Chapter 25

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The situation couldn't be any more dire in Camelot. The Kingdom was saved from Morgause but Morgana was gone. Kilgarrah had been released from his prison. And he was now unleashing his anger upon Camelot. Destroying the very thing he had tasked Merlin and I to protect. All of it to punish Uther Pendragon.

More and more people came in the hospital. Gaius and I had spent the last few days, mending and stitching wounds. The victims kept coming through while my brother and Arthur fought the dragon. Kilgarrah never seemed to tire, he destroyed and burned and killed.

"We've no clear water left." Gwen stopped next to Gaius and I.

"I know but it's too dangerous to go out there." Gaius retorted.

"You're right but we need the clean water." I took the bucket from Gwen. "Tend to him." I let my patient in her care.

"Nellie, don't!" Gaius called after me.

It was dangerous out there and Kilgarrah no longer cared whether we were friends or not. Had we ever been friends, though? It didn't matter anymore. Camelot was doomed if we didn't stop the dragon. And there was no stopping him. I ran to the well while others ran in the opposite direction. It was chaos and destruction. While drawing water, I had to keep an eye on the dragon and be focused on my task. I worked as fast as I could. People were screaming and wailing around me. Rushing to the nearest shelter. Away from Kilgarrah.

"Emmanuelle!" I heard Arthur roared on the other side of the square. I turned around only to see Kilgarrah charging at me. I ran.

As fast as I could and as far as I could. But he was a dragon and he was flying. This was how I would die. Killed by a dragon. I felt a hand on my back before falling to the ground. The dragon flew away, Arthur groaned next to me. He had been hurt. He pulled me up and we ran back to the hospital.

I sat him up on a bunk bed and helped him out of his armor, so I could tend to his wound.

"It's doesn't look too deep." I said as I cleaned his wound. "You should be fine." I shook my head. "You shouldn't have done that. Risking your life for me was reckless."

"I wasn't going to let anything happen to you." Arthur said softly.

"I know." I smiled at him. I went to put the wet rag down but he snatched my hand and pressed it to his chest. And held it there.

It was a well needed comfort. A moment of quiet and peace. It wouldn't last. More victims came in and a report was to be given to the King in the Council chambers. And as Gaius's apprentice, I was attending. The numbers of victims, of the missing people were only growing by day. Women, men and children had fallen victims to the Dragon's assault on the Kingdom. The western section of the castle was near collapsing. Our situation was desperate.

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

"I regret to say, Sire." Leon replied. "We don't."

Merlin and I glanced at each other. We knew how the dragon escaped. He had been freed by my brother, as promised. If only we knew what he would do.

"There must be some way to rid ourselves of this aberration." Uther wondered.

Arthur sat down. He looked exhausted as we all were. Most of us hadn't slept in days, or took a moment to breathe or rest. Or even eat. I had ever felt so hopeless. Of course, no one had a suggestion to stop the dragon. Kilgarrah truly seemed unstoppable.

"Gaius?" Uther turned to the court physician.

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

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

"Sire, what if—there was indeed one last Dragonlord left." Gaius continued.

"That's not possible."

"But if there was?"

Uther turned to him and slowly made his way towards Gaius. "What are you saying?"

"It may just be rumor."

"Go on."

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

"Balinor."

Four years ago, almost five and never had I come across someone named Balinor. And yet, his name sounded familiar as if I had met him before.

"Where does he live?" Arthur asked him.

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

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

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

"I'll go alone." Arthur said.

"No."

"That way I will not be detected."

"This is too dangerous."

"More dangerous than staying here?" Arthur countered. "I won't stand by watching my men die when I have the chance to save them."

"I have given you my orders." Uther said firmly.

"Do not make this a test of wills, Father." Arthur said quietly.

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

Arthur sighed. "I will ride immediately."

"My concern is for you." Uther confessed.

"Mine is for Camelot." Arthur retorted. "I'll send word when I find him."

Balinor was our only hope. The only one it seemed to put a stop to this madness. But for this, Merlin and Arthur had to walk on our enemy's territory. They would be in as much danger as we would be in Camelot. Which didn't give me peace of mind. I wished to go with them but Gaius needed me here. He would need all the help he could get. Merlin was packing his bag for the journey. I, on the other hand, went to Arthur. I changed his bandages; it was bleeding still. It wasn't a deep wound and I feared an infection. We were lacking time, the threat Kilgarrah was posing was a more urgent matter.

"Your father is right. This is too dangerous." I told him.

"I have no other choice." Arthur retorted. "This is our only chance."

I exhaled. "I know—just come back. And make sure my brother does too."

Arthur pulled me in his arms and kissed the crown of my head. "I will." He promised.

I pulled away. "I should make sure Merlin is ready." I hesitated before leaving. I stared down at his lips and kissed him.

"Arthur is ready." I said walking in the chambers. Both Gaius and Merlin seemed upset. "What's wrong?"

"Did you know?" Merlin looked at me.

"Did I know what?" I asked confused.

"That Balinor was my father."

"He is?"

"Yes." Gaius nodded.

"Why did no one ever tell me?" Merlin yelled.

"I wanted to. You mother feared it would be too dangerous." Gaius explained.

"I had a right to know."

"She wanted to protect you."

"No. I had a right to know." Merlin repeated firmly.

"Merlin…" I called softly as he left.

That's why his name sounded so familiar, although I wasn't entirely sure when I've heard it before. Besides, there's so many things I didn't know about myself. Such as me being found by Hunith, abandoned by my true parents. Well, the ones I had in this world. Maybe, I had known him briefly. Maybe, I had met him in another life. Anyway, this wasn't about me. This was about Merlin and his father, Balinor. On top of having to fight the Dragon, he would finally meet his father. Did Balinor even know he had a son? Did he even remember Hunith or care about her still? So many questions and so little time. I wished Merlin had known the truth in a better time.

"You got everything you need?" Gaius asked Merlin.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Merlin apologized.

"I know that." Gaius retorted.

I hugged him. "Be careful, little brother."

"Come on, Merlin." Arthur walked up to his horse.

"You're ready?" Merlin asked him as he pulled away.

"No, thanks to you." Arthur climbed on his horse. He winced.

"You're okay?"

"Just a scratch." I did not believe him. It might be just a scratch but it seemed it was serious than that.

Merlin climbed on his horse as Arthur trotted away. "Merlin whatever happens, you must not let Arthur know who that man is." Gaius warned him. "Uther would view the son of a dragonlord with deeply suspicion."

"Come back." I said. "And make sure that dollophead does too.

They had left to find Balinor. I did not know what would await them beyond the borders of Camelot. All I knew was that the Great Dragon would attack again and that Camelot had to stand still until their return. I wished I could have gone with them.

Balinor wasn't an easy man to find. The Inn in which Merlin and Arthur had taken refuge for the night, the people weren't really cooperative. Merlin had been awfully quiet on this journey. Unbeknownst to Arthur, the boy was thinking of Balinor; his father. How would he reveal to a man he had never met that he was his son? Would Balinor even believe him or accept him? During the night, a man had snucked into their chambers to steal them. Arthur had stopped him before he could and held him at knifepoint.

With a knife to his throat, the man spoke of Balinor. Revealing his position but also his nature. Balinor was to be found in a cave at the foot of Feyora Mountain. But the Dragonlord hated everyone and everything. What kind of man Merlin's father truly was?

When night came, Kilgarrah attacked again. More victims came pouring through. Bruises, scratches, burns that I had to tend to. Women, men and children terrorized, lost and hopeless. People were hurt, suffering and I couldn't help ease their pain. And I felt powerless. It was the worst feeling in the world. Watching people die and suffer without being able to do something to help them.

Travelling beyond Camelot's borders was suicide. Arthur was stumbling through the woods more than walking. Getting sicker and sicker. The servant was about to get a look at his wound when a branch snapped. Cenred's men were passing through. They hadn't been spotted for now. They were free to go. But Arthur was now unconscious. The wound had gotten infected.

The Knights held their ground as best they could. But they couldn't go on for much longer, not without Balinor's help. Had Merlin and Arthur found him yet? Were they already making their way home? I truly hoped they were. I had seen enough deaths to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, I would see many more before the end of my story. But this would be told at another time. For now, I would only speak of Kilgarrah and his anger, and the near destruction of Camelot.

At night, we fled the Great Dragon's wrath. In the morning, we put out fires, counted our dead and missing people. It was chaos and terror. I had to walk away from my patients for a while. I couldn't stand seeing the people of Camelot suffer any longer. I had sat by a man who had been badly burned, all night long. His family hadn't been found still. Most likely, they had been killed by Kilgarrah. He did not survive the night, I sat by him, accompanying him in his last moments. Wishing I had something to ease the pain. I wished I had made his passing easier and soother.

This happened in a time where any medication such as painkillers or morphine did not exist. You had to suffer through the pain. Of course, Gaius had some draught that could help ease some pain. But nothing strong enough for this sort of pain. There had to be a way to help those in pain. I had to find a way.

Merlin had found Balinor. The man he met was not as he had imagined. Balinor had lived in hiding for many years. He barely spoke. He showed no manners, no kindness. He had nothing of the man Merlin had imagined him to be. Balinor had nothing in common with him. But the way he tended to Arthur's wound reminded him of his sister. Nellie was not related to Balinor by blood but she was older than Merlin. And maybe for some time, she and Balinor had been bound by love. One a father would feel for his child.

"Looks good." Merlin said, breaking the silence that had settled upon the cave. "How long have you lived here?"

"A few winters." Balinor answered shortly. His voice gruff as if he hadn't spoken to a living soul for many years.

"Must be hard."

"Why are you here?" He asked cutting Merlin off.

"Just travelling." Merlin replied. "We're looking for someone. I was told, well, they said that he lived somewhere hereabouts. A man named Balinor. You never heard of him? He was a Dragonlord."

"He's passed on." Balinor said.

"You knew him."

"Who are you?" Balinor snapped.

"I'm…Merlin." He said hoping that Balinor would recognize his name. But nothing.

"And him?"

"He's my master." Merlin shook his head.

"His name."

"His name is…Lancelot." He lied. "He's a knight. A nice one."

"His name is Arthur Pendragon." Balinor said. "He's Uther's son."

"Yes."

"This Cenred's Kingdom. He's asking for trouble. What do you want from me?"

"Are you Balinor?" Balinor remained quiet. "The Great Dragon, Kilgarrah, is attacking Camelot." Merlin told him.

"You know his name?"

"My sister asked him." Merlin revealed to a stunned Balinor. "We can't stop him. Only, you, a Dragonlord can."

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

"He's killing innocent people. Women and children." Merlin said.

"Uther pursued me." Balinor snapped. "He hunted me like an animal."

"I know."

"What do you know about anybody's life, boy?" Balinor stood up and walked away. "Uther asked me to use my power to bring the last dragon to Camelot. Said he wanted to make peace with him. But he did not. He lied to me. He betrayed me. And you want me to protect this man?"

"I want you to protect Camelot."

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

"Where did you go?"

"There was a place called Ealdor." Balinor calmed down.

"Yes."

"I had a life there." He continued. "A woman. A good woman. And a girl. A small little thing." Balinor smiled fondly. He had known Nellie. He had met her. "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, our child? He sent knights to kill me. I was forced to come here. To this! So, I understand how Kilgarrah 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?"

"My daughter would never be in Camelot."

"And if I told you…"

"Emma…" Arthur stirred in his sleep. "Emma." He coughed.

"Who is she?" Balinor asked.

"My sister." Merlin replied. "The woman he loves."

To say that he had been disappointed was an understatement. He had expected his father to act differently. To care about the innocent lives that were being taken by the Dragon. He understood that Balinor wanted to punish Uther but to let others pay the price of Uther's crimes was not fair. It wasn't kind. It was cruel.

Arthur had recovered from his fever. He was feeling much better. Walking out of the cave, he found Merlin sitting on a rock, observing a man; Balinor. The Dragonlord had saved his life and yet, he refused to help the people of Camelot. He was willing to let Camelot fall. What kind of man was Balinor?

I stood on the battlements, looking upon the city. The people were rushing to extinguish fires, helping the guards to contain the damages.

"You are worried about them?" Gaius asked me as he joined me.

I exhaled deeply. "When am I not?" I shook my head. "I'm always there making sure that Merlin's magic remains a secret. Or that Arthur doesn't get himself killed."

"You care a lot for him, don't you?" Gaius asked.

"As does everyone." I answered quickly.

"I think he cares the same way about you." Gaius continued.

"And here I thought, we were being discreet."

"It's alright. I won't tell anyone." Gaius smiled at me.

"It doesn't matter. It can't never be." I said sadly.

"The world is a strange place, Emmanuelle." Gaius sighed. "Never underestimate the power of love. I've seen it change many things."

I put my arm through his and leaned my head on his shoulder. "I wish you were right."

"What did he say?" Merlin asked as Arthur walked back to him.

"He'll change his mind." Arthur answered.

"He said that?"

"Just give him a moment."

Balinor joined them by the mouth of the cave. Merlin hopefully looked up at him. Expecting him to have change his mind. "Farewell then."

Once again, Merlin was disappointed. "That's your decision?" Arthur turned to him as disappointed as Merlin.

"I will not help Uther." Balinor spelled out.

"Then the people of Camelot are damned."

"So be it."

"Have you no conscience?" Arthur called after him.

"You should ask that question of your father." Balinor countered.

"Then you are no better than him." Merlin said.

"Don't waste your time, Merlin." Arthur left.

"Gaius spoke of the nobility of Dragonlords!" Merlin called after him. "Clearly he was wrong!"

"Gaius?"

"Yes."

"A good man."

"I was hoping you'd be like him."

"Merlin!" Arthur called him.

"I wanted…"

"Merlin!"

"But there's no point." He said, dejected and left.

"I always thought that silence would be a blessing with you and your sister." Arthur said as Merlin set up the camp for the night. "But I find it just as irritating. You're a riddle, Merlin."

"A riddle?" Merlin repeated.

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

"Nellie more than me." Merlin teased him.

"And you." Arthur admitted. "I realize you're not as big a fool as you look."

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

"You still think I'm arrogant." Arthur said.

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

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

"Condescending." Merlin started;

"Very good."

"Patronizing."

"It doesn't quite mean that."

"No, these are other things you are."

"Hang on." There was a snap somewhere nearby.

"Overbearing." Merlin continued, having not heard the sound. "Very overbearing."

"Merlin!" Arthur hissed taking his sword.

"You wanted me to talk." Merlin countered.

This time Merlin heard the snap. He, too, rose and grabbed his sword and followed the Prince. This time, the sound came from behind them. When they turned around, they came face to face with Balinor.

"Careful, boy." Balinor smiled. "I thought you might need some help. This is dangerous country."

"Will you return to Camelot with us?" Arthur asked him.

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

"If you succeed in killing the dragon, it will not go unrewarded." Arthur promised.

"I seek no reward."

"Great. Let's eat."

Merlin grinned. Glad to have been wrong about Balinor. Glad to see that it might not as ruthless as Uther. Glad that he was a better man than he believed. It did not change the fact that Balinor was still a very secretive person. As they gathered woods together, Merlin had tried to know more about the man but to no avail. He would not willingly speak of himself or of his heritage. Maybe, it was Merlin who had to speak of himself, first.

"You mentioned…You spoke of Ealdor." Merlin started. "You took refuge with a woman."

"That was a long time ago." Balinor replied.

"I grew up there." Merlin said.

"Ealdor?"

"Yes." Merlin nodded. "I know the woman and the girl."

"Hunith? Nellie? They are still alive."

"Yes. Hunith's my mother and Nellie, my sister." Merlin finally revealed.

"Then, Hunith married. It's good." Balinor turned away.

"She never married." Merlin continued. "I'm your son."

Balinor hesitated. "I don't know what it is to have a son."

"Or I a father." Merlin smiled.

"And I barely was a father to your sister."

Arthur walked by. "You must not tell Arthur." Merlin begged him.

Without a word, Balinor walked up to his son and placed the woods he had gathered in his arms.

I remembered. It was a strange feeling. I had never met him and yet, I remembered his face. It was quite blurry but I remembered, his kind eyes and his smile. And the carving of a hummingbird. Hummingbird that she kept on her nightstand. Never knowing or remembering where it came from. Now, I knew. It came from him. From my father, Balinor. He had been my father. I could feel it in my heart. I had loved him as such and always would.

Balinor, now, knew the truth. He had a son and a daughter. Both of them lived in Camelot and served Arthur Pendragon. He had never hoped or believed that he would ever see the woman he loved or the daughter they had adopted. Let alone, having a son. He had been alone for so long and now he had an entire family. More than he had ever hoped for. More than he dreamed of.

"Why did you never return?" Merlin asked him as they sat by the fire.

"I thought their lives would be better without me." Balinor softly said.

"Why?"

"Uther wanted me dead." Balinor started. "If he'd found me, he'd have killed me, your mother and your sister. I wanted them to be safe."

"We could've come with you." Merlin said.

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

"We'd have been…happy." Merlin grinned but Balinor remained quiet. "Once we finished in Camelot, we will take you to Ealdor."

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

"Yeah."

"You have her kindness." Balinor smiled softly.

"So, does Nellie." Merlin told his father. "She's got a temper too."

"She's always had a temper." Merlin chuckled at Balinor's words.

"She's training to be a physician, just like Gaius."

"A physician." Balinor smiled. "I look forward to see her again."

"How did you become a Dragonlord?" Merlin asked him.

"You don't choose to become a Dragonlord." Balinor explained. "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. And that is what you must now become, Merlin."

"I would like that."

"Like all Dragonlords, you won't know for sure that you have that power until you face your first Dragon." Merlin's eyes went to the wood that Balinor was carving. "You should get some sleep. We have a big day ahead of us." Balinor walked away from the fire. "Goodnight, Son."

Merlin grinned with pride. Being called son by his father. He had always dreamed of that day. He couldn't be happier. "Sleep well, Father."

He woke to a small carving of a dragon. Merlin smiled knowing it was his father's doing. A hand was abruptly slapped on his mouth. "Cenred's me." Arthur whispered to the boy.

Cenred's men attacked them as soon as he said the words. Merlin grabbed a sword and tossed it to his father. And together they thought. But Merlin wasn't as skilled with a sword as he was with his magic. His sword had been knocked out of his hand.

"NO!" Balinor roared as he placed himself between Merlin and the knight. He was run through. Merlin wailed, his eyes glowed and the man thrown back by the raw magic and rage inside him.

Merlin gently lowered his father to the ground. "Merlin…I see you have your father's talent." Balinor said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Merlin…" He rasped.

"Please, no, please." Merlin begged him. "I can save you."

"Listen to me." Balinor continued. "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." Merlin cried.

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

He breathed his last breath. Tears ran freely down Merlin's face. Unfortunately, he couldn't mourn his father in front of the Prince. Upon seeing, Balinor's lifeless body, Arthur realized that there were no chance to save Camelot. That his kingdom was doomed.

They had returned. Merlin and Arthur had come back. Alone. No Dragonlord accompanied them. No Balinor.

"I'm sorry, Father. I failed you." Arthur said as I stepped in the council chambers. "The last Dragonlord is dead."

I glanced up at Merlin and laced my fingers through his. My heart broke. I had hoped to see him again and now it was impossible. He was gone.

"There are many years where I might have wished for that news." Uther said.

"All is not lost, Father." Arthur continued not willing to give up on his kingdom. "We have to fight the monster ourselves. 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 countered. "We stand here and watch Camelot fall."

"You have my blessing." Uther finally conceded.

"I need a dozen Knights." Arthur turned to his men. "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 was the first one to step forward. Soon, he was followed by eleven others brave knights. All of them forming a circle around him. All of them prepared to die for Camelot.

Merlin sat in our bedchambers. I sat at his side. Gaius joined us a few seconds later.

"Merlin, what happened?" Our uncle asked him.

"I couldn't save him." Merlin cried.

I let my tears fall. It hurt to know I would never see him again. But my heart broke to know that he died in Merlin's arms. To know that my brother had found his father, only to lose him again.

"Merlin…" Gaius began.

"He said the Dragonlord's gift is passed from Father to Son." Merlin continued.

"That is true." Gaius retorted.

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

"Your father wasn't dead." Gaius said softly, as he sat next to me. "It's only then you can inherit his powers."

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

"Only time would tell." Gaius answered.

"You're stronger than you think, little brother." I assured him.

Merlin and I helped Arthur into his armor. "Well, look on the bright side, chances are you're not going to have to clean this again."

"This is not funny." I scolded him.

"You must be careful, today. Do not force the battle." Merlin advised him.

"Yes, Sire." Arthur joked.

"I'm serious." Merlin said.

"I can hear that." Arthur retorted.

"Let matters take their course." Merlin continued.

"Merlin, if I die, please…" Arthur started.

My hands stilled on his arm. "What?" Merlin said.

"The Dragon lord, today…" Arthur turned to him. "…I saw you. One thing I tell all my young knights, no man is worth your tears."

"Yeah. You're certainly not."

Merlin grabbed a sword. "What are you doing?" Arthur asked him.

"We're coming with you." I said.

"Emma, chances are I'm going to die." Arthur retorted.

"Oh, you would have a long time ago, if we weren't there." I countered.

"Right." Arthur scoffed.

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

"Well, at least you got your sense humor back." Arthur headed for the door but Merlin and I followed him.

"Are you really going to face this dragon with me?"

"I am not about to stay here while you and my brother are going to face certain death." I said. "The three of us will do it together." I glanced up at them both.

"I know it's hard for you to understand how we feel but…the truth is, we care a hell of a lot about this armor and we're not gonna let you mess it up." Merlin said.

"Together." I glanced at them both.

Arthur and Merlin nodded. And we left the castle together, to face Kilgarrah.

When night fell upon us, we reached a small clearing. Not far away from the castle. Kilgarrah had followed us there.

"Hold firm." Arthur ordered as the Great Dragon circled above us. Kilgarrah dove at us. "Hold!" I glanced at Merlin. Kilgarrah getting closer. "Hold! Hold!" The Knights were growing nervous. "Now!"

They broke the formation as Kilgarrah landed. The knights surrounded him. Using his tail to knock most of us down. Merlin and Arthur were on the ground. Kilgarrah breathed fire on the knights that were still standing. Killing them. I dismounted my horse and joined Merlin. He pulled me behind him as Arthur grabbed a lance. Standing between the dragon and us. Kilgarrah stared at him before breathing fire on the Once and Future King. Arthur rolled out of the way, got back on his feet and pierced the Great Dragon's chest. Kilgarrah swung at Arthur, knocking him out.

"Arthur!" I gasped. I rushed to his side and fell on my knees as I checked him for any sort of wound.

Merlin let out a Dragon like roar. I looked up at him, stunned. This didn't sound like him and yet he was coming from him. He spoke in a language I did not understand. My eyes welling up with tears and my heart swelling with pride. I stood up as Kilgarrah bowed to Merlin.

My brother picked up the spear. "I am the last of my kind, Merlin." Kilgarrah said as I joined my brother's side. "Whatever wrongs I have done, do not make me responsible for the death of my noble breed."

Merlin thrusted the spear at his chest, aiming for his heart. The Great Dragon cowered in fear.

"Go! Leave!" Merlin screamed. "If you ever attack Camelot again. I will kill you!" Kilgarrah bowed his head. "I show you mercy. Now you must do the same to others."

"Young Warlock, what you have shown is what you will be." Kilgarrah said. "I will not forget your clemency. I'm sure our paths will cross again."

Kilgarrah flew away.

"You did it, Brother." I glanced at Merlin. "Your father would have been proud."

"Our father would have been proud." Merlin corrected.

"What happened?" Arthur asked.

"Arthur!" I rushed to him and hugged him.

"You dealt him a mortal blow." Merlin answered.

"He's gone?"

"Yes. You saved Camelot." I smiled at him. "You did it." I glanced up at Merlin, the words meant for him.

"You did it." Merlin repeated. "You did it."

Gaius welcomed us both. "My children." He said hugging us.

"I felt him there with me, Gaius." Merlin smiled.

"And he'll always be with you." Gaius answered. "Both of you."

"I hope so."

"I know I can never compare with your father but for what it's worth. You still got me." Gaius said.

Merlin and I glanced at each other. "We know, Gaius."

The story is to be continued in "The Once and Future Queen."