Balinor took a deep breath at being in the presence of Kilgharrah once more. Kilgharrah too seemed to have missed the presence of a dragon lord, for he inclined his head ever so slightly, despite glaring at him with betrayal in his eyes.
"Kilgharrah. It is good to see you free, old friend." Balinor said.
"And it is good to see you alive, Balinor." And Balinor knew, that despite the anger, Kilgharrah meant that, for the both of them understood what it was like to be the last of their kind. "So you've met Merlin and Arthur?" Kilgharrah asked.
"Emrys and the son of Uther. Yes." Balinor said. "Though why you bring them to me I do not know."
"Emrys and the once and future king, Arthur." Kilgharrah clarified and Balinor took a deep breath.
"The prophecy is coming true?" He asked.
"The prophecy has proven very strange indeed. I never expected their bond to mean that they would join as one." Kilgharrah said. "But… this could prove advantageous to you and I, Balinor." The dragon said.
"In what way?"
"We must bind them with dragon fire. Finish their union. You know what that means, yes?" Kilgharrah said and Balinor looked back in the general direction of Emrys and Arthur.
"The revival of the dragon lords." Balinor said softly. "But no new branches of dragon lords have been born for thousands of years."
"What better time to renew the tradition?" Kilgharrah said. "Emrys and the once and future king, fathers to the new branch of dragon lords. Each born with the gift by their own right."
"How will they agree to it? Emrys has already been forced into this half-union. What makes you think he'll agree to fathering the next branches of dragon lords?" Balinor asked.
"There's no use in telling him now, until we get what is needed to create such life. We must bind them together to secure Emrys' magic. When the time is right, we'll present them with the chance for an heir. By then they won't resist the offer." Kilgharrah said.
Balinor felt uncertain. He was uncertain about lying, or hiding the full truth. "It doesn't seem right."
"They can always refuse later on. Think Balinor. With each new dragon lord, a new dragon." It still seemed too underhanded but if it gave them the chance to revive the dragon lords and with them the dragons, then he would do it. Like Kilgharrah said, Arthur and Emrys could always refuse the offer later on. "It is your duty as a dragon lord to protect and preserve dragon-kind."
He was right. This was his duty. "Then we shall wed them." Balinor said.
oOoOoOo
Merlin woke up to the sound of robins outside the cave. The fresh snow made everything bright though everyone else was still sleeping. Merlin did the first thing he always did whenever they were sleeping close to each other. He turned to see if Arthur was alright.
Arthur looked tired but well. Merlin stood quietly and made his way out to take in the morning. He closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air, the life of the earth, the strength of the air, the heat of the sun, the chill of the ice in the stream. It all flowed with an undercurrent of life that Merlin could always feel but now it was even more intense.
His magic was raging inside him. Merlin felt for his wound to see it completely healed, but his magic still raged. Instead of containing it, Merlin decided to let it loose to see what would happen.
Instantly, a thick heaviness filled the space making Merlin's ears ring. His eyes burned with magic and he gasped, as if he were breathing for the first time in years.
"Merlin!" He heard in the distance. He turned to see Arthur standing beside Balinor and the heaviness slammed down on the earth hard knocking them both to their knees.
The snows melted and lush green grass grew in its place.
The trees brightened with green buds that burst into lush green leaves.
The stream melted and began to run.
Flowers bloomed all around them and the wintery world around them became a warm and lush patch of vibrant life.
Merlin looked all around in awe, closing his eyes as his magic began to calm down. Once it was back to normal he felt the will to move return to him and he rushed to Arthur and Balinor's side.
"Are you alright?" Merlin asked, helping Arthur up. Arthur checked on him, cupping his cheek and looking him all over before turning to look all around once he knew Merlin was well.
"What did you do?" Balinor asked, staring at the warm and humid forest, all around them, finally looking at him in awe.
"Sorry, I just wanted to see what would happen if I let it loose." Merlin said.
"You've been repressing your powers for far too long, Emrys. Your magic was born with you to be used, not hidden away." Balinor said. "Perhaps when this one's king, you won't have such problems." Balinor added and looked at them both. "Kilgharrah says you need me to help with a handfasting ceremony for you two."
Merlin's eyes widened and looked at Arthur. "What?" He snapped. "That dream I had with Morgause tying our hands? That was real?" Merlin exclaimed.
"Perhaps I should let you two discuss this." Balinor said stepping back inside.
Arthur looked at him. "Kilgharrah, the dragon, said it would be the only way to get your magic to settle once more." Arthur said.
"You… wait. Wait, wait, wait." Merlin said looking away, trying to recall all that had happened. He himself had planned to complete their union without Arthur noticing. Did this mean the only way to have done that was to get a handfasting ceremony? With the dragon?!
Merlin laughed at his own stupidity. "Merlin?" Arthur asked worried.
"I planned to complete the union without you realising. So you could be free to be with who you loved without thinking of our union." Merlin said and laughed. "And now it turns out I had to do this whole spectacle?"
Arthur smiled and chuckled. "Well, you should have known that magic isn't as straight forward as you'd like it to be." Arthur reached to hold his hand, playing with his mother's ring, which still rested on Merlin's index finger. "I still love you, you know." He said.
Merlin smiled at him, heart racing at the sight of that tender gaze aimed at him. There was no denying it for Merlin. Merlin would waste away into misery without Arthur. The vision had proved that to him. "We'll finish the union." Merlin said softly.
"Yes. For your sake. To protect you and your magic." Arthur said. "But I won't hold you to any of the demands of a prince's wife… or husband." Arthur said.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked.
"Nothing will change between us. To my father you'll still be my servant. And… if in the future you find someone to love… I won't hold it against you." Arthur said.
"Seriously, that's what I should be telling you." Merlin said. "So… we bind but nothing changes, yes?" Merlin asked.
"I already forced you into things once. We'll do this merely for your safety. Nothing more." Arthur said, though he couldn't look at Merlin's eyes.
"What if I want more?" Merlin braved to ask, being selfish for once.
"Let's give ourselves time to slow down. Everything is confusing with emotions running high. If we still feel the same in the future… I'll only be too glad to indulge in more." Arthur said softly, leaning against him, pressing their foreheads together.
Merlin shuddered, closing his eyes as their lips slowly found each other and they kissed deeply. "Arthur… please… you know I agreed to this, to all of this." Merlin whispered.
"You did because you thought you had to, to stay by my side." Arthur said gently.
"It doesn't change how I feel now." Merlin said, holding onto him.
"It doesn't change how it started." Arthur said. Arthur looked so… guilty, and lonely and Merlin sighed, leaning in, to rest his head on Arthur's shoulder, hugging him tightly.
"No matter what happens, I won't stop loving you. So you best be ready for me when the next winter arrives." Merlin said. Arthur smiled and hugged him back, keeping him close. "You're my best friend, Arthur. Despite what a cabbage head you are."
"And you're mine, Merlin." Arthur said softly. "Despite what a clumsy servant you are." They both smiled and pulled back, looking at each other with much more than just friendship.
"Come on then. Let's get married." Merlin said.
They walked to Balinor, who was busy admiring some strange flowers by the entrance to the cave while Gwen, Morgana, Leon and Mordred came out, woken by the sudden warmth of the area.
"We're ready." Arthur said.
"Excellent." Balinor said.
"We're performing the handfasting now." Merlin explained to the others.
"Great. The king will surely have my head now." Leon said, rubbing his temples.
Arthur gave Merlin a peck on the cheek and went to speak to Leon. The kiss had sent a warm feeling through Merlin that had nothing to do with the magic he'd released and he struggled to stop himself from smiling.
oOoOoOo
They walked toward Kilgharrah in silence. The contrast between the warm cave and the rest of the forest was telling. After a while, the temperatures cooled and snow met their path.
"I know this is unconventional, sir Leon, but it's for Merlin's sake." Arthur said.
"I don't doubt your judgement, sire… but you have to understand the king will not take to this kindly if he ever finds out." He said. "And what about the council?"
"We're not going to tell him so that means the council too won't know. There's no reason for them to find out. And then when I'm king, it won't be a problem." Arthur said.
"You keep saying that, sire, but how exactly do you plan to become king? Uther is strong and still very capable. If you plan to kill him, I have to stand against you." Leon said.
"I won't do anything dishonourable to obtain the crown. You can have my word on that." Arthur said.
Leon stared at him and sighed. "Are you sure this is what you want, Arthur? You are not one to often break with tradition."
"These people are innocent, Leon. I can't stand aside any longer while my father commits genocide on innocents." Arthur said. "Can you?"
Leon shook his head, not having to think about it. "Though both treason and genocide goes against the knights code… you are right, Arthur." He said softly. "But… does that mean you have to marry Merlin?" Leon asked, unable to comprehend it at all.
Arthur gave a determined look that Leon had only seen him do whenever Uther was forbidding him from putting his life at risk for the sake of those lesser than him.
"Yes."
oOoOoOo
Balinor stood before Kilgharrah.
"We will use red for your binding, do you have such a sash?" Balinor asked.
"Why don't we cut a strip off your cape, Arthur?" Morgana asked. "Or Leon's." She smirked at Leon who frowned at having to ruin his precious uniform.
"Will this do?" Merlin asked, reaching for his neck and taking off his red scarf.
"That will work just fine." Balinor said, taking the scarf, opening it out to its full length. Merlin looked at Arthur as Arthur stared at what would be their handfasting cord. Not the gold threaded braid from the vaults of Camelot that Uther's father would have chosen for Arthur. "I ask you now to hold hands." Balinor said.
Merlin felt his heart race and took a deep breath. Arthur was faster than Merlin in reacting, and caught his hands in his own, caressing the back of Merlin's hand with his thumb and Merlin felt his heart skip a beat.
"We have joined here, brothers, sisters, to bear witness of this union. We call our mother, the triple goddess, who watches over us all, to give her blessing to the joining of Arthur Pendragon, once and future king and Merlin, made Emrys by her hand." Balinor spoke strong and deep and his voice soothed Merlin for some unexplained reason. As if he'd somehow heard it before.
"Merlin," Balinor continued. "Do you consent to be united by dragon fire? Do you consent to receiving the blessing of the dragon kind so that their magic may flow through your veins?" Balinor asked.
Merlin nodded. "I do."
"And do you, Arthur Pendragon, consent to be united by dragon fire? Do you consent to receiving the blessing of the dragon kind so that their magic may flow through your veins?"
Arthur gave Merlin's hands a faint squeeze. "I do."
"Merlin, repeat after me." Balinor said.
Merlin listened attentively to every word, hoping against all hope, that he wouldn't get anything wrong. "I, Merlin, take you, Arthur, to be my partner for life and eternity forever more." Merlin said.
Balinor continued but Arthur was only looking at him. "I, Arthur, take you, Merlin, to be my partner for life and eternity for ever more." Arthur said. A heaviness fell over all of them. The heavy weight of strong magic that lingered and hovered all around them.
Merlin gave a little gasp and Arthur held his hands tighter. Balinor continued and Merlin repeated as Balinor said. "I do swear, Arthur, to honour, respect and protect you, and seek to never break that honour."
Arthur took a deep breath and for a second, Merlin could see that Arthur was nervous too. "I do swear, Merlin, to honour, respect and protect you, and seek to never break that honour."
Balinor draped the scarf round their hands once. "And so, the first binding is made."
"I will, Arthur, share in your pain and seek to ease it." Merlin said, the coolness of the binding making everything all the more real. He was marrying Arthur. Maybe not in the ideal sense. It was for Merlin's safety but… was it? Could Arthur really swear to all this and not want everything that comes with their union?
"I will, Merlin, share in your pain and seek to ease it." Arthur said and Balinor wrapped the scarf a second time.
"And so, the second binding is made." Balinor continued this time. "Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?"
"I will." Merlin and Arthur said together.
"And so, the binding is made." Another knot. "Will you share each other's laughter, and look for the brightness in life and all that is good in each other?"
Arthur offered a smile and Merlin laughed softly, which Arthur returned. "We will." They said.
Balinor tied the final knot. "And so, the final binding is made." Balinor stepped back and Merlin took comfort from the warmth of Arthur's hands holding his.
"Arthur and Merlin, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust." Balinor paused and the heaviness in the air began to lift. Merlin began to feel his magic receding, less erratic and calming down inside him.
"Above are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars, your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow. May the dragon's flame bind you now and bless you with its power." Balinor said.
Kilgharrah leaned in and his mouth glowed red. Arthur looked visibly nervous. Merlin tensed. Kilgharrah released a stream of fire that wrapped around their hands where Merlin's scarf sat. It didn't burn as it touched their joined hands. The fire simply passed over their skin, hot but never burning. Merlin's scarf turned to something akin to molten gold.
Balinor began to incant words of the old religion that washed over them both. Runes became marked over the bindings and Merlin felt strange. Something in his blood roared and awakened before its time.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked with worry. Merlin simply held Arthur's hands tighter, head low as he breathed fast.
"Something's wrong!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Stop, what's happening?" Balinor demanded of the dragon. Kilgharrah finished and the bindings vanished.
Merlin's knees gave way underneath him and Arthur caught him. "Merlin!"
Merlin felt dizzy but didn't pass out. "Kilgharrah! What did you do?" Merlin growled, his voice coming out as a full out roar that made the dragon look sheepish and incline his head for a second.
"That feeling will go away soon. Welcome to the world… dragon lord." Kilgharrah said.
"What?!" Balinor yelled.
"Merlin is your son, Balinor." Kilgharrah said. Silence fell over all of them.