"Did she tell you that?" Balinor approached him, making Merlin frown.
"Gaius said…"
"Merlin… I'm sorry" Balinor put a free hand on his shoulder "I'm sure you're a great young man, but I'm not your father. I told her she could use that story if need be, but I believed… I believed I would be long dead by then"
"S-so you're – You're not my father" Merlin looked down.
"I'm not" Balinor said, but used the hand on the boy's shoulder to lift his head, looking him in the eyes "But anyone would be proud to be, don't doubt that"
A sudden noise made by Arthur's approach stopped the conversation at that point.
•••
"Can you tell me about the Dragonlords?" Merlin asks once Arthur is asleep and they are sitting near the fire.
"As you know, I'm the last of my kind" Balinor started, hands busy carving a piece of wood "But before, we used to be in all of the kingdoms"
"All? How can you be sure?" Merlin asked in curiosity
"Dragonlord is not only a power but a title" the man continued, "It was given to the king's advisor as a means of protection while not giving the king too much power. Those who abused it were punished by the old religion, and once a new king stepped up, the advisor passed on the power to the next"
"What if they wanted to hold onto it?" the boy questions, eyes trained on Balinor as he takes in every bit of the story.
"They would not. Those whom the power accepted were only men of honor who had the best interest of the kingdom in heart. If not, they would not be able to use the ability," Balinor explained, "It was many times used to judge the character of those who sat beside the king"
"How is it passed on?" He wonders aloud.
Balinor chuckles slightly at the boy's never-ending questions.
"A simple spell, performed out of free will to pass on the powers to their successor" he explained "But you never know for sure if it's accepted you until you face your first dragon"
"Balinor" Merlin called tentatively "Do you – know who my father is?"
"I do" The man admitted "But that is not my secret to tell, boy"
Merlin nodded in understanding. The conversation lasted a few more minutes before sleep claimed both.
Merlin was glad for his acquired sword skills when they were attacked on the way back and he was able to hold his own without resorting to magic. Somehow, it made him feel proud of himself. It meant that even if he ever lost his magic, he would not be helpless.
As they approached the castle, there was something akin to dread on the bottom of Merlin's stomach. Uther had hunted and killed every last Dragonlord but this one, what if they were riding the man toward his death?
He had no more time to ponder as they arrived and were led to the council room.
"Balinor" Uther stood from his chair
"Pendragon" The name sounded like an insult in the Dragonlord's mouth "I am surprised, no spears or swords pointed at me? You must be desperate"
"That I am, old friend" Uther lowered his eyes slightly, the sight of the man bringing a familiar pain to his chest.
"Don't," Balinor warns the king "You lost the right to call me a friend when you ordered to have me killed"
Uther nods once, face not betraying the emotions behind it.
"If that is so, why have you come?" The king feared a worst attack if Balinor were to command the dragon, but would like to believe in a better outcome.
"This young man" Balinor clasped Merlin on the shoulder "Can be very persuasive" A trait he no doubt acquired from his mother "I do not know what your kingdom has done for him to earn such loyalty, but you had better be grateful. I would not have come otherwise"
"We are" Uther agrees, "You will ride with my knights at sundown to the field by the castle, to kill the dragon"
"I will accompany them" Arthur insists "Merlin, make sure the horses are ready to leave"
•••
They are in their horses, Balinor surrounded by knights, when tragedy strikes.
They do not see the arrow until it has lodged into the man's heart. Someone screams traitor, but Merlin cannot convince himself to pay attention as he drops down from his horse, running to the man on the ground.
"Balinor!" He kneels down next to the man "You'll be fine; we need you to be fine"
"You mother" his words are cut by a cough that makes blood spill on his clothes. The arrow deep into his chest "would n-not like you to tell l-lies"
"Please" Merlin looks around, the guards are distracted with the search for the shooter and not looking at them "I can save you, I can –"
"It's my time t-to go" Balinor puts a hand over the boy's, both around the arrow, and looks into his eyes "íc néadhæs unásecgendlíc sylfum ealdgecynd hálignes áflíewe cíese edsceaft ealdhláford. Dracaan béo sincgiefa oþ dihte!"
Belinor's eyes shine gold and Merlin's soon follow as the spell takes hold.
"Be brave" Balinor mutters.
As the gold recedes from the older man's eyes, his body goes limp in the boy's arms.
And here's how I kicked the dragonlord tradition in the butt. Sorry about that (or not)