(A/N)- A special thanks to everyone who followed in the last chapter. WE HIT 20 FOLLOWS! Yay!

A massive thanks to NC, BooksAreMedicine and Symphorosa, for they are the ones who really made me have several late nights choosing between the names they gave. So what will it be? You guys'll find out today!

REVIEWS!

Lya200- Yeah, I know, but if you think that Kilgharrah was bad last chapter... Mwhahahah

RandomReviewer- Thanks for telling me about that. I fixed it the moment I found out! :)

NC- I had enormous fun doing the scenes with the falcon and Aithusa. Also glad you approve of me letting Aithusa stay beautiful!

Symphorosa- Hmm... Gwaine. I get how people like him and all, but I really prefer Percival. Does NOT mean I dislike Gwaine. The Knights will show up in a few chapters!

WolfGirl- Glad you're still with us! I know next-to-nothing about Avatar, sorry!

NC (Again. She reviewed twice. She can do that because she's a guest!)- Thanks for that! I ended up using the information you gave me, and will continue to use it!:P

Shadowdragon1317- Your review was invigorating for me! Thank you so much!

BooksAreMedicine- I saw your reviews about 10 minutes after they were posted, THANK YOU! (Perfect timing, eh?) And I like the names you've chosen. Between you, NC and Symphorosa I had a very late night.

I think it's time to tell you guys that I got the inspiration for this fic a few months ago after reading Aleithria's "The Fox's Net" it is a REALLY good, and I think you guys should read it, I spent several hours at a time reading it until I finished. Wonderful stuff!

Sorry for not posting this yesterday, I had a lot of things going on!


It was a lot to take in.

What have I gotten myself into?

If Kilgharrah's theory was correct, that Merlin had somehow created a bond between him and the falcon, and that was part of a blessing given upon him for his acts. It was mind boggling. He didn't yet know the full extent of the bond, but hopefully it would be strong enough now to accomplish what he wanted. Aithusa and her new friend were now napping together in the warm afternoon sun, Aithusa splayed out on the long grass and the falcon tucked beneath her wing.

After long consideration, Merlin finally opened his mouth. "Would the bond you spoke of be enough to let me teach her how to fly?"

When the dragon didn't respond immediately, and Merlin looked up to see him hesitating. "I think," he began carefully, "that you would be able to teach her flight." Merlin opened his mouth to speak but Kilgharrah went on, "But I warn you, young warlock, this bond is likely to grow only stronger over time."

"No matter." Merlin said quickly, "Just do it."

"Are you sure?"

Merlin nodded.

Taking a deep breath, the Great Dragon opened his maw and blew. Yet instead of incinerating flames, a golden mist enveloped the warlock like a warm blanket.

Merlin gasped at what he was seeing behind his closed eyes. Kilgharrah had been correct, for words would have never been able to describe what he was seeing and feeling. So much was composed of sensations and sudden bursts of instinct, it was confusing. Merlin now realised that if he had forced the Great Dragon to give the knowledge of flight to the bird, she would've been lucky to keep her sanity.

Even when the mist had faded away, he still stood with his eyes closed, simply marveling at the wonders he had been shown. He could already feel a ecstatic grin spread across his face, giving him a maniacal expression.

But eventually, it was Kilgharrah who forced him out of his reverie.

"You should know, young warlock, that what you have seen here is the very tip of the iceberg." Merlin opened his eyes.

"What do you mean?" He asked quizzically, "There's just so much here!"

"I am a dragon." He said simply, "My way of flight is the same as any bird, but it is also completely different."

"Straighten your tongue, Kilgharrah! I'm tired of riddles!"

The dragon snorted. "Don't you see? Us dragons can fly from the moment we hatch, for our instincts come to the surface at our first breath! Yet those of birds do not. Their instincts remain hidden until the time comes for them to learn!

"What are you expecting me to say to that?"

"When you teach her, you will find that what I have shown you is the barest foundations for flight. There will be times where she will know better than I. Like other birds of prey, she is born with the instinct of flight. As far as I am concerned, she already knows how to fly in the deepest recesses of her mind, whether she knows it or not." Kilgharrah went on, "But whatever her mind knows, her body does not. You must remember to let her learn and remember on her own as much as she learns from you."

Merlin was confused. And irritated. "So what are you saying? Are you saying that there will be times when I don't have to teach her? Where she'll already know?"

"Yes."

"Then how will I know?!" Merlin almost yelling in his frustration, "How will I know when to let her figure it out?"

The dragon gazed down at him with something he couldn't identify. Then, lowering his head so that he was eye level with the warlock, he said three words:

"You will know."


It was time to go.

She didn't want to part with her new friend, but Aithusa knew she didn't have much choice on the matter.

Seeing the sadness on the white dragon, Merlin couldn't help but smile fondly at the pair of them lying together in the long grass. "Don't worry," He said as he lifted the falcon onto his shoulders, "You'll be seeing each other very soon!"

Aithusa crooned. The falcon chirped back.

With one last glance over her shoulder, she flew away on her white wings with Kilgharrah. She hoped that perhaps one day, one day they'd be able to fly together.


She fluffed out her feathers as the wind blew. She missed the white dragon, what had Merlin called her again? Aithusa, yes... that's right.

She wondered where Aithusa was now.

They had so much fun together chasing each other through the long, wavy grass! Well, at least they had. Merlin and the Old One he called Kilgharrah seemed to be having a sombre discussion about something.

Speaking of which...

He had seemed rather confused after they had left the grass-swept clearing, only walking for a few minutes before climbing an oak tree. His eyes were closed and his feet dangled off the branch. They were sitting five metres off the ground.

From his left shoulder as her vantage point, she could see the sun slowly change it's position and elongating the shadows around her. Merlin had not moved for the better part of an hour, but she wasn't worried.

She had tried to grab his attention numerous times, at one point even rubbing the side of her face against his cheek, but to no avail. He wasn't ignoring her, that much she knew. He simply couldn't hear her. Or feel her, apparently.

Couldn't he? Perhaps not physically, but perhaps...


Merlin could feel the questioning, curious mental probe. The falcon wanted to know what was keeping him so quiet.

He gave a wry smile, eyes still closed. Sorting through whatever Kilgharrah had given him was no easy task. He had spent quite a while meticulously putting things in what he thought was a chronological order. The falcon probed again, slightly harder this time.

Merlin opened his eyes.

Good grief!

Just how long had he spent thinking!? It was afternoon when he'd climbed the tree, but now there was only two or three hours 'till sunset! If he wanted to start today, he certainly hadn't much time left!

"Sorry about that." He whispered, reaching out a hand to stroke her, "It was just a lot for me to take in."

She purred.

"Wanna learn how to fly?"


The first thing to do, was to build up a little muscle so she could get her body off the ground. What he assumed was the first memory, was what Merlin was going by. It was a sensation of pushing off the ground with powerful legs, and wings flapping a few times to get going.

Setting the falcon on the ground, he opened his mind, feeling for the bright light of her consciousness. When he poked her gently, letting her know he was there, she opened up immediately. Her mind was gleaming with curiosity and excitement. And with that, Merlin gave her the first of the memories.

He watched her carefully.

The falcon had stilled momentarily after making contact, probably digesting the knowledge Merlin had given her. Then she looked up at him.

"Ready?" Merlin tentatively asked. She chirped in response. He that as a yes. Merlin crouched on the ground, then he held out his arm to the side of him a foot off the ground. "Push off with your legs and jump." He gestured using his free hand

The merlin eyed his left arm. Bracing herself on the ground, she jumped, shoving herself off the ground with her talons.

Flump!

She landed on his arm slightly off-kilter, flapping her wings about wildly to get her balance. Merlin winced as the sharp talons poked his arm through the sleeves of his leather jacket. It didn't hurt too much, but he would have to get something to protect his arm as he talons grew. He ducked to avoid being slapped by her wings. When the bird righted herself, Merlin looked at her.

"Well that could've gone better." She looked affronted.

Grinning, Merlin continued, "Let's try that again, shall we?"

She puffed her feathers out indignantly, looking for all the world like a fat, brown and white lump.

"Come on!"


One foot off the ground soon became two feet. Two feet became three, where at that point she was actually flapping her wings as well as jumping, to get to Merlin's arm. Sometime throughout the lesson Merlin had taken off his jacket and wrapped it around his arm as a makeshift glove to protect himself from her talons.

After an hour of doing this, Merlin finally saw how late it was. It was time to go back. Straightening and stretching his legs, "We'd better start heading back now,"

The merlin agreed, for she was tired too, but happy. She chirped as Merlin picked her up, "C'mon!" Placing her on his left shoulder again, he started to head off when he remembered something.

Oh yeah... Gaius did say that he wanted comfrey.

He shrugged. He'd just have to make a detour on the way back.


"When did the idiot say he'd be back again?" grumbled an irritable Arthur to his wife.

Gwen sighed. Arthur had already asked that question twice, three times, if you counted this occasion. She looked up from her dinner. "For the last time, Arthur, Merlin said he would try to be back by evening."

Arthur scowled, "Well it's evening now, and he's not here!"

"Then he'll be back in the morning." Guinevere said firmly, leaving no room for argument. "And for the record, George isn't that bad!"

Even though George was a more efficient servant than Merlin, Arthur still preferred his quirky friend. Arthur also hated bootlickers. It taken about half an hour of his grovelling before Arthur had finally snapped, dismissing him for the rest of the day.

"He'd better be," Arthur snorted, "or I'll kill him myself!

Gwen shot him a disapproving look.


She chirped curiously, watching Merlin pick clumps of leaves and blossoms from a plant. He looked up.

"Relax, it's just comfrey." He said, pointing to the violet blossoms. She gave him a blank look, she didn't care for plants, she ate meat. Merlin sighed, turning back to his work he muttered, "Also known as symphytum."

She didn't look up.

They say inspiration chooses to strike at the oddest moments, and it chose do to so now. Merlin looked up again

"Hey. How'd you like to be called Symphy?" Merlin asked, excitement colouring his tone, "It wouldn't be a bad choice, seeing that it was the plant I was looking for when I found you!"

She paused, considering it. As pretty as the name sounded... no. She resumed preening, knowing he would understand.

"Come on!" Merlin tried again, "If that's a no, then how about Symphora? Maybe even Symphorosa? They're not bad names!"

This time he was rewarded with a glare, Merlin pursed his lips.

"Back to the drawing board, then."


"Merlin! Where on earth have you been?" Scolded Gaius the moment he saw Merlin walking in, "Everyone assumed you went herb-gathering for me, but that wouldn't take you this long! Dinner was a half hour ago! And where is the merlin bird?"

Merlin cringed inwardly. It was going to be a long night, but first-

"I did go herb gathering, I got you the comfrey I forgot yesterday!" He said, handing his mentor the large bundle of herbs. Gaius raised an eyebrow. Seeing this, the only thing Merlin could do was, "Look, I'll explain everything once I've fed her," He took a slightly rumpled bird out of one of his inner pockets and set her down, "Stay here, I'll go get you something." Then he walked rapidly out of the room, leaving behind a slightly shell-shocked Gaius.

He looked towards the falcon, who was busily preening her rumpled feathers back into shape on the table. Gaius couldn't help but raise both his eyebrows.

"How you have managed to spend an entire day with him is beyond me."


Merlin came back a few minutes later with a large chunk of meat in hand, the falcon brightening at the sight. She looked very hungry.

"So, Merlin," Gaius said as his ward set the meat in front of the ravenous bird, who promptly began tearing into it, "Care to explain what you really did today?" You surely couldn't have spent the entire day looking for comfrey." Merlin shot him a world-weary look.

"This is going to be a long night." He sighed, almost to himself

Gaius was bemused, "Why? Whatever do you mean?"

Trust me," Merlin said, putting his head in his hands, "I don't get half of it myself."

The physician sat down. He had a feeling that Merlin was right in his assumption. It was going to be a long night.


The falcon had fallen asleep by the time Merlin had finished. It really did take a long time. Merlin had also never seen Gaius amazed before, it was a novel experience.

"You know, yesterday when I said that your magic still managed to astound me, I didn't believe it could do it again," Admitted Gaius, "Yet now, it has done it again. I'm amazed. Simply amazed.

Merlin gave a small smile, "You sound just like Kilgharrah when he found out." He said, "He was so surprised." Gaius raised an eyebrow.

"I'd be astonished if he weren't." Then he spoke again, "Do you really believe that you can teach to fly using this bond?"

"Yeah, I've already started, actually." Merlin replied, much to the surprise of Gaius, "We made quite a bit of progress today."

"Really?" Merlin nodded, wondering where this was going, "I'm impressed." The young man grinned, it was rare for Gaius to dish out compliments.

"Speaking of which, have you chosen a name for her?"

"No. I wanted to call her Symphora, but she didn't like it."

"Symphora?" Gaius questioned, puzzled, "Where did you get that from?"

"Well, I was looking for comfrey on the day I found her, so I thought I'd try to call her something based of symphytum." Gaius knew what that was, after all, he was a physician!

"That wasn't such a bad idea. I don't know why she didn't like it."

Merlin shrugged again, "Neither do I, so I'm still trying to think of more."

A silence fell upon them as both tired to think of a suitable name. But even as the lack of noise grew, save for the bird's breathing, Gaius found his mind wandering towards the legends foretold about Albion. Then an idea struck.

"Merlin," He began, "Some of the legends refer to you as Emrys Ambrosius, so surely you could consider that as a name?"

"What, Ambrosius?" The physician nodded. "But she's a girl, Gaius, and that's more of a masculine name!" Protested Merlin, "Besides, it'd pretty much be like calling her Merlin, seeing that Ambrosius refers to me as well."

"You don't need to directly call her Ambrosius," Gaius tried again, "Perhaps something like Ambrosia? That's more feminine.'

Merlin snorted, "Sounds like something Arthur would do, trying to make me sound like a girl." But he soon sobered, "But it is a nice name, I'll have to ask her first." He reached out a hand to wake her when a sudden thought struck him.

"Wait..."

Gaius gave him a quizzical look, "What is it?"

"Doesn't Ambrosia mean 'food of the gods'?"

"Erm-" Gaius' response was cut off by Merlin, who was still speaking.

"Because I don't know about you, but I'm not entirely sure if I want to name her something that translates to 'sustenance of the immortals, if you get my meaning," Merlin said, much to the amusement of Gaius, "And I'm not sure if she would want me to either."

Gaius sighed. "Well I'm sure you'll think of something. Speaking of food, aren't you hungry?" His uncle asked, looking at Merlin's thin frame, "Guinevere sent us some rabbit stew, for when you came back." Merlin shook his head at the mention of food. He wasn't.

It was strange. He had been ravenous on the way back to Camelot, but now he didn't feel as if he could even eat a single bite of the stew Gaius mentioned. No, if he had to eat, he'd much rather some bread, or a piece of fruit. He just didn't have much of an appetite at all whatsoever.

Gaius gave Merlin an incredulous look. He evidently didn't believe that Merlin wasn't hungry. He raised an eyebrow, clearly telling his ward that it was foolish to try and argue. Merlin finally caved in.

"Fine, fine! I'll eat something!" Looking around, he grabbed an apple from a fruitbowl that the head cook sent up each week, grabbed the sleeping falcon, who awoke with an indignant squawk, and fled to his room.

Still sitting at the table, Gaius' features softened into a fond smile. Merlin had not changed since he walked into his chambers all those years ago.


(A/N) There are a few things that I want to address.

I want to thank everyone who suggested names, but I also want you to know that I have chosen what to call her.

The quality of the writing was complete sh*t, I know, and I'm sorry about that, but I can't help it, I don't have much experience in dialogue whatsoever. Seriously considering getting a BETA at this point.

Otherwise, please leave a review if you read this, I don't care if you're a guest, it does help! :)

Happy New Year!

Edit 25/04/2017- It was just after I had said those fateful words "Seriously considering getting a BETA at this point." that I found Seedsiz! Who became, and has since been my ever-faithful beta!

As it turns out, I wasn't very far off when I said that my writing was sh*t. So glad I'm taking the time now to fix all of the typos and improve phrasing and story flow!