Secrecy

Despite what Gaius and the dragon and even Lancelot thought, Merlin’s decision to keep his magic from Arthur had always been his own. Yes, he heeded their warnings, made promises to his mother, and waited for the day magic would be allowed in Camelot. 

But it was times like these, times when his king lay dying, when his best friend needed help only Merlin could provide, that he wondered if he’d made the right choice. If keeping such an important part of him secret was really in Arthur’s best interest.

Or if the choice of secrecy would be his undoing.