Prologue
Authors Note: Hi guys! Please don't mind any spelling and/or grammar errors, as am currently unbeta'd. This story will end up Arthur/Merlin, so if you don't like it, please don't read, you have been warned! Comments will be welcomed, but please no flames!
Disclaimer: Merlin and its characters do not belong to me
It was a clear night in Camelot; the moon was almost full, and the stars were shining brightly. It was the kind of night where the slightest sound could be heard. In the lower town, most were already asleep, only a lonely drunk staggered back from the tavern. In the castle, the nobility and servants slept, while the guards kept watch. All was peaceful tonight, despite there being a convicted sorcerer in the cells.
A thin beam of moonlight slipped between the curtains and landed on the floor of Prince Arthur's chambers. Unlike the rest of the castle's inhabitants, however, Prince Arthur was not asleep. Instead, he was crouched beside the servant's entrance, dressed in a set of old clothes. Deciding that it was safe, he opened the door and slipped out.
Navigating through the castle was easy – he had been using this route for years. Arthur slipped past the dungeon guards while the shift changed, and entered the tunnel, lighting a torch as he went. Slowly but surely, the air (which, despite being in the middle of summer, was relatively cool down in the dungeons) became almost frigid, his breath appearing before him in small clouds.
Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, Arthur stepped out of the tunnel into a giant cavern, which looked like it extended under the entire castle and most of the higher town.
"Welcome, young Princeling," a voice rang out from the shadows.
"Still hiding in the dark then, Kilgharrah?" Arthur returned.
Chuckling, the golden dragon landed on the rock before him, crossing his front legs in the process.
"He is coming, and soon your shared destiny will begin." Kilgharrah stated.
"And yet you still won't give me a name," Arthur hummed.
"What would be the fun in that? Besides, I have already told you his name – several times, in fact."
"You speak of Emrys? The Druidic prophecy?"
"Indeed. The time of Emrys is now upon us, and in time, the prophecy of the Once and Future King will be fulfilled." That said, the Great Dragon spread his wings and flew off back into the depths of the cavern.
"Still the same as ever, talking in riddles," Arthur sighed, before turning and heading back into the castle.