Merlin
Love by any other name
Part 9
It had been just under a week since the rescue of Morgana and Merlin. Fortunately during that time there had been no other developments. The Dragon had remained quiet, much to Arthur's relief. Still the following morning, was when Godfry and his entourage were due to arrive. That was in the morning, however. For the moment, most people slept, except for two. Of course they were in bed, but it could hardly be called sleeping. Finally, their passions spent, they lay side by side, Morgana nestled into Merlin, her head tucked under his arm as he gently stroked her hair, both of them looking at the ceiling.
"Do you think Godfry will accecpt me?" Merlin asked at length.
"Huh huh" Morgana replied sleepily from her resting place. He tilted his head slightly to look down at her, her eyes closed, a small smile on her lips.
"Morgana…" he said softly. Slowly she opened her eyes, looking at him.
"What was that?" he eyes were already half closed again.
"I should go" he said softly. Her eyes shot open again.
"Why?" she asked, tilting her head up, examining his boyish face.
"Because it's late, and you" he said pointedly. "are tired" he finished.
"Am not, I'm just getting started" she teased.
"Yes, you're so ready I have drool on my arm" he chuckled. She leant up, frowned then looked at him.
"Liar" she muttered settling back down. "anyway you have Uther's blessing now, let people say what they want" she said. Then she looked up. "Unless, this isn't what you want" she said. Merlin frowned, smiling at the same time.
"How could you even ask that?" he replied. "I'm happier then I've ever been" he assured her.
"Good, then you can spend the night here" she replied, her eyes beginning to close again. He smiled and kissed her forehead, and she sleepily snuggled further into him.
"Lilac and blue" she mumbled.
"beg your pardon?" he asked.
"Our family colour, Lilac and blue" she repeated, "like red and gold for Camelot" she said, her eyes opening.
"Green and Orange" he countered. She made a screwy face and shook her head.
"That sounds horrid" she replied.
"Green and red?" he countered. She put a finger to his lips, smiling playfully.
"Lilac and Blue" she repeated. "no arguments"
"Lilac and blue" he agreed with a smile of his own.
"good, now settle down" she said softly. Merlin complied, and moved himself further under the blankets, Morgan's face now only centimetres from his own. She smiled at him, then snuggled closer, his arm wrapped protectively around her, feeling safer than she had in a very long time. Merlin watched her for several moments, before finally he too fell into a deep sleep.
The lake was a clear blue, and the way the sun shone upon it one could see the bottom of it, fish darting about as they swam. She watched from the shore of the lake, Uther sitting beside her, Gwen just behind as Arthur and Merlin swam in the water, Uther laughing as Arthur splashed Merlin, even as Merlin dove under the water coming up behind the prince and drenching him.
"Oh you are really going to pay for that!" yelled Arthur laughing. Merlin dived back under, coming up to Arthur's left, only to be caught by the ready prince. Morgana laughed along with Uther this time, as Gwen chuckled as well.
"My lady" she said, handing Morgana a plate of food, Morgana took it, placing it on the ground even as Gwen passed a plate to Uther. Above them the sun was eclipsed for but a moment, but it was enough to make Morgana look up. There was nothing, only the clear blue sky and the sun beating down. She looked back at the two men, and picked up an apple, her eyes widening as she went to bite it, only to see the maggots crawling from it, she dropped it in disgust, looking at her plate which was swarming with them. She hit the plate away in disgust.
"Problem Morgana?" asked Uther. She looked at him, felt her bile rise as he bit into a rotten, maggot ridden apple. Above her the sky darkened and she looked up to see a Cobalt skinned Dragon hovering above the lake, the two men oblivious to it.
"And thus ends Camelot" it roared, before it belched magical fire into the lake, the laughter of the two men becoming screams as the water instantly began to boil around them.
"no… NO GET OUT!" she screamed, even as the two men went under. Arthur appearing a moment later, his skin burnt, blistering. Above them the Dragon had vanished and the sun beat down once again. Arthur took a step forwards, holding out a blistered boiled hand before he fell forwards.
"ARTHUR!" she screamed
"Morgana!" Merlin shook her awake, she looked around, seeing dawn breaking through the window, Merlin's face a mask of concern as he watched her. She took a shuddering breath, tears stinging her eyes.
"shush" he whispered, rocking her gently.
"A dragon" she said quickly, her fingers clawing at his chest as if seeking to assure herself this was real.
"A Dragon?" he queried, looking at her.
"Blue… no… lighter blue... Cobalt" she said. "We were at a lake, me and Uther and Gwen, you and Arthur were messing around in the water and then it came down, it boiled the lake with you both in it" she said.
"Morgana it was a nightmare" he insisted softly.
"But what is it wasn't?" she asked, her voice fearful.
"Morgana, it couldn't have been anything else
"But it was so real" she said. Merlin smiled and kissed her cheek gently.
"Nightmares can be like that" he told her. But she shook her head.
"No, no, I've had one before, and it was real" she said. Merlin frowned and sat back.
"When?" he asked slowly. She blinked away the tears, trying to compose herself.
"the night… the night we had the storm, the night the Witches caught you" she said.
"You dreamed that?" he asked. Slowly she nodded.
"but it was disjointed, images, flashing before my eyes… this was… this was a whole scene" she said. Merlin smiled and hugged her to him.
"Morgana, I'm sure it was just a nightmare" he assured her. ", There are no Dragons in Camelot now, except for one and he's not blue" Merlin assured her. She thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"sorry" she said. Merlin smiled and hugged her again.
"you have nothing to be sorry for" he assured her. Slowly she nodded, and then settled back down. Merlin watching as she did so.
"Merlin" she whispered.
"Yes?" he replied, just as quietly.
"please stay with me" she asked. He smiled and settled back down with her.
"Always" he assured her.
Gwen opened the door to Morgana's chambers, stifling a yawn, slowly she closed the door behind her, then turned and dropped the breakfast tray. Merlin and Morgana both sat up, covers pulled up.
"My… Lady, Merlin.. My lord… ermmm." It was obvious she didn't know what to do or say.
"Gwen" they greeted. Gwen blinked, put on as false a smile as she could and bent to pick up the tray.
"I should be going" Merlin said. Morgana smiled and looked at him, then they kissed.
"I'll see you later" he said, then stood up and turned around.
"Merlin you're-!" yelled Morgana, Crash, clang…. The breakfast tray hit the floor again. "-naked" she finished. Merlin blinked then grabbing a pillow to cover his decency moved quickly behind the dresser. Gwen however was shaking. Slowly she picked up the tray and then the food.
"Breakfast" she said with a panicked smile as she held out the completely ruined food.
"No… thank you Gwen" Morgana replied as Merlin reappeared hastily pulling on his tunic.
"My lady, Gwen" he said, his face beetroot, he practically ran from the room.
"I think I have a bit of a headache" said Morgana.
"Oh my lady I am sorry" said Gwen. Morgana looked at her and smiled.
"No, no It was our fault" Morgana said. "Don't trouble yourself" she insisted.
"I'll get you some more breakfast" Gwen offered.
"Just some tea would be nice thank you" Morgana insisted. Gwen, partially recovered, bowed and turned around, hastily beating a retreat from the room.
"Well I see you didn't come home last night" said Gaius as Merlin walked in. Merlin paused, and frowned.
"Morgana?" Gaius guessed. Merlin shrugged.
"Nothing happened Gaius, we just talked" Merlin lied. Gaius raised his eyebrows at him.
"Talked" he said nodding.
"Yes, is that such a crime?" Merlin replied.
"Merlin, despite my appearance I too was young once and I too know how… talks… with the fairer sex can go" he said. Merlin cringed.
"Gaius, we didn't have sex" Merlin protested.
"I see, then maybe you might want to explain why your tunic is rolled halfway up your back?" he asked. Merlin felt behind him, felt the flesh at the bottom of his back.
"Ok so we had…." Said Merlin. Gaius raised his hand, blinking.
"I think enough has been said for the moment"
"Okay, I won't ever mention it again" Merlin said.
"good. Uther may have accepted you as her suitor but I'm not about to lay money on him being pleased you have-"
"Gaius, you're already bringing it up" Merlin pointed out. Gaius stopped then nodded.
"Look, I need to get bathed and changed to meet Godfry today" Merlin said.
"Of course, I've laid out the suit Morgana gave you in your room" he said. Merlin smiled.
"Thanks Gaius" he replied, moving to the back of the room, before he paused.
"Oh, you might want to make Morgana a stronger sleeping draught" he said.
"Whatever for?"
"She had another nightmare, I calmed her down and she went back to sleep, but I don't like to think she has them when I'm not with her" he said.
"Of course" he said, Merlin smiled and moved up the steps to his room, opened the door and went in as Gaius went to his desk and began to arrange the ingredients.
"What was the nightmare about?" Gaius called as he worked.
"Something about a Dragon, blue… no Cobalt" he called back. Gaius nearly dropped the mortar.
"Cobalt?" he whispered. "It can't be"
"I told her there are no Dragons, and she seemed to calm down" Merlin called over the splashing of water.
"Very true" replied Gaius, his hands still shaking.
Uther and Arthur stood on the steps, turning as Morgana walked out, arm in Arm with Merlin, who actually looked like a proper noble at last, his hair was neatly combed, his face clean shaven, and he walked upright at her said as if he had been born to that position. They bowed to Uther, then Arthur as they took up positions next to them.
"Morgana, Merlin" Greeted Uther.
"My lord" they both replied, lapsing into silence as they waited. And waited. After fifteen minuet's of waiting, Uther began to shift uneasily.
"They may have been delayed" offered Arthur, sensing his father's growing anxiety.
"indeed" Uther agreed. Twenty minuets later none of them were certain.
"Something is wrong" Uther admitted. "Godfry is never this late" he added.
"Would you like me to take a patrol out?" offered Arthur. Uther considered for a moment then nodded.
"Of course, just in case" he said. Arthur bowed. Merlin looked at Arthur and nodded.
"I'm coming with you" he said. Arthur paused for a moment, even as Morgana and Uther looked at him.
"Well I am one of the reasons they're coming here, and besides if something has happened, then I can help treat them" he added.
"Your no physician Merlin" said Arthur.
"You'd be surprised what I've picked up from Gaius" Merlin replied. Arthur considered for a moment then nodded.
"Fine, we'll get you some Armour though" he said. Merlin bowed to Uther, kissed Morgana on the cheek and then moved after the prince.
"Be careful, both of you" said Morgana. The two men looked back and nodded.
"Come Morgana, lets wait in the audience chamber" Uther suggested, she smiled and took his offered arm.
"here, this should fit" said Arthur, handing Merlin some chain mail. Merlin took it, and then grunted as he lifted it over his head, Arthur waiting with a sword and shield for him when he was done.
"I don't know how good I'll be if I need those" Merlin said.
"Then lets hope you don't have to use them" Arthur replied, moving behind Merlin, pulling the straps of the chain mail tight.
"Not too tight, you trying to kill me?" Merlin said.
"Sorry" Arthur replied, watching as Merlin put the sword into its sheath. Ever since the comment the week previously, things had been a little tense between the pair of them, Merlin had eventually forgiven his friend, but Arthur, it seemed, was not about to absolve himself of his remark that easily.
"Merlin, about that comment" Arthur ha said not knowing how to continue.
"Arthur it's fine, it was probably a spell Nimueh put on everyone anyway" Merlin had replied.
"No, It was careless, unthinking and I should have thought first"
"Arthur, it's okay, you of all people don't need to apologise" Merlin had insisted.
"Well, for what its worth, I'm glad you came back too, it'd be boring here without you"
"And we couldn't have that" Merlin had grinned.
But still, the thought lingered in the back of Arthur's mind.
"Merlin to Arthur? Are you home?" Merlin asked waving his hand in front of his face. Arthur blinked, then nodded.
"I was thinking" Arthur said.
"Oh, that's dangerous for you" Merlin replied.
"That's rich coming from a clotpole like you" Arthur retorted with a slight laugh.
"and you base that observation on what?" asked Merlin as he moved after Arthur who was walking out.
"I didn't spend the night with Morgana and get caught with my pants down" Arthur threw back, there was a clang from behind him, and a soft "ow". A moment later Merlin was running up behind him.
"You know about that?" he whispered.
"Merlin, you'd be surprised to learn how much I know. I have friends in low places" Arthur replied.
"You bullied Gwen again didn't you?" Merlin guessed.
"I certainly did not, I saw a maid in distress and went to her aid"
"Okay.. and she happened to spill what was bothering her" Merlin said.
"Not in so many words, I did find out you have a large-"
"Arthur, please!" protested Merlin.
"Birthmark" Arthur added. "On your back" he finished.
"Oh…." Merlin was going beetroot again, as they went to their horses, Sir Leon and two other knights already waiting.
"Sire" Leon greeted Arthur. Then he looked at Merlin. "My lord" he greeted. Merlin smiled, and nodded, still unaccustomed to being called 'my lord'. But Uther had decreed at the celebration the previous week and so it was law. Merlin was a noble.
"Just Merlin, 'my lord' makes me feel old" Merlin said. Leon chuckled as did the other knights. It had surprised Merlin, that of everyone in the castle, the knights had readily accepted him, but then, he and Leon had got on well from the first day they had met. Arthur rolled his eyes and sighed as he and Merlin mounted their horses, before they rode out. Ten minuets after that had left, the Dragon went mental again….
Arthur had expected to come across Godfry's party within the first half hour or so, so when it slowly drew into the second hour of their search he was becoming more and more worried.
"We should have seen some indication of them by now" he muttered.
"Maybe they went through the valley of the fallen kings?" offered Sir Thomas, from behind him. Arthur shook his head.
"Not even a fool would dare enter that place" Arthur said.
"Should we split up?" asked Merlin, who was sitting beside Arthur on his horse. "We can cover more ground that way"
"Good idea, you can come with me, Leon, Thomas, you two, Brian and Peter you're together" Arthur said. "we'll meet back here in an hour" he ordered.
"Yes sire" agreed the knights, riding off in opposite directions, finally the two of them were alone.
"Well keep heading this way" Arthur said, as he spurred his horse forwards.
"you're disappointed in me aren't you?" asked Merlin suddenly. Arthur looked at him.
"For what?"
"Sleeping with Morgana" Merlin replied. Arthur broke into a laugh at that.
"Merlin, you're the one courting her, and although I admit my mind shudders at the thought of you two getting… intimate, It's no longer my place to interfere" he said.
"So you're not annoyed?"
"No Merlin, I'm not annoyed" Arthur said.
"so did you?" asked Merlin.
"Did I what?" asked Arthur.
"Bully Gwen?" he replied. Arthur shook his head.
"No, but when she's so…. Panicked I can't help it. I just have to zone in and get the answers" he replied. "Gwen is terrible at keeping secrets just so you know" he added.
"So I noticed, twice" Merlin replied, then slowed his horse.
"Merlin?" asked Arthur, coming up beside him.
"Do you smell that?" Merlin asked, looking around. Arthur sniffed the air, catching the faint smell of burning in the air.
"Early for a campfire" said Arthur.
"Could be someone cooking" offered Merlin. Arthur nodded, and smelt the air again.
"I make it that way" he said pointing into the woods to their left. Merlin nodded and together they dismounted, Arthur pleased to see Merlin already had his hand on the hilt of his sword. After a few seconds, he relaxed and then took the reigns of the horses, tying them to a nearby tree, before they slowly moved forwards. After another handful of paces Arthur gestured to himself and left, then to Merlin and right. Merlin nodded and moved off to the right, Arthur moving in the opposite direction. He stepped carefully through the woods, the smell of burning was stronger here.
"ARTHUR!" Merlin's yell made him jump and he turned, running towards his friends voice. Merlin was standing at the top of a knoll, the front of his armour was stained slightly where he had been sick.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked, his voice concerned. Merlin looked over at him as Arthur ran up to join him, a moment later he knew the reason for his friends sickness. This part of the forest was burnt away, the sun beating down. But the trees were smoking husks, stripped of leaves, the ground was black with the burnt grass, but it was the smoking corpses that littered the place that had made Merlin sick. All of them, nothing more than charred husks, skulls, mouth opened in silent screams of agony.
"Oh… my god" breathed Arthur, fearing the contents of his own stomach would soon appear, he had been trained since birth to deal with death, but this went beyond death.
"are those….?" Merlin didn't want to ask, but had to.
"Godfry's men" Arthur said with a subtle nod. Slowly he moved forwards, aware that Merlin was moving behind him.
"Merlin, you don't have to do this" Arthur said. Merlin shook his head.
"We need to find out what happened" Merlin replied. Arthur nodded, then began to move forwards again, before he came upon a corpse, the crown upon its head had partically melted into its skull.
"Godfry" Arthur said quietly, remembering the kind man who had been there since his earliest memories, always with a smile or a joke to put people at ease.
"Arthur, here!" Merlin called again. Arthur closed his eyes in silent farewell, before moving towards Merlin who was standing over a knight. This one however, despite being burnt and suffering blistering to his legs and arms was alive.
"That's sir Gwaine" Arthur said, kneeling down. "We need to get him to Gaius" he added. Merlin nodded and then helped Arthur to lift the man, who hissed in pain.
"Sorry Gwaine, but we need to do this" Arthur muttered. But Gwaine had already lapsed into silence. Slowly they turned and began to move back across the burnt ground, Gwaine held between them.
"Arthur" Merlin suddenly said.
"Merlin?" he replied, not looking over.
"I hate to say this, but, the ground and the corpses are still warm, still smoking" Merlin observed.
"I know that Merl-" Arthur's eyes went wide as the implication hit him, moving quicker towards the part they had entered from, they both winced as something roared above them, blotting out the sun for a second, Arthur chanced a look up, seeing a large dark scaled tail vanish above the intact tree tops.
"That's impossible" he muttered, "Come on!" he yelled, the pair moving even faster.
"Excellent my friend" aid Balinor as the black Dagon landed before him.
"So you destroy an army, that does nothing to bring down Camelot" Morgause said from beside him. Balinor turned to her and smiled.
"Actually, Godfry was probably Camelot's most ardent ally, by removing him Uther will be that much more alone" he explained.
"And what of the prince and your son?" she demanded "You could have killed them easily" she replied, curtly.
"I could, but then, we do need them for the moment" he replied.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" she asked.
"Simple, they will run to Uther, tell them of what they have found, and once word leaks out they entire city will cower in fear, panic will rise and Camelot will become that much easier to take" he replied.
"And my sister?" she demanded.
"It will be that much simpler for you to get to her when the panic spreads" he said. "the guards, the Knights, even Uther will be looking to the sky for an attack, they won't however, be looking for you" he added. Morgause slowly began to smile.
"Put him on my horse" said Merlin. Arthur nodded and together they put the unconscious knight onto the back of Merlin's horse. Merlin climbing up behind him so he could keep check on him. With Gwaine secured, the two of them galloped back to the clearing where they said they would return to. Finding Leon and the others already waiting.
"sire?" asked Leon, his eyes going wide in alarm at seeing Gwaine.
"no time to explaine, we need to get back and soon!" Arthur replied, as the others fell into a gallop behind him and Merlin.
Uther was worried, the Great Dragon had calmed again, but no one had decided to approach it.
"Something is wrong" said Morgana for the fourth time, turning even as a guard rushed in.
"Sire, the prince has returned!" he called out.
"where is he?" Uther asked.
"Gaius's chambers" the guard replied.
"Merlin?" asked Morgana. The guard shrugged.
"I don't know, he came in with an injured man and went straight to Gaius" he said. Morgana looked at Uther, and together they ran from the room.
Arthur looked up as Uther and Morgana ran in to the pharmacy.
"What happened?" Uther demanded, even as Merlin appeared from the door to his room. Morgana rushed to him and they embraced. Uther looked at them, then turned to Arthur.
"Well?"
"They were dead" said Arthur, he looked a little dizzy. "we smelt burning, so went to see if it was them… Merlin found them.. the bodies" Arthur said.
"Burnt, all of them" Merlin said.
"What?" Uther's voice was barely a whisper.
"We Gwaine, there was nothing to be done for the others" Arthur said. "And I found Godfry" he admitted quietly. Uther's hand gripped the table.
"But how?" he asked.
"A Dragon father, we saw a Dragon" Arthur said, beside him, Merlin felt Morgana tense. He looked at her briefly, saw the concern on her face, slowly he took her hand, she took it holding tight, not wanting to listen anymore, forcing herself to.
"Impossible, all the Dragons are dead!" Uther said.
"Then you explain it!" Arthur suddenly snapped. "I know what I saw!" he said.
"He's right sire, and if it wasn't a Dragon, then I don't know what it was" Merlin offered. Uther looked at them, then sank back even more.
"But its… not possible" said Uther. "surely" he added.
"Gwaine will live, but his burns are extensive, He cannot be moved anymore until they have sufficiently healed" Gaius said.
"You can use my room Gaius" offered Merlin.
"Where will you sleep?" asked the old man.
"I can use one of the guest rooms until he's recovered" Merlin said. Uther nodded.
"Of course, thank you Merlin" Uther said, still not quite believing his ears.
"Sire, there is one possibility" said Gaius. Uther looked up at him.
"Which is?" he asked
"A Dragonlord, it would also explain why the great dragon went mental this morning, if he were being called, and couldn't get to him, then he would, of course, become enraged"
"But we hunted them down as well" snapped Uther.
"But one escaped" said Arthur. "isn't that right? One of them escaped or something?" he asked.
"Supposedly, yes" said Gaius, suddenly Uther sighed.
"yes, one escaped. He vowed to return but I never put any credence into it, we'd killed all the Dragons, so I wasn't worried" he admitted.
"Yet something else that has come back to haunt you?" spat Morgana. Uther looked at her, and she turned away.
"Morgana…" said Merlin.
"No Merlin, how many other things from the obviously not so successful purge are going to come back to haunt us? How many wronged people will be plotting to kill you Uther, or kill us all?" she demanded.
"Morgana enough!" snapped Arthur. "This is not helping"
"Oh you would of course take his side, this petty crusade against magic, looks what it's got you" she said. "why don't you round up everyone again and kill them like last time?" she demanded.
"You will be silent!" Uther roared at her. "I forgive you a lot Morgana, I care for you, I allow you to cavort with this… simpleton because you love him-" Merlin blinked, looking away, ashamed and angry at being dismissed like some old junk at a moments notice, Arthur catching the look of hurt that flashed across his features, but Uther continued.
"-I have done a great deal for you and you will show some respect, you will go to your chambers Morgana and you will stay there until you are ready to behave like a Ward should behave!" he roared. Morgana narrowed her eyes and roughly pulled away from Merlin.
"Then you will be waiting a long time" she said, walking out.
"Morgana" Merlin called, but she was beyond hearing, and reason, slamming the door as she walked out. The room fell silent for several moments. Finally Merlin turned.
"I'll get the room ready for you Gaius" he said softly.
"thank you Merlin" the old man replied. Merlin looked at Uther, bowed, then with a glance at Arthur walked into his room, quietly shutting the door behind him. Uther looked at Gaius and Arthur, then stormed out.
"Father" Arthur called, then with a weary sigh went after him, as was duty. Gaius shook his head. Then with a last check on Gwaine, went to the door of Merlin's room. Slowly he opened it and walked in, Merlin was sitting on the bed, looking blank.
"I thought I was making progress with him" he said softly. Gaius slowly sat next to him.
"Merlin, you should know by now that nothing with Uther is ever simple" he explained.
"then why make me a noble Gaius? why lie? If he thinks that of me…"
"Because he want's to see Morgana happy" Gaius admitted.
"so that's it? That's why? Not because I've tried so damned hard, done everything I can to prove myself, save him, fight beside him…" his voice was cold in its fury.
"Merlin, Uther is complex, he gives sparingly and rewards those loyal, but just as easily, if displeased he will take that away" Gaius cautioned.
"I hate him" Merlin said.
"no you don't Merlin"
"Don't tell me what to think Gaius!" Merlin yelled, jumping to his feet, startling the old man. Gaius watched him, watched as the anger vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
"I'm sorry" he muttered.
"Just, go Merlin, I need to keep check on Gwaine" Gaius was dismissing him, Merlin realising how much his comment had hurt his friend. Slowly he turned, and without another word, for he didn't know what to say, walked out.
Twenty Minuets later….
"That was uncalled for" Arthur said as his father paced his room, Uther suddenly stopped and looked at him.
"I have far more pressing things to worry about then how I speak to the boy" he spat. "now kindly leave me alone!" he yelled, turning as the door was knocked, then opened. Gaius standing there.
"Gaius?" asked the king.
"Sire we need to talk, about the Dragonlord" he said. Uther shot Arthur a look.
"At least someone has priorities" he said, as Gaius entered.
"I assume the Dragonlord that escaped was Balinor?" Gaius asked.
"Yes, the most dangerous one" Uther agreed.
"Why was he so dangerous?" asked Arthur.
"Because, unlike other Dragonlords in the past, Balinor had a great power over them, he could summon as many as he needed at will" Uther explained.
"And that's the one you let get away?" asked Arthur.
Merlin was approaching Uther's chamber's, he wanted to talk to him, to see if he could convince the King that Morgana was only worried about everyone, Uther included, he knew she had a fiery temper, and that sometimes she did speak out of turn, but it was simply because she cared, he slowed as he approached the open door.
"Why was he so dangerous?" Arthur's voice, from inside.
"Because, unlike other Dragonlords in the past, Balinor had a great power over them, he could summon as many as he needed at will" Uther explained, so at least the king was there.
"And that's the one you let get away?" asked Arthur. Merlin's mouth twitched up slightly at the rebuke.
"Why does it matter? He is but one Dragonlord, we will hunt him down and deal with him as we did the others" Uther said.
"I'll prepare the knights to leave in the morning" said Arthur.
"He will not be easy to find" said Gaius. "and there is an added complication" he admitted.
Merlin crept to the door, peering through the gap.
"What added complication?" asked Uther. "We find him and we kill him"
"Sire, this concerns Merlin"
"Merlin?" asked Arthur.
"Me?" whispered Merlin, frowning.
"He told you of his past, how he grew up?" asked Gaius.
"Yes" Arthur said.
"I fail to see what this has to do with anything" Uther replied.
"It has everything to do with what's happening now!" Gaius replied. "and I would not be telling you if the stakes were not so high" he added. "Merlin did not know his father, and must never find out" Gaius said. "the truth would surely break him as much as any blades or wounds, I must have your oath you will not betray me on this"
"Betray you on what Gaius?" Merlin had stepped into the room, shaking.
"Its nothing" Gaius said quietly.
"If you're swearing the King and the prince to secrecy over it, it must be something" Merlin said.
"Merlin… please" Gaius said.
"No Gaius, not this time, no more secrets no more lies" Merlin said. Gaius blinked. "What about my father?" Merlin demanded. Gaius took in a deep shuddering breath.
"Hunith hoped you would never know" Gaius said.
"Know what Gaius?" demanded Uther.
"The Dragonlord, Balinor. He is Merlin's father" Gaius stated.
"You're joking" said Arthur. Gaius face told him otherwise.
"My father?" asked Merlin softly. "You knew who my father was? And you never told me?" e was shaking now. "Even after the other week, when I told you of how I was singled out because I didn't have a father? You knew.. and you let me go on if it was nothing?" Merlin asked.
"I did it for your own safety" Gaius said.
"How was that for my own safety!" yelled Merlin.
"Merlin" Arthur stepped forwards, but Uther had gone strangely quiet.
"no Arthur… you don't know what its like, to live without a father, without someone to help you, to teach you, to make you feel loved and wanted"
"I never knew my mother Merlin so don't even think of going there!" Arthur spat back. Merlin glared at him, tears in his eyes.
"Guards!" Uther suddenly called. The guards down the hall rushed in.
"Take Merlin to the dungeons" he ordered, the guards gripped Merlin tightly and pulled him away, Merlin glaring at them.
"What?" asked Gaius and Arthur at the same time.
"The son of a Dragonlord is a Dragonlord Gaius, or did you forget that?" Uther demanded.
"Sire, he had no idea of this, he is innocent!" Gaius exploded.
"For the moment, but once Balinor is dead, he won't be, I will not have a threat like that in my kingdom Gaius!" Uther spat.
"Father Merlin would never hurt-"
"Enough!, now get out both of you!" Uther roared.
"Father I protest!" said Arthur.
"I said enough!, you are far too attached to him, you and Morgana both, maybe we should add enchantment to the crime?" he said dangerously.
"I will not let you do this father" said Arthur, before he stormed out.
"You would kill an innocent boy, because of a power he will never be able to use?" asked Gaius.
"A Dragonlord, untrained or not is a threat Gaius, and that is the end of it, now you will see to your patient and will not come before me again until I call for your services, is that understood?" Gaius didn't bow, he just glared at Uther before he left.
Morgana looked up as he door opened. Arthur walking in.
"Nice to see someone knows how to knock" she said, then frowned, waiting for his reply.
"My father is getting out of hand" Arthur said suddenly.
"What? You agree with me?" she said.
"Merlin's in the dungeons, probably about to be executed" he blurted. Morgana's eyes went wide
"Why? What's happened?" she demanded, all thoughts banished except her concern, Gwen, across the room looked out, rushing over.
"This Dragonlord, his name is Balinor" Arthur said.
"and?" demanded Morgana. Arthur looked up.
"And he happens to be Merlin's father"
"But then, why is Merlin in the dungeons?" asked Gwen, clutching Morgana's arm.
"Apparently when a Dragonlord dies, the power passes to the son, Uther's got him in the dungeons for now, but I know he'll execute him" Arthur said.
"Then we get him out" Morgana replied.
"I wish we could" said Arthur. "But I went to go and see him, no visitors are allowed unless it's on the kings orders" Arthur said.
"I swear, if he even so much as cuts Merlin then I will kill him" Morgana promised.
"Morgana" began Arthur.
"Please, let be alone" she requested. Arthur looked at her, then sighing, left the room.
"Gwen, you may go as well" she added. Gwen bowed and followed Arthur out. Slowly she sat down on her bed, then began to cry.
"Oh my poor sister" said a voice from beside the window. Morgana looked up sharply.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"A friend, and someone who cares for you a great deal" Morgause said.
To Be continued…