A/N:

Just got back from a cruise feeling refreshed and ready to give you guys some more! This one is for kitkat!

Blah blah

CHARACTERS: Arthur, Merlin, Knights, Kilgarrah & Aithusa

RATED: T

GENRE: Hurt/Comfort & Angst

WHAT IF...S04Ep4 Aithusa - when Merlin saved Aithusa he turned around to head back into the forest to find the knights and they were standing right there? What will Merlin do when Arthur demands the egg so he can destroy it?

THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN

Heart of a Dragonlord

The moment he wrapped his long fingers gently around the smooth, warm egg and lifted it from the plinth on which it had rested for four hundred years, Merlin cursed his stupidity. Of course there would be stringent measures put in place to punish the thieves that had managed to bypass the first trap. Had Merlin paid attention, instead of racing on as soon as the poisonous dissipated, he would have already come to the conclusion that the Tomb of Ashkanar would be further protected. The tremors began gently, catching the youth's attention as he cupped the treasure at its rounded base and as he peered up to the cavernous ceiling, he was showered by dust and small stones, peppering his hair grey.

Clutching the egg close to his body, he cast a sideways glance at Borden's still form and ran. As he raced through the towering pillars, large chunks of stone crashed dangerously around him, but Merlin was determined to protect the egg with his life, so he urged his legs on, despite the burn of exertion in his calf muscles. The debris was growing in size as the structure crumbled, and the young man was finding it difficult to navigate the tomb as its walls fell inwards.

Suddenly, he stumbled and pain exploded at the back of his head, sending his vision white for several moments as he teetered on the brink of consciousness. Swallowing the nausea that rose from his gut, the young Dragonlord continued to run, head throbbing painfully as hot blood welled from the gash and tricked down the nape of his neck. Merlin's vision wavered again, but he continued – seeing the light of his freedom ahead.

Just a few more steps, and you can rest.

The warlock promised himself, whilst trying to avoid losing the last meal he ate. He burst from the tomb at speed, the sound of its collapse ringing in his ears as he dodged shrubs and boulders in order to get well clear of the massive slabs of stone that were peeling away from the vault.

Merlin slowed down as he entered the forest, and sighed in relief upon seeing that his pack was untouched. Holding the egg up, he examined it critically; so enthralled by its silky surface and iridescent sheen of pale blue that he failed to notice the arrival of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

'Ah, Merlin! Well done! You're not nearly as useless as you've led us to believe!' Arthur said, enthused, not yet aware of the blood from Merlin's wound as he clapped him on the shoulder. The youth stiffened, his eyes widening as Arthur reached out to take the egg from him.

Without thinking, Merlin snatched it from Arthur's reach and clutched it protectively to his chest, eyeing the King and Knights warily.

This had to be it – there was no way Merlin could explain his desperate need to save the last dragon without revealing himself.

'Merlin,' Arthur growled a warning, his hand hovering at his hip. 'Hand me the egg. Now.'

The rage in the King's tone made him shudder, but he met the angry blue of Arthur's eyes with his own intense gaze.

'No.' He replied firmly, his unwavering tone eliciting a small gasp of shock from the company of Knights. 'It is not yet born – how can we kill something that hasn't even had the chance to be good?'

Arthur frowned, gripping the hilt of his sword and unsheathing it.

'It is a creature of magic, which makes it inherently evil. You will hand it over, or be executed for treason.'

He lifted the blade slowly and pressed the tip against the hollow of Merlin's throat. Hurt flashed in the young boys eyes and he swallowed convulsively as the blade nicked his flesh.

'Forgive me, Sire,' Merlin said sadly, still holding the egg. This was it – a dangerous choice. He had never performed a spell of this magnitude in the past, but the King had left him no choice. He allowed the pulsating magic to bleed throughout his entire being and closed his eyes.

' Bedyrne me! Astýre me þanonweard!' Merlin chanted, feeling his irises burn gold behind his lids. The sound of rushing wind filled his ears as grey tendrils wrapped his already quaking form. The spell was bleeding his strength faster than he had anticipated, but he could feel himself being whipped into darkness – like a tunnel with a pinprick of light at the end.

He felt the sharp sting of Arthur's sword across his torso before he was sucked into the vortex.

*~*M*~*

It felt as though all the air had been sucked from his lungs by the time Merlin rematerialised in the moonlit field several miles from the Citadel. He fell to his knees with a gasp and the egg rolled gently across the grass as he retched mightily. Arthur knew. The knights knew and he was dead.

Spitting the bitterness from his mouth, he wiped at the tears that began to fall and reached a shaky hand to the pristine object. Grasping it tightly, he raised his cobalt orbs to the heaven and cried, calling the Great Dragon through gasping sobs. He didn't have much time before Arthur found him – he had to finish what he started when he helped Border retrieve the final part of the Treskillion.

I am coming young Warlock...came the soothing thoughts of the Dragon, his huge wings buffeting the trees as he landed heavily upon the meadow.

'You have done well...but you have been injured,' Kilgarrah growled softly, peering at the trembling boy with a large golden eye.

'A-Arthur knows...he finally knows,' Merlin whispered, tears glistening upon the sharp planes of his cheeks. 'He's going to kill me...'

The dragon nudged Merlin gently with his snout and snorted. 'One cannot truly hate the half which makes him whole,'

Great, more riddles.

'You must take the egg and flee – I do not wish you to be here to see it.' Merlin said sadly, nudging the egg toward the giant creature.

'I cannot...only a Dragonlord can call a baby dragon into the world. Only you can hatch it.'

Merlin lifted his gaze to meet Kilgarrah's.

'But I don't know what to do!' He cried. 'I am too weak...'

'You can do this, young Warlock. You must give the dragon a name.'

He hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes, reaching into the part of himself where the heart of his father resided. Like a mist, the name floated into his mind – and his eyes flashed gold.

'Aithusa...' he murmured in the ancient tongue, feeling its power caress the egg.

Merlin watched with curiosity as it rocked on its base, tiny cracks appearing upon the pristine surface. The shell disintegrated slowly, peeling away to reveal a tiny, white dragon – chirping and unfurling its wings after its lengthy confine.

'A white dragon...this bodes well for Albion,' The great dragon said. 'You have done well...'

Merlin allowed himself a small smile, but it fell from his lips almost instantly.

'You have to leave, I can feel Arthur approaching...and he is so angry.'

'I will not allow you to suffer at his mercy, Merlin. If you do not come with me, I shall stay and fight by your side.'

The raven haired youth shook his head. 'No. This is something I must do, alone. I command you to fly.'

Merlin could hear the frantic hoof beats approaching now, and he turned his back on the pair of dragons as they took flight.

'MERLIN!' The King bellowed, breaking through the tree line at a gallop, sword raised and face contorted with rage.

The warlock stood his ground, his eyes locked upon Arthur he neared, not allowing himself to fear the end. The King pounced as his steed passed, and threw himself bodily upon Merlin.

'I trusted you!' Arthur screamed, driving his fist into Merlin's face and relishing at the sight of the traitors blood. Hit after hit fell upon Merlin, but he took the pain – he didn't hit back or use his magic. A pair of calloused hands wrapped around his slender throat and squeezed, not wanting meet the pleading gaze he knew his ex-friend had set upon him.

'Why won't you fight?' Arthur cried, the anger fading to betrayal and loneliness.

'I-I'm hap-py to be your s-servant until the day I d-die...' Merlin choked, his vision dimming as he tried to gasp for air. A flicker of indecision passed across Arthurs face and his grip loosened.

'You lied to me,' the King said softly, his heart racing. He was not sure why he could feel his gut twist itself into knots of regret. Merlin had magic. Magic is evil.

'For your own protection,' Merlin responded quietly, tears falling freely.

'Is that all you lied about? Were you lying about being my friend?' Arthur asked.

'Yes.'

The King swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to ignore the fact that his heart was breaking. He reached out to grasp his sword, but stopped when a cold, thin hand grasped his wrist.

'Because you are my brother.'

Arthur didn't know what to do – blood was pounding in his ears, and the satisfaction of feeling Merlin's skin splitting beneath his fist faded, leaving him nauseas.

The man below him was broken, bleeding and dying.

That was when Arthur decided he couldn't lose his brother. Sorcerer or not Merlin was his friend.

With a deep breath the King reached for the battered youth, not missing the flinch of fear it drew from Merlin.

'I'm sorry...' Arthur admitted softly, snaking an arm around his back and lifting him slightly off the cold ground. Merlin's lids fluttered, threatening to close – that was when Arthur noticed the dark blood glistening upon the grass. 'Oh, Merlin, you idiot,' he berated gently, pulling him into a brotherly embrace as his breath hitched in pain. 'How little you must think of your King...'

'N-never, my lord.' Merlin responded roughly, his strength failing him. 'I lied to you – it is understandable.'

The Kind snorted. 'Stop it Merlin. Manners don't work for you.'

A smile tugged at the young man's lips as peered into the eyes of his brother. 'I'm surprised you even know the meaning of the term, sire...'

A wet chuckle, and Arthur realised he was crying. He wiped his tears hastily and looked at the limp form in his arms.

Alarm flooded his body as he watched the intense cobalt disappear only to be replaced by weakly fluttering lids.

'Merlin, stay awake – I need you alive!' Arthur growled in frustration, slapping the boys face.

It was no use. With a shuddering breath, the Warlock lost consciousness.

Grunting, Arthur shifted himself into a more comfortable position and settled the young man into his lap protectively. He had no idea how far away the Knights where, so to pass the time, he thought of Merlin. Selfless, brave, strong, incredibly stupid Merlin – who had saved his life on more than one occasion – was now unconscious, breathing laboured.

His fingers carded gently through the raven locks as he waited. He was not going to prosecute his best friend – not anymore.

Merlin was hurt, possibly dying. Explanations would come later.

His Brother came first.

I hope you enjoyed that! Stay tuned, for the next prompt is for Claret Tho – in which Merlin is a female, and she and Arthur are just like a married couple.