Chapter Twelve
The dragon, Arthur thought suddenly.
He should have been focused on writing his speech. Calls to battle were one thing – all you had to do was stir up existing passion for home and family, and Arthur usually found that a unifying cry of "For the love of Camelot!" would inspire and embolden his men. But he was trying to find a way to announce to a people who had feared and rejected magic for more than two decades that legalising its use would be beneficial for the kingdom. The task seemed almost insurmountable and if he was going to have any hope of success he would need to give this speech his undivided attention.
But he could not stop thinking about Merlin.
He wasn't getting better. The only word he had spoken since his rescue was Arthur's name and it had been a long time since he said even that. The only person he tried to communicate with was Arthur, and not through lack of their trying; Gwen, Gaius and the knights were all regular visitors but they were lucky if he listened passively to their words – more often than not his magic would forcibly evict them. He was still having nightmares and the damage his magic was causing to the cave was becoming increasingly severe.
At this rate, it would be a long time before Merlin would be able to be integrated back into the castle, if that day ever came.
Arthur truly believed that returning magic to Camelot was the right thing to do, but going ahead with those plans didn't feel right without Merlin. Merlin had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep Camelot safe, risking his life time and again, giving everything he had and expecting nothing in return. All he had ever wanted was to be accepted for who he was, wholly and completely.
The return of magic could lead to improved health, flourishing crops and increased security for the kingdom. It would make for a fair and just society. But ultimately, Arthur was doing this for Merlin. What point was there in allowing magic to return to the realm if Merlin and his magic were still caged? Besides, without Merlin to act as the leader and overseer of this radical change Arthur strongly doubted that it would succeed. Merlin was his proof to the people that magic could be a force for good. It would be Merlin's assurances that gave those with magic the courage to come out of hiding. Merlin's impeccable judge of character would be invaluable in selecting sorcerers to fill positions in the government, industries and army. Mostly importantly, Merlin's power would keep others in check so that the new laws would not be exploited. Camelot needed her protector, magicians needed their champion, and Arthur needed his friend.
Merlin needed to recover. But after what had been done to him, Arthur didn't see how he could. At least not on his own.
But Arthur had been pondering the problem and a possible solution had suddenly occurred to him.
The Great Dragon was alive. He had knowledge spanning centuries. He had known how to fight almost every magical threat Camelot had faced. He had provided Merlin with the spell that had healed Morgana of a brain injury that would have claimed her life, and he had brought Merlin back from the brink of death more than once.
None of the books Gaius had, scientific or magical in nature, offered a cure for a malady such as this. But if anyone knew how to heal Merlin, surely the dragon would.
As a dragon lord, Merlin commanded the dragon's fealty. He would help. He had to.
Abandoning his parchment and quill, Arthur made haste for the physician's new quarters and barely knocked before he burst through the door.
"How do I summon a dragon?"
Gaius stared at him. "Sire?"
"The Great Dragon. I know he's alive. I need to summon him here."
"Whatever for?"
"He is a creature of magic, just like Merlin is. Who could better understand the damage Morgana inflicted and the impact her dark magic has had? The dragon might know how to fix what is wrong with him and bring him back to us."
"Merlin is not merely injured or ill, sire. He is traumatised. I doubt there is a simple cure."
Arthur refused to let his hopes be quashed. "The dragon has knowledge that you do not. I am sorry, Gaius, you are a learned physician and much more of an expert in these matters than I, but this time I need a second opinion. We will not know for certain that the dragon cannot help until we ask."
"A dragon cannot be summoned by anyone other than a dragon lord, sire. Kilgarrah will only come if Merlin calls."
"Merlin retains the ability to speak in the language of the Old Religion. If the dragon tongue is similarly rooted in magic, he should be able to recall enough for a summoning spell."
"I suppose it is possible."
"Good. I will make the necessary arrangements immediately."
Arthur hurried to Agravaine's chambers to inform him that he would be absent from court.
"Again? Sire-"
"This is important. You can cover for me, can't you?"
"Of course, Arthur, but I thought you intended to put the new laws on magic into effect this afternoon-"
"I'm postponing the announcement until Merlin has recovered." He wanted Merlin to be there when everything he had worked for finally came to pass, and he wanted to see Merlin's face when he was given his new official title.
"Arthur, I'm sorry, but you must realise how unlikely it is that your manservant will ever recover fully. He was tortured with magic. Magic can inflict agonies that no man-made instrument could, reaching beyond the physical to torment the mind and flay the soul. I am afraid that very little remains of the man you once knew."
"I have seen the harm magic can do, Uncle. But magic can also be used to heal. I am going to get Merlin the help he needs and he is going to get better."
"Where do you hope to obtain such a miracle?"
"The Great Dragon."
Agravaine laughed, but the humour dripped from his face when he saw Arthur's expression. "You're serious. Arthur, I cannot stress enough how extremely hazardous it is to go hunting dragons. Hundreds of knights died during Uther's crusade against the beasts."
"I will not have to hunt him; Merlin can call him here."
Agravaine froze. "You would summon such a monster here? Arthur, you are talking about endangering the life of every innocent person living in this city for the sake of one man! It is madness!"
"The dragon won't hurt anyone. He is obedient to Merlin's commands."
"Merlin cannot even control his own magic!"
"The dragon's quarrel was with my father. He has no reason to harm the people of Camelot, especially now that we are planning to allow the return of magic to the realm. Besides, he has sworn fealty to Merlin. If it is within his power, the dragon will help him, I am certain of it."
"You are risking a lot on blind faith, sire. I strongly advise you against such a reckless course of action."
"I am sorry, Uncle, but I will not be dissuaded. The fate of this kingdom rests on Merlin's shoulders; his recovery is paramount. Please convey my apologies to the councillors. I will return as soon as I can."
Agravaine inclined his head. Arthur didn't see the gleam of triumph in his Uncle's eyes, too preoccupied with wondering what he would say to the dragon to procure his assistance. After all, the last time they had faced each other the dragon had tried to burn him to a crisp and Arthur had thrust a spear into his chest. There was a lot of animosity in their past, but Merlin was their common ground. The dragon would help. He had to.
The first step was getting Merlin to make the call. Arthur made his way down to the cavern, confident that his Uncle would handle matters of state until he returned.
ooOOoo
"Where is King Arthur?"
Lord Baldor had arrived first to the council chambers and accosted Agravaine as soon as he stepped through the doorway. He had been passionately opposed to the new laws on magic from the start and no doubt had planned to present his arguments to Arthur one final time.
Agravaine could not have planned this better if he tried.
"I am afraid the King will not be joining us today, Lord Baldor."
"The King cannot seriously expect us to implement these laws without him. He is the only one pushing for the changes to happen; the rest of us would prefer things remain as they are."
"He is the king. No matter our objections, ultimately he has the final say."
"If Uther was here he would never allow this. King Arthur is going to bring destruction upon this city and the entire kingdom of Camelot will be brought to ruin."
"I fear you may be right," Agravaine said quietly. "If you knew what he planned to do today-"
"What?"
"I'm sorry, I should not have said anything. I was spoken to in confidence."
"Anything you say will not go beyond us, Lord Agravaine, I assure you."
Agravaine glanced quickly behind, checking that they were truly alone. "He summons a dragon as we speak."
"Impossible. There are no more dragons."
"So we have been led to believe, but apparently Merlin has been hiding one. King Arthur called it 'the great dragon'?"
Baldor's face transformed in horror. "Not the same dragon that attacked Camelot."
"Arthur says it is tame now," said Agravaine, allowing doubt to seep into his tone. "He intends to seek its help with healing Merlin."
Fury sparked in the councillor's eyes. "Merlin again! He is nothing but a servant boy. He is the bastard son of a peasant woman and he was not even born within Camelot's borders! I do not see how the King can in good conscience put the welfare of this boy, this lying sorcerer, above the kingdom he is sworn to govern and protect."
"I admit, it does seem strange. Arthur was raised to put his duty to Camelot first. I cannot imagine how his priorities could have shifted so drastically, unless-"
"What is it, Lord Agravaine?"
"You have been present in Camelot longer than I have, Lord Baldor. Has Arthur always held such contrary beliefs to his father?"
"No. In his youth he supported the late king in everything and obeyed his every command. It was expected that he would follow in Uther's footsteps. But in his adolescence he began to challenge his father's decisions. There were times he even argued against him openly in court."
"I see. And when did Merlin become his manservant?"
Revelation dawned on Baldor's face. "Around the same time."
Agravaine nodded slowly. "Merlin is a sorcerer. Maybe this has been his plan all along; to get close to Arthur and gradually corrupt him. Arthur could be under an enchantment."
"That is the only explanation that makes any sense. Magic killed both of King Arthur's parents; were he in his right mind he would never permit the return of sorcery to his kingdom."
"But what can we do? The King will not hear a word against his manservant. He trusts him more than anyone."
"He trusts you, Lord Agravaine."
"Not enough, I fear. If magic has wormed its way inside of him and taken root at his core, Arthur will not see reason. We will not be able to convince him that he is being manipulated against his will; the influence of the magic has been too subtle, too insidious. Merlin has been patiently biding his time; he has strengthened the spell over years so the changes in Arthur would not arouse suspicion. Once magic is legalised, there will be nothing to stand in his way. King Arthur will be nothing but a puppet at his command."
"We cannot allow this to happen, Lord Agravaine. For the sake of Camelot and her King, we must do something."
"I agree. Can I count on your support, Lord Baldor, to do whatever is necessary?"
"Of course. I will give you whatever you need and I will do whatever must be done to save Camelot."
"Are there any others on the council that we can trust?"
"They are all fiercely loyal to King Arthur, but if they knew of the danger he was in… Yes, I believe they would help us. I will speak to them."
"Thank you. Quietly, now, Lord Baldor. We must not allow word of this to spread, lest the sorcerer find out and take measures to stop us."
"I will take every precaution."
"Good." Agravaine held out a hand for the councillor to shake. "Camelot owes you a great debt, Lord Baldor. When King Arthur is free from this curse I am sure he will richly reward your service."
A gleam entered the councillor's eye as greed solidified his commitment to the cause. He shook firmly.
Agravaine hid a smile. That had been almost too easy.
ooOOoo