Right, the voting has now closed and the decision has been made about what 3 sub-plots you would like to see in the story - thank you to everyone who voted! If you want to know which options were finally chosen, they're on my profile. I put them on there just in case people didn't want to have 'spoilers' for the story!

Next update may be another delayed one as I need to do a chapter plan with the 3 sub plots included now, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy this chapter! Reviews much appreciated :)

Chapter 7

The First Spark of Doubt

There was fire. Fire everywhere. Bright orange flame licking hungrily at every surface, consuming everything until it dissolved into dust. It happened so quickly Merlin didn't know where he was, he could see nothing but flames surrounding him. However somehow he knew he was back in Camelot, in the castle, and something terrible was happening. He didn't have time to panic, he just stood there, utterly lost and confused as the flames made the world, his world, fall apart around him.

Suddenly, there was a tremendous roar. It shook the ground Merlin stood upon, and sent tremors to his heart. He looked up in time to see the Great Dragon swooping towards him, his eyes ablaze with fury, his golden orbs reflected the flames and made him look terrifying. But Merlin couldn't run.

For a moment Merlin wondered if the Dragon had started the fire. Was he really that angry that he would set the whole of Camelot ablaze and let it burn, just to prove a point that he shouldn't have left?

But no, there was something else in the dragon's eyes that wasn't just anger towards Merlin. They were filled with hatred because of what was happening here. He would not have started the fire. He didn't want any of this to happen, that was why he looked so furious.

And he knew just who to blame.

"LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE EMRYS!"

The Dragon's shouts of rage echoed through Merlin's head, making him stumble. They shook the ground even more and filled him with more fear than he had ever felt before. Merlin had seen many things in his life, he had seen his best friend die, and many more people close to him almost suffer the same fate. He had almost died himself on many occasions. He had met terrible creatures and dangerous people. But he had never been so scared in his life.

The Dragon land on the ground beside him. Folding his great winds across his back, he looked down at Merlin with almost sadness in his eyes.

"Is this what you really wanted Emrys?"

Merlin woke with a start. Gasping as if the flames had really been choking him, burning his insides, even though in the dream he had felt nothing, he had just seen them. Sweat plastered his forehead and at first he had no idea where he was, all he could see around him was trees, the sun just rising beyond them. The dragon's words, filled with disappointment, still echoed through Merlin's head.

Eventually Merlin came to his senses again, telling himself it was just a dream and there was nothing to be afraid of...he hoped. He looked around and saw Morgana lying on the grass beside him, still sleeping peacefully, a small smile on her face.

Then he remembered where he was. He was somewhere in Ealdor in the middle of a small woodland. He and Morgana had decided that even though there were no more soldiers on their tail, it was best to keep out of sight and stay sheltered from the outside world, so had kept on walking until they reached a wood that would provide enough protection. They were able to light a fire and Merlin had gone to find some fresh food, he didn't want to depend on the rations so much. He had managed to find a small river and got some fish as well as fresh water, and on the way back collected some mushrooms. It didn't sound like much but it was a lot better than the dry meat and bread they had for rations, it was like a small feast. The two of them sat beside the warm fire and talked and laughed without a care in the world, before falling asleep together.

It had been a perfect day. They had managed to escape Camelot without being caught, they were safe and warm after having a good meal, and Merlin had even shared another kiss with Morgana.

But then the nightmare had come. And Merlin didn't feel so carefree any more.

He was sure it wasn't a glimpse into the future, he didn't have that power, and it didn't seem real enough for something that was happening at that very moment in Camelot. It was just a dream. Yet still it disturbed him. He was meant to look after Arthur, and in turn look after Camelot and its people. If the whole of the Kingdom burned to the ground now there would be nothing he could do, and yet at the same time it was all his fault, because he had abandoned it.

Merlin couldn't help but shiver.

Had the Dragon even given him the dream to scare him? It could be possible, Kilgharrah was so against him and Morgana being together he might have been the one who sent the wyverns to attack the tower. In which case he didn't have to worry, the Dragon was just venting his anger by burning Merlin's dreams.

But what if it wasn't just to scare him, what if it was a warning...

There was movement beside him, making the tense Warlock jump. He turned to see Morgana just waking up. She opened her eyes and saw his face, and she smiled.

"Good morning." She said sleepily.

Merlin hadn't quite found his voice yet, he just gave a weak smile, which made Morgana concerned. She sat up. "Are you all right?" She asked.

The Young Warlock managed to nod and gave a more convincing smile. "I'm fine. Did you sleep well?"

"Since I left Camelot I don't think I've ever slept so well," Morgana admitted, rubbing her eyes, a blissful smile still on her face. Her dreams had no ruined her sense of freedom. "How about you?"

Merlin shrugged, he decided not to lie about having a peaceful night, the look on his face must tell Morgana that was a lie, so he thought of something else. "I did have a bit of a rough night last night actually. The...fire kept on going out, and the cold kept waking me up so I had to re-light it." He explained. Morgana looked a little confused at this, she didn't remember being woken up by Merlin re-lighting the fire. But she let it pass.

An awkward silence fell, until Merlin suddenly announced that perhaps it would be a good idea to have some breakfast. Morgana nodded, and after a few minutes the two of them were talking and laughing like they had been the day before while they ate. The bright flames in Merlin's dreams seemed to dampen a little.

After breakfast they continued to stroll through the forest together. They didn't really have anywhere to go, but Merlin decided the further they got from Camelot's borders, the better. Who knows when Uther might decide to take the risk and send soldiers into other people's Kingdoms? He wouldn't put it past the King to do such a thing, and then they would be in trouble.

It was a chilly, yet bright day, and Morgana's presence and cheerful talk made Merlin forget about the horrible dream he had last night. He was happy once again that he had left Camelot, and he was with Morgana, and they were both free from the people who had been holding them back.

Happy, until a voice whispered in his head, sad and disappointed, a voice that made Merlin go pale and suddenly feel incredibly afraid. The voice of the Dragon.

"You should have turned back, Emrys."

And there, born from the dreams of fire and Kilgharrah's voice, came the first spark of doubt.