During the height of the Great Purge, when powerful magic users were locked in the dungeons, Camelot's guards learned an important life lesson: If sorcerers want to escape, they're going to escape, whether you stand in their way or not. Trying to stop them will just get you killed. You'll be much better off if you pretend not to see/swallow the sleeping potion/accept the bribe/etc. I mean, hey, the food may be drugged, but at least it's free!
Thus, after Gaius, they were the first to know about Merlin's magic. Word got around quickly. The guards whose dice went rolling off knew perfectly well it was magic, but they didn't know who was causing it at first (they snuck a look as he went by) and figured it was better to look foolish than get killed. Even after they figured out he wouldn't actually kill them, they still went along with it. It was better than being knocked on the head, and it was kind of fun in a strange way.
They used to attempt to follow anyone who snuck out of the city at night, but the mortality rate was terrible. When they realized Merlin was taking care of it, they just checked to make sure he was following the latest traitor and stayed out of his way.
Somewhere, in an AU where things were happier, Merlin eventually told Arthur about his horrible security after he told him about his magic. Arthur confronted the guards. They explained the situation.
Arthur was not amused. At all.
Gwaine, however, thought it was hilarious.
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Merlin Headcanons
Fanfiction. . . As well as theories, drabbles, and rants on ships.
