stab of sadness go through him nevertheless, when Merlin uttered these words. Merlin had grown up too quickly throughout the five years Gaius had gotten to know him, and so much of his easygoing albeit naïve nature was dwindling away.
Gaius was an old man with white wispy hair now whose joints were aching more frequently, which he regretted. He wished that he would be around for the rest of Merlin's life, guiding him to the right path and simply spending precious time with him.
He recalled joy flowing through his veins, when he opened up Hunith's letter and read what was written on the parchment, all those years ago. Thus began five years of raising up a young man, memories Gaius would always treasure, even Merlin accidentally spitting his favourite soup on Gaius' face and countless arguments that they had.
Seeing Merlin here and now, with mouth set in a straight stubborn line glancing down at Mordred's inert body, Gaius knew that he was feeling conflicted, and felt like taking him in for a reassuring hug with the intent of never letting go.
He didn't think that it would help much in this situation, but Merlin, his son, was upset and this broke Gaius's heart, not for the first time.