Author's note: so much for more frequent updates. School's been horrible and the holidays were mostly spent behind books. And not ones of the preferable variety. On the other hand, it wasn't all bad – I finally got the courage to send out my college applications.

And I'm updating, so hooray for small miracles. And writer's block sucks major ass, because try as I might, I just couldn't write. Actually I would have been just as satisfied with posting page after page of smut, but that would sort of nip my plot in the bud. Ehwell, I still ended up including some couple time. It's stronger than me.

INSPIRATIONAL SONGS:

"Hanging By A Moment" - Lifehouse

"How Far We've Come" - Matchbox 20

"Collide" - Howie Day"

"Take Me Away" - Lifehouse

"Wake-up Call" - Maroon5

Although I sort of feel like a hypocrite for posting these songs,

because I spent most of the time writing this

listening to Adam Lambert's "If I Had You". Not my usual choice of music, but it killed the

writer's block so I'm not really complaining.

I do not own BBC Merlin, but it would be all kinds of awesome if I could borrow it or something, but I know I would never give it back.

By the way special thanks to darkness-provails, sandradee27, Cluelessone96 for the constant reviews and encouragement. You are awesome. (:

Review?

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

"I think my brain is going to burst, or my eyes will just pop out of their sockets."

Merlin's head sumps from exhaustion and lands face first inside the book he is supposed to be reading.

"I know how that feels," Elaine agrees. The support of her hands has long since given out, and she is half snoozing on the edge of their bench, which is quite an achievement considering the amount of books spread across its surface.

Merlin pushes the useless literature away so he can lean down next to her."There is nothing useful in any of these."

"It does make sense, though," she muses and shifts closer. "You can either learn magic or you are born with it, one doesn't just go buy it on the market. I don't think a spell can grant such abilities."

"Well, he can't have been born with it. Gaius would know about that."

Elaine struggles with her heavy lids and eventually manages to squint at him through one eye.

"This is pointless," she nudges one of the books with her forehead. "It's like searching for a non-existent needle in a haystack."

Sometime through the sleepless night they've spent behind books, she's pulled her hair into a thick, clumsy braid so it wouldn't get in the way. With her face exposed, Merlin has no trouble seeing the dark circles under her eyes.

"You should get some sleep," he suggests, but his words are just as drowsy as hers had been.

Elaine's lips twitch half-heartedly, but she manages to weave some caring amusement into her voice. "So should you."

"I can't," Merlin sighs and forces himself into a sitting position. "I have to find a cure before it's too late."

"No," she corrects gently, straightening up, "we have to find a cure."

She reaches for a book all the way across the table and pulls it closer. "And who knows, maybe this one has what we're looking for. It is the only one we haven't checked yet."

"You think so?" Merlin inquires sceptically.

"Mhmmm," Elaine nods, but drifts off when her eyes suddenly flutter closed. Her body relaxes in slumber, and she sways back and forth, before slumping directly into his chest. Without having to think about it, Merlin's arms curl around her middle to steady her. His hold is gentle, but the light collision still wakes her up. She blinks up at him sleepily, and offers him a small smile.

"Oops," she mumbles apologetically, really not feeling sorry at all – he feels wonderful to lean against.

Merlin's eyes are slightly wide and his cheeks feel a little warm, but his lips still twitch upwards. "It's fine... well it's more than fine, actually."

"Good," Elaine's smile widens and she snuggles closer, shifting so he can hold her better. "Because I don't intend on moving."

She looks at him from under her eyelashes, violet orbs meeting blue and they both lean in, drawn together like moths to a flame. They stay in that very same position for what might have been a fleeting eternity, surrounded by enormous piles of books and comfortable silence. Elaine flexes her hands to rest them on his shoulders, then gently rubs the nape of his neck with the tips of her fingers.

Merlin's eyes flutter and he breathes out a soft little sigh, because his back is killing him from having sat still for so long, and her touch is just what his aching muscles need.

"Better?" she murmurs and increases the pressure of her hands.

"Mhm" he hums, not trusting his voice.

Elaine lets out a fond little laugh and her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Merlin?"

"Yes?"

"If you are planning on kissing me, please do so before you fall asleep."

There's a light, dreamy buzz in her voice that makes the nerves in Merlin's spine tingle. He grins and leans in to rest his forehead to hers, while one of his hands cups her cheek. It's not the first time their attention has shifted from reading to more pleasant tasks at hand, and they have grown quite comfortable with each other. Merlin finds he almost misses the blush that used to stain her cheeks at his proximity.

"I might be."

Elaine's eyes narrow a playful notch. "Might?"

Merlin's grin widens into a toothy smile, then he chastely pecks her lips.

"Merlin," she neither bothers to open her eyes nor mask the exasperation in her voice.

Feeling smug, he brushes his lips against her cheek, then hums questionably. "Mhm?"

"Let's try that again."

She grabs the lapels of Merlin jacket and crashes her lips to his, before he can even get a word out. He lets out a little sound of surprise, but it is muffled by her lips, then his hand tightens around her cheek, and he responds to the kiss eagerly. Elaine mewls in quiet approval and releases her hold on his jacket, then threads her fingers into his jet hair, in favour of deepening the kiss. Her nails scrape lightly across his scalp, and the sensation causes a quiet groan to rumble in Merlin's throat.

He brushes his thumb across her cheek affectionately, making Elaine smile against his lips. She tilts her head and lightly parts her lips, while Merlin's somehow shifted her into his lap. He briefly considers how fortunate they are that Elaine is partial to trousers – there is no way they could assume such a position, were she wearing a skirt – but once her torso is flush against his, thinking becomes an unneeded distraction. He catches her lower lip between his teeth, giving it a light nibble, and Elaine unconsciously tugs at his hair. Merlin doesn't mind the sting, because it is oddly exciting, and feeling encouraged he runs the tip of his tongue over her lip.

She grants him access to her mouth, and nearly crawls out of her skin, when he traces his tongue across her teeth then the roof of her mouth. A surge of scorching heat shoots through Elaine at his teasing, and she struggles to bite back a tiny moan. Unable to stand his delicious torture, she presses against him and entwines her tongue with his. She shifts in his lap until her knees are encasing his thighs, and uses one hand to guide his head up, so she no longer has to stretch upwards. She finds she rather likes this new, slightly dominant position, and so does Merlin, if his quiet gasp is any indication.

Only after the need for oxygen becomes too great to ignore, Merlin gradually softens the kiss. Not wanting to pull away from her, he rains gentle little kisses along the corner of her lips and the curve of her jaw.

Too wrapped up in each other, they completely fail to acknowledge the new presence in the room, even as it makes itself known with a deliberate cough.

"Oi!"

They both flinch at the sound of Gaius' voice and turn towards the door to face him.

"Judging by your," the physician makes a brief pause in search of an appropriate word, "actions, you've obviously found an answer to the king's sickness?"

Both Gaius' set yaw and the reprimanding tone of voice contradict the statement, making Merlin and Elaine look away uncomfortably.

The physician's eyebrows arch, "Well?"

Merlin clears his throat, his face flushing red, not so much from being caught slacking off – that's happened before – but because his mentor has most likely seen much more than Merlin would ever want him to see, never mind Elaine's legs are still on either side of his lap. She's hidden her face into his red neckerchief, and its colour – he can't help but notice – matches that of her cheeks perfectly.

"We sort of … haven't yet," he utters evasively, "but we will."

Merlin's expression perks up after his promise, but Gaius remains unimpressed.

"By reading it off each other's lips?"

Elaine slips off Merlin's lap with her head hung low, face crimson from her hairline to the collar of her shirt. "S-sorry, Gaius."

She seems so distressed, the old physician begins to regrets his rash choice of words.

"It's alright, my dear," he sighs and his stern expression relaxes. "Perhaps I've been a little harsh, after all, love is not something you should apologise for."

Merlin can feel his own cheeks growing hotter at the mention of love, but he cannot help glancing at Elaine from the corner of his eye. As soon as he meets her gaze, they both look away shyly. They might have gotten quite used to expressing their feelings for each other through physical contact, but they never put them to words.

Unfortunately this is neither the place nor the time for such matters.

"We checked all the books," Merlin says to beak the awkward silence, "but none of them even came close to describing Uther's symptoms."

"It's true," Elaine chimes in, glad their conversation has changed course.

"How is he doing?"

Gaius does not answer Merlin's question immediately. He rests his bag down on one of the tables, before sitting down. "The draught I gave him has calmed him down. He is asleep and let's hope when he wakes up, we will know what is ailing him."

"But that's the problem, Gaius, we won't know what's wrong with him. We've looked through all these books and found a whole lot of nothing," Elaine bites her lip worriedly. "Are there any more books we could use?"

The physician smoothly avoids her questioning gaze by flipping through a few pages of a thick spell book. "I am afraid not."

"Come on, there has to be something," Merlin presses, standing up and pacing a few lengths of the bench. "What about the old Archives of The Great Purge?"

"Uther kept record of The Great Purge?" Elaine repeats, her tone as cold as it is surprised.

"Of course he did," she mumbles after the two men look away silently. Elaine sighs and decides to let it go, because saving Camelot is more important than how she feels about Uther Pendragon's sins. "Can we see them?"

Gaius' face darkens and he sets down his magnifying glass. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Merlin demands. "Geoffrey won't mind us looking into them, if we say it is to help the king."

"The Archive is something you should stay away from, Merlin, have I made myself clear?"

"But why?" the warlock insists and Elaine joins him in the question.

Gaius looks at them through his spectacles. "Do you really think an ailment such as this, was conjured by good magic? There is knowledge far darker than the two of you can comprehend stored away in that Archive, and I want you to have nothing to do with it."

"So you're saying we should just let Uther die?" Merlin bursts.

"No, Merlin, I am saying there are other ways of getting the answers we need," Gaius explains, struggling with his temper. "Dark magic possesses an allure nearly impossible to resist. You are still too young and inexperienced to meddle with its power, it has corrupted more powerful sorcerers before."

"What can we do then?" Elaine rubs her eye, a little peevish from lack of sleep.

"There is someone with more knowledge than any of the books stored in the Archive," Gaius points out suggestively, eyeing Merlin from the corner of his eye.

"Oh, right," Merlin's face brightens with realisation. "I'll go ask tonight."

"Why tonight? Can we afford to wait that long? And who is it you're going to ask?" The questions topple off Elaine's tongue before she can stop them, or ask herself whether she truly wants to know the answers.

If Gaius or Merlin wanted to explain, they do not get the chance to, due to a series of soft knocks coming from the door. Seconds later, Guinevere's head pokes into the room.

"Gwen, is something wrong with the king?" Gaius demands as soon as he lays eyes on her.

The servant girl shakes her head. "No, the King's still resting. Morgana is with him."

If Gwen notices the trio exchange a worried look, she does not comment on it. "Arthur sent me, actually. He wants a word with Elaine."

"With me?" the violet eyed mage asks, surprised. "Whatever for?"

"He didn't say. But I don't think it's anything bad."

"Oh," Elaine nods. "Alright then."

"I'll come with you," Merlin offers immediately and takes a step closer.

"Well," Gwen bites her lip, hesitating. "Arthur said it was a private."

"I'm his servant," he justifies, casting a protective glance at Elaine. "Arthur won't mind."

Guinevere looks uncomfortable, but says nothing.

"He distinctively told you to not let me come with you, didn't he?" Merlin guesses cynically.

Gwen nods. "He did."

The warlock huffs and mumbles something sounding suspiciously like 'Dollop-head' under his breath.

"Don't worry, Merlin," Elaine soothes, but her voice shakes with concealed laughter. "I'll fill you in when I return."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Despite having claimed her audience with the prince would be no big deal, Elaine feels a little jittery once she finds herself seated in front of him. Although she must admit Arthur does not look half as intimidating as he did when he saved her from imprisonment, his silent aura of authority still makes her wary.

The prince clears his throat and Elaine looks up to meet his eyes.

"I apologise, if the time is inconvenient," Arthur breaks the ice, motioning vaguely at the dark sky outside. There are yet no signs of sunrise on the horizon, but Elaine is aware of the early morning hours. She focuses on the dark circles under the prince's eyes and the deep scowl etched into his brow. "But I'm afraid this cannot wait. I've already delayed it long enough for obvious reasons."

"If anyone can be trusted to find the cure for the King's condition, it's Gaius," Elaine attempts to placate quietly.

Arthur tries to massage an obvious headache away. "I know, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

Elaine nods once, to show she is listening, and although Arthur does not seem very threatening, her laced fingers still tighten in her lap.

"During these recent events it has come to my attention that both Gaius and my manservant think you are worthy of their trust," the prince begins. His eyes are focused on Elaine's face as if he searching for something, without knowing what it is he is looking for. "They are both members of the royal household, and their opinion is valuable to me. Although if you dare repeat a word of what I've just said to Merlin, the consequences will be dire."

Arthur's lips twitch in the corners, but the smile never reaches his eyes. Despite his sullen expression, Elaine greatly admires the prince's attempt at lightening the mood.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Sire," she all but sings, like she is taking a solemn oath.

Arthur groans. "You are going to tell him the second you see him, aren't you?"

"Probably," Elaine admits, unabashed.

Arthur's eyes roll in their sockets. "You know, Elaine. There are cases where honesty is not the best policy."

"You're saying I should lie to the future king of Camelot?" she inquires with an innocent smile.

Arthur crosses his arms over his chest. "No, but you should follow his orders, or he might consider reinstating you as Lady Magnolia's maid."

The half-hearted threat is enough to make Elaine shudder. "I'm sorry, Sire. You just looked like you needed cheering up."

"My father is sick, and the court physician has no idea what could be wrong with him. I can safely say cheering up is a little low on my list of priorities."

Arthur's voice is nearly void of emotion, but she can still detect a hint of despair. She can't help but feel sympathy for the prince, because although Uther Pendragon has done more bad than good during his reign, he does love his son. No matter how much hatred she feels towards the King, she harbours no such emotions towards the prince, and Elaine knows Arthur does not deserve to lose his father.

"This is not a time for giving up, Sire," she keeps her voice calm but firm, staring straight into his eyes in the hopes it will enhance her conviction.

Arthur remains silent for a longer while, struggling to hold her gaze. The violet hue he has only just noticed, is in sharp contrast with her pale face, and the intensity of her eyes is unsettling. He gets a strong sense of deja vu, because her matter or speech bears a striking resemblance to the way Merlin sometimes talks to him right before a war, or when he thinks the prince is about to do something stupid.

Arthur sighs and decides to shrug off the resemblance as inconsequential. His prattling manservant is probably just rubbing off on her.

"No," he acknowledges quietly and although he will never admit it, is glad for her words of encouragement. "Word of my father's illness has spread among the people like wildfire. Luckily, the only ones to see the severity of his condition were my knights, who are sworn to secrecy by the Code."

Elaine has no trouble understanding where the prince is going with this.

"And I am not a knight of Camelot."

"Exactly," Arthur continues. "As I said, if Merlin and Gaius trust you, I am prepared to do the same. However, if you were to ever reveal anything that's happened in the King's chambers, I will be forced to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"I understand," Elaine nods, her lips twitching regardless to what the prince has just said. "Is that all?"

"Yes, you can go," Arthur says, but then he notices her amused expression.

"Is something funny?" he demands, an eyebrow twitching irritably.

Elaine grins despite herself, striding towards the door leading out of his chambers. "It's nothing, Sire. This was merely the most civil threat I have ever received."

"Do you get threatened often?" the disbelieving tone in Arthur's voice is more obvious than he intended it to be.

To his surprise, she chuckles.

Elaine pivots on his heel, already half way through the door. "I think I shall keep that my little secret."

For the hell of him, Arthur cannot decipher whether she is teasing or serious. He is eventually forced to pick the first, because really, why would anyone threaten her? Except maybe Lady Magnolia, but the old bad would threaten a rock, if the mood were to strike her.

"Sire," Elaine bows her head for a second or two, then the doors close behind her before the baffled prince can truly gather his wits.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

"You're taking me to see a dragon?" Elaine whisper-screams, loud enough for her voice to echo through the night. She is starting to think her thirst for knowledge is not as good a feature as she might have thought.

"Shh," Merlin shushes softly, stopping in his tracks and looking around suspiciously. "We have to be careful."

"And going to see a dragon is considered safe?" her eyebrow arches sceptically.

"Don't worry, he won't hurt you," he assures her with a confident smile.

Elaine's violet tinted irises pierce him with a light glare. "Oh wonderful, so it's a male dragon."

"His name's Kilgaharrah."

"The Great Dragon who nearly razed Camelot to the ground?"

"Yep," Merlin says, thinking he perhaps should have left that piece of information out.

"The one Arthur killed?"

"Uhm.. it wasn't quite like that~" he trails off.

"Obviously," Elaine grumbles before she can stop herself, and regrets it the second she sees his face fall.

"Oh, Gods, I'm horrible, aren't I? You were looking forward to doing this with me, and I've completely ruined it."

"Don't say that," Merlin hastens. "You're not horrible, far from it. And it's no big deal."

"Merlin, you don't have to accommodate me, it was important to you," she gives his hand a gentle squeeze. "And I do enjoy spending time with you, it's the dragon part that has me a little squeamish."

Merlin can't help but feel a slightly baffled. "I promised you I wouldn't let anything happen to you, didn't I?"

"You did," she agrees with a flattered smile. "And it's not that, it's just... witches and dragons don't get along well."

He cocks his head to the side, lips pursed as he ponders her words. "Why is that?"

"Well," she drawls to ignore the urge to kiss him. "There are no Dragon Ladies around. That in itself is a hint, but the dispute between dragons and witches is of different origin."

"What do you mean?" he inquires.

"When I was little, my mother used to tell me stories, which I later found out were bits and pieces of our history and the teachings of the Old Religion." Elaine explains. "The tale goes that centuries ago lived a powerful Dragon Lord, respected and loved by the people and held in high regard by the dragon race. As fate would have it, he fell in love with a sorceress, whose power and beauty were equal to none."

"It's sort of ironic how it always comes down to the love of a woman, isn't it?" She runs her fingers through her hair and shakes it out, striking a playfully seductive pose. As she continues the story, however, her face darkens.

"Many warned the Dragon Lord of her selfishness and evil, but he refused to listen. He pursued her, and not long after, they were wed. Everything seemed perfect, and when word got out the sorceress was with child, there was nothing that could stand in the way of the couple's happiness. Unfortunately, after the child had been born, it became clear that when she said 'Till death do us part' the witch had actually been setting a goal.

"Greedy to get her hands on the Dragon Lord's magic, the witch spiked her husband's drink, and killed him in his sleep. That way her son inherited the Gift, and she could mould him into a weapon that had no choice but bow to her will. The dragons were enraged by the witch's sins, but could do nothing to stop her, for she had the protection of a Dragon Lord. So they vowed to never again aid a witch."

"Isn't that sort of harsh?" Merlin asks after she falls quiet. "I know what the sorceress did was wrong, but that doesn't mean all witches are bad."

Elaine shrugs, unsure. "I don't know. I would rather not know how a dragon's mind works. I've heard it can give you quite a headache."

"You have no idea," the warlock groans. "Usually they leave you with more questions than answers."

"Sounds fun," she notes sarcastically.

They continue walking in silence until the forest around them starts thinning and they reach a vast meadow, at the very heart of Camelot's forests. Elaine, who has half expected to find a dragon leaping at them as soon as they set foot onto the grass, is a little disappointed to find the clearing empty. Then she remembers she is in Camelot, where specimens of the magical variety are scarce. Of course the only surviving dragon would hide as far away from Uther's kingdom as possible, which brings her to very logical question.

"Er, Merlin, how are you going to persuade a dragon to come to talk to us?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

There have been but a few times in her life that Elaine has been rendered speechless with awe, the majority of which have occurred since she's met Merlin. Witnessing him call forth the last existing dragon, is one of them.

She can only stand there, lips parted in adoration, watching Merlin chant at the cloudless sky above them. His voice is booming and deep and is seems as though their surroundings are resonating with it. It is almost like she is seeing him for the first time, and he is magnificent – and a little frightening. She has sensed the power of his magic before, but never to this extent. It makes her abilities look like cheap jester's tricks.

Never the less, the magic within her stirs to life, humming under her skin in response to his, and it feels wonderful.

Lost in the pleasurable buzz of magic, she doesn't notice Merlin's stopped talking and caught her staring.

"What?" he grins, looking extremely smug.

Elaine shakes her head to break through her lovely stupor, and opens her mouth to answer, but a sudden gust of wind hits her before she can come up with a saucy reply. She glances up, trying to figure out which direction the wind came from, only to catch sight of a winged, scaly beast hovering above them.

"Oh Gods," she breathes and takes a step back.

The ground quakes under the dragon's claws as he lands before them, yellow eyes glowing through the night.

"To what do I owe the pleasure this time, young warlock?" the Great Dragon asks, the corner of his mouth twisting into what looks like an exasperated smile.

"I need your help," Merlin says, squinting his eyes.

Kilgaharrah's booming laugh echoes through the clearing. "You always claim to, but never put my advice to good use."

"Please, I don't have time for this;" the warlock answers with an irritated edge in his voice.

"No, I suppose you don't."

Elaine, completely overwhelmed by the sight of the dragon and the nearly casual banter between him and Merlin, takes a mesmerized step forward. As she shifts her weight, a twig snaps under her feet.

Kilgharrah's sharp eyes glide towards her, and Elaine finds herself shaking in her boots. She wishes she hadn't let go of Merlin's hand earlier, because it would have offered her comfort under the beast's piercing gaze.

"I see now why you lack time," the dragon comments smugly. His eyes remain levelled with hers, and Elaine swallows thickly. Although her heart is trying to beat a way out of her chest, she refuses to break eye contact and come over as a coward. After what feels like an eternity, Kilgaharrah suddenly throws his head back and laughs. "And to think I've once thought you small of size compared to your destiny, young warlock."

His comment strikes a nerve, spiking Elaine's temper.

"You're making fun of my height?" she demands hotly, balling her fists.

"Ah," the dragon now chuckles. "You, little witch, may have been born of water, but there is fire inside of you."

"What are you talking about?" Elaine shouts to be heard over Kilgaharrah's laughter. "I wasn't born of water, nor is there a fire in me. Look, if you could just help us~"

"It is your reality, certainly, to see as you wish," the beast interrupts her. "But you will not be able to deny the truth for long, it is written in your eyes."

"My eyes? What does that even mean?"

"It means, little witch~"

"Stop calling her that," Merlin snaps, suddenly by Elaine's side. His fingers lace with hers firmly, and Elaine is so grateful for his intervention she could kiss him. The way the Great Dragon keeps saying the words, sounds like she is something evil or dirty.

"It means, little witch," Kilgaharrah repeats just to spite him, "that like the water is bound to the push and pull of the Moon, your destiny is forever bound to the entity that left its mark in your eyes."

"You might as well have told her nothing!" Merlin groans angrily. "Why must you always talk in riddles?"

"Because, Merlin, some secrets are not mine to tell," the dragon explains like they have been talking of the weather. "Now what is it you wished to ask me?"

"Forget it, I should just go, you never say anything helpful anyway."

"If that is what you wish to do," Kilgaharrah acknowledges. He crouches down and spreads his wings, as if ready to take flight.

"Wait!" Elaine and Merlin demand simultaneously.

"So you do want my help," the dragon states.

"Uther is sick, he might have been poisoned, but it's obviously the work of a sorcerer. We couldn't find a cure~"

"Then you should rejoice."

Merlin's teeth grit. "That's not all."

"He's used magic."

Elaine's words are followed by a few seconds of deafening silence, then Kilgaharrah glances at her from the corner of his eye. "It is not the first time Uther's gone against his own laws to save his skin."

"You don't understand," Merlin exclaims. "He was delirious, it was like he'd fallen in a trance. He didn't try using magic to heal himself, he used it to shatter every glass surface in his chambers."

"There is no spell that can grant one magical powers. If what you say is true, then the enchantment Uther is under has only just begun to take effect. Once before I have warned you of the evil residing at the very heart of Camelot," the Great Dragon sneers, a puff of smoke escaping between his teeth, "but you refuse you heed my words."

"You believe Morgana is behind this?" Elaine questions before Merlin can respond.

"The witch does not have the power to wield such powerful magic, but she is in league with one who can."

"Morgause," Merlin breathes, his words a statement not a question.

The dragon nods. "It is possible."

"What can I do? How do I stop this?"

"You cannot," Kilgaharrah declares. "The only explanation for the magic is that Uther has become a vessel for a spell."

"No," Merlin's voice rises. "No! I know where you're going with this. You made me hurt someone I cared about once, I will never repeat that mistake again."

"You may not need to kill Uther, although it would be the preferable option." The dragon shows no signs of being affected by Merlin's outburst, if anything he merely seems entertained. "Sometimes more than one vessel is needed to withhold an enchantment. If you wish to save Camelot, find the second vessel and destroy it."

"How do we do that? It could be anyone!"

The dragon ignores Elaine's question and suddenly spreads his wings. He casts one last glance towards the Dragon Lord and his companion, then takes flight with one powerful leap.

"Wait!" Merlin cries, but it is already too late. The dragon has disappeared on the horizon.

A/N: The Great Dragon scene was a pain in the ass to write. And I think I pretty much failed, but I'm too fed up with his cryptic ways to go and fix this part again.

By the way, I keep getting alerts of subscriptions and favourites, but no reviews. I'm really glad you like my story enough to follow it, and am grateful for every fave, but really it's a annoying to get no feedback. You obviously liked it if you added it... unless you get a kick out of reading stuff you think is bad.

Anyway, if you found the time to read this and click the fave/subscribe button, leave me a review. I like to know my readers' opinions.

Thanks again to the constant reviewers (listen in the above author's note), you're amazing.

Until next time,

~JeanneFate-x

P.S.: Thank you for reading. Suggestions/amendments?