So sorry I'm late (again). I don't even have an excuse anymore cause I got my school holidays, but I've had classes and all that. So all in all I didn't get a chance to post sooner. Rant over :D

So a huge thank you for everyone who reviewed, added my story to alerts or pretty much read this. I love you all :)

Allegiance

(few hours later - PRESENT)

It was dark. Hunith had left hours ago. And it was cold. The night breeze sneaked into the dungeons lowering the temperature even more. He stood alone in the cell. The guards had moved a bit further away.

It had been wonderful to see his mother again. Her presence itself had been enough to drive away his pain, his grief. He had wanted nothing more than to stay with her. Nestling against her slight body, her hand caressing his face. It brought back old memories. Memories of times when things had not been so complicated. When he was in Ealdor, when only his mother was in his life.

He had taken the opportunity to forget what had happened. But now that she was gone, there was nothing to hold back his feelings. He had to face the cruel reality. The fear, hurt, pain, sorrow and anger.

There had been a time when he would have died for Arthur. Not entirely because of destiny. Because he was his friend.

But not now. He would not stay here out of a stupid sense of loyalty. The time he respected Arthur's orders were gone.

The shackles were tight around his arms. The chains locking them tight to the wall. The shackles restrict his magic, he knew that, but he had not tested his strength against it.

Concentrating, he focused on his hands. He softly released his magic, spreading it slowly through his arms. He felt the magic move towards the shackles and probed along it. Gently, testing it.

Suddenly he felt an intruding force. Something pushed back, restricting his magic from entirely breaking free from his body. He increased the force trying to maneuver his way through. But the force pushed back stronger and stronger.

He finally let go. Sighing as his body sagged a little. The small task had cost him a lot of energy.

Taking a few minutes, he drew in deep breaths of air, gathering strength. Sucking a breath in, he closed his eyes. Concentrating more intently, he once again summoned his magic. Gathering all of it towards him. Slowly he got ready. Feeling a steady pulse of energy within him, he suddenly let go. The entire energy was focused on the shackles and he pushed the magic towards it using all his strength.

The magic flew through his veins in full force. And suddenly it hit a blank wall. The force was shattering. The backlash was so strong that Merlin went limp as the wind was knocked out of him.

He stayed motionless. Panting deeply. The energy was completely drained out of him. He could barely support himself. The shackles were the only thing that held him in place.

It was of no use. The more powerful his magic got, the more powerful the backlash seems to be. Then he understood. The shackles simply reversed his own power back to him. He'd had enough experience about such spells he recalled bitterly. Ironically it seemed as if the shackles were as good as the sorcerer.

"Merlin"

He gasped as the sound broke the silence. Whipping his head around he tried to locate the stranger.

"Merlin" this time he recognized the voice resonating through his mind.

"Kilgarrah?"

"Indeed young warlock. Surely you have not forgotten me?"

Forget Kilgarrah the ominous dragon who often spoke in riddles and completely confused Merlin? Of course not.

Ignoring his amusement the dragon continued. "I have been trying to communicate for some time Merlin, but I was unable to sense you."

"Were you worried?" the amusement was fully there.

"You attract danger as light attracts moths."

"I do not" he protested. The dragon made an impatient noise and Merlin could almost visualize him raising an eyebrow, strikingly similar to Gaius.

"If you couldn't sense me how did you find me now?"

"I can sense magic. I felt a sudden burst of power. That is how I located you. Only you Merlin posses such unique power, therefore your magic bears your mark."

Merlin felt a sort of probing in his mind.

"But still something is restricting you. Where are you?"

Startled at the abrupt question Merlin wondered how to answer. He needed to get out. Yet he was not willing to unleash the dragon's fury on Camelot.

"I'm in Camelot" he answered, quite aware of the foolishness of his answer.

The dragon grunted. "I am aware of that, but where precisely?"

He wasn't sure of Kilgarrah's reaction but he knew it would not bode well. A battle raged within him.

"Tell him." One voice commanded.

"Who are you trying to protect? Arthur? He made his choice."

"You are no monster. You don't want others to suffer." Another voice contradicted.

"You have done your share Merlin. Arthur does not deserve your mercy."

"But you are his friend."

The words that would have meant the world for him a few days ago.

He had been quiet for some time.

"What are you trying to hide, young warlock?" The dragon inquired.

Suddenly the events of the past few days flashed through his mind and he realized too late what was going on. As Kilgarrah viewed through his memories he could feel the anger mount. When the memories finally ended, a huge roar broke through.

"NOOOOOO"

"Kilgarrah –"

"I have watched Uther destroy magic, destroy every magical creature he came across, until I alone remained. I have suffered many losses at the hands of a Pendragon."

There was such power in his words that Merlin cringed as the words ripped through his mind

"I will not see that repeated. I will not let the young Pendragon kill my kin.

I will stop this"

"But I thought you believed in Arthur. I thought you believed in his destiny." Merlin was screaming, trying to make his words heard over the commotion in his mind.

"I believe in your destiny Merlin. My allegiance is to you. I have said this before: Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the lands of Albion, but without you Arthur will never succeed. Without you there will be no Albion.

"Kilgarrah, no!"

He tried to summon all his dragon lord powers into the two words. He didn't want people to be hurt, not because of him. He was sure of that. He remembered the last time the great dragon had rampaged through Camelot. The destroyed buildings. The burnt bodies. The feeling that it was his own fault. He did not want such responsibility, not again.

"Your shackles restrict your power. They drain your energy. You cannot order me young warlock, not in this state. You have assisted Arthur in many ways. It is time the king learnt of your power, of your true alliances. I will not see you burn."

"No wait…."

But Merlin could feel that it was not working. The power in the command wasn't there.

"We will meet soon."

And with that it was quiet. He could not sense the dragon in his mind. He was alone in his head. He was still drained from his earlier exertion and the conversation had drained him even more. He sagged against his restraints. Dread curling in the pit of his stomach. Wondering how much more pain and guilt he would have to bear.

AFellowMerlinFan : Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I'm glad you love it.

So...? what do you think? Please tell me :)

- Xylie -