a/n2 This has now been betaed by the wonderful Kripkeisgod

A/N: Well I hope you're happy. I managed to do an entire chapter in a day when I was meant to be doing project protocols for uni (done most of it just one last bit to do) and job hunting (since I have been made redundant).

And I know, I know I said I was working on another fic but I have writers block on them (but not on the one shots) so I worked on this instead. This was meant to be done a while back but I kept Christmas/new years week to myself then realised I had three assignments I needed to do as the deadlines had snuck up on me. Proud to say I got 2 of then done in a week (a 50 page whopper and a lab write up). Last one is the protocols.

What did you think of the final episode of Merlin? I liked it and thought the end was really novel. Although a few years ago, I mentioned to a friend that I thought they would do a modern day scene in Merlin near the end. I got the idea right, but the content wrong. It's the insane Dalek situation all over again!

This chapter is once again unbetaed. I am sorry for any mistakes (I think this one has loads, I'm not very well or in the right frame of mind at the mo). And even sadder is the fact that this fic is reaching the end very soon.

Thank you to all who have reviewed, alerted, faviourited or just plain read this fic.

Now onto the bit you actually came for, the chapter!

Chapter 11

Ambrousius soared high above the clouds, dancing upon the winds as if he had been doing this all his life, instead of a few measly weeks.

Since his revelation and his first fire breath, Ambrousius had grown to love being a dragon, although there where things he missed of his human life. Curling up in a cave alongside Kilgharrah may be equivalent to sitting in front of a fire with Gaius, wrestling with Aithusia like 'training' with the knights, and learning a new skill from his kin brought back fond memories of his childhood with his mother.

But despite all this, there were things the dragons couldn't match. Kilgharrah couldn't match Gaius's warm reassurance and fatherly air, giving Ambrousius the sense that no matter what, things will end up becoming better. Aithusia youthful energy was poles apart from the knights brotherly feelings, the underlying thrum of affection even as they tease and thrum. And neither reptile even compared to Hunith, to her smiling eyes that found no fault, of warm hands that soothed hurts and earthy sent that many times in this youth, and even now when he goes to visit, allows for him to forget all his woes.

A warm updraft jolted the dark coloured dragon from his thoughts. He rode the wind higher until the trees looked like bushes and bushes were nothing more but dark spots on a sea of green. A reptilian grin spread across scaly features as the young dragon arched his back to dive down back towards the ground. Wings were tucked hard into a large body as Ambrousius rocked faster towards land, faster than an arrow or any hunting bird. Mere meters from the tree tops, wings snapped open, a move that on most creatures would off torn the limbs right from the body. But Ambrousius was no mere creature, he was a magical dragon. With a roar, his wings caught the air with a huge beat that lifted him back to the heavens.

The ex-human warlock smiled as he remembered the first time he pulled his stunt. Kiligharrah had stared wide eyed before sighing; extracting a promise that he wouldn't do that in front Aithusia, as the impressionable fledgling.

Becoming hungry, the black dragon had angled down to search for prey when he heard it. The sound of metal on metal as swords clashed together. Curiously he flew towards the area where the sounds originated only to stop short at the scent that rode on the wind, a scent he encountered months ago when he first transformed from the human Merlin to the dragon Ambrousius.

The scent of metal, worry and fear. Of fire and metal, of bear and chicken and muscle and kindness. The smell of ale, freedom, nobility and strength. Of death, and fierce willpower and belief. The reek of courage, of greatness, of magic that brought the thought of MINE.

Arthur and the Knights! He followed the scent trail back, beating his wings hard to increase his speed. A growl built in his throat as he flew, and only one thing rang in his head.

I'm coming.

Weeks had gone past since that council meetings and many patrols had set out to hunt down the dragon and all had returned without success. If it were not for various sightings of the beast from knight and farmer both, the council may have begged the king to put an end to this.

Arthur, feeling restless, had gathered up the Knights of the Round Table and set of at dawn, much to the protest of the council. Gwen was unhappy with his choice but she understood his need to ride out, picking up on his helpless, mournful and guilty mood. However unlike the dreadful ride where in they had discovered Merlin's fate, no one spoke, mainly out of grief but mostly in the hope that they did not set off their King's new temper.

Arthur was not the only one affected by Merlin's death. A cloud had settled over the kingdom, laughter having become rare and subdued. Gaius rarely left his chambers, outside of tending to patients too ill to visit him, preferring to keep to himself in his grief. Banter between the Knights was non-existent and Gwaine had reduced the amount of time he spent in the tavern, instead riding out as much as possible. Arthur was irritable, snapping at everyone but Gwen, almost reverting back to that bratty prince he was before Merlin barrelled into his life.

But all of the people, no ones reaction was worse than Hunith. As soon as he was able, the King had sent Percival to Ealdor for the woman, giving strict instructions not to say a word until she had met with the Royal. Once the gentle woman arrived, Arthur had sat her down and explained what they had found. Her reaction was heart breaking, her wail of sorrow and denial echoing through out the castle, invoking tears in many a maid. She had remained in Camelot, unable to return to the place that held many memories of her deceased son.

Arthur was jolted from his thoughts by Gwaine's hand rising for the party to stop. The royal scanned the clearing where they had paused, noticing the lack of bird song and the slight rustling. Realising that Gwaine had noticed something; the Knights dismounted and drew their swords.

This move was made just in the knick of time as a crossbow bolt flew towards them and buried itself into the tree mere inches from Elyan's head. Bandits rushed from the undergrowth, screaming a battle cry.

The two sides engaged in battle, swords clashing and being buried into bodies. However it was clear that whilst the Knights had superior training, the bandits were too numerous and better trained than the usual ruffians that haunted the woods.

A startled cry from Leon caused the men from Camelot to regroup back to back. Arthur was about to call for a retreat when a large roar caused every man to pause. Fear was the prominent emotion as a large black dragon, the same beast they had set out to hunt landed between the two sides, wings spread, head low as it growled at the bandits. The villains dropped their weapons and fled, but most were to slow.

The large magical reptile drew its head back before releasing a torrent of flame. Many of the rouges were caught in the fire, their screams echoing as they died.

Once all the bandits were gone, either dead through sword or flame, or they had fled from the dragon, the creature turned and stared at the Knights. Man and beast squared off before the reptile bowed its head until it was level to their heads.

Ambrousius lowered his head to stare at the Knights. He was slightly disturbed at how easy killing had been and how gleeful he was at burning the bandits. He had experienced a dragon's bloodlust before whilst hunting but never before like this and never against a human. Willing away those thoughts, his eyes focused on the blonde haired man who was his friend and king.

"You could thank me you know." He rumbled, amused irritation lacing his words.

His friends flinched back. It was obvious they had forgotten that he could talk. Ambrousius chuckled until Arthur, gathering his courage, step forth, his sword pointed at his snout.

"Why should I thank a monster? Especially one who killed my best friend and will slaughter me and my people?" The King hissed. His men spread out and raised their weapons. "Answer me Monster!"

"I have a name you know. It's Ambrousius." He huffed. The dragon flopped to the ground, unconcerned with the weapons. "And if I wanted to kill you, I would have shot flames from the sky."

The Knights blinked. He had a point. They stared at the relaxed dragon, wondering what they should do. They knew they should attack it, eliminate the threat but they were reluctant. Not only had the beast saved their lives but it seemed familiar, like an old friend.

Percival, the most curious of the knights lowered his weapon and stepped forward; ignoring Elyan's attempted to stop him. A large topaz laced blue eye turned towards him. A common thought ran through all the warriors minds, 'I have seen them before.'

"Why did you help us?" the large man asked. He was scared yes, but not as much as his brother's in arms, apart from Gwaine that is. Arthur and Leon were in Camelot when the Great Dragon attacked, and Elyan returned to the place of his birth once the creature was slain and thus witnessed the aftermath. Gwaine was too angry at this dragon to feel much fear.

Ambrousius pulled off the equivalent to Gaius's famed eyebrow. "And why wouldn't I help you. You needed assistance, I was in the area. Is helping another mutually exclusive to humans? That's a very pratish attitude. But then, I am not surprised, you are Knights, and thus not the smartest of creatures."

Arthur bristled whilst his men grinned, subconsciously falling into habits honed by prolonged exposure to Merlin and one of his favourite arguments.

The king growled. "What do you know? You're an idiot!"

"At least I'm not a dollop head."

They all froze, including the Dragon. Only one man used that word, the man that had created it. The warriors looked long and hard at the dragon before then, their minds slowly picking up the similarities between manservant and reptile without their conscience knowledge.

Black scales instead of raven hair, the red scales so similar to the well known scarf. The clumsiness of that flight was no different than their friends walk. Even the dragon's ear flaps were like Merlin's most hated feature.

But what really clinched it for the Knights, especially Arthur, were the eyes. Although the gold was new and the pupil changed, there was no mistaking those blue orbs, orbs that swam with intelligence and wisdom, eyes that betrayed the old weary soul underneath. Eyes which changed colour with their owners mood, switching from the default blue of the skies when he was happy to the deep navy of the seas when being wise, changing to sapphire during the rare times when he was sad or afraid. Eyes that belong to the man Arthur would call brother.

"Merlin?!"

A/N dun Dun DUNNNNNNNNNNN. Will this be a reveal fic, no one knows. Not even me as I am umming and arhhhhing about an idea.

No jokes, but a random fact. Sharks have eye lids. Random I know.

Till next time