Hi guys! So I'm back! I've had this idea for a long time, but I didn't want to start it until after I finished my first story, The Bet. As always, I hope you enjoy.

The Prologue takes place after Season 4 but the actual story takes place between Season 3 and Season 4...so Lancelot isn't dead and Uther's still alive (unfortunately). Possible reveal fic...you'll just have to wait and see. :)

Disclaimer: I know it's been a while, but it's still true. My plans to take over the world have not yet come to fruition...oh yeah, and I still don't own Merlin.

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Prologue - A Story to Tell

"Legend tells of a mighty beast, a creature of dark magic. It is said to live in the shadows, only appearing after the sun sets, far away from what it hates the most - light and love. Nonetheless, in ancient times it was feared by all for its terrifying might. Few were brave enough to say its name in fear that it would be the last thing they would hear in the realm of the living. This great beast, whose very existence was pure evil, was known as the..."

"Merlin! What are you doing?"

The young warlock sighed in annoyance - leave it to his best friend to interrupt him. "What does this look like to you?"

"Yes, I understand what you're doing, but it's getting late. He'll be off to bed in an hour or so. Shouldn't you be, I don't know, making sure he gets ready?"

"First of all, that's already taken care of - magic... remember? Secondly, you should be thankful that your Court Sorcerer and friend agreed to this in the first place. Despite what you think, I actually have important matters to attend to on a daily basis. And thirdly, I was beginning to tell a story before you rudely interrupted me. So apologize your Royal Pratness!", Merlin yelled.

"Merlin!"

"Yes Arthur, that's my name. You seem to like calling it all the time".

"I am your King and I demand..."

"Oh, playing the 'king card' again. Haven't heard that one in a while, not since...oh, earlier today."

Both men glared at each other for quite some time. Granted, it had no malice behind it, but it was a glare nonetheless. The Queen walked in just as their death match began.

"Oh brother", she sighed before glancing at the two men and then at the seven year old who looked bored out of his mind. "What happened this time?" Before the King or the Court Sorcerer could respond, a small yet firm voice cut them off.

"Mother, Father barged in as Uncle Merlin was trying to tell me a story. Then they began arguing again".

"It figures" Gwen said shaking her head.

"That's not true. Tell her Aaron"

"Arthur, don't tell him to lie. Just be a man and admit that you were being a prat again", Merlin said. Before either Gwen or Arthur could interject, the young prince of Camelot spoke up.

"But weren't you edging him on Uncle?"

The Court Sorcerer frowned. "I thought you were supposed to be on my side Aaron"

"Mother says I should always do what is right and not just take sides"

"Hah, that means you're at fault Merlin". Arthur said pointing an accusing finger at his friend.

"But aren't you're still at fault Father?"

"I...um..."

"Look at us. The Once and Future King and the Almighty Warlock Emrys being outwitted by a child! Sadly my friend, I think we've lost our touch." Merlin said while comforting Arthur with a pat on the back. The two men looked at each other before bursting out in laughter. Then looking at the prince, the warlock said, "You'll make a fine King one day my boy - that you will indeed".

Aaron smiled while Gwen and Arthur shook their heads in agreement. "So, what story were you telling anyway Merlin?" Arthur asked. Though he would never admit, the King liked hearing Merlin's stories. He was a brilliant story teller and the way he spoke would captivate any audience.

"Well, I was trying to tell the story of the..."

Suddenly, the door flew open, making the occupants in the room visibly jump. "Merlin, my friend, this is where you've been hiding all day."

"Gwaine!" Arthur yelled indignantly.

"Of course. I should've seen this coming sooner or later" Merlin said shaking his head.

"Uncle!" Aaron smiled and ran to the door. Gwaine bent down and opened his arms to hug his foster nephew.

The drunk knight stayed in the same position for quite some time before realizing he wasn't going to receive the hug. To his dismay, he looked behind to find Aaron hugging Elyan.

While the Queen went to greet her brother, Arthur saw Gwaine's hurt look and began laughing.

"Did you really think he was going to hug you? You know, Elyan's his actual uncle, not you."

"Shut up princess!"

SLAP

"Ow, that hurt Gwen!" Gwaine said, massaging the tender spot on the back of his head.

The whole room got quiet. Everyone (especially Arthur) knew not to mess with Gwen when it came to Aaron. There were a set of 'unspoken rules' that were implemented by the Queen when the prince was born. Most of these had to do with his upbringing and the like. One thing that Gwen would not tolerate was a spoiled, disrespectful child.

So it was safe to say that all who failed to abide by them met the swift, merciless justice of the Queen of Camelot and her trusty right hand (left hand if it was an off day). Even the Great Emrys knew not to break these rules lest he once again feel the 'Sting of Justice' (as Gwaine, who was all too familiar with it, had kindly dubbed it).

"Well that's what you get for using such language in front of my boy", Gwen scolded. Then, looking at the prince she asked, "And why is that Aaron?"

"Because such language is wrong and disrespectful" the prince recited.

"Arthur, you son's a suck up..." Merlin whispered to his King but was cut off by the Queen's soul-piercing glare. There wasn't a name for this yet since Gwaine and Merlin were still working on it (they narrowed it down to 'The Soul Piercer', 'Don't You Dare-Glare', or the 'Eyes of Justice').

No matter the name (or lack of, in this case), Merlin bowed his head and muttered an apology. It took all of his strength for Arthur not to laugh in his foolish friend's face.

"Wait! Merlin calls Arthur a prat all the time and he doesn't get slapped. How come when I say shut up... OW!"

"Gwaine!..."

"Alright alright. I'm sorry Gwen. I'll try harder to watch my tongue." Gwaine said sounding like a punished child. Content with the apology, Gwen smiled, turned around and continued the conversation with Elyan as if nothing happened.

Now it was Merlin's turn to join Arthur in the 'You-Better-Have-A-Death-Wish-If-You're-Caught-Laughing-When-Gwen's-Being-Serious' Club.

Seeing this, the drunk knight scowled at both of them while massaging the back of his head again. "Yeah...well, Merlin isn't related and Aaron calls him 'uncle'. He even calls the other knights 'uncle'" Gwaine whined. To prove his point, Aaron shouted "Uncle Percival!" and both men looked behind to see the young prince embracing the strong knight. "See what I mean!"

"That's because he actually likes me. You're more of a 'courtesy call'." Merlin interjected.

"But...but..." Gwaine stammered until he felt a pair of arms grip him around the waist.

"I'm just kidding Uncle Gwaine" Aaron said. The knight smiled back and returned the hug.

"So what are you all doing here?" Gwen asked just as Leon entered the room. The older knight waved at the prince who returned the favor.

"Well, I was starting to tell a story until Arthur interrupted" Merlin said before scowling at the king.

"Hey wait a minute. I thought I was the story teller of the group." Gwaine said.

"Nope. Everyone knows Merlin is" Arthur replied. Everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.

Looking distraught, Gwaine looked at Aaron. "Aaron, you like Uncle Gwaine's stories, don't you?"

"I do...I just like Uncle Merlin's a bit more"

"That hurts Aaron, that really does" Gwaine said feigning tears.

"Well, it doesn't hurt the rest of us. Come on everybody, let's gather around for a bit of story time with Merlin" Arthur declared. At this, everyone (including a jokingly annoyed Gwaine) moved to the table. Aaron sat on Gwen's lap with Arthur to her right while the other knights encircled the table.

"Come on over here Merlin. We're not getting any younger" Arthur said.

"Yeah, come on Merlin" Percival added.

"I want to hear this, oh Great and Powerful Warlock" Elyan teased.

"This does sound interesting" Leon said flatly.

"Please Uncle Merlin!" Aaron begged. Sighing in defeat, the warlock magically dragged a chair to the center of the room. "Fine fine. But I don't want any interruptions. No questions, no comments from the peanut gallery, nothing. All of that can wait until after."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. "Gwaine, I mean it."

"What? I said I wouldn't, didn't I?"

Merlin, cocking his eyebrow in utter disbelief, sat on the chair and made himself comfortable. "Let's see, where should I begin?...Ah, yes. The story I'm about to tell you is something I'm sure all of you remember...well, Aaron wasn't born yet but you get the point."

Clearing his throat, he continued.

"Anyway, this is the story of the Were-Wyvern."

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So that's the prologue. I hope you enjoyed and please push that blue Review button-thing and tell me what you think. Please.

Okay, so I have about half of this story written without too much worry about going back and rewriting some of the previous chapters. I probably won't post the next chapter until June-ish so I can write more chapters, so bare with me please.

Until later,

-STL13