Arthur was ready at first light and walked to the throne room where the assembled court was waiting. Ari and Alvarr walked behind as his sorcerer guards, none the wiser that they now had far greater powers than before. As Arthur strode down the central aisle he looked around at the faces some supportive and some not so. It was now up to him to make this work, he wasn't a fool he knew he would have their support as the enemy approached, but afterwards would be a different matter.

Forcing himself to control his apprehension and not show weakness he walked towards the throne and stood before it. Reaching the front he turned and immediately spoke smiling at his sister as he did. "As you will know from the bells last night King Uther Pendragon has passed on. As the Crown Prince I now stand here to inform you that he is led in state for those who wish to see him. His funeral will be in two hours." He then waited for the ensuing muttering to die down. "We cannot delay the enemy forces will be with us. He will be laid in the crypts for rest. A full funeral service will be held once we have the comfort of time. I will lead the forces that will protect the people of Camelot. We will ride out to stop as many as we can before returning to Camelot to fight the main battle. Our strength against superior numbers is the castle and we will use it. I expect every man to play their part."

Geoffrey stepped forward and spoke "Sire as you ride into battle at the head, the council have held an emergency meeting and wish you crowned before you leave. We would have our King lead us"

Arthur was surprised and pleased. It would be a symbol to both his people and King Cenred that the people of Camelot were fully behind him. He knew that the council's decision would not have been unanimous but was neither less welcome. "Then I accept the councils will"

Geoffrey smiled and looked across at the senior councillor besides Arthur. Lord Aiken who nodded and stepped forward "We have not time for the full ceremony which will happen after the battle but now I ask Sir Geoffrey of Monmouth to perform the ceremony and make the Crown Prince our King."

Within ten minutes Arthur was Crowned King before the court, he then went out onto the balcony, Morgana at his side, immediately after Geoffrey had announced Uther's death. Sir Leon stepped forward "People of Camelot as we go to war to protect our homes from the enemy we will be led by our new King …Long live King Arthur of Camelot"

The crowd below cheered as Arthur stepped forward as their crowned King he waited for the noise to die down before speaking "The late kings will be laid to rest soon but a ceremony of remembrance will take place later as will a full coronation but for now my people we have an enemy to meet. You will all notice changes in my reign but I promise you all to look after all my people with love and fairness. Now we fight for our homes "For the Glory of Camelot!"

Arthur wasted no more time and as his men got ready to ride out he looked at Gaius "Can they safely be freed?"

"I believe so Sir"

Arthur turned to the two sorcerers and taking out the controller removed the collars. As he did so the two men teetered slightly before smiles of joy crossed their faces. "We thank you and will fight at your side" Alvarr said.

"I ask that you help defend Camelot but do not expect you to kill for her" Arthur told them.

"But that is why we will, that and Lord Emrys, we have both killed so many at least this is for the good." Alvarr explained.

Arthur turned "Come with me, we see Merlin before we leave for battle."

He quickly strode off and was soon at Merlin's bed side, the teenager was sat eating some broth. He looked remarkability perky Arthur gave his cousin a hug "It is good to see you awake, you have no more to fear"

Merlin looked up at his cheekily "I can see that you prat, you have a crown on your head"

"Merlin more respect for your King!" Hunith admonished

Arthur laughed "My Lady it is good to see him well I forgive him." Turning to Gaius "Can I free him before I leave?"

"You may Sire, but I fear he might find it difficult, may I suggest to open the collar but he leave it in place and I will take him to the great dragon who will help him cope with the surge of magical energy" Gaius said

Merlin jumped up "No I am helping in the battle!"

"No Merlin, I will not risk you I have Alvarr and Ari, you are to stay here"

Merlin looked at the two sorcerers for the first time "You are free! Oh thank you Arthur" he paused "Did you free the others?"

"They will be freed after the battle I could not risk it before" Arthur assured him

"Good their hearts are full of hate" the young warlock said, He hugged his two friends who in turn bowed

"Lord Emrys your time has come, it is an honour to have helped you, together with the Once and Future King you will free us all."

Merlin blushed "Just call me Merlin please" he pleaded.

Arthur released the collar. "Do what you must but stay safe, I don't want to lose you now"

With that Morgana walked in "Sister keep out cousin safe" he hugged them both and left. As Arthur left Merlin turned to Gaius and Morgana

"I have to be by his side" he protested

"First my boy you need Kilgarrah, come my Lady Morgana will you come with us?" Morgana nodded and all three made their way down to the cavern. As Arthur headed to speak to his army before quickly paying his respects to his father as he was laid in the crypt.

As the three figures approached the cavern Morgana spoke to her cousin "Don't worry you will be there I have seen it, together you and my brother will prevail." Never had she been so pleased to have the gift of sight.

Kilgarrah was sitting on his stony perch as the three much smaller figures arrived, he looked at Merlin and bowed "My dragonlord the time has come for us all to embrace our destiny."

Gaius looked at the great Dragon "I have brought him here as you asked do you wish me to remove his collar now?"

Kilgarrah gave the dragon equilivant of a smile. "Young Warlock when the collar is removed you will feel a great power, greater than anything before. When your collar was off last time your full powers had not awakened. Look into yourself I will help you"

Merlin nodded his slight frame shivering in anticipation, he could feel his magic rippling under the surface. Not yet full grown and still very gangly and all limbs he was still after all only fourteen. He was scared of what was to come but at the same time wanted to be at Arthur's side to protect him. "I am ready"

"Then come down the steps to my side" the dragon looked at Morgana "I am glad witch that you choice the path to light and not darkness, come with him to support the warlock."

The two young people walked down the steps and stood at the dragon's feet. For the first time seeing the manacle clearly that held the chain onto Kilgarrah. The shin around it was red and raw as it tugged at Kilgarrah flew. Merlin hissed in anger and went forward and touched the dragon's injury and healed it.

"Thank you young warlock, but it could have waited, you must take care not to over do things."

"I know you are my kin, I will not see you suffer if I can help" Merlin told him

"So like your parent, self-sacrificing and kind" Kilgarrah looked at Merlin then Morgana "Witch remove his collar."

Morgana carefully took the collar and separated the edges and removed it. As she did Merlin let out a hiss and his eyes went a solid golden colour. Morgana stepped forward and held him up as he stumbled. "Look into yourself Emrys" came the dragon's voice.

Merlin did as he was told "Follow the thread to your core and embrace it, draw it into your heart and then push it down so you have control" the deep voice was calm and helped Merlin to do as he was asked. He felt the connection with Kilgarrah as if they were one being. When he opened his eyes once more they were back to their normal blue.

Merlin looked around him with wonder as he felt his magic magnify everything he could see, his eyes rested on the chain "I will free you" he told the dragon "I just ask that you harm no one from Camelot Uther is dead and he alone should bare the blame for you being here"

"I will do as you ask" Kilgarrah looked at the small figure in front of him "What a small figure to hold such power yet be so kind. Bo behind this pillar and there you will find your father's things I have protected them all these years. You will find his cape and wrapped within is his sword, with that sword you can free me, listen to its power and it will guide you"

Merlin stumbled and found the cape, he touched it with reverence, being the first thing he had touched that had been his fathers. He wrapped it round himself almost drowning his slight frame in it. Then picking up the sword he did as he had been asked. The swung the sword downwards at the same time saying words he hardly understood. The huge chain and its manacle disintegrated. Kilgarrah was free once more.

The dragon roared out in relief at his freedom, the chain has also bond some of his magic and it was so good to be free again. He then looked down at Merlin and Morgana "Climb onto my back, you need to be at your kings side for Albion to become reality." He paused "But remember I am not a horse, I will carry you anywhere willingly but the witch shall not sit on my back again"

Morgana and Merlin climbed up into the huge beasts back and Merlin shouted out to Gaius "Take care of mother and tell her I will be back soon" with that Kilgarrah took off and headed to the exit and the fresh air he so missed. Kilgarrah thrilled at the feel of space as he flew his dragonlord towards were Arthur was already fighting. His Knights and the two mages at his side. As they approached Merlin and Morgana could see Morgause and Cenred nearing the Kings position. Kilgarrah swooped downwards and landed before King Arthur scattering both enemy and friend as he landed. Merlin and Morgana slid of the dragons back and Merlin stood at Arthur's side before Morgause and Cenred.

Arthur looked in surprise and annoyance at Merlin "What are you doing here?" he demanded

"I have come to stop Morgause once and for all." Merlin stated, sounding much older than his years.

Morgause looked at Merlin in surprise "So the boy finally arrives and my sister. Have you come to join me to be=ring magic back to the lands?" she demanded

"Never" Merlin told her "You are full of hatred, you would not free magic but bind it to you"

"And you sister, you were born to be a High Priestess, join me now and I will see you at the throne of Camelot where you belong"

Morgana looked at the woman she knew in her heart to be her sister "I can never join you! As Merlin says you are full of hatred, you would treat non magic users as Uther treated our kind, we must live together if we are to see Albion" Arthur felt he had never seen his sister look so magnificent as she did at that moment, "If I am indeed a High Priestess I will use my powers for the good not evil. Arthur is the true Once and Future King"

Merlin stepped forward and faced his nemesis, Arthur also stepped forward to stop him "You said your magic was not for killing leave her to me" he pleaded.

Merlin gave a small and bitter smile "I leave King Cenred to you, Morgause is mine."

With that Morgause launched spell after spell at Merlin who repelled them easily then he returned a spell of his own and the battle was on. Merlin clearly had the stringer magic but he was unpractised and his control was poor so it took sometime before he had Morgause defenceless before him "Morgause give me your word before the gods that you will live in peace and you may live"

Morgause answered him by once more launching an attack, so Merlin threw another spell that held Morgause, unable to move she was defenceless as he slowly, and as gently as he could, bond her magic and removed it into the earth.

"I am sorry Morgause I will not kill you, although you may wish I did. Learn to live in peace." Merlin was saddened by what he had done he turned to Arthur "I leave King Cenred to you"

Cenred looked at Morgause and then Merlin "Who are you?"

Merlin looked at his but didn't answer so Morgana spoke up "He is Emrys, a boy you left to rot with his mother your cousin the Lady Hunith, had you been a man he would have been brought up in your kingdom."

Cenred looked stunned for a moment but then launched his attack on Arthur, knowing his only chance was to kill the younger king. With Morgause rendered powerless once more it was all down to him. The fight was savage but short lived and Arthur beat the older King and as his sword pierced the other man's chest Arthur looked him in the eye. "You abandoned your own kin, to a live of servitude and unhappiness, for that I kill you"

Kilgarrah roared and the soldiers of the opposition realising both their leaders were finished left the battle field as quickly as they could leaving their dead and injured behind.

Morgause was not finished without her magic she was an empty shell but she found enough strength to pick up a fallen sword and strike at Merlin who was ill prepared for the attack. But just before the blade entered his chest she fell to the ground. Morgana had used her magic to make an axe lying nearby to fly up and kill her sister. She paled as what she had done sank in, Arthur caught his sister before she fell. "I killed her" she muttered

"You saved my life" Merlin muttered at the same time.

"We have all killed today, lets hope it is a long time before we need to kill again." Arthur told them. "Come on lets go home"

Merlin turned to Kilgarrah "Go and fly free my friend, make up for lost time and I will see you soon."

Kilgarrah looked at the group before him "I will return, I want to see Albion born again, what's more young warlock I know of a dragon's egg, you need to hatch" with that he flew off.

As the army returned to Camelot the new King was greeted by crowds of cheering townsfolk. Arthur went onto the balcony as soon as he could and announced "Today we won a battle but we couldn't have done it without magic, so from his day forth the ban on magic shall be lifted. Today my cousin Merlin Emrys, my sister Morgana and two of the collared ones help the army defeat the enemy and they will all be rewarded." He paused as the townsfolk reacted to the news "We were told magic was evil it is not, I have spoken to Merlin and he, and the others, will use their magic to help crops grow, heal the sick and make our kingdom prosper. Later today the other collared ones will be freed, they will leave the kingdom to seek out new lives and if anyone wishes to leave because of the changes they may also leave. If you stay work with us to see a better place, together with Magic."

Later as Arthur and Merlin stood on the battlements looking over the town Merlin looked at his cousin and friend "We will make this work, I will be by your side always and Morgana will learn with Gaius's help how to use her powers, she will make a find High Priestess" he got on one knee before his King "I Merlin Emrys last of the dragonlords offer my fealty to you King Arthur Pendragon."

Arthur smiled and made Merlin stand up "Merlin I accept your fealty, although why I deserve it I do not know. But I promise you this in return, you and your family will be honoured and I hope to somehow try to make it up to you all that has happened. I know I can't rule without you we are two sides of the same coin. We are both young and have much growing up to do, but I rather think your mother will make sure we stay on the right track." He smiled and continued "Come on we both need an early night, I have a full coronation tomorrow then I have to name my Court Warlock and High Priestess. Together we will create Albion"

The End