Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. It belongs to BBC.

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So, this won't be the final chapter because now I have a dilemma. Even though it has been a little bit more than two months since my last update here, I had reasons, those few months were very busy to me, I could only finally breath now! (also it could be worst, I think I promised a one-shot for like three months now and I haven't found the time to write it yet)

Oh, yes, my special thanks to Emperor's Sister and Teekalin for giving suggestions about baby names, : P

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Chapter 20

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The beast howled outside of Camelot's walls. Uther knew it wouldn't let his kingdom at peace. No man could kill it because it was already dead, no man could harm it nor escape it, and everywhere it went it would leave a trail of death and destruction. The king knew it well, he once used the phantom hound as a mean to claim his throne, when those with magic were his allies. But back then twenty magic wielders were necessary to invoke it and keep it from attacking the King (only claimant of the crown at the time) and his supporters and even though when the Gwyllgi charged against the citadel many civilians died that day, along with an expressive number of the previous king's soldiers and supporting sorcerers.

His own soldiers, knights and peasants have had fallen victim to the vile creature. In its mad quest for blood the Gwyllgi had burned down five villages and a total of five hundred men sent to evacuate them. It was only a matter of time until it would try to do the same to the city of Camelot.

Uther took a deep sip from his goblet, tasting the fine wine. He looked through the window of his study, while listening to rushed footsteps outside the room. The moon was beautiful, he thought, completely full and shining without being hidden by any clouds. Indeed, it was a good night to die.

Nonetheless there was something that could harm the beast: dragon's fire. The only problem was how to convince the dragon he had imprisoned for more than twenty years to save his kingdom. Even though, it was the only chance he got, it would be a gamble. He didn't know if he could even strike a bargain with the Great Dragon, but he knew there was something that the dragon wanted more than anything: his own life. If something could convince the beast to fight the Gwyllgi there had to be it.

Uther had already decided. There was no other way. Even if there was a living dragonlord willing to help his kingdom – and there wasn't, he made sure of it – there wouldn't be enough time to reach him as in a mere day the phantom hound had already arrived at Camelot's gates. It was only a matter of hours for it to break the walls. It should be enough time to say his goodbye.

"How are the preparations, son?" Uther asked Arthur at the castle's courtyard.

"The men are ready to face the beast, I swear we'll protect Camelot with our lives." Arthur replied with determination in his voice. His father smiled briefly, he had learnt well not to show fear regardless of the situation, but after Uther had made his move there would be nothing left to fear, his son and everyone else would be safe.

"You know, Arthur, I'm really proud of you. I'm aware that I don't express it often, but it's the truth. You make me proud, son, and I love you more than anything in this world." He said, patting the blond man's shoulder.

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows and opened his mouth to say something, but whatever it was he wanted to say didn't leave his mind because he only said:

"Thank you, father. I love you too, sire."

"Promise me something, Arthur." He paused a little before saying more and his son looked at him expectantly: "Promise me that you won't limit yourself to merely follow my footsteps. Surpass me, make the people forget my name and remember only yours when they hear the Pendragon surname." The King paused again, searching in his son's eyes the understanding of his words, then he added: "I want you to climb on my shoulders and rise even higher. Of my rule take only the best aspects, not the worst. Learn from my mistakes so that you don't have to be wrong before you understand what wasn't right." Uther grabbed Arthur's shoulder and squeezed a little before continuing: "And most important of it all: promise me to always protect and value your sister and your nephews. Of all things in life, family is the most precious one a man can have. Never forget that."

His son had confusion written all over his face when he replied with uncertainty:

"I promise, father. But why are you saying all of that right now?"

"Because we can all die tonight and it's better to leave this world without any regrets." The king smiled at Arthur and said:

"Continue the preparations for battle, I'll join you soon."

"Yes, sire." Arthur said, straightening his back and assuming a soldier's posture.

Uther knocked at the door of his daughter's chambers. Her maid opened the door, bowing and allowing him in and she left the room, giving her mistress and the King privacy. Morgana was humming a song to her sleeping sons. Uther smiled. The three boys slept like angels on top of her bed, undisturbed by the turmoil outside.

They were identical twins with black curly hair, much like their mother's, ivory skin, bright blue eyes, not exactly like Morgana's, but the colors could change as they hadn't even lived three summers and, thankfully, they hadn't inherited the peasant boy's large ears, yet when they smiled it was almost impossible to deny their parentage.

Gorlois, in the left side of the bed, had a tranquil sleep, undisturbed by the noise and his brother's, Derfael, moving in the center of the bed, probably dreaming that he was fighting some imaginary threat and protecting his family and kingdom, while Conn was certainly unamused by his brother's constant fuss as he turned on his side so that his siblings faced his back and frowned.

Uther was lost in his reverie while gazing at them, thinking about how he wouldn't be able to watch them grow up, kiss them good night, tell them nighttime stories, nor see the men they'll become. Suddenly Morgana interrupted his thoughts:

"I'll protect Camelot, the beast is no match to my powers." She assured him, leaving unspoken the notion that her magic combined with Merlin's would defeat the Gwyllgi.

"Gwen will watch over them in the meantime." She added, glancing at her sleeping children.

"I have no doubt we shall overcome this ordeal." He answered, preferring to tell her a half-truth than to blatantly lie and say that she could beat the beast by herself. Only dragon fire could kill what was already dead.

"You and Arthur must join forces to protect Camelot, don't forget that." He continued, pausing briefly before saying: "I want to speak with you, we should leave this room not to disturb them." He said, pointing to the sleeping boys.

Morgana nodded and followed him outside the room. The two swiftly reached another chamber that was unoccupied by any other person.

As soon as the two passed through the door, Morgana asked:

"What is it that you desire to speak, my lord?"

"Many things." He smiled weakly before continuing:

"I'd like to say that no matter if you still don't see me as your father I have loved you as my daughter from the very first moment, even though sometimes I was harsh to you, and to Arthur too, you must understand … everything I did … I did while thinking it would be the best for you, you, your brother … and the kingdom." He took a deep breath and added:

"This beast that we face … is really difficult to kill … and I don't want you getting too close from it … and I must say … in case I perish in this battle …" He cupped her hands and looked into her eyes with determination:

"Promise me that you'll watch over Arthur, be his consciousness when his own fails him, promise me that you'll always be by his side, no matter what. If you stay united Camelot will prosper. He needs you, he isn't used yet to having to make tough decisions, he doubts himself too much and I know this is my fault, but I won't be able to do a thing when I'm dead so promise me you'll be here for him."

Morgana furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. He was speaking as if he was certain of his death, which didn't make sense, she, Merlin and Arthur would deal with the creature, a precise slash from Excalibur was all that was necessary to end the threat and magic would ensure Arthur's victory. Nonetheless, the king was really serious about the whole matter, which made her suspicious, though she had no reason to deny his request and Uther's overactive imagination was the lesser of her problems, so she nodded and answered:

"I promise."

He hugged his daughter tightly, a single traitorous tear left one of his eyes and he murmured:

"Thank you, my daughter. I … I'm proud of the person that you are. You and your brother are so much better than me. I'm proud of you."

"You're holding me too tightly." She mumbled and he broke the hug and said:

"Oh, sorry. There's another thing. I know about you and the servant boy –" She was about to protest but the King stopped her: "I won't do anything to him, you have my word. I … even if he isn't the kind of man I wished you'd wed one day … I understand. The heart wants what it wants." He sighed and continued: "At least he can take orders." Uther grinned and Morgana smiled, so he took her answer as a clue to proceed: "Hmm … what really matters is that he makes you happy, it's obvious that you love each other deeply, everyone can tell." He paused dramatically and added: "Except Arthur." He grinned again and she got impressed, two jokes in a row from Uther?

He took a deep breath and continued:

"Cherish what you have, Morgana. Don't take your love, your family for granted, don't leave things unspoken because you can reach a point in your live in which things can come back to haunt you. So, the secret is to not have anything capable to do that."

"Why are you saying all this?" She asked in confusion.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm following my rule now." He replied and smiled, leaving the room to meet with the Great Dragon.

"I'm here Dragon. I accept your terms, my life for my kingdom." Uther said in a confident tone of voice as he descended the final steps of the dungeon.

"I have awaited a long time for this moment, Uther Pendragon." Kilgharrah grinned, showing his sharp teeth as he released steam from his nostril. He added: "Open the lock and unchain me. I can't fight the Gwyllgi standing here, can I?"

"You'll fulfill your part in our agreement, won't you? Do I have your word that you'll kill the creature after I have done my part?" Uther inquired.

"Don't test my patience, Uther Pendragon! I gave you my word that I would fight it, isn't that enough?!" The Great Dragon replied in exasperation.

"It'll do." Uther said and Kilgharrah scoffed, but didn't begin a discussion about it.

The King crouched near the lock and used the massive key to open it, and the chains clanked as they fell from Kilgharrah's ankle.

Instead of taking flight and feel the breeze, the dragon stood where he was and spoke:

"Now, the second part of our deal."

And he blew a torrent of fire against the King.