AN: Hello! So, I am trying to post this from my phone, which is an interesting process, sorry about any mistakes that are a result of this. Or boor for spelling/ grammar
Anyhoo, this chapter was really so I could get Kilgarrah in this. Not a whole lot going on. I hope you all like it anyways! And thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and alerts, I love you all!
And, of course, I don't own Merlin. I just do this for fun ;)
Chapter Seven: Discovering Destiny
Merlin woke up on his bedroll, feeling more relaxed than he had in what seemed like ages. He hadn't dreamed at all, no haunting images of his parents and friends to disturb his slumber. He was slightly disappointed by the distinct lacking of Arthur in the camp, but he understood that he couldn't use the prince of Camelot as his personal pillow for long. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, and upon noticing Gwaine and Percival watching him asked, "What happened to Arthur?"
"Lancelot took him back towards Camelot, he should probably be back in his castle by now." Gwaine said, "How do you feel?"
"Much better, thanks guys." Merlin said with a smile, "I know I've been a bit out of it lately, sorry."
"Are you sure? You don't want us to go bring Arthur back do you?" Percival said, sounding surprisingly serious, which caused Merlin to laugh a bit.
"No, I really do feel better. I guess I just needed the right person to talk to. I shouldn't have closed myself off from you. I don't think we should risk kidnapping Uther's son again, no matter how comfortable his shoulder is."
Gwaine laughed and slapped him on the shoulder, saying, "It's good to have you back, mate. We were all really worried about you."
"And you know that you can talk to us about anything if you need to right?" Percival added, grabbing Merlin's other shoulder and looking him straight in the eyes.
"Yes, of course I do. I'm sorry I was so down. I know I really shouldn't have closed myself off, you guys have always been there for me." Merlin said, looking back and forth between both of them.
There was a brief lull in the conversation as Percival and Gwaine both removed their hands from Merlin's shoulders and let him stand and stretch. Just as Lancelot was walking back into the camp Gwaine said, "I've been thinking, we've let Uther get a bit comfortable lately, it's probably about time we paid him another visit, isn't it?"
"No." Merlin said, causing Gwaine to look at him in alarm, "Not yet, there's something I need to do first."
"What is it?" Percival asked, moving to stand next to Merlin, still looking a little more concerned than Merlin liked.
"I need to talk with the Dragon." Merlin said, certain that this was the most important thing to do right now.
"But I though all the dragons were dead?" Lancelot asked, obviously confused.
"Not all of them." Merlin said with a smile, his eyes gleaming.
"You can't be serious." Percival said.
Merlin just smiled and nodded, "I need to know more about my destiny. The dragons were said to know things that no mortal could. I need to talk with him."
"What are you two talking about?" Gwaine asked. "Isn't Lancelot right? Uther killed all of the dragons in the purge."
"Not quite." Merlin said, letting Percival take it from there, "Uther killed all the dragons but one, which he locked in the caves under Camelot as an example. Merlin, you can't be seriously thinking of breaking into the dungeons of Camelot, especially not now."
"Why not? The dungeon's aren't going to be any more heavily guarded than the vaults, and we've done that before. How hard can it be?" Merlin said, determined to get into those caves.
"Last time we broke into the vaults, you almost got caught." Percival said, "The guards are getting better, we can't just prance around the castle whenever we want to."
"But they won't expect us to break into the dungeons." Merlin reasoned.
"Yeah, and at least they won't have to drag us all over the castle when they catch us, we'll already pretty much be in the cells." Gwaine said with a smile, although he did sound a little skeptical still, "Are you sure it is really necessary to talk to this oversized lizard Merlin?"
"Yes. I need to know more about my destiny. And I think we can trust Arthur, he can help us if we need it." Merlin said, knowing after today that this was true.
"Oh goody, we're going to break into a prison with the help of the man who is trying to put us in said prison. This sounds like the best idea you've had yet, Merlin!" Gwaine said, a crazy glint in his eyes. He always did like a challenge.
"You are both crazy." Lancelot said, earning a nod from Percival, "But, if you really need to talk to this dragon, I don't see why we can't manage it. We will just have to be extra careful."
"Yes!" Merlin cried, "Thank you, Lancelot! I swear, this is important." Merlin than turned his gaze to Percival, who was still looking a little uncertain about this idea, "Come on, Perce, you know about my destiny. I just need to talk to him for a few minutes. Please say you'll help."
"Fine." Percival said, a small smile on his face, "But if we get caught, I'm going to kill you before Uther has a chance to."
Merlin laughed at this, as they all gather together to discuss their new goal.
Arthur made his way back to the castle as quickly as he could. His father was rather disappointed when he admitted that he hadn't caught anything on his hunt. George was rather frantic, saying that he should have let him come along to help carry his supplies. Arthur was surprised by how little his father's disappointment affected him as George prepared him for dinner. He knew things had changed in the woods today. He could no longer stand by as his father caused such suffering. He had sworn to serve the people, and that's what he was going to do. Of course, he had also sworn to serve the king, but he had decided that that was slightly less important. Especially when the king deemed it necessary to destroy an entire town in order to kill one man who hadn't really done anything wrong. Arthur found himself disagreeing with his father more and more. He had even started to voice his concerns, although it really wasn't getting him anything except for his ear yelled off. He was tired of listening to his father explaining how evil magic was without evidence, and he was sick of getting told off for not catching Emrys and then being locked in his room for trying to explain to his father how maybe the thief had a point. His father seemed quite confused by the fact that nothing he seemed to do really affected Arthur anymore, and had converted his confusion into energy saying it was more important than ever to catch the thief. He had even hinted at the possibility that Arthur could have been enchanted by the thief on the night he was captured, and had removed him from the head of the group trying to catch Emrys and replacing him with Sir Leon, which was a little silly seeing as Leon was probably his most loyal knight and had promised to keep him updated on every action taken against the thief.
But Arthur still worried about Merlin. Even though he had had no nightmares since he had napped with Merlin, he still remembered the fear he had felt when he watched as blood spilled out of the thief, helpless to stop it. As his father had said, it was only a matter of time before Emrys made a mistake, and was caught. Then what would Arthur do? He spent many of the hours locked in his room asking himself this question. Could Arthur stand by as his father killed Merlin? Usually his mind would scream no before even considering the options. Then he would really think about it, and what would he be able to do? Could he betray his father, and if he did, what then? He wouldn't be able to stay in Camelot, would he? He would be a traitor, and who knew what his father would do to him. Was it possible that Uther would kill his own son if he helped the thief he hated so? In the end it came down to the question, was his father's hatred of the thief stronger than his love for him? Because if it was, Uther wouldn't hesitate, he would do whatever possible to destroy the thief and any involved with him even if it was his own son. Even as these thoughts swirled in Arthur's head, he longed to see Merlin again. He wasn't sure what it was about the strange man, but each time they talked it only made him want to know more, wish he was able to spend more time with him. But, Merlin couldn't just waltz into the castle to talk to him about his inner turmoil whenever he needed it, and he couldn't just leave the palace and go searching for him each time he wanted to, that would get suspicious, especially with his changing behavior and he definitely didn't want to be the reason Merlin was caught. So, there was very little he could do besides think and worry and argue with his father as he waited for Merlin to make his next move.
It had taken them a while to figure out the best way to break into the dungeons, they had a good plan. Gwaine and Lancelot were going to create a distraction while Merlin and Percival knocked out a couple of guards and used their uniforms to sneak into the castle. Gwaine and Lancelot would need to be careful, but hopefully as the guards still didn't know what they looked like so they hopefully would be alright. Plus, if something went wrong, Merlin and Percival would probably know about it right away as they would be down in the dungeons, and could hopefully help anyone brought down there escape if needs be. It was one of their more risking plans, but if Merlin wanted to speak with the Great Dragon it would have to do.
The plan started well enough, Gwaine and Lancelot started a bar fight that got large enough some passing guards heard it and went to investigate. When they passed Merlin and Percival's hideout in a nearby alleyway, Merlin whispered a spell that sent them into a deep sleep and Percival pulled them into the darkness where they quickly stripped them and donned their uniforms. They were lucky that Percival was able to fit into his, even though the sleeves ripped slightly as he pulled his arms through. Merlin, of course, had the opposite problem, and the uniform hung off his lanky body making him look slightly ridiculous. Even with the ill-fitting uniforms, they were able to make it into the castle. Merlin had almost wanted to stop in Arthur's chambers, but he knew there really wasn't any time for that, and that would probably have gotten them caught, so instead they took each stairway going down they could find. It took them a while to find the right one, and they had gotten quite a few strange looks from people who noticed they really didn't seem to have any idea of where they were going, but eventually they found it. Merlin had put the guards watching the cells asleep as well, before they had rushed down to the passage that would lead down to the Dragon's cave. Percival waited, keeping watch as Merlin used his magic to light a torch then rushed down the steps to speak with the imprisoned beast.
When he got to the bottom of the steps he took off the stolen guard helmet so he could get a better look around. He was standing on a ledge, looking out into a giant cave. He was pretty sure he could hear water trickling down somewhere below him, and there was a large outcropping of rock just passed a large chasm in front of him. It was strangely quiet, and Merlin prayed he hadn't been wrong about the beast trapped down here as he shouted out, "Hello? Dragon? I need to speak with you."
There was a moment of silence before he heard the rushing of wind from above him, and the Dragon descended, landing on the outcropping in the center of the cave.
"We meet at last, Young Warlock." The Dragon said in a deep booming voice. Merlin couldn't help but stare at the beautiful creature. He could just remember the stories his father would tell him about the dragons, they had been his favorites when he was young, but seeing one in person was beyond any story. It took him a moment to get over his excitement, and then he replied, saying, "You have been waiting for me?"
"Of course I have, Merlin. We are kin, after all." The Dragon said, his eyes gleaming a bright gold.
"Kin? What do you mean?" Merlin asked, confused.
"We are both creatures of magic, and we are both the last of our kind. I can see your father in you, Young Warlock. He would be proud of what you have become."
"You knew my father?"
"Yes. He was a good man. I felt the powers of the old religion cry out when he died. He was the last left who knew my real name, but I believe it is time I pass the knowledge on to his son, even if he was not able to. Someone on this planet should know that I am Kilgarrah, the last of the dragons. Now, young Merlin, I believe you came here for a reason. What is it you wish to ask me?"
"I need to know more about my destiny, can you help me?" Merlin said desperately.
"The dragons have always known much about the events of the past, and the future. What is it you wish to know, Young Warlock?"
"The Druids taught me some, I know that I am Emrys, and that I am destined to return magic to the land, but I need to know, who is The Once and Future King?"
Kilgarrah's eyes bore into Merlin's own for a moment before he replied, "I believe you already know the answer to that question, Young Warlock. Trust your heart, it will lead you to your destiny."
"So it is Arthur." Merlin said, smiling a little. Kilgarrah did not answer, but Merlin could swear he was smiling as well. Merlin was going to ask Kilgarrah more about how he knew his father when he heard Percival calling his name from the stairs.
"Thank you for helping me, but I have to go." Merlin said, grabbing the torch.
"Yes you do, but before you leave, I would like you to make me a promise." Merlin nodded quickly and Kilgarrah continued, "One day you will free this land from Uther's tyranny. I ask that on that day you promise you will free me from my prison as well."
Merlin thought about this. In the stories his father had told him the dragons had always been free, it did seem so wrong to imprison one like this. But still, a dragon could cause quite a bit of harm, and he didn't want anyone to be hurt by his actions. Deciding what to do Merlin replied, "I will free you, as long as you swear you will not hurt the people of this land. Not even Uther Pendragon."
Kilgarrah did not respond right away, instead he scrutinized Merlin. It felt strange, as if he knew more about Merlin than he did himself, which, as Merlin thought about it, was probably true. When he was done studying Merlin he replied, saying, "Very well. I accept your terms. Now, you really must be going. I can't have you failing your destiny before you get a chance to free me."
Merlin smiled and said, "Goodbye Kilgarrah, I will not forget you."
"It will not be long before we meet again, Young Warlock. And remember, trust your heart, even when things seem darkest, it will lead you to the light."
With that last remark Kilgarrah flew off into the darkness, leaving Merlin alone on the ledge, pondering what he had learned. Percival's voice pulled him from his musings and he ran up the stairs, meeting Percival half way up.
"We have to move, the bell just rang. The guards you put to sleep will be relieved soon." Percival said. Merlin nodded and followed him the rest of the way up the stairs. They rushed past the sleeping guards and up towards the door. Just before they exited Merlin sent a spell back to wake up the guards, so their relief wouldn't cause a stir when they found them asleep. They could only hope that the two guards they had passed would be too embarrassed to raise a stir themselves. Then he slipped the guard helmet he had taken earlier back on and followed the disguised Percival back into the castle.
They had gotten out a lot faster than they had gotten in, now that they at least sort of new the lay of the castle. There had been a brief awkward moment where Merlin spotted Arthur, and wanted to go talk with him, especially after all he had learned. But, he was speaking with a group of knights, so it probably wouldn't be the best time. Percival had pulled him away, and after that they had no stops until they were out of the castle. They made their way back down the streets, trying to act as calm and natural as possible, until they found a deserted corridor and snuck down in to change back into their clothes. They kept the guard uniforms, though. Those could come in useful later. Once they were back looking like ordinary citizens, Percival and Merlin headed for the exit of the town, hoping that Lancelot and Gwaine would be waiting for them when they arrived.