Epistemophobia

The king was storming down the hall towards Gaius's quarters. He didn't notice the bright sunshine glimmering between the pillars from the courtyard, he didn't notice the busy market, and he didn't notice the birds singing outside. Uther was too busy being furious. How had he been fooled for three years into thinking this Merlin boy was on his side? He could see it now of course, it was so obvious, he had those bright calculating eyes that you just knew were planning Camelot's downfall at all moments of the day. "Arthur! Did you know this?"
"Yes, of course, Father! I always had an idea of it!"
"Why did you never tell me? This is the kind of thing that tells me you're not ready to be king? You've sent a message to all the sorcerers that we are weak and foolish!"
"I didn't tell you because I knew you would react this way! Do you know how many times Merlin has saved my life? I know you don't think it possible, but he is my best friend! Merlin is this balance between being this bright eyed dork from Ealdor and being, well, Camelot's bravest hero. You know, take the neckerchief off and he's the most powerful sorcerer ever with the glowing eyes and the magic hands and put it back on, he's back to being my bumpkin servant. Except he's never actually that, though perhaps too naïve, he always sees the good in people, which can be seen with his relationship with basically every knight of the roundtable. There is literally no person here with which he doesn't have chemistry. And, of course, when it comes to Merlin's relationship with me, the most important relationship of them all, that bit of chemistry is quite wonderfully perfect. And, yes, that last part is the most obvious statement ever declared in the history of man.
"Oh, Merlin has my heart with that collection of differently colored neckerchiefs, his bout with hiccups before epic quests, his use of the words dollophead and clotpole and that he's the only person to do so, how he is always adorably interested in everybody's love lives.  And, good Lord, you would have to have a heart of stone not to be affected by the utter piece of tragedy that his life has been. Not only does he have to live under a viscous regime that doesn't accept who he is, he often finds himself having to work for its goals. How many times has he had to save your life by now? In the time since he's realized his destiny, he's nearly lost his mother, did lose his father only hours after meeting him for the first time, had to poison one of his best friends, has watched his childhood best friend die and has to constantly deal with the consequences of quietly having his powers. Not all of his decisions have been the best decisions; few of them are easy, particularly, in his relationship with Morgana. His role in her downfall is something that will always haunt him.
"He's come a long way from the sort of cocky guy who first came to Camelot and wanted to use his magic to feel better about himself. What's developed is his always wanting to be a force of good, his downright devotion to me and the others he loves and that indefatigable commitment to that troublesome thing that is his destiny. If you sentence him to death, then you will have to kill me first!"
"Arthur! That is absurd! He knew magic was illegal and he must pay the price. He is just a servant, you can find a new one easily. If we do not uphold the law, we will crumble, and our enemies will pounce upon our weakness!"
"You WILL pardon him!"
"I will not! And you will learn to respect your King's wishes."
"You pardoned Gaius. He has magic!"
"That was different."
"HOW!? You pardoned him because he was a good servant and a friend. It is exactly the same!"
"But Gaius does not practice magic anymore!"
"Are you sure about that? Do you remember when I was dying? When I was bitten by the questing beast? Do you really think a bite from a beast like that could be cured with conventional methods? That was magical water from the cup of life! You know how he got it? He got it from Merlin, who went to bargain his life for mine! Maybe you should rethink some, Father! Obviously not all Magic is bad!"
They had reached the door to Gaius's quarters. It opened slowly. Out stepped the young black haired warlock who had caused all the trouble. He had an innocent and confused expression as he asked "What's going on?"