Eighteen Years

missbeckywrites:

I get so sad thinking about what happened with Merlin. Because it shows how deeply they’ve all been affected by Lee Unwin’s death, eighteen years later.

There’s that moment when Merlin steps on the mine and they all realize what he means to do. Harry says it was his original mistake with Lee and volunteers himself as sacrifice. And we’re sad and a little horrified (no don’t do it!) but we’re not surprised. Because we know that Harry still carries the guilt of Lee’s death.

But Merlin. He was there too that day. Lee saved them all. Until now, though, we haven’t seen any sign that Merlin also still has guilt, that he still thinks about Lee.

So his explanation for his self-sacrifice hurts. Really hurts. Because now we know the truth. He does still carry his own burden of guilt and regret.

If Harry has atoned by freeing Eggsy from jail and bringing him to Kingsman, then Merlin surely has as well. He took that young man with all that potential and actually made him into a Kingsman. But he feels that isn’t enough.

And so he gives his life.