sooorrry, toomany documants to close to gether meant i couldn't post last week. but now i'm back with the next chapter. i hope it was worth the wait. as useual i dont own merlin, tristain is mine. and in future chapters i will be introducing some familar faces but well, i think it will be before the tv series intro duces them so they aren't my oc's, just my take on how they may be portrayed in the series, does that make scence? nope. thought not. enjoy!

return of the dragonlord.

6 months later

Merlin and Gaius were headed towards the council chambers when Arthur and Tristain joined them. "M'lord do you know why your father has called this meeting?" Arthur looked across at the knight and answered his question as best he could. "I don't know, but I'd have thought it had something to do with battle preparations hence why the court physician and my advisor are both to be present." he nodded at Merlin who tried not to laugh, as the prince fiddled with his cape. "Sire do you need me to fix your cape?" Gaius sent his ward a withering look and Merlin sent a half heartedly apologetic look across to him.

"No Merlin it isn't your job any more. I just hoped that after you I'd get a half competent servant but no, this one is even worse than you. He runs away crying when I throw things at him." Merlin lost his battle not to laugh at this point. He managed to speak between laughs, "then…I'd advise…you stop throwing… things." Arthur punched him playfully on the arm and replied "what kind of useless advise is that Mer-lin" they were about to start one of their numerous spouts of bickering when Gaius finally spoke up "gentleman. Behave yourselves we're almost there Milord's." Tristain muttered something about concurring with the physician as they all entered the council chambers.

The gathered knights stood up and nodded at the prince and only sat down again when Arthur sat. Tristain took a position leaning against a pillar and Merlin went to stand behind Arthur as he used to until six months ago, he was surprised when one of the knights stood up letting Merlin take a seat next to Arthur, the seat that by right belonged to the heirs advisor. He nodded his thanks to the knight and settled into his seat. It felt weird. But before he could settle fully the king spoke.

"It has been 7 months since Sir Tristan came with news that morgouse and her sister were gathering an army to attack Camelot. Seven months! Why has there been no attack!" his cold accusing gaze fell on Tristain, a lesser man would have flinched or shifted uncomfortably. Tristain was no such man he merely looked off into space as if he were oblivious to the king's scrutiny. Finally Sir Leon spoke "sire. It may be they wish to unsettle us. Tristain it was you who came to us with the news, your mother was a sorceress. Are you aware of her ever using such a tactic?"

Tristain stepped away from the pillar and walked slowly around to room as he spoke. "It is my belief that they believe the king to be irrational and short of temper. I think they may be waiting for you to make an impulsive and rash move." Merlin spoke up. "It is the belief of most people with magic that you are evil and hate filled. I know you have your reasons, and am grateful to you that you have allowed me penance sire. However a great many more believe in prophecies where with my humble aid and your noble guidance that Arthur shall become the king who unites all of Albion. It is feasible therefore that they will want you to make the first attack thus vindicating their view." Tristain came to a rest behind Merlin's chair. "I say we do the opposite. As Merlin said a great many believe Merlin to be their saviour, their future leader. If they are trying to unnerve us by making us wait and grow irritable I say we send their so called saviour in to shake them up. Merlin is the most powerful being of magic ever born, he is yet to discover his limit. Yet he willingly protects Camelot with you as king. What is more you have allowed him to live knowing this. Of course that is just the opinion of a lowly hedge knight."

Uthur stood there thinking it over eventually he looked across at Merlin barely able to hide his dislike of the young man. "What is your opinion boy?" Merlin suddenly realised everyone in the room was staring at him so he stood up and decided to give them a show. "I think it will work it will force the sisters hand. It will require the use of magic though milord." Uthur went to protest but Merlin spoke up again. "No sire. They are people of magic and I will have to use magic to truly shock them into thinking, this is not negotiable. I won't be needing a horse." He nodded to the gathered nobles and simply said "prepare for war" to Arthur. With that he was gone from the room he was heard to roar outside in the corridor. When Arthur saw his fathers confused and slightly frightened look the prince stood up and said so the whole room heard. "Merlin is last of the dragon lords, he just called the last of his kin. Kilgarragh is headed here" he did not wait to see his father's reaction he knew what it would be.

Merlin stood and watched as the large shape of the great dragon grew closer when kilgarragh landed he spoke immediately. "What is it now young warlock. I have a life other than talking to you." Merlin smiled his crooked charming smile and commented "yes but I'm sure it's far less exciting. With me you get to forge magical swords and heal poison. No you're right you probably do have better things to do, but I have need of your assistance great one." Killgarargh looked at Merlin and settled down to listen to what he had to say.

"I need to make an impressive entrance, one that will strike fear and trepidation into people. I was hoping you might aid in this venture." He looked at the dragon for a reaction. "Who will it help? I am not a horse boy" the dragon asked. Merlin took a moment to think it though before giving his answer. "I can not lie, it may help Uthur but even he senses that he has little time left, it will mainly aid Arthur and I. it will make the future you have foretold a large step closer. I know you are not a horse I did not wish to ride you like one. Merely hoped you would allow me to ride on your claw." Kilgarragh did not answer he just nodded and placed his foot in a way that Merlin could take hold. The young warlock spoke his thanks and climbed on. Once he was on, the great dragon launched itself up into the sky towards the enemy camp. Merlin steadied himself for the coming task.

Morgouse was standing looking out at the gathered masses. They had a good number. As well as having enchanted plenty of beasts to their cause. Now all she had to do was wait for Uthur to send his knights. Oh yes let him prove his cowardice and senility. Let him show he is not worthy of the throne. With him and his brat prince gone her beloved sister Morganna could take the throne. Then they would remove Cenred and all the other kings. But then she felt it. A shift in power. Something more magic, more powerful than her or her sister, was approaching she looked to where the shift had been felt and saw it. A dragon was approaching. Then it dropped something.

"Would I survive if you dropped me now?" Merlin inquired "lets find out" kilgrarragh roared before letting Merlin drop. Focusing on tugging at the wind around him Merlin slowed his decent before forcing the earth up to meet him. When the dust cloud settled he saw he had landed where he intended. Standing there staring back at him were all of the sisters army. He stood up straight used magic to enhance his voice so all could hear. "I am Emrys! The women you fight for have twisted the truth and your beliefs to fit their own end. They will tell you I am a traitor. I have seen many with magic fall, I have killed some. I work for Uthur pendragon. That is what they tell you. It is they who are the traitors. Instead of working peacefully towards a truce, instead of proving Uthur wrong. Them and others like them. Have attacked him and his innocent son. I have only killed when no other choice was available. I do not work for Uthur I work for the once and future king. The king who will return magic to the lands and rule over all of Albion with fairness and nobility." They still stared at him. "I will not allow any harm to come to Arthur or Camelot. If you attack, remember what has happened to those who have opposed me in the past! Camelot will not fall by your mistresses hands. They can not hope to beat me."

It was at this point an angry sorcerer broke free of the crowd and started chanting an incantation. Merlin simply looked at him and pointed. Vines broke out of the earth and tangled themselves around the sorcerer. Another tried to sneak up behind Merlin but again all it took was once glance and that sorcerer was also felled. "These men attacked me first I have not killed them. I will only kill as a last resort. But know this. If you choose to go to war, I will be merciless. I am telling you this so that you know, any who chooses to leave may do so and will be welcome in the future I hope to build. Those of you who remain may not live to see such a day." It was at this moment kilgarrah swooped down and lifted Merlin up. Merlin heard one solitary voice as he left. "Lord Emrys has spoken, his word is law."

Morgouse had heard the voice but hadn't recognised it. However when its owner had left she noticed the windows shaking. She turned to see that her sister's eyes were gold. "Sister calm yourself please. This self proclaimed Emrys is clearly just an arrogant henchman for the false king." Morganna forced herself to calm down before speaking to her sister. "It is worse than you think morgouse. That was Merlin's voice. I doubt very much someone like him could be Emrys, but did you see how he was with that dragon? You promised me that all of the dragon lords were killed." The princess of Camelot pointed out the window" he acted surprisingly like a dragon lord considering all of them and their sons were killed! How could you allow such a thing to happen sister! What were you doing all those years before we met!"

Morganna started to pace around the room while morgouse stayed perfectly calm. "Evidently ballinor had a son no one was aware of. We need to act. Now that we know they have a dragon lord we can not allow them time to formulate plans we shall march at." Morganna cut across her sister with a question tat had recently occurred to her. "In the olden times, the peek of magic. What could dragon lords do?" morgouse surprised by the question hesitated then sat before answering.

"They were hunted down because many believed them to have sorcerer's magic. But what they truly are, what they are believed to be is far worse. It is said that in the beginning dragons tried to live in human form but found it wasn't suitable so they became what we know now. However, aware that they may not be able to communicate fully they left some behind. They became the first dragon lords. Ever since each new generation of men have inherited their fathers power when the father dies. But before they even inherited the abilities of dragon lords, the sons would be trained like knights to fight with sword and shield. But also with fire and smoke. They were taught to heal using the old tongue. They were formidable enemies to have." Morganna motioned for her sister to continue.

"A fully developed dragon lord can manipulate fire, breath it on demand, just like his kin, the dragon. He possesses deep magic, which makes him immune to lesser spells and wounds. Some of the more powerful ones are even rumoured to have been able to fly short distances." Morganna asked the question she had wanted to ask. "How powerful was ballinor? His family?" morgouse summoned a pitcher of mead across to the table and poured herself some before offering some to her sister. "Young pendragon. There is a reason ballinor was the last. He was the most skilful and powerful"

oh my goodness! cliffhangerness! so things are moving forward. merlin is learning more about what it is to be advisor and dragon lord. uthur is starting to see there is no breaking the bond of brother hood that is formingbetween the prince and the warlock. and the sisters finally know that things will not be as easy as they once suspected.

i'm sorry about any spelling and grammer mistakes, i editied this twice and some, possibly more, escaped my attention. next chapter will be up next week hopefully if not then i will try and get it up soon after. coment/review pleease, i'd like to know what i'm doing right or wrong. laters