Merlin: You know... the late king once called me an 'ally against magic'ā
Mordred and Lancelot: *choke on their breath* WHAT!
Merlin cont.: and I've never felt more awkward since. Like how do you look at the Butcher King who just called you his ally when you're a warlock, born with magic.
Arthur, who was eavesdropping: *chokes on his breath* ...what?
Merlin cont.: What do you even say in that situation?
Arthur, internally: People can be born with magic?
Arthur, still internally: Is Merlin stupid enough to imply he has magic in front of my knights?
Arthur, cont. internally: Yes. The answer is yes. Dear god, he has less of a will to live than I previously thought. How the fuck am I supposed to keep him alive? I can't let him die. He's my idiot little brother. Must I make magic legal? But the paperwork...
Arthur, eureka moment, internally: I'll just have Merlin do it.
















