"What You Do" (Rose)

The door creaks as I push it open and slip through, Merlin placing the weapon he took onto his bed. "I didn't think you wanted that for show," I mention. He doesn't take his eyes off the thing, furrowing his eyebrows in deep thought. I saunter over, kneel on the floor across from him, and stare at the object as well. "Can you hear it?" I whisper. A startled look crosses Merlin's face. He slowly waggles his head, eyes widened with anxiety. "Good," I nod once, "Me either."

He softly laughs, "Thanks ... I needed that."

"I know," I nod again, and there is a gap in the conversation, full of tension, but not in between us. "You're going to do it then?"

"He told me how the weapons forged in the ways of the Old Religion, and explained that if I controlled the power within the blade, I would be strong enough to slash through his bonds," he fills me in.

"I see."

"You think I shouldn't because of the visions," he derives.

"I think what you do is entirely up to you. I don't really have a say," I grant.

"Please," his eyes are ample with petition, "I have to know that I'm doing the right thing."

"Merlin," I sigh, "I cannot choose your path, and I cannot tell you what will happen when you find your way. What you do stems from who you are, and it molds your life. You are a good person- a kind soul. I do not doubt that you have the highest of intentions behind the ideas you conjure. I think ... some things woven in time, you cannot refute. Perhaps, this is one of them. I also think that you know there is no way around this."

"You're right," he exhales noisily, "As usual."

I push the hilt of the blade nearer to him, "Now, you mustn't keep a dragon waiting. I hear they can be hotheaded."

He manages a smile and small chuckle, "No matter what happens, please do not think me a fool."

I stride over to him, "I couldn't … even if I made the greatest of efforts," I hug him soothingly. He returns my embrace, and then sets off on another to tackle another issue of fate.

"Duty" (Merlin)

I am set to fulfill my promise and do my duty for the second time today.

He meets me with eagerness when I enter his cavern. "The time has come, young warlock," addresses the beast.

We survey each other for a brief moment. "Where will you go?"

"I am the last of my kind," he says sadly, "There is but one road I can take."

I don't particularly like the sound of that statement. "What does that mean?" I ask with distrust.

"You will see," he declares darkly in a hushed tone.

There's no going back now, so I yield and produce the sword from the cloth. I cautiously descend to the chain using the winding stone staircase off the edge of the cliff I would always stand on when seeking the dragon's council. When I take my place, I set down the torch, wield the sword, and decide to try to prevent the visions from the crystal from coming true. "Before I do this," I speak, attempting to seem authoritative, "You promise me that you will not harm Camelot."

"I think there have been enough bargains," he refuses. "Don't you?"

I have no choice but to trust him. I have no way of getting out of this now. I position the sword, recite the enchantment, feeling the power build up inside of me, and cut straight through the metal. The Great Dragon roars ferociously, rearing his head, as I watch in fear struck awe as he takes off in flight. I can only hope that he takes his leave from this land, but something deep inside keeps me from truly believing that.