Author's Note: Hello, once again! Marie here with the ending ofThe Dragon's Call! Sorry it took so long; starting college is all I shall say. Okay, here we go!

"I'm not sure about this, Morgana," I began as Allison made sure the dress was secure.

"Trust me, Kyndra," Morgana insisted, already in her breathtaking maroon dress with matching sash and a gold belt. With Guinevere's help, her dark curls were piled onto her head, a glittering headband dancing across her forehead. "You're going to look…" Her voice trailed off as I finally stepped from behind the screen and in front of a mirror with her.

The dress was made from the beautiful emerald-coloured material Morgana had selected from Edith's shop, and it felt light as a feather on my skin. The sleeves sat off of my shoulders, with a gentle dip in the neckline and a small flower near my right shoulder. It flowed down in gentle waves from there, with a little bit of lace framing a split that reached my right knee. Behind me, Allison fluffed out the little bit of train that I had before making sure my hair, which she had managed to brain in a sort of crown around my head, was still in place before using some of the hairs that had gotten free to frame my face, giving me delicate silver earrings and going to fetch a necklace. "Perfect," Morgana finally finished, taking a deep breath and beginning to grin. "Kyndra, you're stunning!"

I shook my head and began to blush as Allison returned with my necklace. "Thank you, Morgana, but I will tell Father this was all your idea if he tries to kill anyone."

Morgana tisk-tisked as Allison secured the pendant in place around my neck: it was a smaller version of the Pendragon crest, wrought in silver. "We are both going to arrive without escorts. If we play it right, regret will kill the men."

"Are you ready?" Morgana asked again as we approached the banquet hall.

I sighed, squaring my shoulders and doing my best to look aloof. "When you are," I replied. With another grin, Morgana let me lead the way.

I could almost feel the whispers that flew behind Morgana and I the closer we got to the front of the hall. As we approached my brother and the group of knights he had with him, I had to keep my mask firmly in place as I noticed Owain was among them. However, I couldn't help but grin at the slack-jawed look both he and my brother shared as we passed by.

"God have mercy," I heard both of them exhale. I glanced behind me at Morgana, who was beaming with pride at how perfectly our plan was working.

I managed to smile softly at Merlin as we continued our stroll to the table we would be sitting at for the evening Morgana finding one of the ladies of the court and striking up a conversation with her.

"Morgana, Kyndra," A voice behind me began.

The other woman left as Morgana and I met the gazes of both Arthur and Owain, still looking slightly dazed. "You look well," Arthur finished abruptly.

"You look lovely, my lady," Owain spoke to me, gently taking my hand to kiss it.

"Why thank you, Sir Owain," I replied, smirking at my brother. "At least one man in the court knows how to speak to a lady."

As Morgana politely covered her mouth to hide a grin and Arthur tried to come up with a retort, the banquet horns began to sound, telling all in attendance that the King—my father—was coming, and we all filed to our seats. Arthur stood to the right of our father's chair, while Morgana and I were to the left.

Father smiled at the court warmly as he entered, turning around to address them fully once he reached the head of the room.

"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora."

We all applauded as the king reached his own chair, the rest of the court following suit. "You and Morgana both look beautiful, my dear," he whispered to me as Lady Helen arrived in a golden dress with a light blue material accenting it.

"Thank you, Father," I managed before the singer began her tune.

It was in a language I couldn't quite understand, so I scanned the hall to try to find Gaius; I noticed on other occasions when we had a singer he would mouth the translation of the lyrics to the king. He was, however, sleeping soundly, using his arms as a pillow at the table he was seated at.

Wait, I thought to myself. Sleeping? Gaius is always sure to be alert—especially during celebrations. He loves…my thoughts trailed off as I fought to keep my eyes open. How on earth was I so tired all of the sudden?

I happened to catch a sudden movement to my right; Merlin had managed to clap his hands over his ears to block out the noise, just as most of the court had began to doze. I leaned back, halfway closing my eyes and pressing my fingers into my ears, trying to fight the drowsy feeling that had appeared to sweep over the entire hall, including Morgana, Arthur, and my father.

I fought off a shiver as cobwebs began to creep up my arm and around my head, covering the tables and people as they slept, Lady Helen singing on as the candles suddenly burned out. She continued to walk towards our table, and I tried to reach my arm out to grab something to defend myself with. Somehow the cobweb things she had spun around us were tough as chain mail; I couldn't break them if my life depended on it.

My heart began to race. This is no ordinary phenomena. This is magic.

I heard a sharp noise come from Lady Helen's sleeve, and I noticed she had a dagger. I began to panic as she raised it above her head, aiming it at someone at our table, though I was not sure who and was completely helpless in stopping her actions.

Snap!

My eyes opened fully again in alarm as I watched one of the chandeliers crash to the ground, landing on Helen just as she prepared to release the weapon in her hand. I felt the cobwebs on me suddenly soften, and I peeled the curtain away from my face and hands, looking to my right and left to make sure those around me were all right. As the court began to mutter and dust themselves off, Father rose to his feet, a sort of shock on his face.

Arthur, Morgana, and I followed suit, staring at the much older woman that seemed to have magically taken Helen's place. "The woman who's son was executed," Morgana breathed beside me as the woman raised her head. Eyes burning with hate, she pushed her upper half upwards, grabbed her dagger, and let it fly towards…

Arthur.

One moment he was standing, the next he was on the floor as the dagger impaled itself into his chair. Alarmed, I ran around Father's chair, seeing Arthur had been pulled out of the way and was now laying on the floor beside…Merlin. "Arthur!" I exclaimed, rushing to my brother's side and embracing him after he got to his feet. He released me and wrapped one arm around my shoulders, looking at the servant who had knocked him down in the nick of time in disbelief.

"You saved my boy's life," Father began as he reached us, his voice trembling with relief. "A debt must be repaid."

Merlin, for the first time since I had meet him, looked taken aback. "Oh, well…" he began.

"Don't be so modest," my father chided. "You shall be rewarded."

"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness," Merlin insisted, barely able to keep the king's gaze.

"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special."

Merlin flushed. "Well…"

"You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household." Father clapped my brother on the shoulder before announcing, "You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant."

I could barely hear Arthur's protest of "Father!" over the sound of the court standing and applauding the newly-instated servant, Guinevere looking on with a look of sympathy towards Merlin. The two boys looked away from each other, clearly discontented, before the court sobered once again at the sight of the fallen chandelier and the body of the woman who had nearly killed the prince.

Once everyone was seated, the tables cleaned, and fresh food served, I watched as Gaius warned the few volunteers about being careful as they carried the body of Arthur's attempted killer and the wreckage away. After he did that, he walked over my Father's side, looking at the more sullen-faced people of the feast. "They don't look very happy, do they, Gaius?" the king asked the physician.

"They do not, sire," Gaius agreed.

Father glanced my way, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. "Allison, if you would be so kind…" My maid nodded, beaming in anticipation.

As Allison walked away to get my instrument, I took a deep breath as my father rose, addressing the people. "My dear friends," he said, his voice projecting though the hall and catching everyone's attention. "Since this...unfortunate incident...has left us all a little too somber for such an occasion, my daughter has volunteered to sing for us." I smiled as he turned and gave me his hand, guiding me to the center of the room just as Allison appeared again with my harp, wheeling it in a strong, ornate sort of wheelbarrow. I flashed my maid a grateful smile before taking a chair that Father gave me and sat down, plucking the strings and creating the calming melody I had practiced so much.

I gave the court a small smile as Father sat back down, then I began to sing.

"I wish I were on yonder hill,

'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill.

'Til every tear would turn a mill...

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán.

"Suil, suil, suil a ruin,

Suil go sochair agus suil go ciúin.

Suil go doras agus éalaigh liom...

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán."

My voice was much quieter than both the witch's and the king's, but the nobles that were dining fell silent, much to my relief. I looked at Arthur my father, and Morgana; they smiled proudly at me as I sang and played.

"I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel,

I'll sell my only spinning wheel.

And buy my love a sword of steel...

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán.

"Suil, suil, suil a ruin,

Suil go sochair agus suil go ciúin.

Suil go doras agus éalaigh liom...

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán."

My gaze wandered from person to person, eventually dancing between Merlin and Owain; the servant standing behind the knight seated closest to my brother.

"I wish, I wish, I wish in vain.

I wish I had my heart again,

And vainly think I'd not complain...

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slan."

I had to catch myself from blushing as Owain's eyes locked with mine for a moment, my fingers and voice thankfully not showing my embarrassment.

"Suil, suil, suil a ruin,

Suil go sochair agus suil go ciúin.

Suil go doras agus éalaigh liom...

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán.

"Suil, suil, suil a ruin,

Suil go sochair agus suil go ciúin.

Suil go doras agus éalaigh liom...

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán."

As I plucked my final chord, the court politely applauded, my brother this time coming to take my hand and helping me stand, Morgana approaching me as well. "You sounded wonderful!" she exclaimed, smiling.

"Thank you," I replied, blushing a little before looking towards my harp. "I'll give Allison a bit of a break and take this myself."

"You can't carry that alone," Arthur insisted before his eyes lit up in a sort of idea. "Merlin!"

The raven-haired boy's head snapped out of whatever sort of trance it had been in. "Y-Yes, sire!"

Arthur waited until Merlin had approached us before continuing. "Help the princess take this to her chambers."

"Of-Of course," Merlin replied, fetching the wheelbarrow Allison had used earlier and helping me guide the instrument out of the hall and back towards my chambers.

"May I ask you something?" I inquired as we walked, me mostly giving directions and the occasional guiding hand.

"Of course, Princess," he replied.

I almost grimaced at the formality. "Kyndra. Turn left."

Merlin obeyed. "Just Kyndra?" When I nodded, he smiled a little. "What did you want to ask me, Kyndra? Oh, right or left?"

"Left again. I was just wondering how you managed to save my brother's life. That was frightfully close."

"It was. I was just…lucky, I guess."

I shrugged. "As lucky as the chandelier falling on her, I suppose. Father tells me that his father hung those decades before I was born, and they have never moved an inch. They're constantly checked to make sure the chains and strings are in perfect condition."

Merlin's face seemed paler for some reason. "Why are you telling a servant like me all of this?"

I stopped the hands that were moving the wheelbarrow with one of my own in front of my door, locking eyes with him. "Because I was awake when that thing's supports snapped. It was more than luck—I don't know what it was, but it couldn't have been a coincidence." I sighed, looking around me for a moment and reliving the thought of almost losing my brother. "I'm not asking you to say anything…I just knew you were awake too, and was wondering if you saw anything—anyone—acting or doing something suspicious. I won't say anything, since I didn't see anything for sure, I'm just…" I sighed. "Curious. Things that shouldn't happen but do have always fascinated me."

The servant seemed more serious than I had seen him. "You swear you won't tell anyone—not even the king?" Though I felt uneasy at his sudden change of demeanour, I nodded. Merlin closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "It…It was me. I broke the support on the chandelier."

I was confused for a moment. "But you didn't have any—"

"With…with magic."

My eyes widened as all the pieces began to fit together, thinking back to other events. "And I'm guessing you didn't push the bed under Gaius before he fell on your own, did you?" When Merlin shook his head sheepishly, I squeezed the hands that I hadn't realized I still held. "I said I would tell no one, and I shall keep my word. Your secret is safe with me."

Merlin's blue eyes gleamed. "R-Really?"

I smiled. "I am a lady of my word!"

His face melted in relief as a grin appeared. "Oh, thank you!" he cried, throwing his arms around me. I laughed a little in surprise before hugging the servant back briefly.

Once we released each other, we set back to our task at hand. "You can always come to me if you need someone to talk to," I promised, making sure he understood as I opened my door for him to wheel the harp in.

Merlin's shoulders sagged in a sort of gratitude. "Thank you, Kyndra. You don't know how…how much it will mean to be able to talk about…this…to someone."

I smiled. "You're welcome, Merlin. I'm thankful that you took to being Arthur's servant without much of a fuss. I will warn you, though, it will be difficult sometimes."

Merlin nodded, thoughtful. "Someone told me that it…it's my destiny." I opened my mouth to ask him who would say that, but we suddenly heard a voice from down the hall.

"Merlin, Prince Arthur wants you at once."

I smiled. "Your destiny is calling. You'd better find out what he wants."

With one last grin, I watched Merlin rush back to the banquet hall before walking there myself, pondering all the things that I had learned.

I suddenly had a feeling that Camelot would never be the same.

****Translations****

Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán

And may you go safely, my darling

Suil, suil, suil a ruin

Go, go, go, my love

Suil go sochair agus suil go ciúin

Go quietly and go peacefully

Suil go doras agus éalaigh liom

Go to the door and fly with me

A/N: And there we are! Hope you enjoy, and get ready for next time: Valiant!