Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. BBC does.

Merlin had quickly made his way back to his chambers, silently telling Gaius he wished for him to follow him. Uther would get suspicious that there was something wrong with him if he saw him continuously going to the physician's chambers. He didn't want the king to start to worry about him, especially when there wasn't actually anything wrong with him. He didn't want the King to be worrying about him and Arthur, when he should be focusing solely on his son.

When Gaius arrived at the young man's chambers, he was pacing, clearly worried about what was to happen to his foster brother. The two young men cared about each other immensely, their bond impenetrable.

"You were right." Merlin stated as Gaius closed the door to Merlin's chambers after ensuring that there was no one outside. What with the knight in the castle grounds, the guards had been reassigned to the entrances of the major hallways rather than directly outside the rooms as they had been. Uther was taking no chances with the safety of his son or his wards. He didn't want the knight to have the chance to get even close to their rooms.

"I wish I wasn't." Gaius's tone was resigned and Merlin glanced over at him, seeing the despair on the old man's face.

"If Arthur fights that thing, he'll die." Merlin didn't want to believe it but he knew that what he spoke was the truth.

"He is Camelot's strongest warrior." Gaius reasoned, glancing over at the young man who was still pacing, clearly agitated at the prospect of Arthur fighting the wraith. "If anyone can defeat it, he can."

Merlin looked over at him, his pacing stopping but his movements still belying his agitation and nervousness surrounding the events of the last few days. "You said yourself, no mortal weapon can kill it." He stilled for a moment, biting his lip. "Which means we have to find a way to defeat the wraith ourselves."

"How do you propose to do that?" Gaius asked, already knowing what the young warlock's answer was going to be and not liking it in the least.

Merlin held up a hand, turning from Gaius as he spoke. "If no mortal sword will kill it," he crouched down in front of the enormous bookshelf that was against the far wall of his chambers, grabbing the magic book from where it was nestled in between some of the other books Merlin owned. Merlin had an extensive library and Gaius knew for a fact that the only place in the castle to house more books than Merlin's chambers was the castle library. "Then I will." He placed the book on the table in front of the two of them, opening it and beginning to leaf through the pages. "With mortal magic."

"Merlin, it's too dangerous." Gaius was worried about the young man. In his determination to save Arthur there was every chance he could get hurt himself or get caught using magic. That was one of Gaius's worst fears because if he was caught, there was no telling what Uther would do. Yes, he may care for the boy as if he were his own but when it came to magic, there was no reasoning with Uther.

"We don't have a choice." Merlin looked up at Gaius and he couldn't deny that the boy had a point. What Gaius had said was true. He knew that he was correct in what Tristan had been brought back as and he knew that, though it was extremely risky for the king's ward, if anyone could defeat it, it was Merlin.

Merlin had to wait until the sun had set before he could do anything with regards to the knight. Even with the guards on alert around the castle, he found it too easy to sneak past them. He had looked up a couple of subtle diversion spells that would cause anyone that passed him to disregard his presence which if needed would be extremely useful.

There was no doubt that he would find a use for them some time in the future.

He crept out into the darkness, skirting around the courtyard to where he knew the knight was, concealing himself behind the stone arch of the gateway, out of sight to all.

He found the Black Knight standing there, just as he had the night before, unmoving in a way that belied that of a statue rather than a man, giving more evidence to the fact that he was in fact dead and making Merlin shiver slightly. The flag he held, waved softly in the gentle breeze that blew around the knight, his cloak also shifting slightly.

Merlin stood there, raising his hand as he readying himself, taking a deep breath before focusing all his energies on what he was to do. "Cume her fyrbryne." He said his voice strong but quiet so that none others that may be around would hear him.

Instantly a line of fire travelled from where he was standing, rushing towards the knight and surrounding him closely. The flames grew until they encompassed the figure, engulfing him in a heat that none should be able to withstand. Merlin lowered his hand, watching as the flames died down, hoping that it had had some effect. He knew instantly that it had done nothing to the knight. There had been no reaction from the figure at all.

Merlin held his breath as the flames disappeared, watching as the knight's head turned and faced in his direction. Hidden from the gaze as he was, he knew that the knight couldn't see him but that didn't stop him from running as quickly as he could back to the castle.

He had to warn Arthur and just hope that the stubborn pig-headed prince would listen to him for once.

He entered Arthur's rooms, not bothering to knock as Arthur stood there, going through his stances with his sword. He looked over to the warlock, a slight frown on his face.

"Merlin, still not learned how to knock?" Arthur asked, clearly not pleased at the interruption.

Merlin ignored Arthur's words as he walked over to the prince. "You have to pull out." He stated simple and Arthur stared at him.

"And why is that?"

"Because he'll kill you." Best to just go for the truth, Merlin thought but he could see that Arthur was not pleased with his words.

"Why does everybody think that?"

"Because they're right." He let out a breath, seeing that he wasn't going to reach Arthur that way. "Just pull out." He insisted, seeing that Arthur was not going to listen to him but knowing he had to try anyway. "You're the Crown Prince. No one wants to see you die over some stupid challenge."

"I'm not a coward." Merlin felt the urge to scream. He knew that Arthur was full of pride but even he had to see how ridiculous his reasoning was.

"I know that." Merlin sighed. "I've stood there and I've watched you overcome every fear you've ever faced, since we were children, Arthur."

"That's what's required of me." Arthur ran a rag over his sword, inspecting it as he moved around the table.

"But you're more than that." Merlin followed him, not giving up just yet. "You're not merely a warrior, you're a prince, a future King! You've proved your courage! But you must prove your wisdom."

"I'm not backing down." Arthur glanced at Merlin beginning to spin his sword again, once again going through his stances as he had been when Merlin entered his chambers.

"This is no ordinary knight!" Merlin insisted, gesturing and walking over to the window. "Look at him. He doesn't eat. He doesn't sleep. He just stands there! In complete silence." He looked over to Arthur seeing that he wasn't actually listening to him. "Doesn't that tell you something?"

"No one is unbeatable." Arthur stood up straight and Merlin fought the urge to whack him over the head.

"Arthur, trust me. Even my magic has no effect, I've tried." That didn't have any effect as he hoped that it would. Arthur knew as much as Merlin did about his magic and he knew that it was strong. But Arthur paid him no attention. "If you fight him, you'll die."

"I'm not listening to this," Arthur brushed him off, not looking at him.

"I'm trying to warn you, Arthur." He walked over to him, stepping away from the prince as he swung around, brandishing his sword out in front of him.

"And I'm trying to warn you, Merlin!" He knew that Arthur wouldn't actually strike him but the action in itself made him see that Arthur was beyond talking to about this.

"You told me that you would be honoured to have me as your advisor when you become king," Merlin stated softly, not breaking eye contact. "So take my advice and pull out." He said nothing more as he left Arthur's chambers, the prince staring after him as he slammed the chamber doors open.

He stormed back into his rooms, startling Will who had begun to turn down his bed. "Is everything alright, Merlin?" He asked, walking over to the young man he knew so well after his years of service.

Merlin let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah," he glanced over at Will. "Just Arthur being an idiot, as usual." He stepped over to the dressing screen, taking off his jacket, Will taking it from him as he walked.

"You're worried about him," Will stated and Merlin nodded before ducking behind the screen to change. "I'm sure he'll be alright." Will tried to reassure Merlin, not really knowing how well it would work. "He is the best warrior in Camelot, after all."

"I know," came Merlin's resigned reply as Will hung his jacket up in his wardrobe. "But I'm not sure that's going to be enough. I mean, you saw what happened today just as I and everyone else did." Will nodded even though Merlin couldn't see him, grabbing the shirt and breeches that Merlin had flung over the top of the screen and placing them in the basket for the laundry. "Sir Pellinor landed what should have been a mortal wound but he walked away as if it was nothing." He sighed as he emerged from behind the screen.

He sat down on his bed, shivering slightly as he felt a shimmer of magic run through him. Something was happening in the castle but with Will here he was unable to do anything about it. He closed his eyes, doing something he had practiced before to reach out the tendrils of his magic, scanning for any being used within the castle. There was a foreign presence in the castle council chambers.

Settling back on his bed, it didn't take Will long to finish up and bid him goodnight. As the candle burned down, he knew that he couldn't just do nothing. There had to be something he could do to aid Arthur.

He quickly got dressed again, opening his chamber doors to check for any guards and quickly making his way down to the library. The doors were locked but a quick spell made short work of that and let himself in. He knew that the answers he needed would be in here somewhere. He just had no idea where.

"How did you get in here?" He turned to see Lord Geoffrey standing in front of him, a disapproving look on his face.

"The door was open." He shrugged, the lie rolling off his tongue easily. He knew that he should be slightly disturbed at how easy it was but at this point in time it didn't seem to matter too much.

"No, I locked it," the old man countered and Merlin, deciding that he really couldn't be bothered to argue with the old man, raised an eyebrow at him, silently reminding him that he was currently challenging one of the King's wards. He seemed to remember pretty quickly, steadying himself and clasping his hands in front of him. "What is it I can help you with?"

Even after all these years, Merlin still found it amazing that people often changed their tunes pretty quickly when they realised that there was a chance they could invoke the King's wrath if it was discovered they had argued with either Merlin or Morgana. Not something he put into practice too often but with Arthur's life at stake, he wasn't above anything.

"After what happened today, I spoke to Gaius about the knight. I'm not sure if you were there but by all rights, he should be dead." Merlin explained and Geoffrey nodded. "Gaius believes the Black Knight is a wraith."

"Then Arthur is in grave peril." Geoffrey nodded.

"Gaius believes that there is an answer in one of these books down here."

"And you offered to come and find it for him?" Geoffrey raised an eyebrow and Merlin shrugged.

"I can't sleep and I would much prefer to be doing something productive that may help than pacing my chambers all night." Geoffrey seemed to accept that answer with a nod of his head. "I need to find a weapon that will kill something that's already dead."

"Then I've read of such things in the ancient chronicles."

"Really?" Merlin's interest was piqued at the archivists words. "What did they say?"

"Well, several fables speak of ancient swords-"

"That can kill the dead?" Merlin clarified and Geoffrey nodded.

"The swords the fables speak of could destroy anything, alive or dead." Merlin felt a surge of hope at Geoffrey's words, whether they be surrounding old stories or not. There may be some way he could use them to aid him now.

"Could you show me one of these fables?" Merlin asked and Geoffrey nodded, turning and slowly looking through various scrolls and parchments behind him. "I'm sort of in a hurry."

"Yes, you young people always are."

Merlin had begun to lose hope that they would find anything that would be useful as Geoffrey continued to sort through the parchments in front of him. Merlin had long since sat down at one of the desks, resting his chin on his arms in front of him, waiting for the old man to find what he was looking for.

"This is the Chronicle of Beltane," Geoffrey advised and Merlin looked between him and the parchment in front of him as he began to read it aloud. "Sir Marhouse looked upon the great sword, begotten in the dragon's breath and found it passing good."

Merlin's head popped up at the mention of the dragon, pausing the old man. "What did you say?"

"Sir Marhouse-"

"No, not about him," Merlin stopped him from repeating the whole thing, "the dragon."

"The great sword, begotten in the dragon's breath." He repeated, looking away from the king's ward, not noticing as he left the room, continuing the line in the book.

Merlin quickly made his way through the castle, on a mission to find the one person that may be able to help him with what he needed. He knew that she would be in Morgana's chambers, finishing her chores. He knocked quietly on the door, not wanting to risk waking Morgana if she were already asleep.

He let out a small sigh of relief as Gwen answered the door, a smile on her face.

"Merlin," her voice was friendly as she leaned her cheek against the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to ask a favour."

She looked a little taken aback as she processed his words. "Yes?"

"I'm not sure how to ask it," he admitted, trying to put his words together in a way that would make sense.

"Ask, Merlin, you know I'd grant you anything," he let out another breath of relief at her words and they both stilled, seeming to register what she had just said. She looked slightly awkward as he regarded her in the same way. "I mean, not anything. Obviously, not anything." She stepped away from the door slightly as she back-tracked. "What is it you want?"

"I've come to ask for a sword," she looked slightly confused at his request, her state of mind not helped by his next words. "The strongest sword your father has ever made."

"What for?"

"To save Arthur." He whispered and she nodded, seeing the seriousness on his face. They agreed to meet on the castle steps before Merlin made his way to his own chambers while Gwen finished tidying and sorted Morgana's chambers. Merlin quickly made his way back to his chambers, flinging open his wardrobe and grabbing one of his nondescript, hooded cloaks and flinging it on before making his way down to the castle steps. He found Gwen waiting for him and the two of them quickly made their way to her house. He glanced around, making sure there was no one else about that could identify him as he ducked inside, pushing his hood down.

She reached under the bed, pulling out a wrapped sword and placing it on top as the two of them knelt either side of the bed. "My father's been saving this." She said, unwrapping it. "He's always said it was the best sword he's ever made."

Merlin picked it up, feeling the weight of it in his hands as a smile spread across his lips. "It's perfect." He whispered as Gwen rested her chin on her folded arms in front of her.

"He'll kill me if he finds out I've taken it." She sounded worried and Merlin looked across at her.

"He'll understand." He reasoned, giving her a small smile. "You did it for Arthur." She smiled back as he stood, wrapping the sword back up in the fabric and taking it with him. He glanced back, pulling up his hood again and tucking the sword under his cloak as he walked through the door, Gwen watching him with a worried expression.

He made his way directly to the dragon's cavern, not stopping for anything as he knew that dawn wouldn't be far off, judging by the sky. He was determined to make sure that Arthur lived, even if he was unaware of the other plans that were taking place around him to ensure the same thing.

He entered the cavern to see the dragon resting on what Merlin guessed was his favourite rock, as that's where he was whenever Merlin came down here.

"Merlin," he regarded the young man.

"Do you know why I'm here?" He asked as it appeared the dragon always seemed to know.

The great beast regarded him, slightly amused before answering. "It may surprise, Merlin, but my knowledge of your life is not universal."

Merlin shot him a withering look, thinking that a simple 'no' would have sufficed. But when had anything the dragon ever said been simple. "It's to do with Arthur." He explained. "His life is in danger. He will die, unless I can make a weapon that can kill the dead."

He placed both the sword on and the torch he had picked up on the way down on the ground in front of him.

"So what do you come to ask of me?" Merlin watched as the sword floated away from him and towards the dragon as his great golden eyes watched the warlock closely.

"Will you burnish it?" He asked, hoping the dragon would do as he asked. "To save Arthur."

"The dead do not return without reason," the dragon advised, peering at the warlock in front of him. "Who has he come for?"

"Uther."

"Then let him take his vengeance," the dragon's words were succinct and Merlin knew that he did not understand what he was saying to him. "And the wraith will die without my aid."

"But it's Arthur who's going to fight him, you have to save him."

"That is your destiny, young warlock," the dragon answered, pulling his head back, "not mine."

"But if Arthur fights the wraith and dies, Camelot will have no heir." Merlin reasoned, hoping his words would get through the dragon. "I will have no destiny."

The dragon appeared to consider his words before speaking again. "A weapon forged with my assistance will have great power."

"I know."

"You do not know!" The dragon shot back and Merlin couldn't argue. Never having come across a weapon forged in a dragon's breath before he had no basis to understand. But he knew that it was what was needed to save Arthur. "You can only guess. You have not seen what I have seen. If you had, perhaps you would not ask this of me."

"What do you mean?" Merlin wanted to understand but he knew that the dragon would most likely be cryptic once more, that's if he was lucky.

"In the wrong hands, this sword could do great evil." He replied and Merlin nodded. "It must be wielded by Arthur and him alone."

"I understand."

"You must do more than understand." The great dragon wasn't going to give up easily. "You must promise."

"I promise." Merlin answered with no hesitation and the dragon let out a small roar, sitting back on his haunches, regarding the sword in front of him.

Merlin stepped back, shielding his eyes as a great burst of flame exploded from the dragon's mouth, the heat and magic radiating off of it more intense than anything Merlin had ever felt before. He lowered his arm as the flames resided and the sword was left suspended in front of him, the flames of Merlin's torch glimmering off the polished steel as though it were pure silver. The blade itself was altered, where there had been nothing but steel before, two gold plates ran down either side of the blade.

"Heed my words, Merlin," the dragon stated as the sword slowly made its way towards Merlin. "The sword was forged for Arthur and him alone." He nodded as he grasped it, leaving the cavern and making his way towards his chambers with the sword.

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

The next morning he was up and dressed before Will had even turned up with his breakfast. His servant was not surprised at this as there had been many a time when this was the case. Will placed the tray of food on the table and turned to start making Merlin's bed when he stopped him.

"Will?" The servant turned, looking at him expectantly as Merlin walked over and crouched next to the other side of his bed, pulling out the sword that he had stowed there upon returning from the cavern the night before. "I want you to be the one to ready Arthur for the fight today."

"Me?" Will looked surprised and Merlin nodded. "But surely, George-"

"Arthur's going to be agitated enough as it is this morning and you know how George irritates him," Merlin grinned at Will who nodded, giving him a small smile in return. It was no secret that the servant still annoyed Arthur no end but he was good at his job and Merlin had a feeling that that was the only reason he still had one. "I also want you to give him this."

"What is it?" Will asked, walking over to Merlin.

"A new sword." Will looked confused, knowing that Arthur already had many good swords. "I had Tom, the blacksmith forge it for him as a present. I would give it to him myself before the fight but . . ."

"Protocol states you must be down at the arena." Will finished and Merlin nodded. "Don't worry. I'll make sure that he gets it and that he knows who it's from."

"Thank you." Merlin smiled, clapping his servant and friend on the shoulder. "I will warn you now, it was forged for Arthur and him alone. No one else must use it." Will nodded, looking at the wrapped bundle that still lay on his masters' bed.

Will finished his chores quickly as Merlin ate his meal before taking the tray back down to the kitchens. He returned shortly afterwards, retrieving the sword and flashing Merlin a grin as he left. Merlin nodded as he left, turning to look out of his window into the courtyard, watching the people below as most readied to watch the fight.

He pulled on his jacket, making his way down to the arena, meeting a worried looking Morgana and Gwen as he went. He shot Gwen a look telling her that everything had been taken care of and that Arthur would be safe. He could tell from the look on her face that she didn't believe him but said nothing.

He would have gone to see Arthur this morning but he knew that the prince would be in no mood for company. He got antsy before a tournament and those were just for entertainment. Merlin knew that if he were to go and see him, he would be absolutely unbearable. He knew that Will would get Arthur ready and he would ensure that he got the sword. He took his seat, unaware of what was happening in the armoury with his servant at that very moment.

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

Will unwrapped the sword that Merlin had given him to give to Arthur, marvelling at the workmanship that had gone into it. He may only have been a peasant but having spent the last few years around the swords and weapons of the castle armoury when Merlin's needed tending to, he knew a finely crafted sword when he saw it. He turned it slightly, smiling as the sunlight glinted off the steel in his hands.

"That's a fine blade," he jumped at the voice, looking up to see none other than the king standing in front of him, dressed in chainmail and red tunic bearing the Pendragon crest.

"It's for Arthur," he responded, placing it back down in front of him.

"He won't be needing it today." Will looked over at the king in confusion. How could that be? The prince was due to be fighting the Black Knight soon. He stood up straight as the king approached him. "I will be taking Arthur's place."

"But, sire . . ."

He said nothing more as the king turned, regarding him. "Prepare me for battle."

"Arthur should be the one that fights today." He tried to reason with the king, even though as a servant he knew he should not.

"The grievance was with me, the fight is mine." Will could see that the king had made up his mind on the matter.

"I don't have your armour." He advised, covering the sword over with the fabric it had been wrapped it, seeing the king staring at it.

"That'll do," the king gestured to the armour laid out in front of him, belonging to his son. "It's likely to make little difference." Will immediately went to gather the armour, unable to disobey an order from the king, not seeing as Uther moved the fabric, seeming entranced with the sword in front of him.

"I'll get you your sword." He insisted but the king paid him little notice as he picked it up.

"This'll be fine," his voice was slightly detached as he picked up the blade, examining it in the sunlight as Will had been doing a moment before.

"No, sire, you don't understand," he tried to reason with the king, "that was made specifically for Arthur."

"Who made it?" He asked, stretching out his arm, pointing the blade as Will started to fit the armour to the king.

"Uh, Tom, the blacksmith." Will sounded nervous as he did up the leather straps on the armour.

"It's worthy of a king." Uther stated and Will felt more than nervous. He had been given specific instructions by Merlin to let no one else use the sword but it was clear the Uther did not want to let it be.

"But wouldn't you be better off with a sword you trusted?" Will tried again, moving to the other side.

"It has almost perfect balance," Uther said softly, appearing not to be paying attention to Will as he worked. "Tom's not the royal swordsmith, I'm surprised Arthur went to him."

"Uh, no," Will hesitated for a moment. "It's a present for the prince from Lord Merlin, sire."

"Of course it was." Uther smiled at the thought of his ward going out of his way to create something so fine for his son. "You show my ward unwavering loyalty." Will was slightly taken aback by the words, not realising he had been noticed by the king at all. "I am glad."

Will could only nod and watch as the king left the armoury, his cloak over his arm, holding the sword.

Merlin was going to kill him!

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

Merlin noticed the worried look on Will's face as he joined him in the stands and raised an eyebrow in question.

"We have a bit of a problem," he said softly and Merlin spun round to look at him.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked and Will nodded to the other side of the arena where the combatants would enter. Merlin's jaw dropped, along with the rest of the crowds as he saw none other than the king enter, dressed for battle, holding the sword! He turned to look at his servant. "Will!"

"I'm sorry," he apologised and Merlin could see that he looked regretful for what had happened. "I was waiting for Arthur and he just turned up, saying that he was going to be fighting in Arthur's stead. I tried to get him to use one of his own swords but he wouldn't listen and he walked out of the armoury before I could stop him." He explained in a rush and Merlin looked over towards the king letting out a frustrated breath. "He's the king, Merlin. I couldn't exactly say no."

"No," he shook his head, understanding where his servant was coming from. "I understand. It's not your fault."

"I'm sorry." He repeated and Merlin shook his head, watching as Uther stopped next to the Black Knight.

Will wasn't the one who was going to have to deal with an irate dragon after he learned that Uther was the one that used the sword.

Uther stopped in front of the royal box, ignoring the curious and worried looks of his wards and his people as he faced the Black Knight. "You can have what you came for," he said coldly to the knight in front of him. He slowly turned his head, regarding the king in front of him. "The father, not the son."

The King and wraith didn't take their eyes off each other as the knight with Uther removed his cape and handed him his helmet.

The fight started just as the previous ones had, the Black Knight launching a relentless attack on the King, driving him backwards. Merlin felt Morgana's hand grip his as they watched the man that had treated them as his own fought for his life. He could feel his grip as tight as Morgana's as Uther fought the knight with more determination than they'd ever seen from him before.

The crowd let out a shocked gasp as a well-aimed blow from Uther's shield knocked the other knight's helmet off, revealing a shrivelled, discoloured face that appeared to have come from the depths of hell itself.

The all watched in horror as the wraith renewed its attack on Uther, driving him backwards to the ground, letting out a horrified gasp when it brought down its sword on the downed king, the sword becoming stuck in the rim of Uther's shield. Seizing the moment of distraction, Uther forcefully kicked it away, scrambling for his sword as the creature wrestled with the shield, trying to free its sword.

Once in his grasp, he immediately turned, facing the wraith and running it through as it struggled with its own sword.

The reaction from the wraith was immediate, letting out a roar as Uther was blown backwards and the wound beginning to burn, spreading from the wound and outwards until the creature itself exploded.

The reaction of the crowd as the King stood up was immediate, all of them clapping and cheering as the king steadying himself on his feet. Morgana distracted Merlin for a moment from where Uther dropped the sword on the ground, wrapping her arms around him in a relieved hug. He shot Will a look and the servant knew that he was to retrieve the sword as soon as possible. Will nodded, glancing at the sword on the ground.

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

It was later on that night that Will managed to secure the sword from where it had been placed in the armoury. He wrapped it in the cloth it had been in when Merlin had given it to him and walked through the castle with it. If anyone asked, he would say that it was Merlin's sword that was newly sharpened and he didn't want to risk cutting himself with it. It was a plausible excuse.

Thankfully, no one saw or stopped him and he made it back to Merlin's chambers quickly, seeing a look of relief on his master's face as he walked through the door with it.

"I really am sorry," he said softly, handing the sword to Merlin who looked up at him.

"I know," he nodded, taking the sword and placing it on his bed. "I don't blame you, Will. I knew that you couldn't deny the king anything." He gave him a small smile. "Go home. I'll see you in the morning." Will nodded before leaving Merlin to his own devices.

As soon as he left, Merlin's smile dropped. He had been called down to see the dragon almost immediately after the fight had ended and he was not pleased that Merlin hadn't been able to hold up his promise. Giving him another to fulfil. This one, he would not break.

He opened his wardrobe, grabbing his hooded cloak and the sword before sneaking out of the castle. He made sure not to draw any attention to himself as he entered the royal stables, quickly tacking up his horse and pulling the mare out.

He didn't stop riding until he came to a great lake, secluded and peaceful with the sun just rising. Climbing down off his horse, he knew that he couldn't be long otherwise his presence in the castle would be missed. Patting on the neck as she snuffled at his cloak, he picked up the sword off the back of the saddle where he'd tied it, stepping up to the lake. He unwrapped it, pulling it out of the fabric it was wrapped in, looking down at it one last time.

Remembering the promise he had made to the dragon to hide it where no one would find it, he brought his arm back and using his magic as well as his own strength, he threw it into the water, watching as it disappeared from sight.

Letting out a breath, he turned from the lake, remounting his horse and guiding her quickly back to Camelot, hoping that no one had missed him while he had been gone.