Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter forty-four: Zafira.
Merlin stepped out to ledge overlooking the cave that had once been Kilgharrah's prison. Across from him was the large rock Kilgharrah had once been chained to until, Merlin had released him. The rock itself was now home to a single grave marker. The words hidden in shadows and almost impossible to make out in the dim light.
"In memory of the honourable and fallen,
Lord Balinor, dragon lord of the Ambrosius bloodline,
Father of Merlin Emrys and lover of Hunith of Ealdor,
May his soul forever rest in peace."
Merlin sighed, his mother had loved Balinor and Balinor had loved her…. But they had never been married. They were due to be married, but Uthur got wind of where Balinor was hiding and sent knights to hunt him down.
Balinor had left to save Hunith and had thought it safer to stay hidden, than to return to Hunith. When Uthur gave up the hunt, believing Balinor to be dead, he still didn't return and Merlin knew that's why his mother never spoke of him, she believed him to be dead also.
"Your father." Freya whispered, stepping out on to the ledge beside Merlin.
Merlin nodes. "There was so much he could have taught me."
"The ways of the dragon lords," Freya mutters. "Kilgharrah was your father's dragon, was he not?"
"Kilgharrah has lived for hundreds of years…. He was the first dragon hatched by the Ambrosius bloodline and the first dragon my father commanded…. The first dragon I commanded."
Freya smiled slightly. "Kilgharrah has always been loyal to your family, then?"
"He has, he's been with my family since the bloodline was created." Merlin answers with a small smile.
"I can't believe Uthur would imprison such a noble creature in a cave like this," Freya mutters. "I am glad you freed Kilgharrah, this is no place fit for a dragon."
Merlin smiled sadly. "I'm glad Kilgharrah is free…. But he caused so much damage, and what makes it worse is, I can't fault him for wanting revenge on Uthur…. I just wish innocent people hadn't been killed."
"I'm sure Kilgharrah regrets causing the deaths of those people," Freya mutters, gripping Merlin's hand. "But he has helped save this kingdom since then and he has helped save you…. His loyalty lies with you and only you."
Suddenly the sounds of echoing footsteps in the tunnel causes Merlin to jumps, he quickly runs over to the stairs leasing up into the dungeons and peers up them, only to find a large group of men making their way down the steps and carrying weapons. Merlin had once seen King Sarrum hunt those with magic with weapons such as the men carried.
"We have to get out of here," Merlin mutters. "I'm sure they are King Sarrum's men."
"Where can we go?" Freya asks. "The steps are the only way out!"
Merlin smiles. "They are, but I know a place we can hide until they leave."
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"Lady Freya."
Freya looks up at the sound of her name being called.
"Bercilak?" Freya asks.
Bercilak smiles and steps forward. "What are you doing here, Lady Freya?"
"I-I, I was with Merlin," Freya finally stutters out. "Some men they…. They attacked us. We had just made it out of Camelot…. They came out of nowhere. Merlin grabbed by hand as we run, when we reached a clearing, he stopped."
"The men?" A young women asks, from beside Bercilak. "Who were they?"
"King Sarrum's men." Freya answers.
The second girls suddenly looks alarmed. "You said Merlin stopped, what happened?"
"When the men entered the clearing behind us, Merlin asked them who they were. They said they were King Sarrum's men and by order of their King they were to catch or kill anyone with magic."
"King Sarrum?" A young man speaks up. "He rules Amata, what were his men doing in Camelot?"
"There was a treaty," Freya answers. "Merlin told them they had no right to hunt us in Camelot. The treaty that allowed them to hunt us, had been with Uthur and not Arthur. But they said soon king Sarrum is to resign the treaty with Arthur."
The two young women share a look.
"This is bad news." One of them mutters.
The second nodes. "If King Arthur signs that treaty, King Sarrum will be able to march straight through Camelot and across our border."
"The council must be informed," Bercilak speaks up. "We have to get back to the tower."
One of the two young women suddenly turns to Freya. "I'm sorry we haven't introduces our self's. I'm Sefa, this is Kara and he's Daegal."
Freya smiled. "I'm Freya."
Bercilak shock his head. "No, you're Freya Emrys, wife of Merlin Emrys, lady of the lake and soon to be Queen of the druids."
"My lady." Both Sefa and Kara bow their heads.
Freya glances questionably at Bercilak, who grins.
"They're druids," Bercilak explains. "Most druids will bow to you."
Kara suddenly faces Bercilak. "Why did you call her 'lady'? People who are not druids or don't have magic, wouldn't call her that."
"Lady Freya is from Avalon," Bercilak answers. "In Avalon Freya is the lady of the lake."
Daegal frowns. "But the lady of the lake is the gatekeeper to Avalon. How can you be the lady of the lake, you can't be the gatekeeper if you live in the mortal world."
Freya smiled slightly. "I am the lady of the lake, I simply have to return to Avalon for one a week every year, to let souls worthy of a place in Avalon through…. Those who are not worthy of a place are sent to the spirit world."
"Do we have to talk about this now?" Kara asks. "We need to get back to the tower and inform the council of what King Sarrum is planning."
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Merlin stood watching the men who had surrounded him. He had just cast a spell which sent Freya to the perilous lands, where she hopefully would be safe. He knew he could have gone with her, but he needed to find out more information on what King Sarrum was planning.
Plus he had summoned the Kilgharrah when they had first started running, hoping he would meet them at the clearing, but he hadn't appeared. If Merlin was to just disappear, Kilgharrah could fear the worst upon finding a clearing full of Sarrum's men.
"Where did the witch go?" One of the men sneered.
Merlin glared at him. "She was no witch!"
"She had magic just like you, sorcerer," A second spat. "So she is a witch."
Merlin laughed. "No, she is a sorceress…. And I am no sorcerer."
"You have magic," A third yells. "Don't think for one moment you can lie to us, boy."
"I am not lying," Merlin answered. "I am no sorcerer."
"Then what are you then?" The first snapped.
"I'm a warlock." Merlin answered, glancing towards the sky, still no sign of the Kilgharrah.
The second glares at him. "You still have magic, it makes no difference what you are…. You'll all die the same death at Sarrum's hand."
"But what makes you think King Arthur, will sign a treaty with your tyrant King?" Merlin asks.
The third man points his already drawn sword at Merlin. "You dare to insult our King?"
"Insult?" Merlin asks. "I did not insult him, he is a tyrant."
The man lets out a yell and charges towards Merlin sword raised. Merlin takes a step back and his eyes flash gold, the man is thrown across the clearing, before he lands at the base of a tree. The first man holds up his hand, stopping the others from attacking.
"King Arthur would never sign a treaty with such a tyrant." Merlin speaks again, glancing towards the fallen man, he hadn't meant to do that, his magic had acted on instinct.
"King Arthur will sign king Sarrum's treaty," The first speaks up. "He is Uthur Pendragon's son."
"That means nothing," Merlin answers. "Uthur Pendragon would never have made peace with the druids, but Arthur has."
"There is no peace between Camelot and the druids." The second man hisses. "King Arthur would never lower himself to such a level where he would forge peace between such a mighty kingdom and magical scum."
Merlin glares at him. "My people are not scum. They are powerful. They are wise. And they are to be respected."
"Your people?" A forth laughs. "What are you, wizard, there King?"
"I told you, I'm a warlock," Merlin answers. "And yes, I am king of the druids."
The first man growls. "So it's you…. Sarrum has wanted you dead for years. Men! Kill him!"
But before any of them can move, a dragons' roar filled the air, causing Sarrum's men to back up slightly and look skywards.
Merlin smiled slightly. "Did I mention, I'm also the last dragon lord?"
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Freya walked up the steps, Iseldir had told her Alice and Hunith lived in the physicians' quarters and she wanted to visit Merlin's family, the family she had married into. She had thought about waiting for Merlin, but she knew she'd go out of her mind with worry if she sat on her own.
Bercilak, Daegal, Kara and Sefa, had all gone off somewhere to do something, possibly to inform the council of what King Sarrum was planning. Merlin had told her, he and Queen Annis had signed a peace treaty, not long before he went to Avalon and so they would have one ally in the fight against King Sarrum, if his plan worked.
Freya didn't believe King Arthur would let King Sarrum use his kingdom as a safe passage for his army to pass through. King Arthur may have a large distrust of magic, but she didn't believe he'd let King Sarrum threaten the life, family, friends and people of his best friend. Plus the druids had made peace with Camelot and this kingdom was made up of a large number of druids, to let King Sarrum march upon this kingdom would result in him breaking his word.
From what Freya had heard of King Arthur, he was a man of his word and a man of honour. He didn't break the promises and oaths he swore, unless he was forced to. And there were not many who could force him to do anything against his will, unless they used magic and King Sarrum would never use magic. And no wielder of magic would be foolish enough to do his bidding…. It was possible a couple of sorcerers working for Mordred would try, but it was unlikely.
At last Freya reached the door to the physicians' quarters, she reached up to knock on the door and stopped. What if Alice and Hunith didn't like her, they were bound to know Merlin had gone to Avalon to be married, but not through choice. From what Merlin had told her of his mother, Hunith was someone who believed, much like Merlin, that you should only marry because you are in love and not because it was arranged.
Suddenly the door before her was pulled out and a women with grey hair almost walked into her.
"Oh, I'm sorry child," She quickly apologises. "I didn't see you there. Can I help you at all?"
Freya smiled slightly. "It's okay…. I was wondering if you could tell me where Alice and Hunith are."
"I'm Alice, child. How may I help you?" The women with grey hair, Alice, answers.
"I'm Freya Emrys," Freya explains. "Merlin's wife…."
Alice looks at her for a moment before smiling. "From Avalon, correct?"
Freya nodes. "Merlin and I returned to this realm this morning."
"Where is Merlin?" Alice asks. "I thought he would be with you."
"We went to Camelot to visit Balinor's grave," Freya explains. "On the way here we run into some of king Sarrum's men…. Merlin sent me ahead, I think he wanted to find out more information on what King Sarrum is planning. He'll be back soon…. I hope."
Alice smiled. "Well don't just stand there, come in. I'm sure Hunith will be over joyed to meet you, Freya Emrys."
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The ebony dragon dropped Merlin on the ledge high in the White Mountains. Merlin quickly scrambled to his feet and turned as the dragon landed not far from him, he took a step back. This was the dragon who had saved him from king Sarrum's men, but it was not the dragon he had summoned, nor had he ever seen it before.
"That's impossible," Merlin finally mutters. "Kilgharrah said Aithusa would be the last dragon."
"Kilgharrah is not mistaken," The ebony dragon answers in dragon tongue. "Aithusa is younger than I…. If he is not killed, he will live longer than me. He will be the last dragon."
Merlin shakes his head. "You can't be real…. Kilgharrah said all the dragons were killed in the great purge."
The ebony dragon tilts its head to the side. "I could not fly when Balinor summoned my kind to Camelot. One of my wing were injured. Once my wing had healed I fled this land, to the lands beyond the seas…. It was a couple of years ago I heard your call, so I returned in hope of finding you, but you do not summon Kilgharrah often."
Merlin smiled slightly. "The great dragon is believed to be dead by all, but a few…. All those in this land believe Arthur Pendragon killed him when he was prince. To summon him, risks him being seen, I only summon him when there is no one else to turn to for advice or when I am injured and in need of aid."
"They are fools to believe Kilgharrah is dead," The ebony dragon replies. "Only dragon lords or those with magical weapons can kill dragons."
Merlin smiled. "That is the only reason I am glad Uthur hates magic and makes people fear anything to do with magic…. Those who knew dragons can only be killed by dragon lords or magical weapons, wouldn't dare speak up for fear of execution. And therefore both mine and Kilgharrah secret is safe... Everyone thinks Kilgharrah is dead and no knows I'm a dragon lord or Balinor ever had a son."
Before the ebony dragon has chance to reply, the sound of beating wings fills that air and seconds later, Kilgharrah lands on the ledge behind them. Aithusa lands on Merlin's shoulder and growls at the ebony dragon.
Kilgharrah studies the ebony dragon for a moment before speaking. "Zafira."
Merlin glances at Kilgharrah, then at the ebony dragon, then at Kilgharrah again. "Zafira?"
Kilgharrah nodes. "This dragon is Zafira, for a long time I feared her lost…. She was the last dragon to be hatched before the great purge."
Merlin looks at the ebony dragon, Zafira, before glancing at Kilgharrah once more. "You knew she could still be alive and you didn't tell me?"
"I feared her dead," Kilgharrah answers. "For a long time I refused to be fooled into thinking there were other dragons, I feared I was the last of my king, trapped in a cave by a tyrant king."
Merlin turns back to face Zafira. "Who named you?"
"Balinor of the Ambrosius bloodline," Zafira answers. "I was named by your father."
Merlin smiled. "I'm Merlin Emrys, son of Balinor Ambrosius and the last of the dragon lords."
Zafira bows her head and Merlin places a palm on her forehead and the world explodes in an electric blue light.
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Bercilak stood before the magic council. "I have news concerning King Sarrum of Amata."
The head councilman studies Bercilak for a moment. "What news do you bring us?"
"King Sarrum plans to sign a treaty with King Arthur of Camelot," Bercilak explains. "A treaty King Sarrum had with the late King Uthur Pendragon."
"What is the nature of this treaty?" The head councilman asks.
Bercilak shakes his head. "Of that I am not sure, but I do know if the treaty is signed it will bring war to our kingdom."
"King Sarrum and King Uthur, both have a strong hatred for magic," Alator speaks up. "Together they formed a treaty which would allow them to pass through each other's lands unchallenged and unhindered if they were in pursuit of sorcery."
"If the treaty is signed, king Sarrum will have free passage through Camelot, straight to our borders." Iseldir adds. "Much like the alliance between the five kingdoms, armies can pass through each other's lands, if they are going to war…. But unlike the alliance between the five kingdoms, King Sarrum will not have to ask for that passage…. He will simply be able to send an army."
The head councilman nodes. "We cannot afford a battle on two fronts."
"We cannot allow this treaty to take place." A councilman speaks up.
"But how could we stop it?" A second asks.
Then head councilman turns back tom Bercilak. "Do you know when this treaty signing is to take place?"
"I do not." Bercilak answers.
"Them there is little we can do to stop it," The head councilman speaks. "We must simply hope Arthur Pendragon will refuse to sign this treaty."
"There is something we could do," A councilman speaks up. "We can form more alliances with the kingdoms around us."
"Queen Annis is not the only one who hates King Sarrum," A second adds. "There are other kingdoms that have asked for our alliance and there are other kingdoms who would be willing to sign an alliance."
A third speaks up. "If King Arthur sees how many allies we have, he may not agree to such a treaty with King Sarrum. After all if King Sarrum was to call upon Camelot, to help him fight our potential allies, Camelot would be able to do nothing, they have an alliance with Queen Annis, that alone would stop them attacking us if Queen Annis believed us to be a stronger ally."
The head councilman nodes. "Send out the messengers, we offer all kingdoms an alliance, bar Camelot and Amata."
"Are you sure that is wise?" Alator asks. "Camelot and Amata are not the only kingdoms with a strong hatred of magic."
"We have little choice," The head councilman speaks up. "We cannot afford a war with King Sarrum."
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Hey, hoped you liked that chapter. Next up is the wicked day and Aithusa, which will hopefully be up in the next couple of days. Until next time,
Blessed be,
TreeOflife1997.