Merlin slowly convinced his father to allow him to stay, promising to be very careful and not allow the king to know of his magic. "Arthur knows already and won't tell" Merlin admitted
"You trust him that much?" Balinor demanded
"I do, he is the once and future King and my husband I will not keep secrets from him. If we are to work together for Albion then he had to know" Merlin looked at his father and King "Sire you have taught me well. I may be young but I listen to all, the Priestesses, the druids, the nobles and the dragons but I do not blindly follow any. I listen to my heart and my magic and will be guided by that. I realised some time ago that many wish to control me and my actions" there was a twinkle in his eye once more. "Arthur has accepted much already do not underestimate him"
Balinor looked at his youngest son with pride "Just take care my son, it would break our hearts if anything should harm you"
"I will, but at the same time I have a destiny to follow. We have decided to continue to hide my sex, something I agree with, once Arthur takes his rightful place that will change. But Uther and his daughter will underestimate a woman. With Freya at my side I see no problem. In truth it will be best, I believe Uther would make Arthur take another should he know, even if he allowed me to stay, and if he knew I could use magic to bear a child he would burn me"
Gwaine hissed in anger "As I have promised if he dares to try Arthur will be King all the sooner"
Merlin looked at his brother "I have already told you Arthur needs time, do not fear for me I can protect myself and will if I need to" Looking at his parents once more "I will miss you both"
"And we you" Hunith told Merlin as she hugged him. "Make sure you write to us"
"I will now I believe Aithusa is close, shall we go to meet her? I will get her to come to the fields outside the castle" Merlin beamed "I have so missed her"
Balinor looked at his son with affection "That is natural you have been bound together since birth. The gods have truly blessed me, both my sons will be dragon lords when the time comes."
Gwaine laughed "I get a cryptic old lizard and Merlin gets a sweet baby dragon"
"You best not let Kilgarrah hear you say that Gwaine, he has had many dragon lords, you are but another. He listens to you, but remember you will not truly command him until I go to the gods. Besides Aithusa will not always be a baby and believe me when I say being cryptic is not just Kilgarrah's way, it is the way of all adult dragons. They think differently than us" Balinor smiled "You should know that after all you will command eight and each is as enigmatic as the last, Kilgarrah is just older"
Merlin looked at his father "It will be good when Aithusa is old enough that we can repopulate this land. I hope to live long enough to see her first hatchling."
"The goods willing you do, she should be of breeding age in fifty years" Balinor told his son. "It will be good not only to return magic but the magical creatures. That is the only reason I agreed to the treaty, it will cost us dearly and I don't just mean you"
As they left the chambers they found Arthur walking towards them. Reaching the group Arthur put his arm round Merlin's waist and gave him a peck on the cheek. Looking at Merlin then at the others he spoke "My father is most displeased it might be best if the dragon did not stay, I would hate for anything to happen to her"
Merlin glared at Arthur "She stays, at least for now, I will keep her with me. If I have to I will send her to Gwaine but only if forced. The King agreed as part of the treaty." Merlin smiled at his husband "We go to meet Aithusa, I have asked her to meet me outside the castle, I thought it best"
"
Arthur felt ashamed that already his father was breaking the spirit of the agreement. "I am sorry he hates magic and anything associated with it, he loses all reason. But I will do what I can"
Gwaine smiled "You can keep her while I am here at least, between us we can keep her safe."
At that Merlin cocked his head and smiled "Anyway to late she's here" Merlin disappeared down the corridor and into the throne room and out onto the balcony. As they stood they could hear the whoosh of beating wings and then they could see the small dragon. The sun shone off of her white wings as she landed on the balcony close to Merlin, then she ran up to him chirping excitedly. As Merlin reported she was the size of a hunting hound but that didn't stop her trying to clamber into Merlin's arms as he bent down to greet her. "I am pleased to see you to Aithusa" Turning to Arthur "Aithusa this is my husband Arthur Pendragon, the once and future king"
Aithusa looked at Arthur and chirped. Arthur looked at the creature in front of him and smiled. "Pleased to meet you Aithusa"
Merlin explained "She will start talking soon, but at the moment I can still understand her. As all younglings she can be mischievous and curious but will harm no one. In fact as yet she cannot breathe fire, although she does try" Merlin was idly scratching the baby dragon behind her ear. Merlin bent down once more and looked at his dragon "Aithusa you must do as you are told, remember what I told you, the people of Camelot haven't seen a dragon for over twenty years, you must not scare them. Also do not go near King Uther, you are to stay where I tell you. But I will bring you out to fly every day"
The baby dragon chirped then went and nuzzled up to Arthur until he stroked her. Then she turned and jumped into Balinor's arms "You idiot! You are too big for that now Aithusa" Balinor scolded her "Get down!"
Merlin looked at Arthur "My father is the dragonlord, so is the leader of all the dragons from Gangani, in future Gwaine will be, he will inherit fathers powers on his death. But Aithusa will then be mine, as for the first time in centuries there will be two dragon lords from one. It is hoped that then dragons can return to Camelot with Aithusa being the matriarch" Merlin grinned "But she has a lot of growing up to do first"
As they left the balcony Uther entered the throne room he had clearly been alerted by the guards "What the meaning of this?" he demanded glaring at the group
Merlin stepped forward "I am sorry Sire I had planned on meeting Aithusa outside but she is growing stronger and got here quicker than I thought, so she sought me out" Merlin deliberately bowed his head and looked meek and apologetic.
Uther was taken aback, having expected a more robust response. Looking at his 'daughter in law' and her apologetic stance his anger mellowed slightly "Just make sure it doesn't happen again."
Merlin turned to Aithusa "Aithusa this is King Uther Pendragon, our king please greet him properly"
Aithusa looked at Uther her large eyes taking in the man she had been warned about. She moved forward slowly and bent her head to sniff his hand. It wasn't meant to be a bow but managed to look like one and Uther took it as such. He looked at the creature and curled his lip in disgust "Make sure it keeps to either your rooms or the kennel I have had allotted to it. I do not want it flying free, if you must exercise it take it out of the city first." With that he turned to leave. But Balinor hadn't finished
"King Uther, we are packed and will leave within the hour. Remember Aithusa was part of the agreement, she is part of a noble heritage, remember that. I trust the Pure One to your son's care. I will honour our treaty as long as you do. I hope I have no cause to sail to your shores in anger, you will find us formidable foes, and we have never been beaten." Balinor walked forward to Merlin and kissed his head. "We go to prepare, I expect to see you before we leave. Remember to act honourably and keep your spirits high my child"
"I will Papa" Merlin's voice broke slightly, it was clear to all that Merlin would miss his parents and homeland. Merlin turned and bowed to his parents and Uther then with Aithusa by his side walked out of the room followed by Arthur then his parents and brother. Leaving Uther to contemplate what had happened. At least in his own mind Uther felt had come out better off from the treaty and his son was at long last married. The dragon was a price he could pay for now but he was determined it would either leave or be killed. He would not have such a beast, all be it a youngster, in Camelot. Perhaps he could solve the problem by caging it that was something to consider if the other options proved difficult. He had plenty of cold iron and a large cavern under the castle that no one but him knew about.
When Merlin got back to his and Arthur's chambers he hugged Aithusa and made a fuss of her. "It is so good to have you here, I have missed you so." Merlin looked at Arthur "She will not go in a kennel, can she sleep here, and she won't be a problem I promise" he looked at Arthur with large doe eyes.
Arthur snorted "Trying to get your own way already" he paused "Yes but not on the bed! As you are sleeping with me Aithusa could sleep in your rooms. On the floor by the fire, there's a rug there"
Merlin threw his arms round Arthur's neck and kissed him "Thank you"
Arthur looked at the baby dragon "Just keep out of my father's way" he warned. Then he hugged his 'wife' "Come we have an hour before we see your parents off"
"We might have but I have to see to Aithusa, she needs to settle and I expect she's hungry. After all she is a growing dragon"
Arthur frowned "And just what do baby dragons eat?"
"Oh the odd human sacrifice and whatever raw meat she can get, though she prefers deer at the moment" The Merlin laughed "Your face….. Dragons don't like human flesh! And I have already asked Freya to see what meat she can get at short notice. But don't worry Aithusa can already catch small prey and only needs to eat every three or four days"
With that Freya arrived with a bowl of raw meat "Hello Aithusa I have some chicken and rabbit today." Freya looked at Merlin "Where is she to eat Sire?"
Merlin's eyes twinkled "You had better start calling me 'my lady' Freya, when we are alone just call me Merlin. Feed Aithusa in my chamber next door. She will sleep there as well"
Arthur looked at the maidservant "It might be best if you addressed Merlin as The Emrys or the Pure One. The less we actually refer to him as a female the better. After all one day I will tell the truth and if we haven't openly lied it will go down better."
"Yes Sire" Freya smiled "If I slip up as I get used to it they will think it is the language as my skills are not great" with that she took the dragon away to eat.
Once the hour had passed Merlin and Arthur, with Aithusa as she wished to say goodbye to her dragon lord, went down to the courtyard. There they were met by Gwaine who went to Merlin's side. Balinor and Hunith hugged their sons and Balinor spoke to Aithusa before they mounted up and then Balinor turned to Uther who was glaring at the baby dragon.
"King Uther as we are now bound by both marriage and treaty I will visit again when I reach these shores. I expect The Pure One to be cared for as a consort to your son. I realise Aithusa was a surprise but you will find her no trouble. May Camelot and Gangani people proper as a result of this new friendship. The Crown Prince will continue to help you understand our people and ways"
Uther smiled at his guests secretly glad they were leaving and wishing their son was also going. "King Balinor and Queen Hunith it has been a pleasure to meet you and you are always welcome at Camelot. I am sure the Pure One will settle in well. And we all look forward to a greater understanding between our peoples. May we soon send you news of a grandchild"
Balinor looked at Merlin before saying to Uther "Merlin is yet young, I am in no hurry for a grandchild but will welcome it when it happens. Let the young ones get to know one another first." Looking at Merlin and Arthur Balinor said "I wish you well and as much happiness as I have had with my Queen. Look after the Pure One Prince Arthur"
Arthur smiled "I will Sire"
"And Merlin, remember Arthur is your husband, your place it at his side. Put Gangani to the back of your mind and embrace your new home, be happy my child"
"I will Papa, but I will never forget you or mama" Merlin could feel tears coming, he had never been parted from them before, or not for long periods.
"I would hope not" Balinor smiled and as they rode off Merlin waved after them, not caring what her new King felt of the behaviour.
As he turned to go inside Merlin heard Morgana say to her husband "So gauche, to show oneself up so, hardly ladylike"
Merlin looked up at Arthur frightened that he would also be upset, but found Arthur smiling "Not gauche my love, caring and loving"