So here's chapter one. This is all I have written, besides like two pages of chapter two, but I promise I'll write more once uni is finished. I have a four month break then - that means lots of time to write!

Also, please tell me if there's any mistakes. I didn't really read this over properly before positing. And I know Merlin seems really OOC, sorry about that.

Please review! xx

The Path Of Light

Chapter One

"What's wrong, Merlin?" Gaius asked as soon as Merlin walked into their chambers after leaving Morgana. Gaius had seen that troubled expression on his ward's face too many times. It did not bode well.

Merlin sat at their table. "… Morgana's dreams. Gaius, she knows. She knows I'm a prince. She's been dreaming of me. Of me in a kingdom that embraces magic. She has seen the rebellion..."

Gaius sat beside the young prince and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He knew the subject of the rebellion was a painful topic for him. A traitorous noble of the court, Lord Anthony Blackwood, desired the Draconian throne for himself. After months of preparing, he attacked the citadel with a large army of traitors, mercenaries, bandits and powerful dark sorcerers. Merlin and his mother, Queen Hunith, were forced to flee whilst King Balinor stayed behind to give them time to escape and rally his people.

Queen Hunith and Merlin finally took refuge in the village of Ealdor. They traded their fine gowns for peasant clothes and assumed the life of a lowly single mother and her son. Every day they waited anxiously for news of Dracona and of Balinor, but none came. They had no idea what happened to their people, or if the king even still lived.

Finally, a message arrived. King Balinor was alive and in hiding. The War for Dracona was still waging, but Hunith and Merlin were to stay in Ealdor. As crown prince and sole heir to the throne, Merlin's safety was paramount. Merlin had protested greatly at these orders. He should be fighting alongside his father! Many times the young prince had packed his bags with the intention of leaving to join the king, but his mother's wise and soothing words had always stopped him. Eventually though, Merlin had to leave Ealdor regardless. His magic had become too strong, too noticeable. The prince had to learn to control it, and so, Merlin was sent to Camelot and Gaius.

Merlin had found a place to belong in Camelot. Arthur, Morgana and Gwen had become his close friends, but he always yearned for Dracona. Where dragons soared across the skies and magic was used freely. Where those born with the gift were not prosecuted, but embraced. He missed the friends he had in the knights, he missed his father, he missed his people. He just missed his kingdom.

"It is alright, my boy," Gaius said comfortingly. "I do not believe you will have to stay away forever. The war with Blackwood will end, and you can go home."

Merlin nodded, though his eyes were filled with frustrated tears. "I also worry about Morgana, Gaius. Her visions, her powers are getting stronger. That fire … she deserves to know the truth."

"But if Uther-"

"Forget Uther!" Merlin snapped, "If she was a citizen of Dracona, her gifts would be welcomed. She would know that magic is not something to be fearful of! I would never let one of my subjects go so worried their gifts, so how can I not do the same to someone who I call a friend?"

"The same way you can allow the Great Dragon to be chained beneath the castle. Because you know what will happen if it is set free."

"Kilgharrah deserves to be set free," Merlin countered, though his heart was not in the argument. His thoughts were far away, filled with the picture of a beautiful young woman who was struggling with her newly-found power. "Dragons are not meant to be chained. They should be free to roam the earth."

"In Dracona, yes. But the Great Dragon has spent decades under Camelot. He will want revenge."

"Do you not think he deserves it, though?" Merlin asked harshly. "To be imprisoned and separated from your kin? I am the son of a Dragonlord, Gaius. Kilgharrah is my kin. It pains me to see him in chains as much as it pains me to see Morgana struggling with her magic."

"Merlin," Gaius said seriously. "I know you wish to help. But promise me you won't do anything rash. It could have disastrous consequences."

It took a long time for Merlin to answer his guardian. He didn't want to promise Gaius anything, because the prince knew that sooner or later, he would break that promise. Both Morgana and Kilgharrah needed help, and Merlin was honour-bound to help them.

But regardless of how he really felt, he found himself replying, "Of course, Gaius. I promise."

The next day found Merlin with a list of chores to do that was a mile long. It didn't really bother him though; people left him alone and that gave him time to think. Also scrubbing the floor of Arthur's chambers gave him a way to vent his frustration at his predicament. Did he tell Morgana the truth and should he release Kilgharrah?

"Alright, what's with you?" Came Arthur's instantly recognisable voice.

Merlin looked up to see the Prince of Camelot standing in the doorway. Arthur had spent the day looking into the case of Morgana's burnt chambers and rounding up those accused of sorcery. Now, however, he was looking at Merlin with both an amused and concerned expression on his face.

"Sorry?" Merlin asked, pausing in scrubbing the floor.

Arthur walked into his room and sat at his desk. "Believe it or not, Merlin. I do enjoy hearing your surly retorts. Yet you've been totally quiet and dare I say efficient in your tasks all day. You're never on time and you always complain, so … what's wrong?"

Merlin continued cleaning the floor, "Nothing's wrong, Arthur."

"Come on, Merlin," Arthur said, and Merlin could hear the serious concern in his master's voice. "I know it's been a bit of a rough few days with Morgana's chambers being attacked, but those responsible will be caught. It will all work out in the end. If anything is bothering you, you can tell me."

Merlin sighed, ceased his scrubbing and looked up at the prince. "Of course I'm concerned about Morgana, but it's also just a bit of home sickness, sire. It will pass." It wasn't entirely untrue. He did miss his parents, his homeland and his people and he was concerned for Morgana. He just didn't exactly have the same concern for her as Arthur did. Arthur was worried about her because she was like family to him; Merlin was worried because she was a friend who was struggling with magic.

"You miss Ealdor and your mother?"

"Yes, and my father."

"Your father? You never speak of him." Arthur's tone was surprised and held a lot of curiosity. Merlin winced inwardly. He should have known better than to bring up Balinor.

"My father is a good man, to which bad things have happened to. My mother and I had to separate from him for a while. I would rather not speak about it, sire."

Merlin had used the prince's title two times in the last minute. Arthur knew it was Merlin's way of shutting him out, of keeping his privacy. It struck Arthur that Merlin was a very private person.

There was a silence until Arthur finally said, "Alright, Merlin. But if there's a problem you come to me, alright?"

Merlin sent him a grateful smile. "Yes. Of course. Thank you, Arthur."

Arthur was spared answering by a knock on the door. The prince called out "Enter" and Morgana opened the door, followed closely by Gwen.

"Arthur, I was wondering if you would like to accompany Gwen and I for a ride?" Morgana asked.

"Morgana, you've been attacked, I'm supposed to be leading the investigation. And do you really think leaving the castle is the best thing for you right now?"

"I talked with Uther," Morgana replied. "He was reluctant, but I just need to get out of the castle for a while. He said I could go if you accompanied me. Please Arthur?"

"Of course," Arthur said eventually, and Merlin noticed he kept looking over at Guinevere. Merlin smiled smugly. He knew there was something between Arthur and Gwen after the whole 'Sir William of Deira' incident. "Come on, Merlin," the prince said.

"But I haven't finished the fl-"

"-You can finish that later," Arthur said. "Come on, it would be good for all of us to get out of the castle."

That was how Merlin found himself out on a ride not ten minutes later. Arthur and Morgana rode ahead whilst he and Gwen trailed behind them. Merlin still couldn't shake the thought of whether or not to tell Morgana the truth. And he knew he ought to free Kilgharrah, but he was afraid of the dragon's wrath towards Camelot.

"What is the matter, Merlin?"

Gwen was looking over at him in concern.

Merlin winced inwardly. He really needed to stop being so noticeably upset. People would continue to ask questions if he continuously seemed troubled. He forced a smile on his face and turned to Gwen.

"I'm fine," he said.

Guinevere looked at him, clearly unconvinced. "Really, Merlin. You are my friend. I know you aren't alright. Please, let me help you."

"It's alright, Gwen. Really."

"Merlin."

He sighed, "What would you do if you knew a friend up was upset, and you could help them, but by doing so, you had to reveal a part of yourself that you have never shown anyone? Would you help them? Or would you keep to yourself?"

Merlin knew he shouldn't have said anything. But this was Gwen. He had always valued her opinion. She had a calm head on her shoulders and she always had good advice.

She went silent for a while before replying. "I think," she said at last, "that if you were really someone's friend, you would help them, regardless of whatever effect it had on you."

Merlin nodded silently. Yes, he thought. I must help Morgana. She deserves to know the truth. And Kilgharrah deserves to go free, but I fear what he would do to Camelot.

"I hope you know, Merlin, that you can always come to me if you have a problem," Gwen said, still looking at him in concern. "Or Arthur, or Morgana. We are your friends."

He smiled more naturally at her, "I know, Gwen. Thank you."

They continued to ride on in silence as their masters still rode on ahead. "Although," Gwen said, "Morgana has been troubled too of late."

Merlin wasn't surprised, he knew what Morgana was going through, but he acted it. "Really? What's wrong? I mean, besides the fire?"

Gwen bit her lip, clearly uneasy about telling her mistress's secrets.

"You can tell me," Merlin said, "I won't tell a soul."

Gwen hesitated a moment longer, but eventually said, "It is her nightmares. They are getting worse. Gaius's sleeping potion isn't working well enough. Do you think he could make them stronger?"

"I'll ask him," Merlin promised.

"They haven't been quite as bad this week," Gwen admitted. "She's had at least three nights of peaceful rest."

I have dreamt of you three times this past week. Merlin thought back to what Morgana said the night before. Were her dreams of him the nights where Morgana slept peacefully?

"What does she dream of?"

Gwen shook her head, "She never tells me. But she will wake up screaming and I can tell she is becoming more and more reluctant to go to sleep. It is almost as if she is afraid of what she will dream. I am worried for her, Merlin."

"I will talk to Gaius," he vowed.

She smiled gratefully at him, "Thank you, Merlin."

Merlin went to reply, but any further conversation was halted by Arthur and Morgana suddenly taking off in a race against each other, their laughter loud and carefree as they galloped. Merlin and Gwen shared a look of fond exasperation and then hurried to keep up with their masters.

It was late, Gwen had left taking the candle with her and Morgana was left on her own. She was afraid to sleep. She didn't know what would happen and the word 'magic' kept entering her mind, but she didn't want to admit it. To have magic and be the ward of Uther Pendragon … it was horrible to even think of.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Morgana couldn't tell if she was happy or sad about that. Her dreams had been so frightening lately – except those strange ones about Merlin as a prince – and she didn't want to use magic again.

No, she told herself. It isn't magic. It isn't!

She tried to think of anything else. What dress she would wear the next day, what she would talk to Gwen about, anything, anything but the possibility of magic.

Merlin… A strange voice sounded in her head. It was male and decidedly old-sounding.

Upon hearing it, Morgana gasped and sat up in bed. It was nothing, she thought. I'm just imaging it.

Merlin.

The voice sounded again. Someone or something was calling out to Merlin. But who would be calling out to Merlin? And how?

Merlin.

She tried to ignore the voice, but it was persistent.

Do not ignore me, Merlin.

Her curiosity piqued, Morgana got out of bed and put a robe on over her nightdress. She left her chambers and headed towards Gaius's. On her way there, she saw Merlin himself leaving the physician's chambers.

Acting on instinct, she did not call out to him. Instead, she clung to the shadows and followed him. Perhaps Merlin was off to meet with the one whose voice sounded in her head. That had to be where he was going.

She was surprised they had not been stopped by any guards. Considering Uther thought she'd been attack the night before, she figured there would be more on patrol, but they encountered none as Merlin unknowingly lead her to the caverns underneath the castle.

"Where is he going?!" She whispered to herself.

Eventually Merlin stopped at a huge cavern. Somewhere on his path from Gaius's to the caverns beneath the castle, Merlin had acquired a torch and he held it aloft as he stared out at the dark cave. "Well?!" He shouted into the darkness. "You called for me, Kilgharrah! Where are you?"

Who is Kil-

But Morgana's thought was cut off by the arrival of the Great Dragon. It landed on a rock just beyond the ledge Merlin was standing on and Morgana was amazed to see that Merlin didn't look remotely alarmed at all by the dragon's presence. Morgana had to stifle a gasp at the sight of the dragon, but Merlin hadn't even taken a surprised step backwards. He hadn't shouted in fright, he didn't run for his life, if the way he'd shouted was anything to go by, he sounded more annoyed than anything else.

"Indeed I did call for you, young warlock," the dragon said.

Morgana was completely shocked. There was a dragon under the castle and it could speak. Actually speak. And Merlin was in contact with it. In fact, the dragon had called Merlin a warlock! A warlock! Morgana knew what that meant, of course. From a young age Uther had educated her and Arthur about magic and the Old Religion, so they may better identify magic users and eradicate them. Apparently she and Arthur hadn't paid close enough attention to these lessons, because if what the dragon said was true, Merlin had magic!

Merlin has magic! I am not alone! She thought in relief, before focusing back on Merlin and the dragon as they continued their conversation.

"I sensed a magical disturbance in the castle last night, young warlock," the dragon went on. "It must have come from the witch."

"Don't call Morgana a witch!" Merlin snapped.

They're talking about me, Morgana realised and instantly was even more curious as to their conversation. She quietly inched closer to them, making sure to keep to the shadows and that she was hidden behind some rocks.

"She is as much as witch as you are a warlock, Merlin. You were both born with your magic; Morgana's has just developed later in life than yours."

Now it was confirmed. Merlin definitely had magic. But what was he doing living in Camelot? A place where those with magic were put to death? Why would he serve Arthur, the son of the man who would see his kind destroyed?

The dragon's words also confirmed Morgana's fears that she had magic. Strangely, knowing that Merlin had magic made her not as afraid to have the gift. If Merlin could survive in Camelot then so could she. Perhaps they could learn magic together? Perhaps Merlin could teach her control?

"Morgana is scared," Merlin said. "I have to talk to her. To tell her I have magic. I know what she's going through. She needs to know she's not alone."

"Morgana Pendragon has a dark destiny. It would be better if the witch never knew the true extent of her powers."

Pendragon? Morgana thought. I am not a Pendragon.

Merlin was clearly as confused as Morgana was. "Pendragon? What are you talking about? Morgana is from the House of Gorlois."

"Uther is her father!" The dragon insisted, "He and the Lady Vivienne spent a night together, which resulted in the birth of the witch! She is a Pendragon! Daughter of Uther and half-sister to Arthur."

Morgana's eyes pooled with tears. Why had Uther not said anything? This couldn't be right. She was a Gorlois! Not a Pendragon!

"Pendragon or not, she is my friend. I will not abandon her," Merlin declared.

Morgana felt a wave of gratitude and love towards the manservant. Magic or not, here he was arguing with a dragon on her behalf. Love. The thought pulled her up short. Love? I don't love Merlin. He is my friend, nothing more. But now that the idea was in Morgana's head, it refused to leave. She shook her head, as if to clear it and focused on what Merlin and the dragon were saying once more.

"Morgana has a dark destiny; she will oppose you in yours. You are Emrys. Too much rests on you to be swayed by your feelings for the witch. Your duty is to Arthur, the Once and Future King, not your heart and how you feel for the Lady Morgana."

Morgana only just managed to stifle her gasp. Her hand covered her mouth in shock and she stared wide-eyed at the manservant and the dragon. Merlin is Emrys and Arthur is the Once and Future King! Morgana remembered back to the lessons she had as a young girl about the druidic prophecies and the Coming of Emrys. Again, it was Uther wanting her and Arthur to recognising to make sure it never happened. But here was a dragon, a creature of the Old Religion, proclaiming that Merlin was Emrys and Merlin wasn't contradicting him at all. He was Emrys. The greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth.

"I know my destiny, Kilgharrah. I know what I must do. I have been taught it from the cradle in my father's palace. I know what is expected of me, but that does not mean I will abandon my friends! I will not forsake Morgana!"

Morgana was bewildered. This conversation was too much for her to take in. What in the world did Merlin mean by 'in my father's palace'? That would mean that Merlin is a –

The dragon, Kilgharrah, growled in frustration. "Your affection for the witch clouds your judgement! You are a prince, Merlin! The sole heir to the throne of Dracona! You should know to put duty before yourself."

Morgana still hadn't lowered her hand away from her mouth as she stared at Merlin in shock. Her dreams were true. Merlin was a prince. A prince in a land that embraces magic! No wonder Merlin had magic and was accepting of hers. If he was a prince what was he doing here? Morgana thought back to her recurring dreams of Merlin and what she had said to him the day before. In my dream you are the prince, a fierce warrior and beloved by your people. But you were forced to leave. There was a rebellion, a coup, a traitor who wanted the power for themselves … you had to be taken to safety.

Morgana didn't doubt that this was the reason for Merlin being in Camelot and pretending to be a servant. The idea that Merlin was a prince was hard to wrap her head around, but she knew it was true. Merlin had a certain sense of nobility about him. A wisdom that normally wasn't seen from those of the lower classes – Merlin, Gaius and Gwen being obvious exceptions to that rule – and an inner strength that shone through everything Merlin did, that went hand in hand with his kindness and thoughtfulness for others.

Yes, Merlin had numerous princely qualities. How had none of them ever seen it before?

Morgana thought back to Merlin's cheerful response the evening before: if only it were true, though! If I were a prince, I wouldn't have to look after the Prat! None of them had ever seen it because Merlin hid his secrets well. Merlin didn't allow them to see the real him.

That thought made Morgana sad.

"Just because I care for Morgana doesn't mean I've turned my back on my destiny, Kilgharrah!" Merlin argued. "You have always cautioned me away from her. Why? Why do you think so little of her?! She has a good heart!"

"She has a good heart now, young warlock. But her heart will not always be pure. Destiny will not be kind to Morgana Pendragon."

The Lady Morgana flinched at hearing herself being called a Pendragon, but that was nothing compared to what the dragon said. Why would her heart not always be pure? What did Kilgharrah mean?

"What are you talking about?" Merlin demanded. "Tell me!"

The dragon hissed angrily, "You are not a dragonlord yet, Merlin. You may be the son of the last dragonlord, but do not assume to control me. You can give me no orders."

Morgana gaped unladylike in Merlin's direction. Dragonlord?! How many surprises was this conversation going to reveal? How many secrets was Merlin hiding?!

Merlin put his hands up in a peaceful gesture. "Please, Kilgharrah," he entreated, "please don't ask me to turn my back on a friend. What do the prophecies say about Morgana?"

Kilgharrah seemed reluctant to speak, but eventually he did. Morgana found herself inching closer, desperate to hear what the dragon had to say. "Morgana's destiny is unclear. Her path is undecided. I have cautioned you away from her, young warlock, for it is most likely that she will follow the Path of Darkness. There is little hope for her."

Morgana felt tears running down her face. No! No, that couldn't be right.

"You're wrong!" Merlin shouted at the dragon. "She is a good person. You said there was little hope, but that means there is some hope for her!"

"Her destiny is undecided. She will either be the hatred to you love, the darkness to you light … or she will be your strongest ally."

Morgana felt hope stirring in her chest. His strongest ally, she thought. That means I will not turn dark. It must! I won't! She was determined not to turn into what the dragon thought she would be.

"There is but one string of hope, one path of light in the darkness that is the future of Morgana Pendragon," the dragon went on and Morgana clung to his every word. "I caution you from her, for the hope is slim, young warlock. Focusing on it could jeopardise your destiny as Emrys."

Merlin shook his head. "Some hope is worth focusing on, Kilgharrah. If there is a chance Morgana won't turn into the enemy you believe her to be, I will take it. I told you, I will not abandon her."

The dragon looked displeased, but he nodded his large head. Merlin, clearly thinking the conversation was over, nodded once and left. Morgana momentarily panicked as she saw Merlin head her way, but she crouched behind a rock and Merlin didn't see her at all as he passed. Unfortunately Merlin took the torch with him, so the cave was blanketed in darkness once he left. Morgana had to blink a few times for her eyes to adjust to the change in light.

"I know you're there, young witch," the voice of the dragon spoke out of the darkness.

Morgana froze, suddenly terrified. Steeling her courage, she crept out of her hiding place. She needed to talk to the dragon. She needed to know what the hope for her was.

She approached the dragon; Kilgharrah hadn't moved since Merlin's departure. Morgana stopped just a short way away from the edge and stared at the great beast. He was hard to make out in the dark light of the caverns, but his golden eyes stood out amongst the darkness. The dragon surveyed her as Morgana stood there, silently wondering what to ask of him. She had so many questions she didn't know where to begin.

"You followed Merlin, young witch," the dragon said at last, breaking the silence that had formed between them.

Morgana found herself nodding. "Yes," she croaked out, before clearing her throat and repeating in a firmer voice. "Yes. I heard you call out to him."

"I will admit, this is the first time the young warlock has had someone follow him down to my cavern."

The young warlock. Kilgharrah's words reminded Morgana of one of the many discoveries she had made that night. "Merlin has magic."

"Yes, and so do you."

The dragon's blunt words pulled Morgana up short. There it was. The first time that someone had told her outright that she had magic. She felt both relieved and horrified at what Kilgharrah had said. Relieved that it was finally acknowledged and she now knew what was happening to her, and terrified of being a magic user and also the ward of King Uther.

"There is no need to look so distraught, Morgana Pendragon-"

"-I am not a Pendragon!" Morgana surprised herself by shouting back at the dragon. "I am Morgana Gorlois!"

Kilgharrah gave what could only be described as a grunt of irritation. "It seems you are as stubborn as Merlin. You both seem to believe I am wrong when I speak nothing but the truth. You are Uther's child, Morgana Pendragon. That tyrant's blood run's through you."

"You're wrong!"

"I am correct. You merely refuse to accept the truth."

"Uther wouldn't lie to me and my mother would never betray my father!" Tears began to stream down Morgana's face as she shouted at the dragon in defiance.

"This betrayal cuts you deep, I see. I would caution you against such thoughts, they will only lead you down the Path of Darkness."

"You believe I'm going to turn evil." Morgana couldn't fathom ever doing so, but the dragon was right – hearing of her true parentage hurt her.

"I have cautioned the young warlock away from you time and time again, but he remains stubbornly affectionate towards you and ignores my advice. You have a dark destiny, young witch; a dark future with only one chance of salvation."

"What is it?! You must tell me!"

"Why should I? If prophecies are to be believed, you will be Merlin and Arthur's greatest enemy. Why should I tell you of the future when you could just use that information to further your own dark desires?"

"Please!" Morgana begged. "I have no wish to be evil. I refuse! That's not me! I'm not who you think I am. Your knowledge of the future of prophecies clouds your judgement of me. I know what the Coming of Emrys means! If Merlin is Emrys and Arthur is the Once and Future King, then I know what that means for those with magic. I know what it means for – for people like me. Why would I jeopardise that?!"

There was a silence as the dragon studied her. "Merlin is right – for now you have a good heart," he said eventually. "But I do not trust you. The prophecies state that you and the Druid boy, Mordred, will be united in evil. This union will result in the death of Arthur and Albion will never be realised."

Morgana gaped at him. Mordred and I united in evil?! She shook her head. None of this was right. None of this made any sense.

"No," she said.

"No?" The dragon repeated, a hint of mocking in his voice. "You believe the prophecies to be wrong?"

"JUST - NO!" Morgana screamed. Suddenly, she felt a rush surge through her body and a boulder to her left exploded into pieces. Morgana shrieked in surprised and covered her head with her arms, protecting herself as pieces of rock flew everywhere.

When the chaos subsided, Morgana cautiously lowered her arms and stared at what she had done. That was magic. She knew. She could feel it. She'd lost control and blew up a rock. What if that was a person?! She thought, utterly terrified at herself.

The dragon merely stared at the where the boulder had been, seemingly unconcerned. "You are powerful, but lack control," he observed.

"Please," she entreated, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Please tell me. You said there was hope for me. I don't want to be evil. I don't want to be the hatred to Merlin's love, or the darkness to his light. I want to be his strongest ally. I don't want to bring about Arthur's death. I don't want to be united with Mordred in evil. I want Albion to be real. I want peace for those with magic. Please, please, just tell me…. What hope do I have?"

Kilgharrah studied her silently for a long time. Morgana held her breath. He had to tell her. He just had to.

"I will tell you where your hope lies, young witch," the dragon said at last. "But you must do something for me first and I will not tell you anything until this deed is done."

"I'll do anything, I promise!" Morgana said immediately.

It was only after Kilgharrah had given her a savage, toothy, dragon grin that Morgana came to regret agreeing to something so readily.

"Then I take you at your word that you will do what I ask," Kilgharrah replied. "Only then will I tell you what you want to hear."

"Of course. What do you want of me?"

It took a long time for the dragon to answer.

"...Why, you must free me, Morgana Pendragon."

Heh heh... sorry, guys. Kinda cliffhangery.

I'll update when I can!