your writing style is absolutely everything.

Not garbage despite your little comment at the end. Arthur is wise enough not to risk repeating history. It was moving and bittersweet, because he and Gwen most likely both would desperately love a child, not just have an heir. He's just not foolish enough to risk the tragic cost. I suspect that Merlin knew that.

hee, hee. your author's note.
i don't mind reading stories that make that claim, though i'll never write post-camlann and arthur is dead, myself.
i have read a few stories that play with this concept - the idea that arthur contemplates using merlin's magic in a way very similar to how uther used magic to get arthur. but i think there's another element there - that arthur would consider what sort of father his father was, and how he doesn't want to be like that either. not just in this choice, but if/when he has a son, he doesn't want to develop that sort of fanatical focus on, this is my one and only, this one cost so much and has to be /perfect/ in every way. even if the magic could work and even if they could manage it without giving a life, arthur wouldn't want to raise a child with that sort of burden on them, the way he probably felt the burden of his mother's sacrifice for his life...

and i also like the idea that both merlin and arthur know, merlin will actually do anything for athur's request. that merlin's magic is, in some way, arthur's to command and direct - and that the knowledge of that, humbles arthur and makes him strive to be wise and not careless, in how he directs merlin's magic...

Lol Authur finds a rogue brain cell. Secretly calling him stupid and insulting Uther's IQ at the same time.

Nicely told.

Ouch.

I like how Arthur values Merlin’s wordless understanding. And I like even better that Arthur chooses not to ask that of him. Good job! Thanks for sharing!