I am extremely sorry for the delay, there's been a lot going on at my home, however, I'm mostly back on track now, just waiting for my AS level results tomorrow, which I'm nervous about, anyway, enjoy this chapter, hope it was worth the wait, please review!
Arthur helped Mithian to sit. There had been reports that Nemeth had been attacked, however, Arthur had been made to believe that Nemeth had recovered. From what Mithian had told him those who had been able to get out had, it was clear no one could survive from the attack. Arthur looked at the woman who he had nearly married.
"So, have you heard anything from your Father, or brother?" He asked, cautious with his words, if the two men had been killed in the battle then talking about them would be even more grief for Mithian. She shook her head.
"All I know is the Saxons who attacked were heading for my Father's chambers, I fought off one before they noticed me, all I could do is flee, or stay and be killed." Arthur nodded, putting a comforting arm around her. If her Father and brother were dead, that meant that Mithian was the rightful heir to Nemeth's throne, however, that was probably the last thing on her mind at the moment. Arthur turned his attention to the court yard which he could see from the window. Leon, Elyan and Gwaine were by their horses, getting ready to ride out to Essetir, Caerleon and Gawant for help and information. Arthur knew that if the neighbouring Kingdoms agreed to help then there was a chance Nemeth could be recovered. Lancelot had already ridden out to Mercia and Percival to Odin's Kingdom, although Arthur had told Percival to ask for information under Nemeth's name and go in green, as Odin would be reluctant to help Camelot. Arthur had already heard that Olaf's Kingdom had fallen, and when asking if they needed help there had been no reply. Alined's Kingdom had been extremely quiet for the last few months which meant that Arthur had decided not to send anyone there.
"I can tell you honestly that we shall fight to retrieve your kingdom and free your people, whatever it takes." Arthur told Mithian who nodded. Arthur smiled at her before walking out of the room. He decided he would pay a visit to Merlin.
##
"Who is it?" Morgana's voice called when Arthur knocked on the door.
"It's your long suffering brother." He answered. Within seconds Morgana opened the door.
"Arthur, what a nice surprise!" Morgana said smiling; although Arthur had the feeling he had interrupted something.
"Have I bothered you in some way Morgana?" He asked and Morgana shook her head.
"Not at all, I was about to take a bath, which you can probably tell, so, what do you want?" Arthur sighed.
"Do you know where Merlin is; I need to talk to him about something." Morgana smile ceased.
"As far as I know, he was going to visit Gaius, although I'm not entirely sure." Arthur frowned.
"So, you don't know where your husband is?" He asked sounding surprised. Morgana just rolled her eyes before retorting.
"Do we have to spend every second together, do you constantly keep tabs on where Gwen is?" Arthur shook his head, glad at least that he and Morgana were back to their old fraternal relationship, which they'd had building since her return.
"Well, I'm sorry I disturbed you." Arthur said before heading quickly out of the door and taking the route to Gaius' chambers.
##
It turned out Arthur didn't need to finish his journey, as he walked into Merlin on the way there. Merlin stopped and eyed him suspiciously.
"What do you want Arthur?"
"I need to ask you something, about Mithian."
"Oh?" Arthur decided it was now or never, so spoke directly to him.
"You know I was said to rise again when Albion was in need of me, and also unite the kingdoms together?"
"Yes." Merlin said, regretting the day he had told Arthur of his destiny due to Arthur asking about every few weeks.
"Well, is that time now? The kingdoms I've appealed too to help Nemeth, will I be uniting them by doing so?" Merlin had absolutely no idea of how to answer, so made a quick decision.
"I can't answer off the top of my head, but I know someone who could. Tonight, when it gets dark come to my chambers, I can take you to said person." Arthur nodded before walking off. He did have one last question, but he'd ask that later.
##
"Arthur, where are you going?" Gwen asked, curious to her husband's mood that day.
"I need to go and meet someone, I'm taking Merlin with me, don't worry." Gwen smirked and Arthur raised an eyebrow at her.
"Sorry, it's just, sometimes I forget Merlin has magic and is just as powerful, when you say he's going with you I imagine him just stood at the side-lines, looking at the sword." Arthur laughed.
"We're not going anywhere dangerous; I'll be back later, what will you be doing?"
"Well, Morgana and I were going to go and keep Morgause company, I think she's missing Leon. I would invite Mithian, but I've noticed she always distances herself from us." Arthur smiled before kissing his wife. Gwen was the one who broke off.
"Go, I know Merlin's hardly on time, but you don't want to be as bad as him!" Arthur grinned before heading to the door.
##
For the second time that day it was Morgana who opened the door. She looked him over once before calling Merlin.
"Ready to go?" Merlin asked, Arthur raised his hand in mock irritancy.
"Would I be here otherwise?"
"Good point." Merlin agreed, going over to where a chest of drawers was a taking out a coat. He went over and kissed Morgana on the cheek.
"See you later." He said to her. As the two men went to leave, Arthur remembered something.
"Oh, Guinevere's getting ready; you might want to go to her." Morgana nodded before closing the door behind them.
##
"So Merlin, where are we actually going?"
"You'll see." Merlin said chirpily as he and Arthur headed to a clearing in the forest. Now, how to explain that the dragon wasn't dead?
"You remember that dragon you, er, killed?" Arthur chuckled.
"Of course I do what about it?" Merlin bit his lip before replying.
"Well he never died, he… oh, well, and he's there." The dragon was currently descending on them; Arthur took a step back and drew his sword.
"It's alright." Merlin reassured, similar to the way he had assured Lancelot when he'd met the dragon.
"Young Warlock, why have you brought the once and future king?" The dragon asked, his voice steady and shocking Arthur.
"Well, he has some questions. As do I." The dragon nodded before turning to Arthur.
"What do you wish to ask?" Arthur steadied himself before standing at the same distance as Merlin.
"I am said to rise when Albion's need is great, is that time now?" The dragon's lips curled upwards, a look Merlin recognised.
"Yes, it is said to be at the battle of Nemeth that the once and future king is said to fulfil his destiny." Arthur nodded before speaking once more.
"Once my destiny has been fulfilled, there will be no need for me, will I die?" This question shocked Merlin, not nearly because of the content but the way Arthur asked it, he wasn't sounding afraid.
"You will not die, merely lead the life you wish to lead, and when your time is up, choose your successor wisely, do not choose merely the first born son you have, but the one who shows they are ready to be king." Arthur frowned, confused. Merlin decided to step in before the dragon said any more of his riddles.
"There's something I want to ask, it concerns my father as well as me." The dragon looked at Merlin before answering, he could already predict Merlin's question.
"You never lose the gift of being a Dragon Lord, now both you and your Father have this gift, when your child turns of age, he shall bear it also. And you can tell the witch that Aithusa is safe." At the dragon's last comment, Merlin turned and started heading back to the forest and Camelot. Arthur followed him, hearing the dragon fly off.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Merlin asked shortly, Arthur had a feeling it was something to do with this Aithusa.
"Whose Aithusa?"
"A white dragon that I released, Morgana cares for her, but Kilgarrah constantly calls Morgana a witch, even now he won't use her proper name." Arthur nodded, understanding Merlin's annoyance. When Guinevere had been crowned queen there had been people calling her names, mostly behind her back.
"So, we have the answers, all I need now is the word from the other kingdoms and then I can finish what we started." Merlin turned and smiled at his friend, before the two of them headed back to Camelot, destiny awaiting them.