Camelot

September, 505 AD

A loud boom outside made me shoot up in bed just as I was starting to fall asleep and my eyes darted around for a moment in disorientation before I remembered where I am – freaking Camelot! I wrapped my Avengers blanket around my shoulders and lazily stood up before moving over to the window, just in time for another loud boom to echo throughout the kingdom.

I opened the shutters and my heart-rate skyrocketed at the sight of a fire raging around a hill in the far distance. I dashed to slip on a bra and throw on a hoodie before I ran out of my room and began to search for anyone who could tell me what the heck was happening.

I heard the faint sound of Arthur barking orders bouncing against the walls of the castle and I sprinted in the direction of the noise, soon finding him and a bunch of knights gathered in a corridor.

"Art?" I called out. His shoulders tensed up for a moment as he turned to face me. I sped up and skidded to a stop next to him. "What's goin' on?"

He waved off his knights, telling them that he'd catch up soon, and then he turned back to me, placing his hands on my shoulders as he responded, "Something is attacking a village nearby."

I could see the serious concern on his face and my stomach churned. "Something like what?" I asked.

"I am not sure yet," he answered. I dropped my head and let out a shaky sigh. I hate that he always has to put himself in danger! Shouldn't Uther protect him more, considering that he's his freaking son and the only heir to the throne? "Promise me you will stay here," Arthur demanded. "I will be back soon."

I wish I had superpowers like Merlin so that I could help somehow!

"Okay," I whispered and hugged him tightly. He returned the embrace and kissed the top of my head. "Please be safe?"

"Of course," he responded and he pecked my lips before racing off after his knights.

I tried to swallow a lump in my throat as I watched him go and then I went in search of Merlin, or Gaius, or anyone who could be a reassuring presence for the time being. Heck, I might even consider hanging out with Uther…

He has been kind of a wreck ever since Morgana was kidnapped. We all have been. The knights have been scouring the lands for any information; but Morgause is obviously way too smart to just leave clues lying about.

I can only pray that the attack has nothing to do with her…

A big gaping hole formed in my stomach when the court was informed that a freaking dragon was to blame for the attack on a nearby village; and it just so happens that Kilgharrah isn't in his cave anymore. I thought that he was on our side! I thought that he wanted Arthur to become king, and become the man that Uther will never be! But I guess that the idea of revenge sounds more delicious than that.

The great dragon didn't stop at that first village. He attacked another one the night after, and another one following that… Many villagers resorted to fleeing the kingdom, or asking for refuge in the castle. However, they weren't safe here for very long, for Kilgharrah struck the heart of Camelot shortly after, on a windy early autumn night.

The grand hall was turned into a temporary infirmary as wounded soldiers and people kept pouring in from the outside. Most injuries were burns, but there were also some broken bones from people falling or overexerting themselves as they ran in desperation; and a couple of big gashes on those who got caught in between the dragon's claws and survived to tell the tale.

Gaius and Gwen watched me like a hawk after I'd tried to run outside and go in search of Arthur and Merlin. I think they're being ridiculous – I'm getting pretty great with my bow! – but I had to resign to performing the important task of handing around medicine and food; since I can't exactly function around blood and, thus, can't do anything to actively help to deal with the injuries.

"Y'know, I'm sure the knights would appreciate a drink…" I pointed out to Gaius while I was crushing some pain-killing plants for the wounded; my voice not sounding quite normal as I struggled to speak through the asphyxiating lump in my throat.

"You are not going out there, Astraea," the man grunted for the thousandth time.

"I can sneak towards the barracks… The dragon wouldn't see me…"

"No."

"I need to do something!" I raised my voice as tears of frustration and fear pooled in my eyes, which I quickly blinked away. "I hate waitin'…"

"You are doing something. You are helping me with the medicine," Gaius responded sternly.

"Doesn't keep my head from spinning," I whispered through gritted teeth.

I robotically poured the crushed plant mix into a vial with water and I shook it to blend everything together before standing up with a gulp. I took the vial to Sir Carwyn and then went to prepare another identical one for Sir Evan.

Gaius left the work table to check on a woman who had just been brought in and I gazed around the room to take note of where my other jailer was. If I can sneak past them…

"You are bleeding." I jumped when Gwen suddenly appeared beside me and handed me a dampened gauze. I tilted my head and she gestured towards my mouth. Sure enough, as I became conscious of that part of my body, I realised that I'd made a big cut from biting on my lip so much.

I huffed and took the gauze from her so that I could quickly clean the blood. Then I flung the item aside and thanked her in a whisper before returning my attention to crushing plants.

"They will be fine, you know?" she said softly.

"They better be," I mumbled under my breath as more tears formed in my eyes and one escaped. I quickly wiped it away. I'm not sure how much Merlin's superpowers can do to protect Arthur from a freaking dragon, y'know? And, to make things worse, there's the fact that I haven't been able to say it back…

Gwen placed a hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Have faith, Astra."

"Yeah…" I breathed out.

"Gwen!" Gaius called out from elsewhere in the room.

The girl gave me a sheepish smile and another soft squeeze before racing towards the physician.

More tears escaped my eyes and I wiped them away before continuing with my task, my hand working aggressively to grind the dried plants into powder as my breathing grew laboured.

"Gwen! Do not go outside!" I heard Gaius's panicked voice and I glanced around to find him racing towards a closing door, his aged legs obviously not quick enough to get there on time to stop the girl. Finally something to distract me!

"I'll get 'er!" I called out and grabbed my bow off the table before sprinting outside before the man could protest.

The eagerness for a thrill turned into dread as soon as I exited the castle, and I almost vomited my heart. Bloodied bodies, discarded weapons, and small fires adorned the courtyard. The smoke made it a little harder to breathe and I covered my mouth and nose with my arm as I coughed and looked around.

"Gwen!" I called out in a whisper. A beastly snarl sounded in the distance and I loaded my bow, keeping my eyes half-attentive to the sky while I continued to search for my friend. "Dude, where are you?" I called out again, a little louder this time.

Finally, I spotted a figure clothed in a purple dress sneaking around some abandoned catapults.

"Gwen, wait up!" I leaped over a body that blocked my path, trying not to think too much about it, and rushed to her side.

"Astra – what are you doing out here?!" she asked in an alarmed whisper.

"Tryin' to stop ya' from getting killed! What are you doin' out here?!"

"We are out of water," she replied and motioned towards an empty bucket I only then realised she was carrying.

"Well, that makes it worse," I noted. "Supplies are my job. Are you tryin' to displace me?"

"You are not in the right state of mind to be out here," she tried to argue.

I waved her off with a scoff and then took the bucket from her, "I'll get the water."

"Astra–"

"I'll go right back inside, I promise."

"All right," she relented with a sigh. "Be careful."

"Always."

With a tight grip on the bucket's handle, which tried to make up for my sweaty palms, I walked the rest of the way towards the water pump while my friend ran back into the castle. May I just note that indoor-plumbing would have been a great help right about now? I'm definitely rubbing this in Uther's face when things ease up (if we survive), 'cause he really needs to approve my plan.

I did my best to ignore the chaos of smoke, booms and screams that surrounded me as I stood almost frozen in place while I watched the bucket fill up. Time felt as if it had slowed down and the unsteady flow mocked me as my heart-rate rose gradually.

A flapping sound pulled my focus away and I glanced around until I finally thought to look up, just to find Kilgharrah circling the sky right above me. My breath hitched and my trembling body itched to run away and forget about the water – but I know that it's a vital supply, so I contained my impulses and held on just a little longer.

The dragon seemed to come closer to the ground and my breathing grew laboured again. I thought we were friends!

Knowing that my time was up, I hastened to close the faucet and grabbed the bucket, struggling to do so as my hands shook uncontrollably.

I walked rapidly towards the castle (I can't run if I want to avoid spilling the water), the sound of my heart pounding against my chest filling my ears as my eyes fixated on the grand entrance doors. Almost there.

Kilgharrah snarled, the sound seeming too close for comfort, and I sped up a little more, not daring to turn around to look at him.

"Astraea!" I gasped when I heard an alarmed scream a second before strong arms wrapped around me and a heavy mass pushed my body out of the way just as the great dragon swooped down with keen claws.

I turned my head to find that none other than Arthur had been the one to save my butt. I stared at his enchanting eyes for a few seconds while panting heavily and shaking like a junkie rabbit going through withdrawal.

A moment later, I remembered the bucket. "Fudge!" I growled as I reached for it.

"Leave it!" the Prince commanded as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet.

I gazed upwards and found that Kilgharrah was turning around, presumably for a second attempt at ending our lives.

Arthur quickly guided me to hide behind a column that supports an archway, pressing my back against the cold stone while he stood in front of me with his hands on my waist, our heaving chests grazing as he peeked behind me.

I flinched and gasped at another loud boom. "What was that?" I asked in a whisper.

"I am not sure," he responded in the same manner. "Something hit him and he flew off."

Perhaps it was Merlin doing his thing…

I sighed in relief and let my head fall against Arthur's left shoulder, only to feel something wet against my skin. I pulled away instantly and noticed a red stain on his chainmail, which was slowly increasing in size.

"You're hurt!" I stated the obvious.

"I am fine, darling," he claimed while moving a hand up to the side of my face.

"Yes, and I'm Batman," I sassed and pushed him off me before grabbing his right hand and tugging him towards the castle.

"I cannot leave my knights alone!" he protested, but I only tightened my hold on him.

"They're smart, you trained 'em, they'll manage!"

Gaius seemed to be busy with an injured knight, so Gwen was the one who rushed to tend to Arthur as soon as I made him sit on a table. I'm fully aware that this was definitely not the time, but I couldn't control the way in which heat swarmed my face as soon as the Prince took off his chainmail and tunic, and I was quick to cast my gaze towards my bracelets, with which I began to fiddle. Nothing good would've come out of me catching a glimpse of his injury, anyways.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record – I should be starting my third year of university and drowning in projects; not trapped in a castle in the middle of a battle with a freaking dragon! I wouldn't have Arthur and Merlin in my life, though… So I prefer this, as awful as that may sound…

"Astra." Gwen's voice snapped me away from my contemplations and I glanced up at her with a hum. "I need you to hold this here while I get Gaius. He will need stitches," she informed me.

I raised an eyebrow and followed her gaze until my eyes landed on her hand, which was pressing a piece of cloth against Arthur's shoulder. I gulped at the sight of the traces of blood that remained – and also at the sight of his uncovered torso. This man must've been crafted by the very gods in Mount Olympus!

"Astra?" my friend pressed.

I shook my head to get rid of the ill-timed thoughts and quickly moved to comply with her request while trying not to think too much about how warm Arthur's body felt against my cold hand, and how I was freaking touching him when he was freaking shirtless.

I dropped my gaze to the surface of the table, not wanting to gawk like a deranged incel, and I began to trace the patterns in the wood with my free hand.

"Thanks for savin' my butt," I mumbled in a low tone.

"I promised that I would always protect you, remember?" he responded in a whisper while leaning down a little to where his forehead was almost making contact with the side of my head, and I could feel his warm exhales on the side of my face.

A small grin formed on my lips as my heart was filled with something reminiscent of hot cocoa on a rainy autumn afternoon, and I closed the remaining two centimetres between our heads as I answered with a meek, "Yeah."

He lifted his right hand and placed it over mine which was on his shoulder, lacing our fingers together. Then he pressed a kiss to my cheek and I glanced at his eyes for a moment as heat flooded my face again before I let my gaze drop once more.

Those three words are caught in my throat and I can't get them out!

Gaius showed up about a minute later and I reluctantly stepped away to give him space to stitch up Arthur's shoulder.

The dragon's fifth consecutive haunt was over before the first strokes of sunlight caressed the cloudy sky, and cheers erupted throughout the castle as people celebrated that they had survived yet another night. Although the lingering presence of those we lost did not allow the excitement to be prolonged.

As soon as the knights returned home, Uther gathered a few of the leaders and his advisors in the war room so that we could start discussing a strategy for what will undoubtedly come again as soon as the luminary hides away once more.

I had a warm cup of coffee in my hands as I leaned against Merlin for support. My eyes fought to remain open and my brain was partially stuck in a dreamland dimension as I only managed to catch bits of what was being said. At least until the sound of Arthur's voice caused me to perk up.

"The dead number forty-nine men, twenty-seven women… a further eighteen women and children are unaccounted for…" he explained in a groggy voice, each of his words striking dread at my chest. "Most of last night's fires are now out… The castle walls – in particular the western section – are near to collapse… I could go on."

He seemed so defeated, and exhausted, and sad; and I wanted nothing more than to hug him and somehow make him feel better. But I obviously couldn't do that with his dad and the councilmen in the room. So I fixated my eyes on the portrait of a 'King Bruta' that hangs in the room in an effort to fight against the urge to cling to the Prince.

"Do we have any further idea on how the beast escaped?" Uther questioned in a grave tone. I can't help but feel bad for him. It must be suffocating to have the burden of a whole kingdom on his shoulders. Especially with the added pain of Morgana's disappearance.

I felt Merlin tense up a little. He must know more than he's letting on, considering how often he used to visit Kilgharrah. I can't imagine how much the betrayal must sting for him. I only met the animal a few times, but I thought he was cool…

"I regret to say, Sire," Sir Leon stepped in, "we do not."

"There must be a way to rid ourselves of this… aberration," Uther said bitterly.

I watched Arthur for a second as he moved to sit on a chair and he winced a little before letting out a sigh that seemed pained. I tightened my hold on my mug to quench the need to be beside him.

"Gaius?" the King pressed for answers after some moments of silence.

I glanced to Merlin's other side and noticed a pensive look on the physician's face, his brow knitted as he stared at the floor for a few moments before lifting his gaze to meet Uther's as he stated, "We need a dragonlord, Sire."

A burst of energy fuelled by curiosity ran through me and I lifted my head off Merlin's shoulder to address Gaius as well, "Cool name – what's that?"

"You know very well that is not an option," Uther responded while turning his back to everyone in the room as he gazed out a window. I don't think I'm getting an answer anytime soon…

"Sire, what if there was indeed one last dragonlord left?" Gaius posed.

Is this some real-life 'How To Train Your Dragon' stuff? 'Cause I love those movies! I wish I'd downloaded them onto my tablet when I was in Texas!

"That is not possible," Uther replied.

"But if there was?"

The King separated from the window and regarded the physician with narrowed eyes as he slowly moved closer to him, "What are you saying?"

"It may just be a rumour," Gaius noted.

"Go on," Uther pressed. He seemed slightly spooked, for some reason? I mean, I guess 'dragonlord' sounds like a pretty serious thing.

"I am not exactly sure, but… I think his name is Balinor."

That's a strange name… Well, I guess a lot of names around here are kinda weird. It's certainly not as bad as 'Hiccup Horrendous Haddock', though.

"Balinor?" the King echoed.

"Where does he live?" Arthur asked; looking a bit more energised, as well, with the revelations.

"He was last seen in Cenred's kingdom," Gaius replied. "In the border town of Engerd, but that was many years ago."

How the hell does he know all these things? He's almost like a secret SHIELD agent. He's really awesome. Most of the time.

Arthur stood from his chair and I didn't miss how he winced once more as his shoulder moved slightly. "If this man still exists, then it is our duty to find him," he told his father.

"Our treaty with Cenred no longer holds, we are at war," the King responded in a low and grave tone. "If they discovered you beyond our border, they would kill you."

"I will go alone," Arthur stated.

I glanced up at Merlin and he met my gaze for a moment. Arthur going 'alone' means that we're tagging along, right? 'Cause no one can make me stay unless they chain me up in Kilgharrah's former lodge.

"No," Uther shook his head.

"That way I will be undetected," Arthur continued.

"No, Arthur, it is too dangerous."

"More dangerous than staying here?" the Prince challenged. "I will not stand by and watch my men die when I have the chance to save them."

A small grin formed on my lips. He's truly amazing. I seriously l… lo… Dang it! Why is it so hard to get the word out!?

"I have given you my orders," Uther growled.

Arthur suddenly seemed very tired again. "Do not make this a test of wills, father," he responded in a softer tone.

"I am not talking to you as a father – I am talking to you as a King!"

The Prince sighed as he regarded his father with exhausted eyes, then he started walking towards the door as he stated, "I will ride immediately."

"My concern is for you," Uther protested again, his voice back to a low tone.

Arthur turned to face him once more as he responded, "Mine is for Camelot… I will send word when I have found him." He kept walking and patted Merlin on the arm as he commanded, "Prepare the horses."

Merlin bowed at the King before moving to follow, making me stumble for a second as I lost my support beam before I caught myself. I turned towards Uther and told him, "Don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't get in trouble," before running off after the two boys, ignoring the protest that followed.