Talk:Merlin/@comment-96.244.158.163-20121030002748/@comment-28696046-20160806010707

Too late, but I think still important for Merlin as an character.

I think that what is meant here is what was mentioned in the very last episode. Normally the reason for Merlin hiding his magic would be his own safety, the fact that he could be persecuted and killed for it or that his enemies would devote all their attention to him and how to get rid of him. In 5x13 he tells Arthur that he didn't want to put him in the position of deciding between executing a sorcerer and executing his best friend. This among other things shows a great deal:

1) Merlin didn't want Arthur to deal with such decision emotionally.

Merlin knew how hard a decision it would be for Arthur to make. He knew how good friends they were and how much Arthur was willing to do for his friends. Even though he might have predicted the outcome, he still knew Arthur and how hard and emotional it would be. He knew Arthur is already going through a lot with the kingdom and everything that is happening all the time and that he lost a lot of friends and family members in similar way. Also, Merlin knows first hand how hard it is to make such decisions as he was forced to make them in the past.

2) Merlin wanted Arthur to accept magic for what it is, not because his best friend was a sorcerer.

So basically Merlin knew how he and Arthur were close and that Arthur's decision would be influenced by their long and strong friendship. As his advisor he wanted Arthur to do what he thought was best and what he truly believed in. He knew that even if Arthur would spare Merlin, his opinion of magic would be forever shaped by the fact that his best friend has magic and he could lose him by making any future decision regarding magic. So, Merlin basically wanted to wait for Arthur to know about his magic until he fully accepted those with magic in general without ever knowing about Merlin.

A: Why did you never tell me?

M: I wanted to, but...

A: What?

M: You'd have chopped my head off.

A: I'm not sure what I'd have done.

M: And I didn't want to put you in that position.

A: That's what worried you?