Arthur burst through the door to Gaius's chambers, causing Gaius to drop a small glass vial, it smashed into a thousand pieces and its liquid contents began to spread across the cold, stone floor.

"Sire, I must ask why you've so impetuously come to me" Gaius spoke, his eyes focused on the red glow of fury emanating from Arthur's cheeks.

"I'm looking for Merlin" said Arthur before pushing past Gaius, crunching across the broken glass and opening the door to Merlin's chambers so forcefully it seemed to come off its hinges. Gaius stood stunned before slowly lowering himself back onto his stool, eyes still focused on Merlin's chambers.

Arthur slammed the door shut behind him, waking Merlin from his slumber.

"…s'what…" said Merlin sleepily, still partly in his dreams.

"How dare you fool me into believing you were a sorcerer!" shouted Arthur, making Merlin start as he sat up in bed.

"What? I was telling you the truth" said Merlin, easing himself out of bed.

"Sure. Merlin, the most hopeless servant I've ever had is one of the most powerful men in the land. That isn't even funny, Merlin. Admit it, or I'll shall be forced to discharge you from my services – you lied to me."

"Honestly, Arthur, I'll prove it to you." Merlin looked around his room for something to use his magical abilities on.

"I know, I'll show you the dragon." Merlin said finally.

"The what?"
"The dragon - the one your father has kept imprisoned for the past twenty years."

"Merlin, there aren't anymore dragons – they were killed in the Great Purge."

"Not this one." Merlin left the room. With Arthur's curiosity piqued, he followed the warlock.

Arthur caught up with Merlin as they reached some steep stone steps, descending into darkness. Merlin grabbed a nearby torch and led the way down. As they reached the bottom of the steps, Arthur could make out light ahead of him and pushed past Merlin, sword at the ready. He stopped, astounded.

"That will do you no good, young Pendragon. It took many armies to vanquish my brothers and no mortal sword can pierce my hide, regardless of the worth of the man wielding it," spoke the Great Dragon, his voice booming through the cave, he turned to Merlin,

"Why have you brought the young Pendragon here, warlock? It is not his destiny to slay me."

"I came to prove who I am to Arthur – he will not believe what I tell him" said Merlin, bowing slightly as he addressed the Great Dragon.

"You want me to convince him of your power, Merlin? I cannot do that, only you can fulfil your destiny, not I. All you have done is confused him. You must hope that this encounter with the Old Religion has not turned the young Pendragon into his father – terrified of what he does not care to understand." At this Arthur stepped forward,

"You know my father?" asked Arthur.

"Indeed. It was Uther who chained me to this rock" the Great Dragon lifted one of his hind legs, revealing a long silver chain that tinkled as it dragged across the rock.

"Why did he never tell me this?"

"Because to admit that he could not defeat me would mean admitting to his weakness – and also to his curiosity. Uther will not kill me, only imprison me. He is too afraid to face me but too intrigued by my powers to destroy me."

"My father would never be interested in magic. He's always preaching its disastrous effects!"

"There is much that you do not know of your father's relationship with magic. I would hold my tongue if I were you, until I knew more of the past. But let me tell you this – stick close to Merlin, Arthur. You're destinies are entwined so closely they appear as one." With that, the Great Dragon flew high into the caverns above, the chain clinking against the stones it flew past. The air pushed from its wings caused the torch in Merlin's hands to flicker out.

"Aduro" Merlin chanted, and a floating, sphere of blue-tinged light hung in the air before him and Arthur. Merlin turned round to face Arthur and was taken aback by the prince's expression – it was one of fear and confusion, mixed with regret. Arthur turned his back on the luminous orb and continued up the stairs in the dark, his head hung in shame. Puzzled, Merlin followed quietly, leaving ample room between himself and the prince. As Merlin walked up the stairs he felt his heart begin to ache and wished he'd said something to Arthur, not let him walk away.

Ahead, Arthur continued on to his chambers and felt his shoulders sag with each step. He felt sorrow for his father's inability to achieve his aim of eradicating magic, though he didn't agree with it. Alongside this he felt guilt for distrusting Merlin, he couldn't see how they could grow closer now that he had thrown Merlin's dark secret back in his face. Plus, his mind swirled with all that the Great Dragon had said. Even its existence confused him.