The hut was small but homely, at least it would be were it not for all the dead animals hanging from the ceiling. Night was approaching and Merlin and Lancelot needed a place to spend the night, the Villia had disappeared and they needed a fire.
"Hello?" Lancelot called
Nobody answered him, the small huts only occupant was a hunter, dead sitting at his workbench, face frosted over.
"Dorocha." Merlin sighed, "We can't stay here."
"There's nowhere else Sire," Lancelot pointed out, "We'll make a fire, there is enough wood to put us through the night."
"Yep." Merlin agreed waiting until Lancelot's back was turned, "Bel onbyne!"
A fire roared to life in the hearth, much to the knight's surprise.
"How did you-?"
"I was a peasant, remember?" Merlin prompted, "I'm not completely useless."
…
The knights settled round their campfire, Arthur stood keeping watch. He wondered if Merlin was back in Camelot now.
"See anything?" Elyan asked, Arthur shook his head.
"Do you know what awaits us on the Isle?" He questioned nervously. Arthur nodded.
"Do you want to tell me?" The knight prodded.
"The burden is mine to bear alone." Arthur answered
"Look around Arthur," Elyan waved his hand over to the campfire, "We would fight a thousand armies with our bare hands for you. We're never alone. We stand together!"
"Thank you." Arthur smiled, he was grateful to Elyan but he'd be lying if he said he didn't wish it was his brother saying those things instead.
…
A cold feeling made it's way into Merlin's bones, his eyes snapped open, he knew that feeling. He was sensing a dorocha, it was near. Suddenly he became aware of the dark, the fire had gone out. He barely had time to yell before the monster charged out of nowhere.
"Lancelot!"
In an act of fear he threw the bottle of mead that had been sitting by him onto the coals. The alcohol ignited and flames roared upwards, the two fled. He had no choice, he needed a source of fire.
"Ωδρακον, έάω μαλερός σοφόνους φθέγγομαι τείδε άναδικέω!"
He could feel Lancelot's eyes on him as he roared in the dragon tongue but that wasn't important. The dorocha was following them, just as he was sure he was going to die a roar killed the air and suddenly flames burst forth, and the dorocha was gone. Lancelot drew his sword as the great dragon landed heavily upon the grass but Merlin held out his hands.
"It's alright!" He insisted, "It's alright!"
Lancelot made a face as Merlin turned to the dragon.
"Thank you." He nodded
"Who is your friend?" Kilgharrah asked
"I'm Lancelot." Lancelot replied nervously
"Of course, Sir Lancelot," KIlgharrah smiled, "The most nobel of them all."
"I'm not sure if that's true." The knight blushed obviously both flattered and uncomfortable.
"We shall see, but for now there are more pressing things art hand." The dragon nodded, "The Dorocha cannot be allowed to remain in this world. The sundered veil must be restored."
"Arthur is going to heal it." Merlin said with finality, "But the spirit world demands a sacrifice…
"It demands nothing!" The dragon growled, "It is the Cailleach, the gatekeeper to the spirit world who asks such a price."
"There is no way around it?" Lancelot questioned, the dragon shook his head.
"Arthur intends to sacrifice himself to heal the veil…" Merlin continued, "I must take his place."
"Merlin, you must not do this." The dragon shook his head slowly.
"It's my destiny to protect him." Merlin said with finality.
"From the moment I met you, I saw something that was invisible. Now it is there for all to see." The dragon spoke proudly
"A lot of what you see, old friend, is what you taught me." Merlin grinned, it was true, was it really so long ago he was a peasant? Pressing his ear to the floor in the dungeons trying to hear the deep voice echoing from beneath?
"It will be an empty world without you, young warlock."
…
Kilgharrah had stayed with them through the night, keeping the dorocha far from them. Lancelot was a tad apprehensive about sleeping next to a giant fire-breathing lizard but soon settled. Merlin had to give him credit; he was brave to trust him.
He explained that in a way Kilghrarrah was sort of 'his' dragon. Due to his father being a dragon lord. After that the knight seemed to relax more.
Now they were riding again, a full day and they were tired, they needed to reach to fortress in this area to stay safe for the night. When it came into view there was smoke rising from one of the chimneys.
"Bandits?" Lancelot asked
"Let's find out."
…
"Pick on Percival!" Gwaine taunted, waving his dirty socks in their faces.
"Why me?" Percival asked
"Yeah, at least he washes." Elyan laughed
"And he doesn't set fire to his socks." Leon jibbed.
"Ack! No!" Gwaine cried, pulling his know alight socks from the fire and bashing them against the dirty floor while the others laughed. Arthur even joined in, he had to enjoy the time he had left. Suddenly he heard the clicking of a door.
"Quiet!" He hissed.
Silence fell over the room, another sound. Footsteps. Slowly the knights gathered their swords standing ready to leap into battle if they had to. The silhouette of a man came into their sights, their swords lowered.
"Lancelot?" Arthur questioned as the man stepped into the light, "How's Merlin?"
Lancelot looked grave. Please no…
"Bad news." He sighed
Black spots danced over Arthur's vision. Do not faint. Do not faint…
"He's still alive!"
The spots disappeared from his vision almost immediately. There, standing in front of him was a perfectly healthy, Merlin. Grinning that stupid grin.
"Merlin!" Gwaine cried embracing him.
Arthur stepped forward and squeezed his brother's shoulder.
"What sort of time do you call this?" He jibed
…
The two brothers were lounging by the fire while the knight slept, Merlin was running his fingers over the sigil Arthur had given him a few days ago. It seemed like a lifetime.
"Everything will be alright." The younger brother said finally.
"I'm just tired." Arthur lied.
"You don't have to sacrifice yourself." Merlin insisted.
"To save my people I do." Arthur argued.
"I'll take your place." Merlin said after a few seconds of silence.
"Merlin…" Arthur scolded shaking his head.
"What is the life of me compared to that of the future king?" Merlin said seriously.
"You are important." Arthur hissed, "Don't forget that. Just…make sure Gwen is happy, she deserves that much."
"I will." Merlin nodded, "I promise."
Sorry for the slow updates! My god I've got so much homework.
Argh! *Is squashed by pile of papers*