Dumbledore has bought Merlin both an alibi and leeway for extra time. For now it is still dark outside and he has the day ahead to work with. From what he has concluded, Morgana will return. Old enemies are going to resurface and a war far bigger than Camlann is brewing on the horizon. First thing is first; he needs to begin his preparations. The first move to be made is at Aithusa's gravesite.
Here lies Aithusa
Faithful friend and longtime companion
Last of his kind
He will be remembered
1287 years
Secrets are going to begin coming to light, even quicker once everyone's memories are retained. For now… it is time to call his family back home.
Here lies Aithusa
Faithful friend and longtime companion
The Last of his Time
He will be remembered
1287 years
O drakons, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!
He stands there waiting in the clearing for half-an-hour before the first flap of wings can be heard in the distance. The ground shakes slightly as two large feet touch down. Some more time passes before several more pairs of wings can be heard. Within the next two hours, nine dragons have landed before Merlin's eyes in the clearing. Six are still particularly small, having been hatched recently by Merlin, three sometime within the last decade alone. These have grown the most to a size of varying ponies or smaller. The three dragons, two of which were born just two decades before that, and the third born three decades before the other two, have managed to grow the size of either griffons or hippogriffs. The oldest here has just reached 138 years and has reached the size of a large elephant. The next two in line have reached 114 and 109, both slightly smaller than their eldest of kin. Among these magnificent creatures lie four females and five males. While Aithusa remained at Hogwarts, Merlin searched one end of the Earth to the other in search of more eggs pertaining to the old dragons. His search turned up hundreds; however, many could no longer hatch after such a time dormant. Only a few dozen were ready to be hatched; however, even to hatch them all at once would have erupted in chaos. The Ministry would have been on his tail had they caught on to this 'new' bread of dragons. Aithusa had even had him hold off on the hatching any until after his passing, in order to give these dragons a chance to grow and strive without being hindered by any past mistakes. The rest of the eggs lie in wait to have their turn. They now reside within a hidden chamber located within a place outside of time; therefore, it has no bearing on the eggs inside. Even should anyone hear of a hidden chamber, and decide to search for such a place, it is literally impossible for anyone to find. As some of the only things among Earth he truly treasures, it has been given his utmost protection. Even the things within his vault at Gringotts, which is comprised mostly from the valuable possessions of Camelot, among countless gold and other invaluable artifacts and treasures, he has deemed the continuation of an ancient race of dragons much more valuable.
That aside, they have just arrived from his large estate in Ireland, featuring thousands of acres of open land. Magical creatures of all kinds travel there in seek of refuge from dangers and the like. Many too have come after loosing their lands to the new Ministry claims. Though Merlin hasn't been spending much time there, he has hired an abundance of house elves as caretakers for the establishment. The protective wards surrounding the lands serve as beacons to call to those in need while also repelling ANY with undesirable intentions. The land itself features a vast forest and lake. The surrounding nature is alive with the most vibrant colors.
"I have called you here," Merlin began as all the great dragons watched him eagerly, "because a great evil is on the horizon. It is an evil that I, myself have known well. Aithusa and I had put off hatching you in the hopes that you would not be subjected to the past, but that may no longer be possible. You see you have not been around long. Some of you have witnessed wars yes. Several of you have witnessed Voldemort's reign since the beginning while other who have only been hatched recently might have only witnessed it towards the end if at all. And many have suffered at his hand, this I cannot deny. But compared to this evil he is about as significant as a needle. Morgana le Fey is no needle. She is herself a sword. Destiny, for the first time since Camelot, is about to continue. The Old Religion is readying her return to power and we must be ready when she does."
Zosime, meaning 'likely to survive' is the oldest of the dragons currently among the group. She was named as such in respect to the survival of her race, that the dragons should not die out but begin anew. "I fear Emrys, that you are correct. I have begun to feel a magical shift."
Merlin looked around to all the dragons. They together formed a circle around the warlock in correlation with their sizes. Pallas, his name meaning wise, is second oldest to Zosime. Phaedrus, meaning bright, is third in line of age. He, Pallas and Zosime create the outset most boundaries. All the others fall in until the smallest dragons are close to the very center. He can't help the breath of relief at having them all here. This is his kin, his family. With all the pressures of readying an entire group of people, none of whom have yet regained their memories, with only a year until Morgana's return, his family's presence is refreshing.
Pallas puts in, "It has been over a thousand years. If the Old Religion is returning, it will not do so easily. No, we must prove ourselves. We must prove ourselves worthy of such a gift."
"How so might we be deemed worthy of such a gift when we are surrounded by so many of those who are not so?" Kleisthenes, named for glory and strength inputs. He is fourth in line of age at 67 years of age. Much like his predecessors, he is the last among the group to have witnessed the beginning in Voldemort's reign over the Wizarding world.
"Do not speak in such prejudices. Uther Pendragon murdered thousands of magical and non-magical people alike in seek of revenge against the few," Merlin seethed. "If the Old Religion comes back, it shall disregard the few unworthy in respects to the many more who are truly so. Already I can feel its strength returning. Albion's King has returned to us and with him all the possibilities of a better future. The rebirth of Camelot and her greatness will truly be a sight to behold. The time is nigh to act."
"Whatever you wish of us Emrys," Pallas puts in, "you need only give the command."
"Know Emrys, that besides myself there is no greater judgment I trust than yours," Eudoxia, good repute or good judgment, says. "What will you have us do?"
Merlin looks around at the youngest dragons circling him. Tryphosa, meaning softness or delicacy, and Eirenaois, meaning peaceful, are by far the most gentle among all who are here. Like Aithusa, Tryphosa is truly a rare, white beauty. While her sister Eirenaois is as black as an endless abyss. The saying is that every dragon's hatching holds deep meaning. So that they both hatched together was truly something. The two balance as Yin and Yang, pushing and pulling the other.
Then lastly in line is Pyrrhus, meaning flame-colored, red, fire. His name is due as such to the fiery color of his impenetrable skin, which sometimes emits itself a radiating heat. This ties in perfectly with his haughty temper and complete disregard for the rules. He is so far the youngest here at only a year and so far unable to speak.
"The youngest," Merlin begins, "Pyrrhus shall remain at the estate. As of now he is too young to fight but might still be able to provide some protection to the other magical creatures living there." Pyrrhus emits an annoyed huff. Merlin ignores the reaction. "Zosime!"
"Yes Emrys?"
"I would prefer that you and Phaedrus remain here with me. Like Aithusa once had, you will remain hidden here amongst the forest. We will help safeguard the castle, but more importantly we will safeguard the students, many of whom are too precious to forget."
"And what of the rest of us?" Asks Pallas. "What will you have us do?"
"Pallas, you shall travel to the Isle of the Blessed. It has always been the Old Religion's strong point and must be watched cautiously. Kleisthenes will safeguard the Crystal caves. The crystals cannot be used by nearly all but should Morgana get her hands on someone able to use it like Mordred, she may have the means to overturn our plans.
"Eudoxia you will travel to Ismere and guard the key. I have put much into hiding its location; however, Morgana has been there before and there is no assurance she will not try again. Theron, "meaning to hunt, "you will safeguard the Dark Tower. The place is as evil as it sounds. Tryphosa and Eirenaois, it seems only fitting that you two should guard the entrances of Avalon. Tryphosa, you shall journey to its shores while Eirenaois shall remain at the Pool of Nemhain. These are all locations of great importance. We cannot allow them to fall into the clutches of our enemies or risk them being used against us."
"Very well Emrys, we shall notify you of any changes," Eudoxia inputs before she and the rest of their Kin, with the exception of Zosime and Phaedrus, leave to watch their designated locations.
"Now," Merlin goes on, "we have the more important locations being watched, so it is time to safeguard the castle. Unbeknownst to most of those inside, there is a far more dangerous threat lurking within. Voldemort wasn't the first person to attempt immortality." With that, Merlin turned and left. Zosime and Phaedrus took their places among the forest to watch without being seen. Merlin's chat with Dumbledore early this morning has given him the day to plan. Everyone is to believe his absence these last several days has had him off of school grounds over at Gringotts due to a problem with his inheritance because his character has no relatives and is of correct age. Already he can tell this day will go by far too quickly. Dawn is nearly upon him and there is much to do. First thing though is first, his study.
For those of you who may have had trouble keeping up, here is the list of dragons from oldest too youngest and what location they are currently guarding.
-Female, Zosime: Hogwarts
-Male, Pallas: Isle of the Blessed
-Male, Phaedrus: Hogwarts
-Male, Kleisthenes: Crystal Caves
-Female, Eudoxia: Ismere
-Male, Theron: The Dark Tower
-Female, Tryphosa: Lake of Avalon
-Female, Eirenaois: Pool of Nemhain
-Male, Pyrrhus: Merlin's Estate