Dragon Lord in Hiding

"You're sure they wont find me there Gaius?" The Dragon Lord asked, he looked around the borders of camelot for any sign of the Knights that would hunt him. It was dark and so far the alarm bells hadnt sounded, his unassuming disguise had worked.

"I am sure; I am just sorry it has come to this." Gaius cast a lingering look back the castle which was disappearing with every step, he hoped they didnt notice his absence. He looked back at Balinor sympathectically, since this purge had started many with magic had to go into hiding and even the creatures like the Dragons suffered.

"He tricked me and every Dragon Lord Gaius and now he has Kilgaharrah imprisoned under the castle. Balinor closed his eyes at the memory of the Dragon Lords being rounded up and killed, he could still hear their screams. He remembered what Uther Pendragon had said before the trap was sprung;

"I wish to make peace with the Great Dragon, you will summon him; Dragon Lord." Uther's commanding voice broke the silence between the two men. The usual cold expression the King had warmed up and he seemed sincere in his words. Balinor agreed and began the chant to summon him:

"*O Drakon, e male so ftengmetta tesd'hup'anankes!"

Balinor yelled in almost a roar, a few moments later flapping of wings could be heard and a very large tan/grey dragon appeared. He landed and then looked expectantly at his Lord, his kin; surely the man didnt believe this King.

Uther looked at the dragon with utter contempt, his expression of peaceful diplomatic ruler was gone and the ruthless and angry one was back as he signaled his knights….

"Balinor? The longer we stay here the more chance of getting caught we have." Gaius warned looking back in the direction of Camelot.

Balinor shook his head after being brought back to earth with his friends warning and rode away, he hoped some day that tyrant would die and he could live freely along with all the other magic users and ofcourse the Dragon that had been betrayed. Gaius rode by him for a few more hours to point out villages he could hide in, "Ealdor should be distant enough" he pointed on a map, it was in Cenred's kingdom. "Thank you Gaius I will not forget your bravery and kindness, this cannot have been easy" he looked to the older man gratefully.

"No need for thanks, you are a friend and one day we may need you. Sadly Uther may never see that or understand, he has let his grief and anger take over his reason; I am not making excuses for him before you say anything." Gaius added before the Dragon Lord could make a remark.

"Farewell, and stay safe when travelling back to that place" Balinor waved his goodbye as he rode off into the night. He kept to the shadows as he now had to be one, he passed some Druids who looked a little nervous when hearing hoofbeats, It is alright, I am like you. He sent a telepathic message as a reassuring one and they seemed to have calmed down. His thoughts went to all the good people who had been hunted down, men, women, even children. Uther had left no stone unturned in his ruthless purge of everything magic, Not all magic is evil, I hope he realises that before he draws his last breath. The man thought continuing his ride, he didnt stop for anything; no sleep, food, or water. Balinor took Gaius's warning to heart and left no chance of being caught by those bloody Knights of Camelot.

Ealdor

Balinor rode into the small village by morning and noted the farmers were up early tilling the land, blacksmiths were getting their equipment ready, and market vendors were restocking their shelves. He heard the tell tale growl of his stomach and dismounted, he knew these people didnt have much in terms of food so he would try not to trouble them too much. As he walked his horse he saw a woman, a very beautiful one with brown hair and blue eyes. She was carrying a basket and minding her own business when she drew closer, she had covering over her head of light blue along with matching light blue dress and apron. "Excuse me, miss mind telling me where.."

"Come with me" the woman interrupted, her smile suddenly looked forced and her eyes were urgent. "Act casual and come with me" she urges silently and puts a hand on his arm, it lingers there for a few seconds and then drops to her side.

"Alright" he smiles back and grabs an apple from her basket as if she offered it to him , he followed her to her home; it was small and had what he would consider a guest bedroom close by almost like another home.

Once they entered the house the woman shut the door behind her and set her basket on the table, "You are Balinor? Gaius told me to expect you in this letter he sent me a couple days ago."

"Yes I am Balinor, mind telling me your name? Friend of Gaius?" he asked smiling slightly to lighten the mood.

"I am Hunith, it is nice to meet you. You will be staying with me, I warn you we do not have much in terms of food or defences around here but you will find peace and a place to hide." She spoke in a warm tone that made Balinor relax in her presence, he looked around his new home, very little decorations save a few flower pots adorned the place on the inside; it was simple and lived in. "I will show you to your room its outside, I do not have a bath so you will have to go down by the river to clean up" She says walking outside to show him his room.

"Thank you for your help Hunith, you are taking great risk. I only wish we had met under more pleasant circumstances." He stood in the doorway of his new home and looked down into her eyes, what beautiful gems for eyes.

Hunith smiled shyly when she felt his eyes on her, "As do I, but alas this is how we are destined to meet it seems"

"I have chores to go to but should you need anything come and find me, feel free to walk around and familiarise yourself with the village, you want to blend in; act like you have lived here. I trust you can tend to your horse? There is a make shift stable over there" she points to the small stable.

"Yes, I can." he didnt want her to have to worry about the horse too.

She nods and quickly disappears into the crowd of villagers now awake and going about their day not paying attention to the new comer.

He looked around at his new home and unpacked, he knew the second Uther found him gone he would dispatch knights, he just hoped they wouldnt find him here. The Dragon Lord did not want to endanger anyone from this village especially his host. For now he was safe and hidden away, he knew there would be a day he would have to leave but for now….he looked over to where Hunith had disappeared to, I'll be alright.