What if Uther had probed Gaius further on the whereabouts of the dragonlord Balinor?
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
I may change the title of this, but I think this will do for now.
I don't know if it's just me, but I love the Merlin and Balinor story line. Hence, this is another fic of mine to do with that episode. Also these quick little stories I do aren't beta'd, so please forgive me on any errors (or atrocious writing).
I hope you like it.
The son he never knew he had.
"We need a dragonlord, sire." informed Gaius.
"You know very well that's not an option." said Uther, ignoring his court physician.
"Sire, what if there was indeed one last dragonlord left?" There was only one way Gaius could think of to stop the great dragon and this was it.
"That's not possible." Uther cut in.
"But if there was?" Gaius put forward. He had to get Uther on board. It was Camelot's last chance.
Uther turned and looked at Gaius curiously. "What are you saying?" he said whilst walking towards him.
"It may just be rumour."
"Go on." said Uther, wanting to know more.
"I'm not exactly sure, but, I think his name is Balinor." Well, he knew, but if Uther thought Gaius was too close to magic again, it wouldn't be good.
"Balinor?" vaguely thinking he recognised the name.
"Where does he live?" asked Arthur. He didn't know what a dragonlord was, but if it saved Camelot, he was all for the idea of going to find this man.
"He was last seen in Cenred's kingdom, in the border town of Engerd."Gaius explained, "But that was many years ago."
'We can start there' Uther thought. "And where are you certain the dragonlord was before that?" He wanted to get this man.
Gaius took a quick glance at Merlin, but the boy didn't notice. "The border town of Ealdor, sire." He admitted.
Merlin's head came up in curiosity. "Ealdor?"
"Quiet, boy!" snapped Uther. "A small village, with whom was he staying?"
Gaius knew he had no choice. "He took refuge with a woman by the name of Hunith."
Merlin's head was spinning. This man had stayed with his mother? Why had he never been told of this? "Gaius?!"
Apparently, Arthur was thinking the same thing as Merlin. "Merlin's mother?" Arthur did not like where this was going.
Uther eyes widened at his son's information. He turned to his son's servant. "Your mother?"
Merlin looked at Gaius, trying to ignore Uther's stare. That man could definitely be scary. "Gaius?!" he said desperately. Merlin had so many things going through his head. Could this man possible be his father? The timing fit with the great purge. It couldn't be, could it?
Uther had the very same thoughts going through his head "Who is your father, boy?" he asked curiously.
Merlin had to take huge gulp to steady himself "I do not know who my father is, Sire."
Merlin turned to Gaius, "Gaius?!"
"I'm sorry, my boy. Your mother swore me to secrecy," Gaius started, "but I feel I have no choice. The last dragonlord, Merlin, is your father."
Uther eyes bored into Merlin, "You are the son of dragonlord. You will inherit his powers." He concluded.
"I'm sorry but can someone please tell me who or what the hell a dragonlord is?" said Merlin who was starting to panic.
"There were once men who could talk to the dragons, tame them." Gaius explained.
"Magic." Uther spat "Arthur, you must go and get this Balinor."
"How exactly do I get him to come and help us?" asked Arthur, "I doubt he will come willingly."
Uther smirked "Tell we have his son." He turned to the nearest guard. "Take merlin to the dungeon and Arthur, find this Balinor and take him a message."
It had taken Arthur two days before he reached Engerd. His father had instructed him to look there first as it was the last place he had been spotted. If he wasn't there, Arthur then had to search around the surrounding villages of Ealdor.
It was only by luck that a thief had tried to steal from the prince during the night. He actually thought he could get away with stealing from Arthur Pendragon. After Arthur had had a little chat, the thief had 'willingly' told him of a cave where Balinor was known to dwell.
An hour later and the prince found himself by a small river; he could see the cave entrance just behind the tall bushes. Gradually, he made his way over the rocks; he just hoped Balinor would be inside.
A voice from behind him made him jump. "What are you doing here, boy?" Arthur turned to find a tall, bearded man, with shoulder length black hair looking down on him. He could have sworn if Merlin grew a beard as well, it would actually be quite a resemblance.
"Are you Balinor?" questioned Arthur, he was pretty sure it was, but he had to be certain.
"Who want to know?" Balinor replied with a rough voice. Although, from the seal on the boy's bag; he knew who it must be, Prince Arthur of Camelot. The only question was, what did his father want?
"The king Uther Pendragon, requires you to return with me to Camelot in order to stop the Great Dragon's attack." explained Arthur.
"And why would I want to help Uther?" he said with disgust. "You were mad to come here. Leave now."
"I must warn you…." the prince began.
"LEAVE!"
"Please," Arthur begged, "your son will die if you don't. He is my manservant, but I can't let him die.
Balinor had stopped listening at the word 'son'. "I..I don't have a son." Was this some sort of trick?
Arthur, seeing the dragonlord didn't believe him, tried a different tactic. He just hoped it would work. "I'm begging you, please. Gaius will never forgive me if he dies."
"Gaius?" Balinor asked, shocked. Gaius had been the one to help him evade Uther all those years ago. He had sent him to Ealdor, to Hunith. He had saved his life.
"Yes, Gaius needs your help."
"Alright, I will come with you. A debt must be repaid. I will not let an innocent boy die for me either."
Balinor found himself once he entered Camelot, being grabbed by two guards. He was dragged away from Arthur who he had ridden in with, towards the large doors to the main castle. He knew where he was going; straight to Uther.
The doors to the throne room opened. Looking straight ahead, Balinor saw the king sat in his chair. Even though he was sitting down, he still towered over everyone else. The guards walked him closer to Uther, and then roughly pushed him down on his knees. Forced to show respect for a man he had none.
"What is the meaning of this, Uther?" the dragonlord hissed.
"You will stop the dragon attack; or your son will die." he blackmailed.
"I don't have a son, Uther." started Balinor, "Whoever this innocent boy is, let him go. You will not hurt him in my name." He wasn't going to have that on his conscience.
"I have it on good authority that you do." said Uther as he smirked, "A son born of Hunith of Ealdor."
"Hunith?" said Balinor, his brow furrowed in confusion, "How…?" He had a son? Hunith's son? She hadn't said anything when he had left. Had she known when he left? He had so many questions which he had no answers to. What did he look like?
"Do what I ask and your son shall live." said Uther, interrupting the dragonlord's thoughts. He needed this dragon gone and fast. His people were dying.
Uther watched Balinor as the realisation came over the man's face that he must have a son. He laughed inwardly at the advantage he held over the man. He also watched as the dragonlord's facial expression became one of fury.
"How dare you threaten me, Uther Pendragon?!" Balinor shouted angrily. "Let me see my son!"
"Very well." said Uther slyly. Perhaps by letting the man see his son, he would see what he had to lose.
If there are any mistakes in this, please let me know.
Also, it would mean so much if you could leave a review. If you like it, I'll carry on.