Thread:ReganX/@comment-3481504-20160503004907/@comment-5674726-20160503191258

Arthur never struck me as much of a crier, to be honest. I think that him getting weepy-eyed over Merlin is more of a fanfic thing.

Merlin was his friend but his relationships with his father, sister (prior to her betrayal) and wife were stronger, as was his connection to Camelot and its people as a whole, so he was more likely to be moved to tears by their potential loss than by Merlin's potential loss.

Another factor to consider is that there were really only a few times that Merlin was in dire peril that Arthur was aware of. The first time, in "The Poisoned Chalice", was when they did not yet know one another well. Arthur was prepared to risk his life to save Merlin because Merlin had saved his life, not because they were close friends. It was about repaying a debt. When Merlin was gravely injured in "The Darkest Hour" and "Another's Sorrow", Arthur was in the middle of a mission both times, with other lives on the line. He didn't have the time to stop to cry over Merlin, he had to get on with what he was doing.