Chapter 10

Gaius had been pouring over his books, trying to find the language of the dragons. To call them, could be done by anybody daring to confront them. But the fear of becoming roasted would discourage most reasonable men. Dragons were known not to like being disturbed by none other than a dragonlord. He hoped Kilgarrah would be in a friendly talking mood as he finally had found the right book.

He waited for the darkness to fill the sky before he set out for the clearing near Camelot that Merlin would use to meet with Kilgarrah. He didn't inform Arthur as he probably should have. But he was worried how either of them would react towards each other. One reason was because they didn't have a dragonlord to prevent them from becoming beef jerky. The second was, he didn't know how Arthur would be towards the beast that had hurt and killed some of the innocent people of Camelot.

What he didn't know is that Arthur had been keeping an eye on him as he was getting desperate for some information to find Merlin. And so carefully, he followed the old physician from a safe distance so he couldn't be heard or seen.

Once Gaius arrived in the field, he called out to the dragon hoping that he sounded loud and commanding. Arthur stayed just at the edge of the woods at a safe distance.

After what seemed like hours, Gaius was about to give up. His old bones were protesting against the different positions he had gotten into to try to relieve the aches of age. And obviously, his voice had not been strong enough to call upon the dragon. But then suddenly he heard a loud flapping of wings. He looked around for a bird but instead got the magestic great beast in view.

Kilgarrah landed only a short distance from Gaius, looking at him and waiting for him to speak. He knew who the older man was.

Arthur remained hidden at the tree line, waiting to see if Gaius would need help, or if the dragon would need persuading.

"I need your help" Gaius' voice came out booming " Merlin has been taken"

"by whom", inquired the dragon.

"the sorceress, Shira. I believe she has taken him to her haven. I do not know why?"

"Our young warlock has a knack for getting himself in trouble. But I don't believe him to be in danger. That is not her way."

"Perhaps, but she hasn't given him a choice either."

"If Shira has taken him, it must be for a good reason"

"Maybe, but whatever that reason may be, I do not believe that Merlin wishes to be there. Otherwise he would of sent word that he has chosen a different path than his destiny. At the very least, he would of said his goodbyes"

"You are right to believe this."

"Will you help me to get him back"

The dragon seemed to be thinking for a while.

"Shira's haven is to the north of Queen Annis 's kingdom but how will you be able to embark on this quest?" he asked intrigued.

"I will be leading the quest to find Merlin" answered Arthur firmly walking away from the shadows of the trees.

Gaius turned around, having been taken by surprise.

"I'm sorry Gaius, but I saw you heading out and I followed you" Arthur answered his unspoken question.

The dragon looked at Arthur carefully, but with great curiosity. So the young king knew of Merlin's magic. Well that was quite a turn of events.

Arthur, under Kilgarrah's scrutiny tried to not let himself be intimidated. "Apparently, there is a barrier that I will not be able to see. How will I know when I get there since it is said to be invisible to outsiders?"

"You will feel gloomy, unwell, like you want to run in the other direction. That is how you will know that you are standing at the edge of her sanctuary. "and he couldn't help himself to ask "So Arthur Pendragon, have you accepted who Merlin is"

"I have... although him and I have much to talk about. It would seem that I also owe you my life, that you have advised Merlin, on many occasions in saving me and Camelot..thank you"

Kilgarrah bowed his head at the King and then turned to the sky. He took flight and was gone.

"Well that was sudden...no goodbye...no 'I'll bring you directly there to make your life easier'..."Arthur grumbled.

"Sire" Gaius answered his king, amused "from what I've heard in the past, we should consider ourselves lucky we are not parched. I believe it is only by respect to Merlin, that we have been allowed to come out of this unscathed. Maybe you should of remained at a safer distance"

Arthur pouted. "I'm sorry Gaius, I was getting edgy waiting around"

"It's alright Sire."

"I can't believe Merlin can talk to that beast and not be scared. I have so much to learn about him. We will leave tomorrow at first light. I will inform my knights tonight."

"Thank you my lord"