Thank you so much for this. You've just stated an idea I'm in love with.

One of the reasons Merlin has to constantly control himself is so his emotions don't affect his magic.

OF COURSE! It's so simple, but I've never seen anyone put the pieces together before. And the way you implemented it into his idea of freedom is very nice.

Beautiful, simply beautiful!

I love it

Lovely!

*Sniffles* It was bittersweet yet had just the right touch of vulnerability with a dab of misery. Mix it all up and you get this wonderful fic! I think Merlin has a right to feel the way he does and I'm touched that he as somebody to confide in. And for Gaius to understand Merlin so perfectly, it just melts my heart. Thank you for writing this! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Great story! The characterizations were really great. I really enjoyed it. I love your writing!

:'( This is sweet and sad in equal measures... Probably because I know what happens next, otherwise it would be slightly less sad.
Anyway, great work on this one-shot :)

This is a lovely conversation between Gaius and Merlin - sad in a lot of ways, but lovely nonetheless. I like how you slipped in bits of foreshadowing.

brilliant

Damn morgana and her selfish ways,and her ideas that the throne should be hers. Hugs to Melrin and Gaius.

Gaius is awesome, great story!

Love the fire analogy(? I'm not sure how to call it, English isn't my first language) It's brilliant and very Gaius (less cryptic than Kilgahrah :D)

I always love the relationship between Gaius and Merlin since the first episode. Gaius was like father Merlin never had before he knew about Balinor. It's so sad that Merlin didn't have the chance to see Gaius again. (maybe too painful to come back to Camelot)

I still remember the way Arthur's face looked after Merlin told him he wouldn't go with him this time, it made my heart ached more than it already had when Merlin had lost his magic to Morgana. (perhaps you should write one shot about this, since you are so incredible at describing what's going on from just one part of the scene :D)

Yeah, break my heart again. Nothing wrong without that.

No, joke aside, I love the one shot! I think what killed me was the end! But I think a story like that was completely needed!