Hi there! Another chapter is up. I don't know how many chapters are left, two or three I think. Mordred will not be in the story, because I thought that the fact that Arthur now knows the truth and changes the laws will change also his destiny.

However I'm already planning another story with a kind of OOC Uther (or better to say, what I liked to think occurred in the Old King's mind). I hope you all will like that too. For now, enjoy this one and let me know what you think. REVIEWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Thanks for reviewing! :)

The next morning, they were riding through the forest. They left as soon as Lord Taren did. Arthur didn't want Guinevere to come, still quite unsure about meeting a giant fire breathing creature who once had tried to crisp him, but the Queen was stubborn and Arthur couldn't discourage her.

During the ride, the Knights kept asking Merlin about some particulars in the stories he had told, and this led to other questions and, mainly from Arthur, disbelieving glances. Some things were more uncomfortable, like when Merlin confessed that Kilgharrah wasn't the last Dragon, but that the Dragonlord had hatched the white one in the Tomb of Ashkanar; Merlin looked fearful at the King, but he just puffed and commented that of course Merlin couldn't have left the poor thing to die under the ruins, but besides that, he didn't seem angry. Relieved, Merlin kept answering all their questions, until Percival asked: "But how did you kill Nimueh? I know that she was a High Priestess; how did you manage to defeat her?"

"That's a long story." Answered Merlin, feeling more than a bit uncomfortable now. "When Arthur was bitten by the Questing Beast, I couldn't use my magic to save him, so I went down to the Dragon for advise, and he told me to travel to the Isle of the Blessed, where a High Priestess could have helped me. But when I arrived there, I found out it was Nimueh. I wasn't exactly happy with that, but now that I had arrived there, I wouldn't have backed out. But, as it happened with Ygraine, for a life to be saved a life had to be sacrificed. Nimueh gave me water from the Cup of Life, and in exchange I traded my life for yours".

"Merlin… " Arthur didn't know what to say. Then he said more forcefully: "Merlin, I forbid you from trying to die for me. No more, understood?"

"I'm sorry, Sire, but I can't promise that to you: if your life is in danger, I will do everything in my power to save you, even if the only thing I can do is dying. Your life is worth a thousand of mine."

The others shook sadly their heads. That selfless idiot really had no idea how much important he was. Arthur was amazed, an wanted to argue more, but a glance to his friend convinced him that there was nothing he could say to change his mind.

Merlin continued. "I gave you the water, and I fully expected to die by the next morning, but when I woke up I was still alive. And then my mother arrived" Merlin sighed, "mortally ill. Nimueh had tricked me, for she didn't want to sacrifice such a valuable possible ally" he said sarcastically. "That was also the cause of my fallout with Kilgharrah: he knew that Nimueh wouldn't have killed me, but he didn't care, because he only wanted to be free, and I was his best chance. So I decided to go back to the Isle, but Gaius beat me, because he didn't want me to die. When I arrived there it was already too late: the bargain had been made and Gaius was dying."

They were hanging from his mouth, realizing now the tragedy that could have occurred.

"I was angry" explained wryly the sorcerer, "really angry. We fought. She tried to convince me to join her. Really…" he shook his head ironically, "if I have a coin for every time somebody tries that… However, we fought. She thought that I was no match for her. She almost killed me. But then my anger made me lost control. I just wanted Gaius to live. So I called down lightening from the sky and blew her up. The magic I released was enough to free the power of Life and Death that was sleeping inside of me, so I involuntarily traded her life for Gaius's."

The Knights were silent while reflecting about what Merlin had told them. The Queen instead slowed her horse so that she could ride next to Merlin and grabbed his arm in comfort. It was clear that the sorcerer, no matter how powerful he was, wasn't keen in taking lives; moreover she couldn't imagine the fear he should have felt at the possibility of losing his mother or the man he thought of as a father. Merlin really was a strong and brave man.

Arthur just kept riding. He remembered the day before. It was actually mostly a blur: the hunt, the bandits, the attack, then one of the man sneaking towards him from behind and the absolute certainty that he was going to die… and then the magic. The awing amount of power that fought the bandits off and those golden eyes that looked at him in a mix of fear and relief. As absurd as it may seem, the first thing he thought was that Merlin had been an idiot to use magic in front of the King of Camelot. Then came the anger, the disappointment and the sense of betrayal. And the other's eyes: not golden anymore, but with the same amount of fear and, yes, resignation. As if he had always thought that Arthur wouldn't have understood. But he had used his power anyway, to save Arthur, because, no matter what, the King couldn't die. He would have been executed probably, but that was not his main concern. Arthur shook his head. What was it that so many people were ready to play with their lives so that he could live? Ok, he was this Once and Future King, but was it really enough for others to sacrifice themselves?

Merlin seemed to follow his thoughts and stated resolutely: "Arthur, listen to me. You are worthy everything. I am not the only one who would gladly die for you. Remember this".

They looked at each other and nodded. There was no need to say anything else.

Some minutes more and they arrived to the large clearing where they fought the Dragon once. They dismounted and walked further into the open space. Arthur tried to look completely in control, but there was no denying it, he was a little anxious about that meeting. Gwen felt his nervousness and squeezed his hand.

Merlin stepped on and addressed them, in particular Arthur, with a mischievous grin. "Please, don't pass out".

Then he roared at the sky. Roared. "O drakon, e mala soi ftengometh tesd'hup anankes! Erkheo!". Arthur took involuntarily a step back, disconcerted by the strange and rumbling voice of his friend, and also the Knights appeared taken aback.

Merlin, however, ignored their stares and sat down on the grass. Then he explained: "They are not exactly near and will take a bit to arrive. In the meantime you can make yourself comfortable."

"They!?" exclaimed the King in a very unkingy voice.

"Of course" confirmed the sorcerer in a politely disinterested tone. "I thought that you would have liked to meet Aithusa too, besides she could have been offended if she was left behind…"

"Of course" muttered Arthur mirroring his tone. Gwen chuckled. It was still them. Arthur and Merlin. Nothing had changed, apart from the lack of lies between them. They were still a bit cautious around each other, but now that that last obstacle had been removed, their friendship would have flourish more than ever.

And almost 40 minutes they heard the unmistakable noise of wings and looked up at the sky, where two dots were coming closer and closer. The Great Dragon landed first, bronze scales and golden eyes, as big as when he attacked Camelot. Very big, he thought Leon, shuddering at the memories of the damage he caused. Then a smaller Dragon followed, this one completely white as snow, but with the same eyes that identified them as creatures of the Old Religion.

"Young warlock" said Kilgarrah with a deep voice. Everybody was a bit startled at that: one thing is hearing that Dragons could talk, another to see that in first person. "I see that the Young King is finally aware of your gifts."

"He is, old friend. But I wanted to introduce you properly, and of course Aithusa as well" Merlin addressed the young Dragon. "So, how are you, little one?"

Aithusa unfolded happily her wings and nudged playfully the Dragonlord's chest with her snout. She chirped in a light voice: "As well as I can be with Kilgarrah as keeper, Merlin".

The Great Dragon snarled a bit, but decided to ignore the other. Then addressed the King: "So, Young king, now then you know of your servant's abilities, what is it that your are going to do?"

Arthur did not hesitate: "I will change the laws concerning magic. My father was wrong. I know this now: magic is a tool, exactly like a sword, to be used according to the wielder's intentions. And in my kingdom I could not imagine someone better than Merlin to master such a power. He has a great heart, he is the most loyal, brave and selfless idiot I have ever met, but most importantly, he is my best friend, my brother, and I would not be the King and the man I am now if he wouldn't have been here." He smiled at the warlock, who was on the verge of tears. But Arthur meant every word he said and was glad he had found the courage to proclaim that aloud. Merlin deserved that and more.

The White Dragon, in the meantime, went to greet the Knights, one by one, until she arrived in front of Gwen. The Queen smiled and, unafraid, put her hand on the Dragon's snout. Aithusa drew closer to the woman until she practically embraced her. The others saw her mouth move, but her words were only meant for the Queen. Guinevere blushed, thanked the Dragon with sparkling eyes and went to stand next to her husband.

Then the Great Dragon spoke again. "I see that the Golden Age of Albion is approaching fast. But beware my words, Young King, for you will not succeed without the other side of your coin. Keep the Young Warlock close, Arthur Pendragon, for I can see the stars are smiling even now upon you". Once he said this he took off, soon followed by the other Dragon, leaving some very confused people behind.

"Does he always do this?" asked Elyan.

"What? Saying something cryptic and prophetic and then leaving without an explanation?" They all nodded. "Always".

TBC