Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5102537-20140217120328/@comment-124.170.9.225-20140228104217

To continue:  I think having conflict between Arthur and Merlin was something the writers for some reason were not willing to do (whether they thought the fans would react badly, or they just couldn't bring themselves to do, thinking that banter was better) Yet that conflict was sorely needed. I remembered the commentary for 4.07 with Richard Wilson, there was a scene that was either deleted, or never filmed, where they did Merlin has a go at Arthur for not wanting to find Giaus. To have conflict, then resolve that conflict would have been far better than continuing to portray Merlin willing to give up his life, as well as everybody elses, for Arthur.

it all comes back to the question you asked

''So did he care about Arthur's life because he loved him so much or because he knew that Arthur was the one who is destined to change everything - or both? ''

and judging by the final,  I think we're supposed to think its because he loved him so much, but I can't buy that, when there was so much more at stake.