Returning to Camelot proved to be easier than I had imagined. I led the way, hobbling through the grounds of the citadel, knowing that the attention of the guards would almost certainly be fixed on Arthur, who walked a few paces behind me. I had reasoned - correctly, it seemed - that nobody would be in the slightest bit concerned about an old man entering the castle grounds when Camelot's only heir had returned after a long period of unexplained absence. The guards reacted exactly as I had anticipated, calling to Arthur and ignoring me, ignoring 'Dragoon the Great'.

"Sire, I must ask you to remain where you are!" One of the guards addressed Arthur, but I did not recognise his voice. I could only assume that, given my status as 'dangerous' and the Prince's whereabouts previously being 'unknown', Uther had increased security levels around the citadel. It was a foolish, pathetic action. I was a sorcerer, not a soldier. If I wanted to kill Camelot's knights and guards, then I wouldn't waste precious time and energy fighting each one in hand-to-hand combat. I would only need to mutter one simple spell and every citizen of Camelot would fall under a deep sleep until I woke them, if I wished it to be so. This only proved that Uther feared something he had not understand. If he knew me at all, then he would have known that I would never harm somebody if there was no provocation or good reason for the attack.

Arthur stood still, assuming that the guard's interruption wouldn't take long, believing it to be a routine check of citizens entering the citadel. When sorcery was concerned, Uther was known to overreact. "It's alright, Joseph. I wasn't followed. Merlin is nowhere to be seen."

I automatically turned around at the mention of my name; it was an involuntary reflex that I would have to work on eradicating. I saw the guard, Joseph, approach Arthur. "I'm sorry Sire, but that's not why I asked you to stop." Before I could really process what was happening - the combination of sleep deprivation and 'Dragoon's' elderly eyesight meant that I was a little slower than I was as my normal, youthful self - Joseph had shackled the Prince's hands together.

"What on Earth are you doing, Joseph?" Arthur spluttered, incredulity spreading rapidly across his face. "Release me at once!"

"Sorry, Sire, orders from the King." Joseph ensured that the chains were fastened securely, and then beckoned another guard to come closer. Together, they escorted the reluctant Prince into the castle. Arthur refrained from protesting too much in order to avoid drawing unnecessary attention that may have been diverted to me, but I could see that he was worried. I rolled my eyes and continued hobbling up the street. It looked like a few amendments needed to be made to our plan. I was so preoccupied with following Arthur that I almost forgot to notice my surroundings. If everything went according to plan, and Ygraine was brought back to life successfully, then this would be the last time that I ever saw Camelot. The last time that I smelled the fresh air, felt the wind blow through my hair , saw children laughing and playing in the grounds of the citadel. Most importantly, I would be leaving behind the two people that I cared most about in this world; Arthur and my mother. On the other hand, my actions would ensure their survival - I had no doubt that Arthur and Guinevere would take care of my mother after I had gone - and I would be reunited with Gaius and my father again in the world beyond The Veil.

I shook my head, scattering these thoughts and forcing myself to focus. There was no time for doubt, or second-thoughts. I would do what I had to, regardless of the consequences. It was, after all, my destiny to ensure the future of Albion. The Prince was more likely to become the greatest King of Camelot with his mother at his side, rather than than living as an outlaw with me.

Even in my elderly state, it did not take me long to reach the Great Hall. Adrenaline and magic were pumping through my veins, a potent combination. I could hear Uther venting his wrath on Arthur, alternating between berating him for leaving Camelot and inquiring as to whether he left because I had cast some sort of spell on him. Arthur denied this accusation vehemently, but this would mean nothing to Uther. He would simply argue that Arthur was still bewitched, and would remain so until I was captured. Before I could change my mind, I cast a spell to break down the doors of the Great Hall. If this was going to be my final stance, then I wanted to go down with a fight.

"Ic abietee paet stanhol!" Casting a spell in Dragoon's wise voice sounded impressive, and it gained me the attention of each member of the court, including the restrained Prince Arthur. He said nothing, refusing to give away my identity unless it was absolutely necessary in order to ensure that Uther did not have me taken away by the guards before it was completely inevitable.

You're being reckless, Merlin. Gaius's voice was chastising me from beyond the grave.

I know. This must be it then, the end must be approaching, I thought. I'd never been able to hear Gaius before, nor any other voices of the dead for that matter.

"Guards! It's him, quick!" There was no way that Uther knew who I truly was - Arthur knew me better than anyone and it had still taken him a long time tow work it out - and so he obviously recognised me from our previous encounter, when I had been willing to sacrifice myself in order to save Guinevere when she had wrongly been accused of being a sorceress. As present, I looked like the elderly Dragoon, but that didn't stop Uther from summoning numerous guards to capture one elderly man. In my eyes, this made him appear even more pathetic and feeble. I could forgive Uther's brutality if he knew that 'Dragoon' was really Merlin, because he already knew that I possessed great power. By now, Uther would also know of my destiny to become Emrys. However, during Dragoon's last encounter with Uther, no powerful magic had been used at all, only poultices. I struggled to see why Uther was so scared of a man that had only used poultices in the past. They were not exactly advanced magic, nothing that would reveal my identity as Emrys.

I glanced behind me and saw the guards approaching rapidly. My heart sank as I realised that my assailants were Gwaine, Lancelot, Percival, Elyan, and Leon. My friends had no reason to recognise me as Merlin, and so I knew that they would continue to obey the orders of their King. If they knew who Dragoon truly was, their loyalties would be severely tested. It was evident that my friends had been 'demoted', forbidden from completing their more prestigious duties as Knights of Camelot because of their friendship with me, and forced to assume the role of normal guards instead. In Uther's mind, it was the perfect retaliation to exact upon them. From a brief glance, I could see that they were unhappy with their new status, but would never complain because they held my friendship in high esteem, and deemed me to be more important than their Knighthoods. I could only hope to repay their favour shortly. Regretting what I was about to do, knowing that this would be my last chance to see them, my eyes flashed gold and I cast a sleeping enchantment sending them all into a temporary, but deep, sleep. By the time they awoke, I would no longer be here. "Swefe nu!"

My friends slumped to the floor, their swords clanging as they hit the ground. A few members of the court gasped, but most had been stunned into silence.

"What have you done to them?" Uther asked, voice shaking. He had pulled Arthur to his feet, still in shackles. King and Prince stood together, appearing to all as a united front against sorcery. I knew better.

"They're just sleeping. You don't really think I'd harm my friends, do you?"

Nothing. There was no spark of comprehension behind Uther's eyes. "You know these men?"

I nodded. "Yes, they are Knights of Camelot, but they are my friends, first and foremost. That's why you've degraded them like this, isn't it Uther? Gwaine, Lancelot, Percival, Elyan and Leon. Friends of the sorcerer Merlin, to be treated with suspicion."

Recognition became evident on Uther's face at my latest sneer. Arthur rolled his eyes, and spoke before his father could. "Enough of the dramatics, Merlin. Care to undo these shackles?"

I gave a wry smile. "Sorry. Unspanne þás mægþ."

The shackles fell to the floor, and Arthur immediately drew his father's sword and pointed it at the man's chest.

"Arthur, what on Earth are you doing?" Uther spluttered. He glared at me. "You! You've bewitched him!"

I sighed. "Oh, not this again! I've done nothing to your son. He's my best friend!"

"Don't go getting all sentimental on me, Merlin. As if today wasn't bad enough!" Arthur tried to joke, but it fell on stony ground considering that we were both committing treason, and we both understood what the rest of our plan entailed. "Don't worry, Sire. I'm not going to hurt you, but I need to make sure that Merlin has your full attention."

"If you're Merlin," Uther snarled as he said my name, "then why do you look like that old sorcerer? Dragoon, was it?" He paused, pointed a shaking finger at me and addressed the court. "That old fool admitted to using magic to enchant my son in the past. How do we know that he hasn't done the same again?"

Had it not been for the fact that most members of the court were terrified of me, scarcely believing that their Prince threatening the King, then I believe that they would have whispered their agreement in hushed tones.

"Merlin, now might be a good time to change back into..." Arthur waved his spare arm around, searching for the right word whilst keeping the sword in his other hand pointed at Uther. "Back into, well, you."

"Okay, I suppose you're right." My disguise had served its purpose; gaining me entrance to Camelot unscathed. Thankfully, I had mastered the spell to reverse the effects of the aging spell without the need for any potion. "Edniwe min geoguð!"

I didn't need a mirror to know that I had returned back to my normal self. The clothes that Dragoon had been wearing were suddenly too big for my skinny frame, but now was not the time to be preoccupied by that. Judging by the horrified look on Uther's face, alongside the startled expressions on the faces of the members of the court, I still came across as a 'terrifying sorcerer', despite looking somewhat ridiculous in robes that were much too big.

I took a deep breath. "Right, let's get on with it then, shall we?" This time, I addressed Uther directly, making eye-to-eye contact with the cowering King. "What would you say if I told you that I could bring Ygraine back to life?"