"I wasn't even allowed to mourn my father's death, for fear of revealing my parentage to Uther! And then! AND THEN! As if to add insult to injury, I lost Lancelot when the veil was torn, the only friend from whom I need not keep any secrets. And still you said nothing of Elfrael!"
"It was supposed to be me! I was supposed to walk through that veil! I am sick and tired of having to watch people die for me. Well? What do you have to say for yourself O Great Dragon? And don't you DARE spout some nonsense about how I have you and Gaius. I realise you're not human, but even you should know it's not the same!"
To say that Gwaine was shocked by Merlin's outburst was an understatement of similar proportions to 'Arthur is stubborn'. The shock he felt was quickly followed by guilt. He'd thought he'd been doing the right thing by waiting for Merlin to come clean in his own time. But Merlin had needed a friend, a friend he didn't have to keep secrets from. He'd needed a replacement Lancelot and Gwaine had let him down. Gwaine's wallowing came to an abrupt halt as it was interrupted by the Dragon's response.
"Young Warlock, I beg you to hear all I have to say without interruption. You may say whatever you wish when I am finished." Came Kilgarrah's impassioned plea.
"Agreed," Merlin replied in a stern voice.
"I will first address the tearing of the veil. Please know that my heart bleeds every time I watch you mourn your noble friend. But what he did was his choice and his right. Had he failed to stop you from sacrificing yourself, Albion would have been destroyed before it had ever been born. For without you, Merlin, Albion can never come to pass. Nor could this dream have been realised had the burden of healing the veil fallen to the Once and Future King. I understand that you needed a hatch-mate similar to your own age in which to confide, but with Camelot's laws being as they stand, the risks of revealing yourself have been and are simply too great."
During the Dragon's speech, Gwaine could see Merlin visibly deflate, his anger leaving him. That boy was simply incapable of holding a grudge!
"I understand." Merlin replied in a weary voice. "But you have not yet explained why you have said nothing of Elfrael."
"False hope has the power to be the undoing of even the greatest of men." Kilgarrah replied sagely. "Until this very night I had no knowledge that it would even be possible to lower the protective enchantments that had previously transformed Elfrael into an inescapable prison for all who inhabited the Isle. I could not bear to tell you of our ancestral home for fear it may raise your hopes of someday meeting your kin, only to have those hopes cruelly dashed when you were forced to potentially wait years for the destruction of an enchantment that perhaps may never have been broken. If I have wronged you in this then I can only beg your forgiveness. Please believe me when I say that I acted with the best of intentions."
Merlin heaved a sigh. "You're forgiven. I'm sorry I lost my temper, I was out of line."
"Nay Young Warlock, you had every right to speak as you did."
"Be that as it may" Merlin said quickly to avoid birthing another argument, "we need to talk about Elfrael. I have agreed to accompany Ethan as there is simply a never-ending list of reasons why I need to go. Top of the list being Aithusa, she can't stay in Albion. Today was proof enough of that."
"But before we even start talking logistics, is it safe for me to go, for me to leave Albion unguarded?"
"I agree that it is necessary that you must go. However, the witch remains a threat. Before you leave you must devise a way to enable trusted citizens of Camelot to warn you should a threat to the Kingdom arise. An obvious choice would be Gaius. It would also be prudent for you to leave Gaius with some method of contacting me. As long as I am here in Albion, I am willing to come to the aid of the Kingdom."
"But, Kilgarrah, aren't you going to have to come with us? Aithusa is young, what if she tires on the journey to Elfrael? Niall will already be burdened with Ethan, I, and any supplies that we will need to take."
"It was Niall who brought you?" Kilgarrah asked looking at Ethan with new interest, "I would dearly love to converse with him again. Perhaps we should wait for his arrival before this discussion continues any further."
"Very well," Merlin replied. "Ethan, are you able to speak the Dragon tongue or will that only happen when your father passes? Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but I know very little of my heritage."
"I can speak it, but the Dragons are under no obligation to heed my call."
"Will Niall answer you or would you like me to call him?"
"You needn't trouble yourself, he will answer me." Ethan replied serenely before throwing back his head to roar at the sky. "O drakon, Niall, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!"
Gwaine let out a startled yelp and leapt backwards. Merlin couldn't help but snicker at his reaction. "I have to admit, it sounds a hell of a lot creepier coming from someone else!"
Moments later, a large Dragon (though not as large as Kilgarrah) landed in the clearing. Bending his neck so that he was at eye level with Ethan, he rumbled in a deep voice "Hatchling, why do you seek an audience?"
Ethan bowed low before replying. "Niall, I thank you for heeding my call. I am joined by Lord Ambrosius, Aithusa, the Great Dragon Kilgarrah and Sir Gwaine of Camelot. We thought you should be present whilst the journey home is discussed."
Niall immediately rose to his full height and twisted his neck so as to face Kilgarrah. "Great Dragon, when I circled this grove from above I could scarcely believe what my instincts and senses knew to be true. How is it that you escaped the wrath of your Lord?"
"Young Niall, I did not escape anything. I was fortunate enough to be granted clemency. I have been doing everything in my power since that day to prove myself worthy of the gift."
Bending his head once more, Niall addressed Merlin. "Lord Ambrosius, I am honoured to meet you on this eve and I thank you with the deepest sincerity for sparing the life of my kin."
"You are most welcome Niall. I am truly honoured to meet you as well. Indeed until this morning, I believed Kilgarrah and Aithusa to be the only two dragons in existence! Never have I been so happy to be proven wrong!" Merlin cried unable to wipe the grin off his face.
"Tell me Young Lord, why have you brought a Knight of Camelot with you? With whom does his loyalty lie?"
"Sir Gwaine is a dear friend of mine. I brought him with me because his keen sense of adventure had rendered him desperate to meet some Dragons. As for his loyalties, I should let him speak for himself."
Gwaine was fed up with this! Just because he wore a bright red cloak with a shiny gold Dragon on it didn't mean he was Uther! But that arrogant, over-sized, forest-green lizard was still waiting for an answer...
"If it comes down to a choice between Merlin and Camelot, you can be sure of me choosing Merlin." He said politely and with conviction. He wondered if Ethan's scabbard had been deliberately crafted to match the scales of the Dragon or if it was a coincidence. Focus Gwaine!
After studying Gwaine long enough to make him want to fidget (an urge which he did not succumb to!), Niall replied, "Very well, I am satisfied, we may begin to discuss travel arrangements for the return journey. I trust you will be accompanying us Lord Ambrosius?"
"I will."
"Excellent. Besides myself and Ethan, who else will be among the travelling party?"
"I wish to bring Aithusa, Albion is becoming dangerous for her, and the chances of her being sighted multiply daily. I also wish to relocate my mother. She has lived a hard life in our village and deserves a respite. On top of that, I feel there are dark days coming and I do not want her to be caught in the fray. For this reason, Kilgarrah must accompany us as I do not wish three humans and a young Dragon to be a burden that you must bear alone."
It didn't escape Gwaine that his name had not been mentioned anywhere in that little speech. Ah well, he thought to himself attempting to smother his hurt and disappointment, at least he'd gotten to meet these noble beasts, that ought to be enough for him. He and Merlin could have plenty of adventures when Merlin got back. He continued to attempt to cheer himself up in this way.
"Niall, Kilgarrah, how many people can you safely transport such a distance?" Ethan asked. "Would it be wise to send for another of your kin?"
"One of us must remain unburdened in case Aithusa tires." Kilgarrah stated gravely. "It would be unwise to be carrying any humans or supplies in that situation, as landing on a Dragon's back in mid-flight is not the easiest of manoeuvres."
"I do not have the necessary endurance to bear Aithusa and as for humans, over such a distance, I could only safely transport two at most if I am also to be burdened with supplies." Niall added.
"Kilgarrah, are you able to summon another?" Merlin asked.
"I believe Aeris would be both willing and able to carry three humans in addition to supplies. What say you Niall?"
"Let us summon her." Niall replied before both he and Kilgarrah craned their necks toward the sky and roared.
Gwaine was quick to clap his hands over his ears, certain that he had been moments from losing his hearing altogether and was shocked to realise that neither Merlin nor Ethan had made a move to do the same. Instead they were looking up at the Dragons with smiles on their faces. Could they not hear how loud it was? Aithusa was zipping round the clearing to hyper to stay still any longer, little growls punctuating her excitement. Then as soon as it began, it was over.
Lowering their heads once more, Kilgarrah addressed Merlin. "Aeris is already winging her way here. However, the journey is a long one, even for a Dragon. Do not expect her to arrive before the sun reaches high noon for the second time. This should give you ample opportunity to make the necessary arrangements for your extended absence from Camelot."
"Thank you Kilgarrah. I have one more favour to ask." Merlin began as Gwaine slowly removed his hands from his ears. It would seem that none of that roaring had had any effect on Merlin's hearing whatsoever.
"Proceed, Young Warlock."
"Will you fly me to Ealdor tonight, so that I may bring my mother to Camelot?"
"I am not a horse Merlin!"
"I'm very glad to hear it, because I need to be back in time to rouse Arthur and a horse would take days!"
As dense as it was to laugh at a Dragon, neither Gwaine nor Ethan could help it. In fact, Gwaine was almost certain that Merlin's comeback had to be one of the funniest things he'd ever heard. He was treating this Dragon just like he treated Arthur!
"Very well, but do not make a habit of this!"
"I wouldn't dream of it. Niall, would you be able and willing to look after Aithusa in our absence?"
"I would be honoured to be trusted with such a task."
"Thank you" Merlin breathed, his relieved tone conveying just how much he meant it. "Ethan, I don't suppose you'd mind helping Gwaine sneak back into the Citadel? I'm not sure if Elyan's still on duty and if he were to run into a random guard, explanations could get awkward."
"Consider it done, My Lord."
"Thank you Ethan. Oh and one more thing," Merlin began, as he climbed onto Kilgarrah's back. "Can you speak with your mind? It might help with organising future meetings."
"I can, I shall wait for you to contact me." Ethan replied.
"Very well, until we meet again Ethan."
"Until we meet again, fair winds Merlin."
"I'll see you in the morning Gwaine!"
"You'd better believe it Merlin!" Gwaine shouted and with that, Kilgarrah took off into the sky.
Niall having uttered "Come, hatchling" in the direction of Aithusa, was quick to disappear as well with the young Dragon in tow.
Wow that was a hard chapter to write. I tweaked the Dragon Shout a bit to include Niall's name because I figured that where there are multiple Dragons, there would have to be a way of identifying which Dragon you're talking to when you call them, otherwise you'd end up with every Dragon in hearing distance arriving on your doorstep.
Also I apologise for having taken so long to update, I can't seem to stop getting sick. :(
Anyway, please review! I always love hearing from you. :)