I love how you all assume it's the great dragon Merlin was sensing…well you're right it was, well done!
Happy mother's day by the way!
Well, if you live in England that is, I'm not sure about America, if it's on the same day or if they even celebrate it…if your American you shall have to inform me in a review! Educate me!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
'Arthur, what exactly do you have beneath the catacombs of Camelot?' Merlin asked.
There was the longest pause where Arthur stared at Merlin as if he had grown another head, even the knights were looking on curiously. Arthur sighed refusing to voice his frustration; this boy just seemed to know everything.
'How do you know about that?' Arthur said 'It's one of Camelot's best kept secrets, only me and Gaius know, and my deceased father.'
'I can hear his voice in my head, he's trying to contact me' Merlin said.
'Trying to escape no doubt' Arthur said crossing his arms.
Merlin forced himself to keep calm, 'Arthur there is a dragon lying captured beneath Camelot, they are meant to be extinct, and you have no right to keep that magical creature tied up.'
Archer and Will gasped and stared at Merlin then back to Arthur.
'A dragon, a real one?' Archer asked.
'Yes, my father captured it in the great purge' Arthur said, ignoring the disgusted look on Merlin's face.
'Dragons are rare and mystical creatures, how dare you cage him' Merlin said.
'It's a monster that causes havoc wherever it goes' Arthur replied refusing to believe his father could have been wrong in this as well.
'Dragons are creatures of knowledge and wisdom they were once heralded by the druids, seeing a dragon, having one in your presence was considered on honour, they are not monsters,' Merlin said.
'Cenred has you caged up,' Arthur said.
'That's a low blow Arthur,' Merlin said.
'I'm sorry, I'm still trying to get over the fact that Cenred is going to take over Camelot someday,' Arthur said.
'Maybe the dragon can help' Merlin said.
'Why would it help?' Arthur said 'as you said it's been caged down there for years it's hardly going to help Camelot.'
'But it might help me,' Merlin said 'He will recognise me as a creature of magic, we are kin.'
'Sounds dangerous and risky to me' Arthur said.
'I agree Merlin, this dragon has been captured for years, it might be hostile even to you, this might be a trap,' Will said.
'I can't just ignore its call in my head Will, it is a call of magic and kin' Merlin said.
'Fine, let's go see the dragon' Arthur said.
'Maybe not all of us, we don't want to overwhelm him' Merlin said.
'Fine, just me and you then,' Arthur said.
'Okay' Merlin replied, ignoring the anguished looks on Archer's and Will's face who looked terrified at the thought of letting Merlin go down there with only Arthur for company.
'Merlin…'Will started.
'Will, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself,' Merlin said.
'Of course' Will said bowing his head.
'Let's go' Arthur said.
'Lead the way.'
Arthur took Merlin on a trip through the dungeons and down past the guards following a twisting path that left a chill in Merlin's stomach. He had long since forgotten the twists and turns but forced himself to stay calm, his magic would guide him if he got lost. Arthur seemed to know the place perfectly well and walked with confidence.
'You've been down here before?' Merlin asked watching as his breath erupted in a cloud of a mist as his body felt the drop in temperature.
'I've not made a habit of meeting dragons, my father forbade it, but I'm the king of Camelot I made sure I knew the way all over my kingdom,' Arthur said.
'Probably wise' Merlin replied trying to keep the fear out of his voice.
'Is the great and powerful warlock scared?' Arthur mocked.
'Maybe a little' Merlin whispered honestly.
Arthur stopped and turned to face the young man who was walking behind him. With only his flaming torch for light Merlin's face was highlighted by the flames, he was impossibly beautiful but what drew Arthur's eye was the look of fear in Merlin's eyes, he looked jumpy as if something was going to jump out at him, it made Arthur wonder what horror this boy had been through in his life. His eyes fell on the silver that clasped his neck, and knew he was a long way from ever beginning to understand this warlock.
'Cenred would lock me up sometimes, in small places, with no light and hardly any air, at times it felt as if the walls were closing in on me' Merlin whispered staring into Arthur's eyes with more honestly than he had ever seen before.
'Why?' Arthur wondered. Merlin was Cenred's weapon and unwilling servant but he was still loyal, what did he gain by locking him up besides furthering Cenred's hate?
Merlin shrugged and wrapped his arms around himself 'to prove that I'm insignificant, to prove that despite my power he's the one in control'
Arthur hadn't known that Merlin could look vulnerable. In his black attire and with all his magical strength, vulnerable was not a word Arthur associated with Merlin, but looking at him now and seeing a glimpse of his history Arthur thought that Merlin was very vulnerable and it made him want to wrap his arms around him and protect him from the world and everyone that dared to exploit him. He had never hated Cenred more.
'You're not insignificant Merlin' Arthur said.
'Really, you were wishing I had never been born earlier' Merlin whispered shutting his eyes in pain. Arthur forced himself not bang his head against the wall in his stupidity, this was the man he was starting to love and he had told him he shouldn't have been born. How thick was he?
'I didn't mean it Merlin, I just wonder sometimes why you've been given so much power' Arthur said honestly.
'I know I see it in your eyes that you're somewhat afraid of me' Merlin replied.
'Can you blame me?' Arthur asked.
'No, not really, I'm scared of myself sometimes' Merlin sighed 'though I wish it were otherwise'
Arthur reached out with new found confidence and gently took the warlock's hand in his ignoring the way Merlin's eyes widened with shock. He turned around and led Merlin through to the underground catacombs where his father had imprisoned the dragon, never letting go of his hand.
Looking around, to Merlin it seemed like he was on the inside of a mountain, there were mini rocky hillocks and moss but there was a stream of inner light were gaps in the rocky ceiling let in moon light. It created an ethereal appearance, but all Merlin could think of was the torture that this place would be for a dragon; to have glimpses of freedom and but never be able to leave and take to the sky.
The voice in his head got louder, a deep powerful voice that spoke of wisdom and power and all things magical, he spoke his name over and over.
'Where are you?!' Merlin yelled out letting go of Arthur's hand and stepping forward.
'Show yourself!' Merlin yelled again.
'I am here!' A deep voice spoke from the sky.
In a flurry of wind the dragon swooped down from his hiding place and landed on a small mountain of rocks in the middle of the cave facing towards Arthur and Merlin. Merlin stepped forwards in awe; here was his kin, the one being in the world that knew what it was like to be purely magical, to be gifted with knowledge and power but unable to wield them. To be trapped and controlled by others. Here was his kin, and Merlin had never felt more at home.
Arthur watched as Merlin stepped forward in awe, the dragon was large and golden and to Arthur just seemed like a beast that could do unthinkable damage but Merlin stepped forwards with tears in his eyes. Arthur watched as the young warlock fell to his knees with his head bowed; a gesture of utmost respect which Arthur wouldn't mimic. This creature meant nothing to him.
'Rise young warlock and let me look upon my kin,' the dragon said in a deep gravelly tone.
'I am honoured to be in your presence great one' Merlin said rising looking at the creature with a face of utmost respect.
'How like you're father you are' the dragon said.
'You knew my father?' Merlin asked shocked 'I never knew him.'
'You wouldn't, Uther chased him away from Camelot after he forced him to lock me away in here' the dragon said.
'How did he do that?' Merlin asked 'Men have no control over dragons.'
'But the dragon lords do' the dragon replied.
'My father was a dragon lord?' Merlin asked 'But that would mean…'
'That you too are one' the dragon replied.
'My father is dead then?' Merlin asked, he felt no sorrow, he had never met his father, he only mourned what could never be.
'I'm afraid so, I felt his passing to Avalon not two years ago young warlock' the dragon said.
'Then I am the last?' Merlin asked.
'You are and once were and will be many things Merlin,' the dragon said.
'What do you mean?' Merlin questioned.
'You're destiny was once written in the stars as you well know young warlock' the dragon said.
'I know, but the future changes and the stars do not answer my questions, my sight fails me and I fear Cenred will hold me prisoner forever,' Merlin mourned.
'Have hope, with my help, maybe dragon and dragon lord will once again take to the skies together' the dragon said and Merlin smiled in response.
'Wait a minute, who the hell says you're getting out of here?' Arthur said stepping forward.
'Ah, Arthur Pendragon, the once and future king' the dragon said.
'Not any more he's not' Merlin said kicking a small stone away.
'What are you talking about?' Arthur replied confused.
'Have faith young warlock, though yours and Arthur's path is not once what it was destiny has still paved the way for you two to meet' The dragon said.
'I do not see his future nor his destiny, the stars do not tell me anything, they are forever changing' Merlin said.
'Then you need to look deeper' the dragon said tilting his head and flashing his teeth in which Merlin supposed was a smile.
'Can you help me?' Merlin asked 'Can you help us; I do not want to be Cenred's tool in this war.'
'I will help you, brother of my heart once you help me' the dragon said his voice not quite as warm as it was before.
'I see through you oh dragon' Merlin said staring to the large gold eyes 'I see your pain, and the suffering you still feel. You mourn for your kind, but your sadness has long turned into bitter resentment of Camelot.'
The dragon tossed his head in anger 'you see much soothsayer, too much.'
'I will not free you knowing the damage you would cause Arthur' Merlin said.
'And if I vowed to have my freedom peacefully?' The dragon asked.
'Then we could talk, you need to let go of your hate my friend. Uther is gone from this world and Cenred has caused Camelot hundreds of lives, let that be your vengeance' Merlin replied.
'Wise are your words' the dragon replied.
'Give me your word, swear to me that you will not harm Arthur or Camelot and I will search for a way to free you, in return you must free me, we can free each other' Merlin said.
'I fear that freeing me will be easier than freeing you young warlock' the dragon said turning mournful eyes to the collar that bestowed Merlin's neck.
'But can it be done?' Arthur asked. He would overlook the dragon's freedom if it meant that Merlin could go free. He knew a war against Merlin and Cenred wouldn't be won. But if Merlin could be freed, then Arthur would gladly pay the price of one free dragon.
'I'm not sure, but with my help, the chains that attach itself to Merlin's life force may yet be freed' the dragon said.
'Only if you swear, don't make me command you' Merlin said.
'Very well' the dragon said 'Mi addewid fy hunan at Emrys a adduned dydd Sul y pys at drwg Camelot ai tywysog Arthur'
Arthur looked confused at the use of the deep words that had sprouted from the dragons mouth, but Merlin bowed his head and nodded seemingly content, and Arthur for the first time decided to trust in Merlin.
'I will search into a way to free you, I will start at once' Merlin said.
'Hang on, won't this affect your chains?' Arthur asked reaching out and gripped Merlin's hands.
'What do you mean?' Merlin asked.
'You said that if you try to harm Cenred or Essetir you'll die' Arthur said.
'But I'm not harming Cenred or Essetir, I just want my freedom' Merlin said.
'That's a good loop hole' Arthur said smiling.
'Yes,' Merlin said fingering the silver.
'How do they work?' Arthur asked.
'Why thinking of investing in some?' Merlin asked narrowing his eyes and Arthur flinched back in hurt and dropped his hands.
'Forget it' Arthur said.
'No' Merlin said regretting his words 'I didn't mean that, I'm just scared Arthur'
'You have a dragon on your side, what's there to be scared of?' Arthur asked incredulous, this all powerful warlock got scared very easily he realised.
Instead of answering Merlin answered his other question 'If I try to harm Cenred of Essetir the silver cracks, on the inside the silver is embedded with tiny spikes that bite into my skin, if I harm Cenred or Essetir the spikes release a deadly poison that will eat away at my life and magic, death will take a matter of seconds.'
Arthur stared at the monstrosity that surrounded Merlin's skin, they were sick; they looked like beautiful heirlooms a king might bestow upon a prince. They concealed their true aim; they were deadly chains that bit into Merlin's beautiful pale skin and kept Merlin bound to Cenred's will. Never in his life had he wanted to destroy something more.
'Arthur you glaring at my neck is starting to worry me' Merlin joked.
'I'm sorry' Arthur said then sobered 'Do they hurt?'
'Constantly' Merlin replied looking down 'You get used to it.'
'I'm sorry' Arthur said.
'You say that a lot' Merlin replied smiling.
'Two sides of a coin' the dragons voice suddenly boomed making the two of them jump again.
'What?' Arthur questioned, the dragon just chuckled in reply.
'May I not know your name, o'wise one' Merlin said bowing again.
'It is Kilgharrah, young warlock' Kilgharrah replied.
'I'm honoured' Merlin said rising again. 'I will search through the night; I won't stop until you are roaming the skies like the dragons of old'
Kilgharrah laughed again 'I think you will find that this dragon is the oldest out of the lot of them, it is why Uther imprisoned me, and I was the biggest and the strongest and the wisest I was the ultimate trophy.'
'I apologise for my father's ways dragon' Arthur said.
'Look after my dragon lord young Pendragon and maybe, you and I can come to a settlement' Kilgharrah said.
'I will do my best' Arthur replied.
'And you Merlin, don't give up on the stars, you can read the prophecies and the future as well as any dragon, you just need to look deeper' Kilgharrah said.
'I will not fail you' Merlin replied, the dragon nodded its head in reply.
Merlin was the one who took Arthur's hand this time, and let him out of the cavern and back the way they had come. Feeling his skin in his hand and the edges of the silver that encased his wrists Arthur knew that there was not a thing he would not do to save this young man who had been thrust into his life, he was unspeakably and irreversibly in love with him.
Mi addewidfy hunan at Emrys a adduneddydd Sul y pys at drwg Camelot ai tywysog Arthur- I pledge myself to Emrys and vow never to attack Camelot or King Arthur
So the dragon is my favourite character in the Merlin franchise and I always loved Merlin's relationship with him, even though it went a bit dodgy in season 2. So he tends to feature a lot in my stories, sorry if you don't like that…but I like Eragon a lot and what can I say, you can't have fantasy without a good old dragon!
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