I've only just stumbled across this story and it is just breathtakingly brilliant! I read it all in one go! I was addicted. I just wanted to say it's simply wonderful, such a brilliant portrait of uther, where his head is at in all of this. it was really interesting seeing things from his point of view and I just adored the flash backs. It was so in character. I love how you have him discover merlin's magic, but ultimately chooses to let him live for arthur's sake, while at the same time warning him to keep it a secret (quite creepily). It's so in character, because there aren't many senarios where I can see this happening, but this is one that just works. Uther for all his faults, does love arthur, and if merlin was essential to arthur's protection, I can see uther giving him a reprieve in his own limited and utilitarian sort of way.
anyway just loved it!