Board Thread:What If?/@comment-5674726-20131121000033/@comment-5674726-20140126113500

If Valiant had not used the shield against Arthur during their duel, I could see it having a significant impact on Arthur and Merlin's relationship as far as trust was concerned.

I doubt that Uther would insist that Arthur retain Merlin as his manservant after what happened. It may have been a reward granted to Merlin for saving Arthur's life but if Uther believed that Merlin had led Arthur to believe that Valiant was using magic, resulting in Arthur making a fool of himself and a noble being offended, he would have no issue with Merlin being fired and could well have stepped in himself if Arthur didn't sack him. If he allowed him to stay in Camelot, perhaps as Gaius' assistant, it would be out of respect for Gaius, and I could see Merlin skating on very thin ice.

As he would not have shown himself to be truthful with the Valiant incident, Arthur would be slower to take his word for it the next time.