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

Thanks for the reviews, favorites and follows, : )

This is the end …

Hold your breath and count to ten …

\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/

Wow, I finally made it! It's over! The first story ever that I have written and finished!

Don't worry guys, there'll be drabbles for this story covering more fluffiness (as it seems drama is kind of a thing that never leaves my stories completely).

I must say that I'm especially thankful for everybody that has supported this story, read it, enjoyed it, left reviews/comments too, : D

It was even quoted as a good fluffy Canon AU on Tumblr, \o/

I hope that you've all have enjoyed "Uther's Daughter" it was really fun to write it (although it took longer than expected) and if you liked it, please, also check "What would happen if Morgana was less Pendragon like" in AO3 or FFnet that is also a Mergana story but putting Morgana in a more empowered position. It's longer, hasn't reached the Mergana points yet (what a sin!), though there's a chapter in the beginning to sooth the Mergana's abstinence, : D

Chapter 21

...

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.

…

Uther felt the rush of heat getting closer to his face. He closed his eyes and cringed, waiting for the flames to get him and cause excruciating pain. It was a horrible death and he had condemned many to it, it was only fair that his end would be no different from the many executions he had ordered.

As the fire hit his face he screamed, he could feel the flames touching his flesh and burning it from the inside. It was like being devoured alive by many minuscule vermin at the same time. It hurt more than anything he had experienced before and, suddenly the fire stopped coming, yet he had already acquire a serious burnt degree and his body ached intensely. Uther feel to his knees, supporting his weight on his right arm, as he heard the dragon grunt indignantly and later on yell:

"What are you doing?! This isn't possible, you can't have this power yet!"

Uther turned to look behind him and was dumbfounded by what he was seeing – his three grandchildren were holding hands, their eyes glowing gold while they float in mid-air. Derfael, in the middle, spoke:

"Bad dagooon." The other two boys shook their heads disapprovingly and repeated the same words after their brother.

"Fight Gwygy!" The little prince said as his and his brothers' eyes glowed again and they spoke in unison:

"Fight Gwygy!"

Uther felt a surge of power coming from their voices that gave him shivers, even though he was had a burning sensation along a great extent of his body. He was astonished, how could mere three years-old boys produce such a powerful effect on a five hundred year old dragon?

Kilgharrah roared, releasing fire blasts to the cave's ceiling in frustration. He had waited for twenty-four long years to have his revenge and those hatchlings frustrated his only real chance to do it, he was possessed of anger. Yet, their command was compelling him to fight that stupid dog. He had no other option, he was forced to obey, once this was over he'd have to manipulate Merlin more – ops – enlighten him about the dangers of not controlling his children properly. So, he grudgingly flew again from his prison for the first time in decades and searched for the damned Gwyllgi.

Then, the three kids rushed to their grandpa side and they said with tears in their eyes, one by one:

"Gapa, Im sowwy"

"Gapa, Im sowwy"

"So sowwy, Gapa."

"We heal Gapa's boo boo" Little Conn spoke with determination and Uther smiled briefly and stopped shortly after due to the pain.

The three little princes joined hands and looked intently at the king. For a moment nothing happened, but after another instant he felt his muscles and skin mending, as well as the end of that stinging sensation over his body. They had successfully healed the burns he had suffered. It was amazing how such young children could be so powerful and at the same time be such sweet children too. Whenever someone was hurt near them – either a person or an animal – they would immediately rush to heal them and in case it was too late and the animal was already dead they would cry inconsolably for a long amount of time as if every life lost hurt them deeply. More than anything his grandchildren inspired him to believe that there was still good left in the world.

Then, the three boys hugged him all at once and the old king couldn't help but smile as he returned it. They meant the world to him, and perhaps it was time to build a world in which they wouldn't feel like pariahs for the sole reason of being born the way they were.

Meanwhile, Arthur, Merlin and Morgana fought the Gwyllgi the best way they could. Using barricades with the men pushing to keep the beast outside (with a lot of hidden magic to help prevent the phantom hound from entering the citadel), Camelot was safe for the time being, but that wouldn't be enough.

Storm clouds were gathering above them, which only felt as an omen of utterly doom to the soldiers reunited there.

"Merlin! Tell me that you've found a way to kill this beast! We can't hold for much longer!" Arthur questioned, already out of breath due to physical effort.

"We've only got one shot, so when I say 'let go' everybody must stop pushing and run to the corners." Merlin said, leaving his position by Arthur side and he distanced himself from the barrier, rushing to where Morgana was expecting him.

As he reached her, they embraced and held each other for a few moments as this could pretty much be the last time they could hold one another in this life. For a second, they forgot about keeping the façade of noble and servant and didn't mind if anyone would notice the moment of intimacy that they shared. It didn't matter anymore, they gazed into each other's eyes hoping that they could communicate the range of emotions they were feeling: love, trust, fear, understanding and certain contentment that if they were dying there and now at least it was with one of the persons they loved most in the entire world.

The two disentangled and faced the barricade while holding hands.

Merlin was about to usher the command when Kilgharrah swoop in and fired a blast at the Gwyllgi. The beast screeched, it was obviously hurt, but after that he pressed harder against the blockade, trying to breach in.

The Great Dragon flew closer to the creature and breathed more flames against it. The Gwyllgi shrieked in pain, now abandoning his initial goal to flee instead.

As it reached the open field, Kilgharrah breathed more fire, finally killing the creature.

Most of the viewers were utterly confused. Why was the dragon defending Camelot? Wait, wasn't this beast the one kept for more than twenty years imprisoned by King Uther?

Though, as the first person cheered because they had survived the attack the rest joined, forgetting that there was still an enormous magical creature that held grudges against the kingdom just outside.

As for our warlock, he did try to thank the dragon and ask him more:

"Kilgharrah! Thank you! Thank you! But how did you managed to escape from the chains?!"

Kilgharrah wheezed, annoyed. He wasn't particularly happy that were Merlin's spawn that stopped his long awaited and just revenge. So, he only replied:

"Later, Merlin. I just want to flight as far away as possible from Camelot." And with that he took off, while Merlin tried again to speak with him:

"But Kilgharrah –"

"Later …" was everything the warlock heard. The dragon was already out of reach.

A month has passed since the attack and Uther had made up his mind. He would abdicate his throne in Arthur's favor, he would be a better king than him. At least that he had achieved, probably not by his own merits, more by theirs – his children were better persons that him, as if they were improved versions of him.

Maybe it was time to let the new generation claim their rightful place and build a reality that he wished for when he became king – a kingdom that flourished at the solid foundation of justice, freedom, virtue and peace. That was why he had become king, that was why he had so many supporters. Back then, with Ygraine by his side, he felt that he could bring such times for Camelot and later on for Albion, alas, he was wrong. Grief had blinded him, hate had took over him and he destroyed part of what he initially stood for.

So, it was time to look for redemption, that couldn't be achieved with him remaining as king. Going back now, after more than twenty years of hate could be disastrous. He feared not for his life, not anymore, but in case one of the sorcerers he had persecuted before desired to have their vengeance against him, they could end up aiming at his family too, getting his precious children and grandchildren hurt.

No, there was a way in which that wouldn't happen, even if it meant he had to abandon them and let the people see how different they are from him.

Uther had already decided, he would roam the land and try to do good, as some sort of atonement for all the suffering he had caused. It was obvious that it wouldn't be enough, it would never be. But he knew that three little boys would be really proud of him and maybe, one day as they become older and find out about who their grandfather really was, they'll remember the good moments they spent together and that in the end he decided to do his very best inspired by them and their mother and uncle.

Uther locked the small chest above his table, putting the key next to it along with a note addressed to Arthur and a royal proclamation. Inside the container, there were letters to his loved ones and friends. To his grandchildren he had written one to every birthday they had until they'd be eighteen, probably more time than he would actually live.

He hoped that this was enough, that one day they would understand.

Then he turned, grabbed a satchel and disappeared in the night.