Chapter 7: They are usually called the Chosen ones….

"Merlin?"

She was looking down right at me, concern clearly written on her face, behind her stood Arthur, who too seemed bothered about my well being…very unlike him.

My condition must have been serious.

"Gwen…" I mumble out weakly,

Quickly she held my arms, entwining her soft hands in mine and pulling it closer to her chest, "Oh thank heavens you are alright…you lost sooo much blood!"

Arthur came in between us, he sensed that I was still in pain, "I'll go get Gaius. He is still trying to get the right meds sorted…"

"No Arthur. I will get him…." It took her a while to let me go, but she placed her warm hands on my face and swiftly moved away.

"How are you my friend?" he asked me, warmly smiling down at me….I have known him for too long…his smile, was definitely genuine.

"Weak…where am I?" I asked, I remembered only little. One minute I was in a realm they called "between life and death" , with a deranged woman who tried to kill me, next thing I know…I am God knows where….

"The only place where the police won't find us…the sanctuary." Arthur sighed. He took his place by my side.

I nodded, knowing where I was made me feel safer now…he wasn't being vague or anything, there was a place actually known to us as The Sanctuary.

The sanctuary – formally known as Pendragon Laboratories….a facility shut down after it was discovered that in the early 90s, Uther was still funding research on certain animal species.

Quickly the public revolted and amazingly no form of money could keep the facility running. Pendragon Laboratories was shut down instantly.

And Pendragon Corporation became the scum of society…..

It took the brilliance of a completely new and young PR team and excellent Marketing to get Pendragon Corporation back on track…but as usual…Uther had survived, later that same year, he was named Fortune Magazines Top CEO and New York Times Man of the Year….

The shut down laboratory, became a secret meeting point for Arthur Gaius and myself. Arthur retreated here when he needed to be away – from the public eye….from family….

The dilapidated building had little sign left of a once well functioning lab, the land still was under Pendragon…but no one really bothered….in the end…it became our little secret hideout place….

"So it really happened…" I comment,.

No words were further said between us, it only made me realize that this was not a fragment of my imagination….it was reality…

"I killed her…." He blurts out, his hands cover his face, "I killed my own sister…"

"Who tried to kill Merlin…." Gwen's reassuring voice interrupts us briefly, she moves closer to him, embracing him, "don't forget that….you acted in self defense…" she whispers this in his ear.

I watch them and I cannot help feel slightly jealous…it is a feeling I despise, Morgana was probably right, I perhaps was falling for Gwen.

I clear my throat, to catch their attention, "Morgana isn't dead, Arthur." I dryly announce.

There is a baffled look on his face, if I was not mistaken, a slight hint of relief. Who could blame him? After all, she was still his sister, half or full…they were bound by blood….the most sacred of unions.

"What do you mean?" he knew what it meant…the order had been with him all his life, I guessed it was because of Gwen…he played dumb.

I held my tongue…the order was secret….it was sacred, Gwen as an outsider had no right knowing what was going on.

She was a smart girl, instantly she realized…we needed to be left alone, "I will be with Gaius…" she turned to leave us,

"Gwen?" Arthur called after her, causing her to stop.

"Yes?" she quickly faced us, her eyes smiling at both Arthur and I.

His voice was deep and husky, "Thank you…." he said this softly, lifting his gaze at her, a warm smile appeared on his worried face, "It is not something I had wished you to experience."

Gwen shrugged her shoulders, "As long as we are all okay, Arthur." She paused smiling at me she added softly, "As long as Merlin is still here with us…."

Quietly she turned around and proceeded out the door.

We waited a little while until, it was deemed fit to speak.

"What happened to you?" Arthur asked, sounding very serious.

"I was trapped in the realm of life and death….Morgana appeared before me….said she had to stop me…us… from destroying the Pendragon lineage….your father…."

"He is dead." Arthur stated, "Murdered."

I sat up, shocked…Uther dead? Impossible….only one person came to mind, "Morgana?" I say out loud…

He shook his head, "I don't think she is capable of killing father."

I looked at him, astounded….didn't he just see what had happened to us earlier?…what had happened to me?….I realized then, that I actually did not really know what had happened. I knew I was bleeding to death, on the verge of being killed, stuck in another realm/dimension and now…here….what happened before all of that, I remember only vaguely.

"What happened to me?" I asked.

He thought for a while, looking down at the ground, as if the answer was within. Something within me sensed that, this would be a long story.

"What do you remember last?" he countered.

"I remember Gwen waiting for me to finish work…then you calling everyone for a meeting…." My eyes widened, I had remembered something vital, "You announced your take over of Pendragon corp and Lance as your right hand man…."

He nodded, "And?"

I fell back on the bed, "Then I found myself bleeding and the rest I told you.." we look at each other blankly, it felt rather discomforting and I cleared my throat and continued to speak, "….What happened to Uther?"

"Multiple shot wounds…we tried to keep it low, doctors said his chances were slim…but we flew in the best…he did not make it…." He said, sounding very automated….

"Who did it?"

"Beats me Merlin…" he bit his nails, a habit he had acquired over the years.

I sigh out loud.

"After the meeting we needed to inform Lance about the order…." He quietly spoke.

"You did what?" I had heard him clearly, "Why would you…."

"He is my second in command….I would have to trust him with my own life!"

"I agree, Arthur…but not just anyone can become a part of this….your father had rejected him once before….remember….he must have had his reasons." I argued.

" The reason simply was that Lance is of common blood…we carry the blood of warriors, kings, nobles, healers….this is what determines a member of the order?" He sounded disgusted, "These are modern times, Merlin. Every man gets to choose their destiny….no matter what his father did…..Lance, as my right hand man, deserves to know about the order…"

It was deep and heartfelt, it was true but it was against the code I grew up with….a code I could not care less on….an order I was born into and that had exercised power through many ancient centuries and eventually also, in this modern age, "You cannot bring Lance in….right now there is practically… disorder within the order….Morgana's plan-"

"Morgana had no plan! The woman was clearly insane!"

I hold my tongue, he was still my boss after all, "Where is Lance now?" I subtly ask.

"Sorting it all out with the media….we have to be on the downlow….Gwen…" he stopped himself.

"Got dragged into this." I helped him finish his words, "But she must not know what this is all about, trust me on this one, Arthur." I look at him earnestly in the eyes.

He nods his head in agreement, sometimes he had to listen to me, whether he liked it or not. "I…also…called off the Wedding…." He softly added.

"I am sorry…about the wedding and about… Uther." I meant my words, "I….this isn't how we should mourn him…I am confused about Morgana's actions…." I look up at him, hoping to find my answer, "There is more to this….isn't there?"

"I called it off before I knew about father…." He shrugged his shoulders, "Morgana believes herself the rightful heiress…."

"To Pendragon Corp?"

"No….to the order." He bit his lower lip, "And I shouldn't care less….You know how I do not give a rat's ass about this order….it is corrupt…it is ancient…"

"Yes, Arthur…but without it…there is no Pendragon Corp." I point out.

"That can be changed…." he plainly stated.

"Morgana has the gift of sight, Arthur." I calmly say,

"She always thought she did….hmph, I doubt it…." He sneered.

"There are only but a few that can manage this balance.." I say this carefully, I was stepping on thin ice…it was easy to read Arthur, and I could sense he was tensing up…he did not like our line of talk.

"What balance, Merlin?" he wasn't really listening…that I knew for sure

"She has the gift, only few ever manage- to hold outer soul conversations….it is to her…the dragon will speak to….only Uther possessed this…." I croak…rumor had it that it had been my blood line thousands of years ago, who had possessed this gift, this was not the case anymore…for I did not have those gifts.

"But the great dragon has never spoken to her….there is a reason for that."

"The reason being?" I was perplexed, the order believed in the mystical…in magic, in the occult. It was a secret society, that kept the unexplainable away from the modern world. We believed in them, we knew about them…only few possessed this gift. A gift that would have seemed a curse to our ancestors many centuries ago…to the order it was a blessing that only few could utilize…Morgana at an early age discovered hers – The gift of sight was only one of her many abilities. Morgana possessed magic.

"She claims an end to the Pendragon lineage …." he sighed,

I roll my eyes, "Ah then very well do tell, why it was me bleeding profusely to death and she was about to puncture a dagger in my chest?"

He straightened his back, "I really don't know, Merls….but she did say that, you were the cause to me ending the Pendragon lineage…."

I recall the witches words, she had mentioned Gwen….I was not the cause, "Where are you going?" I suddenly ask him.

"I am going to check on Gwen….you rest." He casually said.

I grew alert, Gwen…of course I could not tell him this…..not the way he acted towards her.

His ruse did not escape me, "You worry about her."

He shook his head, "Not really, she's been through a lot…." He notices my disgruntled look, "What is it now?"

I lie back on my bed, "You are falling for her…."

He did not answer and if I was not mistaken, a soft smile nearly escaped the corner of his mouth.

"I have other issues, Merlin. I need to find out if Morgana is alive….the word on the street say otherwise…and guess who is responsible?" he challenged me once more, I remained speechless, raising his hands in the air he exclaimed, "Exactly…Me!"

"It will be covered up…and you know that." I say, sounding sure of myself, "But she is not dead, Arthur, trust me….Did you leave her there?"

He nodded, "I called Leon….he told us to leave, Gwen and I dragged you out of there….I thought you were gone too…but she remained sure you'd pull through…."

I bite my lips, Leon was Head of Security at Pendragon Corporation…he did more like the dirty work for the corporation, but was ever reliable….I knew he could make anything disappear…and should it have been a crime scene….not a soul would have even known…

It was Uther's death that could not be concealed to the public…but they could make the public believe in anything….I had that much faith in our world.

We remained silent for a moment. I watched my boss – my friend carefully. He is a young man, but the creases on his forehead, tell me he is broken.

His father, had meant everything to him. But Uther was cold, he taught his children especially his son, to face the world emotionless…I wanted to tell him it was okay to break.

We need it at times.

But the young Pendragon, stood straight, fighting the tears that were dying to break free…he will mourn his father differently….how? was left for the world and I to ponder about…Arthur Pendragon will mourn his father, away from all of us…it was what his father would have wanted.

"Never show the world your weakness…" Arthur patted me on the shoulder, "Rest." He instructed after which, without even looking back, walked out of the room.

I watch his back disappear, finally I found myself alone in the room, I had ample time to reflect on all that had occurred. My thoughts rambled through my brain like deranged demons.

Morgana was not dead.

She possessed the gift of foresight….yet her father had not entrusted her to the order.

The great dragon did not speak to her….

She believed in the order and practiced it's darker magic.

She predicted the end of the Pendragon regime….perhaps another was taking over?

Arthur did not possess the gift of sight nor could he hear or converse with the dragon…

If both Pendragon siblings could not hear nor converse with the ancient dragon, then…who….led the order?

"Merlin…."

I stood still….some one was calling me….

"Meeerrrliiiiiin!"

I stood alert, "Who is that?"

"Come my child," The voice urged, "It is time….your time has come…"

"What time?" I twirled around confused as to what direction the voice was coming from.

I could feel the tiny hairs in my body stand….it was as if I had died all over again.

Magic Room, Camelot

"Oh bull fantastical crap, Merlin!" Kiki clasped her hands in amazement, "Do you actually take me for ridiculously stupid?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "Well, I told you to be open about the whole thing…"

She stood up, shaking her head, she watched him from the corner of her eye, "…and you know….I was very close to believing you…."

"When did you start doubting?"

Placing her hands on her hips, she looked up for a moment, contemplating her words, "Honestly…from the minute you started this joke of a story…"

He smiled at her mischievously, "It's getting late…"

"No shit, Merls." She sighed glancing at her watch, "And shit's just hitting the ceiling…as we progress from reality to fairy tales. Not good."

"What do you want from me?" Merlin fell back on his chair, "I am telling you the truth."

She walked over to his side, her eyes were tired, her face expressionless, stopping only a few inches away from him, before taking her place on the table.

Her index finger signaled for him to come closer to her, slowly he obeyed.

"There are about 6 more people at the back of this mirror listening to our conversation, tough guys…and used to this kindda bull, you know what I am talking about?" she looked at him earnestly.

His palms were growing sweaty, nervously he placed them on his laps, "Yeah?"

She continued to speak, in a low manner, almost whispering, "See this?" she turns her face away tapping on the transparent earpiece in her ear, smiling she continued, "This is how they communicate to me, what's really up….and I just got this device after I figured you'd taken me in circles….now every name you mention….every single thing you say….I got someone….behind that mirror…that tells me something new every now and then." Slowly got up, "Please, say something before I do…."

He looked at her confused, "There isn't-"

"Damn it! Merlin!" she interrupted him immediately, slamming her palms on the desk, "I am sick and tired of this! Who the hell is Leon?"

He stared at her, initially in shock, but he remained calm, "They tried to search his records? Of course they will not find Leon….Kiki….you don't seem to get what you are up against!" He placed his hands on his forehead, the lady was getting to him now. How daft could she possibly be? And then it hit him….

"No! You do not know what you are up against!" she pointed at him, "Leon does not exist in our files, Pendragon Files, government files….nothing….no head of Security."

"Of course not!" Merlin stood up, exhausted. He flung the chair to the ground, "Of course he doesn't!"

Her hand fell to her back, her fingers only lightly playing with the gun, that she had kept hidden under her clothes.

"Sit down!" she commanded.

He obeyed.

There was silence for a moment, she sat herself down. Quickly she lit herself a cigarette, "You should really understand where I am coming from with this…"

When he didn't say anything to that, she continued, "I mean, dragons and magic." She shook her head, her voice was breaking, "Forgive me Merlin…but this…this doesn't make sense…."

She stopped for a moment, as her colleague's strong voice spoke into the ear piece.

"Question him about this story about dragons and demons…we just got orders from HQ to let this loony slide…"

She turned to the mirror, looking bewildered.

"Sorry, Kiki….they are sending one of theirs to come release him…clear anything you need to get cleared….he's a free man."

"Shit!" She said out loud.

Looking at the suspect, she studied him carefully…taking in a long drag, she looked around and finally said, "Ok…I shall assume this is…the truth, but I have some….questions."

"Shoot." He simply said.

Kiki swore under her breath, "An heir to the order?"

"There is always a leader to the order. Look at it like a monarchy, only difference is…that the heir needs two qualities….qualities he cannot just acquire over night…it happens by chance…" he sighed, he really did not want to tell her all this, but he had no choice.

"and what are they?" she pressed on, HQ would be with them in half an hour max, she was running out of time.

"To be born within the order and to be chosen by the Great dragon himself…"

"Who isn't a person…but a real…dragon…." She looked at him in a disconcerting way, "I mean…based on your story of course…" she was quick to add.

He nodded, "I don't know what he is, but there is a lot of things…that to you never knew existed…but they do Kiki…this world…this universe…it is grande…it is big….and it is not always what we see that really tells the story….The order has been a secret for many centuries…Uther Pendragon, lead this….this conglomerate…but look…a man so powerful, even political figures feared him….it is only plausible that something else aided him."

"The reason for this order….being?" she sat up straight, "What's the purpose?"

He smiled, "World domination? Power? Greed? Money?"

"And Morgana, she practices witchcraft?" Kiki opted to change to another topic.

"The order believes in 3 kinds of people." He finally said.

"and they are?"

"Those without magic, those with the sense of magic, they can either practice magic or never even know about it and lastly those born with it. Morgana was born with it….and everyone could sense that. But yet, the Great Dragon had not chosen her."

Kiki sneered, "I am finding it really hard talking to you with a straight face, but why didn't the Dragon choose her? And that voice you heard….are you saying…."

"I don't know…it disappeared." He started to play with his fingers.

"So the prophecy of Morgana would be coming true, cuz you hearing the dragon would mean, that you are the rightful heir…." She pointed out.

He remained still, "It isn't very comforting to hear…but you are perhaps right…"

"Wow!"

"It's not funny Kiki…..Uther is dead….and…there will be chaos." He sounded close to tears, "There will be chaos and I cannot have people know that I have this…this….gift."

"So you knew you had magic in you….you just didn't develop it?"

He shook his head, "I do not know what I have…it isn't magic….I can…just hear him….speak to me…."

"So you are the chosen one?" she mocked, he did not blink, "So this would make sense why Morgana wants your head. That or you are schizophrenic. And if you are out of the picture she would lead the order…but here is my concern. Arthur's daddy is dead, Arthur took over with Lance as his right hand man, as per you…a statement has not even been released to the media because as far as we know it, Pendragon Junior is missing. So where is Arthur now?"

"I cannot tell you…."

She waved her hand, "Well, the sanctuary….but I am guessing no more, or else you wouldn't have told me this story…."

Merlin looked at her, earnestly, "If Morgana lives, you gotta let me go..she will haunt me down, this I swear to you!"

Kiki smiled, in her ears she could hear her colleague, Oliver warn her, "Don't do it Kiki. Don't tell him."

She took another cigarette, "They are coming for you." She simply stated.

"Who?" he asked, clearly on the edge, he had not expected that.

Kiki lit the cigarette, "HQ."

"HQ?"

"Head Quarters….said we cannot touch you, they need to release you…so earnestly Merlin, you are a free-"

He jumped up to grab her, "You can't! You need to get me out of here!"

She could hear that her colleagues had scrambled to come to her protection.

"Let go of me Merlin!" She warned, "This isn't gonna end well."

Suddenly he reached out for her gun, pointing it straight at her temple.

Kiki grew scared, almost instantly.

But the door flung open, with a couple of guns pointing towards them.

He let her go instantly.

"Drop the gun!"

It was the guys from HQ, relief was written on her face, "I need to take him in, for assaul-"

"No you don't." the senior agent interrupted, they were all properly suited, "Strict orders to bring him back to HQ, apparently armed and dangerous."

"He wasn't a few seconds ago!" she glanced at Merlin, there was fear written all over his face.

She turned to face her colleagues from HQ….she did not know why, but the way they looked at him, did not feel to comforting.

Perhaps he was right, perhaps he was in greater danger than ever. The men in suits seemed impatient…almost too eager to have him in their grasps.

A quick glance to Merlin, and she sensed that he feared them…

Her gang was pushed to the back, instructed not too come close to them.

Something was off…she could feel it!

"He needs to fill out some forms!" she suddenly said, quickly turning to the senior agent, "for documentation purposes…you know how it is?"

He smirked, "Get it done fast."

She signaled him to follow, but they stopped him.

"Fingerprinting? Hello people!"

They let him pass.

It was one of the most uncomfortable corridor walks. She could only hope that he understood what was actually going on.

She watched him from the corner of the eye, he remained mellow…quickly they entered the finger printing room.

"Hit me!" she ordered.

"What…what?" he looked at her in disbelief,

"Hit me!" she was pointing up at the window vent, "That leads to your freedom…those guys are not HQ….they are something else….Now run Merlin!" she slip her business card in his back pocket, "Take the gun."

They stood still for a moment…instantly, he struck her, she fell to the ground.

The foot steps increased, they were drawing close…they had become suspicious…

Swiftly, Merlin stepped on the desk until finally reaching the vent, it was loose, a sign that it was used once in a while.

He crawled into it and quietly began his journey to the unknown.

"I shall guide you….Merlin…guide you back….."

He stopped instantly. Had he heard right? Was someone talking to him?

There was a loud bang in the distance, and Merlin knew that he had to keep on going…he could almost swear as if he was being shown the way that would lead to his safety.

Many thoughts appeared in his mind, he thought of Kiki and thanked his lucky stars, that although she might not have believed his story….although she did not completely trust in him….

She knew one thing….

When those men came to collect him…

She instantly knew…just how unsafe it was for him to be there….

He hoped deep within him, that this wasn't the last he would hear from her.

Arthur's note: Thank you for reading…kindly review….thank you