Author's Note: I got pretty divided opinions as to whether or not to make this a really long story or divide it so that the series has three. I've decided I'll keep writing and if I reach what I feel is a natural stopping point then I'll start a new story. We shall see how it goes! Also keep the reviews up because honestly one of the most exciting things ever for an author is coming home after a long day and seeing new reviews! Thanks.

They had decided that Merlin and Arthur would go alone the next night to speak with Kilgharrah about the spell. That left Arthur several more hours with which to obsess over the recent events. The group had dispersed after discussing in great detail how best to protect Arthur while Merlin was away.

The king had been more than a little annoyed with all the talk of sacrifice and "protect him at all costs" that had bounced among the group, insisting again and again that he was perfectly capable of watching over himself.

With all of these thoughts of dragons and curses and Merlin leaving Camelot, he was in absolutely no mood to deal with the most irritating noble in all the land. Unfortunately, Samuel wasn't giving him much choice.

"Your majesty," Lord Samuel said after Arthur granted him access to the throne room. Behind him stood Lord Phineas, and the Knights Timothy and Reagan. "We have come to speak with you concerning the boy, Merlin."

Arthur had to bite his tongue to stop himself from a quick retort. He had been noticing the use of the word "boy" to describe Merlin more and more lately, which was hardly befitting either his age (less than two years younger than Arthur himself), or his new status as adviser.

"Yes, what is it?"

"We understand you have a certain… fondness for him, sire," Lord Phineas said. His voice was nasally and sounded as if he were in the middle of smelling something truly repulsive. "But we believe your bias towards him may be clouding your judgment."

"The boy is a sorcerer, after all," Samuel said. "Have you considered that he may be manipulating your thoughts using magic?"

Arthur fought to keep his voice level. "I know that this is what all of you think. But I would urge you to look at the facts – if Merlin truly wished ill will on Camelot, why would he still be waiting to act? For that matter, why would he have saved all of our lives back there? He could have let that other sorcerer kill us, but he didn't. In fact, he risked his life to protect me and the rest of us. This is just the latest in a long string of selfless deeds."

The four men were standing a respectful distance from the king. They turned to look at one another, as if their worst fears were being confirmed.

"My liege," Samuel said, keeping his voice supercilious and falsely respectful. "We simply urge you to take great caution. We have no way of knowing where this sorcerer's true allegiance lies."

"It lies with me. Always has, and always will," Arthur said shortly. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have very important matters of the state to attend to."

The two Lords and two Knights shared another glance with one another before bowing in unison and leaving the room. As the door swung shut behind him, another thought hit Arthur.

Merlin had no choice but to leave Camelot in a couple of days, once Gaius's potion wore off and the effects of the banishment spell began to kill him. But how would it look to Samuel and the others when Merlin, who professed to be a friend of Camelot, fled from it?

It was too much to hope that these stubborn men would believe the truth. To them, it would appear as if Merlin was running away, proving his evil nature in the process.

"You have got to stop pacing, Merlin, you're giving me a headache."

"Sorry. It's just that it's not every day I introduce the king of Camelot to the dragon he once tried to kill."

"Hey, your friend Kilgharrah tried to kill me, too, so let's not go pointing fingers."

Merlin made a sound low in his throat. "You behave."

"You may be allowed to tell the dragon what to do, but you're certainly not the boss of me, Merlin."

Merlin sighed. The two of them were in the clearing near the castle where Merlin often went to speak to the dragon. They were standing several feet apart and both kept unconsciously glancing skyward. Merlin was listening intently for the tell-tale beat of Kilgharrah's wings. He had called for the dragon moments earlier, in the ancient tongue, smirking slightly when he saw the look of awe on Arthur's face. "He'll be here any minute. Let's just… calm ourselves."

"Take your own advice," Arthur muttered. Merlin glared at him, but took a deep breath, trying to maintain his measure of self-assuredness. This was going to go fine. There was no reason that a meeting between Arthur and Kilgharrah had to end badly… right?

"I talked with Lord Samuel today," Arthur said offhandedly.

"Oh yeah?"

"He thinks you're bewitching me."

"I'm getting more than a little tired of that."

"Me too."

"So… what did you say to him?" Merlin asked, nervous and hiding it badly.

"Told him to go to hell."

"Arthur!"

"Oh, relax. I was nice. I just asked them to look at what was right in front of them, and see what you've done for Camelot."

"I bet that went over nicely," Merlin said, sarcasm lacing his tone.

Arthur chuckled darkly. "Yes, well, it did occur to me that your vanishing from sight in a few days isn't really going to help your image with the people."

Merlin was silent for a moment. "Arthur…"

"Just don't, Merlin. It's two months, right? Not important."

"If anything happens to – "

Arthur had just turned to face Merlin head-on and was about to cut him off, when a sound from the skies made them both fall silent immediately.

The Great Dragon had arrived.

Author's Note: Time for Arthur and Kilgharrah to meet!