Alaia Skyhawk: If it's not already obvious, any cannon scenes with Kilgharrah in the as-yet-to-air episodes will be altered to fit with the outcome of this sub-ep. I don't know, but the way Merlin bossed Kilgharrah around in "The Crystal Cave" didn't quite fit his character the way he usually is. He's not the type to outright order someone to do something, he'd much rather ask... And yeah, I realise this stuff gives off 'Eragon vibes' but it's not deliberate... the movie version of that book made me cringe. They butchered it :S

Anyways, onwards with the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

~(-)~

Chapter 25: Dragonlord and Dragon ~Part 2~

"It seems so long ago now, that distant age where dragons were respected and revered by all. An age of magic, and balance, where those who wielded its energies were held in highest regard."

Kilgharrah's voice was soft, his eyes distant, losing himself to the reminiscence of that bygone age. The flickering light of the campfire highlighted the sadness in his expression, the regret at what was lost there to see in the way he hung his head.

Seeing that sadness, Merlin sat himself against the dragon's massive side, dwarfed by the great creature his gesture was to comfort.

"It makes me wish I could have seen it. All I've ever known is fear my magic would be discovered. I've never been able to show what I am to the world, because I would be killed for it. The only people who know and respect me for my magic are my mother, Gaius, Arthur, and Lancelot. I've never known what it's like to truly truly be myself in front of all those I protect."

Kilgharrah looked down at him, the slightest smile on his draconic face.

"Ah, but you and Arthur are destined to bring back into being such an age. If you succeed in your destiny, then one day you will get that chance." He looked down at Merlin, his eyes still sad. "Would that it be you could have seen it though, that the two of us could have flown together in the skies above the Nesting Grounds, dozens of others in the sky with us. I have travelled with many Dragonlords in all my long years, and the first was a young man not much older than you."

Merlin smiled, but his smile quickly faded as he spoke.

"Really? ...But then that would mean he'd lost his father at the same time in his life that I did."

The dragon sighed, and nodded.

"Yes, he did... It was a tragic accident, one that grieved us all. Both his father and the dragon with which he roamed, Daegrasa, were killed in a fierce storm the likes of which were almost never seen in our lands. They were thrown against the mountainside, unable to reach shelter, and fell swiftly to their deaths. It was many years before Alinar recovered from his grief, and he and I travelled together for a very long time. He was nearly eighty when he finally passed away."

Merlin pulled his knees up to his chest, staring into the campfire.

"Do you miss him?"

The dragon nodded again.

"At times, yes, but then there are always times when I find myself remembering one or another of the many Dragonlords I have called friend. My most recent such, before you, was a man called Kaelin... He was slain by Uther's men during the Purge." Merlin jolted, looking up at him again as the dragon continued "It was not long after that, that Uther tricked your father and the other Dragonlords into calling me and my bretheren to Camelot before betraying us all. The pain in Balinor's eyes in that moment, when he realised how he'd been used, is something I will always remember... He and Kaelin were good friends, and to see me chained and dragged beneath the earth is something that he too likely did not forget even up until his death."

Merlin choked, as pained emotions he'd thought were past rose and brought a lump to his throat.

"You... You knew my father?"

"I did..." Kilgharrah lowered his head, curling his neck and holding his chin near the ground so that he faced the warlock. "He was a good man, and a fine Dragonlord. Your bloodline is one of the oldest of its kind, and your family was one of the few who chose to live in the unforgiving landscape that was home to the Nesting Grounds. Despite the hardships of such a life in such a place, it brought your ancestors closer to my kind than many others could have hoped to be. Balinor was well known, for he travelled often in the company of the dragon, Celesa. She was a queen among my kind, and one of the last to be killed in the Purge. Up until then she and Balinor oft visited the Isle of the Blessed. The two of them were our representatives with the Priests of the Old Religion who dwelt there. It was likely there that your mentor, Gaius, first met him, for what he lacks in magical power he made up for in influence. He was Camelot's representative, and regularly visited the isle until the day the Purge began. The day the dragons were killed, Celesa succeeded in saving Balinor, but she died from her wounds shortly after. Balinor then escaped with Gaius' help and went into hiding, living in Ealdor until discorved by Uther and forced once again to flee."

Beside him Merlin did his best not to sob, although his tears still found their way to dot the front of his shirt. Gaius hadn't been able to tell him much about his father, other than that they were friends. He'd never thought he'd get the chance to learn as much as he just had from Kilgharrah. He could feel the last barriers of past anger falling away from between him and the dragon, this sharing of pain and memories cementing the bond between them.

He turned so that he could press his cheek against Kilgharrah's side, his tears causing the scales they touched to glitter in the light of the fire.

"Thank you, for telling me. You have no idea how much it means to me."

Kilgharrah sighed, resting his chin on the ground.

"But I do, young warlock, for your tears speak it more clearly than any words."

The two of them remained like that, the dragon watching peacefully as Merlin dozed off and drifted into slumber. Tonight they would both dream... dream of the day when the sight of a Dragonlord and Dragon in the sky would once again be looked upon with awe.

~(-)~

The first rays of sunlight came in through the windows, casting its pale glow on the long black hair of the woman sat before the mirror.

Morgana sighed, running a brush through her hair while she waited for Gwen to arrive. She didn't usually rise from bed so early, but the past few days it had been the only time she could really think. It was strange, that her resolve to do nothing to harm Camelot until Merlin's return should make her feel so peaceful. It was like a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders, and for the first time since returning here she felt like she was home.

She set the brush down with another sigh, getting up and going to the window. The dawn over the city looked beautiful, she'd almost forgotten how much she'd missed it. How many times had she stood here as a child and watched the sunrise? She couldn't say, but it never lost its beauty no matter how many times she'd seen it.

The door of the chamber opened, Gwen entering with a breakfast tray and pausing when she realised her mistress was awake. She smiled, setting it on the nearby table before lifting a small box and a letter from it.

"This arrived for you late last night, My Lady. I think it might be a late birthday present."

Morgana went over to her, accepting the box with a smile. She then sat at the table, while behind her Gwen proceeded to set out a dress for her. The box contained a pair of fine leather gloves, embroidered at the cuffs, just the sort of gift one might give to a lady who likes riding... But the letter made her blood turn cold as her eyes read the words. To any other it would seem innocent, a distant king wishing her well and apologising for the lateness of the gift, but to her the message among those words was clear.

Morgause wanted to speak to her, tonight at the Darkling Woods.

She folded the letter and set it down, glancing and smiling at Gwen when the servant came over to admire the gift. Her mind was on other things though, on the touch of panic she felt, the peace she'd begun to feel again now shattered. Merlin still hadn't returned yet, and she had no idea when he would return. What was she supposed to do?

~(-)~

"Uisce, ard agus sruth!"

The warlock's eyes burned gold, his hand outstretched towards the roiling waves as he exerted his will upon them. One wave rose higher than the others, but fell back again as Merlin lost control of it.

He started to curse, Kilgharrah observing him from the shore a short distance away. The dragon watched as he tried again, watched the warlock stood atop the spray-soaked rock, and snorted.

"This is the third day on this lesson of manipulating nature, Merlin... Are you ready for me to tell you now where you're going wrong?"

Merlin turned and glared at him, stubborn.

"I'll figure it out!"

The dragon shook his head in amusement.

"I'm sure you will, but if your lacklustre performance thus far is any indication... it might take a while. I was under the impression you did not intend to remain away from Camelot for more than two weeks, and you are into your second week already."

Merlin fell silent, frowning before reluctantly agreeing.

"Fine... Tell me."

"And what is the magic word?"

Merlin glared at him for the tease, grumbling under his breath.

"Tell me... please."

Kilgharrah laughed, ignoring Merlin's renewed glare as he answered.

"It is simple, young warlock, you have been fighting nature since you started this lesson. Read the currents and flow of the waves, and work with them rather than against them. Let their power feed into your spell, instead of trying to force it to go in a different direction."

Merlin stared at him, bemused, before turning to face the sea again, holding out his hand, and pausing for a moment with closed eyes.

"Uisce, ard agus sruth!"

This time his chosen wave did not sink back, its peak instead flowing upwards like a waterfall in reverse. It coalesced into a ball above the shifting waters, held there by Merlin's will.

Kilgharrah chuckled.

"Now that is more like it, Merlin."

Merlin turned and glared at him again.

"Sioc! ...Fleoge!"

The ball of water froze, before flying through the air to smack into the dragon like a giant snowball. Kilgharrah stared at Merlin flatly, pieces of ice melting and sliding off his face.

"So that's how you want to play it, eh?"

He coughed out a ball of fire straight at Merlin, who in his mad scramble to get out of its way fell off his rock and into the water. He surfaced, totally soaked and not amused, while the dragon proceeded to laugh at him.

~(-)~

Evening had fallen over the city, the lights in the town winking out one by one as the residents went to sleep. Arthur stood at his window, watching it, waiting for the servant tending to him to leave.

Liam folded back the covers as he always did, wishing the prince good night and smiling his gratitude when Arthur thanked him. As soon as he was gone, the prince made his move, striding to his dressing screen and gathering the clothing he needed.

Arthur swiftly got dressed, putting on his sword belt, before throwing a dark cloak over the whole outfit to make him harder to see. Morgana had seemed tense today, it was only subtle but he'd noticed it. He'd spent every moment he could legitimately use to keep an eye on her, and this was the first time in several days that something seemed to be making her nervous.

He left his chambers and slipped silently through the castle, placing himself in an alcove where he would see Morgana if she left her room. If she followed the pattern Merlin had described to him, if she was going to leave then it would be before midnight. Any later and she wouldn't have time to get back before the chance of someone noticing her absence.

He didn't have to wait long, the sorceress emerging from her chambers clothed in a red cloak. She seemed distracted, as if worried about something, so much so that she didn't glance back even once to check if she was being followed... But then, with Merlin away, she didn't know anyone else that would try to.

It didn't take her long to get out of the castle, and then out of the city, turning south through the fields towards the aptly named Darkling Woods. Those woods were notorious for their monsters, and were populated by the giant scorpions that only the brave or the foolish would try to face without magic. She clearly had no fear of those woods though, for she entered them without hesitation, still unawares of the man following her.

Arthur frowned, not liking this one bit. What was she doing out here? Did this mean another attack would soon be made against Camelot? If so then he would have to try and contact Merlin somehow, and get the warlock to return immediately. That concern only deepened in his gut, when he saw who came out of the shadows to greet Morgana in a clearing up ahead.

It was Morgause, and the sight of her both chilled and angered Arthur. This woman had tried to turn him on his father, and had later tried to kill him during the siege. It took all his will not to reach for his sword, for he knew to attack her here would be suicidal. Instead he remained in his hiding place and watched, listening.

"Welcome, sister. I trust you are well?"

Morgana nodded, hugging Morgause before answering.

"Yes, everything is fine. Why did you want to speak to me again so soon? It's risky for me to come here too often, someone might notice."

Morgause sighed, her faced creased by a faint frown.

"I need you to tell me how things are within the city. I have things I must plan, but to choose a time to set them in motion I need to know the city's status."

Morgana seemed a little surprised, before shaking her head a little and speaking.

"The city is still tense from when you came to see me; the guard has been doubled and everyone is wary. Merlin is on the alert as well, he watches me every chance he gets. He is no fool; he will see an attack coming if we are not careful. After what I did that night, he would be stupid not to."

Morgause faced her, questioning.

"What did you do?"

The dark haired woman bowed her head, averting her gaze.

"I... I tried to kill Uther, but Arthur interrupted me. He didn't see what I was doing, but it was close."

Morgause cursed.

"You fool! I warned you not to act in haste! This changes everything; the plans must be delayed for now, until Camelot lowers its guard again." She sighed in frustration. "If only that damned boy didn't keep interfering, it would be a simple matter to observe the city from a distance."

Morgana frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I have attempted many times of late to scry the castle interior, but there is too much interference. It is like a jumbled blanket of magic, masking the area and making any attempt to see past it like trying to see against the glare of the rising sun. You are living beneath it, and thus are accustomed to its presence to the point you are not aware it is there. But for I who do not, it allows me to raise only vague images. They are so blurred or disjointed that they are useless."

Morgause was agitated now, beginning to pace until her sister spoke to calm her.

"Do not worry, sister. If anything changes in our favour within the city, I will find a way to let you know." She glanced back in the direction of Camelot, Arthur ducking behind his tree. "I must be heading back, before my absence is noticed. Farewell, sister."

The two of them parted, each leaving to their own destinations, while Arthur remained where he was, utterly still. He let Morgana get far ahead of him, before he too made his way back to the city in a state of puzzlement.

Morgana had just lied to Morgause. Merlin wasn't even in Camelot right now, and yet she'd told the other sorceress that he was. And not only that, but Morgause thought Merlin was the reason she was unable to scry the city interior, but again he wasn't there to cause it... So if he wasn't the source, then who was?

~(-)~

Idly humming to himself as he worked, reading one of the pages of Merlin's spellbook, the physician nodded to himself and added one last muttered word to the large jar he held. Holding it up to the dawn light entering through the window, he then nodded in satisfaction.

Small preservation charm now applied the glass, Gaius now tipped into it the herbs he wished to ensure stayed fresh. Before he'd resumed his usage of magic, he'd forgotten how much easier it made his work as a physician. No longer did he have to deal with discovering some of his supplies had gone stale or mildewed, he simply applied the relevant spells to the containers and refreshed them every now and then. It didn't keep the herbs usable forever, but it did increase their shelf life considerably.

He placed the jar into one of his cupboards, setting it alongside several dozen others also bearing the same enchantment. He then circled the room, checking the status of the glamours he'd set up and renewing those that were starting to wear off. He was working up quite a sweat, mopping his brow with a rag as he went, before sitting down when he was done to enjoy a freshly made herbal brew.

He sighed, pleased. His workroom hadn't been like this since the days before the Purge, and he'd had to admit in hindsight that he'd missed it. He didn't know why, but the passive presence of so many enchantments always reassured him for some reason.

Turning his attention away from his charm infested chambers, he glanced at the brass dish sitting on the table in the corner. Merlin should be returning by the end of the week, but he still couldn't help but wonder what his ward was up to right now.

~(-)~

Eyes were squinted closed against the rushing wind, hands locked into a white-knuckle grip on the edges of the dragon's scales.

Merlin fought the urge to scream, as Kilgharrah executed another stomach churning flip and dive. He was throwing himself around like a leaf on the wind, all the while expecting his passenger to stay on.

Merlin tried not to retch, beginning to feel thoroughly air sick, and certainly he was starting to look at little green around the edges. Still hanging on tight, he swallowed convulsively and shouted to the dragon once he'd pulled out of the dive.

"I don't think I'm getting this! How am I supposed to move with you when I don't know what you're about to do?"

Kilgharrah soared upwards into the morning sky, shouting out joyfully in reply... He was really enjoying this.

"Listen to the soul within you, Merlin! Listen to the spirit that is brother to mine! Feel the tie between us, and with it read my every movement as if it were your own! Do not try to do it, just do it! Trust your instincts!"

He dove again, Merlin clamping a hand to his mouth in nausea. The warlock forced himself to try and ignore how ill he felt right now, focusing on finding that feeling... the one that had led him to Kilgharrah's cliff-ledge home.

The dragon continued to twist and turn, not caring in the least that Merlin was attempting to concentrate. It seemed almost an eternity for the warlock before without even thinking about it he leaned into the sudden left turn Kilgharrah made, even as the dragon made it.

He blinked, almost falling off Kilgharrah's back when in surprise he lost the feeling he'd just found. Flinging a hand out to stop himself sliding to the side, he reached out again to find that sensation that was almost like his and Kilgharrah's hearts were beating as one.

The dragon plunged downwards once again, this time the warlock whooping in exhilaration as all fear of falling disappeared. Kilgharrah began to laugh as he felt it too, climbing skywards again. No longer was Merlin merely his passenger, the young Dragonlord's spirit was now daring him to even greater acts of aerial acrobatics!

He flipped upside down, falling ground-wards in that position while Merlin held on only with his knees and his arms flung out to the winds, before spinning upright again to pull out of the dive in a tree-skimming clatter of wing beats. This was what it meant to be kin to a dragon!

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: Hehehe, picture that last scene to the music "Fighting in the market" from the season 1 OST. Merlin trying not to be sick, but then feeling on a high as if he's on the world's biggest roller coaster, just goes so well with that piece :D