Talking to Kilgharrah
The next morning while they were having breakfast, someone knocked on the door. Marlin immediately stood up, pretending not to have been eating breakfast with the prince, and went to see who was at the door... it was a servant
- So sorry for the interruption sire... - said the servant - but Gaius requests the presence of both of you as soon as possible
- Understood, thank you - replied Arthur - you can go
The servant made a little bow and leave the room.
- Sit down and finish your breakfast... - said Arthur - then we'll go see Gaius
- What do you think he wants?
- I don't know... But you can't avoid him forever Merlin
- I know...
Arriving at Gaius's chamber, they were greeted by Hunith
- Oh, come in... Thanks for coming.
- Something is wrong? - Merlin asked.
- Nothing... Just that I'm going back to Ealdor and I wanted to say goodbye - Hunith said
- Oh, so soon? - Arthur asked.
- Yes... I must go back - answered Hunith - winter will soon arrive and we must prepare everything in the village
- Oh, I see... - said Arthur
Merlin, who hadn't said anything so far, approached Hunith and gave her a hug.
- Be careful... You know I love you
- I know honey
- It is just that...
- I understand ...
- Before you go, Hunith, I wanted to thank you again for taking care of Merlin all these years - said Arthur, who took something out of his pocket and handed it to Hunith - ...And give you this...
- Sire... - Hunith said as soon as she realized what was inside
- Don't get me wrong... I don't want to pay you for taking care of Merlin...
- It seems so - Merlin said surprised
-... From what I understand, Merlin sends you part of his pay every month, right? - Arthur asked.
- Yeah...
- Well... Merlin will receive a salary increase because he now works full time for me... - said Arthur with a smile when he saw Merlin's surprise face - ... So you get a little more
- I...
- Well, in theory half of the kingdom belongs to Merlin... But we still can't do anything about it, and it would be suspicious if he suddenly had a lot of money... The only thing I can do for now is raise his salary - Arthur explained - Come on Hunith, why don't you use it and go to the market to buy some things before you go home? - said Arthur - ... Perhaps a new dress or something warm to help you through the winter .. you certainly deserve it ...
- What you say? Do you want to go shopping before you go? - Merlin asked her
- Of course...
- Well, I hope you have a good trip Hunith, and remember that anything you need you just have to ask... - Arthur said saying goodbye - See you later Merlin...
The atmosphere between Merlin and Hunith was still somewhat tense, but that didn't stop them from spending a pleasant morning strolling through the market.
At lunchtime Merlin returned to Arthur's room with two plates of food.
- Hunith already left? - Arthur asked when he saw him enter.
- Yes... - answered Merlin, leaving the dishes on the table - Thanks for that...
- Hey, as I said... Half of the kingdom will be yours... - Arthur said starting to eat - ... And in theory half of what I have is yours... Well, a little less
- What are you talking about?
- Well, I've won several tournaments where the prize is in gold coins... That's mine... - Arthur explained - but the rest belongs to both
- Oh...
- Although, since no one can find out yet... the only solution for the moment was to raise your salary - said Arthur -... Although we should find a way to improve your wardrobe without raising suspicions
- My clothes? What's wrong with my clothes? - Merlin asked a little offended.
- The quality... Those fabrics are not good... And I really doubt that they keep you warm enough, you spend the whole winter complaining about the cold
- Because it's cold!
- If your clothes were warmer you wouldn't be so cold... - said Arthur - we'll have to think of something...
- Meanwhile... Can we go hunting?
- Hunt? You want to go hunting? - asked Arthur surprised
- No, obviously not - Merlin clarified - ... But I would like to be able to go to the forest to talk to Kilgharrah
- Do you want to go talk to the dragon? Why?
- I still have some doubts... I need to know if he knew... About us... About Balinor...
- You're sure?
- Yes... I need to know... - answered Merlin - ... And that way you can meet him
- Ok... - said Arthur, not too enthusiastic about the idea of talking to the creature that once attacked his city - ... I have no patrol or training tomorrow... So we can leave first thing in the morning
- Great! Although it would be better to go now...
- Why?
- Because we can only talk to him during the night... Or someone could see us
- You're right... We'll go out later... Now eat your food - Arthur said, seeing that Merlin hadn't eaten anything yet.
- Yes mom
- Hey! More respect with your elders
As soon as they finished lunch, Arthur went to talk to Uther to inform him of his plans.
- Arthur - said Uther, seeing him enter the room where he was reviewing some papers.
- Father - Arthur greeted politely
- Everything is alright?
- Yes, I came to inform you that later I will go hunting - said Arthur - I haven't done it for a while, and I want to make the most of tomorrow, so I prefer to spend the night in the forest and have an early start... Unless you have something planned for tomorrow?
- Oh, no... Nothing... - Uther said - You can go without problem
- Thanks father... - said Arthur - ... I also wanted to consult you about another matter...
- What thing?
- Well... I think it's very important to maintain a good image of the kingdom... And since I represent the kingdom as a prince, I think I should set an example...
- That's right... It is essential that people see in you everything that Camelot represents... - Uther said - they must see you as their future king, and as a great knight
- I know... And I was thinking about that when I noticed that my servant, Merlin, should also meet certain standards... To maintain the good image of the crown
- What are you talking about?
- Somehow "the prince's servant" is also a representative of Camelot... - Arthur said, trying to sound casual - what would people think if my own servant wears dirty or old clothes?... Wouldn't that affect my image and therefore Camelot's?
- Yes... You're right - Uther said thoughtfully - ... But I don't remember seeing your servant in such bad clothes...
- No, not yet... but it's a poor-quality clothing... If you look carefully, you'll notice how deteriorated it is... - said Arthur - I would like to be able to provide a few articles of clothing that are of better quality so that they don't let's affect the image of Camelot... Obviously nothing flashy, just a little better than the current ones
- Well... - Uther said after meditating on it for a few seconds - but you have to make sure he behaves as he should... A little new clothes won't do any good if he's still an idiot
- Don't worry father, I'll take care of it - said Arthur
Uther then waved his hand, indicating that he could now leave.
Arthur then headed towards his room in search of Merlin, but made a brief stop first. A few minutes later he found Merlin sitting at the table reading one of the history books that he himself had forced him to read.
- Come with me
- Where?
- Just come - replied Arthur
- What did Uther say?
- That we could go hunting... Now come! - Arthur said again.
- All right, all right, I'm coming... - answered Merlin, closing the book and standing up - Where are we going?
- You will see
Arthur, with Merlin at his side, began to walk towards the town.
- Arthur, tell me.. where are we going? - Merlin asked for the tenth time.
- Ugh! I don't know how Hunith put up with you as a child - said Arthur
- Hey! You were an ass when I met you - answered Merlin offended
- Merlin... Shut up -
- Dollophead
- We're here -
said Arthur while he stopped in front of a door
- Gwen's house?
- Yes... - replied Arthur, knocking on the door
- Sire! - Gwen said as she opened the door -... Merlin
- Guinevere...
- Hello Gwen - Merlin greeted her cheerfully
- Come in... - Gwen said - ... So, did you want to ask me a favor?
- Yes, that's right... I know you're a great seamstress... We need new clothes for Merlin - Arthur said - ... Obviously I'll pay for the fabric and for your work...
- Oh, there's no need to...
- Yes, it's necessary ... It would be unfair to you if we didn't appreciate all your effort and work - Arthur replied with a smile.
- Oh, ok .. - Gwen answered blushing a little, looking at Merlin she added - ... So, what do you need?
- T-shirts, undershirts pants and jackets - said Arthur, before Merlin could answer - ... And maybe some sleeping clothes too
Gwen, somewhat confused, looked at Merlin and then at Arthur for further explanation.
- Oh, and a cape - said Arthur, further confusing Gwen.
- What's going on? - Gwen asked.
- Nothing - replied Arthur - it's just that Merlin's wardrobe needs an upgrade since he is now my full-time manservant
- Oh... - Gwen said, not very convinced of the answer - alright... How many you need?
- Make it 10 t-shirts, 5 undershirts, 5 pants, 3 jackets, 2 sleeping clothes and 2 capes - said Arthur
- What? But Arthur - said Merlin
- Shut up Merlin - said Arthur, who looked at Gwen and added - can you do it?
- Ehm... Sure... - Gwen said, more and more sure that there was a catch here - when do you need it?
- As soon as you can - said Arthur - you can give Merlin what you have ready... it doesn't have to be all at once
- Ok... - Gwen said, looking for her tape measure so she could take Merlin's measurements - in that case let's take some measurements
- Excellent - said Arthur, while Gwen was taking Merlin's measurements - as for the fabric, you could make sure it's of good quality... Not so good, but better than what he has now
- Sure... - Gwen answered, more and more convinced that something strange was happening - What is happening?
- Nothing... - replied Arthur - believe me, everything is fine... Merlin's wardrobe just needs an upgrade
Gwen looked at Merlin to see if what Arthur said was true.
- It's okay Gwen... - Merlin said, who after putting on an evil smile added - Arthur only lost a bet...
- Oh... I see... - replied Gwen, a little more convinced - ... As soon as I have some clothes ready I'll deliver them to you... tomorrow I'll buy the fabrics
- Brilliant! - Merlin said
- Merlin go prepare the horses, we're going to hunt in an hour - Arthur said as soon as Gwen finished taking Merlin's measurements.
- Yes sire - Merlin said, leaving towards the stables
- Thank you for doing this - Arthur said to Gwen.
- Did you really lose a bet? - Gwen asked.
- Of course not... - said Arthur.
- Then what's going on?
- Nothing... He just need new clothes... That's all - replied Arthur trying to sound casual
- Are you sure?
- Yes...
- If you say so .. - said Gwen - I'm so glad you're taking such good care of Merlin... He deserves it
- Yeah... Well I'm doing what I can without making my father angry
- Oh, yeah... I understand... - Gwen said - I'll be careful when choosing the fabric...
- Thank you... - replied Arthur - I must go...
- Of course - Gwen said, with a smile.
Arthur returned Gwen's smile, and decided to leave immediately, before anything else happened.
- Did you tell her? - Merlin asked as he saw Arthur enter his room.
- What? Of course not! - Arthur replied, closing the door behind him - it's not that I don't trust her... But it would be dangerous for her if he knows
- Yeah... But we'll tell her at some point, right? - Merlin asked, while he finished preparing the bags for the hunting trip.
- Of course, don't be ridiculous Merlin! - replied Arthur, taking his bag from Merlin's hands to finish preparing it himself - when I'm king we'll tell her... And as soon as it's no longer dangerous for you we'll tell the whole kingdom
- Do you think that's possible?
- I hope so...
That night Merlin led Arthur to the clearing where he normally called for Kilgharrah.
- The dragon lives here? - Arthur asked confused
- Of course not... - answered Merlin - ... I must call him to come
- Alright...
- O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes - said Merlin with the characteristic grave tone in which he called Kilgharrah
- What...? ... - said Arthur amazed
- Now we just have to wait for him to arrive - Merlin said, sitting down on the grass.
- How did you learn to speak that language?
- I don't know... As soon as I tried to stop his attack, the words just came out... I couldn't do it at first, it only happened once Balinor died...
- Oh...
- It also works with Wyverns - Merlin said - ... I discovered it the other day ..
- In the Perilous lands?
- Yes...
- So you did ruin my mission... - said Arthur exasperated
- Oh what? Did you want me to let them eat you? - Merlin responded sarcastically - besides, it wasn't a test just for you... It was also for me
- What are you talking about?
- Do you remember the guardian of the bridge? He told me that it was also my test - explained Merlin - ... The fisher king was waiting for me
- What? Impossible! He can't have been still alive
- He was... he was waiting for me... to give me something in exchange for me giving him something to help him die
- What did he give you? what did you give him? - Arthur asked curiously.
- I gave him the bracelet that Morgana had given you... it was a magical artifact that absorbs vital energy... - Merlin explained.
- Oh, great... another fail attempt to kill me...
- Yeah... you're welcome by the way - said Merlin with a smile - He gave me a small bottle of water from the lake of avalon... he said "Albion time of need is near... When all seem lost, this will show you the way"
- What does that mean?
- Don't know! I don't know why everyone thinks that the best way to deliver an important message is with riddles! - Merlin said very upset - Guess what? It is not!! It only makes it more confusing
- hahaha - laughed Arthur, amused by Merlin tantrum - oh, you are such a child
- I'm not!
- Oh, yes you are
- I'm not!
- Quiet!... I hear something
Sure enough, at that moment Kilgharrah's wings could be heard moving in the air, and his silhouette could be seen rapidly approaching.
- He's here - Merlin said, standing up.
Kilgharrah landed in the forest clearing as usual, looking to his DragonLord, then to his companion.
- You call young warlock? ... I see you have company tonight ... - said Kilgharrah - ... Prince Arthur, what a surprise
- Really? Is it a surprise to you? - Merlin asked, upset, all his accumulated emotions overflowing at once - you're the one who always knew all the details of what was happening in Camelot...
- Merlin - Arthur try to calm him down
- You, who knows everything about our destinations... Is it really a surprise for you to see us here tonight? - Merlin said, almost shouting - is it a surprise that my brother is with me today?
- Your brother? - asked Kilgharrah very confused - young warlock I can assure you that I don't know what you're talking about
- Merlin, calm down - Arthur repeated, this time putting a hand on Merlin's shoulder - someone could hear us
- What is happening? - Kilgarrah asked.
- You are telling the truth? - Merlin asked.
- Yes Merlin - answered Kilgharrah - besides you are my DragonLord, you know I can't disobey you
Merlin, seeing that Kilgharrah was right, took a deep breath and began to tell him what had happened.
- A few days ago we found out that the queen had twins - said Merlin - and...
- As soon as she realize what Uther was about to do to the magical people, she ask Gaius to hide Merlin, and he never told anyone - said Arthur, seeing that Merlin was having a hard time telling the story
- Oh, I see - Kilgharrah said intrigued - and how did you find out?
- We found a letter from my mother where she explained everything - replied Arthur
- And, you are okay with the fact that Merlin has magic? - Kilgarrah asked.
- Yes, it doesn't bother me... And in fact it clarifies many things...
- Yes indeed ... - said Kilgharrah - actually, this information clarifies a lot of things for me too
- What are you talking about? - Merlin asked.
- First, to make it clear young warlock... I arrive to Camelot a while after you two were born... - Kilgharrah explained - Balinor, tricked by Uther, made me come a few months after the purge began... And That's why I couldn't feel your magic the day you were born
- Oh...
- So no, I didn't know you were brothers - said Kilgharrah - but as I said, it clarifies a lot of things... Especially regarding the prophecy
- Which part? - Arthur asked.
- The part that says "two sides of the same coin"... Now I see that it is literal... - said Kilgharrah - and it makes much more sense that you two are destined to unite Albion, and allow magic to return to this land, and flow free on this earth... brothers with a great intertwined destiny
- And the druids? They know? - Merlin asked.
- I don't know... I don't think so... - Kilgharrah answered thoughtfully - Nimueh mentioned something about it?
- No... she didn't say anything
- So, if she, who performed the spell that gave you life, didn't even know about it... - Kilgharrah said - ... It seems to me that we can assume that indeed no one else knows...
- And it must be kept that way - Arthur said - at least until it's safe for Merlin
- You're right young prince - said Kilgharrah - I'm afraid that you should not only need to be careful of Uther, Morgana and Morgause... This may be information of interest to many enemies of Camelot... Even for those with magic who are resentful with Uther
- It is true - said Arthur - we must keep it a secret until I am king... And even after that we will have to treat the subject carefully
- I'm afraid so... - Kilgharrah said - you two will have to face great dangers from friend and foe.
- Oh, great... - said Merlin - so now my secret is even more dangerous than before
- Don't be so dramatic - said Arthur - at least now you don't have to face this alone
- Yeah... You're right... It's just... - Merlin said, taking a breath to calm down a bit - ... If Balinor isn't my father, how come I'm a dragonlord?
- I don't know, young warlock - Kilgharrah said, - but whatever the reason, your magic must have something to do with it...
- Gaius believes that Balinor guided his power to me... - said Merlin - ...When he escaped from Uther he hid in Ealdor where he met my mother... Hunith... And me, when I was still a baby
- Oh... In that case, perhaps the physician is right - said Kilgharrah - Balinor knew that he was the last DragonLord, and that his legacy would die with him, so it is likely that he put all his intentions in transferring his power to you... and since you possess great power, you were able to receive such an important gift
- Oh... - respondió Merlin pensativo
- Well, young princes, seeing that everything is alright... - said Kilgharrah - I leave...
And without another word, Kilgharrah soared into the air, and fly away in the direction of the mountains.
- Are you ok? - asked Arthur, seeing that Merlin was staring at the grass.
- He called us "Young princes" - said Merlin amazed
- Yes Merlin... Because you are also a prince - said Arthur - but we can't tell anyone yet, so for our own sake, we won't call you that again
- Yes... Please... I don't feel like one
- But you are... So you better get used to it - said Arthur - come on... We have to be up early tomorrow... Let's make camp
- Early for what?
- For hunting, of course - Arthur said with a smile, knowing that Merlin wouldn't like the idea.
- Oh no! Come on Arthur, we don't have to really go hunting... It was just an excuse...
- Oh, that's what you think... But unlike you, I love hunting - said Arthur - so, hurry up