Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
The Mother of the Dragonlord
Merlin sighs as he walks back over the bridge from the no longer perilous, Perilous Lands. Alator and Grettir were stood waiting for him.
"You did well, Magic." Grettir smiles.
"Please just call me Merlin," Merlin grins, it truly did feel good to get a compliment occasionally.
"You have created a land most of us dream about, Emrys," Alator explains. "It will not be long now until many make it their home. Already the Druids are on their way and so are the Catha."
Merlin smiles, "This land, will it only be home to those with magic?"
Alator shakes his head, "There are many families where only one person has magic, this land will be home to those with and without magic. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's just my mother… Now I have a new home, I was hoping she could live here too. Our village didn't like me much, due to that many kept away from us. My mother is skilled in the healing arts, so I'm sure she can find work as a healer."
Alator nods, "She is more than welcome. Many would find it a great honour to meet the Mother of Emrys."
Merlin grins, "Well, then I will be back soon."
With that Merlin races off through the trees, until he finds a large clearing. He stops and roars into the sky. Then he waits. Suddenly something lands on Merlin's shoulder causing him to jump and yelp in surprise. He turns his head sideways only to come face to face with Aithusa. A huge grin spreads across his face.
"Aithusa!" He greets.
The white dragon rubs his head against the side of Merlin's face in greeting. The sound of beating wings fills the air as Kilgharrah comes into land.
"Young Warlock," He greets, with a bow of his head. "I see the Perilous Lands have been restored."
Merlin's smiles while he pets Aithusa. He holds up his white staff. "It was all thanks to this really, without it I would not have had the power."
Kilgharrah nods, "The staff of Emrys, it is a truly powerful weapon…. So, why is it you have called me here, Young Warlock?"
"I need you to give me a lift, I have to pick up my mother, it is three days travel from here."
"I am not a horse, Young Warlock!"
"I know, but it is not often I ask you to do this Kilgharrah, please."
"Fine, Young Warlock, climb up. It would be an honour to meet your mother, the woman Balinor fell in love with."
)o(
Kilgharrah lands in a large clearing not far from Merlin's village. Merlin quickly jumps down and rushes through the trees towards his village. He stops in the treeline and smiles. It was just how he remembered it. Quickly he makes his way through the village. People do a double take as they see him, it's only then Merlin remembers he has his staff and Aithusa with him.
Quickly Merlin makes his way up to the door of his old home and knocks on the door. After a couple of minutes, the door opens. Hunith looks up at Merlin in surprise. She quickly pulls him into a bone-crushing bear hug, causing Aithusa to squeak in surprise.
"My son," She whispers.
Merlin smiles as he pulls away, "Hello, mother."
Hunith catches sight of the white dragon sitting on Merlin's shoulders.
"Oh, this is Aithusa," Merlin explains. "Remember I wrote you that letter, about finding the last dragon egg. Well, this is the dragon that hatched."
Hunith smiles, "Quite a beautiful young dragon, I see."
Merlin smiles, "Aithusa may be beautiful, but the trouble caused by this pesky reptile…"
Hunith laughs, as Aithusa jumps onto her shoulders, "You father would be proud."
Merlin smiles slightly, "I know. Mother, there is a reason I have come here."
Hunith looks at her son, "You restored the Perilous Lands. Some passing Druids told me. I have already packed. I got a letter from Gaius's love, Alice, she wishes to take me on as her assistant physician."
Merlin grins, "I didn't know you knew Alice."
"How could I not, Gaius is my brother."
Merlin sighs, "I know. It's just Gaius never said you knew each other."
Hunith sighs also, "Well, let's get going."
)o(
Kilgharrah bows his head as Merlin and Hunith appear in the clearing.
"Kilgharrah," Hunith greets. "Balinor told me a lot about you."
"Merlin speaks highly of you," Kilgharrah replies. "It truly is an honour to meet you."
Hunith smiles, "The Druids said something like that too."
Merlin smiles, "Well, I think it should be an honour for anyone to meet you. After all, I could not ask for a better mother."
Hunith smiles and hugs her son, "And I couldn't ask for a better son."
)o(
Kilgharrah lands in the clearing before the tower. Merlin jumps down and quickly uses magic to help his mother down. Kilgharrah bows and flies off. Aithusa, still in the arms of Hunith, watches him fly away.
Merlin grins, "One day you'll be that big, Aithusa."
Hunith laughs, "But that won't be for many years yet."
Aithusa leaps from Hunith's arms onto Merlin's shoulders.
Merlin rolls his eyes affectionately, "Damn reptile."
Hunith smiles, "It just shows how strong the bond is, between Dragon and Dragonlord."
Merlin smiles back, "I wish you had seen Aithusa hatch, it was the most amazing sight."
"You must be Emrys' mother," Alator greets Hunith with a bow.
Hunith nods, "I am."
"Mother, this is Alator of the Catha. Alator. this is my mother, Hunith," Merlin quickly introduces them.
Alator smiles, "It is an honour to meet you, Hunith."
Hunith smiles politely back, "The honour is mine, Alator. Merlin has spoken highly of you, you have helped him a lot I have been told."
Alator nods, "I sent Merlin some spell books, so he could study the way of the Catha."
"Which, I must thank you for, Alator," Merlin cuts in. "They have been a great help to me."
Hunith nods, "I must ask, but is there any way Merlin can study magic full time, now he's not in Camelot."
"Mother!" Merlin complains, the thought of doing more work did not please him.
Alator nods thoughtfully, "The Druids have said they wish to teach Merlin the Old Ways. He is after all the High Priest of the Old Religion."
Merlin sighs, "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be doing more work here than I ever did in Camelot."
)o(
Hey. Hopefully, I'll have the next chapter up soon.
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.