Merlin's bond with Ambrosius in The Crystal Cave leads him to do some pretty amazing things. Seriously, because of his sense of duty to Dad, Merlin
- risks his life to confront Vortigern;
- prophesies Ambrosius' rise to kingship and the defeat of Vortigern;
- retrieves an enormous and creepy stone from a stronghold in Ireland;
- resets the stones in Stonehenge to make a snazzy gravesite for Ambrosius;
- royally annoys Uther in his quest to secure his father's legacy.
That's a lot of loyalty for a dad Merlin didn't even meet until he was nearly a teen. But Merlin doesn't just have a sense of duty towards his father—he also has it for the unseen god that directs the arc of his life. Merlin so believes in the plans of this god that he's willing to submit himself to him (or her or it), no questions asked.
Merlin sees one goal at the end of all this loyalty: to bring a mighty king to the throne of Britain. And who might that be? The legendary Arthur, of course—the guy who will ensure the survival of the whole kingdom. Forever.
Questions About Duty
- Why does Merlin obey the will of "the god"? What motivates him?
- Why doesn't Merlin have the same sense of familial duty to Uther as he has to Ambrosius?
- Merlin is really concerned about cementing Ambrosius' legacy as the great protector of Britain. Why?
- Why are Ambrosius and Uther so bent on defeating Vortigern and the Saxons?
Chew on This
Merlin's concern for Ambrosius and the coming of King Arthur is also a concern for his own place in Britain's history.
Ambrosius' desire to take the throne from Vortigern isn't about revenge for his murdered brother. It's about protecting Britons from Saxon invasions.