"Sire" the door opening startled him awake causing him to throw his hand out in defense instinctively.

"Whoa, Whoa I'm friendly," Cador's exasperated voice echoed through the room, as the Knight stepped to the side to allow Lucan to enter with a tray of food and deposit it on the table.

Oh, right, today he'd start his double life. The freckle-faced youth must have gotten up before the crow, despite having been up late attempting to organize both rooms to his new master's liking. It hadn't taken long for the servant and warlock to butt heads, as the raven-haired monarch attempted to do things himself, and the exasperated young servant did everything in his power to beat him to it. Stealing a glance at the small antechamber Lucan had taken residence in to confirm the young man had slept, Merlin collapsed back into his pillows, throwing the blankets over his face in protest at the start of the day.

It had taken two hours to calm Gaius and explain everything to Cador when he'd returned to Camelot with the manservant. Cador had been thrilled by the development and spent much of the night going back and forth, helping Lucan, and organizing the patrol outside of the Cerniw chambers, with Gaius's nephew, Sir Kay, to stop the flow of curious nobles. Cador also helped Niviane mitigate some of the chaos that his appearance had created in the city.

Officially he had tested the wards and enchantment, arriving by magic, and leaving the same way, with a promise to return to learn more about the kingdom and integrate himself slowly into the court. It was the best they could do under the circumstances, and Merlin was grateful they'd gotten that far considering the council had already begun planning a coronation, which would have included notices to all the neighboring Kingdoms, had they not intervened.

The warlock groaned as Lucan opened the drapes and the sunlight assaulted him. For the first time, he felt some sympathy for Arthur over the crude awakening.

"G'morning" Merlin squinted through the bright light, refusing to stoop to Arthur's level by throwing a pillow at the servant. "You're sure you're Ok with this?"

"I am, Sire."

"Merlin."

"Of course, Sire."

A small twitch of the servant's lips alerted the warlock to the young man's amusement, as he continued with his task of setting out breakfast. If it were a battle of will the young man wanted, he'd met his match.

"You found your way to the kitchens, on your own?"

"George has been most accommodating. He's generously offered me any assistance I require while I learn my way around."

"So he wasn't upset then?"

"No, he's aware serving King Arthur is a more permanent position. I'd dare say he was relieved."

Merlin nodded his head, glad for that, at least. Just because he didn't like George, didn't mean he wished him ill. The man still needed to earn a living.

"The seamstress has brought you more clothing and would like time to make sure they fit so she can alter them if needed. I've set books on your desk from our libraries that should help with the history of the kingdom, Sir Gwaine has requested your attendance this evening for debauchery at the local tavern, and several of the kitchen maids nearly attacked me trying to learn the location of your chambers."

Merlin stared at the brunette, now smirking at him with a raised eyebrow as he reached the last part. "Uhh…Why?"

"They didn't say, Sire" Lucan drawled, shaking his head, as the warlock crawled out of the giant bed.

"Merlin."

A snort of amusement from the doorway reminded the new monarch of the knight's presence, diverting his attention from the battle of wills between the former servant and the current one.

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Merlin stared at the boy after looking around the room, finding it in immaculate condition. "You're good," he noted making his way to the table while making a mental list of all the ways he would corrupt the propriety out of the young man. "Have you eaten?"

"I have, Sire."

"Merlin," the warlock scowled. "I have to say it's sneaky to do all of that work while I'm sleeping, Lucan."

"Yes, well it's much easier when you're not trying to stop me," the serving boy smiled in response.

"I'll get up early tomorrow," the warlock grabbed a book off the desk and headed for the table where the food was laid out for him.

"Of course, my lord, "Lucan nodded and exited the room carrying the dirty clothes the secret sorcerer had worn the night before.

"Merlin," he yelled out as he opened one of the books and started eating.

"I don't think you're going to win that war, my lord."

"Oh, not you too. And yes, I will."

"Lucan's family has served yours for generations. The day he calls you Merlin, is the day I kiss a pig on his snout."

Merlin raised his brow at his second cousin, still standing in the doorway, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I'll take that bet, and I will hold you to it."

"And if he doesn't?" Cador laughed, leaning back against the chamber wall.

"He will."

"He's stubborn."

"So am I. Now make yourself useful and eat some of this food, God knows I can't eat all of this on my own. Arthur doesn't even eat this much."

"That's because you saw fit to starve me," Arthur strolled in casually, bemused at the sight of the former servant with his nose in a book as he picked at his food. "What do you have there?"

"History of Cerniw. It's fascinating. Did you know my, err our great- great grandfather felled a Roman army and blocked this part of the lands from falling under their invasions?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, and he did it with less than half their numbers."

"Maybe I'll read it."

"Right," Merlin scoffed, "Arthur Pendragon reading something for recreation? Who are you and what have you done with the king."

"Shut up." Arthur smiled, making his way to the table, and planting himself into the chair, opposite Cador, making no attempt to acknowledge him.

"I hear you told George he was all mine."

"Mmhmm," Merlin replied flippantly, inwardly bracing himself for a confrontation. He had no idea how Arthur would react, especially considering he'd sent a message to the castle steward informing him the servant's services were better suited for a more permanent position with Arthur.

"So you just went and hired someone?"

"Oh come off it, we both know you only gave me George to annoy me. I'll admit it was funny, for about an hour."

At that, Arthur laughed.

"So where did you find him?"

"Lucan? Oh, uh friend of Gaius. He needed a job, and I needed to get rid of George."

"Since you hired him, am I to assume he's on your bankroll, then?" Arthur's expectation he'd blanch and need a lesson in propriety and protocol was written all over his face, but the warlock had been expecting it and prepared for it. The time for hypothetical was over. As soon as he'd felt the bond in his grandfather's magic recognize him as kin, he knew it was time to embrace who he was. The connection to the old king was now as tangible to him as his bond with his father, and the dragons. He could not afford to mope about feeling sorry for himself over his change of status with both kingdoms under some degree of threat by Morgana. He'd just have to suck it up and get on with it. If that meant hiring staff, he didn't want so that he could move freely, so be it.

"He is," the warlock finally nodded, "turns out, I can afford it. Since nobody wants to let me get away without having a servant, I'd rather have one I can take with me, when I go to Cerniw."

"You intend to go, then?"

"We both know I'll have to. Even if it's only to settle my father's estate."

"This is going to take some getting used to."

"I almost came and woke you up this morning," Merlin agreed.

"I almost wish you would have." Arthur sighed in response, lifting himself from the chair and making his way back toward the door. "You'll be busy all day studying then?"

"Aww, Arthur do you miss me already?"

"Don't be stupid," the King answered too quickly and scowled at the grin the warlock gave him in response. "There's a council meeting in three-quarters of an hour. Leon and Gwaine are to give their report immediately following it."

"No obvious indication, then?"

"No, and no new prisoners in the cells, so I've little hope they were successful in finding out much."

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not."

"Nor I." Arthur shook his head making his way to the door.

"Arthur, wait. We need to have that conversation I promised you in the woods, preferably before your council meeting."

"We do, but I've got a pile of reports I've ignored in my distraction the past week. You've kept your secret's this long; they'll keep a few more hours. Just do me a favor and don't be late, or I'll send George to collect you."

A weight had settled in his stomach at the mention of a council meeting. No way that was going to happen without Arthur being reminded just who, exactly, Merlin's father was.

"And what exactly do you intend to tell them about all of this?" Merlin waved his arms towards the chambers he'd been gifted, in exasperation.

"Obviously, I have to make your identity known to the court."

"You sure that's a good idea?"

"Cador and Galahad were seen arriving, Merlin. It's a miracle I've gotten by this long without addressing it."

"You know, once you drag the court into it, there's no going back."

"You've just hired a servant of your own, and you have a retinue that includes a man who is a potential heir to my throne, standing guard outside your door. We're long past the point of going back."

"That doesn't mean you need to acknowledge it to the court, just yet, Arthur. There's still a traitor, and we don't know how much Morgana knows. Announcing Cador like that could make him a target as well."

"If you can think of some other explanation for their arrival, I'll consider it. Otherwise, I've little choice in the matter."

At that Merlin nodded, as the king opened the door. "Arthur, it'd do well for you to remember that..."

"Later, Merlin." Arthur shook his head and turned out the doorway, disappearing down the hallway.

"You met my father," the warlock finished the statement quietly knowing it had fallen on deaf ears. The weight that had settled in his stomach, now feeling much heavier than it had moments earlier. He has a horrible feeling this wouldn't end well.


"…opened their borders to thousands of vermin offering them refuge. It's better to keep the evil locked behind the mountains. Gods help us all if they escape infecting the rest of our lands."

"It's a travesty Uther never found out. He'd had his head returned to Cerniw on a pike."

"The gall of that boy to hide here as a servant in the court all these years."

"Can't believe that young man is Bal's son, should have seen the resemblance it's obvious now."

"I dare say there's none here that knew the old King that didn't know that boy on sight unless they were willfully blind to it."

"Nothing willful about it, Micah, Uther claimed he'd found the infant and did away with him and his mother. Why would we question it? Dreadful. Just dreadful. It'll be right nasty if some of the other kingdoms catch wind; been biding their time for the mountain to fall to stand up to the likes us."

"Like Dyfed?"

"Especially Dyfed. We must find a way to contain this."

Arthur's stomach dropped as the heated conversation in the council chambers echoed into the hallway, and he felt his best friend stiffen as the vile words assaulted their ears. Any chance he could keep Merlin's identity from the court was gone. They already knew. From the sounds of it, they had known for quite some time, and to some, it was considered common knowledge. Livid, he debated entering the room and telling them off for keeping it from him, and yet he found he could not move, in part because the man they were discussing was standing in front of him, slightly shaking as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

"Uther was looking for an excuse to execute the boy about the same time the dragon escaped and attacked; it all makes sense now."

"Of course, he sent the boy to lure Bal here. Uther intended to execute both once the beast had been killed. He even started planning a celebratory feast."

"Why didn't he then? Balinor perished, but Uther let the boy live, and that close to Arthur? It doesn't make sense."

"Nonsense, he had no quarrel with magic until he couldn't get anyone to wield it for him. He only killed all those dragons to spite Balinor, took that beast as a trophy, just to hurt him."

"Paraded that boy like a trophy too, Balinor's boy washing his son's britches was bound to come back and haunt us."

The boy was clueless to his identity and loyal to Arthur. Evidently, Uther saw that as an advantage."

"Clueless enough to command a dragon?"

"The boy didn't kill the dragon; he let him go. Uther wasn't a stupid man; If Merlin were harmed, the beast would have been merciless. It'd have killed Arthur in retaliation, and Camelot would have fallen. Damn thing injured the prince just to prove that he could."

"That Uther allowed him to keep his head, let alone stay in Camelot, proves his whole purge was hypocrisy and a personal vendetta."

"Sounds like your loyalties lie with them, Medwyn."

"I'm Camelot born and bred through and through; you'll speak no such disrespect to me, Conrad. Rewriting history doesn't change it."

"Uther was as traitorous and ruthless to his kin as Morgana, maybe more so. Almost poetic she turned on him like she did."

"They say Uther's betrayal put Aurelianus in a similar state, died of a broken heart. Reap what you sow, I say."

"This is outrageous! I should demand both of your heads for such treasonous insolence!"

"I agree, you should have no place on this council spewing such vitriol. The dragon lord was an abomination, and his brat is no different."

The piece of information he'd been overlooking this whole time knocked the wind from his lungs as he contemplated the horror of this reality. Balinor, the dragon lord. The dragon lord was Merlin's father. "Oh my God" Arthur gasped, reaching his hand for the wall to steady himself.

That's why the name was so familiar to him. That's why Merlin was so upset when he died. Merlin's father was the dragon lord, and from the sounds of it, his father had always intended to execute him, and Merlin right beside him, when they'd returned, and Balinor had killed the dragon. Arthur felt sick, bile rising in his throat as Merlin pushed past him, angrily, and stormed off down the hallway. He knew he should go after him, but he couldn't move, as the puzzle pieces finally began to click together.

"Merlin's father was the Dragon Lord!" Arthur hissed, spinning to face the approaching physician and historian, knowing the answer, but still needing to hear it confirmed.

"Sire?" Geoffrey questioned, though, Arthur noted, he'd immediately lost much of the coloring in his face.

"Balinor, the Dragon Lord that Merlin and I went to find when the dragon attacked was Merlin's father, and the King of Cerniw?"

"It was, Sire." Geoffrey nodded as Gaius turned his gaze to the floor.

"And my father knew?" Arthur wheezed as the words left his mouth.

"Arthur, things are complicated."

"Answer the question," the King seethed.

"Yes, Arthur, he knew."

"Who Merlin was? He was aware who Merlin was?"

"Yes."

"But Merlin didn't, right?"

"No, he had no idea, I told him who Balinor was right before you left to search for him, but I did not say his father was a King."

"But you told him not to tell me!" Arthur clenched his fists, barely able to contain his fury.

"I did, Sire. If Uther found out you knew he'd have killed Merlin in his sleep if that's what it took, and dealt with you, later."

"Did you know my father was planning his execution?"

"I did."

"And you didn't warn him of that?"

"It wasn't necessary. the dragon escaped and gave your father a warning of his own."

"Do not place yourself in the position to learn the same lesson your father did years ago about how precarious kingdom's sit when his life is threatened."

Arthur swayed where he stood as the implied threat from the sorceress who started this whole mess, replayed in his mind. He'd scoffed at those words, chalking it up to hyperbole and hysterics. Clearly, that was not the case. His breakfast, once again, threatened to make a reappearance as he remembered the stench of burnt flesh and death that hung over the city for weeks after the dragon attack.

"So you betrayed my father," Arthur, hissed, violently shrugging off the old man's hands as he'd reached out to steady him. Instead, he pressed his back against the wall behind him if only to steady himself, on his own.

"I did what was right," Gaius snapped. "If that's betraying your father, then yes, I did, and not for the first time over matters such as these. He knew when I suggested Balinor I was speaking to you knowing you would go and take Merlin with you, no matter what your father said. I almost lost my head for that, and I would not hesitate to do it again. Your father and I had no secrets, and you better hope Merlin never finds those things out, because we will lose him, and I don't know that we'll get him back."

"Oh, he's heard," Arthur shook his head violently, disgusted by the old man in front of him and the secrets he'd harbored while daring to smile in their face every day.

"If that's all he's heard, he's not scratched the surface, and neither have you. I warn you not to go digging too deeply into things, Arthur. Some things are best left buried."

"You have no standing to warn me about anything," Arthur scoffed, pushing past the two older men. "I want every record, Geoffrey, every damn text about dragon lords, Balinor, and my father, on my desk, by sundown."

"Sire, your father had all such texts burned."

"Then write a new book and get it to me by sundown," the king spat as he turned down the corridor, leading to Merlin's chambers.


Uther knew. Uther knew who he was, and used him to lure his father to his murder. He knowingly let the son of a dragon lord stay next to his son. The hypocrisy was so breathtaking he nearly choked on it. If Uther knew, that meant Gaius knew. The entire time his mentor was telling him to lie to Arthur because Uther might find out, and Uther had already known. What the hell were they playing at?

He'd never condone the outcome of Kilgharrah's actions, but he finally understood his motives. Even though he'd not realized it at the time, to threaten his life was an act of war and Kilgharrah had acted in defense of his king and his kin. Nothing more, and nothing less. It was hypocritical to judge when he'd wielded the dragon as a weapon against Helios's men in much the same way to defend Ealdor and his mother. They would have escaped Arthur's uncle, even if Merlin had to expose his magic to do it, but there was no question the small army would have razed Ealdor to the ground and killed all within it, in their pursuit. Three hundred men had died that day by his command, to protect his mother and the home he'd been raised. No, he was in no position to judge.

Cador had taken one look at him and known better than to say anything as he stomped down the hallway toward his chambers. Wordlessly the Knight got out of his way and turned his attention down the foyer waiting for the confrontation that must surely be coming.

Merlin knew Arthur would come, but it was Gwaine that had immediately followed him and now stood outside the door screaming at Cador to let him pass. The telltale sound of a gauntlet hitting the floor after Cerniw's Knight wouldn't budge prompted Lucan to glance at the door apprehensively before Merlin finally opened it and put his hand up to stop Gwaine's forward progress.

"What did he do," Gwaine hissed, the furious intensity on the errant knight's face letting the warlock know in no uncertain terms, he'd have a go at Arthur, without hesitation, if that's what it took to protect his friend.

"Why do you always assume I did something" Arthur yelled, himself bounding down the hall towards the chambers, looking like hell warmed over.

"I'm sick of it Gwaine; you're not the only person who gives a damn, now back off. That's an order."

"Gwaine, leave it. Arthur, don't. Just leave me be." Merlin held his voice as calm as he was able, which admittedly, wasn't very much.

"We need to talk about this."

"And what exactly is there to say, Sire? That your father's a bastard? I knew that I just didn't realize how much of a cruel, evil bastard he truly was. To think I pitied that man," Merlin spat, turning back toward the chambers, he now called home.

"That's enough," Arthur challenged, his instinctual protection of his father sent the warlock into a blind rage and charged at him, causing the king to take a shocked step back.

"Enough? No, that's not enough. It will never be enough. I don't condone his murder, but I'm happy that murderous, arrogant, hypocritical, traitorous, tyrant, ruling from his throne of lies, is dead. In two minutes, I'm so infected by his filth; I fear I'll never be able to wash it off. If you have ever considered me a friend, just leave me be until I can regain control of myself."

Arthur struggled for a minute unsure of what he was seeing in front of him and not liking it in the slightest before he finally managed to speak without breaking eye contact. "I know my father has done some things wrong, but he's still my father, and you're in my kingdom. You will show him some respect."

"RESPECT!?" The warlock roared. "My grandfather took him in as a child and raised him, my father fought next to him with his army to win this kingdom back so you could sit on that throne, and how does Uther thank him? He hunted him like an animal forcing me to grow up never knowing who my father was and denying me my entire identity, while KNOWINGLY parading me around like a trophy, washing your socks. To then send me completely unaware as bait to lead him to his murder – and he died because of it. I couldn't even give my father a proper burial, or claim him, for fear you would find out because if you did, HE would. Except for the fact HE ALREADY KNEW! Uther Pendragon doesn't deserve an ounce of my respect, and I'll be dead before the likes of you, or anyone else, compels me to give it, so if that is your position, I will leave."

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Merlin slammed the door in his face and stormed to the window so furious his hands, and just about everything else in the room, was shaking.


Merlin is a noble. The thought was as laughable as it was offensive, and yet the spies had been adamant the lanky manservant descended from royalty. There was even talk he had a claim to Cerniw's throne if the gossip in Camelot was to be believed. She hadn't asked why Mab's contact was more interested in Merlin's death than Arthur's, but apparently, they were holding out on her, and she should have. The gossip surrounding Cerniw's knight's arrival in Camelot and their apparent connection to the manservant had intrigued her so much she'd almost felt grateful the pest had survived this time. That Mab and her son saw Merlin as a threat baffled her, how weak the Saxon's must be if kind, sweet innocent Merlin that couldn't hurt a fly, caused them so much anxiety.

No, that wasn't true. He'd hurt her plenty, hadn't he? Merlin was capable of murder, after all, she thought bitterly, pushing the memory from her mind. She'd adored him once, trusted him above just about everyone else. She had thought he was on her side, but it was always Arthur that held his true loyalties. Everybody always chose Arthur; even her father wouldn't so much as acknowledge her, for Arthur's benefit. Her best friend and maid had fallen in love with him and picked him, over her. Then they had the gall to act surprised she wanted him dead.

Running her fingers absently around the rim of the basin the manservant's image appeared in the ripples of the water, the image becoming clearer as the water stilled.

Former manservant, it seemed. He'd grown into a man since she'd seen him last. His boyish awkwardness was gone, his shoulders had broadened, he'd put on lean muscle mass, and no longer looked like he could be carried away by a strong gust of wind. It suited him. He was handsome. He always had been, in a unique way. His high cheekbones and large ears had given him an almost elfin appearance, but he was so much more now.

She'd had a crush on the servant since shortly after he'd arrived in Camelot, though she would never have admitted it to anyone, nor had she even realized that was what it was at the time. Looking back, she'd always looked for him, intentionally tried to catch his eye. Gwen teased her about it a few times, but she paid it no mind. Every man in the kingdom had wanted her but him. He'd shown her kindness and friendship but nothing more. For a long time, she'd convinced herself it was for that reason that she looked for his approval, but she knew it wasn't true. He had an ability to look at her with such intensity she'd often felt naked, that he could see through her, and when she looked back, she'd find herself mesmerized by his eyes that despite his kindness sometimes teased of something darker. She had needed him, and he'd rejected her. She hated him for it.

Letting out an audible gasp Morgana watched curiously as Merlin, and her good for nothing brother, stared at each other hatefully. Oh, how she wished she could hear what was being said. Enraged, the former servant looked so dark and beautiful and scary; it sent a jolt through her settling in the pit of her stomach. The Knights, including that Gwaine character, looked proud, of all things, as Arthur stepped backward, stunned.

Snorting with laughter at the bizarre scene she was witnessing; Morgana wondered what on earth Arthur could have done that would have turned the infuriatingly loyal manservant against him. Oh, Merlin, she thought happily. I underestimated you, what a powerful weapon against Arthur you'd make. Smiling at the thought and not even bothering to push away the attraction the sight had created within her, she let the image fade as the former servant slammed the door in her brother's face.

"He's handsome" the old woman crooned next to her, ripping her from her thoughts.

"Don't sneak up on me," Morgana hissed, walking away from the basin and crossing the room to the window.

"You care for him."

"I hate him," she muttered, "maybe more than anyone."

"Ah hate is a funny thing my dear, dirty love, yes, but love just the same."

"I don't love him."

"Don't be silly; you hate them all because you love them, if you did not, you would not care."

"What is it you're playing at, old woman, you speak as though I should forgive them, and yet you plot against them do you not?"

"No, I will secure what was taken from my children, nothing more. I do not love them, nor am I angry, so I find it difficult to care about them either way. You let such emotions cloud you."

"You seek what is mine."

"You're a woman, and you're illegitimate. You have no claim. Even after Arthur's death, there are others, including your friend there, with a stronger claim to the throne."

"Merlin?"

"Yes, my dear he is a powerful man, but I think you've always sensed that have you not?"

"Merlin? Powerful?" Morgana scoffed. Clearly, you've never met him."

"No, but I have had the unfortunate experience of meeting his father and grandfather. Neither were men to be taken lightly. It would have been better had he not survived. No matter, we'll make do, I suppose, but I wouldn't discount him. Even without his birthright, he could prove to be a powerful opponent."

"Well I happen to know him, and he's merely an inconvenience, with an incredible streak of luck."

"Such denial. No matter, the only way the people will accept you as Queen is to marry Camelot's, King. That is what we agreed, did we not?"

"You make it seem as if you are doing me a favor and yet I'm the one helping you."

"We help each other child, and we both get what we want. My husband sat on that throne before Uther did, do not forget that."

"Only because he killed my grandfather."

"All's fair in the wars of men, Morgana. Have you come closer to locating it?"

"The Ring? No, I can sense it but just barely, the further they dig the stronger it gets."

"Good." The old woman nodded departing from the room carrying a basket of herbs, leaving the priestess alone with her thoughts.

Damn that old hag; she looked forward to the moment she killed her. She needed Catigern and his army of Saxons less than she needed Mab to tell her how to use the ring. Her son could pillage and plunder every other kingdom for all she cared, but Camelot was hers. And if Merlin was the heir to her great Uncle's kingdom, then she most certainly had a claim there, too. No, she'd find the ring for the wrinkled wretch, but she'd use it to her ends.

Nobody would dare speak to her the way this old woman dared; she would teach her not to underestimate her power or her resolve. She'd break every bone in her body before giving her the reward of death, and she'd force her precious son to watch to make sure he understood who was truly in charge.