Chapter 5
After running for into the woods, the three stopped panting hard.
Arthur turned to Merlin.
"Merlin, you have a lot of explaining to do."
Merlin looked ashamed.
"I wanted to tell you. Both of you! But I couldn't! It is a secret to guard with my life. I was born with these gifts. I never have used them for evil. Only to protect you Arthur."
Arthur frowned.
"When have you protected me? I always end up saving you!"
Merlin looked at Arthur incredulously.
"Remember the witch who tried to kill you when I first arrived in Camelot? The chandelier that landed on her that was me!"
Merlin was about to continue, when they heard shouts in the distance and the sound of horses neighing.
Arthur looked panicked.
"We are surrounded! There are too many of them."
Merlin looked at Arthur. Gwen was comforted by Merlin new look of confidence.
Merlin shook his head.
"Not for me there isn't."
Raising his head he shouted, "Dragon!" in a language Gwen and Arthur were not used to.
They heard a flapping of wings, and they saw a dragon flying straight towards them.
Just when they were surrounded by Cendrid's men, the dragon opened his mouth and shot flames at them, killing them.
Arthur backed away, pushing Gwen behind him for protection.
Merlin looked unconcerned.
As the dragon landed Arthur was pale in the face.
The dragon spoke.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet someone with such a great destiny Arthur Pendragon."
"It can talk!" was all Arthur could say.
Gwen swallowed. This was the dragon who had attacked Camelot.
Arthur noticed as well.
"Why did you attack Camelot?"
The dragon lowered his head.
"I am sorry for the the pain I may have caused young Pendragon. I was blinded by my hatred."
The dragon turned his head towards Merlin.
"We should be going young warlock. Cendrid will return soon."
Merlin nodded.
"Come on! We should listen to him!"
Arthur looked exasperated.
"You don't mean we are going to ride this thing do you?"
"How else are we going to escape?" Merlin countered.
Gwen looked at Arthur and started to walk towards the dragon.
Arthur sighed. And then he climbed on with Merlin and Gwen.
During the ride, Merlin raised his arms and whooped out loud. It was apparent this wasn't his first time riding the dragon. Gwen was nervous at first, but then she got the hang of it and soon seemed to enjoy it just as much as Merlin. Arthur was silent through the whole ride. He was having a hard time processing the idea of Merlin being a warlock.
As the dragon landed, the three hopped off. Merlin started to make a fire. The dragon curled up near the fire. Gwen and Arthur sat side by side silently. Arthur noticed that Merlin didn't use magic to make the fire.
Gwen walked away from the campfire and towards the dragon to give Arthur and Merlin some time to themselves.
Arthur looked at Merlin.
"Why did you never tell me that you are a sorcerer?"
Merlin shrugged his shoulders.
"It is my destiny to protect you and I couldn't do that very well if I was dead."
"You really don't believe that I would just hand you over to my father. Do you?"
Merlin looked thoughtful.
"I didn't know. Besides, Giaus said it was a secret to keep with my life."
Arthur raised his eyebrows.
"Giaus knows?"
Merlin chuckled.
"You seriously think I could hide something that drastic from him do you?"
Arthur smiled. Then he grew serious.
"When have you saved my life Merlin?"
Merlin sighed. This was going to take a while.
As he started talking, he told the whole story startling from the dragon's call to the castle of Fyrien. When he told him about Freya, Arthur really got sober.
"So you loved her?"
Merlin looked down and nodded.
"So that's why lakes make you look all sober."
Merlin forced a grin.
"I'm sorry that I killed her. I didn't know how much she meant to you."
Merlin smiled.
"You were protecting Camelot. You had no choice. I never blamed you."
Continuing, Merlin told Arthur about Balinor, and how he was the dragon lord's son.
He carefully left out the part about Morgana, and her connection with Morgause.
Arthur shook his head when Merlin finished.
"I never realized how many times you have saved my life."
Merlin chuckled.
"Ya, the amount of danger you attract is amazing."
Gwen looked over her shoulder at Arthur and Merlin talking.
The dragon raised his head to look at her.
She jumped but then settled down.
"Your name is Guinevere." the dragon spoke.
Gwen looked startled.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"You destiny is as great as Arthur Pendragon and the young warlock's."
Gwen smiled grimly and shook her head.
"I have a hard time believing that." she replied.
The dragon looked up.
"It is your destiny to be the greatest Queen of Camelot there has ever been."
Gwen looked astonished.
"But I am just a servant."
"The young Pendragon sees you as much more."
Gwen blushed.
"That does not mean anything can happen."
The dragon chuckled.
"Oh but it will. Never give up hope. Uther may seem cold hearted, but he was once in love himself. When he sees how much you love Arthur he will relent."
Gwen's heart gave a leap, and she looked at the dragon with such faith that she had not felt for a long time.
The next morning Gwen, Arthur and Merlin arrived back in Camelot.
As Merlin dismounted he turned to Merlin.
"Merlin, I want you to take care of the horses. And once you have refreshed yourself I want you to muck you there stalls. Manually."
Merlin smiled.
"Yes sire."
Gwen and Arthur entered the castle.
Gwen looked at Arthur and smiled.
"You are taking this very well."
Arthur raised his eyebrows.
"I'm glad I know. I can keep an eye on him, so I'll know what to expect."
Gwen sighed.
"I don't think any of us will know what to expect."
They looked each other in the eyes. Then unexpectedly Arthur leaned forward, and gave her a kiss. When they pulled away Gwen bit her lip nervously.
Before any of them could say anything Morgana walked into the room.
She looked shocked to see Gwen and Arthur alive but then composed herself, and rushed to Gwen.
"You are all right!" she exclaimed hugging Gwen.
Behind Morgana's back Gwen gave Arthur a smile.
He smiled back and left the room.
Giaus was working when Merlin walked in.
"You are safe I see. Another quest won?"
Merlin smiled.
"So much has happened. I cannot wait to tell you everything Giaus."
That night at supper, Morgana was absent as she wasn't feeling well(she was still getting over the shock of Arthur and Merlin living), so Arthur was alone with his father, and of course Merlin who was serving.
"Father there is a matter I wish to discuss."
Uther looked up.
"What is it Arthur?"
"Is it true I have a sister?"
Arthur's question caught Uther off guard.
"Where did you hear such a ridiculous story?"
"It doesn't matter where, only if it is true."
Uther sighed.
"It is."
Arthur clenched.
"Who is she?"
Uther looked at his son squarely in the eyes.
"I cannot tell you. It is for the good of Camelot, and for yourself."
Arthur looked exasperated.
"I would like to know who my own sister is!"
Uther stood up.
"I will not tell you! It is not your place to ask, and I tell you now never to speak of this again."
Looking fiercely at his son, Uther left the room.
Arthur turned to Merlin.
"What do you think Merlin?"
Merlin just shrugged his shoulders.
Arthur continued to eat in silence.
The next day Gwen knocked on the king's chambers door.
"Come in."
Gwen walked in and curtsied.
"My lord."
Uther turned to see who it was.
"I have brought some extra bedding my lord."
Uther nodded.
"Put the blankets over there."
Gwen walked over to his bed and placed the bedding on it.
"Will that be all my lord?"
"No. Thank you Gwen."
Gwen looked up. She had not heard the king use her first name before.
Curtsying she left the room.
Walking away she remembered the dragon's words to her.
Feeling hopeful she sighed, not knowing that in time they would come true.
"Merlin!" Arthur called out.
"Yes sire?"
"Make a fire will you?"
Merlin bowed and was about to leave, when Arthur called out.
"I didn't mean manually Merlin."
Merlin smirked.
As his eyes glowed, so did the fire.
He was grateful Arthur had accepted him for who he was. Merlin could not wait til the day when Arthur would be king.
The End
What did you think? I wasn't sure how to end so I hope it wasn't too crumby! Thanks for reading!
Thank you to all of those who reviewed! I really appreciate everyone's support!
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