Seven short stories written for the 'Mergana Prompt Party' on Tumblr

A/N: Set after 4x13

Day Five: Dragons

Riding on Kilgharrah was always a treat for Merlin, even though he usually had some urgent task to worry about during such flights. And today was no exception, as the large dragon had called on the warlock's help after Aithusa had flown off one night and not returned.

"I sense she's not far from here," he told Merlin, "But I cannot see her from the air and she has not responded to my summons. However, the call of a Dragonlord is something far more powerful, and it should not be possible for her to resist it, no matter what else is occupying her at any given time."

Merlin jumped down to the ground and nodded in reply, lifting his head and calling up to the sky. Kilgharrah shook his great head in apparent distress at the sound.

"What's the matter?" the warlock asked.

"It is strange to have you call like that when I'm standing right next to you."

Merlin grinned at his reaction and was about to tease the great creature for it when he heard a noise in the nearby trees. It appeared Kilgharrah had been correct about Aithusa being close by because, within moments, the little white dragon was flying in, grumbling and complaining all the way.

"You are far too young to spend that much time on your own," Kilgharrah scolded Aithusa as she landed in front of Merlin. "You should not have stayed away from me for so long."

"Not on my own," the dragon disagreed. "Didn't want to come here."

"We were worried about you," Merlin explained.

"I'm a big dragon now," she declared before suddenly letting out a squawk and turned back to the trees with a look that almost appeared guilty.

Then, to Merlin's total shock, a very familiar figure strode out of the trees towards their position.

"Aithusa why did you leave and...?" Morgana stopped and her jaw dropped as she saw Merlin standing unharmed in the middle of the field in-between two dragons. There was a long pause as everyone tried to come to terms with this extraordinary situation.

"Witch!" Kilgharrah was the first to react, positioning himself directly behind Merlin and starting to take a deep breath.

"No!" Merlin held a hand out - preparing to command him to stop his planned attack - but Aithusa was quicker; one large hop placing her in front of Morgana, wings spread out as she hissed at the large dragon, protecting the sorceress. Kilgharrah halted, letting out a loud rumble of discontent.

"Merlin, what's going on?" Morgana demanded. "Why are you here with my dragon and... and that?"

"Your dragon?" he scoffed. "Since when?"

"Since she saved my life last month." She looked up at Kilgharrah again. "Isn't that the one that Arthur was supposed to have killed four years ago?"

"As if he could," Kilgharrah scoffed. Merlin was secretly pleased to note how Morgana paled as she heard the dragon's voice properly for the first time and took full note of his size.

"You befriended him?" she asked of Merlin, disbelief audible in every word.

"Aithusa should not be with you," he said, deciding not to answer her question. "She should be growing up with the only other creature of her kind."

"You don't get to have a say in this, Merlin. You do not tell me what to do or whose company I can keep."

"Let me stay, please," Aithusa pleaded with Merlin, her head bowed.

"What are you asking him for?" Morgana snapped. "He's nothing but a serving a boy - a nobody."

"Morgana... I think you should know that-"

"No-one go," Aithusa suddenly said, her maw open in a large, dragon smile. "All stay together. All four. All happy."

"That won't be possible," Merlin replied, whilst Kilgharrah scoffed loudly behind him. "Not any more."

"You haven't answered my question," Morgana continued. "What are you doing here?"

"My duty, Morgana," Merlin snapped. "Something you seem to have forgotten about."

She shook her head. "You don't understand. You never did." She pulled her shoulders back. "Come Aithusa, we're going now," and she turned to leave with a swish of skirts.

Merlin looked up at Kilgharrah and sighed, seeing no other way. "I'm sorry, Morgana," he said. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that. She needs to stay for a little while longer."

And so then, in full view of Morgana, Merlin took a deep breath and spoke to Aithusa in the Dragonlord's tongue. Ordering her to stay with Kilgharrah.

~o~0~o~