Finding Merlin's dragonspeak lines on Wiki is easy, but ensuring you that they're perfect is not. Do the writers realize to figure out how hard it is to figure out what the heck Merlin is saying to the dragon? So, I attempted to put something in this story that might be correct. Don't ask my why dragonspeak is essentially in Greek.
"I'll cover our tracks, you keep going!" Merlin yelled to his friends, turning around as they headed for the mouth of the cave tunnels.
"Ω δράκον, φθέγγομαι αυ σε καλών; συ κατερχέο δεύρο!" Merlin roared. Merlin waited, but apparently Kilgarrah wasn't coming, and Southrons were advancing, so Merlin spun and headed for the caves. But then her heard it, the dragon's mighty roar as he swooped down on Agravaine.
"Take cover!
Most of the Southrons were burned alive as Kilgarrah showed no mercy breathing the deathly flames from above.
Merlin caught up with the group, who seemed very lost in the tunnels.
"Did you lose them?" Arthur asked seriously.
"It's safe," Merlin nodded hastily.
"You sure?" Arthur pressed.
"Do I look like an idiot?" Merlin asked Arthur in disbelief.
"Yes."
"Doesn't change, does it?" Merlin muttered in contempt.
"Of course he lost them, Arthur, Merlin's not completely incapable," Hermione snapped, arms crossed and mouth set in a line. Tristan and Isolde exchanged looks while Merlin's mouth went slightly agape at her short remark. Arthur's eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at her, baffled, but he chose to ignore it as there were more important matters at hand. Which would only serve to make her more upset, Merlin thought as he saw Hermione's nostrils flare in response.
"Which way now?" Arthur attempted to ask. Merlin looked around uncertainly.
"I thought you said you grew up in these tunnels," Arthur rolled his eyes, tone impatient.
"I did. Just- it could be that way."
"Or it could be that way," Arthur smiled, speaking in a tight voice.
"Yes," Merlin replied uneasily.
"That's very reassuring," Arthur looked up at the ceiling, exasperated.
The Southrons and their leader tried to come out of hiding when Kilgarrah dropped in once more, rolling flames being emitted from his mouth. Agravaine and a few lucky ones threw themselves into the tunnels, unscathed.
"So, you know Arthur?" Tristan asked Guinevere.
"I was a servant in Camelot's citadel," Gwen smiled fleetingly, wincing as she took another step.
"To Arthur?" Tristan continued, narrowing his eyes.
"No."
"So why are you here?" he asked with a frown.
"He's my King," she answered lightly.
"I can't say I've detected many kingly qualities so far," Tristan said, loud enough for Arthur to hear, who seemed upset once it reached his ears. "It also seems to me he's more than just your King."
"That's none of your business," Guinevere replied shortly.
"Maybe not," Tristan shrugged, making one more remark before he passed her up. "But you certainly don't try very hard not to make it everyone's business."
Guinevere said nothing to this, though she couldn't help but wonder just how obvious she'd been about Arthur. Or worse, she pondered sulkily, was there obvious business he'd witnessed between Arthur and Hermione too?
The very witch on Gwen's mind was examining Isolde in her peripheral vision, a little jealous of the beauty the woman beheld. She was tall, had silky long blonde hair that remained in a braid, and pretty, big eyes framed by long lashes.
"You know the King?" Isolde inquired pleasantly.
"Yes," Hermione responded, her voice a bit strained. "I was a guest in his castle many years ago... I recently returned."
"A guest to the King?" Isolde seemed to contemplate this. "So you are of noble blood? A daughter of one of the leaders of the Five Kingdoms?"
"No," Hermione replied, pretending to very interested in the cave walls. Isolde frowned, trying to figure out Hermione. Then it dawned upon her. Her pink lips twisted into a shrewd smile.
"You're that Princess, the one who came to Camelot years ago and was arranged to marry him," Isolde recalled. "I remember now. But you say you're not a daughter of a king, so it's true then. You were an imposter."
Isolde didn't seem disgusted- perhaps that was because she'd spent so many years fooling the king herself with Tristan.
"I... I was an imposter, but not to trick anyone or to do anything wicked," Hermione admitted, pushing her hair out of her face distressfully. "When I arrived here I needed somewhere to stay until I could get back home. And Merlin was the only one who could help me. I faked a title that wasn't mine, but I never planned to..."
"Fall in love with the King?" Isolde suggested casually.
"Well... yes," Hermione agreed slowly, not entirely sure how much she could trust this woman just yet. "It just... happened. I never wanted to leave. But I couldn't keep the charade going all my life. I couldn't live with myself, knowing I was lying to Arthur."
"But before you could leave, Uther figured you out and condemned you to death for using sorcery," Isolde tilted her head and narrowed her eyes, though they held no malice. "Is it true?"
Hermione bit her lip, frustrated and concerned. One by one people were digging up her secret and she couldn't avoid it. She wasn't going to lie anymore, she'd learned her lesson in that one before.
"Not to harn anyone," Hermione smiled fleetingly, some discomfort etched in her face.
"I see," Isolde said after a moment, chewing on this bit of information. "I also see your feelings for the king are not extinguished, am I right?"
Hermione said nothing. Isolde smirked smugly, but then went suddenly kind.
"I noticed that his feelings for you are strongly reciprocated, regardless of his relationship with the maid," Isolde informed Hermione in a lower voice so as not to alert their companions. "I understand the love you two share... because what happened to you, happened exactly to me. I mean, excluding lies and sorcery, but I too developed sudden feelings for Tristan. He and I were strictly business partners. We smuggled and traded, and that was it."
A faint, reminiscent smile spread on Isolde's face. "But then that relationship grew and before I knew it, we were more than partners until we were caught. We were partners for life. And still are."
Hermione stared, enchanted by the story. Isolde lowered her voice.
"If anyone would make a great queen in this rather conflicted kingdom, it would be you. We need a queen who can fight as well as the man by her side, and hell, one with magick would be even better. It's time the men in this kingdom are a little intimidated by a woman."
Isolde winked and strode past Hermione to catch up to Tristan and touch him on the shoulder. Hermione watched from behind, thinking about Isolde's words, simultaneously in awe of her unabashed femme fatale nature, and the wisdom she had offered. Perhaps all was not lost just yet with her and Arthur.
Agravaine and his men silently trailed Arthur's group. They turned when they heard scuffling.
"Shh!" Agravaine ordered, listening. He heard more noises. "That way."
Arthur and everyone with him froze as they heard movement from behind them.
"I thought you said we'd lost them," Arthur said to Merlin angrily.
"I thought I had..." the warlock trailed off, baffled.
"It won't take long for them to catch us," Tristan interrupted, gripping Isolde's upper arm protectively. Arthur's eyes flickered to Hermione, something Gwen immediately noticed.
"I'll go back." Merlin turned to trudge away.
"What are you gonna do?" Arthur demanded, becoming worried.
"Create a diversion," Merlin shrugged, chest heaving from his difficulty breathing calmly. Arthur grabbed Merlin, shaking his head of blonde hair in disapproval.
"It's too risky."
"I know these tunnels and Agravaine doesn't," Merlin pointed out. "You keep going." He handed his torch to the King.
"Merlin..." Arthur started, seeming as if he wanted to say something important but then decided against it, "don't do anything stupid."
"Me?" Merlin grinned, trying to cheer up Arthur. Before Arthur could object any further, Merlin turned away again and left for good. Arthur watched after, conflicted, but then revolved to keep going in the opposite direction. Hermione was going to pass Arthur when he stopped her, his gloved hand around her wrist. She staggered back involuntarily, frowning.
"Guinevere's going to get suspicious," she said flatly. She fixed her gaze to the tunnel wall so she wouldn't have to meet Arthur's eyes, stubborn. He gently forced her to look at him, hand on her chin, and leaned in to press his lips to hers. Hermione couldn't stop her eyes from closing before he pulled back slowly.
"Don't be upset," he told her quietly, a small smile on his face. "I know you're bothered about Guinevere, but remember this: she doesn't hold the smallest fraction of my affections as you do."
Hermione gazed into his eyes that burned in the torch-light and melted unwillingly.
"You're quite adorable when you pout though," he teased softly.
She rolled her eyes and trudged ahead, arms crossing firmly over her chest.
"Come on, I don't plan on dying today, especially not at Agravaine's hand," she told him in a tough voice.
He grinned at her retreating form, glad to see Hermione back to normal.
Merlin sidled along the tunnel walls as he heard Agravaine's party approach. Taking a deep breath, he stuck his foot out past the corner and brought his body with it.
"Oh, hello!" he said loudly, confidently. Agravaine and his men dashed after Merlin, who ran into a dead-end and looked around hastily for an exit. There was none.
"Merlin," Agravaine called to him as he came forward slowly. "Merlin?"
Merlin reluctantly faced the traitor.
"Where's Arthur?" Agravaine pressed. Merlin shook his head lightly.
"Be careful," he warned Agravaine in a low voice. Merlin shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to have to do anything drastic.
"Tell me," Agravaine demanded, less calm. "Now. Or I'll have to kill you."
Merlin shook his head again, almost sadly. He really didn't want to hurt anyone...
"I don't think so," he replied calmly.
Agravaine took a step forward and Merlin's eyes flashed a fiery yellow, throwing Agravaine and his men back. He stepped forward, ready to leave when Agravaine stirred and gasped. He sat up slowly and gaped at Merlin.
"You have magick," he accused in bewilderment. Merlin looked down at the man, then lifted his chin up almost regally.
"I was born with it," he stated in a cool voice. Agravaine was able to stand by that point.
"So it's you," the light bulb went off in his head. "You're Emrys."
"That is what the Druids call me," Merlin confirmed in a stiff voice.
"And you've been at court all this time, eh?" Agravaine seemed amazed. "At Arthur's side. How you've managed to deceive him... I am impressed, Merlin. Perhaps we're more alike than you think."
Agravaine held out a hand to Merlin, almost a peace-offering, like Merlin was a comrade in arms. But Merlin's arm stretched out stiffly, palm facing Agravaine, who understood the meaning immediately. Agravaine feigned submission and Merlin lowered his arm, almost relieved, when Agravaine whipped out a knife to attack. This time both of Merlin's arms came up and he blasted Agravaine back, hard. Morgana's ally flew back again, this time hitting the ground and going still completely. Merlin pressed his lips together, a cold expression on his face as he stared down on the men he'd killed.
Never before had he worn such an expression, and it was quite terrifying. He retreated to find his group, heart clenched.
He'd used his magick to kill someone. He'd killed in cold-blood, without mercy, unforgiving.
Though no one else might notice, Merlin could sense what little was left of his innocence leaving his body... for good.
Arthur stopped in place, turning as he heard something.
"What are you doing?" Tristan asked in annoyance.
"Sh!" Arthur glared, hearing more rocks being kicked around. Everyone looked up.
"Merlin," Arthur said, concerned.
"He knows the tunnels," Tristan told Arthur. "He'll find his way."
"I'm going back," Arthur ignored Tristan, striding away.
"For a servant?" Tristan asked in genuine shock, watching after the retreating king.
"You're wrong about him," Hermione said simply.
Tristan's eyebrows twitched down when he looked at her, and Isolde smiled to herself.
Arthur prepared to strike at the approaching figure as he hid around the corner, heart pumping with adrenaline. He jumped out and Merlin staggered. Arthur lowered his defenses.
"Merlin!" Arthur said, then straightened up and feigned indifference. "Where have you been?"
"Were you worried about me?" Merlin tilted his head with a smirk.
"No," Arthur said too quickly. "I was making sure we weren't being followed."
"You came back to look for me," Merlin crossed his arms.
"All right, it's true," Arthur said in a voice that sounded very sincere. "I came back because you're the only friend I have and I couldn't bear to lose you."
"Really?"
Arthur spun on his heel to walk off.
"Don't be stupid," he called back. Merlin smiled and followed.
The travelers soon made it out of the tunnels to the other side of the mountain. Tristan supported Isolde as Arthur winced from his ribs. Hermione almost reached out to comfort him but stopped herself.
"So, where now?" Tristan questioned Arthur, a tone of sarcasm in his voice, and bitterness.
"To the plains beyond the mountains," Arthur said firmly.
"You sure?" Tristan asked, slightly mocking. "That's Lot's kingdom. He's no friend of the Pendragons."
"Well, maybe we could find somewhere here," Guinevere suggested. "A house where we could rest."
"We're fugitives, a danger to anyone who harbours us," Tristan spoke.
"He's right. We must travel back towards Camelot," Merlin agreed.
"No, we need to keep going," Arthur disagreed hotly.
"If we hold up in the Forest of Essetir, we'll be safe at least for a while," Merlin tried to convince Arthur.
"No."
"If anyone has survived this battle, that's where they'll be hiding," Merlin added.
"I know which I'd do," Tristan said lightly. "You're the king, Arthur. You're our leader..."
Arthur frowned, thinking and annoyed by Tristan's comments.
"All right. Forest of Essetir it is," Arthur said begrudgingly.
Tristan smirked in satisfaction as they all walked down the mountain path. As Hermione was passing Tristan she looked at him coolly.
"You know, he's doing the best he can," Hermione said, calm and yet a chastising tone to her voice. "Instead of making snide comments, you could get over your hatred towards Arthur so we can find safety as quickly and efficiently as possible. You're not helping, and we're going to be stuck around each other for who knows how much longer, so you should get over it quickly."
She stalked past him, and he watched after her in disbelief. Isolde smiled up at him as they moved.
"Don't say anything harsh," she told Tristan. "She's right. And besides, she and the king are more similar to you and I than you think."
Tristan frowned at her mysterious comment but said nothing, thoughts of this girl, Hermione, and the man he had to call his King clouding his mind and maybe even reshaping his opinions.
