I had this idea one day while I was out on a walk, and after essentially writing out the whole conclusion in my head like I always do, I thought, "Hey? Why not?" I've already finished one WIP, so I might as well let myself start a new one. And speaking of my finished WIP - Fore and Hindsight - I think that once I can work out where the hell I want the sequel to start, I can juggle that with this. I'm scaring myself a little by saying that. :P I shall try! I wasn't going to post this until a had a couple more chapters done, but... it seems I can't motivate myself unless I know I actually NEED to get more written. xD
Without further ado... here's where it begins. [/lame ending]
Chapter One: Something Strange
Only once had the Great Dragon called him. That was a long time ago, before Merlin knew that dragons even existed in the real world, and long before he gained the power to control them.
Therefore, he was apprehensive to learn what was so important that the dragon once again saw fit to summon him. The sound of his own name ringing in his head had woken him well past midnight. Merlin, the dragon had commanded. Come to me.
He pondered the possible reasons as he snuck beyond the castle walls and to the usual clearing where dragon and Dragonlord met. It had to be something urgent, else it could have waited until morning. Then again, they were less likely to be caught in the resting hours of night.
As he drew nearer, the familiar sound of rustling wings and a huge beast shifting weight confirmed that he had arrived at the correct location. Mere steps later, the trees parted and he was standing before the Great Dragon for the first time in months.
"No offense, but I've enjoyed not having a reason to see you," said Merlin, craning his neck to stare into the molten eyes of his kin.
In his booming voice, Kilgharrah replied, "The same is true for me, young warlock, but I fear the peace Camelot has enjoyed will not last. You must prepare yourself, Merlin. The circumstances that bring me before you now will require a great deal of you, and many will suffer if you do not make the right choice."
If he wanted Merlin's full alertness, he succeeded. Kilgharrah never used his name unless he wanted to get his attention, and get it he did. "What do you mean, the right choice? What am I choosing?"
The dragon bent his long neck to bring them face to face. "It is not for me to tell you what events lie ahead. You will recognize the danger when you see it, and you will discover your part to play in due time. Listen carefully, for past incidences reveal that you often fail to follow instructions: no matter what happens, magic must return."
Startled, and also because he was uncomfortable with Kilgharrah's burning gaze so close, Merlin took a step back. "Is it... is it time?" A flutter of fear with butterfly wings erupted in his stomach. A lump worked its way into his drying throat. "Is Arthur to be king now?"
Kilgharrah did not answer and first, and when he did, it was suspiciously not much of an answer at all. "It is for you to decide the fate of Albion, young warlock. You must not let the Old Religion fall. Its survival depends on you."
On that note, he took flight, leaving Merlin alone and even less sure of the situation than he had been before their conversation took place.
"You're quite sure this wasn't a dream, Merlin?" inquired Gaius, peering at him over a vial of something green and bubbling. Merlin had woken up unsure why he was so groggy, until he remembered his venture into the Darkling Woods. He recounted the whole experience to Gaius, who let him speak without interruption.
"Don't," pleaded Merlin, running a hand through hair that was already sticking up in all directions. It was getting long again, something he had come to dislike. Since moving to Camelot, he found it best to keep his hair cut short, since long hair was too convenient to rip out when frustrated, or when being manhandled by bandits and the like. "I'm tired, I don't know what's going on, and there is no way my mind hates me enough to come up with a dream that could do that to me. The dragon was there, Gaius."
The physician nodded, satisfied. "I believe you. The question is, if the dragon's fears are urgent enough that he flew all this way to warn you, why did he not say anything more substantial."
"Because he likes to drive me mad," said Merlin wearily. "You would think he has to be straight with me when I want him to, since I'm a Dragonlord and all. But no, it's all riddles and vague nonsense. He didn't tell me anything that I don't already know, other than that something bad is apparently going to happen soon. But something bad is always happening in Camelot."
"Indeed," commented Gaius, frowning in thought. "He told you that magic must return. Is that not what he said was your destiny from the beginning?"
"Yes," answered Merlin, "that and protecting Arthur. Apparently he thinks I'm perfectly capable of that, since he didn't so much as mention it. Why does he suddenly think I'm going to fail the rest of it? They kind of go hand in..." A horrible thought occurred to him, and he sat up straighter. "What if he's warning me that Arthur's not going to accept magic after all? Maybe Arthur's going to find out about me, and it's going to turn him against magic altogether!"
Gaius waved a dismissive hand and placed it on Merlin's arm. "You're jumping to conclusions," he said. "As long as you're careful, Arthur won't find out about anything. Now, after you calm down and eat something, you'd best be off to work. Your destiny won't be pleased if he's late for the knighting ceremony today."
Not altogether reassured, but feeling slightly comforted that nothing was going to happen in his immediate future, Merlin smiled and stood up. "Thanks, Gaius. I'll grab something in the kitchens when I get Arthur's breakfast."
As he walked out the door, Gaius called, "Oh, and Merlin? Do be careful, won't you? Keep an eye out for anything strange."
The only thing strange Merlin found came in the form of Arthur, fully dressed except for the boots he was tugging on as Merlin walked in the door, tray in hand. "I'm not even late," he protested, setting the tray on the unmade bed sheets.
"No," Arthur agreed, helping himself to a chunk of ham. "I assumed you would be, and got ready just in case."
Indignant, but without sufficient defense, Merlin made himself useful with fetching Arthur's sword belt. "Is... is your father performing the ceremony?" he asked carefully. Talk of Uther was dangerous. Some days he carried out most of his usual duties. Other days, he lay in bed, unresponsive to Arthur or Gaius or anyone.
Arthur shook his head stiffly. "Not today," he said. Merlin tensed; on days when Uther wasn't at his best, the prince's mood left something to be desired. It was understandable, but no more enjoyable for that.
Neither one spoke after that. After finishing his breakfast in uncomfortable silence, Arthur collected his things (or rather, created a pile for Merlin to carry) and set off. It was early, but a crowd would be gathering soon anyway.
Sure enough, a number of people were already in the throne room when they arrived. The two men anticipating their knighthood were waiting outside the door anxiously. One, a broad, dark-haired man, older than the typical new recruits, paced back and forth. The other, young with hair comparable to chestnut, stood stock still against the wall, eyes careful not to move from their fixed position.
As he and Arthur passed, Merlin whispered to the man, "You're going to be a knight in ten minutes. No one would blame you for smiling."
A muscle twitched in the man's neck, but Merlin caught a glimpse of a small smile.
They waited for five minutes before beginning the ceremony. Merlin stood in his place off to the side. Gaius was absent - presumably he was with Uther, since he often stayed at the king's side throughout the majority of his bad days. Gwen, no longer serving in the royal household, joined the crowd near the front. Arthur stood in the center of the room with his hands clasped neatly on his sword, its point straight and perfectly meeting the floor.
The two men came forward, kneeling before their prince. The younger one shook slightly from either nerves or excitement, or both. Merlin pitied him, but it would all be over in a few short minutes.
His own nerves were acting up, too, for some reason. An odd sensation spread through his stomach, fleeting and the smallest bit nauseating.
"By the power vested in me," Arthur was saying, "you may rise as Sir Darius, knight of Camelot." He touched each shoulder of the older man, Darius. The applause sounded faint and distant to Merlin's ears. Even his own clapping felt numb. The ceremony suddenly seemed to have gone on far too long.
Arthur waited an age and a half for everyone to quiet down, then proceeded to repeat the same words to the other man. Did Arthur always draw out his speech in such a manner? That fluttery feeling definitely wasn't going away.
"...Rise, Sir Agravain, knight of Camelot."
The applause picked up again, louder this time, and Agravain rose to his feet, grinning. His enthusiasm even pulled a smile out of Arthur, who took in his two newest knights with a hint of pride. Perhaps his spirits wouldn't be weighed down today after all.
Of course, it had to be that moment that Merlin's knees buckled, and the ground rushed up to meet him. He didn't mind, though. He blacked out before he hit the ground.