Amelia's POV
Merlin, Amelia, Percival, and Anne stand in the forests one night, staring up at Kilgharrah as they tell him some rather large news that they came across that the Dragon ought to know. It had been funny to watch the complete and utter shock that dawned on Percival's face when the creature appeared in the sky and flew down to them.
Merlin had been walking to Gaius' Chambers when he overheard the Physician conversing with someone they don't know. Merlin's curiosity was piqued and he listened in. He learnt it was an old pupil of Gaius'. Gaius had seemed worried about the man, Borden he'd called him. Borden had come to him for help, having stolen an artefact from the Druids, a Triskellian of Ashkanar, a key essentially, that was broken up into three parts. He had one part, had spent nearly half his life tracking it down, and had taken the second from the Druids, but the third part remained hidden deep within the vaults of Camelot. When pieced together the key is meant to lead the holder to a tomb, the tomb of Ashkanar, where, apparently, a Dragon egg is hidden. Borden had tried to argue that he wanted to see a 'noble creature' brought back to life but Gaius had immediately dismissed that as a falsehood.
After the man had left, Merlin had burst into the Chambers, angry that Gaius knew of such a place where a Dragon's egg is stored and hadn't said anything, what with him being the last Dragonlord, but Gaius had merely said the tomb was sealed by magic and only the key could get them in. There was no point in telling them about a place they wouldn't be able to enter or worse, telling them and watching them foolishly try to get in and die trying (as he knows they just might).
The key piece itself that is hidden in the Vaults had been there for 400 years which makes it all too obvious why Gaius had never said anything, if one part has been hidden and protected for so long, they can only imagine what the other parts are being kept like.
Borden had warned that he will be staying in Camelot, in the Tavern in the Lower Town and waiting for word from him about if Gaius will help or not. They don't doubt that if Gaius refuses, Borden will do so on his own.
Amelia knows they all want the Dragon Egg returned, to save the Dragons, and to help Kilgharrah protect his kin, but at the same time, they know the only way to do it will be for Borden to help and lead them to the tomb. Gaius knows not where it is, no one does, and that is why the key is needed. This brings up the issue they are facing, Gaius had warned Merlin that Borden has ill intent with the egg, but also that he is not a man to be trusted and if they try to help the man, he will stab them in the back in an instant. He is in a difficult spot as he doesn't want the egg to fall into Borden's hands, but he doesn't want them in danger of trying to deal with him and rescue it. Amelia had suggested they go to the one person who should have the deciding vote on what they do.
"I never dared dream of such a moment." Kilgharrah breathes, startling Amelia with the emotion in his voice, the hope, she can hear in it. "Until now, I believed the egg would never be found, that I would be the last of my kind."
"I'm still so sorry that happened," Amelia tells him. "What Uther did..." She shakes her head, she can't even begin to imagine what it was like for him, chained up, alone, listening to his kin crying out for help as they burned, and then for them to ask him for help to protect the very King that did that to him. Amelia hears a sniffle come from next to her.
"Do not weep for me, my dear." Kilgharrah smiles kindly at Anne.
"I'm not crying." Anne huffs though she sniffles and wipes beneath her eye. Amelia knows she's cursing her pregnancy. She has only just started to really feel the effects of it. She is still in her early days and while Amelia would argue that her stomach is still quite flat, Merlin in particular insists otherwise and always adds that he knows his wife's body quite well to Amelia's disgust.
Kilgharrah just chuckles. "As you wish." He gives her a small bow of the head.
"So, the legend is true?" Merlin asks rhetorically.
"This is a chance in a thousand. You must retrieve the egg."
"We know." Amelia murmurs hesitantly.
"Then what is the matter?"
"Gaius has forbidden it." Anne replies.
Kilgharrah scoffs. "Merlin! You are a Dragonlord! It is a gift passed down from your father. He gave up everything in his life to save me. What do you think he would say? The egg harbours the last of my kind. I beg you, Merlin. In your father's name, promise me that you will do everything in your power to rescue it."
"You have my promise." Merlin declares.
—
They set up a plan, Merlin goes to Borden as he's the best option. Percival looks too threatening, Amelia is too well known to be sneaking in and Merlin worries about Anne and the baby so she can't do it either. After, the plan is for Amelia, Merlin and Percival to go save the Dragon egg. Anne is excluded for the reasons mentioned above.
Borden agrees to Merlin helping him though the next step is for Merlin to get the keys from Arthur. Merlin later tells Amelia and Anne, on the way to the Council Chambers for a meeting with Arthur, Agravaine and Council members, that the initial try wasn't successful as Arthur had woken up so they need to try again.
Amelia eyes the keys on Arthur's belt as she stands in the meeting. She knows that she'll have to somehow get it off Arthur's belt without him noticing. Anne and Merlin linger in the background in the Council Chambers.
"We need to strengthen all our outlying defences as Odin's raids only go to prove. But it is the northern borders that are particularly vulnerable." Agravaine is saying as they ponder over a map.
"There's always been so, and the reason's obvious." Arthur says. "If you look at the terrain here—" He cuts himself off as his trousers fell to his knees. Amelia looks at him in surprise before looking accusingly at Merlin, who shrugs and grins while Anne next to him scrunches her face up in embarrassment.
"Allow me to help you, sire!" Merlin calls cheerfully as he runs over to Arthur, grabbing his trousers.
"No!" Arthur protests, but Merlin is already holding onto his trousers. "No! Merlin!"
"Your Majesty!" Merlin insists.
"Merlin!" Arthur shouts as the two fall to the ground.
"Majesty!"
"Get off me!"
"I'm trying to help you, sire!" Merlin says as Arthur finally gets out of his grip. He gets to his feet and pulls up his own trousers. After all this embarrassment, Amelia certainly hopes that Merlin has the key.
"There we go." Merlin says proudly. "Will there be anything else, sire?"
Arthur looks at him incredulously. "No!" Merlin backs out in a way that tells Amelia he's hiding the key behind his back. Well, at least there's that.
Arthur turns to Anne, who's standing there and looking like she's suffering from severe second-hand embarrassment. "I certainly hope your child inherits their mother's... well, everything."
Anne grimaces before scuttling off after her husband.
Amelia smirks. "Clearly you need a new belt, Arthur."
Arthur glares and turns back to the map, clearing his throat. "So, the terrain here..."
—
The meeting with Borden had not gone very well, according to Merlin's grumbling the next morning when he explains to Anne, Percival, and Amelia why the warning bells had gone off on their way to the Vaults.
Merlin tells them about what happened. He'd given Borden the key and guarded the entrance. Borden had completed the Triskelion but then the man had knocked him out, leaving the key with him clearly intending to frame him. Should've realised that was going to happen. Merlin had woken up and then had gone to try and put the key back in Arthur's Chambers when the bell had gone off.
"The lock hasn't been damaged, which would suggest whoever it was had a key." Agravaine says as he observes the gate.
"Strange." Gaius murmurs. His eyes flicker suspiciously towards Amelia, Anne, Merlin and Percival.
"Of all these treasures, this is all they were interested in." Arthur observes, opening an elaborate box to reveal its empty contents. "What was in here?"
"I believe, Sire, one third of a Triskelion, a type of key. A key that, according to legend, opens the ancient Tomb of Ashkanar." Gaius explains.
"I remember my father talk of such a tomb. It contained a Dragon's egg." Arthur says. Amelia remembers it well, it almost became a bedtime story for her, Morgana and Arthur. Uther had felt the need to tell them about it and his wish to find it and destroy the egg.
"It has been said."
"You don't believe it to be true?" Arthur asks.
"Well, it is possible, Sire. The wealth and wisdom of Ashkanar are without equal." Gaius admits. Amelia knows Gaius can't lie about this as Arthur will be angry and lose trust in him if he realises. They really don't need Arthur to trust Agravaine even more than he does already.
"Is the egg still there?" Agravaine asks.
"I can't be certain. But, to my knowledge, no one has disturbed the tomb for more than four hundred years." Gaius admits further.
"But with this Triskelion, someone could." Arthur realises.
"Sire, a Dragon's egg can live for a thousand years. Even today, it could still hatch, and another Dragon would be born into this world." Agravaine warns him.
"So, all my father's work to rid the world of these monsters would be undone." Arthur realises.
"That must be our fear."
Amelia glares at her uncle. He's playing on Arthur's need to please his father.
"Then we have no choice. We must hunt down this intruder, destroy the egg." Arthur declares. He turns to Percival. "Percival, gather the Knights."
"But Arthur," Amelia quickly interrupts before Percival does anything, "no one's found this tomb for four hundred years. Surely, we don't need to worry."
"We can't risk that, Amelia." Arthur argues.
Percival glances at Amelia, who reluctantly nods, and leaves to follow through with his orders.
—
"How could you be so stupid?!" Gaius cries as soon as he, Merlin, Anne and Amelia enter his Chambers. "What were you thinking?!"
"I am a Dragonlord. It is my sacred duty to protect the last of the Dragons." Merlin retorts.
"The tomb could've remained closed for another four hundred years and the egg would've been completely safe!"
"And Kilgharrah would have been alone!" Amelia snaps right back. She and Kilgharrah haven't been on the best of terms recently but her heart breaks thinking of him being the last of his kind and now they have the chance to change this. "We finally find another of his species and you tell us it's better to just leave it! To let this noble species die out!"
Gaius stares in shock at her tone.
"Arthur is riding out intent on destroying the egg." Anne speaks calmly. "We know Borden won't just release the Dragon if he gets there first."
"That's why we need your help Gaius," Merlin adds. "Percival and I are going with Arthur. We need to know exactly what Borden may do, what he's like, so that they can be prepared to stop him."
Now that Arthur knows, plans had to be changed. Amelia can no longer go with them as there's no way she's leaving the Kingdom in Agravaine's hands. Anne is glad she's not the only one that is being left behind. Amelia doesn't like not going with them but is reassured that Merlin has Percival as his backup.
Gaius sighs and nods.
—
Merlin's POV
Merlin heads off with Arthur, Percival and the rest of the Knights as soon as possible. Despite having a lead on Borden, they soon lose him and against Merlin's wishes, Arthur insists they make camp as it's getting dark. After a bit of fun with the Knights where Merlin thought they had eaten all the food, leaving none for him when it turns out they'd been hiding a plate for him the entire time.
Merlin sits with Arthur by the fire as the Knights sleep on. Merlin's mind is consumed by old memories.
"You're very quiet." Arthur remarks as he lounges back on a log while Merlin sits on it, facing the fire.
"I'm sorry." Merlin apologises softly.
"What is it?" Merlin doesn't respond. "Merlin."
Merlin sighs, knowing Arthur is not about to let it go. "It was here that I last saw my father."
Merlin glances at the King to see him processing the statement in surprise. "You never talked about it."
Merlin shrugs with false carelessness. "There's not much that I can say. I didn't really know him that well, but... I was proud of him. I want him to be proud of me." He admits.
"I can understand that. You should try being in my shoes." Arthur comments. "It was hard enough while he was alive, always having to live up to what he expected of me. It's even harder now. I now know what he faced, the decisions he had to make. I tell you Merlin, don't start measuring yourself against a man who's dead. You'll never win."
Merlin nods understandingly. "I know. He will always be better than me. I hope my child will be proud of me as well. I worry I won't be good at it. Being a father."
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be a good father. You can't fail at that." Arthur remarks.
"Was that a compliment?" Merlin asks with a small grin on his face.
Arthur scoffs. "Don't be ridiculous."
Merlin chuckles, his mood uplifted. If he does this, saves the egg, he's building a legacy for his child and their children to protect. This has been his drive ever since he learned of the egg. His duty to the future.
—
Percival's POV
The next morning, Merlin is feeling resurged with new determination. He tells Percival as they sneak along the woods towards Borden's camp that the Druids had come to him last night. They had told him of the direction in which Borden is heading as well as a warning for what they'll face there. It had been difficult to convince the others, after finding the camp empty, of Merlin's sudden knowledge of where to go being legitimate, Percival was honestly prepared to lie about finding some tracks, but thankfully Elyan spots some horse dung.
This convinces the others and they head on their way and soon reach a Cave with a stream trickling nearby.
"It's a dead end. That's it. Let's go back." Arthur declares.
The Knights turn back. Percival and Merlin don't, sharing a worried look. There must be something here. Percival begins looking around for any signs.
"What about the Cave?" Merlin questions, stopping the others in their tracks.
"We're wasting our time." Arthur dismisses.
Percival finally spots something, a muddy footprint by the water. "Arthur." He calls, drawing his King's attention and points down at the footprint.
They enter the Cave and draw their swords, going deeper and deeper. Still, nothing can be seen but a waterfall at the end.
"Merlin, this is ridiculous." Arthur complains. "Where's he heading?"
"There's light ahead." Merlin replies.
They come to the waterfall. Arthur sheathes his sword and puts his hand through it and crosses to the other side. They continue on the other side and emerge to find a lake the water pours into and a valley up ahead.
"No wonder no one's ever found it." Gwaine remarks.
They walk further into the valley where they finally spot the tomb looming in the distance. Percival shares a look with Merlin, they've finally found it. Merlin pushes forward, down the hill towards it and the rest follow.
—
They are walking down a large trench path towards the tower when Percival suddenly creases over in pain when an arrow lands in his leg causing him to fall to the ground.
"Take cover!" Arthur cries.
They press their backs into the trench walls. An arrow lands between Arthur's feet. Borden is clearly not taking any chances with them following. Percival groans in pain, unable to move from his spot meaning he's in a dangerous spot.
"You all right?" Arthur calls.
"Yeah." Percival groans but as soon as he says those words, an arrow flies and lands in the rock next to his head. That was close.
"Where's he firing from?" Arthur turns to Leon. "I'll draw fire, get him to safety."
Arthur nods to Percival. Borden shoots at Arthur as he dodges to the other side and Leon helps Percival to his feet so he can take cover against the wall. Elyan pulls the arrow out before bandaging it.
"Arthur." Merlin directs Arthur's line of vision. Arthur peeks out for a moment, then motions a plan to the Knights. Arthur sprints to the other side of the trench. It is then, as Percival glances at him, that Merlin's eyes turn gold. Probably stopping Borden from shooting at them anymore.
Arthur appears at the top of the trench. "What happened? Where's he gone?"
"Perhaps he ran out of bolts." Merlin suggests. Percival gives Merlin a knowing look but the manservant simply shrugs.
Percival limps along as they all emerge from the trench and move through the forest. Again, Merlin dashes ahead.
"Careful!" Arthur yells. Merlin stops and slides and Arthur pulls him back. "Who knows what he's left lying in wait for us."
"We can go around that." Merlin argues.
Percival knows Merlin wants to save this egg but honestly, Percival isn't looking forward to the increased probability that he'll explain to Anne how her husband got himself killed with his carelessness.
"No." Arthur grabs Merlin to stop him. "He knows we're coming."
"That's a risk we have to take!" Merlin insists.
"We'll make camp, continue at dawn. Merlin, help Percival." Arthur orders and the Knights immediately get to work preparing camp.
Merlin huffs irritably but gestures for Percival to sit on a fallen log a few feet away. Luckily the arrow had struck him in the calf so Merlin merely rolls the bottom of Percival's trouser leg up.
Merlin pulls out a few bandages from a small bag he'd brought, kneeling before the Knight and glancing around the tree to see that the Knights have actually already made camp. Percival knows there's not much to do but roll out bedsheets and start a fire. There is plenty of wood around them so the fire is already about to be started and they've thought to gather supplies and food before they'd set out again this time to save time. Arthur is speaking to Leon, both men with their backs to the camp as they seem to be discussing the woods and likely the order of the watch for the night.
Merlin smirks as he turns back to Percival. "How good are you at faking a limp?" He asks.
Percival starts to smile at that and chuckles. "I would say quite fair."
Percival leans back and observes as Merlin turns his leg slightly to see the wound, biting his lip to not hiss at the slight pain and watches in awe as Merlin merely mumbles a few words under his breath, his eyes flash and the wound closes up as though it has never been there, there isn't even any tenderness at all.
"It is a travesty." Percival murmurs as Merlin wraps a false bandage around his leg, leaving the blood there so that it would stain and seem like the wound is still bleeding a bit even though there is none left. "That a gift such as yours is persecuted the way it is."
Merlin nods. "It is."
"I had thought with Uther's death..." Percival trails off at that.
Merlin again nods. "One day when Arthur is ready."
—
Merlin cooks dinner for them. Once again, the others decide to pull the same prank they'd pulled on Merlin the night before. Percival chuckles to himself as it plays out in front of him. Arthur sends Merlin off to collect firewood as Elyan hands Percival his plate as he sits there 'injured'.
They all laugh and joke about the look on Merlin's face as they continue to eat but then Percival begins to feel drowsy. Maybe an after effect of Merlin's spell…
Percival startles awake along with the others at the sound of what seems to be multiple rocks crashing on one another. He and the Knights bolt in that direction. When they get to the tree line, Merlin is there crouching over his satchel as the tomb collapses in the distance.
"What the hell happened?" Arthur immediately questions.
"The tomb is a trap. He set it off. He never got out." Merlin replies.
"What about the egg?" Percival questions.
Percival gives Merlin a questioning look and the manservant gives him a slight nod before turning to the others. "It would've perished with him."
"Are you sure? We need to be certain." Arthur demands to know.
"Nothing's going to survive under all that." Leon says.
The tower completely collapses. Percival glances down at the bag at Merlin's feet.
—
Amelia's POV
The small party returns to Camelot with a pleased Arthur announcing to all that the fabled Dragon egg is dealt with. Amelia had dined with him to celebrate but afterwards said she wished to speak to Merlin and the Knights of their account of what had happened, remarking that Arthur's large head seemed to inflate certain events. He'd merely laughed and turned in for the night, exhausted after such a long tracking mission. Which is just perfect for the group to go to the clearing to meet with Kilgharrah.
And so, they are standing in the clearing, the egg on a small tree stump, Kilgharrah beaming happily down at them as he lands and looks at the egg.
"Gaius said that they could live for a long time." Anne remarks. "Is the egg still alive?"
"It can live for more than a thousand years." Kilgharrah reminds them with a nod.
Merlin grins to hear that confirmed. "So, you are no longer the last of your kind."
"It would seem not." The Dragon chuckles.
"So..." Amelia begins, bobbing on the heels of her feet excitedly. "How long before it hatches?"
"Young Dragons were called into the world by the Dragonlords. Only they had the power to summon them from the egg."
"I wish Arthur had known that," Amelia grumbles. "What use would there have been to hunt down the egg if the 'last' Dragonlord is dead?"
"He would have gone after it anyway, Amelia." Percival tells her sadly, making her nod at that.
"As the last Dragonlord." Kilgharrah continues. "This solemn duty falls to you, Merlin."
"How do I summon it?" Merlin asks.
"You must give the Dragon a name."
Merlin closes his eyes and after a few moments, he breathes, "Aithusa."
The egg begins to crack. They all watch intently as more and more cracks appear before a tiny white lizard with wings pops out, shaking off the excess shells and staring up at them adorably.
"Awww..." Anne coos. Amelia has to agree with her, the small Dragon is sweet.
"A White Dragon is, indeed, a rare thing and fitting." Kilgharrah remarks, "For in the Dragon Tongue, you named him after the light of the sun."
"Like with dawn it's a new day, it's like a new dawn, a new reign." Amelia murmurs. For the first time since Uther's death, she feels hope for the future that maybe things may be okay.
The little Dragon begins to inspect themself and stretch their wings.
"No Dragon birth is without meaning. Sometimes the meaning is hard to see, but I believe it is as clear as his name. The White Dragon bodes well for Albion, for you, for Arthur, and for the land that you will build together."
Anne and Amelia look at each other with tears in their eyes as the little Dragon hisses and seems to try and breathe fire but it only comes out more like the Dragon is trying to smile and laugh.
Amelia can only hope that this omen will prove true. Amelia needs a good sign for the future.
—
A/N: This turned into a bit of a Merlin and Percival bonding along with Merlin contemplating and worrying about being a father.