Oh, this was so heartbreaking to read - poor Merlin! :( I thought that you handled the subject matter well and I like how Arthur was there for Merlin. I could definitely see Arthur being adamant that Merlin explain everything to him and that he keep no secrets from him from now on... that's the sort of confiding that I'm waiting (impatiently) for the show to do. I could see the writers doing a reset and not truly addressing Merlin's inner turmoil and conflict from what he has done and been through in the last few years. Thank you for exploring the fallout on Merlin's part in this fic. :)