This was really me thinking up something very dark after watching The Last Dragonlord, which I think is a brilliant episode. I blame my brain for this.

Chapter 1: A Sacrifice

Both Gaius and Merlin suddenly heard the roar of the Great Dragon and the rush of wings. There was then a minor tremor as it landed right outside the citadel.

"Merlin," they heard it roar. Gaius stared at his ward. Both shared the same look of horror. "MERLIN!"

Merlin knew that the entire city could hear the Dragon roar his name. The question was what they would think of it. He could tell from the old man's face that Gaius was now worried.

There were a few moments of silence before they heard the Great Dragon roar Merlin's name a few more time.

"What do you think he wants with me?" the warlock asked. Gaius remained silent but looked at the floor. In truth, he had no idea.

Merlin sat down on the bed.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have just lost my temper like that," he muttered. Gaius remembered the conversation they had just had.

"I understand. You're upset. I think it's best if you continue to pack; going away from Camelot might be the best thing for you after this."

The door suddenly burst open and Arthur rushed in, grabbing Merlin by the arm.

"I have to get you out of here now," he panted.

"What?" Merlin said.

"My father thinks that if he hands you over to the Dragon then it'll leave Camelot alone. He's sent a number of soldiers to arrest you."

"But why are you-"

"Merlin, I think that if we hand you over it would only make things worse. And do you really think I'd hand you over after everything you've done for us."

Merlin raised an eyebrow.

"Are you actually saying-"

"Merlin not now, come on. Gaius, when they come to arrest him, tell them that he's in my chambers. I'm sorry, but I know you don't want Merlin to die."

Gaius nodded and Arthur dragged Merlin out and down the corridor. Merlin, however, didn't feel that this was right.

"Wait, Arthur." Arthur looked at him but continued to march down the corridor. "This isn't right," Merlin continued. "Maybe I should turn myself in."

"Are you mad?"

"But what if it does save Camelot?"

"In my opinion, you'd only be the first in a long line of victims and the beast would still attack."

"What if it does leave Camelot alone though?"

"Merlin, you really do have a knack for self-sacrifice, don't you? It's what makes you even more of an idiot."

That was when they heard the number of footfalls coming from both directions.

"What?" Arthur said, drawing his sword.

"Arthur you can't expect to fight your men just because of me."

Arthur ignored him and watched as the soldiers came at them from either side. The men looked slightly surprised that Arthur was there, especially... Arthur's father.

"Arthur?" Uther said in astonishment.

Merlin knew what would happen if he didn't surrender. Walking in front of Arthur, the warlock put his arms in the air and walked away from Arthur.

"Merlin," Arthur hissed. He couldn't believe what Merlin was doing; it just proved that he was insane.

"I'm sorry Arthur," Merlin said, giving the prince a last smile. He then turned to face the king.

Uther motioned at a couple of the soldiers and they grabbed Merlin's arms. Another one gagged Merlin and threw a hood over his face.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted, as the soldier punched Merlin in the stomach, winding the boy.

"Take him to the dragon and escort my son back to his chambers," Uther commanded, turning away and stalking down the corridor.

"Merlin!" Arthur cried again as the soldiers dragged the pair away in opposite directions. He could see Merlin visibly tremble with fear. Arthur mentally kicked himself for not getting to Gaius' chambers quicker.

Merlin felt the men drag him into the fresh air and into a stuffy room that stunk of excrement. He knew that they were in the stables. The warlock then felt his hands being tied behind his back as well as his legs. He was then thrown onto the back of a horse and he heard the soldiers climb onto their mounts before the one he was on was led out of the stables.

A few minutes later, Merlin felt the soldiers lift him off the horse and onto his knees. The hood was then taken off his head and Merlin stared into the eyes of the Great Dragon. Merlin could see the soldiers retreating out of the corner of his eye but he didn't care. The dragon was giving him such a ferocious look that it drove everything else out of his mind.

The warlock breathed hard through his gag and he couldn't help but tremble. The Great Dragon then roared and let loose a stream of fire from his mouth. Expecting death, Merlin closed his eyes but felt nothing. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was surrounded by a ring of fire. He began to choke as the smoke filled the air around him.

Merlin felt for the magic but within seconds the dragon had him pinned to the ground with one mighty claw. He let out a low growl before looking away from the warlock and lighting the ground around them with one enormous breath. Merlin gasped as the intense heat hit him.

The Great Dragon then took to the air and flew towards the city. Merlin tried to scramble to his knees but the smoke was blinding him and choking him. The gag made it even harder to breathe.

Arthur ran along the battlements, away from the roaring fire that the beast had just let loose. Despite what was happening, Arthur was thinking of other matters. He knew that his father had been wrong about handing Merlin over to the dragon. His father hadn't been to see him in his chambers but Sir Leon had collected him when the dragon had started to attack again.

The prince had no idea if Merlin was still alive; the dragon could have eaten him for all he knew, or worse. Arthur just prayed that Merlin was somehow still alive.

Running through the castle, Arthur sprinted into the courtyard and he and a number of soldiers went into the main street and towards the main gate.

The dragon suddenly stopped attacking the castle and flew to the clearing outside the city. Doubling his efforts, Arthur ran through the gate just in time to see the dragon hover over a twitching form.

"MERLIN!" Arthur shouted.

Merlin choked once more as the smoke replaced oxygen. He felt incredibly weak and knew that he wasn't strong enough to use magic. He tried to pull his arms free from the ropes but nothing happened. All it achieved was the bonds digging into his wrists.

The warlock lay still as the effort had just cost him vital energy. He was blind and could hear nothing but the fire around him, licking away at the ground. He was trapped and he couldn't even do anything about it.

After what could have been forever and a day, Merlin felt a strong breeze hit him and a golden blur hovered above him. Merlin tried to wriggle away when he realised that the Great Dragon had finally come for him. This was a mistake as he lost what was left of his energy. Before he lost consciousness, Merlin thought he heard Arthur call his name.

Arthur watched as the dragon grabbed Merlin and began to fly away from the citadel.

"MERLIN!" he called again, running after the beast. The soldiers were trying to stop him but Arthur was too worried for his servant to care. He watched as the beast headed towards the distant forest.

"Sire," one of the soldiers shouted. "We must return to the citadel."

Glaring after the dragon, Arthur turned around, swearing that he would find the dragon and, hopefully, Merlin.