We're nearing the end! I don't think that this is the last chapter, though. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Merlin POV

Merlin hardly realized what was happening until they suddenly stopped. Carnation had dragged him from the castle, out of the city, and all the way to the Forest of Ascetir, all in the blink of an eye. She released his arm and he stumbled forward.

"What about Mara?" Merlin asked. "We have to help her."

Carnation nodded. "I have a feeling that Uther will hurry up her execution now that you and I have escaped. We must think up a quick plan and rescue her immediately. I know of a secret passage into the dungeons that we can use to break her out."

Merlin grinned. "Secret passage? How do you know about it?"

Carnation laughed halfheartedly. "Merlin, I was there when the castle was built. I myself assisted in its creation."

"Oh." Merlin blinked. Carnation smiled slightly before continuing.

"When we get into the dungeons, I'll pick the locks and you'll watch out for the guards," she said. "Try not to use magic, just in case you are seen, and then you'll never be able to return to Camelot."

"Wait, I thought that I'm already toast," Merlin interrupted.

Carnation shook her head. "I'll find a way to clear your name. What?" she asked at Merlin's doubtful look. "I know how to clear people's name without lying. Now we should leave, before it's too late."

Arthur POV

Arthur couldn't tell who was angrier, his father or the bounty hunter. Uther was furious that both Carnation and Merlin had escaped, and Loic was furious that he had lost two bounties. As for Arthur, he didn't know what to think. He wasn't sure whether or not to believe that Merlin had magic. He was leaning towards Merlin having magic. Why else would Carnation have taken him with her? But then, Carnation was a compassionate…whatever she was. She could have just taken him because he was her friend and didn't want him to die.

The Throne Room doors opened, and Gaius entered. Uther had called him in to decipher what sort of creature Carnation was. Gaius was carrying several thick volumes under his arm as he waddled towards the throne. He bowed to the King.

"Gaius," Uther greeted him stiffly. "Do you know what that creature was?"

"I'm not sure, my lord," Gaius panted, putting the books down. "I will need you to describe it to me more thoroughly."

"She had green scales, reptilian eyes, and a tail," Uther recalled. "That's all I really noticed."

Gaius nodded, flipping through the pages of the oldest book. He stopped near the middle and examined a blurry sketch. He nodded to himself, then looked up at the King.

"It appears that Carnation is a Dragon Sister, sire," Gaius reported.

Arthur blinked in confusion. "A what?"

"A Dragon Sister," Gaius repeated. "They are ancient creatures thought to have died out a very long time ago."

"What are their weaknesses?" Uther asked.

Gaius skimmed the pages of the ancient book. "I cannot find any, sire."

"What are they like?" Arthur asked. "Their characteristics and such."

"Hmm. They are very compassionate. They treat everyone as equals, and they never show their true emotions. They hardly ever get angry, but they are very chaotic when they are. They are closely related to the dragon."

Arthur recalled what Mara had said: "I only know of one time that she has been angry. And it did not end well." Whatever had gotten her angry must have truly been awful.

"Closely related to the dragon, you say?" Uther said. "Too bad all of the Dragonlords are dead. One would have come in handy right about now."

Gaius shook his head. "It says only weak ones can be controlled by a Dragonlord, so it may not have worked anyways."

"Father, why don't we just leave her be?" Arthur suggested. "It doesn't sound like she's a threat to the kingdom."

"You heard what Gaius said," Uther snapped. "They are chaotic."

"When they're angry," Arthur reminded him. "And Gaius also said that they hardly ever get angry."

Uther glared at him. "She is a creature of magic, so therefore she is a threat to the kingdom. If you think otherwise, you will keep those thoughts to yourself."

Arthur stood. "Very well. I shall."

He stalked from the room, shooting his father one last resentful look.

…

Arthur didn't know why he went to see Mara. Maybe he waned to ask her about Carnation. Whatever the reason, he found himself standing before the guards and demanding to speak with the prisoner. The guards let him through a bit hesitantly, but he was allowed passage nonetheless.

Mara was sitting in the corner of her cell with her legs folded to her chest, her chin resting on her knees. Her right eye looked swollen, like someone had punched her, and her arms had several scratches on them. She didn't even glance up when he entered her cell.

"What do you want?" Her voice was emotionless, and her eyes were glazed over like she was in a trance.

"I just wanted to talk to you," Arthur said slowly. Mara didn't respond, so Arthur continued. "Did you know Carnation is a Dragon Sister."

"Yes."

Arthur wasn't sure what to say next. He just stood there, feeling like an idiot.

Mara spoke suddenly, but her voice was too quiet for him to hear. He looked at her, but her position hadn't changed.

"Did you say something?" he asked.

"Your dungeons need cleaning," Mara whispered. "And you should leave some food out for the rats."

Arthur smiled. "Okay. I'll make sure to do that."

Mara looked up at him. "Promise?"

He nodded. "Promise."

Mara smiled weakly, then looked away. "Carrie isn't evil, you know. She saved my life, several times. She helped me through the loss of my family, and she made an oath to stand by me no matter what the cost."

Arthur realized what she was saying. "You mean that she's going to come for you." Mara nodded. "What do you want me to do?"

Mara laughed. "What I want doesn't matter. You must do what you believe to be right. And if that is letting me and one of the last Dragon Sisters die, then that is what you must do. Know that we will always have hope in you, no matter what your decision is."

She would not say more. Arthur left her in the same place he had found her, her eyes still glazed over as she stared at the walls of her cell.

Merlin POV

The lock to Mara's cell door clicked quietly, and Carnation nodded in satisfaction. She opened the door and began to work on Mara's chains. She picked with her claws, and soon the deed was done. Mara stood and hugged Carnation, a small tear sliding down her cheek.

Shouts came from the outer section of the dungeons. Merlin listened intently, trying to catch their words.

"-to bring the prisoner. It is time for her execution."

Merlin hurried over to his friends. "We need to get out of here. They're coming for Mara!"

Carnation led them to the hatch in the dungeon floor and opened it. Mara jumped in first, then Merlin, then Carnation. She closed it just as the guard came into the cell section of the dungeon. The three quickly ran down the passage, the guard's alarming shout fading away.

The passage ended out in a street near the castle. The alarm bells were going off, and Merlin could hear the guards running about. In the distance, he could hear Uther shouting.

"Show no mercy! Kill them on sight!"