#grande-caps

I've been rewatching Merlin for a few months now, and have noticed a few things that have started to piss me off, as you could have problem guessed from the title of this post.  Most times throughout the show, when something magical happens, Gauis (or Merlin) have no problem telling Uther or Arthur that it has happened. 

However, there are at least three times where the use of this magic is never mentioned, though it is known about. These three times happen to be the most important times where it could have made a HUGE difference in the happiness of the characters. I understand that the writers needed to create conflict to tell the story, but it still makes me angry.   

Incident 1. Arthur's Quest.  Morgana gives Arthur a bracelet (the Eye of the Phoenix) that sucks away his life force while he is out on this quest. If it wasn't for Merlin and Gwaine, he never would have succeeded. Merlin knows about this amulet because he felt the power of it. Once he takes it off of Arthur, Arthur is suddenly fine. Merlin never tells Arthur about this bracelet. 

Imagine how Arthur feels after this, knowing that he was supposed to go on this quest alone and can't finish it, not because he isn't capable, but because of magic that someone did to him to make him incapable. 

Yes, the gatekeeper mentions that Magic (Merlin) and Strength (Gwaine) are needed for Courage (Arthur) to finish his quest, but Arthur doesn't know what that means, and never will fully understand that reference. 

I understand that Merlin doesn't want to tell Arthur that Morgana is using magic, because that would be betraying her, which he does eventually anyway. But even just mentioning that some magic was used would have saved Arthur from the hurt of having to be "rescued" by Merlin and Gwaine. 

Remember that this is the episode in which Gwen finds out about Morgana and starts to treat her differently. This is the downfall of Morgana and Gwen's friendship which eventually leads to Morgana attempting to get Gwen banished to keep her from becoming the once and future queen. 

      Incident 2. Uther's Death. 

This death happens because of magic. We know that Merlin's magic actually healed Uther, but the amulet that Morgana gave to Agravaine made the magic backfire. Gauis finds the amulet, tells Merlin about it, to console Merlin so he doesn't feel guilty for killing Uther, but no one tells Arthur. 

This causes Arthur to hate magic even more than before. If anyone would have just told Arthur about the amulet all of that could have been eliminated. Maybe it still wouldn't have been time for Merlin to come out to Arthur about his magic, but it would have saved a bit of heart ache.  Side note: Before this, the show established that Merlin could feel magic in objects, so why couldn't he feel the magic in the amulet around Uther's neck? I guess that's a question for another time.

        Incident 3. Gwen's betrayal. 

Morgana gives Lancelot a bracelet to give to Gwen, which makes her do things she wouldn't normally do. After Gwen is banished from Camelot, she leaves the bracelet behind. Merlin has established that he can sense magic in objects, so why did he not sense that magic? Was Morgana's magic that much more powerful? Isn't Merlin the most powerful sorcerer EVA? Shouldn't have have been able to pick up on the magical vibes from that bracelet? He knows that Gwen would never do anything to hurt Arthur. 

Imagine how much heartache could have been saved if Merlin just TOLD Arthur. He could have forgiven Gwen, and been happy. All of that heartache of season 4 could have easily been eliminated.  This is the second time that Gwen and Arthur have been kept apart. Both because of Morgana. 

        So, why does no one tell Arthur anything. He's the Prince/King and his life is what is at stake, why is he left in the dark? I thought Merlin was supposed to protect him. 

  (Lesbihonest, Morgana does these things because she just wants Gwen for herself. Merlin does these things because he wants Arthur for himself. It's all really lovely).