Chapter 4-The Dragon's tale

Hey people! I'm on a roll at the moment with this story, once I start writing I can't seem to stop! It's so good. Anyway I want to take the moment to thank everyone who has been reviewing my story, it's really appreciated. I love reviews! I do promise that Arthur and Elizabeth will get some time alone together in the near future, probably in the next chapter. Anyway just to remind you of the poll I am doing, it's on my profile or just write MORGANA GOOD/MORGANA EVIL in the reviews. Anyway hope you enjoy the chapter. I don't own Merlin [sadly] but Lady Elizabeth is my creation along with Kay and Laudine.

When it turned midnight I finally lead Merlin through the castle down the wrought iron stairway. I didn't need to know my way around the castle to find the dragon. I could feel him calling out to me. When we reached the top of the staircase there were some guards protecting the dragon, not that anyone had tried to free him since he had been captured. I didn't even know why Uther still bothered to place guards in front of it when if you had magic guards were never a problem.

I turned to Merlin smiling at him, "Care to show me what you've got?"

Merlin looked the happiest I had seen him since we had begun to speak of destinies before he turned to the guards. I watched in amazement as he's eyes turned pure gold and the dice the guards were rolling flow off the table onto the floor. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud when every time they went to pick them up the dice flew away from them once again. I waited until the guards had disappeared into the darkness before pulling Merlin towards the lower stairway grabbing a torch and lighting it along the way.

"Merlin," a voice called from somewhere below us. We continued to walk through the stairway until we reached a giant open cave which seemed to travel under the whole of Camelot.

"Where are you?" I called out into the darkness, listening as the heavy beat of wings got closer and closer until from the darkness appeared a dragon. One of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. Merlin took a step backward in fear as the Dragon landed on the rock right in front of us.

"I'm here!" He replied before looking both Merlin and myself up and down, "How small you are for such a great destiny. "

"It's good to finally meet you too Kilgharrah," I replied sarcastically, not really liking people commenting on my size at all.

Merlin spoke before Kilgharrah could respond to me, "Why? What do you mean? What destiny?"

The dragon looked down at me, "You have not told him yet."

"It's not my job to tell him of his destiny, just to guide where I can," I resighted.

Kilgharrah then turned back to Merlin, "Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land of Albion."

"Right," Merlin said slowly not really understanding.

"But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike," The dragon continued to explain.

"I don't see what this has to do with me," Merlin interrupted getting a bit annoyed.

"Everything," Kilgharrah replied simply, "Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion."

"No. No, you've got this wrong," Merlin began to argue.

"There is no right or wrong," The dragon snapped back, "only what is and what isn't."

"But I'm serious! If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can go ahead. In fact, I'll give them a hand," Merlin complained.

The dragon just laughed, "None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin, and none of us can escape it. Just ask Elizabeth."

Merlin turned to face me, "I am destined to be yours and Arthur's guide. To help you create Albion and to teach you the magic you need in order to face the foes."

"There must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot," Merlin said turning back to the dragon once again. I nodded in agreement with that, he was completely stupid.

"Perhaps it's part of both of your destinies to change that," The dragon argued back before taking off once again into flight

"Wait!" I yelled after him, "We-we need to know more!"

I was left standing next to Merlin, "Come on we need to go to bed. Tomorrow is the big feast!"

It was late morning when Laudine woke me up, explaining to me that I was requested in Morgana's chambers. I quickly got dressed and walked down the hall with just Laudine having given the day off to Kay so he could get in some training with the Camelot knights. When we reached Morgana's chambers Merlin was just walking out, "Why…?" I began to question.

"Sleep drought," Merlin replied back way to quickly before practically sprinting off down the corridor. I decided it probably wasn't best to ask Morgana as I knocked on her door.

Gwen smiled at me as she opened it, "Lady Elizabeth," She greeted me warmly. I could see why people liked her so much, she had a very kind and caring personality.

As I watched in a saw the dress that Morgana had laid out of her bed, "That dress is amazing Morgana," I complimented looking at the dress she was trying on at the moment ready for tonight.

"Well thank you. I thought you might like to wear it," Morgana said smiling brightly at me.

"This is….it is too much," I tried to excuse. Being unable to look away from it. The colour was a deep purple with a corset top and a flowing skirt [Image link on my profile]

"I insist," Morgana said brightly, "After all I have far too many dresses and you will one day be marrying Arthur. Therefore you're outfit should be fit for a queen."

"I…" I tried to say something that would get me out of this but by that point Gwen and Laudine had begun pushing me towards a changing screen not really giving me a choice in the matter.

After what felt like hours of pushing and pulling I was decided ready for the ball tonight. We were running late which according to Morgana was good, "You want people to notice how amazing you look in your dress don't you?"

By the time we walked into the hall the banquet had begun. I saw Arthur standing over with some of his friends before he turned to face us. Instead of focusing in on Morgana like I expected him to his eyes seemed to trail me as I walked across the floor and towards the king.

"My lord," I said politely bowing my head in respect.

"Elizabeth you look beautiful," The king responded kindly to me. I had to remind myself that if he knew about my true ability I would be considered extremely ugly.

I felt a present at my shoulder and turned to see Arthur standing there, "My lady," he greeted taking my hand and kissing it lightly.

"My lord," I smiled back trying to be as friendly as possible.

I noticed Uther had been taken over to talk to another noble leaving Arthur and me alone, "I'm sorry we didn't get the greatest introduction ever," Arthur said drawing my attention back to him.

"Well that was mostly due to you trying to kill one of my friends," I said softly keeping my voice sweet even if my words were sour.

"I believed Merlin was a servant?" Arthur questioned looking confused.

I shook my head lightly at him, "Merlin is more than a servant. He is my friend and a truly loyal person. Which you would know if you didn't throw knives at the servants who are deadicated to you."

Before Arthur could respond we were called to our seats. Unfourtually for me my seat happened to be right next to Arthurs. I stood and listened as the king began to speak, trying to ignore the sulk Arthur had gone into since I had spoken to him the way I did, "We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora."

We all applaused and the music began. As Uther and the rest of the court sat Helen voice filled the air. The song was beautiful and sad, it had a cold dark quality to it. I listened to the words and realised exactly what it was. A sleeping spell, one which was extremely powerful. I grabbed Merlin's arm.

"Cover your ears," I ordered quietly doing the same thing myself and resting my head keeping my eyes open so it would look like I was asleep. Everyone else in the court seemed to go into a deep slumber. As the music got stronger cobwebs begin forming over the enchanted sleepers.

I watched carefully as Helen walked towards Arthur pulling a dagger from her sleeve as she went. I lifted my head to face Merlin and nodded towards the chandelier, Merlin took the hint and a moment later his eyes turned gold and the chandelier dropped from the ceiling coming crashing down onto Lady Helen. The Court members began to wake up removing the cobwebs from themselves, I followed their lead not needing to stand out when magic had been involved. Uther, Arthur and I stood to see a woman I did not recognise laying on the floor. Obviously she was just another magical person out for revenge on Uther who decided to target his son. I doubted she would be the last. The woman rose up slightly, enough so that she could throw a dagger towards Arthur again.

I watched as Merlin slowed down time before running over towards Arthur and pushing him out of the way. The dagger landed in the chair, exactly were Arthur's heart would have been a moment earlier.

The court feel slightly and the woman dropped dead before she could say a word. Uther was the first one to react, "You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid."

"Oh, well..." Merlin began shrugging it off.

"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded," Uther argued back.

"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness," Merlin said looking at me for help. I decided now would not be the best time to get involved.

"You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant," Uther nodded before the court began to applaud.

"Father!" Arthur exclaimed before looking at me and coming up with an idea, "He is a part of Lady Elizabeth servant group."

Uther turned to face me, I smiled at him, "Arthur should keep him as he's manservant I mean after all he did save your life and it is a better position than what I have to offer. Consider it a gift Arthur," I said before whispering closer, "I did tell you he would be loyal."

Arthur just frowned at me and Merlin didn't look much happier. I clapped along with everyone else slightly smiling at the fact that destiny was beginning to take shape.

Merlin took me off to one side before speaking, "why did you just let him do that?" he questioned me not looking pleased at all.

"Your destiny is to protect Arthur you didn't think you would be able to do that from a faraway distance did you?" I questioned back feeling slightly smug at the look of acceptance on Merlin's face, "This is your destiny. Accept it!"

Okay people, the destiny is beginning . Please read and review, I love to know what you lot think of my writing. And remember POLL!

Until next time

Artistic blue eyes

xxx