[It's ironic that telepathy is the only power he can think of that could be used to hide itself, that seems almost designed for it. His magic, when he uses it, is noticeable by nature; he's used sorcery to cover his own tracks once or twice but it felt like fighting fire with fire and generally he tried not to.
But if Charles uses his telepathy that way, he'll be no better than the man people assume him to be. Merlin understands that much.
He smiles sadly.]
It's not necessarily better to have no-one know, but I suppose you know that as well. [He's quiet, thoughtful, for a moment.] These people with strong opinions, have they run into telepaths before? Ones who weren't as decent as you?
[He's primarily thinking of Uther. Not that Nimueh had lacked decency, at least not back then, more that Uther had failed to understand (or refused to acknowledge) the laws of the Old Religion - but the principle was the same. Get hurt by one and hate them all. Merlin would nominate himself one of the Barge's better-versed in that concept.]
Re: [Spam]
But if Charles uses his telepathy that way, he'll be no better than the man people assume him to be. Merlin understands that much.
He smiles sadly.]
It's not necessarily better to have no-one know, but I suppose you know that as well. [He's quiet, thoughtful, for a moment.] These people with strong opinions, have they run into telepaths before? Ones who weren't as decent as you?
[He's primarily thinking of Uther. Not that Nimueh had lacked decency, at least not back then, more that Uther had failed to understand (or refused to acknowledge) the laws of the Old Religion - but the principle was the same. Get hurt by one and hate them all. Merlin would nominate himself one of the Barge's better-versed in that concept.]