The Last Dragonlord

Kilgharrah, of course, having been locked up for 20 years and left in the dark with his anger and bitterness, had attacked the castle with a fury as soon as he was freed, something the siblings were both expecting and feeling foolish for hoping he would not do. Homes were burned to the ground, countless innocents were injured, and this went on for days...Arthur and the knights were exhausted, Gaius was almost out of supplies, the castle was near crumbling around them and there was nothing that could be done to stop it all.

They'd tried, Merlin and Marayna, they'd tried to stop him in so many ways, learned so many spells in their frantic runnings around, but it hadn't worked, NOTHING had worked. Marayna had even tried to sneak out into the woods to try and talk to the Dragon when it landed for a rest for a moment or two...she hadn't even made it to the clearing he'd set down in before he was up and flying at the castle again.

"I'm sorry you're having to do this," Merlin said as he followed Arthur along the battlements, it being strangely more quiet than normal as Marayna wasn't with them. She'd felt SO guilty about it all that she'd offered to stay and help Gaius tend to the wounded, without Morgana there to help heal the injured, Gaius needed as much help as he could get. Merlin had NOT wanted to let the Dragon free even though he'd promised, but she'd just reminded him that their mother's life was at stake if he didn't. Even though it had been HIS promise, she felt like it was HER fault he'd kept it, that she'd pushed him or something, and so she was running around ragged, trying to help where she could.

"Why?" Arthur eyed him, "You're not to blame. Flame up!" he suddenly shouted to the knights as he saw the Dragon approaching again. The knights lit their arrows on fire and took aim with their bows, "Stay strong! For tonight is not your night to die, I will make sure of that! Hold firm! Hold! Hold! Now!"

They watched as the arrows flew, but Kilgharrah just breathed flames at them, making them duck, burning the rest of the arrows before they even reached him.

Merlin sighed, he knew what Marayna would say if she were there watching this, she'd scold them about how it was a dragon and measly crossbows wouldn't do anything especially not ones that were on FIRE when it could BREATHE fire.

~8~

Marayna ran through the square, a bucket in hand, heading for the well, having told Gwen to stay inside with Gaius as she was more capable of protecting herself with magic if the Dragon dared attack her. She...actually doubted he would, in all the attacks, she and Merlin seemed strangely NOT the target of his fire or his swinging tail. She wasn't sure if it was because they'd freed it, or because he recalled how they'd provided him company for the last few years. Whatever it was, she was grateful she could move a little more freely than the others. She pushed her way through the people fleeing as Kilgharrah soared overhead and dropped the bucket into the well.

"Clear the square!" Arthur ordered as he saw the Dragon circling...and then he spotted her, "Mara!" he looked up as the beast moved to attack, "Marayna!"

Marayna turned, looking up to see Kilgharrah diving for the square and Arthur unmoving as he kept ushering people on...and ran over to him, shoving him down to the ground in a tackle as the Dragon swooped, landing on top of him, "Always seem to end up in this position, don't we?" she smirked, trying to keep it light...and distract him while Merlin, who had followed the prince, magically threw a spear at the Dragon in an effort to get him to stop, however feeble the attempt was.

'Do not imagine that your petty magic can harm ME!' Kilgharrah growled in their minds before it flew off.

'Why are you doing this?!' Merlin called after him, 'You're killing innocent people!'

'If you want to attack someone, go for Uther,' Marayna added, 'HE'S the one who locked you up not the people!'

'Aya!' Merlin shot her a look at that.

'What?' she shook her head as she helped Arthur up, 'It's true!'

~8~

Marayna tended to Arthur's shoulder with a small towel as he sat bare-chested in the makeshift infirmary that was made up in the Main Hall, "You shouldn't've done that, shouting out for me to run and all," she tsked, "All it did was make the Dragon aware of you. Where's your hunter stealth?"

"I wasn't going to let anything happen to you," he told her quietly, snatching her hand as she put the towel down, pressing it to his chest and covering it with his hand, ignoring Gaius smiling at them, "I don't think my heart could take it if you'd been harmed Mara."

"And you think MINE could if he'd hurt YOU?" she shook her head, touching his cheek with her free hand, both of them oblivious to the whispers a few of the villagers were making as they spotted the tender displays. Well, Arthur was oblivious as always, Marayna just didn't care though it DID make her question the priorities of the villagers. Honestly though, a dragon attacks and they chose NOW to notice their prince was flirting with a servant?

"Are you hurt?" Gaius asked Merlin quietly as he approached.

"There's nothing I or Aya can do," Merlin sighed miserably, "Our magic is no good. It doesn't work."

"Dragons aren't monsters," Gaius remarked wisely, "They're creatures of wonder and magic. You must realize that they're immune to your powers."

They were, in fact, immune to quite a few powers...except one.

~8~

Uther had called the war council only an hour later, Arthur, the knights, Gaius and his words standing before him, "The dead number 49 men, 27 women, a further 18 women and children are unaccounted for," Arthur reported, "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."

"Do we have any further idea on how the beast escaped?" Uther asked.

Merlin took Marayna's hand, feeling her flinch beside him, the guilt weighing down on them.

"I regret to say, Sire, we don't," Leon stepped forward.

"There must be some way to rid ourselves of this aberration. Gaius?"

Gaius sighed, "We need a Dragonlord, Sire."

"You know very well that's not an option."

"Sire, what if..." he hesitated, "There was, indeed, one last Dragonlord left."

"That's not possible," Uther shook his head.

"But if there was..."

"What are you saying?"

"It may just be rumor."

"Go on," Uther called when Gaius hesitated.

"I'm not exactly sure, but I think his name is...Balinor."

"Balinor?" Uther stiffened, recognizing the name.

"Where does he live?" Arthur asked.

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

"If this man still exists, then it is our duty to find him."

"Our treaty with Cenred no longer holds," Uther reminded him, "We are at war. If they discovered you beyond our border, they would kill you."

"I will go alone," Arthur countered.

"No."

"That way I will not be detected," he continued, as though his father hadn't interrupted.

"No, Arthur. It is too dangerous."

"More dangerous than staying here?"

Merlin and Marayna had to agree there, and Merlin, for the first time, was thankful Morgana wasn't there, that she was safe somewhere else even if it was with Morgause. They'd discovered that the woman...was Morgana's sister, or half-sister at least, which explained her determination to include Morgana in her plots, her patience and care that she'd shown towards the noblewoman. Morgana was her younger sister and Merlin knew all too well how that sort of protectiveness felt. Morgause would keep Morgana safe, he hoped, he HAD to hope.

"I'll not stand by and watch my men die when I have the chance to save them," Arthur took a stand.

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

"Do not make this a test of wills, father."

"I'm not talking to you as a father, I'm talking to you as a king!"

"And I am countering as a prince," Arthur argued, "As a future KING," Marayna had to smile at that, hearing some familiar words she'd spoken to him echoing back in that, "I will ride immediately."

"My concern is for you."

"Mine is for Camelot," Arthur countered, "And those in it," Uther didn't miss the subtle glance his son sent to his maidservant at that, "I'll send word when I've found him," he turned to Merlin, "Prepare the horses, Mara..." he sighed, walking over to her, "I need you to stay here and help Gaius, please," he added, seeing her about to argue, "There are too many injured and not enough capable hands to help. You...you and Merlin have kept me safe," he looked at her, dropping his voice more so only she (and Merlin and Gaius standing right beside her) could hear, "Keep our people safe."

Uther sat back in his throne, watching them go. He'd actually been about to order the girl to remain behind himself. Arthur...cared for her and...he had resigned himself to the fact that his son had affections for a servant. That was not to say he was entirely accepting of it. But...there was something about that girl, about her circumstance, her attitude and personality and the affect she'd had on Arthur that made him consider her as...slightly more than a servant. But above all that, he knew...the girl had to be kept safe or Arthur would be greatly weakened.

He had once walked in on the girl tickling his son to prove a point that everyone had a weakness. He'd remarked his son had had one more he didn't seem to realize...it was the girl.

~8~

"Who were the Dragonlords?" Merlin asked as he packed his things, unlike his sister, not noticing Gaius pacing the chambers, deep in thought.

"They were men who could talk to the Dragons, tame them," Marayna answered, shrugging when Merlin looked at her, shocked, "Kilgharrah told me about them once."

"What happened to them?" Merlin inquired...but there was no reply, "Gaius?"

"Uncle?" Marayna added when he was silent even still.

Gaius shook his head and turned to them, "Uther believed that the art of the Dragonlord was too close to magic. So he had them all rounded up and slaughtered."

"And yet he kept a Dragon chained beneath his castle?" Marayna scoffed, "Bit short sighted of him to kill the only ones who could help if the Dragon escaped."

"But one survived though," Merlin cut in, looking at Gaius, "How did you know?"

"I helped him escape," Gaius replied, he eyed his wards a moment, seeing so many traits they shared with the man, yet their faces were blank at the mention of his name, "Merlin, Marayna, you've never heard the name Balinor have you?"

"No."

"Why?" Marayna frowned.

"Your mother never mentioned him?" Gaius inquired more delicately.

"Our mother?" Merlin shook his head.

"Why would she?" Marayna asked.

Gaius sighed, "She took him in."

"Mum harbored a fugitive from Uther?"

"Yes."

"That's mum," Merlin smiled at that.

"Yes," Gaius offered a small chuckle, "When Uther discovered where Balinor was, he sent knights to Ealdor to hunt him down. He was forced to flee."

"But why didn't mother tell us any of this?"

He looked at them, serious, "I promised her I would never speak of these things."

"Of what?" Merlin tensed.

"I've always treated you as my son and daughter," he looked at them, "But that is not what you are. The man you are going to look for...HE is your father Merlin."

"My father?" his eyes widened.

"...just Merlin's?" Marayna hesitated to ask, not sure how she'd feel to learn that they had different fathers. It didn't matter to her, Merlin was and always would be her brother, but for their mother to have bedded two different men and not married either of them...it would make her life even more difficult in Ealdor.

"Yours as well," Gaius reassured her.

"But you said he fled..." she shook her head.

"He returned upon a rumor that your mother was unwell and fading," Gaius explained, "But had to leave when Uther followed him once more. Merlin had only just been born weeks before that."

"And he was a Dragonlord?" Marayna blinked, still trying to grasp that.

"Why did no one ever tell us?!" Merlin demanded.

"I wanted to," Gaius told him, "Your mother feared it would be too dangerous."

"We had a right to know!"

"She wanted to protect you," Gaius called, but Merlin just stormed out of the chamber, slamming the door behind him, Marayna knowing all too well he needed time alone when he was THAT angry as to slam doors.

~8~

"You got everything you need?" Gaius asked a few hours later as he and Marayna approached Merlin in the Square, preparing his horse in a small window of opportunity without the Dragon attacking.

He nodded.

"I still say I should go too," Marayna grumbled, "He's my father as well."

"You can't Aya," Merlin took her hand, "Morgana isn't here to help tend the wounded, and Gaius needs all the help he can get."

She sighed, "Will you...will you tell him about me?"

"Of course," he nodded, kissing her forehead, before turning to Gaius, "I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't mean to..."

"I know that," Gaius hugged him.

"Come on, Merlin," Arthur called, already on his horse and doing his best NOT to look at Marayna in the streets filled with knights and guards.

"You're ready?" Merlin turned to him, getting on his horse.

"No thanks to you," he cringed from his chest wound.

"You ok?"

"It's just a scratch," he remarked, trotting off.

"Merlin," Gaius called, "Whatever happens, you must not let Arthur know who this man is. Uther would view the son and daughter of a Dragonlord with the deepest suspicion."

Merlin nodded and followed Arthur out.

"Good luck!" Marayna called after them, praying to every god she could think of that her brother and Arthur would be ok.

~8~

Merlin and Arthur rode for a short while before reaching a small hill near a village, "This is it," Arthur sighed, "One more step and we're in Cenred's kingdom. This Balinor better be worth it," he led his horse into the village, a rain starting to fall as they made their way to a tavern, stepping in to see everyone staring at them, "Greetings!"

A man just pulled out a knife and stuck it on the table before him.

Arthur tensed but nodded, moving to sit at a back table with Merlin as the innkeeper brought them warm mead, slopping the drinks all over the table when Arthur leaned in, "We're looking for a man named Balinor. I'm willing to pay..." he slapped a bag of coins in front of the man, a few rolling out, "...handsomely."

The innkeeper grinned and moved closer to whisper, "Never heard of him," snatching the coins that had rolled out and walking off.

"You think one of these men is Balinor?" Merlin asked, seeing Arthur eyeing the men, all of which did NOT look very trustworthy or dignified.

"I hope not."

"So do I."

~8~

As Arthur and Merlin prepared for bed in one of the inn's rooms, Arthur frowned at him, "What is wrong with you today?"

"What?" Merlin looked at him, getting into bed and lying down.

"It pains me to admit it, but I do enjoy your surly retorts. In fact, it's probably your only redeemable feature."

"Thanks."

"There are loads of servants who can serve. So few are capable of making a complete prat of themselves," he paused, waiting for a retort at the use of the word 'prat' but it never came, "What is it?"

"Nothing."

"It's something. Tell me," but Merlin was silent, "Alright, I know I'm a prince, so people wouldn't expect us to be friends publicly. But, as I've proven with your sister, that doesn't matter so..."

"So?" Merlin frowned as Arthur trailed off.

"So at least can you tell me?"

"Well, that's true," Merlin mumbled, "But you see, if you were my friend I wouldn't have to tell you to mind your own damn business."

"Merlin," Arthur sat up a little, "Are you missing Gaius? Your sister?"

"Something like that," he muttered, he DID miss them, and Morgana, but it was more his thoughts on Balinor getting to him.

"Well, what is it, then?" he turned and threw a pillow at his servant.

"I'll tell you," Merlin huffed, "I'm worried about everyone back in Camelot. I hope they're alright. I don't...I don't like being so far from Aya."

"Nor do I," Arthur laid back down, thinking about Marayna, "But they'll be fine. Mara's kept us BOTH out of trouble, I'm sure she can handle a kingdom just fine," he smiled at that, he'd actually fear for the Dragon if Marayna decided she'd had enough of it.

~8~

As the boys slept, a man snuck into their room, reaching for Arthur's bag of coins, when Arthur jolted awake and grabbed him, throwing him onto Merlin's bed, and holding him down at knifepoint, startling Merlin awake in the process.

"What's going on?" Merlin gasped.

"Do you know what the punishment is for theft?" Arthur demanded, holding the man down.

"No, please," the man begged, "I've got children to feed."

"Tell me where to find Balinor."

"Balinor?" the man blinked.

"What do you know of him?" Arthur asked, suspiciously, seeing recognition in the man's eyes.

"Nothing. I..."

"Do you value your life?" he pressed the knife closer to the man's throat.

"It's been many years since I saw him!"

"You know where he lives?"

"You must travel through the Forest of Marendred to the foot of Feyora Mountain. There you will find the cave where Balinor dwells!" he panted as Arthur let him go, "But don't get your hopes up."

"Why?" Merlin frowned.

"He will not welcome you. Balinor hates everyone and everything. A cave's the best place for him."

Merlin, however, flinched at that, thinking of the life his father had been reduced to if he had to live in a cave because of Uther.

~8~

Merlin and Arthur walked their horses through the woods, Arthur rubbing his chest and stumbling enough where even Merlin noticed, "It's alright," he waved off Merlin, seeing his look.

"No, it's the wound. Let me have a look," he walked over, looking at Arthur's wound when he heard a branch snap, "Get down! Get down!" he pulled Arthur down and behind a fallen tree as Cenred's men, likely just a guard passing by, moved on, not spotting them. He let out a breath as they disappeared and looked at Arthur...who had passed out.

"Arthur?" she shoved him, "Arthur?" he sighed and rubbed his head, "Aya's going to kill me."

~8~

Merlin carefully led his horse, Arthur slung up over it, towards the cave, tying the horse up before entering, "Hello?!"

He was suddenly grabbed from behind and shoved away, "What do you want here, boy?" a man hissed.

Merlin turned and stared, stunned at the bedraggled man that was only two feet before him. He was tall, broad, with graying black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a scowl he could recognize in his sister whenever Arthur was being a prat to him, and he knew without a doubt...this was Balinor.

"My friend, he's sick! He needs help!"

Balinor eyed him, "Show me, boy," but Merlin stood there, memorizing him, "What are you waiting for? Fetch him!"

Merlin ran out and led the horse back in, Balinor pulling Arthur off its back and lying him down, starting to tend to the boy's wound, "Ahlúttre þá séocnes," the man whispered, his eyes flashing, "Þurh, hæle bræd," he glanced at Merlin after a moment, Arthur breathing easier, "He needs rest."

"Will he be alright?"

"By morning."

Merlin smiled at him, grateful, "Thank you."

~8~

Later that night, Merlin sat watching Balinor as they ate dinner, the man having offered him some that he'd hunted and cooked himself, "Looks good," Merlin remarked, trying to strike up a conversation, learn as much about the man as possible for himself and his sister, "How long have you lived here?"

"A few winters."

"Must be hard."

"Why are you here?" Balinor turned to him suddenly.

"Just travelling," Merlin shrugged, not sure what to say till Arthur woke, "We're looking for someone. I was told, well...they said that he lived somewhere hereabouts. A man named Balinor. You ever heard of him? He was a Dragonlord."

"He's passed on," the man said bluntly.

Merlin eyed him intently, that bluntness, that easy lie...it was just like his sister. He was almost...disappointed he kept seeing so much of her in the man, but...really, so many people compared him to their mother where they didn't for his sister, he knew she'd be thrilled to find she bore such a resemblance to him. But at least he could say they BOTH looked like the man, too much so for him to NOT be Balinor, "You knew him?"

"Who are you?!" Balinor demanded, making him flinch.

"I'm...Merlin."

"And him?" he jerked a thumb at Arthur.

"He's my master."

"His name!"

"His name is...Lancelot," he offered, wincing at how terrible he was a lying, knowing Balinor would see right through him for it, "He's a knight. You know, a nice one."

"His name is Arthur Pendragon," Balinor glared, seeing too much of Arthur's parents in him to deny his lineage, "He is Uther's son."

Merlin sighed, "Yes."

"This is Cenred's kingdom. He's asking for trouble," he eyed Merlin, "What do you want from me?"

"Are you Balinor?" he asked, trying to sound surprised, "The Great Dragon, Kilgharrah, is attacking Camelot."

Balinor frowned at that, "You know his name?"

"He told my sister," Merlin shrugged, like it was no big deal, though Balinor eyed him a long while for it, till he shifted at the look, "We can't stop him. Only you, a Dragonlord, can."

"He doesn't act blindly," Balinor warned, "He kills for a reason. Vengeance. This is of Uther's making."

"But he's killing innocent people. Women and children. My sister is there!" Merlin cried, this particular aspect of Balinor he couldn't quite see in either himself or his sister.

"Uther pursued me!" Balinor snapped, "He hunted me like an animal!"

"I know," he said quietly.

"What do you know about anybody's life, boy?! Uther asked me to use my power to bring the last Dragon to Camelot. He said he wanted to make peace with it, but he did not! He lied to me! He betrayed me! You want me to protect this man?"

"I want you to protect Camelot."

"He killed every one of my kind! I alone escaped!"

Merlin hesitated a moment before asking, "...where did you go?"

Balinor sighed, "There's a place called Ealdor..."

"Yes."

"I had a life there," Balinor started to smile, making Merlin smile to see that it was the grin he and Marayna shared, "A woman. A good woman. Ealdor is beyond Uther's realm, but still he pursued me. Why would he not let me be? What was it that I had done that he wanted to destroy the life I built, abandon the woman I loved? He sent knights to kill me. I was forced to come here, to this!" he sneered at the cave, "So, I understand how Kilgharrah feels. He's lost every one of his kind, every one of his kin. You want to know how that feels? Look around, boy. Let Uther die. Let Camelot fall."

"You want everyone in Camelot to die?"

"Why should I care?"

"What if one of them was your son? Your daughter?" he tried to argue.

"I don't have children."

Merlin swallowed hard, "And if I told you..." he began, ready to reveal himself...when Arthur nearly stirred.

"Mara," Arthur shifted, coughing, his hand moving as though reaching for someone for a second before he settled, "Mara..."

Balinor frowned, "Who's that?"

Merlin smiled, "My sister, his..." he sighed, hating to put it this way and knowing his sister would KILL him for doing it but, "HIS woman. A very good woman."

Balinor eyed the prince a moment longer, a small frown on his face. For him, the prince, to fall in love with a servant...that was not like UTHER at all. But...it was JUST like Ygraine, to see past titles and know a PERSON, to love them for who they were and not their title or status...that was every bit Ygraine shining through. Pity he had to be Uther's son also.

~8~

The next morning would find Merlin watching his father by the mouth of the cave, Arthur stepping out to join him, "I feel great!" he exclaimed, "What the hell did you give me?"

"It was all down to Balinor," Merlin shrugged.

"So we found him, then?" Arthur grinned, "Thank heaven for that."

Merlin winced though, "That doesn't mean he's willing to help."

"What?" Arthur stared at him as though he couldn't believe someone would be unwilling to save Camelot.

"You won't persuade him."

"Does he know what's at stake?" he asked incredulous, Merlin nodded, "What kind of man is he?!"

Merlin glanced at Arthur, "Can I tell you what Aya would say right now?"

Arthur shifted at that, surprised by how much he actually wanted to know, "Of course."

Merlin sighed "She'd say that...Balinor was tricked and lied to and hunted by your father. His kind slaughtered in the Purge, all of them Arthur, that means the ones in other kingdoms as well. His race is gone, it's just him, and still Uther hunts him, only wishing him to return to use him, again. And then kill him once it's over. You can't deny Uther wouldn't," he cut in, seeing Arthur about to argue, "Magic is against the law, Balinor would have to use magic to stop the Dragon and, in doing that, he'd commit a crime Uther would be all too happy to see him suffer and die for. Can you blame him for not wanting to help?"

Arthur paused, thinking on that, a bit disturbed because that was EXACTLY what Marayna would say. She'd bring up the flaw in his father's laws and logic, she'd point out just how much the man had suffered, just how much his father had broken his own laws in what he'd done to the man. And she'd be on target, as always.

"He's right," Balinor glared as he walked past, heading back into the cave, "This Aya is a wise woman."

Arthur turned, watching him disappear into the cave's darkness, before going to talk to the man himself, offer him amnesty, protection from his father, anything if it meant he'd save Camelot...

~8~

Gaius walked over to Marayna as she stood on the battlements, not allowing the guards to pull her away despite the danger and threat of the Dragon coming at any moment. His attacks were so sporadic that they never saw it coming and couldn't prepare. But there she was, watching and waiting for Arthur and Merlin, "You worried about them?"

"Of course," she muttered, "My brother and my l...love," she stumbled over the word, still not quite used to saying it out loud, "Have gone to find my father and convince him to return to his death. What's not to worry about?"

Gaius looked at her a long while, "You love Arthur very much don't you?"

"Yes."

He nodded, "He cares the same way for you. He'll return, and keep both Merlin and Balinor safe."

"I know," she sighed, "But I also know, no matter what the Dragon said...Arthur and I can never be."

"Never underestimate the power of love, Rayna," Gaius mused wisely, "I've seen it change many things."

"It's not love I'm worried about, it's everything else, all the other dooming omens. All the other things standing in the way," she ran a hand through her hair, there was just...too much keeping them apart.

~8~

"What did he say?" Merlin asked as Arthur walked back over to him by the horses.

"He'll change his mind."

"He said that?" Merlin's eyes widened.

"Just...give him a moment," Arthur smirked, seeing Balinor step out of the cave.

"Farewell, then," Balinor called.

Arthur's face fell, "That's your decision?"

"I will not help Uther. "

"Then the people of Camelot are damned."

"So be it," Balinor brushed it off.

"Have you no conscience?!"

"You should ask that question of your father!"

"And you are no better than him!" Merlin glared, his heart racing, his sister was trapped in Camelot and their father wasn't even going to help!

"Don't waste your time, Merlin!" Arthur waved him off.

"Gaius spoke of the nobility of Dragonlords! Clearly he was wrong!"

"Gaius?" Balinor looked at him.

"Yes."

Balinor was silent a moment, "He's a good man."

"Yeah, I was hoping you'd be like him," Merlin glared, storming off.

~8~

"I always thought that silence would be a blessing with you and your sister," Arthur remarked after he and Merlin had set up camp, having left Balinor earlier and set about to return to Camelot, "But I find it just as irritating. You're a riddle, Merlin."

"A riddle?" he scoffed.

"Yes. But I've got to quite like you."

"Even more my sister though," he smiled a bit.

"And you," Arthur had to admit, though he liked Merlin in a VERY different way than he did the boy's sister, they were...mates, friends if he could use the word between a prince and servant, "I realize you're not as big a fool as you look. And Mara isn't as rough as she first appears."

"Yeah, I feel the same. Now that I realize you're not as arrogant as you sound," Merlin smirked.

"You still think I'm arrogant?" Arthur rolled his eyes, "I'd have thought your sister beat that down enough to appease you both."

"No," Merlin chuckled, "I don't think you're arrogant...more supercilious."

"That's a big word, Merlin. You sure you know what it means?"

"Condescending."

"Very good."

"Patronizing."

"It doesn't quite mean that," he frowned.

"No, these are other things you are."

"Hang on!" Arthur laughed.

"Over bearing."

Arthur turned, hearing a twig snap and grabbed his sword, "Shh."

"Very overbearing."

"Merlin! "

"But you wanted me to talk," he countered, till he heard another twig snap. He grabbed the staff Arthur had given for his birthday and followed him through the trees.

"Careful, boy," Balinor growled as he stepped past a bush, Arthur nearly attacking him, "I thought you might need some help. This is dangerous country."

"And will you return to Camelot with us?" Arthur asked the man.

Balinor nodded, looking at Merlin, "You were right, Merlin. There are some in Camelot who risked their lives for me. I owe a debt that must be repaid."

"If you succeed in killing the Dragon," Arthur told him, "You will not go unrewarded."

"I seek no reward," Balinor scoffed.

"Great!" Arthur smiled, "Let's eat."

~8~

Merlin glanced at Balinor as they collected firewood, "This wood's too wet."

"Don't worry," Balinor continued to gather it, "I'm sure we'll find a way to make it light."

"When you healed Arthur," he began slowly, "I heard you mumble some words."

"An ancient prayer," Balinor shrugged it off.

"I thought it might've been more than that."

Balinor glanced back at Merlin to see an almost knowing look in his eye and sighed, "The Old Religion can teach us many things."

"The Old Religion...is that something you were taught?" he doubted it though, Marayna seemed to know a lot about it, just KNOWING it, something he didn't quite connect with, but that was ok, it seemed like it had only really happened after she'd become High Priestess.

"It's not something you can learn. Either it's a part of you, or it isn't. My father knew that, and his father before him."

"Were they also Dragonlords?"

"We'll need some kindling," he tried to avoid the question.

Merlin took a breath, knowing he needed to be honest with Balinor for him to be honest in return, "My sister is the High Priestess of the Old Religion," he told the man, making him stop and turn to him, "And me...the Druids call me an Archmage."

Balinor's eyes widened at that, "You and your sister are truly blessed."

"You mentioned..." he swallowed, "You spoke of Ealdor. You took refuge with a woman."

"That was a long time ago."

"Aya, my sister, and I, grew up there."

"Ealdor?" Balinor breathed.

"Yes. I know the woman."

"Hunith? She's still alive?"

"Yes. She's our mother."

Balinor frowned, "Then she married," he turned away from Merlin, "That's good."

But Merlin shook his head, "She never married. I'm your son, my sister is your daughter."

Balinor stared at him, wide eyed, "I don't know what it is to have children."

"Or us a father," Merlin countered.

"Your sister is...Aya or...Mara?" he frowned, trying to recall the names Merlin had given.

"Marayna, actually," Merlin corrected as Balinor gasped.

"That was my mother's name," he breathed, he'd only mentioned it to Hunith once though...and she had name their daughter after her. His heart tugged painfully at that.

Merlin glanced over, hearing Arthur walking around, "You must not tell Arthur."

Balinor smiled and nodded, handing Merlin some wood.

~8~

As Arthur slept a short while later, the father and son sat by the fire, Balinor carving some wood absently, "Why did you never return?" Merlin wondered.

"I thought her life would be better without me," Balinor remarked, knowing he meant return to Ealdor.

"Why?"

"Uther wanted me dead," he shrugged, "If he'd found me, he'd have killed me, and your mother. I wanted her to be safe. He nearly succeeded in killing me when I returned to see her but once," he sighed, recalling that.

He'd been out, hiding not even a year after fleeing Ealdor, and could have sworn he'd heard Kilgharrah in his mind, calling to him, telling him that his love was in danger. He'd all but run back to the small village, fearing the worst...and found Hunith alive and well. He'd thought, perhaps, he might have escaped Uther and could stay...but he'd been spotted and Uther had soldiers there by the next morning. It appeared he was rather...healthy though, that single night was all it took to conceive Marayna it appeared.

"We could've come with you," Merlin told him.

"What kind of life would you have had here?"

"We'd have been...happy. We've always lived a simple life."

"Your sister may yet be queen," Balinor commented, glancing at Arthur, knowing that when a Pendragon wanted something, they got it, "That is hardly simple."

"That is a possible future," Merlin corrected, "Our past was FAR more harsh, we would have been happy just to have our father there," he glanced at Balinor, "When we've finished in Camelot, we will take you to Ealdor."

"She won't recognize me," Balinor shook his head before eyeing Merlin, "I see her in you."

"Yeah?" he smiled, "People say that all the time, about me. Not so much about Aya."

Balinor smiled in return, "You have her kindness."

"Aya's got your spirit," he told the man, "She looks like you, her hair, I mean, it's the same. She's got a temper, a mouth, a strength...she does that too," he nodded at the wood in his hand, seeming to take on the shape of a dragon, before he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small carving of a phoenix she'd made for him, one he took to associating with Morgana, to show him, "Takes her months on end, but...she carves things sometimes."

Balinor's smile turned thoughtful as he reached out to examine the small carving, seeing how much care went into it, seeing how much the girl had to love her brother to put such effort into something for him. He couldn't help but imagine the daughter his son was describing, "I look forward to meeting her."

Merlin beamed at that, pleased that he wouldn't be as closed off as he'd been with him when he met his daughter, "How did you become a Dragonlord?" he asked a few moments later.

"You don't choose to become a Dragonlord. It's not something you're taught. It's a sacred gift. For thousands of years it's been handed down, from father to son."

Merlin nodded slowly at that, "Just from father to son?"

Balinor glanced at him, knowing what he was asking, "There are instances, rare ones, where the daughter of a Dragonlord might have a son who could inherit the power as well, separate from the lad's uncle. It would take a powerful woman to have such a child, a...High Priestess has a fighting chance."

Merlin's smile was gone in an instant, something that surprised Balinor to see. But Merlin was thinking more about his sister, how SHE wouldn't be a Dragonlord, but her sons one day might be one along with him or his sons...but knowing that would never be, knowing the plight his sister suffered in terms of having children.

"A Dragonlord...that is what you must now become, Merlin," Balinor continued.

Merlin swallowed hard, but nodded, needing to know more about it, "I would like that."

"And like all Dragonlords, you won't know for sure that you have that power until you face your first Dragon. You should get some sleep. We've a big day ahead of us. Goodnight, Son."

"Sleep well, Father," Merlin smiled, laying down to rest, trusting his father to watch over him.

~8~

Merlin woke up, smiling when he saw to miniature carved dragon before his face, whittled by his father and smiled...until Arthur grabbed him from behind and put his hand over his mouth, "Cenred's men," he whispered, pulling his sword as the men attacked.

Merlin jumped up, grabbing a sword and tossing it to his father as he grabbed his staff, taking on his own opponent, but his fear and concern for his father distracted him and he found the staff knocked out of his hand, leaving him to the soldier's mercy...

Balinor, though, appeared equally as concerned for his son and ran to his aid, "NO!" he cried, shoving the boy aside, getting run through in the process.

~8~

Marayna looked up with a gasp as she tended to a child, feeling like her heart was breaking, like she couldn't breath, her ears ringing as she felt cold, her heart pounding, "No..." she whispered, terrified for who she had felt just then and why she'd felt it.

She closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears in as she was sure she'd just felt either her brother or her father die...

~8~

"NO!" Merlin screamed, his eyes glowing golden as the men were thrown back by the rampant magic and rage inside him. Merlin grabbed Balinor as he fell to his knees, gently lowering him to the ground, holding him.

Balinor let out a low chuckle, "I see the Archmage now," he groaned, "You have your father's talent. Merlin..."

"Please, no," Merlin begged, "Please. I may not be Gana, but I can save you."

"Listen to me," Balinor grabbed his arm, not sure who this Gana person was, though he could guess someone Merlin cherished given how he'd said the woman's name, but needing his son to listen to him, "When you face the Dragon, remember...be strong. A Dragon's heart is on its right side, not its left."

"I can't do it alone."

"You will have your sister," he breathed, "Oh, my son," he squeezed Merlin's arm, "I've seen enough in you to know that you both will make me proud."

He offered Merlin one last smile...before he breathed his last.

"No," Merlin hugged him, "Father..." tears falling from his eyes, "No!"

Arthur ran over after taking out the last man, throwing his sword down when he saw Balinor had fallen, "NO!" he rubbed his face, "Camelot is doomed."

~8~

As Merlin and Arthur returned to Camelot, they were led to the Main Hall, a sentry having spotted them, the court already gathered, Gaius and Marayna standing to the side.

'Merlin...' Marayna began, dread at seeing a man missing and relief at seeing Merlin there hitting her at the same time, 'Where's Balinor?' Merlin could only give her a devastated look, a meaning in them that she didn't want to believe, 'Merlin...where is he?'

'I'm so sorry Aya,' he breathed, tears in his eyes and she let out a breath, nearly staggering to the side, realizing what happened, realizing the pain she'd felt and tried to ignore had actually meant what she'd feared it had...

Their father was dead...and she hadn't even gotten a chance to meet him.

"I'm sorry, father," Arthur stepped up, "I failed you. The last Dragonlord is dead."

Gaius looked between Merlin and Marayna, seeing them both trying not to cry and bowed his head.

"There are many years where I might've wished for that news," Uther sighed, finally truly seeing one effect of his Purge come back to bite him.

"All is not lost, father," Arthur straightened, "We have to fight the monster ourselves. So let us ride out and fight on our own terms...on open ground, on horseback, where we can maneuver better."

"There is no point."

"So what?" Arthur shook his head, "We stand here, watch Camelot fall?"

Uther considered that and nodded, "You have my blessing."

Arthur gave a curt nod in return, "I need a dozen knights!" he turned to face the ones in the room, "Those who do not wish to fight can do so without stain on their character. For those brave enough to volunteer should know...the chances of returning are slim."

Sir Leon stepped forward, eleven others with him, forming a circle around Arthur, none of them seeing Gaius and his wards sneak out of the room.

~8~

"Merlin, what happened?" Marayna asked as she tried to be brave and not cry, trying to convince herself she should be worrying more about the people of Camelot than a man she'd never met before. She HAD to convince herself to think that way, otherwise she'd break down entirely and she'd be useless in helping her brother.

"I couldn't save him," Merlin said as he sat at the workbench, staring at nothing.

"Merlin..." Gaius began.

"He said the Dragonlord's gift is passed from father to son."

"That is true," Gaius nodded, "It is said that the daughters of Dragonlords may possess the possibility to pass on the ability to their sons as well."

"Suppose we'll never know that last part," Marayna murmured, crossing her arms, shifting uncomfortably.

"When I faced the Great Dragon, my magic was useless," Merlin frowned.

"Your father wasn't dead," Gaius said bluntly, knowing there was no time to be delicate, "It's only then you can inherit his powers."

"Do you think I'm strong enough to stand up to him?" Merlin looked up.

"You're strong enough to stand up to me," Marayna remarked, moving to sit next to him, "And I'm much worse than any old overgrown lizard."

He had to laugh at that, "True."

"Oi!" she punched him in the arm, "You're not supposed to agree with that!"

~8~

As Merlin and Marayna helped Arthur put his armor on, well Marayna was, Merlin was sharpening the prince's sword, when Arthur looked over at them, "Well, look on the bright side, chances are you're not going to have to clean this again."

"Actually DO try to be careful this time," Marayna remarked dryly, "Don't go rushing out there and launch an attack you know won't work ok?"

"Yes, your highness," he joked.

"Oi!" she whacked his arm, "I'm being serious."

"I can hear that," he murmured, actually able to hear that tone in her voice.

"Just...let what's meant to happen happen."

He nodded, turning to take his sword from Merlin, "Merlin," he began quietly, "If I die, please..."

"What?" Merlin frowned as Arthur trailed off.

"The Dragonlord today...I saw you. One thing I tell all my young knights, no man is worth your tears."

"Yeah. You're certainly not."

Arthur swallowed, "I mean...you must be brave, for Mara..."

"I think she can be brave herself," Marayna countered, picking up the edge of her skirt and showing him her sais tucked into her boots.

"What are you doing?" Arthur stared, trying not to blush as he saw her legs.

"We're coming with you," Merlin replied, taking his staff.

"The chances are I'm going to die," Arthur shook his head.

"Yeah," Marayna smirked, "Oh definitely, without us there to watch your back."

Arthur scoffed, "Right."

"Do you know how many times we've had to save your royal backside?" Merlin quipped.

"Well at least you got your sense of humor back," Arthur smirked, heading for the door, pausing when he saw them actually following him, "Are you really going to face this dragon with me?"

"Well I'm not about to sit here and watch after you both ordered me to stay here last time," Marayna crossed her arms, "You need a woman around to make sure things get done properly."

"We know it's hard for you to understand how we feel," Merlin added, more serious than his sister, "But...well, I care a hell of a lot about that armor, I'm not going to let you mess it up."

"And I care an awful lot about the man IN the armor," Marayna continued.

Arthur smiled at that, touched, giving them a nod, not trusting himself to kiss Marayna and be able to pull away to face the Dragon, before he turned to leave, his servants with him to the end.

~8~

By nightfall, they had reached a clearing where the Dragon attacked them, having followed them away from Camelot, likely seeing an opportunity to hurt Uther more by going after the man's son than his kingdom.

"Hold firm!" Arthur shouted as Kilgharrah dove at them, "Hold! Hold! Hold! Now!" they circled the beast, surrounding him, but the creature just knocked the men off their horses with his tail, sparing Marayna on Bartok though. Despite it all, she had been the kindest, the truest of intentions, the one who he owed not just his freedom to but also...a debt for the company she'd provided him the last few years.

He roared at them, breathing fire at some of the men.

"No!" Merlin scrambled up from where he'd fallen, more starting to think he'd only been knocked off his horse because he was nearer to Arthur than his sister and gotten caught, he hadn't been thrown that hard. He pulled Marayna behind him as she dismounted, "Stop!"

The Dragon turned to them, hearing a different note in Merlin's voice...when Arthur picked up a spear to help defend his servants. Kilgharrah just looked at him a moment before breathing fire. Arthur rolled out of the way and stabbed the Dragon in the left side where he assumed the beast's heart was...and only succeeded in making it angry, Kilgharrah swinging out a claw and knocking Arthur away.

"Arthur!" Marayna ran to his side.

"You're the last Dragonlord now," Merlin could swear he'd heard Balinor speaking in his mind, "You and your sister carry the ancient gift. Deep within yourself, you must find the voice that you and Kilgharrah share, for your soul and his are brothers. When you speak to him as kin, he must obey your will."

Merlin let out a Dragon-like roar at his sister's shouts, startling her as he chanted an ancient call, "Dracan! Nán dyd ǽlc áciere miss! Eftsíðas eom ála cræt! Géate' stǽr ábære gárrǽs! Géate cyre. Mé tácen átende diegollice. Car grise áþes."

The Dragon moved back, bowing to Merlin as he picked up the spear, "I am the last of my kind, Merlin," it breathed as Marayna watched her brother in awe, "Whatever wrongs I have done, do not make me responsible for the death of my noble breed."

Merlin thrust the spear at him, "Merlin!" Marayna called and he stopped, inches from piercing the right side of the Dragon, though they both knew that was what he intended, not to harm the Dragon, but make him aware of the power held over him, whose mercy he was at.

"Go!" he ordered, "Leave! If you ever attack Camelot again, I will kill you!"

Kilgharrah bowed as Merlin dropped the spear.

Marayna stood and moved to her brother's side, taking his hand, knowing his heart was breaking to use that power over the Dragon as it meant their father was truly dead, "Merlin has been merciful," she told the beast, "Extend the same courtesy!"

Kilgharrah nodded sadly, "Young warlock, what you have shown is what you will be. I will not forget your clemency. I'm sure our paths will cross again," and with that, it flew off, just as Arthur woke.

"What happened?" Arthur groaned.

"Arthur!" Marayna ran to his side, hugging him tightly, the man wincing even as he hugged her back.

"You dealt him a mortal blow," Merlin told him.

"He's gone?" Arthur blinked, stunned.

"He's gone," Marayna nodded, pulling back, "You did it."

Arthur laughed, cheering, pulling Marayna to him and kissing her deeply in celebration, making her blush as she pulled away.

"Well you certainly did it," Merlin laughed, a sad smile on his face, missing Morgana even more and wondering if she'd be proud of him.

'Infinitely,' Marayna answered, hearing his thoughts, 'Just like I am,' she smiled at him.

'You are?' he felt his smile turn just a bit less sad.

She nodded, 'Look at that, the High Priestess and the Dragonlord...I think Balinor would be proud of us too.'

Merlin swallowed hard, nodding at that, he thought so too.

~8~

"I felt him there with me, Gaius," Merlin murmured as he sat beside Marayna on a bench in the physician's chambers, the girl looking at the small red-wood dragon her father had carved, Merlin claimed he'd carved it for her though she wasn't sure whether to believe that or think it was just him giving her the dragon as she hadn't been able to meet the man who made it. Merlin had just told her what happened to Balinor, how the man had wanted to meet her, but now would never get the chance.

"I didn't," she murmured, before blinking, tears finally starting to fall now that she had time to process it all without the threat of the Dragon pulling her thoughts away.

Gwen, who had joined them to hear what 'really' happened, moved to kneel beside her, taking her hand as Merlin hugged her on the side.

"Merlin!" Arthur cheered as he burst into the room, "Mara...my father has..." he trailed off, seeing the woman he loved in tears, "What's wrong?"

Gwen got up, leading him off to the side, giving the trio a moment's privacy as she explained, knowing Marayna hated it when others saw her cry, "Arthur..." she sighed, "They just received word their father's passed on."

"Was he in Camelot?" he asked, his mind going to the Dragon and the attack, all those who had died.

"No."

Arthur nodded, stepping back over to Marayna's side, sitting on her other side and taking her from Merlin, holding her close, offering his strength, feeling his heart both break and warm as she allowed herself to cry on his shoulder, something he knew she never did, knowing it meant she trusted him to see her that vulnerable.

Merlin held his sister's hand through it all, the dragon carving clutched between their hands as they mourned the loss of their father.

To be continued...in...Burning!

A/N: SO sorry this is late :( My great-uncle died on Saturday :( It's been a mess of family and wakes and...the funeral is today so I haven't had time at all to really edit. I'm going into work late today, after the funeral and I got up extra early to try and get this edited before I have to go :( I'm going to try and get Burning up in about 6 or so hours, we'll get the start of Series 3 today too (hopefully), after I get back.

As for this chapter, SO sad! I was debating saving Balinor, but I felt like Merlin needed to be a Dragonlord, he needed to be equal to his sister again :) And...I sort of wanted to give him a special moment, to know his father, where Marayna couldn't. Because this IS still about Merlin, just with his sister there :)

Just to finish, I wanted to thank you all, all the readers/reviewers/favoriters/followers/anyone who's even glimpsed this story lol. You guys have all been so amazing and I'm really so thankful that I have you for readers, you rock! :)

Some notes on reviews...

I think it's a word :) But I can't say if Morgana will be evil or not...all I can say is, if I manage to get the next story up today, we'll find out in just a few hours where her true loyalty will lie, she'll do something that will show it without a doubt }:) We'll also find out if Merlin and Morgana managed to keep in contact somehow as well, I can say one of them just might have in a way ;) As for Uther, he's not going soft, I can say that, there's...an ulterior motive behind what he's doing, that we might find out in Series 3 ;)

Sorry, I had to let Balinor's fate play out :( Merlin had to be a Dragonlord :(

I agree, Kilgharrah should have attacked Uther, not his people (sort of like what Marayna shouts to him lol) :) We'll have to wait and see about Morgana though ;)

I'm glad the updates brighten your day a little :) Sorry this one was a little late :( The next series will be called Burning and it should (hopefully) be up in about 6 hours :)

Lol, I hope you get to actually see the show one day, it's very good :)

No worries, there'll be WAY more Merlin-Arthur friendship moments to come ;) Especially in Series three :) As for Morgana...we'll find out in only a few hours where her loyalties lie }:)