I was reading The Mammoth Hunters when the idea for this part of the story came up. And don't worry, some of the other characters will be making appearences from the next chapter onward. Just in a very different order.

Merlin was in no fit state to carry on travelling, and Balinor felt drained of energy, so they set up camp where they were. As darkness fell Merlin looked around warily, huddling close to the fire and jumping as the woods shimmered with noise. His face was blotchy, and his eyes rubbed red and Balinor watched him with concern.

"Come on, Merlin, you need to get some sleep now."

"Outside?" Merlin asked, looking frightened.

"Yes, it's fine, come on now, I'll be here, it's safe."

"What if the men come?"

Balinor frowned and shook his head. "They won't I promise."

Merlin looked down, leaning against Balinor as he pulled him close. He clung to his father, pressing his face against his broad shoulder, until Balinor patiently extracted Merlin and encouraged him into his bedroll.

"I'm right here Merlin," Balinor assured him. His blankets were next to Merlin's, so the boy was protected by himself and the fire. There wasn't anything to worry about. Balinor had lived in the woods for years, he knew them, and he knew the areas that were never ventured into. Merlin, however, was not someone who could be so easily reassured. It was a trait that was entirely expected.

Balinor watched as Merlin lay down and closed his eyes, as if he was resolutely trying to sleep. After a few moments Merlin's eyes opened just a little. Balinor settled down next to his son and Merlin's eyes closed again. The Dragon Lord could feel the tension in Merlin as he lay there, now out of his comfort zone. The cave was nice and safe, the outside frightened him a little. Balinor reached out and anchored Merlin by gripping his arm.

"It's all right Merlin, you'll be safe, I promise."

He wasn't surprised when Merlin wriggled closer to him, dragging the blanket with him, and Balinor carefully accommodated Merlin against his side. Merlin snuggled against him and settled down, his eyes opened a fraction, as if making sure of Balinor's presence, then he close them again.

Very slowly Merlin started to relax, and Balinor waited patiently, stroking Merlin's hair, until Merlin's breathing levelled out and his body relaxed completely. He waited until he was sure that Merlin was deeply asleep before shifting position and tucking Merlin up in his bedding. Balinor stayed close to him, not wanting to scare Merlin if he woke. He would need to feel Balinor's presence the moment he roused.

He looked down at his son's face in the flickering light, considering the facts that they both now knew. He brushed a hand lightly over Merlin's cheekbone. Merlin didn't stir, once he was asleep he slept deeply. Balinor considered the significance of Merlin's appearance in his life. It didn't seem like coincidence that Merlin had stumbled upon him.

There was no way that Balinor could seek someone to take Merlin in. Balinor wasn't sure he wanted that. Merlin was the only link he had to the woman he loved, Merlin was the child that was born of their time together. The only other person who could care for Merlin that Balinor could think of was Gaius, and that was too much of a risk.

He wouldn't even be able to get Merlin to him, and he couldn't send Merlin on his own. And if Uther Pendragon realised who, and what, Merlin was he would kill Merlin without a second though. Plus, Merlin was his son, he also that the potential to be a Dragon Lord, which increased the responsibility he had for Merlin. It was also the thing that could explain why Merlin had run at that moment.

Balinor hadn't really understood his own actions. He was not a particularly cruel man, but his solitary life, and the circumstances that had brought it about made him bitter, unwanting of company. Yet, he hadn't thought to chase Merlin from his home, he had felt a sudden protectiveness towards to youth that hadn't been roused in him in years.

There had been a lingering thread of something, and Merlin's magic had become dormant within him, concentrating itself internally. Balinor had been amazed at the strength in Merlin's frail body, until that display with Thor had released Merlin's potential. Such magic was not bestowed lightly, his talent was extraordinary and beyond anything Balinor had ever seen before. Whatever purpose was driving Merlin had found a way to move his destiny along.

It could be the only reason that after eight years Merlin had suddenly taken it upon himself to flee, and so directly to Balinor that he had to have felt some connection. The thought stirred worry in Balinor. His child was in no fit state to do anything. Balinor knew, he had no choice, Merlin was his responsibility, and his to care for.

Maybe it was just as simple as that.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The winter had been hard, but no worse than usual. They ventured out from the cave, on a cold morning, but the sun was bright, making the snow laid across the ground glitter. Merlin scurried out, carefully negotiating the snow drifts around the cave entrance, but moving confidently. He was used to his surroundings now, and very settled in them. Balinor had liked Merlin's company in the cave and his magic had certainly helped, as he could make the fire burn hotter, shift the build up of snow by the entrance with a mere thought. Merlin liked it. From what Balinor had been able to understand, Hunith had warned Merlin to be careful, to never show what he could do. If they ever encountered other people, Balinor would have to make sure Merlin was careful but for the time being it was just the two of them, and Merlin had nothing to fear.

"Be careful!" Balinor called as he followed Merlin into the woods. Merlin turned and paused, wrapped up in the layers of clothes that Balinor had acquired for him, in a trip to the town before winter settled in. He did it three times a year, heading in to trade and buy what he needed. The locals were used to him, even if they weren't very fond of him. For the trip he had been forced to leave Merlin, which Merlin hadn't liked very much. However, Balinor did not want anyone knowing he had Merlin with him. If the slavers were still working in the area, then Balinor needed to make sure there was no gossip about the appearance of Merlin.

He had promised Merlin he would be back, and Merlin had waited all day, hardly daring to move from his position by the cave, staring at the spot where Balinor had headed off. When he had returned Merlin had come running down the track, face alight with relief and pleasure at the sight of him. He had thrown his arms around Balinor's neck as if he had not seen him for years. It had left Balinor feeling oddly moved, but very pleased.

"Yes, father!" Merlin yelled at him now before heading further off into the snowy woods. Balinor felt a surge of pleasure each time Merlin said that word. Merlin seemed to like using it. Balinor followed him, looking around to see if there was anything they could use. Food was getting low, they needed to check the snares, just in case. They could manage, but Balinor would feel happier if they could gather a little bit more.

As he moved through the trees he paused. Merlin was hunkered down by one of the snares. It was empty, and broken, a trail of blood leading away from the site. Merlin was peering at it, and the tracks that led away from the small clearing.

"Wolf tracks," Balinor said. Merlin looked up with wide eyes.

"It took our food."

"It's probably hungry," Balinor said. "It get's hard for everything in winter. We can try the other snares, come on."

He tugged Merlin up onto his feet and they made their way through the woods. They came across the tracks again, and distracted by them, Merlin followed, heading deeper into the forest. The canopy became thicker, blocking out the light but Merlin carried on undeterred, he wasn't alone, Thor was flitting through the trees above him, having decided, when the cold set in, that the cave was a warm, comfortable place to see out the winter.

The bird gave a low caw and flew off, gliding to the floor and disappearing just over a small ridge. Merlin trotted after him, freezing in shock as he looked at the wolf below. It was lying still on the ground, tucked against the thick roots of an oak tree. Merlin stared at the beast, frightened to move, and he looked around for Balinor. Then his attention turned back to the wolf as Thor swooped down, hopped around for a moment before waddling up the wolf's shoulder to peck at the wolf's left eye. Merlin gasped in shock, running down the slope he batted the crow away.

"Bad, bad Thor!"

Thor hopped about, trying to get around him. Merlin completely forgot the potential danger he could have been in, instead he focused on the bird's behaviour. As he turned back he realised he wasn't in any danger. The wolf wasn't moving, it's remaining eye staring glassily at nothing. A light layer of snow had lightened the wolf's fur. The beast hadn't moved, because it was dead.

Merlin crouched down and stroked the fur gently, brushing some of the snow away to reveal almost black fur. He petted the wolf's head.

"Poor wolf," Merlin said, petting again. Then he placed his hand on the head, pressing his palm against the skull, just between the wolf's ears.

"Merlin!" Balinor yelled. It made Merlin jump and he turned his head.

"Here, Father!" he yelled back. A moment later Balinor appeared, tensing as he saw the startling scene, and then moving closer he realised the large wolf was dead. Merlin put his hand down, feeling the surge of his power. Balinor grabbed his wrist.

"No, Merlin. It's dead, you can't change that."

"Why not?"

"Things die Merlin, that's the way it has to be, you can't go changing that."

"Did Thor!"

Thor squawked in agreement and attempted to get at the wolf's eyes again. Balinor gently batted the bird away. Thor hopped around to peck at the wolf's tail instead, and then the bird hopped over the beast, wriggling behind its back.

"Thor wasn't dead, you healed Thor. This is different Merlin; it's bad to bring things back once they are dead. It's not the natural order. When things die, they have to stay dead."

"Like mother?" Merlin asked. Balinor smiled gently, brushing Merlin's hair back off his face and thinking that he probably needed to cut Merlin's hair soon.

"Yes, I'm afraid so Merlin. We can use the fur though, so it doesn't get wasted. Move you silly bird!" Balinor snapped hoisting Thor out of the way and he pushed the animal onto its side, feeling its prominent ribs and seeing the stark hipbones. It wasn't surprising the creature had died, out on its own. No other wolves occupied the area, the Dragon Lord knew that. Balinor paused as he looked at the wolf's belly.

"Oh."

"What?" Merlin asked.

"She's got pups, no wonder she was taking from our snares. She's got young ones to feed."

"Where?" Merlin said.

"I don't know Merlin, she could have been keeping them anywhere."

Merlin frowned, he wasn't happy with the scenario. Thor hopped into the small crevice created by the thick roots of the tree and came back a moment later with a prize in his beak. Merlin yelped and swiped at the crow again, making Thor drop the pup in shock. It landed on the ground with a hard thump and gave a little mewl. Merlin followed up with one of his own, reaching over to pick up the pup in both hands. It wriggled around in his grip, mewling again as Merlin stroked it's head. Then he looked at Balinor.

"No, Merlin, we can't keep a wolf."

Merlin looked at Balinor with disbelief.

"We can't leave it!"

One look at Merlin's face told Balinor he couldn't. His son's distress was clear. He didn't see the wolf like the other animals they used. This one had taken from the snares, so it seemed to have gained a little more status in Merlin's mind. Balinor reached out for the pup, Merlin's hands tightened around it.

"Just give it to me, Merlin," Balinor ordered.

Merlin sucked in his lower lip but did as he was told and Balinor put the pup against its mother's belly. It searched out a teat and sucked happily.

"It will need to take what it can now. I don't even know how it's here, wolves don't usually give birth at the end of winter."

"It's special," Merlin said, watching the wolf carefully. Balinor glanced at Merlin and then at the wolf. Black was not a very usual colour. There were tints of grey in the female's fur, but Balinor would have assessed her as black. By the look of the fur on the pup it was going to be much the same colour.

After the pup had finished feeding Balinor helped Merlin tuck it into his clothing, close to his chest and Merlin petted his torso carefully.

"You need to keep it in there so it stays warm," Balinor said. Then he looked at the mother. They needed food, there was no guarantee the weather would stay mild, and continue its way into spring. With two of them to feed, three and four if he counted Thor and the pup, he wasn't going to waste what he could get from the mother. It would do for the animals. He tied the front and back feet together and hefted her over his shoulders and carried on with Merlin to check the rest of the snares and the surrounding area for anything else they could use. Merlin held the little wolf to his chest and followed along behind, while Balinor tried to ignore the things that seemed to be happening.

Wolves had never been in the woods before, and now one appeared, one that would no doubt be a permanent addition to the cave.

When they returned to the cave, paying closer attention to the pup it revealed itself to have light blue eyes in contrast to the dark fur. Balinor tried not to think about the implications.

Fate was closing in on his son.