Author's note: This is my first multi chapter fanfiction on this site, so we'll see how it goes. The pairings are gen, and no slash. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Merlin and all its characters don't belong to me.

Balinor gripped his wound, watching nervously as Merlin muttered several incantations under his breath, the boy fighting back tears. He stifled a cry of happiness as one of the spells worked, Arthur wheeling around just in time to see Merlin smiling over the dragonlord, the lips of his wound closing before Arthur had time to see the magic.

"What happened?" The prince asked, looking confused at the emotional scene that was unfolding before him.

Balinor stood up, Arthur looking confused as he saw the tear in the dragonlord's shirt. "I saved Merlin from being stabbed and used a spell to heal myself. I'm fine now."

Arthur's sword was soon at Balinor's throat. "You used magic? You're a sorcerer?"

Balinor nodded, "Why else would your father ruin my life?" He asked, causing the prince to lower his sword. "All dragonlords have some magic, even if it be only their ability to control dragons."

Arthur then noticed Merlin's overjoyed expression. Well, I should be happy, too. The dragon can still be defeated. He thought. Merlin then noticed the prince staring at him and wiped the smile off of his face, Arthur raising an eyebrow, but deciding that he could ask the boy later.

"Well, we best be going, then," Arthur said, "We want to get to Camelot by nightfall. The longer we wait," he turned around and started to walk, "the more lives lost."

...

"Kilgharrah! Stop this madness! These people are innocent; put the deed to the doer! Uther Pendragon alone is responsible for your suffering! Leave Camelot and live the rest of your days in peace!" Balinor bellowed in the dragon tongue, Kilgharrah bowing his head to the dragonlord.

"I am sorry, Balinor; surely you of all people must understand my reasons."

"It is because of his understanding that I let you roam free, Kilgharrah," Balinor said sadly, the dragon bowing lower at his words, "Now go live your life in peace."

Kilgharrah nodded and took to the air, not staying long enough to see a sword pointed in Balinor's direction. Arthur Pendragon ground his teeth as he glared at the dragonlord.

"That was not what we asked of you! We ordered you to kill it! Now it will roam free and wreak havoc among the outlying villages!"

Balinor shook his head, brave in spite of the sword pointed in his direction. "He will not attack anymore. I have ordered him to live peacefully; he will attack humans only when called to do so."

Arthur glared at the dragonlord, the two's eyes meeting and Merlin watching nervously as the two battled wills, ready to step in to protect his father if needed. But Arthur caved, the dragonlord's steeled nerves winning over the prince's. He turned away.

"Your reward for defeating this beast is your freedom: you may return to your home and live unpursued. I will convince my father to overlook your magic." He raised an eyebrow as the dragonlord looked happily over at Merlin, his manservant obviously enjoying the same happiness. Another thing to ask his manservant about. "Now leave. Go on your way."

Balinor shook his head, Arthur glaring, surprised, at the dragonlord's direct dismissal of his orders. "I wish not to return to my cave as of yet. I wish to speak with your father."

Arthur raised a surprised eyebrow, "That would not be wise. I am not sure that he would share my opinion on your freedom. Why do you wish to see him?"

"I want to talk to him about the sparing of the remainder of the dragonlords."

Arthur raised another eyebrow at this. "But you are the last. Surely your freedom is enough."

"Yes, that is true, but if I were to father a child, I would not be assured of his safety. Kilgharrah is getting old. There will be no need for dragonlord magic soon." He said sadly, shooting a look at Merlin. Another thing to ask the boy about.

Arthur nodded at this, seeing the reason. "I see. Do not worry." Arthur walked over to his knights, "I will take up the matter with the king myself; seeing as there is only one dragon left and he is nearing his time, I see no reason not to."

Balinor nodded thankfully. "Also, may I see Gaius? I haven't seen the old man in such a long time. There is so much I have to thank him for."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I do not think that is a good idea. Don't worry, I'm sure Merlin can pass on the message for you. He is Gaius' ward."

Balinor looked, surprised, at the boy, (more to ask his manservant,) but nodded. "Thank you," he said to the prince, and then walked over to Merlin. Arthur looked on confusedly at the warm atmosphere between the two, but shrugged it off and went to examine his knights. He would ask his manservant later.

"So," Merlin said as his father walked over, "I guess this is it then."

Balinor nodded, "We will see each other again, though. I am heading back to Ealdor to see your mother."

Merlin shrugged. "I suspected as much. She will be happy to see you."

"You will follow me soon, though, won't you?"

Merlin smiled goofily, "Yes, as soon as there are no threats to Camelot. I have a bone to pick with my mother for not telling me about you."

Balinor laughed, "Don't be too hard on her. I can tell why she kept me secret. Memories of me would only have only brought you suffering."

Merlin chuckled with his father, "Still, it would've been nice to have grown up knowing who my father was."

"Even nicer if you had known him." Balinor and Merlin sighed together wistfully, then the boy's father smiled and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Do come and visit, though. I just got a son- I don't plan on losing him anytime soon."

Merlin smiled, and Balinor took his arm, and they shook, not willing to risk an embrace. Then, with a smile, the two parted, and Merlin was back at Arthur's side.