Okay, this is going to be a long one. Possibly in two parts, morning and afternoon…I wanted to get all of the 'gah' stuff out of the way before the real fun begins. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
_

Merlin scowled. He had had next to no sleep, he had a raging headache, he was shortly going to be landing a dragon in the courtyard. And, to top it all off, Gwaine was… being Gwaine. And it was really getting on his nerves.
Ever since news had spread that Merlin would be getting a Dragon to visit Camelot, the knight had been taking bets on how many people would take pots shots at it, and Merlin was seriously getting worried that someone would be stupid enough to try. Not that it would hurt Kilgarrah, but the thrower…? They may be in for some… awkward moments.
Merlin kept the scowl in place as Gwaine danced around the courtyard, Buddy gambolling around with him, irritating everyone he possibly could. Everyone was surprised that Merlin hadn't done something about it yet, and many of the knights had lost money to comrades who had more faith in Merlin's patience. But that was about to go downhill, and everyone could see it as Gwaine yawned and began to regard Arthur, as if deciding to test his luck.
Arthur shot him a 'Merlin, do something or I will' look as Gwaine started to skip over to him and Merlin shrugged, getting a 'Merlin, seriously. DO SOMETHING NOW!' look in return. The Warlock sighed, rolling his eyes and sending a look back, 'Fine… Prat...' before leaving the safety of his perch on the castle steps and heading over to Gwaine.
"Oi!"
Everyone tried to pretend they weren't watching as Merlin stalked over to Gwaine, Buddy cowering slightly behind his master as Merlin jabbed him in the chest.
"You! You have to be the most irritating, drunken, pain in the ass I have ever met. And I work for Arthur. Now, get over to those steps, sit down and shut up, or I will hang you from the Chandelier in the throne room until Kilgarrah has left. Do I make myself clear?"
Gwaine blinked, then whistled softly.
"Oh… So this is why Princess never actually dares to completely piss you o-"
"MOVE IT GWAINE!"
The speed by which the knight complied had most of the courtyard chuckling, and most of the knights choking with silent laughter as they tried to make out that they were sorry for their fellow fknight. Merlin turned to Buddy, who had stayed where he was sat, staring balefully at the warlock.
"You too. Go on…"
He gestured to Gwaine, and the dog skirted around him, widely, before hightailing it after Gwaine, his tail between his legs, and settling down to slobber over Gwaine's hauberk as he sat on the steps pouting.

Arthur, laughing as much as the others, clapped him on the back.
"I have to… hand it to you…" he said, between laughs, "That was impressive…" His laughter cut off as he started hiccupping, and his face fell. "Great. Now I-I'm going to b-be hic-cupping all-all day… Hiccuping to a-a dragon of a-all things."
Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Ugh, stop being a drama Princess. Honestly." Merlin's eyes flashed gold and Arthur's hiccups vanished, much to his relief.
The king sighed.
"How did I manage without magic before the last three days?"
"Because you had a ridiculously good liar for a manservant?"
"Good liar maybe, but you are a terrible manservant."
"Were… Were a terrible manservant."
"Merlin?"
"But I don't want to shut up…"
"I was going to say fair point, actually… And don't give me the 'oh dear god Arthur said something halfway nice, and or smart,' look. It's irritating."
"Like you, you mean?"
"Well, that was unnecessary. And you are hardly one to talk…"
"But according to you, I never stop talking…"
"Well, you will now. Before I make you."
"Ooh, was that a threat Arthur? You more than anyone know you will never be able to shut me up. You have tried for years and never succeeded."
"Oh really? What if I order Gwaine to pester you all week? About pixies and goblins and trolls and fairies and flying pigs and…" Arthur grinned, evilly,
"…Unicorns"
Merlin gasped, horrified at the thought, and took a step back.
"You wouldn't…"
"Try me…"
Arthur's grin was evil, and Merlin's face fell as his gaze flickered to Gwaine and back, knowing that this was no idle threat… Gwaine and Unicorns… He would rather spend the month in the stocks and clean out the stables for a year… by hand… than suffer such a fate. And Arthur knew it too.
"Okay." Merlin grimaced and sighed, defeated. "Okay… You- you win."

Leon, who as in earshot, gasped and dropped his sword to the ground, where it clattered, loudly, on the cobbles.
"Wait… No… No, it can't be… M-Merlin…? You… you let Arthur… Win…?"
The knight looked about to faint and Percival appeared, hoisting him back to his feet.
"What's up?"
Leon's voice was quiet as he replied.
"He-He won, Perce… Merlin submitted to Arthur in a banterthon… Arthur won. Arthur… beat Merlin…"
Percival gasped, dropping Leon to the floor. He hadn't been here as long as the others, but he knew that this was serious. This was more than serious. This was going to become a legendary moment… it may even have its own holiday and everything… Merlin submitted to Arthur... in a banterthon.
This changed the entire dynamic of Camelot…
This changed everything…
Everything…
Percival backed away, ever so slightly, already debating what side to be on in the inevitable war to come…
Would he be an Arthurian? Or a Merlinian?
Whatever he chose, things were going to get messy…
After they defeated the bad guys and saved the kingdom of course.

An hour later and word had spread, creating the need for Merlin to hide, as his fan group-yes, he had a fan group in Camelot much to Arthur's disbelief- were hunting him down to offer condolences and to find out what was so terrible as to cause Merlin to let the king win.
And to pledge their undying love and allegiance to him for the upcoming civil war that would erupt within Camelot.
Merlin sighed as he watched another group of people pass beneath him as he hung, comfortably suspended with magic, in the rafters of the tavern, nursing a drink of ale...
He had no doubts that the barmaid, Gladys, was a Merlinian- which was what the members of his fan-group had called themselves, Merlinians- She would keep his location a secret. But it would take more than a dragon to regain what he lost with his surrender to Arthur. It would take guts. It would take daring. It would take sparks and fireworks and explosions and showiness. And it would take magic. Lots and Lots of magic. And though he didn't know what it would be yet, he was looking forward to inventing it.
He took a swig of ale and sighed. Typical. Perfect hiding place- what with Gladys, the protection from the knowledge that he had hardly ever set foot in a tavern before in his life… to most peoples knowledge anyway, and the very comfy perch he had made for himself- yet he couldn't get drunk.
Bloody magic. Bloody Typical. Bloody great loud dragon roar.
…Wait… Dragon? Crap! He was late!
Merlin leapt to the floor, using magic to slow his descent, tossed a gold coin to Gladys-Courtesy of an ill thought through wager, on Arthur's part, that Merlin couldn't get Gwaine to say please- and spun on the spot, vanishing and reappearing on the steps, with a huge clap of blue light and thunder, just as Kilgarrah landed in the courtyard.

The mixture of the sounds of each of their arrivals had most of the people watching completely awestruck, and seemingly unable to determine just whose entrance was most impressive.
Merlin jogged down the steps, sheepish.
"Sorry I'm late… Had some… things to attend to."
"Such as making an entrance?" Gwaine asked, grinning, "Mate, that was bloody brilliant!"
Merlin looked confused, then blinked.
"Oh, that? That's nothing. You should see what I can do when I want to put on a show."
Kilgarrah gave a chuckle, and spoke, his deep voice resonating throughout the courtyard and causing the quiet mutterings around the courtyard to cease.
"And I would very much like to be around to see that, Merlin. I have not had the pleasure of seeing you reach the fullest of your potential."
"Good morning to you as well, Kilgarrah. Arthur? Meet my good friend… Kilgarrah? I believe you recognize the idio-man that tried to stick you with a shiny stick?"
"On the right hand side. Yes… It is a pleasure to see you again, young Pendragon. I'm also glad that the circumstances were better than those of our last encounter."
"You aren't alone in thinking that…" Arthur said, with a small smile, and the dragon laughed.
"Well, it is always good to know if one has made an impression."
"Well, you most certainly managed that," Arthur assured him, "What with you and Merlin, I believe that this has fast become one of the most interesting weeks Camelot has seen."
"Publically anyway…" Merlin muttered, and Arthur raised an eyebrow, as if to say 'no doubt' before turning to the crowd at large.
"Kilgarrah is here for more than one reason. Not only is he here to show his support of Camelot, but he is here to show his support in our constant battles with the Lady Morgana." The crowd went silent at that, and Arthur took a deep breath before continuing. "And another of those battles is looming. We have heard word that Morgana is moving and will reach Camelot before the week is out… But!" he shouted, over the muttering and conversations that started at those words, "But, this time will be different. This time, the man who has protected Camelot for the past eight years, from not only Morgana but countless other threats, will not have to do so from the shadows and will not have to do so alone. This time, we fight magic with magic. This time, Morgana will not win! So we have to prepare. The catacombs are being readied as we speak, and we ask that you remain as calm during this crisis as you have in the others we have faced. The knights will shortly be passing out information and protocols, and any questions can be directed at them. Thank you… But, before then, I wish to thank one of the best allies Camelot has ever known for his role in saving this city several times. Kilgarrah, you have my thanks and the thanks of Camelot for your actions."
"Thank you, Arthur Pendragon. Never before in my time have I met someone so worthy of the loyalty and respect of his position. It will be my honour to fight for Camelot in the battle to come."
"The honour is ours…"
Conversations broke out again as the people realised that they would have a dragon on their side in the next battle, and Merlin rolled his eyes.
Honestly… They hadn't seen anything yet…
He chuckled and jumped down the steps, heading over to Kilgarrah, who lowered his head so that Merlin could speak to him.
"Merlin?"
"All this pomp and ceremony… Gah, I hate it. Anyway, I'm guessing that you are rather looking forward to showing them just what you can do?"
Kilgarrah gave a low chuckle,
"Merlin, such wishes are hardly standing of one with my level of intelligence and maturity… But yes. As you so ineloquently put it, I am rather looking forward to giving the people of Camelot a display to… bolster their spirits. And are you aware, young warlock, that we are conversing in my native tongue? I'm afraid many of your friends are looking quite astounded…"
Merlin blinked. Nope, he hadn't realized that and, turning to look at the dumbfounded looks on the others faces, he grinned in mock confusion.
"Oh, did I forget to tell you I speak Dragon?" He said, now in English, and they blinked. Arthur nodded.
"Yes Merlin. I don't believe you have ever actually mentioned that little fact…"
Gwaine gave a whoop and laughed.
"This is brilliant! Merlin can growl! Oh, oh, can we see him breathe fire Merlin?"
Kilgarrah snaked his head around Merlin to stare at Gwaine.
"You must be Sir Gwaine… It seems strength has a humorous side to it…" With no further explanation as to the cryptic comment, Kilgarrah snorted a smoke ring around Gwaine and snorted. "You want fire, young knight?"
Kilgarrah brought his head up, elongating his neck, and roared, blasting out a column of fire that went higher than the tallest towers of Camelot, and sent waves of heat across the courtyard.
He cut off and the fire went out immediately, as Kilgarrah looked back to Gwaine.
"There is your fire…"
Gwaine blinked, then grinned.
"That was BRILLIANT! Oh, Morgana is so going down…" Can you do it aga-"
"Nope!" Merlin butt in, rolling his eyes. "No more fire. I don't want to turn you into some kind of pyromaniac."
Gwaine pouted.
"I can turn into one if I want to. You're not the boss of me…"
"No, but I'm the boss of him…" Merlin gestured to Kilgarrah, who looked rather put out to have been described as such, before he continued, "And anyway, Kilgarrah has agreed to scout out for Morgana. And I doubt he wants to stay here all day spouting out jets of fire…"
Kilgarrah snorted,
"You are right there, Merlin, but there are so many more useful ways to use fire. Observe…"
With that, he sent out a thin stream of fire, and then breathed over it, causing it to slow down enough for everyone to see the slow movements of the individual strands and flickers.

Merlin blinked, staring at it, then raised a hand, pulling a section towards him and encasing it in a clear orb before staring at it.
"Wow… Position specific time control, and with elemental control over the individual elements and components that make up the fire itself… I have to try that, though I'd probably have to converge a time freeze and the elemental portion of the magic with an incantation to steady the motion of the flames instead of just freezing them within a time locked space and-"
He cut off as he became aware of many pairs of eyes on him and looked up to see everyone staring at him.
"What?"
Leon spoke up.
"Big words. A lot of big words. Coming from you… It was rather... surprising, is all."
"Oh… Oops. Anyway, Kilgarrah? You'd better head off. You should take the time to hunt before leaving. I don't want you having to go on a sustained flight then have to go into a battle with nothing to sustain you."
"Again, Merlin, you have slipped into my tongue… I am not quite sure why, though it does make a pleasant change I have to say. And thank you for your concern, young warlock. It is appreciated. I will definitely be hunting before I leave, if it will stay your nerves."
"Thanks. I don't want to have to worry about more than I have to…"
"But you must remember Merlin, this time, you have your friends beside you. This time, you can use your magic to an extent which was previously denied to you. You have the strength to beat the witch, Merlin, of that I hold no doubt." Kilgarrah switched to English as he turned to Arthur again.
"It has been a pleasure to meet with you, Arthur Pendragon, and with the knights and citizens of Camelot. Until the next time…" He switched back to the dragon tongue as he swayed back to Merlin.
"You are not alone Merlin. And you have a strength many cannot even begin to comprehend. Stay safe young warlock."
"You to Kilgarrah. And thank you…"
With that, Kilgarrah rose into the air and flew in a circle before heading west, soon out of sight.
Arthur, along with the rest of them, watched him leave as Merlin messed around with the fire that he had trapped in the small orb. Merlin was wrested from his musings by the Kings voice.
"You have some interesting friends Merlin."
"You think he was interesting? Wait till you meet Alator… Actually, I think he and Leon will get along. They have a similar way of… doing things."
"Still… A dragon?"
"Funnily enough, it's not the strangest creature I have been helped by. The vilia were a bit stranger to be honest. They were spirits after all… And I still maintain that the keeper of the unicorns is not entirely human…"
"Alright, we get it. Your life is far too interesting…"
"You don't need to tell me that."
Suddenly, and with ridiculously good timing, a small clap sounded and a Merlin hawk appeared in the air, a small roll of parchment tied to its leg.

With a screech, it landed on Merlin's shoulder, and he ruffled its feathers absentmindedly as he undid the scroll and unfurled it, scanning the contents.
His face darkened as he read it, and he cursed, causing the bird to fly up and squawk in protest, before flying in the general direction of Gaius' rooms.
The crowd filed away as Arthur and the knights crowded around the warlock, concerned.
"Merlin? What is it?"
"I- I'm going to kill her. I'm actually going to kill her…" None of them had ever heard so much rage in the young man's voice before, and no-one tried to stop him as he shoved past them and stalked into the castle, clearly determined and on a mission.
He had tossed the scrap of parchment to the floor and Arthur bent to pick it up, before reading the contents aloud to the others, his heart sinking as he did so and anger clouding him. Both from what he was reading and the effect he knew it was having on Merlin.

Merlin,
I am sorry to have to write such tidings to you, but Morgana is not simply heading for Camelot. She is destroying everything she can as she does so. Several smaller druid encampments in both this and King Lot's kingdoms have been utterly decimated, with no survivors. Over two hundred and fifty dead. As I am writing this, we are on the way to aid another camp that has just fallen under attack, but I fear we will be too late to do anything of use. She also has near to three hundred sell swords and near to five hundred men who refused to bow to Lot taking over from Cenred.
They are all trained in the art of battle, which I am sure the witch will use to great effect.
But I believe this has another reason to it. She is trying to draw you out, trying to get you to leave Camelot defenceless. We can't allow this, Merlin. I know it will pain you to hear it, more so than I can likely ever understand, but you must stay.
We will deal with this. We will evacuate the camps that have yet to be attacked, and we will get their people to safety. We give you our word that we will protect them. But it will take men. And many of them. Of our force, I gave the order that fifty of our hundred warriors continue on to Camelot. They are all good men, loyal and honourable. They are under the command of my cousin, Roran, one of the leading seven from our covenant, and he will obey your orders as I would.
I know that you will understand my loathing to leave my people in such an occasion, and we will head to Camelot as soon as we have ensured the safety of those I know you will want protected.
Morgana will likely be reaching Camelot within the next two days, and I hope that I am there with you when she arrives. If not, I wish you luck, and I have no doubt that you will prevail as you have done so many times before.
With regards to the king, please convey my apologies that we could not meet under better circumstances, and wish him and his men all luck in the upcoming trials. I have no doubt that they are men of honour and bravery, and such men will be sorely needed.
And you have to stay with them. Help prepare Camelot for the upcoming ordeals she will face. We cannot afford to have you leave Camelot.
Alator

Arthur stared at the parchment for a few seconds more, barely registering the cursing and anger of the knights surrounding him, and then he blinked.
Merlin… Alator was right. Merlin would get himself killed if he went up against Morgana and her army alone… But it was just the kind of thing he would do…
He backed out of the crowd of men and raced after his friend, hoping he wasn't too late to change his mind.
"Merlin!"
The young man didn't turn as he replied, instead continuing in the general direction of Gaius' rooms.
"Yes?"
"You aren't thinking of going?"
"They are my people, Arthur! My people! People who have put their faith in me! Now they are dying just because Morgana wants to get to me! Wants to prove a point!" His voice had risen steadily during the tirade and he had stopped, spinning to face Arthur. "How can they ask me to stay here when my people are DYING!?"
He span around again, heading off faster than before, and Arthur raced to catch up, grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around to face him.
"Because you have to! I know how you must be feeling Merlin... But you can't just walk into her trap. You can't let her get to you!"
"Too late for that."
"Look, you've said it yourself, Alator and the Catha are powerful. They are fully capable of protecting the druid people… And it isn't like they are defenseless…"
"That's the point. The druids may be peaceful, but they are not defenseless. Yet Morgana has managed to wipe out entire settlements without any trouble! God knows how she's done it, but she's showing more power than she ever has before. She has an entire army of sorcerers under her command, as well as one of the most dangerous magical artifacts known to man, and she is attacking my people! This is her way of declaring war on anyone who stands by Camelot… Any who stand by me… I should be out there protecting them!"
"Merlin, by the time you get out there, it will be too late for you to do anything. I'm sorry, but you know that… The best thing you can do is stay, meet the rest of the Catha, and find a way to ensure that Morgana doesn't win this battle. We can beat her, Merlin, once and for all. Don't throw away this chance…"
Arthur felt terrible… He knew how Merlin must be feeling, to be having people die for him… He himself had felt the mixture of pain and hatred and rage himself, but he had to get Merlin to stay in Camelot…
Merlin was silent, staring out of a window with his hands gripping the ledge, knuckles turning white.
"Merlin…?"
"She can't be allowed to get away with this, Arthur… I won't let her…"
"I know you won't."
"But… you don't understand Arthur. This isn't just a message… In times of the old magic, this kind of action was met with swift and decisive responses… She's just declared war on Albion… something that has been prophesied for hundreds of years. Its treason to magic itself and I'm the living embodiment of magic… The fact that she's done this means it's ripping through the fabric of magic itself, and for the first time, I can't find it in myself to offer another chance… I want revenge. I want to destroy and lash out… And that scares me… I've never- I've never felt this way before… It's like I can't tell what I want and what my magic wants… And the thought that I could lose control… It terrifies me…"
Arthur wasn't sure how to react to that. He had never known Merlin to be truly afraid of anything before. No matter what he called him, he was one of the bravest men he knew.
"Are you telling me that you've faced countless sorcerers, sidhe, other powerful magical creatures, powerful not-so-magical creatures and god knows what else, but you're afraid of yourself?"
"Yes…"
"That's ridiculous… Merlin, you are one of the strongest men I know. Brave, loyal, and you have a depth about you that I will probably never be able to explain… You're a good man, and nothing will ever be able to take that away from you… You don't need to be afraid of what you can do, because what you can do is down to you. You're strong enough to take whatever your magic throws at you, because, if there is anything I've learnt, it's that you are as much a part of magic as magic is of you."

Merlin blinked, a faint smile crossing his face.
"Wow, that sounded halfway wise Sire…"
"I had a good teacher… Merlin, you can't run right into one of Morgana's traps. If you stay, you can find a way to ensure that she doesn't win… We can find a way to make sure that she won't threaten anyone again… That's the best thing you can do for your people…"
"Aren't I the one who is supposed to be talking you out of something hair brained and foolish?"
"Times change…"
"Yeah… very quickly too… Fine." Merlin sighed, "You're right… It just… Its killing me knowing that there is so little I can do."
"I know that feeling…"
"Yeah… So now what?"
"We get the men together and come up with a plan. Then we spend tomorrow preparing and whatever else, and hopefully the Catha will arrive. Then, we wait for Morgana."
"I hate waiting…"
"I kinda figured that…"
"Hey, I have reason for it."
"I know that too. Anyway, we have another problem. Even worse than Morgana…"
"What's that?"
"I won in a banterthon. You know the rules… This means war…"
"Oh… Can we not… postpone it a little? Till after we defeat the crazed, power hungry witch?"
"Hmm… Nope. Though we could probably tone it down a bit. But you know I'll never submit so…"
"Oh really? Well, challenge accepted. I call dibs on Gwaine!"
Arthur snorted,
"He's probably already called dibs on you."
"Understandable. I am by far the better choice."
Arthur scoffed, laughing,
"Right… And delusional to boot."
"We'll see…"
Merlin grinned before heading off and Arthur sighed before following. He had noticed the pained flicker that appeared n Merlin's eyes, and the fact that his heart didn't seem to be in the grin. Something that only someone who knew him well would be able to realize.
Arthur knew that the only way Merlin was going to get over this was to win this battle. And if that's what Arthur had to do to get his friend back, then by gods, he was going to do it.

So, are you an Arthurian or a Merlinian? Review and let me know!
Anyway, hope you enjoyed, and Thursday afternoon will be the next chapter, as it would have been far too long for my liking otherwise...
Till next time :D