The Last Dragonlord
In the water Kilgharrah intones, 'in a land of myth and a time of magic the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name,' Merlin appears through the mist his eyes burning gold, 'Merlin.'
'He still thinks that even though he's the one attempting to destroy Camelot?' asks Arthur.
Merlin just shrugs, 'Kilgharrah isn't human don't try to personify him like you would other human beings.'
People are running about town screaming; commoners and knights mixed up together.
'I know your tired but make one last effort for me; every shot must count,' Arthur orders.
Gwen helps a wounded man cross the courtyard.
In the temporary ward a man takes a drink.
'We really need more than just a temporary ward given all the battles that we seem to have,' Merlin comments.
Arthur nods in agreement.
'I don't think people can suffer a third night of this,' Gwen looked stressed.
Merlin winces at this.
'We must trust in Arthur,' Gaius says.
'I do,' Gwen replies.
'I do,' Gwen assures the old man. 'But even he has little chance.'
'Nobody did,' sighs Gaius.
Merlin walks with Arthur on the battlements.
'I'm sorry you're having to do this,' Merlin apologizes.
'You were apologizing,' Arthur realises.
'Closest I could get to apologizing without being executed,' agrees the warlock.
'Why? You're not to blame.
'Yes you were,' Arthur glared at his friend.
'I know,' Merlin agreed with a sigh.
The dragon approaches beating it's wings in flight.
'Flame up!' the prince orders.
The knights light their arrows and take aim.
'Stay strong! For tonight is not your night to die, I will make sure of that! Hold firm! Hold! Hold! Now!' calls the prince.
[The knights shoot arrows. dragon flames the battlements and they all duck.]
Back in the infirmary Gaius and Gwen are looking after the wounded.
'We've no clean water left,' Gwen says.
'I know, but it's too dangerous to go out there,' Gaius replies.
'Gwen won't listen,' Elyan rolls his eyes, 'she never does.'
Gwen heads for the door anyway.
'Gwen! Don't!' Gaius calls.
'Don't,' moaned Arthur, Elyan and Lancelot.
Gwen takes a bucket to the well in the Square, stepping over the rubble while everyone else flees the dragon flying overhead as she begins to draw from the well. Arthur enters the Square, watching as the dragon circles above.
'Clear the square!' Arthur orders and then notices Gwen drawing from the well. 'Gwen?' Arthur looks in surprise and then up at the dragon as it starts to turn for an attack. 'Guinevere!' shouts Arthur in warning.
Gwen turns and sees her peril as the dragon comes towards her.
'Get out of there,' muttered Elyan.
Gwen runs from the Dragon and Arthur runs to help her as the Dragon swoops and catches Arthur, causing both of them to fall.
Merlin growled, 'I didn't know Kilgharrah had attacked you.'
'He attacked the whole of Camelot,' Sir Leon reminded them.
'I hadn't expected him to try and kill Arthur,' Merlin sighs.
'Because he's the once and future king,' Percival understood.
Merlin nods.
Arthur grabs Gwen's hand and they run for cover. Merlin jogs out into the square, 'fluge! Gár!'Merlin throws a magical spear at dragon but it glances off.
'Your magic didn't work,' Lancelot had paled he hadn't realised how much in the year he had come to rely on Merlin's magic.
'He's more powerful than I am,' Merlin shrugs.
'Do not imagine that your petty magic can harm me!' roars the dragon and he flies off.
'Why are you doing this? You're killing innocent people!' Merlin shouts up at the dragon.
Gwen treats Arthur's wound in the infirmary.
'You shouldn't've risked your life,' Gwen says.
'I wasn't going to let anything happen to you,' Arthur says softly.
Gwen reaches to put the towel down, but Arthur catches her hand and presses it against his chest, covering it with his hand. The two smile.
Lancelot winced at the scene.
Gaius notices and smiles at the pair.
'You know about them,' smiles Hunith.
'It was obvious but I didn't say anything it would make trouble for them,' shrugs Gaius.
Merlin approaches him.
'Are you hurt?' asks Gaius.
'There's nothing I can do. My magic is no good. It doesn't work,' Merlin looks lost.
'You looked lost,' Lancelot notes.
'Without my magic,' Merlin shrugs, 'I've always relied on my magic, always. I felt lost without it.' Merlin gave a smile, 'well when it was no use.'
'Dragons aren't monsters. They're creatures of wonder and magic. You must realise that they're immune to your powers,' Gaius tells him.
'Then how did we get rid of it?' asks Leon.
Arthur shrugs.
Arthur, Uther, knights, and advisors meet in the council chambers.
'The dead number 49 men, 27 women, a further 18 women and children are unaccounted for,' Arthur relates the numbers to the king.
Merlin winced knowing it was his fault as Arthur turned to glare at him.
'Most of last night's fires are now out. The castle walls, in particular, the western sections are near to collapse, I could go on,' Arthur continues.
'It was a terrifying time then,' Gwen sighs.
'Do we have any further idea on how the beast escaped?' the king asks.
'Yes,' Arthur glared at Merlin.
Merlin looked away guilt in every pore of his body.
'I regret to say, Sire, we don't,' Sir Leon replies.
'We do know,' growled Arthur.
'There must be some way to rid ourselves of this aberration. Gaius?' the king asks.
'We need a dragonlord, Sire,' Gaius says.
Hunith gasps, 'Balinor,' a strange look of longing on her face.
'Ye-'Sir Leon began, 'wait how do you know?' he demands.
Merlin winces and Gaius sighs.
'You know very well that's not an option,' Uther retorts.
'Sire, what if...there was, indeed, one last dragonlord left,' suggested Gaius.
'How did you fake his death?' Merlin asks softly.
'He fled,' Hunith sighs.
'That's not possible,' the king dismisses.
'But if there was,' Gaius tries again.
'What are you saying?' the king demands.
'It may just be rumour,' Gaius says quickly.
'Not a rumour,' Hunith sighs.
'Go on,' Uther encourages.
'I'm not exactly sure, but I think his name is Balinor,' Gaius tells the king.
'Balinor?' asks Uther.
Merlin scowled, 'the man you betrayed, the man you hunted, the man y-'
'Merlin, son, its okay,' Hunith comforted the angry warlock, 'I miss him too,' she smiles sadly.
'Did you to know him?' asks Arthur.
Merlin sighed, 'I wish,' he said a little bitterly.
'Where does he live?' asks Arthur.
'He was last seen in Cenred's kingdom in the border town of Enged, but that was many years ago,' Gaius explains.
'If this man still exists, then it is our duty to find him,' Arthur says.
'Our treaty with Cenred no longer holds,' the king says. 'We are at war.'
'That made returning home hard,' Merlin sighs.
'If they discovered you beyond our border, they would kill you,' warns the king.
'I will go alone,' Arthur decides.
'With me,' Merlin agrees.
'No,' Uther says.
'That way I will not be detected,' Arthur explains.
'That makes the most sense,' nods Percival.
'No, Arthur. It is too dangerous,' Uther says.
'More dangerous than staying here?' questions Arthur.
'He has a point,' concedes Gaius.
'I'll not stand by and watch my men die when I have the chance to save them,' Arthur declares.
'You're a good man,' smiles Gwen causing Lancelot's heart to twinge painfully.
'I have given you my orders,' the king retorts.
'Do not make this a test of wills, Father,' warned the prince.
'It felt like that was our whole relationship,' sighs Arthur.
'He cared for you deeply,' Gaius tells the prince, 'it's just hard for him to express his feelings.'
'I know, deep down,' Arthur says.
'I'm not talking to you as a father; I'm talking to you as a king!' the king snaps.
'Now your not,' smiles Hunith, 'he's talking out of concern for his only son.'
'I will ride immediately,' Arthur ignores his father.
'My concern is for you,' Uther changes track.
'Mine is for Camelot,' Arthur replies. 'I'll send word when I've found him,' the prince promises. Arthur turns to Merlin, 'prepare the horses,' the prince orders.
Merlin bows to Uther and follows Arthur out.
Merlin packs for their journey in his chambers.
'Who were the dragonlords? Gaius?' Merlin pulls Gaius out of his contemplative pacing.
'What's up with you?' asks Gwen.
'Your going to tell him,' Hunith states.
'Since he was going to meet Balinor I thought he had a right to know,' agrees Gaius.
'A right to know what?' Arthur hated being kept in the dark about anything.
'I had the right to know long before then,' Merlin mutters.
'There were once men who could talk to the dragons, tame them,' explains Gaius.
'How did they come to be?' asks Percival.
'Nobody knows,' Merlin admits, 'all that is known is it's passed down from parent to child; magic doesn't care about genders it would be the first born whether son or daughter. And it's not a talent you can learn!'
'Did any of the dragonlords have children?' asks Arthur.
'Yes,' Hunith sighs looking at Merlin.
'What happened to them?' asks Merlin.
'Uther believed that the art of the dragonlord was too close to magic. So he had them all rounded up and slaughtered,' explains Gaius.
Arthur frowns, 'that was wrong.'
Merlin looks at Arthur.
'Balinor seemed to be a nice enough man. A little cold but he was okay,' Arthur shrugs.
'He was brilliant,' agrees Hunith a strange smile on her face.
Gwen breathes and looks between the warlock and his mother.
'Oh,' she understands.
'But one survived. How did you know?' asks Merlin.
'It's Gaius,' shrugs Arthur, 'he always knows stuff like that.'
'I helped him escape,' Gaius admits.
'He was my friend,' smiles Gaius.
'Gaius,' Merlin says.
'Merlin, you've never heard the name Balinor?' asks Gaius.
'Why should he?' asks Gwaine.
'No,' Merlin doesn't seem concerned.
'Your mother never mentioned him?' asks Gaius.
'Did you know him well?' asks Lancelot.
'Very,' agrees Hunith.
'My mother?' asks Merlin.
'She took him in,' explains Gaius.
'She stood up against Uther?' asks Merlin.
'Keeping you was standing up to father,' reminds Arthur.
'I know I'd just never heard this tail,' Merlin explains.
'Yes,' Gaius nods.
'She was brave,' Merlin says proudly.
'Well you had to get your bravery from somewhere,' Lancelot smiles.
'Merlin's father was brave too,' Hunith sighs.
'Yes. When Uther discovered where Balinor was, he sent knights to Ealdor to hunt him down. He was forced to flee,' explains Gaius.
'Yet when asked for help with Kanen he went on about being in Cenred's kingdom,' Arthur frowns.
'Why didn't my mother tell me any of this?' asks Merlin.
'I didn't want it to endanger you,' sighs Hunith.
'More than having magic?' Merlin raises and eyebrow.
'Now I definitely know you've been spending too much time with Uncle Gaius,' laughs Hunith.
'Why would it endanger you?' frowns Gwen, 'it was before you were born.'
Merlin nods but doesn't say anything in reply.
'Merlin, I promised her I would never speak of these things,' Gaius says.
'You have a knack of breaking your promises,' Lancelot notes.
'Only when necessary,' replies Gaius.
'Of what?' Merlin asks.
'I've always treated you as my son,' Gaius begins.
'What are you getting at?' asks Percival.
'But that is not what you are,' Gaius adds.
'But you feel that way about each other,' frowns Lancelot.
'The man you are going to look for is your father,' Gaius announces.
There was a silence.
'That's why you were so quiet on our journey,' Arthur understands, 'and why you were so…. Oh,' his eyes widened understanding about Balinor's death, 'I'm sorry.'
'My father?' Merlin looks shocked.
'Yes,' agrees Gaius.
'He was a dragonlord? Why did no one ever tell me?' demands Merlin.
'Is that where you got your magic from?' asks Percival.
'Well it wasn't me,' Hunith assures the knight.
'I wanted to. Your mother feared it would be too dangerous,' Gaius explains.
'No more so than magic,' Merlin replies.
'You told me Uther had betrayed your father, how?' asks Gwaine.
Merlin sighs, 'he lied to him to make him come to Camelot under pretence of peace,' Merlin scowls.
'I had a right to know!' Merlin repeats.
'He has a point,' Lancelot nods.
'She wanted to protect you,' Gaius says.
'I wouldn't have told anyone anymore than told anyone I had magic,' Merlin tells her.
'But you had enough secrets without anymore,' Hunith replies.
'No. I had a right to know,' Merlin leaves Gaius.
Gaius approaches Merlin in the Square as Merlin prepares his horse.
'You got everything you need?' asks Gaius.
Merlin nods, 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-'the warlock begins.
'I knew,' smiles Gaius, 'you were just upset, justifiably.'
'I know that,' Gaius cuts off.
'Come on, Merlin,' Arthur calls.
'You're ready?' asks Merlin.
'No thanks to you,' Arthur retorts cringing from his wound.
'I had just found a secret which had been kept from me my whole life,' Merlin reminds them.
Merlin notices, 'you okay?' he asks.
'It's just a scratch,' Arthur trots off on his horse.
'Hardly,' frowns Gwen.
'Merlin, whatever happens, you must not let Arthur know who this man is. Uther would view the son of a dragonlord with the deepest suspicion,' warns Gaius.
'Not something I would need,' Merlin sighs.
Merlin and Arthur ride through the woods and pause at the top of a hill overlooking a village, 'this is it. One more step and we're in Cenred's kingdom. This Balinor better be worth it,' the prince says.
'He is,' Hunith says surely.
'You still love him,' Gwen says.
'Always,' she nods.
Arthur and Merlin arrive in the village at night in the pouring rain where they enter a tavern and everyone stops to stare at them.
'You've already got attention,' groaned Gaius.
'Greetings!' Arthur greets.
A man pulls a knife out of a table.
'Nice,' Gwen raises her brow.
'I've been to taverns like that,' laughs Gwaine.
'I'm sure you have,' muttered Elyan.
Arthur and Merlin sit at a table and the innkeeper slops their drinks all over the table.
'We're looking for a man named Balinor. I'm willing to pay,' Arthur slaps a bag of coins in front of the innkeeper, 'handsomely.'
The innkeeper nods and leans in, 'never heard of him,' the innkeeper only takes the few coins Arthur already had on the end of the table.
'You think one of these men is Balinor?' asks Merlin.
'I certainly hope Balinor hasn't taken to frequenting pubs in my absence,' Hunith says eyes flashing.
'He hadn't,' Merlin assures her.
'I hope not,' Arthur looks around.
'So do I,' Merlin agrees
'But for different reasons,' Gwen smiles at her friend.
Arthur and Merlin getting ready for bed.
'What is wrong with you today?' asks Arthur.
'What?' Merlin asks.
'It pains me to admit it, but I do enjoy your surly retorts. In fact, it's probably your only redeemable feature,' Arthur tells him.
'Arthur has just complimented Merlin it must be bad,' laughed Gwaine.
'Thanks,' Merlin didn't sound very thankful.
'Very sincere,' muttered Lancelot.
'I was thinking,' Merlin retorted.
'There are loads of servants who can serve. So few are capable of making a complete prat of themselves. What is it?' Arthur asks.
'Nothing,' Merlin lies.
'It's something. Tell me. Alright, I know I'm a prince, so we can't be friends,' Arthur admits.
'I don't think that's true,' Gwen shakes her head.
'But if I wasn't a prince...' Arthur trails off.
'What?' asks Merlin.
'Well, then...I think we'd probably get on,' Arthur says.
'So?' Merlin asks.
'So at least can you tell me?' Arthur asks.
'Well, that's true. But you see, if you weren't a prince, I'd tell you to mind your own damn business,' Merlin retorts.
'He probably would,' chuckles Gaius.
'Merlin,' Arthur says exasperated. 'Are you missing Gaius?' teases the prince.
'Something like that,' mutters Merlin.
'Well, what is it, then?' Arthur throws a pillow at Merlin.
'I'll tell you. I'm worried about everyone back in Camelot. I hope they're alright,' Merlin lies.
'I was worrying about that but I was also worrying about what Balinor would be like would he be someone I was proud to call a father,' Merlin sighs.
'He is,' Hunith says.
'I know,' Merlin sighs sadly.
'So do I,' agrees Arthur.
'Gwen,' grinned Gwaine.
'I was worrying about my people too,' Arthur looks offended.
In the main square that night the battle continues.
'You got a much more peaceful night than we,' mutters Leon.
Leon heads the knights against the dragon back in Camelot.
'Hold! Hold! Hold! Now!' orders the knights.
They shoot at the Great Dragon but The Dragon blows fire. The knights hunch down and overlap their shields against the flames where Uther is watching from his chambers.
Someone sneaks into Merlin and Arthur's room and reaches for Arthur's bag. Arthur grabs the man's hand and throws him onto Merlin's bed at knifepoint where Merlin wakes, 'what's going on?' he asks.
'Do you know what the punishment is for theft?' demands the prince.
'In Cenred's kingdom,' Merlin says grimly, 'stoning by the transgressed.'
'No, please. I've got children to feed,' begged the man.
'Tell me where to find Balinor,' orders the prince.
'Balinor?' asks the man.
'What do you know of him?' Arthur asks.
'Nothing. I...' Asgerd is cut off when Arthur puts a sword to his throat.
'Do you value your life?' warns Arthur.
'It's been many years since I saw him,' Asgerd replies.
'You know where he lives?' asks Arthur.
'You must travel through the Forest of Marendred to the foot of Feyora Mountain. There you will find the cave where Balinor dwells,' replies Asgerd. And Arthur releases Asgerd. 'But don't get your hopes up,' warns the man.
'What's that supposed to mean,' frowned Hunith.
'He was little stand offish at first,' Arthur explains.
'He had a hard life,' Merlin retorts defending his father.
'Why?' asks Merlin.
'He will not welcome you. Balinor hates everyone and everything. A cave's the best place for him,' Asgerd replies.
'That must have been hard for you to hear,' Percival gave the warlock a look.
Merlin nods, 'he was wrong, he just needed someone to get through to him!'
Merlin and Arthur walking their horses through the woods, Arthur is stumbling a bit which Merlin notices.
'It's all right,' Arthur lies.
Gwen frowned, 'you don't look it.'
'You should have let me look at it,' Gaius said.
'No, it's the wound. Let me have a look,' Merlin insists.
A branch snaps as Merlin's looking at Arthur's wounded shoulder.
'Get down! Get down!' Merlin whispers.
'It's more dangerous for him, than me,' Merlin frowned, 'I'm a citizen of Escetia but you're the prince of Camelot.'
Merlin pulls him down to hide behind a fallen tree as Cenred's men pass by.
'Arthur?' Merlin shakes him, 'Arthur?' the warlock repeats.
Arthur has passed out.
'He needs medical attention,' mutters Gaius.
'How did you get him help?' asks Gwen stressed.
'Father,' Merlin says proudly.
Arthur is slung over his horse as Merlin guides them to Balinor's cave. Merlin leaves Arthur for a bit as he enters Balinor's cave.]
'Hello?' Merlin calls.
Balinor grabs him from behind.
'Nice greeting to your father,' snorts Gwaine.
'He didn't know it was his son,' Merlin retorts, 'and he was suspicious of Camelot's knights coming after him!'
'What do you want here, boy?' Balinor lets him go and Merlin stares at his father.
'He doesn't look much like you,' Gwen notes.
'I haven't been living in a cave for the past twenty years,' Merlin replies.
'My friend, he's sick! He needs help!' Merlin says desperately.
'Show me, boy,' the man tells his son.
'I don't think he would have spoken to you if it hadn't been for that,' Gaius says.
'Yeah but that made me realise he couldn't be evil like the man at the tavern told us; evil people don't tend to heal random strangers,' Merlin smiles.
Hunith nods.
Merlin keeps staring at his father.
'Merlin, you're staring,' Gwaine points out.
'He's just found his long lost father give him a break,' snaps Arthur before anyone else could say anything.
'What are you waiting for? Fetch him!' Balinor cuts in.
'He doesn't know,' Gwaine realises.
'He had to leave before I realised I was pregnant,' Hunith explains with a sad smile.
'Did you tell him?' asks Arthur.
Merlin just gave Arthur a look, 'of course I did,' he snaps.
Balinor treats Arthur's wound in his cave.
Hunith sighs, 'look where he had to live. He seems sadder than when I knew him, too,' she adds.
'I know,' agrees Merlin.
'Ahlúttre þá séocnes. Þurh- hæle bræd,' the dragonlord incanted. 'He needs rest,' he tells his son.
'Will he be alright?' asks Merlin.
'Don't worry about me talk to your father,' Arthur tells the servant.
'By morning,' Balinor agrees.
'Thank you,' Merlin says.
'He's a Goodman, of course he would save Arthur,' Hunith smiles.
'I know,' agrees Merlin.
Later Merlin and Balinor are eating dinner together.
'A family meal,' murmurs Hunith.
'Looks good. How long have you lived here?' Merlin asks.
'A few winters,' Balinor replies.
'Twenty years more like,' sighs Hunith.
'Must be hard,' Merlin says sympathetically.
'Why are you here?' demands the dragonlord.
'I don't think he liked you drawing attention to everything he had lost,' Merlin says.
'Just travelling. We're looking for someone. I was told, well...they said that he lived somewhere hereabouts. A man named Balinor. You never heard of him? He was a dragonlord,' the future dragonlord adds.
'Still is,' Gaius adds.
'He's passed on,' Balinor lies.
'You knew him?' asks Merlin.
'Who are you?' demands Balinor.
'I'm...Merlin,' Merlin replies.
'And him?' Balinor points at Arthur.
'He's my master,' Merlin replies.
'You're very good at being flexible with the truth,' mutters Arthur.
'I have to be,' Merlin sighs.
'Not with Balinor,' Hunith tells her son.
'His name!' snaps the dragonlord.
'His name is Lancelot. He's a knight. You know, a nice one,' Merlin says.
'You used my name?' Lancelot asks.
Merlin shrugs, 'I'm not the most trusting of people and your one of the few I trust enough with my secret.'
'His name is Arthur Pendragon. He is Uther's son,' he says in disgust.
'He doesn't say that like a good thing,' mutters Arthur.
'He's suffered a lot at your father's hands,' Merlin defends his father.
'Yes,' agrees Merlin.
'This is Cenred's kingdom,' points out Merlin's father.
'Like we hadn't noticed that,' mutters Arthur.
Merlin glared at him eyes turning gold as he reached into the dormant powers that lay deep within him, 'catt cútægl.' Arthur ends up with a cat's tail. Merlin grinned, 'it will wear off in ten minutes,' he assures the prince.
'He's asking for trouble,' warns the dragonlord. 'What do you want from me?' the dragonlord asks.
'Are you Balinor?' Balinor's son asks. 'The Great Dragon is attacking Camelot,' Merlin explains.
'His name is Kilgharrah,' Balinor tells him.
'Well, we can't stop him. Only you, a dragonlord, can,' Merlin says.
'He doesn't act blindly. He kills for a reason; vengeance. This is of Uther's making,' the dragonlord says.
'It was,' Merlin sighs.
'But it doesn't make it right,' Hunith sighs.
'But he's killing innocent people; women and children,' Merlin argues.
'Uther pursued me! He hunted me like an animal!' Balinor retorts.
Arthur winces.
'That's true,' agrees Merlin, 'but the citizens of Camelot didn't do anything wrong.'
'I know,' Merlin says sadly.
'What do you know about anybody's life, boy?' demands the dragonlord.
'Listen to him,' Hunith begs, 'he wasn't this angry when twenty years ago.'
'He's been lonely and scared for those twenty years,' Gaius reminds them.
'Uther asked me to use my power to bring the last dragon to Camelot. He said he wanted to make peace with it, but he did not! He lied to me! He betrayed me! You want me to protect this man?' demands the dragonlord.
'You must hate father,' mutters Arthur.
Merlin sighs, 'I don't have any good feelings to him but he's your father so whatever my feelings to your father I'll never hurt him.'
'I want you to protect Camelot,' Merlin tells him.
'He killed every one of my kind! I alone escaped!' Balinor retorts.
'Merlin will inherit,' adds Hunith.
'Where did you go?' asks Merlin.
'I think you know,' Percival smiles.
'There's a place called Ealdor,' Balinor says.
'Which Merlin grew up in,' Gaius says.
'Yes,' Merlin says.
'I had a life there,' Balinor gets a pensive look on his face.
'That was his home,' Arthur realises.
'A woman, a good woman,' Balinor references his son's mother.
'He still loves me,' smiles Hunith.
'Course he does,' Gaius says.
'Ealdor is beyond Uther's realm, but still he pursued me. Why would he not let me be?' he asks.
'I don't know,' Arthur frowns, 'how many families did father tear apart?'
'What was it that I had done that he wanted to destroy the life I built, abandon the woman I loved?' the dragonlord demands.
'He had magic that makes him guilty in Uther's opinion,' Merlin replies bitterly.
'He sent knights to kill me,' the dragonlord continues.
Lancelot frowns, 'that's not what knights are for.'
'They were following orders,' sighs Gaius.
'And took Balinor from me,' Hunith has tears in her eyes.
'I was forced to come here, to this!' he gestures to the cave.
'Living there,' murmurs Arthur.
'So, I understand how Kilgharrah feels. He's lost every one of his kind, every one of his kin. You want to know how that feels? Look around, boy. Let Uther die. Let Camelot fall,' Balinor says.
'I know how he feels,' Merlin sighs. 'But doesn't mean I agree with letting innocent die because of hating one man!'
'I see where Merlin gets his rants from,' laughs Arthur.
'You want everyone in Camelot to die?' Merlin asks shocked.
'Why should I care?' demands Balinor.
'What if one of them was your son?' Merlin asks softly.
'I don't have a son,' Balinor replies.
'I wish I could have gotten word to him,' sighs Hunith.
'And if I told you-'Merlin begans.
Arthur coughs cutting the servant off.
'Merlin, Merlin,' Arthur coughs.
'Bad timing, Arthur,' Gwen shakes his hand.
Merlin watches his father by the mouth of the cave while Arthur comes out of the cave.
'I feel great! What the hell did you give me?' asks Arthur.
'It was all down to Balinor,' replies Merlin.
'So we found him, then? Thank heaven for that,' Arthur says.
'That doesn't mean he's willing to help,' Merlin mutters.
'He wasn't what you're expecting,' Gwaine notes.
'No,' agrees Merlin.
'I can understand that,' mutters Gwaine having the same problem with his own father.
'But he came through in the end,' Arthur reassures his friend.
'I know,' Merlin smiles sadly.
'What?' Arthur demands.
'You won't persuade him,' Merlin warns.
'Does he know what's at stake?' demands Arthur.
Merlin nods sadly.
'What kind of man is he?' demands Arthur.
'A sad, lonely man,' Merlin sighs.
'Whose lost all he holds dear,' adds Lancelot.
'I don't know. I thought he'd be something more,' Merlin says.
'I thought you meant the fact he was a dragonlord not the fact he was your father,' Arthur admits.
People of Camelot carry buckets of water through the lower town to put out the fires from the night before. Gwen gazes across Camelot from the battlements with tear-stained cheeks and Gaius joins her.
'You missing Morgana?' asks Gaius. 'She's stronger than people think.'
'Too strong,' scowls Percival.
'I believe that, wherever she is, she'll be alright,' Gaius tells her.
'Yeah and learning dark magic,' Merlin frowns.
'And Arthur?' asks Gwen.
'You care a lot for him, don't you?' Gaius asks.
'Everyone does,' Gwen replies.
'Not like you do,' Elyan reminds his sister.
'I think he cares the same way about you. It's alright, I won't tell anyone,' promises Gaius.
'I know Uther would be furious,' Uther shrugs.
'I know we can never be,' Gwen replies.
'Yes we can,' Arthur replies.
'Oh...the world's a strange place, Guinevere. Never underestimate the power of love. I've seen it change many things,' Gaius says.
Arthur walks back to Merlin after talking to Balinor.
'What did he say?' asks Merlin.
'He'll change his mind,' Arthur tells his friend.
'He said that?' Merlin asks hopefully.
'You want him to,' Gwen smiles softly.
'Just...give him a moment,' Arthur says.
'Farewell, then,' Balinor comes out of his cave.
'That's your decision?' Arthur asks disdainfully.
'I will not help Uther,' Balinor replies.
'He lost a lot to the king,' sighs Gaius.
'But it's not the king I wanted him to help it was the innocent men, women and children of Camelot,' Merlin explains.
'Then the people of Camelot are damned,' Arthur tells him.
'So be it,' Balinor declares.
'When did he become so cold?' asks Hunith.
'He wasn't so bad when I next saw him,' Arthur tells them.
'Have you no conscience?' demands Arthur.
'You should ask that question of your father!' retorts the dragonlord.
'That's true,' mutters Merlin.
'But he's making himself as bad,' Gwen says softly.
'And you are no better than him!' Merlin retorts.
'Don't waste your time, Merlin,' Arthur tells the servant.
'Gaius spoke of the nobility of dragonlords! Clearly he was wrong!' Merlin spoke derisively.
'Gaius?' asks Balinor shocked.
'Yes,' Merlin nods.
'A good man,' agrees Gaius.
'Yeah. I was hoping you'd be like him,' Merlin admits.
'Your father figure,' Gwaine was the one to understand.
Merlin nods, 'he was different but I liked him.'
Hunith smiles, 'of course you did!'
'Merlin!' Arthur calls.
'Are you going to interrupt every time they try to talk,' Gwen frowns at her future husband.
'I wanted to-'Merlin begins.
'Merlin!' Arthur interrupts.
'Arthur,' Gwen looks exasperated.
'Well, there's no point,' Merlin looks sadly.
Arthur and Merlin ride off, then set up camp in the woods.
'I always thought that silence would be a blessing with you, but I find it just as irritating,' Arthur informs the servant.
'You worried about him,' Gwen smiles.
'You're a riddle, Merlin,' Arthur suddenly says.
'That's what I'm always saying,' agrees Gaius.
'A riddle?' asks Merlin.
'Yes,' Arthur agrees. 'But I've got to quite like you,' adds Arthur.
'That's high praise coming from Arthur,' Leon laughs.
'Yeah?' Merlin asks.
'Now I realise you're not as big a fool as you look,' Arthur says.
'That's a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one,' Gaius shakes his head.
'Yeah, I feel the same. Now that I realise you're not as arrogant as you sound,' Merlin retorts.
'At least you got him to talk,' Hunith smiles.
'You still think I'm arrogant?' Arthur demands.
'You do act it,' Gwen smiles in attempt to lessen the insult.
'No. More,' Merlin pauses to think of a word. 'Supercilious,' the warlock comes up with.
'Now I know you've been spending to much time with uncle,' laughs Hunith.
'That's a big word, Merlin. You sure you know what it means?' asks Arthur.
'Contemptuous,' Percival replies.
'Condescending,' Merlin replies.
'More or less,' agrees Gaius.
'Very good,' Arthur looks surprised.
'Patronising,' Merlin continues.
'Not exactly,' Hunith smiles at her son.
'It doesn't quite mean that,' Arthur corrected.
'No, these are other things you are,' Merlin replies.
'Hang on!' Arthur looks insulted.
'Over bearing,' Merlin continues.
Arthur hears a twig snap and picks up his sword.
'Now what,' groans Hunith.
'It's just father,' Merlin reassures her.
'Shh,' Arthur hushed his friend.
'Very overbearing,' Merlin repeats.
'Merlin!' hisses Arthur.
'But you wanted me to talk,' Merlin replies naively.
'Your impossible,' Arthur shakes his head.
Merlin hears another twig snap.
'Not completely inobservant are you, Merlin,' Arthur grins.
'Well we can all see that can't we,' Gwaine rolls his eyes.
Merlin picks up a sword and follows Arthur. They hear trees move behind them and turn around.
'Careful, boy,' warns Balinor. 'I thought you might need some help. This is dangerous country.'
'And will you return to Camelot with us?' Arthur questions.
'You were right, Merlin. There are some in Camelot who risked their lives for me. I owe a debt that must be repaid,' Balinor says.
'He sounds like Arthur,' Merlin comments.
'If you succeed in killing the dragon, you will not go unrewarded,' Arthur promises.
Balinor scoffs, 'I seek no reward.'
'All he wishes for is freedom,' Hunith smiles sadly.
'Great! Let's eat,' Arthur decides.
Merlin and Balinor collect firewood.
'This wood's too wet,' Merlin says.
Lancelot rolls his eyes, 'I'm sure either of you are able to dry the wood what with your "talents"'.
Merlin grins at Lancelot.
'Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find a way to make it light,' the dragonlord tells Merlin.
'Magic,' understands Percival.
'Of course,' Merlin grins.
'When you healed Arthur, I heard you mumble some words-'Merlin begins.
'An ancient prayer,' Balinor lies.
'I thought it might've been more than that,' Merlin says.
'I finally understood where my magic came from,' Merlin smiles sadly.
'The Old Religion can teach us many things,' Balinor replies.
'Do you practice the Old Religion?' asks Arthur.
'I don't attend festivals or feasts but I do believe in the old religion,' Merlin replies.
'The Old Religion. Is that something you were taught?' Merlin asks.
'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,' Balinor tells his son.
'Learning of your heritage,' murmurs Gwaine.
'First I've ever heard of my father's family,' Merlin shrugged.
'Were they also dragonlords?' Merlin asks.
'We'll need some kindling,' Balinor changes the subject.
'You mentioned...You spoke of Ealdor. You took refuge with a woman,' Merlin says.
'That was a long time ago,' Balinor replies.
'You've obviously never forgotten it,' murmurs Arthur.
'I grew up there,' Merlin admits.
'Ealdor?' asks Balinor.
'Yes. I know the woman,' Merlin agrees.
'"The woman"' Hunith cuffs her son, 'I have a name you know!'
'Sorry,' Merlin rubs his head.
'Hunith? She's still alive?' asks Balinor.
'Yes. She's my mother,' agrees Merlin.
'Then she married. That's good,' Balinor says sadly.
'Doesn't sound like it,' mutters Percival.
'He's not happy about it but he would accept it if it made her happy,' Lancelot is looking at Gwen as he's speaking. 'For her to be happy is all he wants whoever she's with.'
Everyone realises that Lancelot was no longer talking about Hunith and Balinor. Gwen looks sadly at her old love.
'She never married. I'm your son,' Merlin says.
'You have no idea how nerve wracking that was,' Merlin mutters, 'I was terrified that he would reject me.'
'He's been lonely for a long time,' Gaius smiles at Merlin. 'The idea of having a family would be wonderful to him.'
'I know he'd never reject you,' adds Hunith.
Balinor stares at Merlin for a moment.
'I don't know what it is to have a son,' Balinor admits.
'Or I a father,' Merlin smiles.
Merlin hears something snap and sees Arthur walking close by.
'You must not tell Arthur,' Merlin whispers urgently.
'Did he think you were rejecting him?' asks Arthur.
Merlin shook his head, 'no I think he understood that it would make life very difficult for me.'
Balinor hands Merlin some firewood and they smile at one another.
'I think that's the first time I saw Balinor smile,' Merlin admits.
'He was no longer lonely,' Hunith smiles.
Arthur sleeps as Merlin and Balinor sit by the campfire. Balinor is whittling some wood.
'Why did you never return?' asks Merlin.
'It would have been to dangerous,' sighs Hunith, 'we couldn't even write for fear of interception.'
'I thought her life would be better without me,' Balinor admits.
'Now, that's just codswallop,' Hunith's eyes flashing in a Merlin like manner.
'Why?' asks Merlin.
'Uther wanted me dead. If he'd found me, he'd have killed me, and your mother. I wanted her to be safe,' the dragonlord explains.
Arthur sighs knowing that the family had been split up by his father.
'That's noble of him,' Lancelot seems to like the dragonlord.
'We could've come with you,' Merlin suggests.
'It wouldn't have been healthy to give birth to a child in a cave,' frowns Gaius.
'What kind of life would you have had here?' asks Balinor.
'We'd have been happy,' Merlin replies.
'Neither of you would have been so lonely,' adds Gwen.
'When we've finished in Camelot, I will take you to Ealdor,' Merlin decides.
Merlin flinches.
'Why didn't you?' asks Hunith.
Merlin finds himself unable to answer.
'What happened?' Hunith asks.
'I couldn't save him,' there are now tears in Merlin's eyes.
Hunith too has tears in her eyes and takes Merlin in her arms.
'I'm sorry, mother, I know how much you loved him,' Merlin tried not to cry.
'It wasn't your fault, my son,' Hunith and Merlin are now clinging onto each other.
'She won't recognise me,' Balinor shakes his head.
'I'll always recognise you,' Hunith gave a teary smile.
'I see her in you,' Balinor tells the boy.
'Yeah?' asks Merlin.
'You have her kindness,' Balinor tells him.
'How did you become a dragonlord?' Merlin asks.
'You once told me your father could have taught you so much,' Gwaine suddenly remembers.
'He could have,' Merlin has a sad look in his eyes, 'if it weren't for what happened,' Merlin sighs.
'You don't choose to become a dragonlord. It's not something you're taught. It's a sacred gift. For thousands of years it's been handed down from father to son. And that is what you must now become, Merlin,' the dragonlord says.
'I would like that,' Merlin agrees.
'Not if I knew the way you inherited the powers of a dragonlord,' Merlin sighs his eyes hard.
'How do you inherit?' asks Arthur.
'Like your future kingship,' Gaius explains.
'I won't inherit until father die-'Arthur stopped his eyes opening in realisation, 'oh!'
'And like all dragonlords, you won't know for sure that you have that power until you face your first dragon,' Balinor explains.
'Why wouldn't you?' asks Gwaine.
'If I had an older sibling somewhere,' Merlin shrugs.
'You should get some sleep. We've a big day ahead of us. Goodnight, Son,' Balinor says.
'That's the first time he called me father,' Merlin murmurs.
'Sleep well, Father,' Merlin smiles.
Merlin wakes and sees mini-dragon that his father whittled for him.
'I still have that,' murmurs Merlin.
'I don't blame you,' agrees Arthur, 'if I had something of my mother's I'd always keep it.'
'Like I have my father's ring,' Gwaine adds.
Merlin nods and Arthur gives Gwaine a sharp look.
'I keep it with my spell books and staff,' Merlin changes the subject.
Gwaine gives his friend a thankful look.
Merlin smiles when Arthur grabs him from behind, covering his mouth.
'Cenred's men,' Arthur whispers and draws his sword.
Cenred's men attack the camp. Merlin tosses his father a sword and takes on his own opponent but quickly gets disarmed.
'Oh no,' groans Hunith.
Balinor rushes to his aid, 'no!' Balinor is run through.
'BALINOR!' cries Hunith tears in her eyes.
'Father,' whispers Merlin.
Mother and son clutch at each other tears running down their faces.
Merlin catches his father.
'AHHHH!' Merlin cries gutturally, pain clear in his voice as his eyes glow and he throws the guard who just stabbed his father back their eyes rolling in their head.
There were shudders at the raw power that Merlin possessed but nobody could fault him as he had just lost his father.
Merlin lowers his father to the ground and holds him tears in his eyes.
'Ah, I see you have your father's talent, Merlin,' Balinor says proudly.
'And more,' Gaius looks tense at his friend's death.
'Please, no. Please. I can save you,' Merlin begs.
'He was too close to death,' Merlin sobs. 'I couldn't save him, my magic was useless.'
'It wasn't your fault,' Hunith is still holding onto her son.
'Listen to me,' Balinor breathes. 'When you face the dragon, remember: be strong. A dragon's heart is on its right side, not it's left.'
'I can't do it alone,' Merlin cries.
'Yes you can and Balinor... Balinor knew that you could do it,' Hunith has tears still in her eyes.
'Listen to me!' repeats my Balinor. 'Oh, my son. I've seen enough in you to know that you will make me proud,' were his last words as Balinor dies.
'As you did,' Arthur gives his friend a sad smile.
'I know,' Merlin smiles teary.
'No, father,' Merlin cries. 'No!' Merlin shouts.
'That's what you saw in the Crystal,' Percival suddenly realises.
'Not the time,' Gwen murmurs.
Arthur shows up and on seeing Balinor's dead body throws his sword down. 'NO!' Merlin wipes his eyes and stands up to face Arthur. 'Camelot is doomed,' Arthur proclaims.
'Not yet,' Merlin whispers, 'I'm my father's son,' he says proudly.
Merlin and Arthur ride back to Camelot in the rain. The look outs spot them and rush to tell the King. The King and his advisors stand as Arthur and Merlin enter the War Room.
'I'm sorry, Father. I failed you. The last dragonlord is dead,' Arthur tells the king.
'I'm sorry,' Arthur looks at Merlin, 'that was insensitive.'
'And I took up the mantle of the Last Dragonlord,' Merlin sighs.
Gaius looks at Merlin who tries not to cry.
Hunith and Merlin still have their arms around each other.
Gaius lowers his head.
'There are many years where I might've wished for that news,' the king admits.
Merlin's eyes flash and there seems to be static in the room as Merlin is shaking in fury.
'Merlin,' Hunith tries to calm her angry son down.
'That, that, fowl man,' growls Merlin, 'how dare he!'
'I know but it doesn't make it any better,' she reassures him.
'I justwish that I got a chance to know him for more than a few hours,' Merlin sobs.
'I know, Merlin, I know,' Hunith sighs.
'All is not lost, Father. We have to 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,' Arthur suggests.
'You have no hope,' mutters Merlin.
'There is no point,' Uther tells his son.
'So what? We stand here, watch Camelot fall?' demands Arthur.
Uther nods, 'you have my blessing.'
'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,' warns Arthur.
Sir Leon's the first to step forward twelve other knights following Leon's example also step forward and form a circle around Arthur.]
Merlin sits on his bed and cries over the dragon figurine his father made for him when Gaius enters.
'Thank you, Gaius, I needed you then,' Merlin tells his mentor.
'I knew that,' agrees Gaius.
'Merlin, what happened?' Gaius asks gently.
'I couldn't save him,' Merlin sobs.
'Merlin,' sighs Gaius.
'He said the dragonlord's gift is passed from father to son,' Merlin says.
'That is true,' Gaius agrees.
'When I faced the Great Dragon, my magic was useless,' Merlin says desperately.
'Your father wasn't dead. It's only then you can inherit his powers,' Gaius explains.
'Do you think I'm strong enough to stand up to him?' asks Merlin.
'Your stronger than you think,' Gwen smiles.
'Only time will tell,' Gaius replies.
In Arthur's Chambers Merlin helps Arthur put on his armour, 'well, look on the bright side, Merlin. Chances are you're not going to have to clean this again.'
'Not funny,' Gwen frowns.
'You must be careful today. Do not force the battle,' Merlin advises.
'Merlin's Words of Wisdom,' Arthur shakes his head.
'Yes, Sire!' Arthur says sarcastically.
'You should have listened it was good advice,' reproves Gwen.
'I know,' Arthur mutters.
'I'm serious,' Merlin is not in the mood for jokes.
'I can hear that,' Arthur mutters.
'Let matters take their course,' Merlin continues.
'I.e. let Merlin deal with the dragon,' Percival translates.
Merlin shrugs still not up for laughing.
'Merlin, if I die, please…'Arthur trails off.
'You're not going to die on me, Arthur Pendragon,' Merlin mutters.
'What?' asks Arthur.
'The dragonlord today...I saw you. One thing I tell all my young knights: no man is worth your tears,' Arthur tells the servant.
'He was,' sighs Arthur. 'I'm sorry I didn't know.'
'I know,' Merlin agrees.
'Yeah. You're certainly not,' Merlin agrees.
'Back to your old self,' Gwen smiles.
'Almost,' Merlin agrees.
Arthur picks up a sword and Merlin does too.
'What are you doing?' asks Arthur.
'Seeing off Camelot's latest threat as Merlin always does,' Lancelot smiles.
'I'm coming with you,' Merlin says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
'Obviously,' Merlin says.
'Merlin, the chances are I'm going to die,' Arthur says slowly.
'Yeah, yeah, you probably would if I wasn't there,' Merlin agrees.
'Well that's true,' Leon says.
'Right,' Arthur scoffs.
'Do you know how many times I've had to save your royal backside?' Merlin questions.
'Too many,' Merlin mutters. 'What? You think I like it that Arthur is always in danger?' Merlin demands.
'Well at least you got your sense of humour back,' Arthur says.
Arthur swipes Merlin's sword out of the way and heads toward the door where Merlin follows. Arthur stops and looks at his friend.
'Are you really going to face this dragon with me?' Arthur asks.
'I thought you were incredibly brave,' Arthur admits, 'only thirteen of my knights agreed to come and you a servant was willing to brave the dragon.'
'I'm not going to sit here and watch. I know it's hard for you to understand how I feel, but...well, I care a hell of a lot about that armour, I'm not going to let you mess it up,' Merlin says.
They laugh together. Arthur gives Merlin a friendly hit and they exit. Gaius watches from the battlements as the dragon slayer party rides out of Camelot.
'I was very worried about you,' Gaius admits.
In the forest clearing.
'I'll still meet Kilgharrah there when I need help,' murmurs Merlin.
The dragon slayer party waits for Kilgharrah when The Dragon arrives.
'Hold firm,' Arthur orders.
Kilgharrah swoops down.
'Hold! Hold! Hold! Now!' Arthur suddenly shouts.
The knights circle their horses in formation to surround Kilgharrah. Kilgharrah knocks Merlin, Arthur and some other knights off of their horses with his tail. Kilgharrah roasts some other knights.
Merlin stands up, 'no Stop!'
Kilgharrah turns toward Merlin and Arthur and Arthur picks up a spear. Kilgharrah contemplates Arthur for a moment and then tries to flame him. Arthur rolls out of the way and stabs Kilgharrah in the side. Kilgharrah roars and knocks Arthur out. Merlin stands up.
'You're the last dragonlord now. You alone carry the ancient gift. Deep within yourself, you must find the voice that you and Kilgharrah share, for your soul and his are brothers,' Balinor is saying.
'What a weird family,' Gwaine grins.
'When you speak to him as kin, he must obey your will,' the old dragonlord says.
'Dracan! Nán dyd ǽlc áciere miss! Eftsíðas eom ála cræt! Géate' stǽr ábære gárrǽs! Géate cyre. Mé tácen átende diegollice. Car grise áþes,' Merlin roars.
'That sounds different to the language you normally use,' comments Percival.
'It is,' Merlin agrees, 'its Dragon-Tongue and cannot be learnt only know,' Merlin tells the knight.
Kilgharrah settles back and bows to Merlin.
'He bowed to you?' asks Arthur.
'I am his lord,' Merlin replies.
Merlin picks up the spear.
'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,' he begs.
Merlin thrusts the spear into the air and Kilgharrah winces.
'Go! Leave! If you ever attack Camelot again, I will kill you!' Merlin vows in return Kilgharrah bows and Merlin drops the spear, 'I have shown you mercy! Now you must do the same to others!'
'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,' Kilgharrah flies off.
'He has saved my life and helped me out more than once,' Merlin mutters, 'without me ordering him to.'
Arthur wakes up, 'what happened?'
'You dealt him a mortal blow,' Merlin lies.
'You let me take the credit?' Arthur asks.
'Have to feed your ego now and again,' Merlin grins.
Arthur just rolls his eyes.
'He's gone?' Arthur asks surprised.
'Yeah, you did it,' Merlin lies.
Arthur laughs insanely.
'He's lost it,' Gwaine says to no one in particular.
'He never had it,' Merlin corrects.
Arthur pouts and everyone else laughs.
'You seem happier,' smiles Gwen.
'Hearing my father with me reminded me that though he's gone I live on for him,' replies Merlin.
'You did it,' Merlin laughs.
Arthur and Merlin head for the drawbridge.
'Where was Leon?' asks Percival.
Merlin looks vaguely guilty, 'we didn't check the bodies for pulses several survived and made their way to Camelot on their own.'
Uther sees them from his window sighs in relief and leaves.
'That's it?' asks Percival, 'no coming to greet your or anything.'
'He threw a feast in my honour,' Arthur didn't sound happy about it, 'not that I deserved it. I never did anything.'
'You with your knights risked your life very bravely,' Merlin tells him softly, 'you deserved the feast.'
Gwen and Gaius come to meet them. Gwen runs to Arthur and hugs him.
'I thought I'd lost you,' Gwen whispers.
Gaius and Merlin hug.
'My boy,' Gaius greets.
Arthur and Gwen leave.
'I felt him there with me, Gaius,' Merlin gestures to his heart.
'He'll always be with you,' Gaius tells his would be son.
'Always,' Hunith and Merlin agree smiling sadly.
'I hope so,' Merlin agrees.
'Merlin, I know I can never compare with your father, but for what it's worth, you've still got me,' Gaius says.
'Merlin's said the same to before,' Arthur says.
'Well, I suppose I'll just have to make do,' Merlin smiles.
Gaius laughs.
Okay that's series two done. I'm thinking about bringing Morgana and Morgause in what do you think? Please review. And thanks to the reviews I've got so far I do try to answer them all if I haven't I'm sorry.