You guys have no idea how long I have been waiting to write this part of the story. XD I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this, and I hope you do too.

I've had this chapter written for days, but again, I was having trouble feeling that the emotions were right. I called upon my friend Tom and my sister again and I'm pleased with how it came out. Bit of a long one. Enjoy!

Reviewer Responses

DragonLordEmrys: I'm glad it is holding your interest. :)

WE-ARE-SHER-LOCKED: Yoooouuuu'll seeeeeee.

AmeliaKaitin: Thank you. :)

amberW: Generally, it's a messy process of things dumping out of my brain unbidden and me trying to frankenstein them together into something that resembles a plot.

Felicity P: Aww... thanks!

shadow visor: I'm so glad you like it!

Jossy99: Ooh, all is not as it seems. :3

1983Sarah: I was thinking everyone had forgotten about her. Lol. She been down there a lot. I love Dayla. She's so cute and plot-convenient.

servant123: Was that a good or a bad oh my? XD

Ash9: I always figured that if Merlin found that he was going to die, and there was no way he could save himself, he couldn't be too torn up about it. Not to say that he wants to die, but he is so dedicated to his purpose and so used to facing death that it no longer really bothers him. I get the feeling that the only thing that would be on his mind would be to make sure someone was there for Arthur. As for the druids, I always thought it was interesting that the druids... all of them... were waiting for Emrys to arrive. No matter how united the minds of a people may be, there will always be dissenters; people for whom he is not acting quick enough.

Carri007: Really? Thanks!

ebonypol: *flinches* Okay! :D

digiwriter1392: Lol, Merlin's been in Arthur's head for years. As for now... you'll have to wait and find out.

Morena Evensong: That was a big fun point for me. The poem that I made up had to sit in the back seat for 11 chapters, and now it finally gets used. XD

blackcallalily: Will dew!

I don't own Merlin and here we go!

There was no doubt in Arthur's mind whose voice he had just heard, but Merlin's eyes remained closed. He shook him, but there was no response. "Merlin?" Behind him, Dayla chewed on her lip, deciding to let the king figure it out on his own. It would be rather difficult to explain anyway. "Merlin!" Arthur cried again.

"Not so loud, Dollop-head."

Arthur stared at Merlin's still form. His lips had not moved, though the voice spoke. He turned to Gaius. "You heard that, right?"

Gaius was looking around the room. "I did, Sire. It was most certainly Merlin."

"But he's asleep."

"I don't feel asleep."

"How do you feel, Merlin?" Gaius asked to the air.

"A lot better, actually. Though... a little light-headed."

"Your lips aren't moving," said Arthur, staring at Merlin's face like he expected it to spring to life.

"Are they not?"

"Not at all." He spun, placing the point of his sword down and leaning on it. "Where are you?"

"I think I'm in front of you, but all I can see is your leg."

Arthur looked down at his feet. There was nothing there and so he looked to Gaius. The physician looked as confused as he did. "Are you a spirit, Merlin?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow at him. "A spirit, Gaius?"

"Well, one possessed Elyan," offered Gaius.

"I don't feel like a spirit. And why am I so short?"

"Perhaps if you tried moving around or pushing something in the room?" suggested Gaius. He heard Merlin grunt with effort, but nothing seemed to move. He glanced to the king as Arthur suddenly lost his balance on the sword and fell to the floor.

"Now I see the ceiling. And I see you Gaius. It's as if I'm lying at your feet."

Gaius looked down and nearly jumped back at what he saw. Arthur scrambled to his feet and dusted himself off as his face heated up. He leaned on the sword again as though to prove he was unafraid of the same thing happening twice. "Sire... look at the blade of the sword," said Gaius with a strange mixture of perplexity and awe in his voice.

Arthur tilted his head for a moment before flipping the sword up and staring into the polished metal. He nearly dropped the sword at the sight of Merlin's blue eyes staring back at him. It was as though he were looking through a window to where Merlin was standing on the other side.

"He's in my sword... Merlin's in my sword!"

"I'm what?"

Dayla nodded. "Emrys' magic is unique. He does not simply have magic... he is magic. Into the stone was not only drawn his magic, but his soul as well. The áhredding has allowed Emrys' soul and magic to be contained within the blade, giving you the protection and power that will be needed to keep your kingdom safe."

Arthur stared between Merlin's eyes and Dayla's small frame before shoving the sword into its scabbard.

"It's dark in here"

"Shut up, Merlin," Arthur growled at his hip. He knelt to look at Dayla. "How am I supposed to leave with Morgana possibly enacting a plan to overtake Camelot?"

Dayla smiled. "That is why I was sent here, My Lord." She wandered to the window and looked out. "It has always been known in my family that one day Emrys would be threatened and that if anything happened to the tomb of Myrrdin, we were to bring the áhredding to the king." She turned to look at him. "Just as my family has had this mission for centuries, so too has the Wylt tribe been plotting Camelot's downfall to the evil Fox. If the kingdom is to survive this onslaught, the Once and Future King will require the protection and power of Emrys. I was trained specifically to help protect Camelot when the king must leave and save him."

Arthur stared at her. She was so small and young. How was it that he was to entrust his kingdom to such a youth? "How can you do that?"

She dug into her pocket and produced a blue stone that greatly resembled the red one that now decorated Excalibur. "This is the gem of Taliesin. It was developed by my tribe more than three hundred years ago to help us guard Camelot. It will not last long, but hopefully it will keep the threat at bay long enough for you to return."

"Hopefully?"

Dayla sighed. "I must supply the gem with my own power. I can only hope I can sustain it long enough."

Arthur's heart dropped into his stomach at the uncertainty of her statement, but he could suddenly feel Merlin smile. "You have great power, Dayla. I could sense that the minute I touched you." Dayla blushed. "But even so... I would like to offer another form of help to ensure that the enemy does not reach Camelot; Kilgharrah."

Arthur looked confused, but Gaius looked up. "The great dragon?"

The king glared at the blade. "The creature that almost destroyed Camelot once before?"

"Under my command, he will not harm a single person in your kingdom, Arthur."

Dayla smiled. "I would be honored to work alongside the great Dragon."

Arthur seemed less confident, but he sighed. If it was possible to add to his city's defenses, he would take it. "So how do we talk to him?" he asked. "Do you just mind-speak with him, too?"

As Merlin answered, Dayla turned and vanished into Merlin's chambers, shutting the door behind her.

"No, I must call him."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, that will go over really well with the lookouts."

"You underestimate me, Arthur. I speak with him near the city all the time."

Arthur stared at the sword again before shoving it back in the sheathe. "It's amazing how much you've gotten away with over the years."

"I don't talk with him right outside the walls. There is a clearing near the south tower that is hidden by trees. That is where I meet with him."

Arthur considered how frightened he was at the discovery that something as large as the dragon could land so near without detection. A moment later, he walked to the door to speak to the guards outside. "Send for the queen and Sirs Leon, Percival, Gwaine, and Elyan."

"What are you doing?"

Arthur slammed the door shut as fast as he could. "You mind not talking in front of the guards? It's bound to seem a little magical, considering there's no one around to be speaking."

"Oh, that could have been coming from inside the chambers."

"Just do as your told for once, Merlin," groaned Arthur.

"Alright, but like I said, what are you doing?"

"If there is going to be a dragon flying around in the sky above the city, I would rather my best knights know that it means them no harm. The panic that would ensue could possibly destroy the city from within."

"Makes sense, but what are you going to tell the rest of the soldiers?"

Arthur shrugged. "We'll think of something."

Merlin's laugh bubbled out of the blade."You have a lot more confidence in that than you should, Arthur. Do you have any idea how many times I had to come up with a way to explain away my magic... and you believed me? I don't imagine everyone is as gullible as you, Sire."

Arthur yanked the sword from its scabbard again.

"Whoa!"

The king smiled. "So you can feel when I move the sword?" He flipped the sword around in his hand a few times. "Seems a nice punishment for comments like that."

"I don't know... this is kind of fun."

Again, he could feel Merlin's smirk and he growled. He grabbed the hilt as though he were wrapping his hands around someone's throat. He then began to shake the sword back and forth violently. "What about this? Is it still fun?"

It was at that moment that the door opened to allow Gwen and the knights to enter. They stopped at the sight of Arthur shaking his sword. Gwen took a step forward, as though she were approaching a madman. "Arthur, are you alright?"

Arthur stopped and shoved the sword into its sheathe once again.

"Ow!"

"Merlin?" called Gwaine, looking around at the sound of his friend's voice. He spotted the warlock's prone form on the examination table. He and Guinevere dashed to their sleeping friend's side. "Are you alright?"

Elyan, Percival, and Leon seemed to notice that the voice had not come from the direction of the table and looked into the air.

"I'm fine. Just stuck."

"Why aren't your lips moving?" asked Gwaine, raising an eyebrow and staring at Merlin's face much like Arthur had just previously been doing.

Arthur waved his hands and stepped toward the table. "Merlin has already fallen into the sleep that Morven spoke of."

"If he's asleep then how can we hear him speaking?" asked Gwen, looking to her husband.

"It's a bit of a long story, but he is in my sword." He patted the top of the hilt.

"Please don't do that, Arthur. It feels... weird."

Arthur removed his hand.

"In your sword?" repeated Leon, staring at the hilt. Arthur nodded and withdrew the weapon again, holding it horizontally so that the group could see the eyes staring from within it.

"I'm glad to see that everyone is alright after what happened in the council chambers."

Gwaine was clearly having difficulty reconciling the separation of Merlin's personality and body and seemed a little off-balance, looking between Merlin's eyes in the blade and the sleeping servant on the table. Leon, Elyan, and Percival didn't seem to be able to conjure a reaction, and settled for listening to the conversation until they could come to terms that what surrounded them now was rather real.

After taking a moment to ensure this wasn't some bizarre dream Gwen stepped forward. "Edlyn has lost her right eye. It seems Frio is quite the fighter."

The affection that swelled in Arthur's chest could easily be traced back to the sword. It felt strange; feeling another set of emotions.

"She is indeed. I didn't expect her to sense the danger from out on her hunt."

Arthur sheathed Excalibur again and crossed his arms. "We can talk about all this on the way. We need to get moving."

"Where are we going, Sire?" asked Elyan, turning and heading out the door. Arthur did not explain, but ushered them all outside.

It took quite a bit of time for the group to get their horses together. Arthur floundered a little, finding someone to get everything ready now that Merlin couldn't. The king spent most of the journey explaining all that they had learned from Dayla. As they approached the clearing, Arthur heard Merlin snicker.

"What are you laughing at?" demanded Arthur.

"Just thinking about our trip down south. Do you even know how to set up camp on your own? Much less cook?"

He heard a few more quiet snickers behind him and turned in his saddle to glare at the knights behind him. They all held straight faces and Arthur spent a moment attempting to discover which of them had laughed. He turned back to the front and rolled his eyes. He was certain that setting up camp would be simple enough, simply taking longer without the servant. He knew how to do everything, but having an extra pair of hands was helpful. The cooking was another matter. He shrugged it off, refusing to let Merlin know he'd made a point.

"I'm sure we can find someone who can cook," he assured him, loud enough for the knights behind him to hear.

"I can cook a little, Sire," offered Percival. "Not too many things, but it should serve its purpose."

Arthur smiled proudly. "You see, Merlin? We'll be fine."

"If you say so."

The group tied the horses a ways behind the treeline and headed into the clearing. In the distance, the south tower loomed and Arthur glared at it accusingly. "You'd think someone would have noticed."

"Be glad they didn't. Kilgharrah has helped me a lot in saving your royal backside."

Arthur drew the sword and held it up. "We're here, what now?"

The sword began to vibrate and the power flowing down his arm increased in power. The cry from the blade split the quiet air and Merlin's roar made the knights flinch and back away slightly.

"O drakon, e mala soi ftengometh tesd'hup anankes! Erkheo!(1)"

The power that had been building in Arthur's arms did little more than dissipate as the cry died away. There was silence as the cry ended and the group stared at the sword in slight wonder, not entirely sure what to expect.

"Um... was something meant to happen?" asked Arthur.

There was a long pause that followed, and Arthur felt Merlin's confusion. "Something's wrong... he's not responding to my call."

"What do you mean?" Arthur demanded. "I thought you could command this beast!"

"I can! It's just..."

Merlin's bolt of realization hit Arthur in the gut.

"It's the sword. My magic is so free-flowing, I have none of the control I normally rely on." Arthur looked into the blade. "You will have to utter the spell, Arthur."

Arthur stared at the sword for a long moment, trying to work out if his servant was serious or not. "You want me to what?" He looked back at his knights, though they didn't particularly look like they had any answers for the king. "You want me to cast magic?"

"I want you to cast my magic."

"Are you thick?" asked Arthur glaring into Merlin's eyes. "How in the world am I supposed to do that?"

"Relax. I will cast the magic through your incantation. All you have to do is recite the words."

"Recite that hullabaloo you just shouted?"

"It's not hullabaloo. It's the call of a dragonlord."

"Whatever it is, how am I supposed to even say it? I haven't the faintest idea what you just said."

"Then I'll teach you."

The next several minutes passed as Merlin recited the incantation word by word and Arthur did his best to repeat it. The knights spread around the area, leaning against trees or taking a seat on the grass in boredom. However, soon it was clear that the king couldn't quite wrap his mouth around the odd sounds. "This is hopeless," groaned Arthur, sighing and standing as the sun began to set. "Even if I did manage to say all that, I'd still have to memorize it. This isn't going to work." He turned toward his knights and was about to walk to them when he stopped. There was something niggling in the back of his mind, as though someone were poking the back of his head. He placed a hand on the affected area and then looked at the sword. "Is that you, Merlin?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing?"

"Trying something."

"You're fiddling with my brain without permission?" Arthur demanded indignantly.

"Oh please, I put your pants on you every morning and I draw baths for you. This is hardly the most privacy-invading thing I've done for you."

Arthur blushed and his wife snickered. "What are you trying?" The king received no answer as the blade he held flashed golden. Arthur suddenly threw his head back, a roar coming from his throat, "O drakon, e mala soi ftengometh tesd'hup anankes! Erkheo!"

Arthur stumbled after the cry and stared wide-eyed at the knights and his wife. "What in the hell was that?!" he yelled at the blade.

"Hey, it worked!"

"What did you just do?!"

"Borrowed your voice."

"How did you do that?" laughed Percival.

"By fiddling with his mind."

"Make him say something silly!" prompted Gwaine, his eyes sparkling.

Arthur pointed at his knight. "This is not a game! I'm a pompous arrogant cabbage-head!" He placed a hand on his mouth and glared at the sword before shoving it roughly into its scabbard.

"Ow... not so hard."

Gwaine roared with laughter, and Percival attempted not to join him. Leon failed to see the humor in the little exchange and Gwen and Elyan were fighting to contain their smiles.

"Did it work?" asked Arthur through gritted teeth.

"Yes. I can feel him responding. He is close."

"What will happen when he finds out what has happened to you, Merlin?" asked Leon. He wasn't sure he was ready to face the great beast again, not with his knights' deaths so readily in his mind. "Will he be angry?"

"Don't worry. He knows that none here have the power to do this to me."

Arthur looked to the clear skies and to the moon before sticking the end of his sword into the ground and sitting down in front of it to wait. Around him, the knights and Guinevere scooted closer and settled themselves again.

"He will help us, won't he?" asked Elyan of the sword.

"He will. He must do as I command." Guilt entered his voice. "I have forced him to help me before. Hopefully that won't be necessary again."

Arthur scooted closer to Guinevere and wrapped his arms around her as she shivered in the cool night air. "Perhaps... we could claim an illusion," he muttered in thought. His head perked up as Merlin's words sunk in. "Wait, 'hopefully'? Is there a reason he would refuse?"

There was a pause as Merlin seemed to think it over.

"It's possible. Kilgharrah has spent the last several years keeping out of the sight of humans. He knows that if his breed is to remain, no one must know that he still lives."

"But what is he afraid of?" asked Leon. "What would such a mighty dragon have to fear?"

"Arthur."

The king looked up. "Me?"

"The druids aren't the only ones afraid that you will fall back into Uther's ways."

Arthur glared at the sword. "You didn't tell him otherwise?" he asked with no small amount of accusation in his eyes.

"He knows you aren't your father, Arthur. But that doesn't mean that you are completely ready to accept magic yet. You are keeping my secret because you don't know what to do with me, after all."

Arthur had to concede the point. Even holding Excalibur in his hands- a weapon of powerful magic, magic that was clearly no more evil than any of his knights- he could barely wrap his head around the idea of a benevolent sorcerer. He was trying, but every instinct that he had developed was warring against it.

A great shadow passed over the clearing and the sound of beating wings drew all eyes upwards. Eyes around the clearing were drawn to the massive figure silhouetted against the moon. It turned and dived toward them, the knights leaping to their feet and holding the hilts of their swords for comfort. Arthur pulled Excalibur from the ground and did his best to stare unflinchingly at the dragon. He felt Gwen scoot closer to him and he gently held one of her hands. The wind from the dragon's flight hit them suddenly until Arthur had to turn his face away. By the time he looked back, he was staring into the great golden eyes of the beast. They were far more intelligent than he had assumed. The last time he had seen this creature had been during its wild rage against his city, driven by nothing other than hatred and vengeance. The eyes he stared into now were so far removed from such emotions that Arthur could scarcely believe they belonged to the same beast.

Arthur had to catch his breath as the dragon looked him over. Behind him, he could hear his knights shifting anxiously. The dragon seemed not to mind. In fact, something of a smile came over the beast's face.

"It is an honor to finally meet you, King Arthur," said the dragon.

His voice boomed deep in Arthur's chest. The creature could talk. Truly, where was the monster that had killed dozens of his knights and people? This creature was intelligent, controlled... and beautiful. The moonlight skipped along his scales as he shifted and breathed. His eyes were deep and wise. Arthur managed a small smile and straightened his stance, attempting to look as diplomatic as possible. "And you, Killgera."

The dragon chuckled. "Kilgharrah," he corrected.

Beads of sweat began to appear on Arthur's brow. "Of course. My apologies."

Kilgharrah looked toward the sword and if he had eyebrows, the look in his eyes told Arthur he would be raising one of them. He lowered his head until his massive jaws rested on the grass, his eyes focused on both Arthur and his weapon. "An interesting predicament you have found yourself in, young warlock."

Arthur was suddenly overcome with a sense of familiarity, the calm spreading from the fingers held around Excalibur's hilt all the way to his feet. He felt himself relax in the beast's presence, as though they were old friends.

"Yes. Apparently the druid tribe of Wylt has been plotting against me for quite some time."

"It would appear," said the dragon, raising his head again. "It seems Myrrdin's followers have joined with Morgana to bring about the destruction of Camelot, and Albion with it."

"I am traveling south to retrieve the other half of the Emrys stone that confines Merlin to the sword. One from the tribe of Viliane has said she has the power to protect Camelot, but I fear for my people," said Arthur, taking a step forward.

"You would ask me to help protect your lands, King Arthur?" asked the dragon with a hint of humor in his voice.

"I would," said Arthur. When the dragon said nothing for a moment, Merlin piped up.

"He asks on my behalf, Kilgharrah. I don't want to have to command you."

Arthur looked to his sword in astonishment at the amount of authority in his servant's voice. This threat to the dragon of forcing him to assist them was one that held weight.

Kilgharrah bowed a little. "That will not be necessary, Merlin. I will protect Albion."

Arthur waved to his knights. "My men will be fighting on the ground should Morgana's people get through the magical defenses. They will tell the people of the city that you are an illusion, cast by Morgana to incite panic. Hopefully that will allow you to remain a secret."

The dragon smiled. "Thank you, King Arthur." Arthur swore he saw pride in the creature's eyes for a moment before a wave of the same emotion passed from the sword and into him. The dragon smiled again. "How times have changed, my young king." Merlin's affection swelled in Arthur's chest again. "You are destined to be far greater than your father."

Arthur had difficulty crafting a response to that. The magical entities of the kingdom surely thought of his father as an evil tyrant, but Arthur could have no such feelings. However familiar Merlin was making him feel with Kilgharrah's presence, he wasn't sure he was about to object to one of his statements. He settled for a smile and a nod.

The creature spread his wings and crouched to take off. "Below in the vaults of Camelot, you must retrieve the Héafodwóð; the voice of the dragonlords. With it, your druid friend will be able to summon me when I am needed." Arthur was nearly blown off his feet as Kilgharrah launched from the earth and quickly gained altitude.

"Thank you... old friend."

Arthur looked to the sword and though Kilgharrah was already far out of earshot, he somehow knew the dragon had heard.

1: O dragon, permit the appeal for an audience to speak here, fierce, wise-minded one! Come to earth! From the episode The Sorcerer's Shadow. Translation from the Merlin wiki page.

Okay, I want to say something witty and fun, but I am exhausted and I'm gonna go to bed. Hope you've enjoyed it! Leave a review and let me know what you think!