A little while after Arthur left Merlin got up, picked the broader of his two scabbard swords, wrapped it in the scarlet fabric he wore earlier, threw on his traveling cloak and left Gaius's rooms. He needed to know he would not be followed. He used the servants' hallways and all the hidden passages he knew off to avoid the night guards as he made his way to the crypts and the caverns beyond.
He entered the caves, torch in hand and took a moment to admire the vastness of them. They would have been one of the greatest natural wonders of Camelot had they not been converted into a prison; meant to hold one of the most magnificent creatures to ever walk the land. Camelot's oldest guest and his last yet most important ally. "Kilgharrah?" Merlin called up into the darkness and the sound of his voice reverberated twice before it was accompanied by the sound of strong flapping wings. Kilgharrah, the Great and last of the dragons flew down from his perch onto the outcropping of rock directly in front of the warlock.
"The youngest Pendragon finally returns. I felt you enter the gates, you have gotten stronger young warlock, strong enough to hide most of your power even from me". Kilgharrah narrowed his eyes as he glared down his smoking snout at Merlin.
"Good to see you old friend, I hope you are well"?
"As well as one can be, rotting in a prison for more than 20 years". the Dragon sneered.
"I made you a promise Kilgharrah and I have every intention of honoring it. But I require you to promise me one thing in return; when I release you, you are not to harm Camelot or any who reside within her walls". Merlin cautiously demanded.
"This is one promise I cannot keep, you cannot forsake me my revenge Merlin, but remember, neither can you go back on your word, free me, you swore on your brother's life"! The Dragon's ancient voice vibrated through the emptiness.
"And you would let Arthur die? Let Albion fall? All for a want of revenge"?
"I am the last of my kind Merlin it is not my destiny to see Albion prosper. I would rather receive pleasure from at least seeing the murderer of my kin fall. What happens to Camelot and her people and what you and Arthur do to me after is of no consequence".
Merlin thought he could reason with Kilgharrah, make him understand, but the dragon's hate and anger were far beyond his capacity to listen. Then I must make him listen. "O Drakon! Non delekai emala eyon epsipas"! He growled out, his voice echoing off the cabin walls. Kilgharrah growled back in distress and anger, his head swinging from side to side, his majestic golden neck supporting its movement as he tried to fight the command which inevitably took hold forcing him to bow "Impossible"! The beasts indignant voice growled out.
"You of all should know how the power of a Dragon Lord works Kilgharrah, Balanor did not have a natural born heir, hence he had to choose one, he thought was worthy to inherit his gift".
"So he betrays me to a Pendragon yet again"!
Merlin looked at the magnificent creature, forced to bow before him, with sadness in his gaze, "Please rise, I beg you to listen to me very carefully before you hasten to rash judgment". The Dragon gazed at the young man before him, he remembered the very first time he looked into these eyes, a mere child of 10 at the time, so determined, so stubborn and strong-willed. " I will free you. I promise. I give you my word as a Prince of Camelot"! However Kilgharrah knew better, he knew how adulthood could change the will of a child, so he had forced Merlin to swear to his promise on the life of the one held most dear to his heart; his brother Arthur.
"I found Balanor, I knew of your anger, my friend and I knew that even if I had no choice but to free you, I would need surety that Camelot and Albion were not harmed in the process. I never lied to him, I told him of my vow to you. I also made a blood oath with him, that should I ever misuse the power he has given me I would not live to see the consequences of my actions". Kilgharrah was taken aback with this new knowledge. A blood oath, the most ancient of magic, emerging when the first humans were just beginning to learn the Old Religion. Anyone who disrespected the blood oath invited a long and painful death.
"I will free you Kilgharrah but I will not allow you to be the destruction of Arthur's destiny". "It is not Arthur's destiny alone Merlin, it is yours as well, The prophecy speaks of two great men, two sides of the same coin, Emrys and the Once and Future King, however, there seems to be another alternation to the path of your long journey together".
"Yes, it seems there is". replied Merlin sagely, he had been to the Crystal cave, he had conversed with Telsin and most importantly he had learned how to make the crystals bend to his will.
The dragon now looked even more in awe of the man that stood before him "The knowledge you have gained young warlock is more than enough to allow you to rule Camelot and unite Albion by yourself if you so choose".
"But at what cost,? power corrupts Kilgharrah. I am a mere man and no less vulnerable to mortal desires and failings than any other. No one, should hold that much power unchecked, Arthur is my balance and I will gladly submit to his rule if it means Albion will exist as it is truly meant to".
"You were always wise beyond your years Merlin" the beast stood tall "I give you my word, once I am free, no harm shall I cause to Camelot or her people, I shall never return to her borders with ill intent, however, should you ever need my assistance all you require to do is call, my Dragon Lord". And to Merlin's amazement and overwhelming joy, Kilgharrah bowed to him uncoerced for the first time.
"Thank you, my old friend, and now it is time for me to fulfill my oath to you". Merlin took a deep breath and with steely determination unwrapped the sword, taken directly from the hand of a petrified knight at the castle of Idirsholas, from its cloth prison. He stepped forward the dragon gently placed its mighty claw before him. With the skill of a seasoned swordsman, Merlin struck strong and true at the shackle's hinge, allowing it to disintegrate and the cuff to dislodge and fall open. It and the attached chain emitted a loud clang as they bounced off the rock face falling into the chasm below.
Kilgharrah gave a mighty roar as he spread his wings and flew to his freedom towards the sky while Merlin looked on, a peaceful smile on his face and tears of joy rolling down his cheeks.
The next morning Merlin was up long before dawn his second sword in hand, a companion gifted to him the first time he bested his teacher in battle. He marched out of his room first towards the kitchens to grab a late breakfast and then to the private training grounds. As expected he was the first to arrive, if Arthur's old habits held true he wouldn't expect to see his brother for a while yet so Merlin began practicing some basic positions.
This is how Arthur found his brother not too long after. "I see you've finally learned how to hold a sword". He said, causing Merlin to pause halfway through a downward swing and turn to him. "And I see you still haven't learned how to keep time". He smirked causing his brother to flush slightly.
Arthur knew getting into any further verbal spat would be pointless so he threw off his cloak, unsheathed his sword and walked forward until he stood before Merlin "You should know better than to talk back to Camelot's First Knight Merlin, moreover I have yet to pay you back for your insult yesterday". Drawing his sword Arthur took an offensive stance and steel pointed straight at Merlin he slowly began circling him. His brother stood where he was, a calm look on his face and his own sword held limply in his hand, his eyes, however, followed Arthur's every move.
Once completely facing his brother Arthur went for the attack. He swung his sword straight and left making sure it would miss his brother's head even if it completed its path. He was however taken by surprise when the sword was met by another in a clang of metal, taking advantage of his brothers surprise Merlin forced him back a couple of paces. "If you are going to swing a sword Arthur aim to hit something". He looked up to see Merlin's steely blue eyes staring back at him, his brother looked at him with the focus of an enemy ready to kill. Before he could blink Merlin charged, he struck and Arthur parried, he was forced back again, Merlin didn't give him a chance to recover before he attacked once more, this time he struck low, it was only Arthur's quick reflexes that saved him from a serious gash on the leg. He's like a man possessed! They continued for a while Merlin not giving an inch and Arthur close to tiring, when did he get this good?
At last, they locked swords forcing themselves to get close enough for Merlin to push his foot between Arthur's and make him trip, as he fell backward the younger prince knocked the sword out of his hand and caught it with his left. When Arthur hit the ground he hardly had a chance to catch his breath before he found both his brother's sword and his own crossed over his neck with Merlin standing over him looking ready to slice his head off. He knew Merlin now had some skill thanks to their previous encounter however, he never realized until this very moment just how good of a worrier his brother had become.
Merlin looked down at his twin breathing hard, he knew Arthur was a good fighter but he had never experienced the full range of those skills until now. Arthur was definitely quite the formidable opponent if he hadn't, 'cheated' his brother would have probably won in a few shot moves or they would both collapse from the exertion. Merlin took a deep breath, pulled both swords away from his opponent's prone throat before plunging them into the ground by their side. He gave his still shocked brother a hand and pulled him up before smirking "So do you think I'm worthy enough to join your party, my Lord"? Arthur looked at him, pride and relief shining in his eyes, he always worried that Merlin would be lost should he ever find himself in the midst of battle. "More than worthy" he replied, a smile in his voice. "I would Knight you at this very moment if I was able and had you not already declined the offer".
