Merlin was mucking the stables. It was his fault for teasing Arthur, but it was worth it.
He finished after dark. Gaius was asleep and the guards were tired. Merlin felt like talking to someone so he snuck off to his favorite Dragon.
"You are late young warlock!" The dragon fumed.
Merlin smirked. "I'm sneaking in and out of Camelot… I would hope it was not easy."
The dragon chuckled.
Merlin's face turned somber, "have you found her?"
"No, but have you?" the Dragon accused.
Confusion spread across Merlin's face.
Balinor appeared from behind the dragon.
Merlin stepped toward the man. "You seem familiar, I feel like we've met. I'm Merlin"
Tears welled in Balinor's eyes. Merlin remembered. His eyes went wide with shock, "father!"
"My son!"
The Dragon was still staring daggers at Merlin.
"Balinor did not hatch the dragon" Kilgharrah interrupted. "You must have hatched her!"
"What?" Merlin reluctantly tore his eyes from Balinor.
"A white dragon was seen by the druids, they could not convince her to stay with them. She has been missing for a while now."
Merlin felt a head ache coming on. He turned back to his father "How is this possible? Aithusa should not have hatched yet!"
Balinor tore his eyes from Merlin and gasped to the dragon. "She has a name."
Merlin gapped at the dragon "But… I … haven't" His eyes grew wide, "oh no!"
Kilgharrah growled.
"We'll save her," Balinor soothed.