Okie doke. Here is my newest story! I had the idea, had to write it out and now I am posting :) I've written a few chapters, so hopefully I will be able to update regularly, but it'll be every couple of days I think.

Summary: Uther ruled with an iron fist, destroying anything with magic. His tyranny did not stop at his borders, but reached into the surrounding land. No one was safe. Not even the little boy whose mother gave up everything to protect. Including her life. Alone and homeless, Merlin left to find his father, following his mother's last directions, but the small boy had no idea what destiny had in store for him. Fights, rebellions and wars, can he survive it all? And can he follow his heart and head and do what is right?

I hope you enjoy it :) Please review

Chapter 1

Ten year old Merlin watched as fierce looking men on horseback rode through the town. He stared out through the window as they stopped outside his home.

"Merlin," his mother dragged him away from the window, putting a backpack on his back and tying a cloak around his neck, lifting the hood up to cover the boy's small, pale face. "Run Merlin, it is the King's men. Look for a man named Balinor, in the Westwood forest, he has a tattoo of a dragon curled around an 'H' on his chest. Once you find him, give him the letter in your bag. He'll look after you. I love you, my son. Remember that and everything else I have taught you." Hunith kissed his forehead and pushed him out the back door. Merlin stumbled away and into the woods behind them. He quickly climbed the nearest tree, clinging to the bark as his mother's protests echoed around the area.

"He's just a boy, please!"

"Search the house."

"Please, let us leave, we'll never return, never hurt anyone."

"It's empty, sir."

"Burn it. Send out search parties for the boy."

"What about the wrench?"

"Bring her, the King may want to talk to her himself before her death."

Merlin watched from his tree as the horses and the men took his mother away. Two men on foot quickly set fire to the walls of his home, kindling the fire until it took and began eating away at the house. Within seconds the building was engulfed with flames, the heat flickering on Merlin's face, even from the long distance. Merlin stayed up in the tree while the King's men searched. When night fell, and they fell asleep, he climbed down and ran away, his home now just hot ash.

His food lasted for three days, and he had to turn to eating whatever roots and plants he could find and remember were safe to eat. Every stream he passed, if it was running, he filled his drink bladder up, and continued on. Within a week, he was in Westwood Forest, having followed a map his mother had placed in his bag.

He stumbled around, not even attempting to stay quiet. He froze as he felt a sword at his neck, the cold metal biting into his skin.

"Who are you?" A man ordered.

Merlin lifted his hands slowly and lowered his hood. He turned to look at the man, wide eyes taking in the rough clothes, sharp dagger and lean muscles. Merlin stayed silent.

"Go home boy." The man sighed, lowering the sword.

"I can't." Merlin spoke, as the man turned to leave.

"Not my problem." He growled, walking away. Merlin followed him.

"I'm looking for a man who lives here, my mother sent me." Merlin continued to explain, trotting to keep up with the man.

"Who, kid?" the man sighed, frustrated with the boy's presence.

"Can't tell you, what if you're an enemy? What if you pretend to be him to get me to trust you?" Merlin pointed out.

"Then why are you following me?"

"Lift your top up." Merlin demanded. The man paused in his stride.

"What?"

"Lift your top up. If you are the man I am looking for, I'll know. If not, I'll leave you alone." Merlin stopped as well, the boy was panting with the effort he made to keep up with the older man. "Please?"

The man sighed, and lifted his top to reveal a tattoo on his chest. It was a golden dragon curled defensively around a 'H', with great detail and vibrant colour.

"You're Balinor." Merlin grinned at the man. He pulled his cloak off to slip his bag off his back. Digging through the pockets, he pulled out the letter and handed it to him. "Mother told me to find you and give you this."

Balinor pulled his shirt back down and took the letter. "Who is your mother?"

"Hunith of Ealdor." Merlin answered, as Balinor opened the paper.

Balinor stared at Merlin momentarily before turning his attention to the letter. He read through it, and then stared back at Merlin, with less hostility as before. The man slid his sword into his belt, and knelt to be at eye level with the boy. "Do you know what the letter says?"

"No, Mother only said if the King's men should come, run and find you. They came and she sent me here, they then took her and set fire to our house."

"You're very calm about it all." Balinor pointed out, carefully folding the letter up and pocketing it.

"The King is a deluded, grieving old man who has lost his wife and is misguided. I pity him, and I will never like him for taking mother, but she said to hate our enemies is to be as bad as them, so I will not hate them." Merlin shrugged.

"Merlin, my boy, you do understand, when they took her to the King,"

"It will most likely lead to her death." Merlin finished for him.

Balinor stared at the calm, emotionless child in front of him in surprise, but quickly covered it. "Did she tell you who I am? Other than my name and tattoo?"

"You're my father, but you had to leave because of the King."

"Good, come on son, I'll take you to my home and we'll discuss our future together."

They went back to a small, wooden hut where Balinor told him the story of the Great Purge, and how Uther had enslaved druids, killed sorcerers and hunted down any and all mentions of magic. He explained that he was a Dragonlord, and that Uther betrayed him and caused him to betray his dragon kin and caused him to run into hiding. He offered Merlin a place to stay, and a chance to learn about his magic, and everything else Balinor could teach him. Merlin grinned at his father and that was the beginning of his new life.

The boy learnt how to hunt and how to fight. He learnt how to forage for food, what was good to eat and what was bad. He learnt how to lay and read trail markers, and how to track. He learnt how to control his magic and he learnt about dragons. He learnt about Camelot's history and the Old Religion's history. He learnt how to hide in forests and how to read the stars to find his location and learn where to go. Everywhere Balinor went, everything he did, Merlin copied. Everything Balinor said, the small boy soaked it all up and committed it to memory. The boy and his father were soon close, as close as a son and father could be, despite the fact Balinor wasn't there as Merlin grew up before now. They were happy, living in the forest, isolated and only going to town to buy essentials once every month or so. They were content.

Balinor knew it wouldn't last.

Merlin didn't.

TBC