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Chapter 1: The Party

It was finally over. Merlin was dumbstruck and astounded by it all, his heart still racing. Mordred had lived, Arthur had died. Merlin's closest friend… gone. Morgana now sat upon the throne, ruling over Camelot. But the funny thing was, the kingdom was running a lot more efficiently now. With wizards and warlocks allowed to roam free on Camelot soil, the crop grew much more healthy, wells never ran dry and entertainment was never better.

Merlin sighed. If only Gaius were here to see this new, developed kingdom. The old healer had died of old age, a younger, more refined, wizard taking over his job. Merlin kicked at a stone, stopping it in midair with his magic, levitating it there for a moment, before flinging it into a pail. So much had changed, Merlin reflected.

'Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!' Morgana's new emissary called out, voice booming, echoing over the vast town. Merlin's heart raced, though he was not sure why. Maybe it was because Morgana had not uttered a word since her coronation. Nonetheless, Merlin raced to the town square, where the emissary stood on a newly placed boulder in the middle of the square, which replaced the giant bronze statue of Uther Pendragon.

The emissary continued. 'In honour of her coronation, Queen Morgana has decided to throw a grande soirée. The Queen would love it if you all attended, and will make her best effort to personally meet every single one of her loyal subjects as she believes in being a fair ruler and a loved Queen. The celebration will be held tonight at twilight. That is all. Good day to you all.'

As soon as he jumped off the rock, guards stepped in front of him to avoid further questioning from persistent curious citizens flocking around the emissary. Merlin ran his fingers through his hair, and sighed. This didn't leave much time for preparation. The sun was already high in the sky, signalling midday. Although the sky was grey as Merlin felt, he decided to go and see Morgana. She was the only remaining friend he had, besides Gwen, but she had decided to lock her old life away and start anew after Arthur's death. She wouldn't talk to any of her old friends either.

Merlin had hoped to have talked to Gwen about everything. But she had new wizard friends now, keeping him from seeing her. Merlin ducked as a carriage flew over his head white stallions galloping on air, barely missing his head. 'Hey! Watch it!' Merlin shouted, agitated as a taut string.

Morgause looked down skeptically, peering out of her carriage. Merlin went red. This meant trouble. Morgause was Morgana's new advisor, counsellor and her ward. She was the second most powerful person in the kingdom. 'Halt the carriage!' Morgause commanded the coachman, a redheaded lad who looked frightened out of his years of growth. Hight fear Merlin though, sympathetic.

The carriage landed next to Merlin. The glittering gold door opened, allowing Morgause to step out, beautiful in her youth. She wore her blonde hair up in a loose bun, a glittering white wrap around dress to compliment. She lay her cold, grey eyes on Merlin, then softened them.

'I was actually searching for you Merlin,' Morgause admitted. 'If you had not caught my attention so… brutally, I would not have noticed you and my search would have been lengthened. You have saved me half my day, so I would rather ignore your petulance for now. It is unseemly that you would already have a companion to the dance tonight, am I correct?'

Merlin was shocked, a look of pure disbelief spread across his face, like a blanket over snow. 'Uh, yeah?…'

'That is most splendid. I have come to ask you to accompany me to the Royal Dance. Do you accept?'

'Uh, sure…. I guess.' Did Morgause just ask him on a date? Nah.

'Excellent. Then it is a date. We will meet outside the palace gates at twilight. I look forward to seeing you.'

Morgause swirled around, white dress shimmering and stepped elegantly into the carriage. 'Carriage, away!'

The stallions jumped off the ground, hooves pounding on thin air towards the castle. Merlin was so confused by his life it was confusing. But it was mostly sad. What Merlin wouldn't give to talk to his old friend Gaius one more time.

By the time the party had arrived, Merlin had dressed up and washed his hair. He didn't particularly feel like going with Morgause after everything that had happened recently, but there was no saying no to her. As Merlin walked out of his house into the dark evening sky, he reflected on how much his life had changed once more. But he knew he was going to have to accept it.

'Merlin!' a weak male voice called out. 'Merlin!'

Merlin froze, before following the voice into a cave. He brushed against a jagged cave wall, ripping his suit, before stumbling and falling, gashing his cheek and knee. He spat out blood, before going deeper, using magic to light the way. He came upon a dragon baby, scales glittering purple and gold, eyes emerald green. Merlin was astonished. He thought the only living dragon left was the white dragon Aithusa.

'What is it?' Merlin's caring, nature-loving side showed now, coming out from beneath his guilt, sadness, loathing and self-pity. But he had to put all other emotions aside. This dragon could be Camelot's saviour. How? Merlin wasn't sure. But he… he just knew.

'Merlin, save me, Merlin. Only you can.' The dragon's mouth wasn't moving. They were speaking with their minds.

'How? Who are you? Why are you here? Where should I take you?'

'Take me nowhere. I must remain here, otherwise I die. I was born here, Merlin, my parents have long gone, though I sense my father is dead whilst my mother lives on. I will not live any longer without sustenance. I need food. As for who I am, my name is Fanir. It means "loyal flame eater".'

'Fanir…' Merlin had heard the name spoken in whispers. Taverns scattered around the province spoke this name in fear, or not at all. They say the person who is named Fanir will either rot into dust or rain hell on the kingdoms. But Merlin dismissed the thought. I mean, how could one dragon cause so much destruction? But then he thought of Kilgharra. He shuddered at the thought of how much destruction the old dragon had caused.

'Please, Merlin, food…'

Merlin had some beef in his pocket for personal reasons, but he knew that this dragon needed him. He took the beef out of his pocket and placed it in front of the dragon's mouth. 'Oh, thank you Merlin! You're my saviour!'

'Aren't you going to eat?' Merlin asked.

'I need to ration this. Come back next week. Please? With pork?'

Merlin smiled for the first time in ages. 'Sure.' Then he walked back outside. He was covered in grime and blood, and his shirt was torn on the shoulder. But it was getting late. He needed to meet Morgause. He began to sweat as he approached the palace, panting as he sprinted closer and closer. Aithusa circled above, occasionally breathing bouts of fire to ward off anyone who wasn't welcome.

Morgause was standing next to the gates, letting other people flood in. Waiting. As Merlin came to Morgause, she looked at him disgustingly. 'What happened? What are you wearing?' Compared to Merlin, Morgause looked an angel. She wore a wide brimmed white dress, lace folds tumbling down from the hem. White flowers were pinned to the corners of the folds. She were her hair down, braids placed perfectly either side.

'This was, uh, the best I had.'

'Why are you bloody and why do you smell of beef? Go wash up at the well! I'll meet you inside.' Morgause stalked inside, train trailing behind her. Merlin washed himself and persuaded a passing sewer to mend his coat. There was a long line into the palace. Merlin was behind the boy who was the coachman for Morgause.

'Hi,' Merlin smiled at the boy. He almost jumped out of his skin. Wide green eyes hid behind long lashes and orange freckles.

'It's ok, little guy,' Merlin said, even though the boy looked no more than 13. 'I'm not going to hurt you.'

'B-but it w-was m-my fault that I c-crashed into y-you, a-aren't you m-mad?'

'No. I was just… in a foul mood. Sorry.'

'Oh. Ok.' the boy looked relieved.

'So, what's your name anyway?'

'Richie, but my mates called me Rie,' he said, shyly.

'Next!' called the door guard.

Richie walked in, excited, but nervous. Merlin was next. A few minutes passed, but it felt like days at a time before finally the door guard said 'Next!'. Merlin walked into a small chamber. Morgana- Queen Morgana- was sitting on a throne placed against one of the walls. She wore a sleeveless midnight dress, her golden crown shining like a night star in her black hair. worn in a bun.

'Your Majesty,' Merlin bowed.

'Hello Merlin,' Morgana formally greeted him. 'It is nice to see an old friend.'

'Likewise.'

Morgana studied him, grey eyes glimmering fiercely. 'My, how you've changed in the short few days I have become Queen. But how we've all changed, The kingdom has changed for the better, wouldn't you agree, Merlin?'

'The kingdom benefits from all sorts of goodwill since you've taken up the throne,' Merlin replied honestly, not wishing to upset Morgana.

'I'm glad you think that Merlin. I would wish to speak to you later, I will meet you at the refreshments table in 1 hour. I would like it if you would be there. Move on.'

'Of course, Your Majesty,' Merlin bowed and made his exit, spotting Morgause almost instantly. He headed over and Morgause looked him over approvingly.

'Come, Merlin, enough horseplay. I'm sick of waiting and wish to dance.'

Merlin bowed. 'Of course.'

He put his arm around her waist and held the other in her hand. They swirled around aimlessly, Merlin not sure whether he should say something. The pair went through a number of different dances, before Merlin decided an hour had passed.

'The Queen Morgana wishes to see me. May I?'

'I'll be counting the sands in the hour glass upon your return,' Morgause smiled.

Merlin walked away. As Merlin walked to the rendezvous, he had time to think. While his mum wished he'd take a bride soon, was Morgause rushing things? Did he really wish to court her? Or was his heart already stolen by another. Why was his life so difficult?

Surprisingly, Morgana was not surrounded by guards. Maybe the purpose of this ball was to catch out the traitors. She certainly seemed more comfortable than in the little entrance room. He approached Queen Morgana and bowed.

'Oh, please, Merlin, enough with the royal treatment. It makes me depressed to see such a close friend treating me like a stranger.'

'As you wish… Your Majesty,' Merlin grinned his impish smile. The smile he smiled when Arthur was with him… he pushed the thought from his mind.

'Now, now, Merlin, don't make me hit you. What would all these guests think?'

'Now that's the Morgana I know,' Merlin smiled.

Morgana laughed, a free and relaxed laugh. 'Merlin, the reason I asked you here was to ask you to meet me at the cliff overlooking the bay after the party is over. I would really like to see you there. And I'm not just being polite.'

Morgana walked away past Merlin, leaving him dumbfounded. Were two of the most powerful women in Camelot hitting on him?

THANK YOU FOR READING CHAPTER 1! Please leave feedback and tell me if you want another chapter! Wuv, MiloPixelCat