Merlin watched as Arthur walked over to Gwen to take her into his arms, surrounded by his knights. He knew he had to take care of the sword first but there was something else that weighed on his shoulders.
Something he had held back for years and now he thought it might be time to unleash it.
He had waited so long for this and gone over in his head, countless of times, how to tell Arthur about his magic.
Knowing that it would be more than just thoughts, wishes, he got hesitant for the first time.
No matter how many scenarios he played out in his head, none of them could give him an answer to how Arthur would actually react.

He realized the reason he was worried didn't have anything to do about Arthur following his father's steps and execute Merlin for using magic.
What he dreaded was losing his trust. He knew the irony in that true friendship is based on trust and Arthur not knowing the whole truth about Merlin was contradictive to that but he still thought of the prince as his closest friend.
He had sacrificed himself for Merlin countless of times, without even hesitating.
Granted he had done the same for Arthur but Merlin had the advantage of magic and the words of the Great Dragon echoing in his skull.

"Destiny."
"Two sides of the same coin."

How Merlin had wanted to tell Arthur so many times before.
How he had wanted to slap his magic in his face, figuratively speaking, to make him see just how much he had done for him. To open his eyes to who and what he truly was.
Now he was hesitating.

Arthur made his way back towards Merlin with Gwen by his arm.
They really looked their parts then and there when they came walking down the courtyard together. Future king and queen of Camelot.
Merlin smiled at the two and wondered what part he would play in the story, now that it seemed he had fulfilled his task to ensure Arthur would live to become king.
It was hard to believe that the first time they had met Merlin had been absolutely appalled by Arthur, when now he couldn't imagine his life without him.

As Gwen and Arthur got to the stairs were Merlin was sitting, he got up to meet them.
"So" he said casually. "What's next?"
Arthur smiled at him, glanced at Gwen then turned back to Merlin.
"Well normally I would ask you to polish my armor, wash my clothes, mock out the stables."
Merlin shot him a crooked smirk and raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"But I suspect you won't do any of that. Not anymore."
"Whatever will you do with me then?" Merlin asked with a light chuckle.
"Well" Arthur said as he stepped away from Gwen to lay a hand on Merlin's left shoulder, very much like he did that time they were to fight the Great Dragon.
"I could always use a friend."

Merlin snorted at first, expecting Arthur to give him his usual hearted shove but he kept his face straight. He was amazed over just how much authority Arthur had when he wanted to
"I think I could manage that." Merlin replied and smiled at Arthur who then patted his shoulder and gave an earnest smile back at him.
"Also I do need some help concerning my father" his smile now turned into a concerned frown and Gwen looked down into the ground as if he would be standing in front of them, judging them.
"He's not himself anymore, not after all this with Morgana and I don't know what to do."
The number of times Merlin had felt disgust for Uther Pendragon, he still felt his heart go out to Arthur as he knew all too well what it was like losing a father.

"We'll figure this out Arthur, together" Gwen said who was now looking at Arthur with all the love in her eyes and burrowed her hands in his. He fondled gently with her fingers then turned back to Merlin.
"I need you to get Gaius, I don't really know where else to go from here."
Merlin found it inappropriate to point out Arthur had just ordered him like old times; instead he just nodded and went back inside the castle.
He was torn between wanting for Uther to get better, for Arthur's sake and not wanting him to – for the sake of the people.

Knowing it wasn't his place to decide he kept his promise and went to get Gaius.