Dragon Inc. Tower

private apartment

"So, what is this place? Where are we?" Gwen asked and looked around of the huge loft. There wasn't much of furniture, but what was there was old, some antiques even. Merlin watched her and walked to the one of the big window what stretched from floor to ceiling.

"Can you keep a secret?"

Gwen nodded and watched how Merlin waved his hand over the small panel beside the window. Shutters moved aside and exposed the view over nightly Camelot. Gwen gasped.

"Beautiful, isn't?" Merlin whispered.

"It is more than beautiful, it's stunning, wonderful. We are so high. Is this… this must be the highest place in town. This is… I have seen this building. This is Dragon Inc. headquarters. The tower." Gwen realized and turned to see Merlin. Merlin smiled slightly.

"Yes it is, and we are on top of it. This…" He met Gwen's gaze. "This is my home."

"You truly are something else. You, this place. Who are you?" Gwen asked.

"Merlin. Friend of Arthur and Morgana. Friend of you, if you want." Merlin smiled. That smile melted Gwen's heart.

"And what you are?"

"I'm… something. Many things. Now I'm just employee of Dragon Inc. The information collector. And a person who can help you." Merlin looked little bit sheepish that he hadn't revealed his full secrets. But Gwen seemed to accepting that.

"You have magic, like me." Gwen said, hopefully.

"Something like you, yes. Our magic is, different. Your magic isn't natural."

"No, it isn't, you are right."

"Can you tell me your story?" Merlin asked and his hand tapped the leather armchair to Gwen sit down. Gwen took the chance to sit and sank deep in big chair.

"Yes, you should know. You should know what you are going to face."

Merlin moved closer to the window, his arms crossed on his chest.

"I am born in England, London." Gwen started. "One day, three years ago, I was traveling to one of the island in the Aegean Sea. My father had just died. And in the aerostation in Creek I met Morgause. She was so excited. She said that I just tried to escape from myself. That I'm unique. That she has never met anything like me. I was suspicious, of course. She has something, but what was a mystery. She looked nice enough. And she spoke and spoke and finally… I don't know what happened. She got me. Somehow. She cheated me with her. And before I knew what was happening, I was part of the secrets. And I met him. Lancelot. I made some bad decision to I fall in love with him."

Gwen grew silent, her eyes full of tears. Merlin walked to the kitchen corner to make some tea. When he walked back to Gwen, she was recovered.

"Sorry." Gwen muttered.

"You shouldn't be. Go on, please, continue." Merlin gave her the mug.

"Then, one day, I and Lancelot walked at the beach. He wanted to show me something. And he showed me his ability, his skills, his… power. And what he said then. That nothing was impossible for us. You know, he loved the stories of Greeks Gods and heroes. He spoke... he said that we could be like them. Gods. I got scared. I couldn't say anything. I watched him, trying to understand him. And then we walked to home, to the faculty." Gwen sipped her tea.

"And then I heard something. The door was open, and I heard Morgause and Lancelot speaking. They fought. They had different kind of opinions. I don't know why Lancelot is still with her. But I stood there, and listened. Lancelot tried to get me out of The Hold. And Morgause, Morgause said that then they has to kill me." Gwen's hands were shaking. Merlin took the mug back.

"And I ran. It was easy. I'm very skillful. I was more powerful than they thought. But I have a weakness."

Gwen looked Merlin who stared at her.

"I'm too emotional. I can't always control it."

Merlin nodded, deep in his though. He had seen how powerful that man was. And Morgause, she was powerful as well, but she could hide it well. It was difficult situation.

"Merlin, can you help me?" Gwen asked.