With Kay's departure, Arthur was left largely unsupervised. King Uther had intended to continue training Arthur according to Kay's methods, but he was too busy and couldn't keep an eye on Arthur at all times. Plus, Arthur had his doting sister, Morgana, who was constantly "enabling" him, finding ways to make her little brother's life easier.
Even if King Uther caught her, Morgana had a ready-made excuse, using Kay's own phrase, "All work and no play," to shut him down. Uther was helpless, so he eventually just eased up on supervision. He figured it wasn't a bad idea to let Arthur relax for a bit, and once Kay returned, Kay could take charge again. Since Kay came back, Uther's sense of responsibility had dropped dramatically; he had essentially handed over Arthur's education to Kay.
So, Arthur's happy days finally arrived. Although he still maintained a training regimen, he had plenty of time for his own pursuits. More importantly, he finally didn't have to clean his own room or wash his own clothes anymore! Merlin took care of all that.
Merlin, on the other hand, was a little annoyed. His injuries had long since healed—Gaius's skills were top-notch—so he had spent at least a month resting during the past two months. During this month, he had shed his former arrogance and began seriously studying the magic books Gaius gave him. He became dedicated to his duties as an apothecary apprentice. The whole person seemed much more grounded.
How does the saying go? Studying makes me happy?
Merlin truly embodied that saying. The time he spent seriously studying made him feel much more fulfilled. But this wonderful period had to end prematurely; he was back to being Arthur's servant.
Merlin had long known his destiny from the dragon Kilgharrah: he was meant to protect Arthur, help him claim the throne, and establish a unified kingdom. But right now, he wasn't acting as a bodyguard; he was a nanny and a scapegoat.
Sure enough, within a week or so, he was caught helping Arthur concoct a plan to fool King Uther, and Uther had him thrown into the town square to be pelted with rotten fruit three times. Although he missed interacting with his "fans" after two months away, the experience was truly awful. Some of his fans were just too enthusiastic, throwing hard fruit at him, which really hurt.
Today was better, though. Arthur suddenly had an errand that didn't require Merlin's presence, giving Merlin a chance to rest and soothe his wounded spirit.
So, Merlin, with nothing else to do, decided to go chat with Gwen. Their relationship had improved significantly after the incident with the sorcerer Edwin and Lancelot. They often talked and enjoyed complaining about Arthur's foolish antics, which made them both feel better.
But on his way to see Gwen, Merlin suddenly heard a child's wail, as if someone were hurt. Merlin looked around but couldn't find any children. For a moment, he wondered if he was imagining things or if someone was playing a trick.
After searching without success, Merlin was about to give up. But just as he was about to leave, the child's call sounded in his ears again! This time, it was much clearer.
There was absolutely no mistake.
A child was really hurt!
Merlin immediately followed the direction of the sound, only to realize the sound wasn't coming from inside the palace, but from the inner city outside the palace!
It wasn't a cry at all; it was a thought!
A child with the same gift as him was calling out!
Merlin instantly focused, using his own mind to search for the child. Soon, Merlin's thoughts were picked up by the child seeking help.
"Help!"
The child was calling for help! Merlin immediately ran in the direction of the thought. After leaving the palace, he looked around and finally spotted the child. The boy was fair-skinned and beautiful, the kind of look that immediately evoked sympathy.
"Save me!" The boy's inner voice was starting to fade. Seeing the blood soaking his arm where he held it, Merlin knew he was injured. "Please, save me!"
Just then, a squad of soldiers appeared in Merlin's line of sight. They were searching for something. Merlin looked at the boy with mounting alarm, and the boy desperately cried out with his inner voice: "Help me, they're chasing me!"
"Why are they chasing you?" Merlin asked using his mind as well.
The boy didn't give a reason, just kept pleading. But Merlin vaguely guessed it had something to do with magic. Looking at the poor boy, Merlin had no time to think. He quickly walked over to the boy and, while the guards weren't looking, directed the child to run toward a small palace door used by servants.
Seeing the child obediently follow his instructions, Merlin quickly ran to the door to meet him. Just then, a soldier caught a glimpse of the child slipping through the small door.
Hearing the guard's shout, Merlin quickly closed the door, picked up the child, and ran in a panic deep into the palace. Along the way, Merlin had a flash of inspiration and ran straight toward Morgana's chambers!
When Merlin burst through Morgana's door, Morgana and Gwen were chatting. Seeing Merlin rush in so frantically, Morgana said with some annoyance, "Merlin! Have you forgotten how to knock?"
Merlin didn't have time to apologize. Holding the child, he spoke as fast as possible: "The guards are chasing him. I don't know what to do..."
Just then, a knock came at the door. "My Lady?" (A term for a high-ranking woman, often a princess.)
Morgana looked at the pathetic child, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to protect him. This was partly out of trust in Merlin and partly because she couldn't stand by and do nothing for a child.
After hiding the child and Merlin in her dressing room, Morgana quickly dismissed the soldiers with a few words. The soldiers naturally wouldn't search Morgana's room; they were merely notifying her that someone had illegally entered the palace.
And so, the child named Mordred was saved by Merlin and Morgana.
They had no idea that their actions would have such profound and massive consequences for Arthur and the kingdom he would build. At the moment, Morgana and Merlin were simply thinking of him as just a child, and nothing more!
While Merlin and Morgana were trying to find a way to save this boy, Arthur was being fiercely chewed out by King Uther. Uther was always this way; even though he loved his children, he always treated them with sternness. This was why his relationship with Arthur and Morgana was never close.
Arthur had actually done well. Just moments ago, he had independently killed a Druid man who was resisting arrest with magic inside the city. This Druid man and the child Merlin just rescued had been reported while they were in Camelot to buy supplies. Arthur had led the team to pursue the two, but his moment of softheartedness allowed the child to escape.
However, when the man attempted to resist using magic, Arthur stood firm. The man's spellcasting was skillful, but he still died by Arthur's sword.
But Uther was not satisfied; he demanded that the threat be completely eradicated. Any sorcerer or user of magic who entered Camelot must die!
Arthur wanted to argue that it was only a child, but King Uther refused to show any mercy.
Likewise, Arthur didn't know that this child would one day be the end of his life!