Everyone knew of the new Kingdom. No one could miss the dark clouds that passed overhead, unnaturally moving towards the Perilous Lands. It was the reason anyone dared to enter the vicious place at all. If life could be brought back in the soil, then the land would give itself up and release itself from the curse.
They say that if it comes to pass, the harvests would be plentiful and disease would be a distant memory. Most Kings know that having an alliance with such a place is beneficial so that when a famine came they could have a trusted source of food. Yet one Kingdom felt there is more at stake than what meets the eye.
Two Knights in crimson red stand before their King, professional in the face of their King's tight posture and expression. "Report your findings." Uther said.
They shared a glance, and the dirty blond on the right was first to speak. "We investigated the Perilous Lands as your requested Sire. The rumors are true. The land is no longer barren."
Uther scowls, leaning forward in his throne. "Who is the new King? Where you able to find him." They shift, and he squints and the odd bout of nerves they are presenting. This time the left one speaks. "No Sire. Our attempt to cross the border was… stopped. Something stopped us." "Like an invisible wall!" The other piped up.
The blond swallowed. "I think… It seemed like magic Sire." "Magic?" He snapped. "Are you sure?" They shuffled, anxious but nodding. "We've never seen anything like it Sire. The King remains silent in his contemplation. Assessing the two Knights carefully. "Do not speak of this to anyone. I want the two of you to keep an eye on the border, and report back to me periodically."
They bow, clearly hearing the dismissal. Once the doors close behind them does he turn towards his physician. "Do you know anything about a barrier, Gaius?" He looks to the side, before shaking his head. "There are many ways one could give a sort of barrier to something, but I've never heard of anything like this."
"I want you to research this, Gaius. Leave no stone unturned. Find a weakness. I will not have a King that is accepting of sorcery. Not if I can help it." Gaius dips below his waist. "Of course sire." He leaves Uther seething in his throne.
Gaius turns the information in his mind as he walks back to his quarters. He had felt the giant ping of magic that erupted several months ago, and he felt a similar wave of magic nearly two weeks ago. It called to him whenever he was frightened, or when he knew there was another execution because of false accusations.
It made him feel safe. Some days he thinks of packing his things and following. Yet he has many things to do here. People need his remedies. The tides are changing, and he's interested to see what this new 'King' would do.
Merlin spends his nights sleeping on his conjured moss and dreaming about the trapped dragon. He does not speak, but neither does Kilgharrah. In the morning his anger sparks. He can remember every lie, and every manipulation the dragon told him. All that pathetic dragon wanted was to leave, and he did everything he could to do so.
He breathes, in slowly and out. Putting himself in the dragon's place. The years of isolation he must have experienced. The pain of losing everyone he knows and cares about. Being the last one alive. He understands it all. But he is nothing like the Dragon. He did not manipulate those around him for his own gain. Everything he did, he tried to help others around him. He would not fall so easily to his silky words again.
Thinking about Kilgharrah and his memories surrounding him hurt. Certain things didn't always add up. How did the dragon escape in the first place? He talked about the once and future King a lot, as if they were close. Who was he? What about the two other people whose name's slipped from his grasp?
The headaches always slowed him down, so he tries not to think too hard about it. He passes by villages more frequently now, so he must be getting close. It's when he arrives at the capital does he realize. The dragon lays deep beneath Camelot.
Merlin huffs. This wasn't something he wanted to do. "Emryssss." He rolls his eyes. The old dragon was getting impatient. Might as well do it now, so when his Kingdom is established he doesn't have to travel as much anymore. "Hyrð unnon wafung."
The spell overlaying him familiarly. It's been a while since he's used this, but it would be necessary to sneak past those who aren't looking too closely. Then he's calmly walking through Camelot in the dark. The Knights he passes are flush with mead and are swaying on their patrols. It is too easy to slip by them. He would never have this kind of guard in his Kingdom.
He slips by into the Castle as a servant leaves, easily walking down the stairs and past the guards that are playing card games. Into the dark depths, stale wind blowing by him. He turns the corner, and there is the cave in his dreams.
He stares at the giant dragon, which Kilgharrah does same, a little startled. He tries not to crack a smile as he glares up at the beast. "Greetings Emrys. You are…not what I was expecting. So small for such a great destiny." A cold fury starts in his chest. Those words echoing so similarly to the first time.
"And you are quite big for getting trapped so easily." He growls, glowering at the small boy that dare talk so crassly. "Do not speak which you do not know, warlock." "Do not belittle the person who can set you free, Dragon." His giant head jerks back, snarling down at him.
"It seems your gifts have made you arrogant Emrys. " "It's is not a place of arrogance that I speak from!" He roars, walls trembling under his rage. Kilgharrah's face trickles off into confusion then. "You are… angry with me."
The warlock puffs. "You must promise me that you will not take revenge on your captors. In time they will get what they deserve." The dragon pouts, called out and not happy about being ordered around.
"Emrys-" Something deep inside him shakes. Spilling out his throat as if he was throwing up hot coals. "Υποσχέσου μου." Saying those words takes everything out of him. Abruptly he's ill, shivering with blood layering the back of his tongue. He's had enough surprises, so why not add another one to the pile?
The Dragon who was so eager to protest now lowers his whole head close to him until he can sense his breath. It tingled, giving him the strength to continue standing. "I promise." That was good enough for him. He stumbles down to where the chains wrap around his ankles, in a daze flicking his hand and destroying them with ease.
Surprisingly he doesn't take off into the sky. Instead, he lowers himself to the ground with his wing creating a sort of ramp to his back. "Climb on. You deserve your rest." Merlin doesn't need to be told twice. Even with his help clambering up is exhausting. He holds tight onto his neck, whole body pressed tightly to the scales.
They lift to the sky with a mighty flap of leathery wings. Distantly, he hears the alarm bells ringing before the darkness takes him.
The bells rang into the night over horrified screams. A dragon as gold as the setting sun swooped down. Teasing his claws catching a Knight before flying back up. He roared, and Uther screamed at the Knights to fire. Arrows of plenty shot against the dragons face, it jerking and preventing the fire from billowing from its jaws.
Arthur ran in the halls to his room. He hasn't had his armor made for him yet, anything that he would get being outgrown. He had tried to come to his father's aid earlier. Uther was barking orders to gather men, and he had run up to him in the halls.
But once he saw Arthur, his face grew red. "Go back to your room, Arthur. This does not concern you." He's never heard such a sharpness to his voice before. Yet the adrenaline and eagerness to prove himself push him. "But father-" "NOW!"
He flinched, a burning in his eyes. It takes everything to squeak out a "Yes Sire." and take his leave. The ache in his heart doesn't go away even now, but he wants to see the dragon. He can see it from his bedroom window easily enough. The dragon bobbing and weaving, snapping its jaws at the men below but always staying in the air.
It's messing with them. He's sure his father can see that. Yet they still throw everything they have at it. The dragon takes one, close snap at Uther before flying away over the walls with startling speed. It isn't long before a servant comes to summon him to the throne room
Uther sat rigidly on his throne, peering down at the knights fiercely. Morgana sits to the right of him, and he goes to stand tall on the other side. Several of them stand in front of him along with his head Knight Olin at the ready.
"I want this Kingdom searched for any speck of magic. If a dragon can be set free into our Kingdom unnoticed, I do not dare to think of what else could be out there. Double the guard. Anyone suspected of Sorcery will be killed on sight. A curfew will be set after sundown. Anyone outside during that time will be imprisoned and questioned."
The Knights bow to him taking a quick exit. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Morgana openly frowning. "Gaius." The physician moves forward. A filtering look towards the teens in the room."Yes, Sire?"
Gaius flutters in open hesitation. "Well Sire, there is no way a barrier that large is possible. It shouldn't exist." The Kings mood sours further. "Doesn't mean we can't fight against it." "No, I suppose it doesn't." He waves a hand, staring distantly in thought. "Thank you, Gaius, that will be all."
Gaius bows and leaves. Morgana took that as her cue to leave as well. "No. Sit, I have much to discuss with both of you." She sits, speaking cooly. "What is this about." Uther sighs, slumping in his throne. "Father?"
"I do not wish to alarm either of you, and I have never wanted you to feel unsafe. But… I fear an uprising from our enemies." The King said.
Morgana and Arthur stared at him uncertainly. He tries to speak, "You mean.." but the weight of the words won't fall out.
"You wouldn't." She whispers. Uther only nods gravely. She lashes to her feet, her yelling bouncing off of the walls. "You would go to war with a new Kingdom! For what! For possibly having magic? How on earth can you be certain that is the case! And you know we cannot afford to go into another!"
"Morgana." He didn't yell, just a simple statement that had her pausing. "The Dragon was heading toward that new Kingdom. They have made a barrier that keeps everything out. Druids from the forest have disappeared without a trace. What does all of that say about this new Kingdom." "That they are running from you." Is her frozen response.
His fist slams onto the armrest. "Go to your chambers and don't you dare come out. I will tolerate no more of your belligerence." She turned her head and strode out with her head held high. A last, scorching glare thrown over her shoulder at Arthur. The wooden doors closing behind her with a bang.
He turns to Arthur, lips pressed into a thin line. "Unfortunately, she is right. We need time to build up our defenses, and you aren't ready to lead the knights yet. You'll increase your training starting in the morning with Kay. Every morning you will train with him, and every night before you go to bed. I will not have you face our enemies weak."
Arthur perks up, nodding. "Of course Sire. I'll do my best." Uther waves his palm, and he takes it as the dismissal that it is.
Merlin awakes peacefully. Laying on smooth, warm leather. "Merlin~" He flutters his lids, seeing the dragon curled around him. He could see over the wing his Castle, and the warm sun that shone down onto the clearing where they lay. "Kilgharrah?" He takes to standing to his feet, nearly falling over if he didn't hold himself up by the golden paw.
"Take it easy, Emrys. You have done quite a feat and must rest to regain your strength." He shakes his head, becoming woozy. "No… people are gonna come soon. They'll need my help settling in." "They will arrive later tomorrow. For now, we have much to discuss."
He slumps down. "To discuss what." "You're Destiny." The boy groans, being so exhausted for someone who looked so young. "Oh yes, my Destiny. How could I forget." "I am not the same as the first Kilgharrah that you have met. I have you to thank for that. Bending the fabric of time has created many ripples."
He can't help but roll his eyes at the dramatic speech. "Yeah yeah yeah. Who cares. I'm Emrys, I am King Myrridin, I have a great destiny, yadda yahda blah." "Merlin." The boy stops at the scolding tone, only because he is too tired to say anything else.
"You have handled your immortality surprisingly well for someone who has a mortal mind. There are blockages in your mind, I presume? Or even a fuzziness to certain events?" He doesn't answer, but that was answer enough for the dragon for him to continue talking.
"I do not recall what our first life was together Merlin, but I can feel the echoes of it even now. You have changed. I am truly sorry that you have been burdened with Immortality. It has crumpled your mind, but you are still whole. The core of who you are has not changed. Be proud of that Emrys."
The dragon's breath blows over him, tingling with old magic that feels as if icy hot was rubbed all over his body. "You know what you are meant to do. Your people that you will gather shall follow you loyally. For now, rest. I will take care of you." He hums, relaxing into the dragons warmth. Blissfully relaxed and head buzzing. He's never felt so good in all of his life.
In a blink, tomorrow has arrived. Random energy fuels him to rush when Grettir comes to him. Kilgharrah is nowhere to be seen. "Lord Myrrdin, there are Druids at the borders asking for you." He sighs good-naturedly. What he was not expecting was for him to touch his leg, and the world to turn sharply to the left.
He tumbles down into a completely new area. Stopping once his back slams into hardwood. Oh, he's at the border and he was just teleported. "A little warning next time?" The man smirks down from above him, brushing by onto the bridge. Scrambling onto his feet and brushing off the dirt so he's halfway decent.
Merlin travels to the bridge to see several large groups of druids waiting, chattering to each other. Several kids are giggling and playing together off to the side. "Hello!" He calls out, and everyone stops to stare at him. He tries to smile witlessly under all the discomfort of just being stared at.
A man comes up to him. Gray hair overtaking brown air at the roots and wrinkles set in his visage caused by stress. Even then he's serene as he takes the attention to him. "Greetings Emrys," He bows, and instantly Merlin is very, very uncomfortable. "We are humbled to be graced with your presence and hope that you would allow us to have safe passage into your lands."
He shakes his head, flapping his hands once he sees the others start to bow. "No! No please," ears burning hotly he goes to push him back up -he really doesn't need to be bowed to- "don't do that. I asked you to come here, and I welcome you all gladly."
He stands back up, stoically nodding. "Of course, we shouldn't have expected anything less-" He gets cut off from a hearty slap to the back that has him choking.
"Oh stop embarrassing him! All you youngsters are being ridiculous!" The old woman hobbles up to him, giving the boy a sweet patting to his hair. Her eyes are glazed, but and her skin dark. It strikes him that this was the same women who him about the Perilous Lands in the first place.
"The young, they never listen do they?" She grins at him, showing her lack of several teeth but a remarkable ability to speak clearly despite that. "Now be a dear and help me across this bridge." He realizes he's been staring, so he takes her offered arm and beings moving along.
"Sorry." He frowns, " I don't think I ever got your name."
Her wrinkled hand pats his, hmming. "My names Carey deary. Come on now!" He jumps at her shouting, turning back and seeing the frozen druids beginning to move. "So slow, can't even catch up to an old sloth like me!" She mocks, then cackles at her own joke.
That really gets them moving. Egging on a few younger kids to run past them after the bridge. They continue traveling through the woods, following behind him and Carey. "Well, we've been so rude!" She exclaims after a while. "We haven't even got your name. Rude of us to simply presume it."
Merlin hears a few awkward grumbles behind him. "My name is Merlin. It's wonderful to meet you all." He beams at them over his shoulder, but eyes shift away as soon as he does. He doesn't let his disappointment show. Carey is more than willing to break the awkwardness by catering about nothing.
As night comes, they are able to see his Castle in the distance. "Here is wonderful." She stops, "Will you help us set up?" He helps them set up their tents, but during it, he felt like he shouldn't have. All of the adults that he comes close to become skittish. The children are timid around him, and run off as soon as an adult glares at them.
He tries not to let it get to him. They have been on the run for months, so settling down must be strange for them. He understands; being afraid of something too good to be true in a new place. He'll need to gain their trust.
"Em- I mean," The gray-haired man clears his throat. "Merlin. May I speak to you for a moment?"
"Sure." He steps after him, a little bit away from the camp and into a large tent. The buzzing of the outside is muffled by the inside. It's cozy with pillows propped up in a circle. He sits on one, and gestures for the boy to sit as well.
"Thank you for calling by my name, I'll think I'd forget it at this rate." He grins at his own wit, but the man doesn't seem to find humor in it as he does. "Well," he shifts, "what's your name?"
"Iseldir and I would like to apologize. We had felt the comings of powerful magic, but had to be… careful of its promises. I came so that we could know if it was true."
He shrugs his shoulders, picking absently at his sleeve. "It's fine. I get it. You couldn't have known for sure. Will there be more coming?"
Iseldir shakes his head sadly. "Not this year. The season is changing, and it would be too cold for them to travel. They would not make it in time before winter came."
"Then I'll do my best to prepare for them." Merlin intones. It is hard for him not to be serious with him, but he needed to say this. "I promise I'll do everything I can to protect you while you stay here. Uther's reach cannot get here."
The man focuses in on him intently. "You have a kind heart. I do hope you understand the consequences of doing this."
He smiles a little lopsidedly. "I am older than I look. I don't make promises lightly either."
That morning, as the skies crowded and the leaves began turning golden, it was as if the floodgates opened.
Merlin could feel the animals returning to the forest. Birds sang as they flew above. Squirrels danced from branch to branch. They liked to come up and greet him. Following him for a bit as he gathered food for breakfast. He didn't have to go far either. The forest was brimming with ripe food that seemed to last longer than normal.
Besides, his friend was probably busy at the border, and knew of his indignation at being unable to support himself during Ballards-
He stops, aching with abrupt pain. He misses him. A lot. Ballard helped him control his magic, and see the good side of it. He would know how to reassure people. Merlin's not unfamiliar with grief, but this was something close to him. Even if he was expecting his death, it still hurt anyway.
A few tears drip before he scrubs them away. Ballard is resting happily in Avalon now like he always wanted. He feels envious and comforted at the same time. The taste of warm food soothes his aching heart.
He spends the day wandering the woods. Finding a nice clearing to settle down in. Animals surround him in no time, and he warms as a deer settle her head in his lap. "Hello there, my lady." She allows him to stroke her head, flicking her ear.
Vicious shrilling causes the animals to scatter, and he's left utterly confused if not a little annoyed at it. Whatever it is apparently, determinately rushing towards him, and he decides it's more energy to move than it's worth. It comes to a crawl the closer it gets to him, and he spots it staring at him from behind a tree.
"Well? Come on then. You took all that effort to scare my friends away, you might as well come here." A blue, scally paw steps out. Then the other. Inching its way towards him. Chittering lowly.
"Come on." He coxes.
It bounds up to him at that, jumping to one side and the other. It freezes about its paw length away, tail frantically wiping back and forth behind it. It may look like a dragon, but it acted more like a puppy, he muses to himself.
"It's alright. Your friends can come out too if they want." He strokes its head. That was all the others needed to press tightly against him in a huge pile. He laughs, trying to pat them all but is unable to see in the sea of them. There were probably about 20 or more, but he couldn't keep count over them warbling in delight.
He slept with them in a pile that night.