Bearing the Path to Destiny

A/N: A small heads up. I went back and did some editing and adding in the last chapter in regards to the scene within the Manor. After I re-read it with a friend of mine, twice, after it was uploaded, I felt the need for a major tune up and so I did it the day right after I uploaded it so if any of you read it on the first day, go back and check the changes.

'Do you ever find it hard to do your duty?'

'Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to.

~ Maximus and his servant, Gladiator

Chapter 10: Sense of Duty

Galahad was at the front of the lines with Malcolm riding alongside him. Their fellow Order members and Albions were riding right behind them as well. Most of them had set and firm expressions on their faces as they headed for Olaf's kingdom. The death of Lord Travis on most of their minds as well as the thought of avenging his death. Connor, his chimera Emrys, Kalen, Flint and a good number of Travis' men had already headed for Lord Travis' home to break the news to his people, wife, his young daughters and even younger son. It was said that after the funeral and mourning period was over, they would return with more men to help bring about Vortigern's defeat even quicker.

Arthur and his knights were riding a bit more further back but their attention wasn't as firm and set as the others. In fact, most of them were gazing up in astonishment. Madoc, the red dragon, was flying up above them with a youthful zing in his wing. Lionel could be barely made out on his back and Merlin was flying close by them with Dylan in the air not too far away.

Arthur could barely make out Merlin's face from the ground. He would see Merlin's mouth moving about as he looked to and away from Lionel. "Leave it to someone like Merlin to have a conversation with someone on a dragon in the air."

Gwaine smiled at them and let out an amused snort. "I guess it's a different version of what we're doing now on our horses. Though, I could make out Lionel having a drink up there. I could use one down here."

Elyan rolled his eyes. "Wait until we've settled. Then you can drink your weight in mead."

"Arthur," said Tristan. "Why is Dylan up there spinning around like a wheel?"

They all looked up to see that Dylan was indeed spinning around like a wheel. He didn't seem to be trying to show off and have fun either. He looked ferocious as he did that. Merlin had argued against bringing Dylan, for some reason but Connor insisted. Arthur had agreed with Connor's reasoning at the end. Albion's best sorcerers and warriors were now scattered and with the transport of Lord Travis, they would be losing the very best of the crop. Dylan's power rivaled Connor and they couldn't spare that kind of advantage. Though, secretly, Arthur felt Merlin might have some reason to be against it after all.

"That's strange," Arthur mumbled.

Dylan then stopped spinning and in some show of magic, there were three flying creatures that appeared from Dylan's own darkness. Dylan could be seen pointng on ahead and the three creatures flew off in that direction.

"That's Dylan." Arthur looked over to his right at the new voice and saw that Bedivere had ridden to be near them. "He doesn't make sense to most of us. Lionel and Malcolm and Connor being the exception."

"Which is why they're coming right? To watch him." He looked over to see Malcolm close to the front. Arthur had never known him to leave Albion the entire time he'd known him save the first time they met when he was dropped in his throne room.

"Well that...and I think to try to find out more about Vortigern and the Thorns' new targets."

"Right that whole 'Trinity' business," Gwaine said. "And you all say that Malcolm is one?"

"The bearer of the mystical soul, yes. Connor was the one to bear the mystical mind and...Sir Caleb was the one to bear mystical heart."

"Mystical? As in magic right?" Gwaine just shook his head. "That right there, it doesn't make sense though. I can understand that Connor would be tied into all this. I mean, it's Connor. Powerful sorcerer. Rare Beast Tamer. I can get that. And I've heard one or two things about Caleb from Kay. Great with magic too. Possibly the best swordsman in Albion, I got that. But Malcolm? A musician who doesn't have any trouble with insulting knights or kings to their faces."

"There is more to Malcolm then what you see. That's actually the defining factor of the one who has the soul in the Trinity. They are a person who has something deeper than what their outside would suggest. They have a wisdom and strength that becomes greatest when those in their lives need it. They live for the people dear to their lives and that's Malcolm."

Gwaine snorted. "Okay, now I see less sense in that than I did before."

Bedivere just stared back at Gwaine. "I take it that you don't really have a high opinion of Malcolm?"

"He's not the only one," Percival grunted.

"I have to admit," said Leon. "I don't like him much either."

Bedivere shrugged. "Okay, so he doesn't strike you all as likeable but-

"At least we're polite about it," Arthur defended, cutting Bedivere off. "I admire the fact that he prides himself as an honest man, I do, but sometimes it's too much. He speaks to most of my men and especially me with very little respect even though we are allies now."

Bedivere chuckled and Arthur asks him what was funny. "Oh, it's just amazing that its like that now when things were actually quite different. Believe it or not, Malcolm did respect you Arthur. He might not have any love for Uther or the knights loyal to him, but he didn't hold any blame on you. He believed in what Sir Caleb used to say about how you were not to be stuck with your father actions before you could even make your own. Even defended that claim against those that said otherwise. They had high hopes for you for some unknown reason, used to tell them to me and others back on Eire when I was a boy." Bedivere then started to stroke his cheeks in wonder. "Though, surprisingly, about under two years before the war ended, the two of them stopped. Caleb and Malcolm even almost snarled ever time a reference to princes were made. Said that princes like Robert and Vortigern Tregor and you were to ascend to nothing but more glory by pain and misery. They never made it clear why though."

Arthur shook off the momentary shock at that confusing revelation. It was hard to comprehend that the man in Albion that seemed most set against him used to actually be a firm supporter and believer in him. "I've admitted that the Great Purge wasn't as honorable as my father made it out to be but Malcolm, and a few other of the Albions won't let it go."

Bedivere folded his arms. "Would you? Would any of you in their place?" he asked the others. "I mean, I know that you all have suffered from magic as well but it was a war. What did all you expect they would do, just line up quietly and understand that their king wanted to massacre them? I mean, if another kingdom or warlord is set to attack the people of your city or kingdom, would you not answer? War has casualties on both sides."

Bedivere wasn't yelling or screaming. He was simply talking. He wasn't accusing them or trying to defend the Albions either. He was just bringing the truth out in the open in the plainest voice that he could. That's probably what made it start to really stick with all of them.

"This war that started because a man lost his wife for an heir to his throne. Then he went and tore friends and families apart in a selfish bid to even the score and made it out to be a fight against evil when it was at the core: genocide." He saw that they wanted to try and say something but he wasn't finished. "Granted, there were some very evil and corrupt people in the mix but, in the end, that's no excuse. I mean, if you caught a man committing the most heinous treason against your kingdom Arthur, would you execute everyone who ever lived or was born from his home village or city as well as the culprit? He was from that place so naturally, everyone from there has to die as well because they're all as treacherous and evil as he was."

"That's ridiculous." Arthur never heard such nonsense.

"Well, its good that you see that...because, in the end, that's what your kingdom did. One disrespectful misuse of magic and everyone with ties to it that fell into Camelot's sight fell to the blade. You have admitted that what your father has done is wrong, yes a good start, but did any of you believe that it would...magically make all of these people forgive you in an instant? That that's all it would really take?"

None of them said anything after that. They just rode on in silence. Bedivere saw that they were taking the time to think and he rode off more ahead to leave them to it. Ever since Arthur could remember, every thing he heard against the Purge has been either by someone who either had magic or had deep ties to magic. Yet, what Bedivere was saying seemed to really hit them unlike others in the past. Probably because Bedivere's ties to magic were far compared to others around here.

Leon's gaze went to the distant front and he noticed that Galahad kept gazing back once in a while. He followed his direction and could see that his son Garrett was in that direction. He didn't need anyone to confirm the fact that this was undoubtedly his first real campaign as a real soldier.

Merlin, Madoc with Lionel, and Dylan were some feet in the air from the men but were keeping a relatively calm and ample pace. The truth was that they could fly much more faster than they were but they kept up the slow pace to cover them from the air. That way they could spot any potential ambushes and be quick to provide assistance in case of surprise crises that sprout from the ground.

Merlin kept switching his gaze from the view of scenery from the air to the sight right next to him. Madoc had sure grown in the last two years. Before where he was twice the size of a man, he now looked to be four times the size. His jaws have become firmer and now his two top fangs have become so long that they can always be seen even when his jaws are shut. Madoc's tail also seemed to have developed a bit. The end of it almost looked trident shaped with two horn long editions growing out of either side of the tip. Madoc was softly flapping his wings and was keeping a very steady pace in the air as he watched over all the men below. Lionel was a top of him like a glorified horse rider and was currently drinking some wine from a water skin.

Merlin couldn't help himself. The look was too bizarre. He started to snicker and lightly laugh.

Lionel lowered his skin when he heard. "Did I miss a joke or something?"

Merlin just smiled a little mischievously. "It's nothing," he said with a shake of his head.

That only got Lionel to smile. "No...what is it?"

"Seeing you ride on Madoc like that, like a horse. It's bizarre."

Lionel looked confused. "You find that confusing? I don't. I remember my old master Brim riding on his dragon companion a few times before. So did a few other dragonlords. His dragon even let me ride on him once. Surely, with as long as long as you've been with him, you must've rode on him at least once, right?"

"I've asked Kilgharrah if he would take me somewhere on his back and he refused me. Said that he wasn't a horse."

Lionel just rolled his eyes. "Oh please. Madoc shouldn't feel any less proud of himself because I am riding on him. He's still a proud and noble dragon who happens to be courteous as well. It's the duty of a dragon. I mean, Merlin, you were a servant to Arthur correct?"

"Yes...I was. To tell you the truth, not a job I miss too often."

"So, you miss it some of the time then," Lionel asked before taking a drink from his water skin.

"I don't know...things were simpler then."

"Well, back to my former point, as Arthur's servant, you were still proud to be in the service to a great man. A label for him that I'm still trying to wrap my mind around," he added in an undertone.

Merlin broke into small laughter. "All things considered, at the end of the day yes I was."

"That's what I mean. You could still be a proud man with a duty of service. Same could apply to the dragons, to Madoc giving a ride to the Keeper of the Dragons. It doesn't take anything from him and he knows it...right Madoc?"

Madoc let out a small snarl from his jaws but he did nod just the same. It was Merlin's turn to roll his eyes.

"Well, unfortunately, Kilgharrah doesn't seem to see it that way."

"Yes well, Kilgharrah has always been too self proud for his own good. I remember Brim complaining about that with Balinor and a few others a long time ago." Lionel then smiled a little fondly. "Prouder than a peacock, he had said once. Just because he was a truly rare golden dragon and the oldest dragon back then. Said it could do him good to learn some humility one of these days."

"Yes," Merlin said lightly scratching the back of his head. "Well, Kilgharrah hasn't always been the humble type. He would keep insisting that things follow in his own way. Even when I suggested otherwise, he would nearly always prove that he was right."

Lionel slitted his eyes slightly. "Don't let him walk all over you Merlin. Remember, you're the Dragonlord in the relationship. He has to follow your commands not the other way around. Yes," he said quickly when he saw Merlin about to respond. "I know that you would say that he has to have his respect but you have to him respect you and he won't truly do so if you don't lay your foot down more often. Show him that he can't get you to yield to everything he says and plans just by shouting or showing off his height and teeth. If things aren't done his way but yours then it doesn't necessarily mean they won't still work on in the end. Remember what I said about lack of faith being one of his weaknesses."

He suddenly received a mental picture of Kilgharrah strutting around smaller dragons and people in a way that reminded him of Arthur when he first met him. "You make him sound like a prat Lionel." He couldn't resist using that word after what he imagined.

Lionel shrugged. "Just because he is a knowledgable and has multiple centuries over anyone else doesn't mean that he isn't above being one. That he shouldn't have cause to have shame."

At the word shame, Merlin's eyes shot out to the shameful, in his opinion, sorcerer flying not too far away. A man who didn't seem to have shame at his treatment of others that apparently Connor approved of to join them in his stead. He looked to Dylan's face and could see him looking down at Camelot's men while opening and closing his fist. For a moment, Merlin could make out a spiteful glare before he spun in the air as if to vent out his emotion.

After the start of the war, Kilgharrah had taken Merlin aside and he had talked of Dylan. He had suggested that Merlin keep a close eye on Dylan. He had told him of the savage creatures that he tended to conjure in the training he did with Connor and Madoc. He had said that Dylan had a deep hatred that might even rival Morgana's. Merlin already felt wary of him even before the warning. How Dylan wielded his magic seemed even more dangerous than Morgana wielded hers.

Lionel also caught sight of Dylan spinning. "Dylan...you okay?"

"Hmm," he said stopping. "Fine. Just couldn't handle being still. Wanted to get my juices flowing."

Lionel gave him a nod. "Just don't burn them too quickly."

"Noted," he drawled. "But, you know I'm hardly the stationary type."

Lionel huffed. He then brought his hand arm out in an invitation gesture. "Don't hold back on our account. You never do so don't start now." Madoc let out a little bird like yelp as he looked over at Dylan himself.

Dylan let out a rather mischievous grin before he froze in mid-air and brought out his arms. A dark aura enveloped him and then spread out from his body. Three streams broke off from it and took the shapes of dark cloudy orbs. They all started to mold and take shape until the fazed out leaving three creatures that made Merlin cringe in both fear and anger. Though not as much as the smile that appeared on Dylan like he got something difficult out of his chest at the sight of his own monstrous creations. Three creatures that looked like big savage demonic ravens half the size of Madoc, with black beaks that had ridges at the side of them like they were teeth as well as red eyes.

"Scout ahead for me." he ordered. With a screech they flew off.

Some of the Knights of Camelot tried not to look so impressed as the two sorcerers and dragon flew overhead. Sir Ferris was at the top of that list. He was riding some ways behind the King and his 'villagers turned knights'

"How can all those people be so casual riding along with a dragon flying around over their heads?" Ferris would never forget that the Great Dragon and his attack on Camelot. He still has a burn on his shoulder blade to remind him of that day.

His fellow knight to his left leaned in. "Well these people aren't exactly normal. Remember when we almost attacked Albion. The Great Dragon touched down and while we rose to defend ourselves, they dropped to their knees at it."

"Right...and with that Keeper Lionel fondling those four eggs from time to time, who knows how many others that might come for them to bow to." said another knight.

Ferris nodded. "More dragons to be under that ex servant's control. It's insanity."

"What is Ferris?" asked the first knight.

"That Arthur can't see what is really happening. What we're being reduced to. Ever since our alliance to the Albions, we've lost not only the kingdom but countless of our men. And yet, it seems that we're focusing all our remaining power into their whims over trying to reclaim Camelot from Vortigern."

"Is that right?" Odin said putting down a paper that he was reading.

He, Mab, Mordred, Morgana and Nemain, who had returned to the them per Vortigern's request, listened to what the scout came in to report.

"Yes my lords and ladies. The Alliance's forces are marching into the land through Olaf's kingdom. The Albions seemed to be at the front and I could make out Camelot's colors right behind them."

"How many men?" Odin asked the messenger after he digested this.

"I would say around 500. They were heading off for Olaf's castle."

"No doubt to join with their forces there before moving onward to us." said Nemain. "Still, that shouldn't be a problem for us here."

"What do you mean?" asked Odin. "The Alliance had one battles against an army three times their size with similar numbers over the last two years."

Mab smiled at him. "Yes, but their weakening their forces. The key to their success until now has been the experience and power of the Order of the Bear. Yet, from our reports on the other parts of the land, they're keeping more and more of their key Order members in the reclaimed lands to help protect them. They have little choice because if they leave them unattended then our brigades of creatures that could only be killed by magic might re-take them with no magical defense."

"Is that why you weren't worried about the Alliance winning so much? You wanted to weaken their forces by forcing them to spread themselves through the land so much?" he asked her.

"Partly, but now that it has been brought to this point. We can now focus on actually turning the war with this one foul swoop."

"Yes. Was King Arthur and Emrys part of that march?" Mordred asked the messenger.

"I don't know my lord. I did see a red dragon flying above the force and two smaller things flying beside it. Yet, before I could try to move closer, there were these three flying monsters closing in on where I was hidden and I would've been caught if I hadn't fleed when I did."

"What kind of creatures were they?" asked Mab.

"I...don't know. They looked like black birds but more...monster like. The most confusing part was that they appeared out of nowhere."

Mab and Nemain caught each other's eye. "Dylan," they said in unison.

Mordred looked to them. Dylan. He'd heard of him. In fact, he remembered catching a glimpse of him during his and Angus' attempted assault on Albion. He was a rare conjurer. A breed of sorcerer that could actually manifest things into this world out of nothing but his own aura. Dylan was a very powerful one and could actually bring in imitations of life in the form of creatures, which he used to make himself an army of one. Angus told him that if he had turned his talents against Camelot, even by himself, Camelot wouldn't have stood a chance even with Emrys' aid. Now he was heading for them.

Mordred excused the messenger. He left with a big echo of the closing doors behind him. "This might be a problem." Mordred said as he rubbed his forehead.

Nemain raised her eyes. Might? She knew that Dylan could probably be just as, if not more problematic then Connor or Merlin. "You have no idea Mordred...yet we're in luck. Our armies are capable of destroying his creatures. Even his power has limits and fortunately, we fit in that list."

"How?" asked Odin. "If this man could create an army of creatures out of nothing, he could overwhelm us."

Nemain went on to explain further. "True but the thing about Dylan is that the more creatures he makes at one time, then the weaker they are. Also, they aren't really created out of nothing. They are created from energy and the energy that Dylan uses is emotion. Primarily, hatred. Over the years, he has absorbed the hatred that has been bred in this land towards magic. Had he used his creatures to attack Camelot for example, every blow that the soldiers and knights made on them wouldn't hurt them. Their hatred of magic would be behind their attacks and instead would only vitalize and empower them. Only those that didn't hate magic could harm and destroy them. In fact, back when he was with us, his creatures fell very easily at the Order's hands because of their actual love for magic. Our men are similar. They don't hate magic at all and respect and love the fact that it has made them part of such a feared and strong army. Therefore, Dylan can't really create an army, it would be pointless. His best chance would be two or three dozen creatures at most to really be effective. It's shouldn't be too much trouble on us. This shouldn't tip the scale much at all."

Odin seemed content about this. "I see."

Morgana was off and silent through all of this. In fact, after the messenger mentioned the red dragon, she tuned most of it all out. Another dragon. Mordred told her of the Great Gold Dragon, of which Camelot's banner had been inspired of when it was captured that was under Merlin's command, but now there was another? Yet, when she looked to the others in the room, they didn't seem all that surprised. They were more driven on these other monsters than the new dragon. They had known. Mordred had known. Why didn't he tell her about something like this?

Yet, where there was confusion, soon there was found anger. Anger that Merlin seemed to not only have another dragon but that he seemed to be able to flaunt such power and prestige to Camelot's glory. Had he no pride or shame? He was flaunting everything about for them when not three years ago, they would gladly have him and his precious dragons destroyed? And he was supposed to be a dragonlord? Why wasn't he doing his duty and keeping his dragons free from the Pendragons or their army. She would never let any of those magic hating hippocrites anywhere near Aithusa and Merlin was letting them use his? She more than ever wanted to get her hands on him and wring his neck.

Morgana's mind came back to the meeting when Odin stood from his chair. "Alright then, I'll lead all my newest sorcerers, along with my army to intercept them. They won't be able to reach the castle."

"I'll go along as well." Nemain said getting up. "I'll be able to handle Dylan."

"As will I," said Mordred also standing. "No doubt Emrys will be there with Arthur."

"Know this," Odin said pointing at Mordred. "Arthur is mine. His life will be mine to take. You and Nemain should stay and be part of our cover force and come in to deal with the other two later. No doubt Arthur will ride at the head where is where I'll be."

Mordred looked him over before nodding with a smile. "Fair enough. However, be sure to bring his head. We and Vortigern especially, would like to have it."

"My pleasure."

"I'll go as well." The four in the room looked to see Morgana stand as well with a firm and determined look on her face. "I have my own score to settle with Merlin and I will bring Aithusa as well. The two of us would very much like to meet this new dragon too."

Odin looked her over before he finally nodded. "Very well. You'll be part of my primary force."

When it was nightfall, the assembled army from Albion stopped at a secure looking spot in the woods and decided to set up camp. Madoc landed and was lying under the stars in a clearing not too far away from the commanding tent. Dylan was lounging about close by the dragon.

"Alright," Arthur said when a soldier came to inform the assembled that the camp had been finished and secured. "We'll hole up here tonight and at first light, we'll continue on. We should reach Olaf's castle a little after noon tomorrow. After checking with him on recent enemy movement changes we can then start to push into your lands Annis."

Queen Annis nodded. "Yes...that sounds a good a plan as any."

"My queen," said one of her guardsmen with a small bow. "Perhaps it would be wiser to stay with Olaf until the army is ready to push on into the fortress."

"No," Annis shook her head defiantly. "These are my lands we're going into I won't stand far in the sidelines while all this is going to happen. Let that be the end of it." she commanded.

"Yes your grace," her guardsmen said.

A small roar could be heard from outside. "Merlin," Arthur said turning to the warlock. "Did Madoc have to be so close to our tent?"

"Did you have to put the command tent so close to the clearing? he argued back with a smile.

"This was the only space big enough for the tent."

"Well, the clearing behind us is the only one big enough and close enough to the camp site." Merlin seemed to be fighting the urge to laugh and Arthur fought the urge to smile at him.

Galahad stepped through the flap into the tent. "Well," he said breaking up their pointless spat. "The surrounding area is clear. I've already arranged the guards for the area and their shifts."

"Thank you Galahad," Arthur said. "I must say that I do miss the advantages of those dolls you used to use." They lost them all to battles over the last two years and the only one in Albion that could make them had passed on. Arthur had to admit that he missed the uses of them. He did notice that Galahad also looked a little tense and aggravated. "Are you okay Galahad?"

"Hmm," he said snapping out of his personal brood. "I'm fine," he said like he was confused. "Why?"

"Oh, just asking." he said waving it off.

Merlin wondered briefly what that was all about before he noticed that there was a prominent figure missing from this war council. "Dylan? Where is he?"

It was Arthur who had the answer this time. "I saw him laying about around Madoc. Leon, did you tell Dylan that the meeting was now because I thought he'd be here by now?"

"I did. He mumbled okay and then waved me off so he heard and understood what I said."

Merlin looked off the direction that he knew where Madoc was. "I'll see what's keeping him."

Merlin stepped out of the tent where he could make out the sun in the far distance spilling a very small and limited amount of light for visibility. Merlin stepped around the tent and headed for the clearing just a few moments away. Madoc's red scales slightly glinting in the setting sun's light. Lionel was sitting up next to him and was cradling one of the eggs in his arms and rubbing it with a handkerchief. Malcolm was laying on his back nearby, holding his lute out and was lightly strumming the strings. Dylan was spread out over a flat top rock. They seemed to be in light conversation. Merlin was about to call out for Dylan when he started catching their conversation.

"Why aren't you going to the meeting?" asked Malcolm. "Didn't Leon tell you that it was starting just a short while ago?"

"Why aren't you going?" he asked hardly fazed. "You're second after Connor and instead you have Galahad in your place?"

"I'm not good with invasion plans. That's more Galahad's expertise than mine. Besides, my meetings with Arthur tend to have us arguing, well the ones without Connor there. What's your excuse?"

Dylan shrugged and then placed his hands behind his head. "You know that I'm not a team player." He started wiggling his feet off the end and with his previous motion, you would think he was lounging about on a bed instead of a rock. "Besides...Merlin would be there too."

Merlin jumped up and, though he knew that they weren't looking his way, he still ducked down to avoid being seen. Malcolm stopped strumming and slightly sat up to look at him. "What does Merlin have to do with this?"

"Yeah, what's going on with the two of you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Dylan turning his head to look at Lionel who was still shining the egg he was holding.

"I mean that every time your name is mentioned, Merlin seems to flinch or tense up and today, I could swear I saw him glare a dagger at you."

"Don't know, and I really don't care. I could tell from the start that Merlin, the Great Emrys, was a man with a stick up his arse. Besides, the point is that I'm not the following orders thing. Every time I ever did, bad things tended to happen."

Lionel looked up from rubbing the egg. "Still, you would look like a fool if you did something that conflicted with the attack plans." he pointed out.

"I see only one possible plan. I see the enemy, I blast the enemy to oblivion and that's if I'm in a good mood. What else is there for someone like me?"

Lionel rolled his eyes and stood up after placing the egg he was holding back in his pack. "You're impossible." he said in jest. Dylan smirked at him. "Well," Lionel said before stretching. "I'm tired. We have a long time ahead of us and we'll need sleep." He then turned to Madoc. "Be sure to get plenty of sleep yourself." he said with a bit of a commanding tone like a firm father.

Malcolm wished Lionel a good night as he left the two of them alone. Merlin debated with himself if he should make himself known as well. Whether it was to let them know that everyone was waiting on him or to fling him off that rock. He saw Malcolm set his lute down and get to his feet himself. "Dylan...on the subject of Merlin, there is something I must discuss with you."

Dylan narrowed his eyes. "It must be serious if you want to talk with me without Lionel around when the subject was fresh."

"Lionel says that Merlin flinches around you or glares at you, right? Well...recently, when he thinks I'm not paying attention, I've been catching him looking at me strangely."

"How?"

"I...I don't know. It's almost like he wants to say something to me but at the same time is trying hard not to, at least in public. He keeps approaching towards me when he thinks I'm alone but when he sees someone around, even a guard, he backs off."

Dylan propped onto his shoulders. "That is odd. That suggests that Merlin wants to discuss something very sensitive. So sensitive that he can't run the risk of it being heard by the wrong people directly or indirectly."

"You think so? What would Merlin want to speak with me that is so sensitive that no one could hear? Is it a good or bad sensitive?"

"How should I know? Being empathic or psychic are unfortunately not among my talents. When did this all start?"

Malcolm tried to think when he noticed this odd behavior. "About...near two weeks ago. At first, I thought that it was unease about the whole cryptic branch of magic you were using to help Connor and I look into the Thorns plans but now I'm not so sure."

Dylan started to stroke his chin. "What was Merlin doing in the library anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we closed it off. The librarian would've obviously told him so for the use of privacy but he was insistent on coming in. Was he looking for something? Maybe it has something to do with that?"

Merlin stayed completely still. He felt that the slightest sound he made would echo through the woods and bring everyone to know there was something going on. He apparently had underestimated Dylan. There was more to him that simply brutalizing people and no fear of being rude and disrespectful. He was dead smart and sharp as well. He became close to what was on his mind with such adverse clues. Merlin knew that if he was discovered eavesdropping on them now, Dylan might get too close to what he was trying to learn on Malcolm and it could bring trouble to everything in the Alliance. He willed everything he could into his footwork to not make so much as a leaf rustle and headed back to the tent.

Arthur looked up at him as he came in. He noticed Merlin seemed to have be a little pale and sweaty. "Merlin? You okay?"

"Huh, oh, Yes. I'm fine Arthur. Just...a little on edge with everything going on right now."

Arthur narrowed his eyes at his babbling. "Right," he said slowly. "So, what did you find out?"

"What?" he shot out.

"Dylan...is he coming or not?"

"Oh, oh no. No, he's preoccupied with other business."

"It doesn't matter, truth is I'm not surprised" said Galahad. "Dylan likes being difficult. I'll just tell Malcolm the short version and he could pass it on to Dylan for us."

Arthur was walking about in the semi-darkness, taking in the sight of all the men. The meeting was long over and Arthur wanted some time to oversee all the men in camp himself before heading to get some rest. Some were by a fire sharing some food in pots hanging over or were sharing tales and gossip with each other. Of course, most of these groups weren't mixed. They were strictly those of Camelot or those of Albion. He could make out separate groups here and there leering at the others in silence but they were not bothering one another either. Thinking back, the only real mix that has ever really happened between his people and Connor's has been with the core group of the Order of the Bear and the knights that Arthur had personally knighted including Leon. And even that relationship was still a little strained. After over two years of alliance, it still was tense. He was starting to see more reason in Bedivere's earlier words. Nothing would be resolved so quickly...like magic. He was starting to see it would take perhaps a lifetime of work and effort into truly bringing peace.

After a while, Arthur thought that he had seen to the camp enough. He was starting to get too depressed and he wanted to head back before he got too depressed to sleep when he saw a familiar face. A young man laying solo by a fire.

"Garrett?"

Galahad's son was laying by the fire with a pack serving as a pillow as he was looking at the flames. His face had an expression of being dazzled by the flames but he was also doing something else. He was levitation some pebbles and tiny rocks around his wrist which told Arthur that the gold light in his eyes weren't a reflection from the flames. At Arthur's call of his name, Garrett snapped out of his stupor and he halted his magic which made the pebbles fall unceremoniously to the ground.

"Arthur?" he said in surprise. "You startled me."

"Obviously," he said moving over to him. He sat down next to him and looked the young warrior/sorcerer over. "Are you okay?"

Garrett's eyes went a little hard but he didn't otherwise seem bothered. "Yes, I'm fine." he said a little aggravated. He then went back to staring at the fire.

Arthur kept looking him before he smiled slightly. "You're nervous about this march, aren't you?

This time, Garrett looked back at him with mild shock. "What? Why would you say that?"

"Because...you're doing the exact same thing that I did during my first march. I was a little younger than you currently are. My father received word that bandits were raiding a trade route of ours so he organized some knights to try and root them out. He sent me to be a part of it. Thought it was time to get some real battle experience. The night before we reached the site where most of the raids happened, I stared at my fire the same way. Of course, I also had my dagger out and kept nervously drawing lines in the dirt. Your version," his gaze dropping to the pebbles that he had been floating. "it's practically the same."

"Yes...well, at least your father thought you were ready when you were." he mumbled. "Mine has been giving me a hard time since we left. He's still angry with me for volunteering to be a part of this force without asking first. I keep telling him that I am ready. Ready to move beyond just training and guard duties but he won't listen."

Now Arthur understood what he had seen in Galahad earlier tonight during the meeting. Why he looked troubled. "I'm sure that Galahad is just worried for you. He's your father, it's natural that he would want to keep you safe."

"I understand that. I really do but I don't need to be coddled like a babe. I'm a warrior and I know that I'm ready to apply for induction into the Order soon. There are those here that have seen real battle and they don't have the skill that I have. Yet, my father keeps trying to prevent me from proving myself. He's been treating me more as a rescued refugee that needs to be protecting rather than one of his soldiers. He won't let me do my duty to Albion."

"So...you're trying to prove yourself to him now?" Garrett shrugged.

"If I didn't volunteer and come along now, I probably never will if it were up to him."

"Believe me, I know how that feels. To have a father that everyone around you admires and respects and to be expected to carry on his name. To let everyone else know that you can be just as good, if not better than him someday."

He looked up at Arthur. "Yeah, that's right."

"I know that I can tell you the usual things people would expect to tell you at this. That your father is just trying to look out for you. Or you might be more eager than ready, but I won't. I'll just say that you should probably make it easier on your father and behave as a soldier. Don't argue or defy his orders, or, you won't ever be a soldier to him but his son trying to look like one."

Garrett stared at him for a bit more before he let his gaze go back to the fire. Arthur then got to his feet to leave the young mind back to his thoughts. On his walk back, he started to smile at the memories of his own starting days by the sword that Garrett seemed to have dug up. Maybe this was the next step to start to fix things.

Nemain, Mab and Mordred looked out the window at Morgana and her dragon just outside the castle.

"If worst comes to worst," Mab said as they watched the pair take up the rear of Odin's force. "You know what to do, right Mordred?"

Mordred cringed. "Is there no other way?"

"If she falls out of our grasp then we could lose everything that we have been working for these few years. Her heart is vital. If she gets taken prisoner or executed, then we might not ever be able to get the power she holds within her. That heart must remain beating for us to use it." Mab took Mordred by his cheeks to look directly at him. "You must take if it seems it might be lost to us."

"Why me? Nemain, you're coming along as well. You could do it, surely you're more skilled."

"She won't be able to stay constantly at her side. Morgana is wary of her and me. But not you. She wants you constantly by her and that's where you must stay."

Nemain grasped his shoulder. "Relax Mordred." she said soothingly. "It's only a last resort. Get Arthur's head and Emrys and we won't need for it to come to that. In the end, she might surrender her heart to you, to us, willingly in the end to bring us all to our proper place."

"Yet Mordred," Mab said cutting her off. "If it does come to that...can you do it? Your duty to both your king and your fellow Thorns?"

Mordred just watched after for a few more moments before his face went blank and stiff. His hand went to grip the great hilt of Clarent at his side. "Yes...I can."

Mab smiled and kissed him on his forehead. "Okay. Now go. Both of you. You don't want to be left behind."

End of Chapter 10

A/N: I hope you liked this one. When Lionel compared Kilgharrah to a peacock, that was actually quoted from Kitty O's Merlin story X Marks the Man. A good AU story that if any of you haven't read, I would definitely recommend.

I wanted a chapter where Arthur could have his moment to share his own branch of wisdom with someone impressionable. Garrett seemed to be the perfect one. It's also a glimpse into what makes him the one of mystical mind. I hoped you liked the buildup because the next chapter will have some long awaited fighting and the meeting of Odin and Arthur. Should be good huh? I'll be trying to upload the next chapter on the 1st so it coincides with the 1 year anniversary of the start of my Destiny series. It's is still hard to believe that one year has gone by when I started it. My idea really has grown from where I started it from. Originally, it was going to be one story but then it grew from that. I'm glad to see that you all are loving it.