Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter 4 – The Last Dragonlord
The following days passed by in a blur of activity as the kingdom adjusted to the changes Arthur made. Once the ban on magic was lifted, magical beings of all sorts came out of the woodwork. Many were friendly and quite grateful to their new king for lifting the ban. In the first few weeks afterwards many people came to Camelot Castle, feeling the need to pledge their allegiance to their King and assure him their magic would be used for good and in his service. Merlin, in his capacity as Lord Mage, was on hand every time a magical being showed up. After meeting Merlin almost all pledged their allegiance to him as well, especially after a visit by the Druids. When they arrived, the Druids greeted their King and Queen before falling to their knees in front of Merlin. They called him Emrys, a name he'd been called before, though the one who had used the name had refused to tell him why and what it meant, saying he would know when the time was right. Apparently that was now, for the Druids had no qualms of explaining, when Merlin practically demanded it of them, that Emrys was the one the ancient prophecies foretold of, The Immortal Mage, the most powerful warlock to ever exist. Merlin, who'd grown up a manservant who'd just happened to have magic, was quite shocked at their pronouncement but he took it in stride and Arthur, Gwen and Morgana were all impressed with how calmly he'd handled himself for the Merlin they grew up with would have been flustered at least.
While most magical beings to come out of hiding were friendly not all were, and some decided Arthur needed to pay for his father's actions against magical beings. They thought it would be easy to get their revenge, but they did not count on Merlin. During those first few weeks he certainly proved himself as the great Emrys, having singlehandedly stopped several attempts on both Arthur and Gwen's lives. However, while he protected the two monarchs, one fell through the cracks and Morgana ended up being kidnapped, seemingly by discontented sorcerers. Both the Knights of Camelot and Merlin scoured all of Britain for Morgana's whereabouts but with no luck. Then, not long after her capture, they were besieged by something that took precedence, for with the return of magic came the return of magical creatures, not all of them friendly, and some quite powerful. The creature that caused the upheaval was a dragon, a creature not seen for centuries.
"Aren't they supposed to be extinct?" Sir Percival asked as he, Elyan and Leon followed their King to the council chambers where an emergency meeting had been called to determine how to deal with the dragon that terrorized Camelot.
"Whether they are supposed to be extinct or not, clearly they aren't." Arthur muttered as he took his seat at the head of the table, his wife by his side while Morgana's seat stood empty, awaiting her return.
"Hundreds have been injured, Sire, and too many are dead." Sir Elyan began the report. "Most of the outlying villages have been destroyed as well. Houses, crops…they've all been burnt to the ground."
"And the creature now moves closer and closer to the castle." Added Sir Leon. "The closer it gets the bigger the population and the more lives lost."
"Then we must stop it before it reaches the city." Arthur's decision was final, though none knew how they would achieve it. "What can you tell me about dragons, Gaius? Specifically their weaknesses."
"A dragon's weaknesses are very few, Sire." Gaius said. The Court Physician, and Merlin's father for all intents and purposes, had refused an official place on the council citing his age and having too many duties already, but Arthur, and nearly everyone for that matter, still looked to him for guidance. "Their skin is nearly impenetrable, they can fly faster than any horse can run, their fire burns hotter then a common brazier, they can live for thousands of years and their breath has healing powers."
"Are you saying we have no chance of defeating this dragon?" Gwen asked, reaching for Arthur's hand as the thought that all of Camelot could be destroyed entered her mind.
"I would not go that far, Your Grace, for it is not impossible."
"Then how?!" Arthur demanded. "If our weapons won't hurt it and it can take to the sky to escape any attacks, how can we kill it?"
"Our best hope is a Dragonlord, Sire."
"A Dragonlord? What's a Dragonlord?'
"A Dragonlord possesses a rare type of magic which connects the souls of the dragon and Dragonlord together. They have the ability to communicate with, and even tame, dragons. If a Dragonlord gives a command it must be followed."
"Well where can we find one of these Dragonlords?"
"The Dragonlords went extinct along with the dragons many centuries ago." Gaius informed them. "It is said that when the dragons disappeared, the magic of the Dragonlords dried up, for their comrades were gone. This proved to be not entirely correct as your father discovered during The Great Purge."
"And what did my father do with that knowledge?" Arthur had to ask though he was sure he already knew.
"He hunted them like he did all other magic users. He deemed their power too great a threat to leave alive. Uther feared that as the Dragonlords were not extinct, the dragons themselves were not either and he feared that the dragons would be revived and would be used as an army to defeat him."
"Of course he did." Gwen squeezed her husband's hand in reassurance, both of them knowing how paranoid Uther had been, especially regarding magic. "So there is no hope then. My father truly destroyed the last of the Dragonlords."
"Not exactly, Sire." Gaius said hesitantly. "One Dragonlord escaped, by the name of Balinor."
"Balinor. So we will search him out, get him to help us!"
"I'm afraid Balinor has since died, Your Grace. Uther never stopped searching for him and word reached him of his death several years ago. But all is not lost." He added before Arthur could interrupt him. "The powers of a Dragonlord are hereditary, passed from father to son, and Balinor fathered a son who yet lives."
"Then we will search him out and get him to help us."
"A search won't be necessary, Sire. I know exactly where The Last Dragonlord may be found." He paused and shuffled his feet, causing Arthur to sigh at the delay.
"Gaius, you have my love and utmost respect, but please do get on with it!"
"If I may, Sire, this story should be told by another. She awaits outside."
"Then bring her in!" He motioned to the guards standing at the doors who took their cue to open them.
"Mother?" Merlin gasped as Hunith entered the room. Since Merlin's appointment as Lord Mage Hunith had continued to work as Head Housekeeper within the castle. Although her son now held a prominent position at court, and by extension his family's station rose as well, both she and Gaius had refused much which Arthur would bestow on them, taking only the offer of better rooms within the palace allowing them to be closer to Merlin, and for Gaius in his old age to be more comfortable.
"Hunith knew Balinor far better than I ever did." Gaius explained. "And I believe it her right to tell this particular tale." All eyes turned to the woman in question, though her eyes were only on her son as she spoke.
"Shortly before The Great Purge, Balinor arrived in Camelot. This was when Queen Ygraine was still alive and magic had yet to be banned. Balinor delighted The King and court with his magic though he never revealed himself to be a Dragonlord. We fell in love, he and I, and intended to be married. We shared everything with each other, and Balinor one day confessed to me his heritage, and I swore never to tell another soul. The secrecy became even more necessary when Queen Ygraine died and Uther began his crusade against magic. Balinor had to flee for the entire court knew he possessed magic. He swore to return for me when it was safe, but it never was."
"Mother…" Merlin went to his mother and wrapped her in his arms when he saw her eyes begin to water.
"I'm sorry. I have not spoken of Balinor in many years."
"We are grateful for all you share with us, Hunith." Gwen said. "Anything you can tell us that might help stop this dragon is wondrous in our eyes." At the reminder that there currently was a dragon terrorizing and killing the people of Camelot Hunith quickly composed herself and continued.
"I suppose there's nothing to do but get it out." She pulled out of Merlin's arms though held his hands and once again spoke only to him. "I did not know when Balinor fled that I was pregnant." Merlin stiffened hearing those words as his brain began to catch up with what his mother was saying. "Though I never saw or heard from him again, he left me the greatest gift possible. You."
"You…you're telling me this Balinor is my father?" Merlin said after a moment.
"Yes. Balinor is your father, and he would have loved you had he had the chance. But like he left me with a wondrous gift, he left you with one as well. Your birthright. You are The Last Dragonlord, Merlin." Usually Arthur would not pass up the opportunity to tease his friend with some comment of 'we're doomed,' but hearing this even he was silent.
"Why did you never tell me? Either of you?" He looked to Gaius as well, unsure how he felt about finally discovering who his father was.
"When I discovered I was pregnant I confessed all to Uncle Gaius, even breaking my promise and telling him that Balinor was a Dragonlord for I feared that your magic would manifest while you were too young to stop it and that Uther would discover you."
"While Uther was alive it was too dangerous to tell you, and I promised Hunith never to mention it so long as the knowledge of who your father was could harm you."
"You wanted to protect Merlin." Gwen surmised. "That is entirely understandable."
"Please forgive me, Merlin. Please." Hunith begged and seeing the sorrow in her eyes Merlin could do nothing else.
"Of course I do. Both of you." He said to Gaius who smiled at his nephew. "So what happens now? How am I supposed to be a Dragonlord?"
"You have always been a Dragonlord, Merlin, ever since you were born." Hunith said. "The magic is passed from father to son and now you alone carry the ancient gift. From the little Balinor told me, you must look deep inside yourself and find the voice that you and the dragons share, for your soul and theirs are brothers. Balinor said that when you speak to a dragon as kin, it must obey your will." Although he was still unsure Merlin nodded and kissed his mother on the cheek before turning to Arthur.
"Get me to the dragon and I will handle the rest." Arthur nodded and gave the command for the Knights to assemble and prepare to depart. After saying goodbye to Gwen, Gaius and Hunith, Arthur and Merlin joined the Knights in the courtyard and mounted their horses, departing for the last known location of the dragon. They rode for most of the day before they saw signs that a dragon had indeed been there. Fields were burnt as were the few villages they came across, the dragon's fire having left behind nothing but charred remains. Night had fallen by the time they located the dragon, though it was hard to miss for it was at the centre of a raging fire. Merlin used his magic to douse the flames enough to be able to contain it, though that is all he had time to do before the dragon noticed their arrival and went on the attack. The men scattered as the dragon swooped down low, breathing fire at them and Merlin was forced to abandon the forest fire in favour of protecting Arthur and the Knights.
"Stay down!" He yelled and they quickly obeyed, flattening themselves on the ground, knowing they were useless against a dragon. Merlin stood tall in the middle of the clearing they found themselves in and watched as the dragon circled around in the air to make another pass. Closing his eyes, Merlin took to heart the advice his mother had given him and looked deep inside himself, searching for the familiar feeling of his magic, then following it even deeper, looking for the power that had always been there though he had not known it.
"Merlin…" Arthur called seeing the dragon was heading in their direction once again, though his Lord Mage gave no indication that he had heard his King. "Merlin." He called again as the dragon drew closer. "MERLIN!" He shouted when it was close enough for him to see it taking in a breath, preparing to unleash its fire once more. His shout wasn't the only one, however, for a great roar came from Merlin.
"Dragon! Nan dule kai!" The dragon halted in mid air, its attention now fully focused on Merlin. "Kai e mis epsepas. Imala, kurat katostow hopo!" The more Merlin spoke the more docile the dragon became. It flew to the ground and gently landed as Merlin approached it. "Geliss cladesgyo mitasentende defares. Ka…clisas." The dragon made what sounded to be a whine and when it lowered its head, bowing to Merlin under the weight of the Dragonlord's power, Arthur and the Knights felt it safe to get up, though they made no move to get closer to the dragon. Merlin looked at the dragon for a moment before speaking once again, though no words, not even those in the language he had spoken moments ago, left his mouth.
"Why?" He asked the dragon through the bond their souls shared. "Why have you come here to destroy and kill?"
"I have spent the last century in slumber, until not long ago another Dragonlord came upon my resting place and woke me." The dragon replied. "He stayed with me for some years before sending me to search out others of my kind. That is how I have spent these last years. Though my journey was pointless, for I found no others like me. And so I returned here only to discover that my friend who woke me is dead and that I am the last of my kind. My friend spoke of the one who sent him into hiding, who hunted us, and those like us. Uther Pendragon must pay for what he has done."
"Uther Pendragon is dead." Merlin told him, though he truthfully only wanted to ask about his father, for before him Balinor had been the only Dragonlord left. "That is his son, Arthur, who now sits as King. Arthur is a fair and kind ruler. He has restored magic to Camelot and has charged me with ensuring its safe return, and that those who feel the need for revenge do not cause harm. You will cause no more destruction here, or anywhere! Too many lives have been lost." The dragon bowed his head once more under the command of the Dragonlord. "What is your name?" Merlin asked when he was assured his command would be followed.
"The Dragonlord who called me from my egg named me Aithusa."
"Aithusa…a fitting name for the last white dragon."
"My friend-"
"Balinor. His name was Balinor, was it not?"
"Yes…he said that he was The Last Dragonlord, yet here you stand. Perhaps then, there are others…"
"I am The Last Dragonlord. Balinor was my father, though he had no knowledge I existed. There is, however, another dragon. The Great Dragon still lives. Kilgharrah will be pleased to know he is not the last of his kind. You will find him in the White Mountains, most likely by the Lake of Avalon and the Isle of the Blessed."
"You are showing me great clemency, young Dragonlord and it will not be forgotten. I shall repay my debt to you, this I swear." Aithusa then took to the sky and flew off in the direction of the White Mountains, hoping The Last Dragonlord was right and that she would find The Great Dragon.
"What happened?" Arthur demanded once the dragon was gone and he and his Knights approached. "Is Camelot safe?"
"Camelot is safe, I promise. I've sent Aithusa away and commanded her to cause no more harm."
"Aithusa?"
"That is her name, the one my ancestors gave her when she was born."
"Right. And you're certain Camelot is safe?"
"Have I ever led you wrong?" Arthur looked highly unimpressed with him.
"Well there was that time in the Forests of Balor, the journey through the Feorre Mountains, and lets not forget the famous 'what could go wrong?' statement that seems to precede disaster whenever it comes out of your mouth."
"Alright so I've made some mistakes." Merlin admitted. "But so have you, and this is not one of them." He said before Arthur could interrupt. "Aithusa was attacking to punish Uther for killing her friend, who happened to be my father. When I told her Uther was dead and that you were a much better king then he was she apologized and I let her go."
"Really? That's it?" Sir Leon asked sceptically. "According to Gaius your father has been dead for several years, so why now?"
"Because she had been searching the world for other dragons and did not learn of his death until she returned here recently."
"Did she find any? Other dragons I mean?" Sir Elyan asked.
"No." Merlin said simply. Although he knew that Aithusa was not the only dragon left, he had promised Kilgharrah many years ago that he would keep The Great Dragon's existence a secret. And now, after learning of his heritage as The Last Dragonlord, he felt an even stronger need to protect the last remaining dragons. With Merlin's assurance that the threat was gone, the men returned to the castle being welcomed by Gwen and half the court who had assembled when the sentries brought news of their approach.
"Welcome home, Arthur." Gwen said, unable to hide her smile as Arthur stepped up to the dais that held their thrones.
"While I am certainly glad to be back, the success of this mission falls entirely on Merlin." Arthur said and turned to the warlock, beckoning him forward to stand between him and Gwen.
"We owe our thanks to His Excellency, The Lord Mage. Were it not for him, the dragon would have decimated Camelot. It is also with great pleasure that we acknowledge another, very deserved, title, though one that is not by our grace, but his birthright. The Lord Mage is The Last Dragonlord, the last in a long line of warlocks dating to ancient times. We hope you will no longer have need to hide your birthright, Merlin." He said quieter, speaking from one friend to another and not as King. "And you have our sincerest thanks for all you did this night."
"And to show his appreciation Arthur has decided that he's going to be nice to you." Gwen added.
"I have?"
"Oh yes, and for an entire week."
"A week?!"
"After all he's done for Camelot it is the least you can do."
"Oh very well." Arthur appeared to be in pain as he agreed to his wife's plan.
"This should be fun." Merlin said with a laugh. "I doubt he'll last a day." Arthur's jaw clenched, knowing Merlin was trying to get a rise out of him, though it quickly unclenched when he had a thought.
"I'll take that as a challenge, Merlin. Care to name the stakes?" Merlin's eyes filled with mirth.
"If you say one mean, condescending, or sarcastic thing, or treat me in any way that could be construed as not nice, then…you have to wait on me for an entire day."
"And when I win, you'll go back to mucking out my stable for a day."
"Done." Both men shook on it and Gwen sighed.
"This was not my intention you know."
"We know, sweetheart. But the result is the same. I will be nice to Merlin all week. And we will start with a feast held in The Lord Mage's honour tonight."
"Don't you mean tomorrow? It is almost midnight already. Or is the mush you call brains not able to tell time?" Merlin asked. He'd spend the rest of the week trying to get a rise out of Arthur.
"Very well, tomorrow then." Arthur said quite congenially. "Now we bid you all goodnight." Then he offered his arm to Gwen and swiftly left the room before Merlin could see how much he had wanted to respond to his quip.
"It's going to be a long week isn't it?" Gwen asked, having known exactly why they had left so quickly.
"I fear so, yes."
A/N - Naturally I couldn't leave out Merlin being a Dragonlord. Yes I made it be Aithusa and not Kilgharrah that terrorized Camelot, there is a reason for that, and Kilgharrah will be making appearances, and evidently Aithusa will have a very different storyline than in the show.
