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Chapter 7: The dragon
Arthur woke with a grunt as he felt something dig into his stomach. His eyes snapped open and saw Merlin crawling over him and dashing out of the room. Arthur groaned. Why he couldn't of walked around was beyond him. Arthur sat up, resting on his elbows, before pulling him self up in the to the sitting position. He stretched and pulled back the blanket and headed out into the kitchen.
He found Gaius sitting at the table and Hunith and Merlin were no where to be seen."Good morning, sire," Gaius smiled.
"Morning, Gaius," Arthur smiled back, sitting down. "Will we be heading out today or would you like another day here?"
"I think we should head back to Camelot and see the dragon as soon as possible," Gaius said. Arthur nodded, pleased that Gaius wanted to get back to Camelot.
"We'll leave after breakfast," Arthur said.
The door opened and Hunith came in, carrying some carrots. She smiled and greeted them good morning."Where's, Merlin?" Arthur asked, a hint of worry in his voice. Hunith smiled."He's in there," Hunith said, pointing to another room.
Hunith served breakfast (porridge) and Merlin came out, grinning. He tucked into his breakfast and ate quickly.
Gaius finished and started packing their things up.
"I see you will be leaving soon," Hunith said quietly."Yes, as soon as possible so that we can get Merlin back to normal," Arthur said. Hunith nodded and helped them pack up.
Arthur packed the horses while Gaius and Merlin said goodbye.
"Be safe, my dear," Gaius said and kissed her cheek.
"I don't want to go," Merlin sniffed. Hunith smiled and picked Merlin up, hugging him tightly.
"We will see each other soon," Hunith said. Merlin sniffed and wrapped his arms around her neck.
"But I miss you," Merlin sniffed."And I miss you," Hunith sighed. She kissed his cheek and wiped away the tears.
"Come now. It's time for you to go," Hunith said. Merlin hugged her tighter and kissed her cheek. Hunith set him down and Merlin walked to Arthur.
"Goodbye, Hunith. Hopefully I will see you again on better circumstances," Arthur smiled and Hunith chuckled."Good luck, sire," Hunith smiled. Arthur lifted Merlin onto the horse and swung up after him.
They rode away and Merlin twisted, waving goodbye until he could no longer see his mother.
They arrived back in Camelot the next day, having spent the night again on the forest floor. Morgana and Gwen met them, waiting on the castle steps and their faces fell as they saw that Merlin was still a five year old."O no!" gasped Gwen as Arthur dismounted and pulled Merlin down as well.
"You didn't change him back," Morgana whispered."No," Arthur said. "But we know how."
Both girls gasped and broke into smile."How?" they gasped.
"It's best you don't know," Arthur said bluntly and quickly walked passed them.
"Where are you going?" Morgan asked."To tell my father I'm back to avoid suspicion," Arthur called back and disappeared into the castle.
Gaius unpacked the horses and several stable boys to the horses back to the stables. Merlin followed his uncle back to his chambers.
Morgana and Gwen stayed with Gaius and Merlin, waiting for Arthur to come back. They waited and waited. Gaius prepared them something to eat as it got later.
Merlin had just finished his dinner when the door opened and Arthur quickly entered, slamming the door shut behind him."Arthur!" Merlin cried happily.
"Where have you been?" Morgana asked angrily."With father. I told him I was retiring early," Arthur said. "Now, we can change Merlin back."
"And how are you going to do that?" Gwen asked."Like I said. It's better that you don't know," Arthur said.
"What if we can help?" Morgana asked stubbornly.
"Actually you can," Arthur said, suddenly smiling. Morgana looked smug.
"Excellent," Morgana smirked."You can make sure that we aren't followed," Arthur smiled.
Morgana's smirk fell and she gaped at Arthur. Merlin giggled and Arthur winked at him."Fine," snapped Morgana and she grabbed Gwen and the two walked out."When do we go?" Merlin asked.
"Now," Arthur said.
Quietly and carefully Merlin, Arthur and Gaius made their way down to the dungeons were they could sneak to the dragon. Arthur went first and checked to see if the coast was clear. Merlin and Gaius sneaked after him. Merlin stumbled and Arthur caught him before he could fall. Quickly he picked Merlin up and swung him on to his back. Merlin wrapped his arms around his neck and pressed his cheek to his.
They made their way down their quickly. Then came their first problem. The guards. They were playing a board game, throwing dice. Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the dice went flying of the bench. Both guards stood. The dice rolled out of their reach and out of site. The two guards looked at each other and quickly disappeared out of view to retrieve them. Merlin chuckled, it vibrating though his body and Arthur smirked. Quickly the three of them dashed past, Arthur grabbing a torch and they were making their way down to the dragon.
They came to a halt in the cave and Arthur looked around. It was huge. Merlin squirmed and Arthur let him down."Where is it?" Arthur asked."Dragon?" Merlin called. Arthur leapt back in shock as the dragon appeared out of know where.
"Well, well, well. What have you done this time, Merlin?" the dragon asked, sounding amused."Not my fault," Merlin growled.
"Gaius, long time no see," the dragon mused. Gaius bowed his head."And Prince Arthur. Now that is a surprise," the dragon chuckled. "a pleasure to finally meet you."
"You know me?" Arthur asked, stunned."Of course. You have a great destiny ahead of you," The dragon said.
"I told him," Merlin grinned proudly. The dragon chuckled."You have been under the spell far to long young warlock," the dragon mused. "Any longer and you may forever stay at five year old."
"Can you change him back?" Gaius asked.
"It is powerful magic that holds him," the dragon mused.
"Can you or can you not do it?" Arthur asked, getting irritated. He just wanted Merlin back."Fear not, young prince, you shall have your Merlin back," the dragon chuckled. Arthur blushed.
"not yet he isn't mine," Arthur mumbled."Are you ready, young warlock?" the dragon asked. Merlin nodded eagerly. With a great big breath they dragon began to blow. A warm, golden glow encompassed his body. Gaius and Arthur stepped back.
It began to cloud around him and Arthur could only watch as he fell slowly to the ground and then he was cocooned in the hazy cloud of magic.
The dragon stopped and the cloud began to fade and there was Merlin. He was once again old, tall, the same he was before the spell had been placed on him. Arthur grinned and blushed as he saw he was naked with only a little cloth around his waist."He is naturally restored," the dragon said.
"Thank you," Arthur said sincerely. The dragon bowed."You have a great destiny, Arthur," the dragon said. "I whish you luck."
And the dragon flew off.
"We should get him back," Gaius said. Arthur took of his jacket and wrapped it around Merlin before lifting him into his arms. Merlin was still unconscious and it took a little longer to get back to Gaius's chambers.
Morgana and Gwen gasped when they saw them and ushered them in to Gaius's chambers. Arthur put Merlin in his room, pulling the blankets tight around him before dropping a kiss on his forehead.
Arthur came back out to see them all grinning.
"Thank you. All of you," Gaius said, deeply pleased."Your welcome," they said.
"I'll come by tomorrow to see him," Arthur said and with that they all left.
Merlin mumbled in his sleep and under the castle the dragon chuckled.
Please review! Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter will be the last one!
