Doing it Over

Telling the King

    Gaius and Merlin walked down the hall towards the King’s chambers. Arthur walked in between them, holding onto Gaius’ hand. They reached Uther’s room and knocked.

    “Come in!” They heard him call from inside. Gaius opened the door and walked in. Arthur slowed down so he walking behind Gaius and just in front of Merlin who was making sure the young boy didn’t bolt.

    “Gaius, what can I do for you my friend?” Uther asked in a surprisingly cheerful voice.

    “Sire, Arthur and Merlin arrived back a few moments ago,” Gaius said.

    “Oh yes? Did they catch the bandit then?” Uther asked.

    “Not exactly my lord,” Gaius said, “It turns out the bandit had magic.”

    “Magic?” Uther’s voice had gone cold and his face stern, “What do you mean? What happened?” He looked from Gaius to his son’s servant, and then he saw him.

    “Who… is this?” Uther asked slowly as Gaius got Arthur to step forward.

    “Hello father,” Arthur said quietly.

    “Arthur?” Uther said in disbelief. The King’s face quickly turned from confusion to rage.

    “WHAT WERE YOU DOING!” he shouted, “WHY WEREN’T YOU MORE CAREFUL! TAKEN ONE OF THE KNIGHTS WITH YOU? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EXPLAIN THIS? THE PRINCE OF CAMELOT TURNED INTO A TODDLER BECAUSE OF A LACK OF JUDGEMENT!” Uther raged on and Arthur stood their trembling and staring at the ground. Every time the King took a breathe Arthur relaxed a little, but would tense up and flinch when he started raging again. Eventually, Merlin couldn’t just stand there anymore. Even Arthur, Prat of Camelot, didn’t deserve to be shouted at like that, let alone a five year old version of him. Merlin stepped forward and crouched down so he was sitting next to Arthur, who immediately leaned into him, crying.

    “Sire!” Gaius said as loud as he could without shouting. Uther finally stopped and looked at the court physician who gestured for him to look at Arthur. The small boy had turned slightly so he pressed up against Merlin who was rubbing his back soothingly. Arthur had his face in his hands and he was shaking as he cried.

    “Arthur,” Uther said slowly.

    “I’m sorry daddy!” Arthur shouted, his voice muffled by his hands. At that moment, Uther regretted when he had done. Realizing that this wasn’t his grown son, the Prince of Camelot who had been training for years, but his five year old son who he had just terrified.

    “Arthur…” he repeated, walking forward slowly and kneeling down in front of his son, “Arthur, I’m sorry.” Arthur uncovered his face but didn’t move any closer to the King. His eyes were red and there were tears streaming steadily down his cheeks.

    “Arthur,” Uther reached his hand forward but Arthur flinched away, trembling violently.

    “Oh god,” Uther said, standing up and walking back, “My own son is scared of me.” Uther sat down in a chair and buried his face in his hands. Gaius walked over and out his hand on the King’s shoulder, speaking quietly.

    “He said he was sorry,” Merlin said quietly to Arthur, “and I know it’s hard to believe but he’s not mad at you. He’s mad at who did this to you, and he’s confused, maybe even more than you. Just give him a chance, okay?” Arthur looked at him and Merlin smiled encouragingly at him. Arthur looked over at his father and Gaius before he slowly started to walk over. Uther and Gaius looked up as Arthur walked closer until he was standing in front of them. He reached his arms up and attempted to climb onto his father’s lap. When he was unable to, Uther reached down and picked up his on. Arthur wrapped his arms around Uther and buried his face in his neck.

    “I’m sorry daddy,” he murmured.

    “Shhh,” Uther said quietly, switching to a version of himself he hadn’t been in a long time, “I am the one who needs to be sorry. You haven’t done anything wrong Arthur, you understand?” Arthur nodded slightly but didn’t move, keeping his arms around his father. Gaius motioned to Merlin for the two of them to leave, giving Uther and his son some privacy.