Chapter 17 [Chantry—Camelot]

[A/N: Flashback takes place during "The Last Dragon Lord" (Season 2)]

Arthur wandered the citadel's passages. Lament and Outrage screamed in his mind. Protest bubbled and frothed against his lips. He'd proceeded through the motions that day. He'd overseen the knights' training though absent eyes. He ate without appetite. He could care less.

His heart wailed like a girl…it screamed for Gwen….

His mind screeched like vengeful banshee…it railed against Merlin…

He didn't even bother to look over his shoulder. He knew his shadow, Sir Oswald, lingered down the passage. He knew his father had guarded against an escape and flight from the city.

It's so unfair! I did not ask to be Prince! He pushed the doors open. His boots pounded beats across the varnished floor underfoot. His eyes drank in the rather nondescript area. Other than a raised platform where Geoffrey of Monmouth himself would recite the vows, not a chair or detail sat in that place.

Whitewashed just as Uther wanted to do to his heart.

I cannot have Gwen. Why ever not? She has done enough for Camelot! Arthur leaned against a wall. His blue eyes narrowed. He recalled Gwen's stature when Strife threw all to blazes. He watched as she took the bull by the horns. She worked forges to make weapons. She rallied hearts and minds. She was not even afraid to scold the Prince himself. Self-Sacrifice came to her without Hesitation's stumbles. She readily jumped into the fray…

…at Ealdor…

…against the stone gargoyles…

…against the Great Dragon….

…taking Morgana's place and allowing her mistress to avoid danger…

…her blessed kiss breaking a spell. It restored his heart and soul…

Five times, Gwen had served Camelot in extraordinary ways. Each time, she asked for nothing in return. Each time, she insisted it was her duty. But her eyes would sparkle at him.

The Capability Laws dictated only three such acts to prove worthiness…a fact Uther ignored….

She is worthy! Arthur smacked the wall. He curled his lip. Who else could do what she does?

Realization struck him hard at that moment. His mind broke through its own self-imposed block.

Merlin…

He is an idiot! He bumbles and stumbles. How can…? He rubbed his head. He thought of how many times Merlin had followed him into battle. When everyone else had backed away, Merlin had watched his back. He risked his own neck as Gwen did and more. Even when orders dictated otherwise, Merlin insisted on being his shadow, his companion and brother in arms….

…even holding the torch for Gwen and Arthur at risk to his own neck…even protesting the marriage to Camelot's Finest Woman….

…all for his Prince and Brother…

"I am the idiot." Arthur slid to the floor. "How did I not see that?" He smacked the wall again.

And now…finally now…you understand, Arthur Pendragon…

The doors slammed shut sealing them in.

Arthur sprang to his feet. He looked around. His sword waved about in the air. "Show yourself!"

Put that away, Boy! Balinor floated into view in front of him. Instead of the tattered forest garb, he now wore his Nemeth knight's chain mail and "Do you remember me?"

Arthur stared. Disbelief widened his eyes, paled his face and slacked his jaw. "You're that Dragon Lord. But you're dead!"

"I am dead. Aye. I saved your life and Merlin's. You remember that? I also gave the means to save this place," Balinor clarified.

"We had to stand up to that beast by ourselves!" Arthur protested.

Balinor coughed. "How little you know, Mighty Prince. Merlin stopped Kilgarrah not your knights or you."

"Merlin? Stop a dragon?" Arthur scoffed. "Nay. Can't be!"

"Oh but it is." Balinor maintained his temper. "He and Kilgarrah are brethren much as Kilgarrah and I were brothers. Your father used me to trap him under this citadel." He waved his hand.

And Arthur saw what happened….

[Standoff]

Merlin stood alone. The knights lay scattered across the clearing. Smoke and Char irritated his eyes and nostrils. He looked down at Arthur.

After Arthur had stabbed Kilgarrah with a spear shot, the Great Dragon's tail bludgeoned the Prince into unconsciousness.

Kilgarrah loomed over Arthur now. His eyes considered Arthur. Vengeance burned demanding the Prince's death.

Merlin sat up on the ground. His father had advised him to find the shared voice…the one between Dragon Lord and Dragon Kin. He focused inward. And then, he growled, "DRAIGON, NON DE LA KAI! NON DE LE MISS! KALIS!"

Kilgarrah struggled. Merlin's command short circuited his actions. In fact, they paralyzed him. He bowed his head.

Merlin considered the spear. He picked it up and considered its weight in his hand. He considered the dragon in front of himself.

I am the last of my kind, Merlin. Whatever wrong I have done, do not make me responsible for the death of my noble breed, Kilgarrah braced himself for the mortal blow.

Merlin pointed the spear at Kilgarrah. "GO! LEAVE! IF YOU EVER ATTACK CAMELOT AGAIN, I WILL KILL YOU! I SHOW YOU MERCY! NOW YOU MUST SHOW THE SAME TO OTHERS!"

Kilgarrah stood to his full height. He looked the newly-minted Dragon Lord over in a new way. Relief offered Perspective's insight. Young Warlock, what you have shown is what you will be. I will not forget your clemency. I'm sure our paths will cross again. With that, he flapped his wings and took off into the night.

[Camelot]

Arthur shook his head. His eyes grew wider. He'd seen the unbelievable.

Merlin had driven the Great Dragon away by himself. He'd saved his Prince's life yet again. He'd saved Camelot. He'd earned his spurs but had said nothing. "I…"You are a Dragon Lord! How did Merlin do that! That link would have to be passed." Arthur struggled to understand.

"Aye. Just as your father would pass the kingdom to you. Just as a hereditary title and estate is passed from father to son. So is the link passed." Balinor sighed.

"Merlin is your son?" Arthur gaped. "But Hunith and he are peasants! They lived in squalor in Ealdor."

Balinor hissed through his teeth. "I did not know about Hunith's pregnancy or about Merlin until we met, Pendragon. I was set to bring her to Whitgate and marry her. She would have had the life she deserves. Uther's threat drove me into hiding. I could not risk bringing war to Nemeth because of your father's bigotry. Rodor and Taene protested my choice. I could not risk them or Princess Mithian. I stole away like a thief in the night."

"And your armor?" Arthur considered Balinor's garb.

"I was a knight of Nemeth. My place is Merlin's by right. He has proven himself to Camelot. As for what I say, King Rodor and Lord Blumenwald will support my account. Princess Mithian herself has seen tonight for herself. He is more than a servant. Allow him to be that," Balinor revealed.

Arthur shook his head. If Blumenthal or Rodor verified it, Merlin would have every right to be dubbed a knight and made noble. He wanted to deny the whole thing. Still, Hypocrisy stank all about himself. "All right. My father will object."

"Take care. Nothing must happen to Merlin by Uther's hand, Arthur. You owe him and me that much. When you see Nemeth next, ask about my peerage with discretion," Balinor instructed.

"All…right." Arthur rubbed the back of his neck. He knew he'd need an excuse to ride for Whitgate. Given Rodor's hostility toward Camelot and his father, he'd need a reason to speak with King Rodor. "I will need passage through Nemeth."

"Aye. I am sure you will think of something." Balinor disappeared from view.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I'll think of something. Now I see where Merlin gets it from." Then Inspiration came to him. He glanced toward the west. "Maybe he and I can ride out of here?" He pulled himself to his feet.

Sir Oswald pushed the door open. "Prince Arthur! Are you all right? The door was jammed."

"Was it? I did not notice." Arthur sheathed his sword. "I have to go to my desk." He walked out and back toward the royal apartments.

He was about to draft a fateful document….one he never thought he would do….