Author: LadyFromPoland

Disclaimer: I don't own "Merlin". It is a TV show which belongs to BBC.

Warning: SLASH

English is not my mother language.

Home for their hearts

Chapter 02

"Tournament of sorts"

Merlin loved sleeping. When he was asleep, the time was passing by quickly. He didn't have to worry about anything. It was just him and his bed.

Therefore, he hated being interrupted while sleeping. It didn't occur frequently but when it happened, he was getting very angry. This night was one of those rare times. Whoever was making the noise outside was going to regret that. Merlin would make sure of that.

When he opened the door, he could not believe his eyes. Dozens of various magical creatures were gathered around his hut. Among them, Merlin noticed the dragon that he had met.

"What are you doing here?" Merlin asked after a while of puzzlement, when he came back to his senses. "Can someone explain it to me?"

The fairies hid behind the trees. They must have been scared of Merlin's annoyed tone. The goblins looked at him curiously and the rest, except for the dragon, pretended not to hear him.

"I can explain," Kilgharrah said, flying towards him. "I know everything."

Merlin took a deep breath. He didn't want to listen about his destiny but he also needed an explanation. Just yesterday he had his hut and area around it only for himself. Now everything was upside down. Dozens of elves, fairies, goblins, speaking animals and other magical creatures occupied his ground. He needed some answers.

"Fine," Merlin agreed reluctantly. He could have sworn that the dragon grinned at him.

"That's the work of Lady Morgana," said Kilgharrah. "She's having all magical creatures sent to this forest."

"But why?" Merlin asked him. It didn't make sense at all. "What's the point?"

"I believe that it's her way to gain more power over this land," the dragon said sincerely.

"You believe?" The warlock frowned slightly. "She's already ruling this country. I still don't see the point."

"Morgana is the kind of person who feeds on power. And her sister Morgause is even worse... I suppose that they see a threat in all magic but theirs. Thus, they are having all magical creatures deported to one place so they can easily keep an eye on us."

Merlin blinked a few times. "It sounds crazy," he said after a while.

"It is crazy indeed," the dragon admitted. "And it's unfair to the magical community."

Merlin looked at all the creatures that surrounded his hut. He liked his loneliness and he wanted to keep his life private. With all these creatures around he would never have his peace back. He needed to stop Morgana.

"Listen to me!" he said as loud as he could. "All of you!"

This time all magical creatures turned towards him, listening to him carefully. There was something different in his tone. Something firm and decisive.

"What happened to you today is an absurd," he started. "It shouldn't have happened! You had your places to live. You had your homes! Now you're refugees." Merlin took a deep breath and looked around. "It's not fair," he continued firmly. "And I can promise you that I will do all I can to help you come back to the places you lived before!"

The creatures remained completely silent for another few seconds but then they started cheering on Merlin and they couldn't stop. It was madness. Merlin didn't know what to do. He wanted to calm them down but it seemed impossible right then. In their eyes, he was a hero.

After an awkward moment, Merlin looked at the dragon. He needed some help with finding Morgana. He had never been near her castle and he needed to end this case quickly. Wandering around was not an option. "Do you know how to find Lady Morgana?" he asked the dragon. He hated the idea of being accompanied by a flying creature which would talk about destiny most of the time but taking the dragon with him seemed the best idea at the time.

"Of course," Kilgharrah answered, a bit too enthusiastically.

"You will show me the way, then." It was not a question or a polite request. Merlin had no time for these. It was a simple statement. Besides, Merlin was sure that the dragon would have agreed anyway.

And Merlin was right. Kilgharrah was more than happy to lead Merlin towards Morgana and his awaiting destiny.

oOoOo

The journey with Kilgharrah was tiring. It wasn't caused by the distance but by the dragon's insistence on talking to Merlin. At first, Merlin tried to ignore him. However, it was becoming more and more difficult. Kilgharrah didn't seem to get tired at all. The creature could talk without a break for hours and Merlin was not strong enough to make himself think about something else. He had to listen. He had no choice.

At this point, Merlin was sure that the dragons should never be allowed to talk. He truly believed that humanity would not survive if all these creatures had such ability.

Listening about ordinary stuff was bearable. However, when the dragon repeatedly insisted on its nonsense about destiny and fate, Merlin was burning up. He had made a clear point of his aversion to this subject but Kilgharrah didn't seem to care.

That was why Merlin felt relief when they finally saw Morgana's castle in the horizon. He would soon get rid of the annoying creature. He was sure of that.

"It's an impressive castle," said Merlin.

"Lady Morgana tries to show her power in all possible ways," Kilgharrah replied.

"She may be powerful but she shouldn't treat all magical creatures the way she did." Merlin glanced at the dragon. "I will stop her."

"I'm sure you will," said Kilgharrah. He was cryptic, not sarcastic.

They entered the court easily. There was no one to stop them. It was quite odd. Merlin looked quite ordinary but the presence of the dragon at the court could be seen dangerous.

"It's quiet," said Merlin. "Too quiet... What's going on here?"

"We shall find out," answered Kilgharrah. "I can hear some voices over there." The creature looked in the direction of a huge, brown gate."

"I hear nothing," said warlock suspiciously.

"I'm a dragon," replied Kilgharrah. "My senses are sharp. I can hear, see and smell things that people can't."

Merlin was surprised by the determination in Kilgharrah's voice. "Fine," he said a bit shyly. "Let's find out then why the court and the streets are empty."

The gate was really huge and massive. Merlin would never open it with the strength of his muscles. Luckily, as a gifted warlock, he didn't need them. He raised his hand slightly and muttered a short incantation.

The gate started opening itself slowly.

The first thing that Merlin noticed was an extensive arena where dozens of knights were about to start fighting.

"Who dares to interrupt my tournament?" Merlin heard a powerful female voice. He looked up, seeking its source and saw a beautiful and majestic dark haired woman. She was standing in a royal spot, looking directly at him.

"That's Morgana," the dragon whispered.

Merlin had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. It was obvious that the woman was Morgana. She looked like someone in charge. Besides, Merlin could sense the powerful magic that was radiating from her.

"Who are you?" Morgana asked firmly.

Just then he realised that all knights and guards had their swords pointed at him. That was a very uncomfortable situation. Merlin swallowed hard.

"My name is Merlin," he answered, glancing at all the swords around him.

Morgana looked at Kilgharrah questioningly.

"The dragon is not dangerous," Merlin said hastily.

"I can feel your magic," Morgana said, looking back at Merlin. "You shouldn't be here." After a while she added, "are you starting a rebellion?"

"No, no! No... I'm far from that. Believe me..." Merlin was aware that it didn't look well. He needed to be careful. "We mean no harm," he assured her.

"Then why are you here?" Morgana asked, annoyed. "You've just interrupted my highly important tournament. My knights and the audience are getting impatient..."

"I'm here because of the magical creatures that was sent to my place... to my forest," said Merlin.

"Your forest?" Morgana's brow raised high. "I'm in charge of the land."

"I'm aware of that." Merlin gulped. "What I meant is that they occupy the ground around my hut. I've lived in peace and these creatures destroyed it. I want... I demand to have my spot for myself!" Finally, Merlin dared to say out loud what he really meant.

"You demand?" Morgana burst out laughing and the audience followed her example. For a few moments, all that Merlin could hear was their laughter.

Suddenly, a fair haired woman who was standing by Morgana's side, whispered something to her ear. Morgana listened to her very carefully and then smirked.

"My sister has a brilliant idea!" she said out loud. "Merlin, that's your name, isn't it?" The warlock nodded. "I have a deal. You will get your hut and the area around it back to yourself... You will be the owner of the place and you'll have it in writing..."

"If?" Merlin asked, very curious. He wondered what Morgana would want in exchange.

The sorceress smiled. "If you fulfil the mission that my knights were supposed to," she said.

"What kind of mission?" Merlin asked.

"That shouldn't be difficult for someone like you. For someone with magic," Morgana added. "You need to rescue prince Arthur Pendragon from a tower and bring him to me so we can finally get married," she explained smoothly.

That wasn't something that Merlin was expecting. However, it didn't sound so bad. It actually seemed a fair deal.

"If I agree, what will you do to the magical creatures?" he asked her.

"I won't hurt them. That should be enough for you," Morgana answered. "What's your decision, then?" she asked almost innocently.

"I accept your deal."

oOoOo

"Do you have to follow me?" Merlin asked the dragon for the hundredth time that day. "I didn't ask you to..."

"I cannot let you go on your own," Kilgharrah said decisively. "There's a dragon in that tower. I can be helpful!"

"I highly doubt that," Merlin replied truthfully. "But fine! Whatever! When it's over, I'll have my place back to myself. And I'll finally have some peace."

"You shouldn't hide like this. You should have someone to talk to... make friends..." the dragon told him. "Your attitude towards life is unhealthy."

"I didn't ask for your opinion," Merlin replied harshly and sighed. "Could you be quiet for a few minutes? I need some silence."

"Sure," said Kilgharrah. "As you wish."

Merlin didn't get his silence, though. The dragon was unable to keep quiet for longer than a minute.

Their journey took almost three days and honestly, Merlin considered this time the most tiring of his life. The dragon kept on talking about destiny and Merlin's unhealthy attitude towards other people and creatures. Merlin could do nothing to stop him.

Therefore, when he saw the castle in the horizon, he felt as the happiest man on earth.

Finally, he had some distraction from the talking dragon.

Finally, he could do something useful and honourable.

I'll publish next chapter in a week. It'll be longer and more exciting - I promise!

Now, feel free to review!