A/n2 This is now betaed. Thankyou Kripkeisgod

A/n: Hello people of fanfiction and beyond. I have finally finished my exams and, bar a few assignments, am done with uni until the 4th of Feb. I have worked hard on finishing this chapter for you guys and am finally done. I shall now go celebrate by going to see The Hobbit to tomorrow with Kripke

Before we get to the chapter, I just want to say that how cool in series 5 of Merlin. Sure there are bits that annoy me (redeeming Gwen by making her enchanted just seemed like a copout in my books, but then she made a terrible villain. Her evil smirk made her look a bit ill) but the rest (cross dressing, BAMF!Merlin, the jokes, the stories and a lot of other things) make up for it. I'll be sad when it ends this week on Monday.

When we last left Inheritance, Merlin had just turned into a dragon and had an encounter with the knights. Arthur had, like always, misunderstood the situation and believed that Merlin had been eaten. The unfortunate dragon flew off, crashed and was laughed at by the others.

This chapter is about dragon training and is three times as long as any of the others. This is due to a mix of guilt of taking so long to update, a desire to give a holiday gift and wanting to fit all the training into one chapter. As it felt rushed, I added other scenes in between. Please don't expect this length every time. I write until my chapter points are filled and decide to stop. The first part of this is actually part of the pervious chapter that I felt didn't fit at that time.

This chapter is also unbetaed, but once again I will repost once it is.

Thank you for all those who have reviewed (almost 100 yaay. Its like 10 per chapter), alerted and faviourited.

Now on with the tenth (Is it really ten already. Still have about half to go) chapter

Disclaimer: All I want for Christmas is the rights to Merlin and cast tied up in a bow :D

Chapter 10

"Ambrosius. My name is Ambrosius."

A knowing grin spread across the golden dragon's face as Merlin, or Ambrosius as he should be called whilst in a draconic form, spoke his name. The young warlock was unaware that a Dragonlord's draconic name reflects their true selves. Even the Druids picked up on the young warlock's soul.

'Although in what way he is immortal is yet to be determined' the ancient one mused silently.

The sound of vines ripping away brought his wandering thoughts back to the present.

Merlin had finally freed himself of his net, the torn plants falling away from him. A strange look entered those golden flecked eyes as he glared at what had previously ensnared him. The new dragon twisted his lips as a strange snorting growl erupted from his throat. The two natural born dragons lent forward in curiosity, staring as the sound emerging from the arguably insane individual built.

Suddenly, Merlin thrust open his jaws in a bizarre movement, seemingly attempting to spew something forth. All that achieved, to the alarmed amusement of the on lookers, was to cause the dark scaled one to choke, smoke curling from his mouth and nostrils.

Aithusa and Kilgharrah stared at the scene in front of them, then at each other before turning back to the choking dragon. Smiles twitched in the corners of golden scaly lips and laugher was barely restrained. Aithusa had no such control, the second the sight fully registered in her brain; she flopped to the ground, howling with laughter.

"Yes very –cough- funny –cough, cough- guys." Merlin glared at his companions. Finally the coughs and laughter settled down enough for Kilgharrah.

"What were you attempting to do young Ambrosius?"

Said dragon looked sheepish. He muttered something that, even with greater senses than other creatures, the others could not hear.

"That's very rude once-two-legged-big-eared-Hatcher-but-now-dark-scales-Ambrosius. Didn't any one tell you it's not nice to mumble?"

The Great Dragon nodded "Long moniker aside, and do not worry, she will just call you Ambrosius soon, the hatchling has a point. Speak up fledgling."

Merlin sighed and looked to the heavens as he repeated himself. "I was trying to set the vines on fire."

Merlin sulked as once again the others burst into laughter, frightening away any wildlife that had remained from the earlier burst of hilarity.

"Do not worry young one. Fire breathing will be covered in your lessons."

Merlin turned his head warily toward his elder. "Lessons? What lessons."

The round table knights were subdued as they road through the gates of Camelot, each mourning the death of a great man and friend. Their miserable air drew the interested and concerned eyes of the citizens.

Whispers spread like wild fire. It was no secret that the King and the Knights had ridden out to find Merlin. The manservant was well known and mostly liked throughout Camelot, with only the snobbiest of nobles finding any true fault with him. The depressed knights and the still missing unofficial knight of Camelot lead to one conclusion, and no one was happy.

Arthur noticed the gathering crowd, their faces sad and eyes disbelieving. And he couldn't blame them. He had always imagined Merlin growing old enough to have a long white beard with hair to match. He could almost visualise old Merlin hobbling around with a staff, terrorising the people with a sarcastic biting wit whilst giving aged wisdom to any that needed it. Although Arthur had no clue why this vision of old Merlin looked so much like that deranged sorcerer 'Dragoon'.

Arthur shook his head to banish his thoughts. What did it matter, the young man would never reach that age now anyway. He dismounted from his horse, handing the reigns off to his stable hand, Tyr.

He turned to his knights. "Call the council. We have a Dragon to hunt."

She was elderly and sick; the Doe knew this, as she knew her own scent. Yet despite this, the Doe knew she had many years left in her, and enough fire to survive any thing that would try to rob her of them. But fire or not, the Doe was smart enough to remain wary.

She paused at the edge of the clearing, hidden well as she scanned for danger. The birds were singing in the trees, and rabbits played in the grass but apart from that, no unnatural or alarming sounds reached her ears. Similarly no dangerous scents, neither forest dwelling or two-legged, reached her bar the tempting one of succulent grass that called to her, trying to lure her out. But she wasn't tempted yet. Her eyes scanned the area, and only then, when they had confirmed that there was no danger did she emerge, gracefully stepping out towards the stream. She wished to drink before her meal.

As she grazed, the Doe was content. She was passed the breeding age but had borne proud sons and graceful daughters. She knew she had outlived her siblings, proving that she was smarter and stronger than them. If it were not for the fire in her leg she would...

What was that!

Her head shot up as her ears flicked forward. A crash had startled her, but not enough for her to bolt. She wasn't sure if it was a predator. Even the most inexperienced faun knows not to make a sound as obvious as that! It was loud enough to startle the birds to silence. Maybe it was a branch falling from up high?

The Doe inhaled, taking in the scents. Bar one strange smell, nothing had changed. The strange stank of man, which alarmed her but the overpowering scent of forest; fire and magic drew her curiosity. An ancient long forgotten memory of her kind, telling her to be wary, made her pause/

Suddenly, from the trees, a large black thing burst forth, limbs failing as it tried to lunge towards her. Startled, the Doe kicked, hitting the thing squarely in the head before bounding off.

Merlin straightened himself, shaking his head to dispel the shock of the kick his chosen prey had delivered. Whilst the blow wasn't nearly enough to kill him, it still hurt.

A long suffering sigh drew his attention to his companion. Aithusa had flown off after the third failed hunting attempt (an attempt that will never be spoken off again but involved a dead fish, a lake and a now much scorched boulder) and had yet to be seen again.

Kilgharrah stared at his once-lord, disbelief etched on his face. "Really Merlin. What is so hard about this? You are good at tracking but fail terribly at hunting itself. Do you wish to starve?"

Merlin looked to the ground dejected. It wasn't as if he wasn't trying, it's just that he still wasn't used to his extra limbs. He'd be concentrating on walking on four legs and forget his tail or wings. He just couldn't get it.

The great dragon sighed, eyes softening as they looked at his defeated friend. "Ambrosius. You are over thinking it. You were turned into a dragon so you could learn and experience things as one. Do you think I go around thinking where I am placing my claws or tail? It is like when you were human. Did you always consciously think of how to move when you were walking?"

The black one thought for a short while before shaking his head. "No, it was mostly instinct and habit."

"Exactly. You have proven you already can walk in this form when we are not hunting. Why should be any different know. Let your instincts and inherited memories guide you young one."

Merlin sighed, considering the words of his elder. Now he was a dragon, the words did not seem as cryptic for some reason. He understood what his mentor was saying and he did not want to disappoint him.

"Lets try again."

Aithusa flew in happy circles as she approached the cave for her dark lady friend. She couldn't wait to tell her about how her Hatcher, Ambrosius, had become a dragon. The fledgling knew that the dark-lady didn't speak dragon tongue, for only dragons, wyverns and the lords could do that. And Aithusa was too young to form human words yet.

But Aithusa was smart. She had travelled to the old nest cave, where Ambrosius had transformed. Her clan had not returned in fear that the metal men from the large stone den would return. Most of the odd hide that her old Hatcher had shed had been gathered up but a single scrap of red cloth, the same shade as the ring of scales around the newest dragon's throat remained.

She had gathered up that cloth in the claws before winging it to the nest of her friend. The dark lady was smart so should understand. Crooning out a greeting, the light one landed in front of the woman.

"Aithusa, I am glad to see you." The woman's grass coloured eyes were warm as she took in the reptile. The white dragon had grown in the months she had last seen her. The red cloth held in a claw drew her attention. "What have you got there?" the woman bent down to retrieve the item.

Aithusia chirped happily, telling her joy about Ambrosius transformation, not that the human could understand that. Instead eyes widened as she looked at the scrap, comprehension dawn.

"This is ... how ...?" the woman was confused. She recognised the item in her hand. How could she not, as she saw it worn by the very man who said he was her friend before cruelly betraying her. The cloth was badly torn, looking to have been attacked by an animal.

"This belongs to Merlin. Is he truly gone?" Aithusa, who understood the human tongue even if she could not speak it, nodded. She recognised that Merlin was what Hatcher had called himself as a human, although why had escaped her. She meant what she said the other day, he wasn't a bird. But what her friend said was true, the human was gone to be replaced with a dragon.

An unholy light filled green eyes, even as her heart twanged a little. Finally the annoyingly lucky pest was gone! Although it was beyond her how such an idiot could keep foiling her plans, without his interference Arthur and Camelot would fall.

"Soon Aithusa, Arthur and all he loves will fall."

"Are you sure of this?" Merlin stretched his neck over the edge before backing up quickly. They were up very high.

Kilgharrah sighed for what seemed the millionth time. "Ambrousius, this is the best way to learn. Now back up so you can get a good run up."

Merlin raced backwards, grateful to be away from the edge. If he didn't know any better he would think Kilgharrah was trying to kill him! But that can't be true, the scaly pain was still going on about his destiny and coins and freedom.

Merlin stopped and glared at the edge, mentally preparing to do this. He unfurled his wings, ready to catch the wind. He just needed a minute, maybe two. Actually maybe he should suggest they do this tomorrow, it did look as if a storm was coming.

A roar of frustration and a blast of flame got him running. He sped forward, ready to leap and fly. He could do this, he could do this, and he couldn't do this!

Claws scrabbled as Merlin tried to stop. He skidded a few meters before coming to a halt on the edge, wings and tail outstretched for balance.

The once-human was smugly congratulating himself, that he didn't hear his fed up companion approach him. By the time he became aware it was too late, a large copper tail pushed him over the edge.

Merlin screamed as he tumbled over the cliff into mid air. He was wrong; Kilgharrah was trying to kill him.

"Spread your wings young one. You are a dragon, a king of the skies. Prove it!"

The voice of the Great Dragon pierced through the have of panic. He stretched the leathery limbs wide, preying to every god that it was going to work.

Suddenly the wind caught him, turning his fall into a glide. Joy filled his heart as he flapped cautiously, soaring upwards. This was amazing; he was flying, actually flying on his own. He was a master of the skies, even more so then those birds dancing above his head.

Kilgharrah started up at the soaring young dragon, pride filling him. He always knew his lord was a free spirit, and was certain once he got over his silly land dweller fears, he would quickly take to flying.

Merlin's quick jagged descent drew Kilgharrah's eye. Something was wrong. The oldest dragon left in existence leapt back in alarm as Merlin, coaching crashed in front of him.

"Merlin, what happened?" Whilst the tone was exasperated, worry bled through.

The dark scaled creature coughed for a few more moments before turning sheepish eyes up at his elder.

"I swallowed a bird."

Kilgharrah started before shaking his head.

"Oh Ambrosius"

Arthur stared around the large round table that was a recent addition to the council hall. Arthur's heart twanged. As much as he pretended it was his bright idea, Arthur had been bugged and persuaded by Merlin to bring in a table, quoting Arthurs speech about equality. It was one of the many times that Merlin showed wisdom well beyond his years, a wisdom that Arthur will never be able to relay on again.

Sober faces looked to him, waiting for him to speak. He composed himself. He had to do this, for Merlin and any others the beast had claimed.

"As may of you know, I accompanied my knights to search out Merlin. Whilst this may seem a foolish move, a royal riding out after a missing servant, the mission had unearthed important information. Information that may mean very the destruction of Camelot, if we do not act."

Knights who were unaware of the danger turned to one another, whispering. One knight, Sir Orwaine, who had been around since Arthur was a lad, stood up and voiced the question they were all thinking.

"Sire, is it. Is it Morgana?"

Silenced followed his words. That was all their worse fears come true. They were still trying getting over the last attack, they couldn't really handle another.

Arthur ran a hand through his hair. "No, this is much worse. On the edge on Camelot, on the borders of Lot's kingdom, we found a dragon."

Mortified silence. No one spoke, moved or breathed. This further empathised the fact the Merlin wasn't there. In situations like this Arthur would draw strength form the anxious shifting of the younger man, the only sound before the inevitable explosion.

As if on cue, the hall exploded into noise. Denials and accusations and fear and plans echoed loudly before a loud bang halted them.

Gwaine was up, fists on the table from where he had brought them down. His face was a mask of rage, and anger oozed from his voice as he spoke.

"Enough. We should not be shouting about this. A good man has been killed by this beast and we disrespect him by arguing. We should be moving to prevent any more lives from being lost, as Merlin would want!"

Arthur wasn't surprised at his knight's attitude. Bar the King himself, Gwaine was Merlin's closest friend. And the rouge was right, they were wasting time.

"Thank you Sir Gwaine, you are correct. Tomorrow at dawn, I and ten volunteers will ride forth to scout out the position of the beast. If we can we shall slay the beast. If we fail, we will return to prepare for the monster. Now who will ride with me?"

Two glorious fires raged in the clearing. One was large, golden flames proudly reaching towards the heavens whilst a smaller, but no less glorious, white tinted fire burned merrily beside it. The creators waited patiently for the last member of the trio of give his offering.

Aithusia had returned earlier that morning and was excited to learn to this was the day that Ambrousius would first breathe fire. This was an important step in a young dragon's life, one that all the elders in the clan would come to bear witness.

Merlin was frustrated. He could feel the importance of this task and did not want to fail. But nothing he did, exhaling out, chanting spells in his mind, or calling on his magic helped!

He lowered his head in defeat. He was a terrible dragon, he would never turn back. Arthur would die and it would be his fault as he wouldn't be there to protect him.

Kilgharrah gazed at the dejected dragon. He understood how frustrating this could be but couldn't tell him how to do it. The old reptile remembered his fire ceremony, and the words of advice his mentor had given him.

"Young one, dragon's fire encompasses all they are. Whilst we master the skies, we are not the only ones to fly. Magic is like breathing to us, but even as a human you mastered it. But we are the only creatures to breath fire. This is what separates us from the rest. Dig deep, find all that makes you not just Merlin, the young human sorcerer, servant and kingmaker, but Ambrosius as well, the proud Dragonlord turned dragon. Turn all that into your flame!"

Merlin was startled. Never had he heard Kilgharrah utter anything with such passion. As he did to discover his name so many days back, he closed his eyes and listened to his inner dragon. But unlike last time it was silent.

Merlin growled. This was stupid. He knew who he was, so why was Kilgharrah telling him to find himself. He was the son of Hunith and Balinor. He was the manservant and friend to the once a future king, the apprentice and surrogate son to one of the greatest physician in the five kingdoms.

But even as he thought that, memories of the past few days invaded his mind. The hunting trips with Kilgharrah, which were all the disasters until he finally managed to catch something. The wrestling matches with Aithusia and his first flight. Curling up under the stars as Kilgharrah told of the myths and legends of the dragons, stories that would be lost to time when the dragons finally became extinct.

Merlin felt heat pool in his throat as he came to a revelation. All this time he had been denying who he was, treating the training as something that must be done so he could return to his old life, acting like the name granted to him by the dragon soul was nothing but a disguise. But that was wrong; it was disrespectful to the dragons, his father and ancestors and to himself. This was not just something to endure whilst the spell ran it's course but a part of him. He wasn't just Merlin, he wasn't just Emrys.

He was Ambrosius.

With his head thrown back and a roar, black edged flames flew into the sky. White and gold joined it as the other dragon's realised their joy. Ambrousius turned to the crackling fires still on the ground. He spat his fire at the final pyre, setting it alight.

As the clan watched the wood burn, they knew that everything was ok. But despite his joy, Ambrousius couldn't help but feel that it wouldn't last.

A/N: There you go. I am thinking of doing a few one shots involving Merlins time as the hybrid and of his lessons. If I do, it will be after this fic is finished and I will probably need prompts.

A lot of people in the reviews have said my last joke was terrible. My answer to that is ...

ITS ABOUT TIME!

I was trying to get people to say they were awful, and it took 6 chapters. But now my faith in humanity is restored. To keep this I am no longer going to post the jokes. So this will be the last lot. They are christmas themed for the holidays.

Where does mistletoe go to become famous?

Hollywood

Why did Santa's helper get fired?

He broke elf and safety

Now to go work on the guides.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. And if I don't post before Jan 1st, have a Happy New Year too.