A/N: Thank you for the review, follow and favourite.
Kilghara had been free for two days and three nights and he was in rage. He had been attacking Camelot for the last few days and it was difficult for everyone. It was the third night and Arthur, and Rose were leading the knights up the castle wall. "I know your tired but make one last effort for me! Every arrow must count," said Arthur. They all got low so that they were standing behind the pillars. Rose looked at her friend who was flying towards them. He had attacked everyone in Camelot except her and that hadn't gone completely unnoticed, but Gaius saved her bacon by telling everyone that dragons don't go for children. This is how she had ended up on the battlement with all the knights. Merlin came and gave Arthur his fiery cross bow.
"I'm sorry you're having to do this," said Merlin.
"Why? You're not blame," said Arthur. Rose pulled him so he was behind the pillar and safe. Kilghara flew down and approached them "flame up". The knights light their arrows.
"Kilghara be careful" said Rose into his head as he flew down.
"Don't worry about me young one these puny humans can't get the better of me" said Kilghara into her head.
"Stay strong! For tonight is not your night to die, I will make sure of that! Hold firm! Hold! Hold! Now!" said Arthur.
Everyone sent fired crossbows at him and they all missed him. He breathed fire at them, and they all ducked. She watched as Kilghara looked in her eyes and he nodded at her before flying up. He circled the square from above his eyes were full of anger and rage. Rose and Arthur ran into the square.
"Clear the square," shouted Rose. She saw that Gwen was getting water from the well and looked up to see that Kilghara was making an attack. So did Arthur.
"Gwen" called Arthur. She looked at him and then looked up. Gwen's eyes looked at the dragon and began to run "Guinevere!". They both ran over to Gwen. She was hoping her presence would get him to fly up.
"Stop!" shouted Rose. However, he did notice but rather than stop he sent a magic that blasted her out of the way to stop her getting in the way, she got up and stood between Arthur and Kilghara "Stop, fly up and circle but do not hurt these people". Kilghara stared at her before going up into the sky again to circle, she wasn't expecting it work. Rose looked up again to see that Arthur and Gwen were on the floor, they were staring at her. She ran over to them and helped them up.
"Come on" said Rose. They walked inside together. Gwen patched up Arthur as Rose went over to see Gaius and helped him with the wounded.
The next day she woke up and helped however she could. She ended up in Uther's chambers with everyone discussing the damage of last night.
"The number of deaths 49 men, 27 women, a further 18 women and children are unaccounted for" said Arthur officially.
"On a lighter note, most of last night's fires are all out however the castle walls in particular the western section is close to collapse," said Rose. Uther nodded his head as a thanks for the information.
"Is there any idea of how the beast escaped" asked Uther. This was all his fault, what did he think was going to happen after keeping such a creature locked up and isolated, he caused Kilghara so much pain and anguish. Leon stepped forward.
"No sire, still no idea," said Leon. Rose looked to Merlin who looked guilty and pale.
"There must be a way to rid ourselves of this aberration, Gaius?" said Uther.
"He seemed to stop what it was doing when Rose told him to stop, maybe we should her get to reason with it," said Arthur. Uther looked surprised and looked across to Rose suspiciously before looking across Gaius to get an answer.
"Gaius?" questioned Uther.
"We need a dragon lord, sire," said Gaius.
He looked at Rose and then looked at Uther "The dragon is very fond of young however Rose alone will not answer our problem".
"You know that is not an option Gaius," said Uther. Rose eyed Gaius again did know something they didn't.
"Sire say that one survived" said Gaius. Uther looked at Gaius with suspicion, but Gaius just looked back like nothing was wrong. She would bet on all of Morgana's dresses that it was him that got the dragon lord out of Camelot.
"What are you saying?" said Uther.
"It could be just a rumour," said Gaius.
"Go on" said Uther with interest. Rose couldn't help but find herself hanging on Gaius's every word the more he spoke. Kilghara had spoken of dragon lords before and it was interesting to hear one was alive.
"I'm not exactly sure, but I think his name is Balinor," said Gaius. A massive amount of anger came at Rose about Balinor it had been this dragon lord that had tricked poor Kilghara into his life as a prisoner. Then she thought maybe Uther tricked Balinor. Either way Uther had a lot to answer for. Rose left the room and went to Gaius's chamber she picked up a book and started to read it.
Not long after both Gaius and Merlin came in after her. Merlin started to pack while Gaius stood nervously at his desk. This made Rose stop and pay attention to the room because it was rare that Gaius looked nervous. Even when he had patients with limbs missing, he would be calm. So Rose wondered what was causing this nervousness.
"Who were the dragon lords?" asked Merlin.
"They were men that could tame dragons and were kin to them" said Rose.
"How do you know?" asked Merlin. Rose looked at him and smiled.
"I have been seeing Kilghara every day in the evenings since I arrived in Camelot" said Rose.
"Is that why he refuses to hurt you and actually listens to you" asked Merlin.
"Potentially" said Rose. Gaius turned to face Rose he looked nervous still.
"This Balinor, how did he escape" asked Merlin.
"I helped him" said Gaius with a smirk. He pointed to two chairs that were at the desk "sit I need to talk to you both". They did as they were told confused about his serious face and expression. "Did Hunnith ever mention Balinor to you".
"No why" said Rose.
"She took him in, twice the first time is when he first escaped and the second time was when he got news your mother was ill, she wasn't" said Gaius. So Hunnith knew him, why hadn't she mentioned him once?
"Why didn't my mother tell me any of this?" said Merlin.
"I promised I wouldn't speak of it" said Gaius.
"Of what" asked Rose.
"I am sorry you had to be told but it has to be done, Balinor is both your father" said Gaius. Rose stared at him with a shocked expression no, Balinor was not her father. He couldn't be.
"Our father, your mistaken my mother was faithful" said Rose.
Merlin attempted to put a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it away. If she was Balinor's daughter did that mean he had been around before she was conceived and met her mother. This didn't make sense.
"You are Hunnith's daughter, Many years ago when Balinor escaped he fell in love with Hunnith and he had to flee to stop Uther's men getting him, about 11 or 12 years ago he got told that Hunnith was ill, he arrived at Ealdor and they reunited but unfortunately he had to flee again before he could find out he had a son, you were born nine months later but Hunnith didn't know what do with you two, people were already suspicious of an unmarried woman with a son, for another child to turn up that would be too suspicious especially when Uther would send his men to Ealdor" explained Gaius Rose stared at him her mouth wide open the shock was over powering she wanted his to stop talking, her whole life was a lie. "Will's mother Grace died and the baby had died as well, she decided to pass you off as Will's sister and send for sir Thomas, both Merlin and Will were too young to know any difference".
"Merlin's my brother?" asked Rose. She stared between Gaius and Merlin in complete shock, her whole life had been a lie her shock was easing and it was being replaced by a rising anger.
"Yes, he is" said Gaius. She looked at Merlin who didn't seem shocked he seemed concerned at how she was going to react. This made her feel even angry and upset.
"You knew, you knew I was your sister, when did you find out!" shouted Rose.
She got up so she was on her feet.
"I only found out last year, remember when our mother was ill" said Merlin.
"You have known for a whole year that I was your sister and you said nothing! My whole life has been a lie!" shouted Rose. She slammed her hand on the table, "this makes so much sense, I never looked like Will, I looked like Merlin, Hunnith always treated me like her own" she put her hands to her face, how could she have been so stupid. "when I was taken by Hengist, Lancelot said I looked like Merlin with short hair". She stared at both men feeling angry, hurt and a new feeling came in abandoned.
"Hunnith didn't want the village to get suspicious, at that time Uther would send men into Ealdor just look for him" said Gaius. Uther was an evil person he had used magic to stop his name dying with him then after the old religion doing its job he executes everyone he thinks in a magical being, kills all the dragons except Kilghara who imprisoned and then he attempted to kill everyone that could control the dragon then would send his men to attack a village not even in his kingdom. Rose couldn't take any more of this she ran from the room before anyone could stop her. She got to the lower town before she stopped and moved herself until she was behind a house.
"Aswindan ae Ealdor" said Rose. She yet again had that feeling of flying away until she landed on the outskirts of Ealdor.
She walked into the village. Hunnith approached her and seeing her look on her face took her straight to her house for a cup of tea. Rose sat in silence for a while, Hunnith made tea and gave Rose a bowl of berries.
"You're my mother" said Rose. It wasn't a question it was a statement. Hunnith went pale and sat down opposite her.
"It is true, yes I am your mother" said Hunnith.
"I don't blame you" said Rose.
"Wait, what?" said Hunnith looking up to face her. Rose took Hunnith's hand and held it, she couldn't be angry with her she was her mother and she had always treated her like she was her daughter. She was upset about the lying the fact her whole life was a big fat lie.
"I am angry with Uther, I am upset that my whole life has been a lie, but I can't blame you, you were in an impossible situation" said Rose. They talked for a long time after this until nightfall. She had told Hunnith everything about Morgana, her destiny with Mordred, her destiny with Gwen, the uncertainty of the fact that Mordred is destined to kill Arthur and finally the dragon lord stuff. Once they had finished talking, she fell asleep at the fire completely exhausted by the day's events.
Next day she awoke and got herself ready to go again. She sat at the table to eat the porridge Hunnith had put out for her.
"So, what are you going to do now?" asked Hunnith.
"I am going to find Balinor and get Kilghara sorted out" said Rose. She was feeling a load better than she had done the day before. She had a purpose now which was to help Kilghara her winged friend. She worried about him, what if they managed to hurt him while she was away. She ignored that thought.
"Be careful, Arthur must not find out who your father is, the children of a dragon lord could be seen as suspicious" said Hunnith.
"Okay, also it makes it easier the fact everyone believes I am not related to Merlin, even though we look so similar at times" said Rose. She finished her bowl and pushed it away from her. She got up and hugged Hunnith.
"Be safe my child" said Hunnith. Rose nodded before stepping back and going back to the outskirts of Ealdor to do the spell to Balinor.
"Aswindan ae Balinor" chanted Rose. Yet again she felt the sensation that she was flying but this one didn't feel right she hadn't had chance to shut her eyes so all she could feel and see was a dizzying blur. She landed ungracefully on her front on the floor of a cave. She looked up and quickly regretted it the dizzy feeling 10 times worse.
"Can I help you" asked a man.
"I have come to find Balinor, for help with Kilghara" said Rose weakly. She attempted to look up again.
"I am the man you ask for, what has happened" said Balinor. He helped her to sit up and she was sat against the cave wall. She felt like she was going to faint.
"I feel like I am going to faint" said Rose she then felt Merlin's magic nearby "I can sense someone nearby, hide me" she looked up again and everything went black.
She awoke sometime later it was dark in the cave and she was confused. She could feel like magic was everywhere and it was magical. She felt ten times better than she had done so before.
"Your awake good" said the man coming over to her with a drink of water.
"How long have I been out" asked Rose.
"Since yesterday afternoon, the Aswindan spell shouldn't be used to soon after each other and also you are meant to shut your eyes, as high priestess I assumed you would know that" said Balinor.
"First how did you know it was Aswindan spell and how do you know I am a high priestess" asked Rose.
"You landed in my cave out of nowhere usually that is the Aswindan spell and you can sense magic, which is what high priestess's can do, now question time over we are going to Camelot" said Balinor. Rose nodded and got up.
"I'm Rose" said Rose. They walked out of the cave and followed the tracks. They walked until they caught up with Merlin and Arthur. Balinor stepped on a stick and then Rose stepped on a stick. Merlin and Arthur picked their swords and walked forwards. Rose and Balinor followed them, Merlin turned and around and gasped when he saw them both.
"Careful, boy, I believe this belongs to you, and I thought you might need some help" said Balinor pointing at Rose. She stepped forward and hugged Merlin.
"This is dangerous country" said Rose.
"You'll return to Camelot with us" asked Arthur stepping forward he wrapped his arm around Rose.
"You were right Merlin, there are some in Camelot who risked their lives for me" said Balinor. She looked at him with awe he cared about repaying his debts to the people that helped him, as she looked at him in the light it was easy to see that they took after him. With the black hair and blue eyes and their height.
"If you succeed in killing the dragon, you will not go unrewarded," said Arthur.
"I seek no reward" said Balinor. Rose looked at Arthur with a look. They were not killing Kilghara she was not going to let them kill him.
"Great, let's eat" said Arthur.
Merlin, Rose and Balinor went to collect wood while Arthur stood watch at the campfire. She was waiting for Arthur to lecture her for following him so decided to leave him to it. The longer she kept it quiet the longer she could get her head around what had been happening.
"It's too wet" said Merlin. Rose picked up some wood and dried it with her magic she heard Balinor chuckle behind her.
"I think that we will be fine" said Balinor.
"When you healed Arthur, I heard you mumble some words" said Merlin. Rose raised her eyebrow; she must have been completely out of it. She had no idea that Arthur was even injured she had been too focused on herself and Kilghara. She felt bad then her new guardian had been injured and she never knew.
"It was ancient prayer" said Balinor.
"I assumed it was more than that" said Merlin.
"The old religion can teach us many thing" said Balinor.
"The old religion is that something that can be taught" asked Merlin, Rose raised her eyebrows at Merlin, he knew all this. Maybe he was trying to develop trust with Balinor.
"It's not something you can learn. Either it's a part of you, or it isn't. My father knew that, and his father before him" said Balinor.
"Were they also dragon lords" asked Rose. Balinor didn't like being questioned at all, he attempted to change the subject, but Merlin started to break it to him.
"You spoke of Ealdor, you took refuge with a woman" said Merlin.
"That was a long time ago" said Balinor. The memory seemed painful for him, he winced before picking up more firewood. Merlin opened and closed his mouth looking uncertain as to what to say.
"We grew up there" said Rose.
"Ealdor?" asked Balinor. He looked up to face them looking shocked.
"Yes" said Merlin.
"We know the woman" said Merlin.
"Hunnith, is she still alive" said Balinor he looked hopeful at the thought of her. He must never have stopped loving her however Rose had a feeling that he had no idea he had children.
"Yes" said Merlin he took and spoke "she's our mother".
"She married, good" said Balinor. He looked between Merlin and Rose like he was seeing them for the first time. Rose could see he was trying to work out their ages.
"She never married" said Rose.
"I'm your son and she's your daughter" said Merlin. They all stared at each other a minute the news standing in the air. Rose couldn't take the tension; she had been fed a pack of lies all her life and she couldn't handle it. She walked off and joined Arthur at the fire deciding a lecture was probably better than the fact everyone had lied to her all her life.
The lecture never came, and they ate food before Arthur fell asleep in his bedroll for the night. He seemed exhausted. Rose laid down next to the fire so that her head was in Merlin's lap. He stroked her hair.
"Sorry about the way I left" said Rose.
"It's alright, I would have probably done the same" said Merlin.
"How did you leave?" asked Balinor with interest he was carving something with white wood, he blew on it before looking at Rose some more with interest. She told Balinor her story of how she had been led to believe she wasn't Merlin's sister.
"Please don't kill Kilghara" said Rose.
"I have no intention on killing him, just going to tell him to go away" said Balinor. Rose smiled and looked at the fire a bit more before falling to sleep.
Rose woke up next morning to a hand being put over her mouth she got up and grabbed her sword.
"Cenred's men" said Arthur. Merlin stood behind Arthur, she stood next to Arthur sword ready. Cenred's men came running down the hill towards Merlin both Rose and Arthur pulled him behind them before starting at fight with one of the men. She focused on the man she was fighting with and killed him. She turned around to see that Balinor was fighting in front of Merlin protecting him. A man came up behind Merlin and Rose ran over to help him but another one of Cenred's men came over and she ended up in a fight. She killed that one quickly to see that Merlin had his sword knocked out of his hand and was about to be struck. She ran over to catch the blow but Balinor caught her around the middle and pushed her out the way taking the stab wound.
Merlin caught him and sent the last one back with magic. They both fell to the floor, Rose got down to the floor, so she was knelt over him.
"I am glad to see that both my children have got my talents, Merlin, Rose" said Balinor.
"No please" said Rose.
"I can save you" said Merlin. They both started crying over Balinor. He was dying and it was horrible to watch, she had only just found out he was her father, it did not seem fair.
"Listen to me, when you face Kilghara, remember be strong, a dragon heart is on the right side not the left" said Balinor.
"I can't do this" said Merlin.
"listen to me, you are both my children, I've seen enough to know you will make me proud" said Balinor. He stroked Merlin's face before dying in Merlin's arms. Rose whipped her tears away and noticed that one of Cenred's men was coming towards them. She fought against this one and killed him before facing Arthur who came out of the trees.
"Merlin?" questioned Arthur. Merlin whipped away his tears before looking at both Merlin and Rose. "He's dead" said Merlin sadly.
"NO!" shouted Arthur slamming his sword into the floor in anger "Camelot is doomed". Rose shook her head.
"It's not doomed we'll deal with it, come on let's go back to Camelot" said Rose. She shared a horse with Arthur as they set of home.
They went back into the war room where everyone was gathered. Merlin and Rose stood behind Arthur holding hands.
"I'm sorry, Father. I failed you. The last dragon lord is dead" said Arthur. Merlin squeezed her hand at this she squeezed back they both tried not to cry and reveal themselves.
"There are many years where I would have wished for his news" said Uther. Rose squeezed Merlin's hand harder than before her anger rising this was all Uther's fault, he had destroyed so many lives and he destroyed Rose's life it was his fault her whole life had been a lie.
"All is not lost, Father. We must fight the monster ourselves. So, let us ride out and fight on our own terms: on open ground, on horseback, where we can manoeuvre better" said Arthur.
"There's no point" said Uther. Rose let go off Merlin's hand and stepped forward to stand next Arthur.
"So what? We stand here, watch Camelot fall, he has a point" said Rose. Sticking up for Arthur and knowing that if she agreed she would appear to not want to help Kilghara and then manage to get him away to safety.
"You have my blessing" said Uther.
"I need a dozen knights! Those who do not wish to fight can do so without stain on their character. For those brave enough to volunteer should know, the chances of returning are slim" said Arthur. Leon stepped forward; Rose stepped forward in front of Arthur next to Leon. A group of knights then circled Arthur with Leon and Rose. Everyone left the room and Rose went to her room and got into her armour she then went to the armoury to find herself a cloak. Leon came over to her.
"Here, have this, keep it" said Leon. He gave her a cloak and she wrapped it around herself. He helped her clasp it around herself, she had her knight's cloak.
"Thank you" said Rose.
"it's my old one, you are a similar size to me to when you when I became a knight" said Leon. She smiled and gave him a hug.
"Thanks Leon" said Rose.
They went to a field outside of Camelot and she heard Kilghara fly down. She looked up the see him fly down. They put their horses into the circles and Rose made sure she was close to Merlin he was not wearing chainmail.
"Hold! Hold! Hold!" shouted Arthur. The dragon flew down and that's when Arthur gave the order for them to spread out. The idea was to distract him.
"Kilghara, you don't have to do this? I am here, we can talk" said Rose into his head.
"I have to do this they are attacking me" said Kilghara into her head. She attempted to get her horse to stand close to the dragon, but she couldn't. He knocked everyone off their horse including Rose. He blew fire at the ones that were still on their horses and she screamed. Kilghara turned around to look at her Arthur ran forward stabbing him in the armpit. He sent Arthur flying in pain. Arthur laid unconscious.
Then it happened Rose and Merlin got up together. She had Balinor's voice in her head she looked to Merlin to see he seemed to be having the voice in his head.
"You both are the last dragon lords now. You both alone carry the ancient gift. Deep within yourselves, you must find the voice that you and Kilghara, share, for your soul and his are now connected. When you speak to him as kin, he must obey your will" said Balinor's voice in her head.
"Dragorn. Non didlkai. Kari miss, epsipass imalla krat. Katostar abore ceriss. Katicur. Me ta sentende divoless. Kar… krisass" said Merlin and Rose in the dragon tongue at the same time. Kilghara sat down his hind legs and bowed towards Merlin and Rose.
Merlin picked up a spear and held it up.
"I am the last of my kind, Merlin. Whatever wrongs I have done, do not make me responsible for the death of my noble breed" said Kilghara sadly. Rose shook her head at Merlin and stood in front of Kilghara.
"You will not harm him" said Rose.
"Rose move out of the way" said Merlin.
"I am a dragon lord too and I am telling you not to hurt him, what he has done has been anger over being locked up for over 20 years" said Rose.
"I promise I won't hurt him, now move" said Merlin. She decided to believe him and moved slowly readying her magic in case he decided to change his mind "Go! Leave! If you ever attack Camelot again, I will kill you!".
"He has shown you mercy" said Rose.
"What you have both shown me is what you will be merciful and kind, protective until the end, I'm sure our path's will cross again" said Kilghara before flying up and out of sight. Arthur started to stir, and she ran over to him and knelt over him. He opened his eyes and sat up.
"What happened?" asked Arthur.
"You dealt him a mortal blow" said Merlin. Arthur looked relieved and happy for the first time in days.
"He's gone" Asked Arthur.
"Yeah you did it" said Rose. He wrapped his arm around her and started to laugh insanely. She helped him up and they walked back to Camelot. Arthur walking ahead of Merlin and Rose they arrived into the castle grounds and Rose had never been so happy to see the white turrets that had become her home. Gwen ran over and hugged Arthur. He hugged her back. She put her arm out and caught Rose in the hug. So, she had one arm around Arthur and one arm around Gwen.
"I thought I lost you both" said Gwen. Gaius came and hugged Merlin. Rose, Arthur and Gwen went into the castle. She felt like for the first time in a while, things were looking up.
The end
