Chapter 5: A Battle

In the deepest part of Camelot's dungeon, in a dank and wet cell, Merlin paced like a caged animal. His expression was tense, agitation visible in his every move. He hated waiting.

The prison was tiny, and the confinement was setting off far more nerves then he had left. Merlin forced himself into stillness, drawing a breath. None of his friends had visited him, out of fear, or by Uther's orders, Merlin couldn't say. He'd been left alone, trapped here, while Morgana ran free.

An inhuman growl escaped him and without thought, Merlin whirled. He grabbed a bar of his prison, sharp nails digging into the metal, and pulled. The metal whined, bending under his unnatural strength. It wasn't until the bar popped loose of the floor that Merlin realized what he was doing.

He gasped, jerking away. His skin felt too tight. His bones burned. Merlin doubled over, eyes squeezed shut, as he hissed a hot breath through sharp teeth. Not yet. He couldn't lose himself. He was Merlin. He was– was–

"Human." The word rang hollowly in his ears even as he said it.

Another shudder ran down his body, but this one left him feeling cold and quiet. His skin settled and Merlin let out a breath. He slowly uncurled, staring at his shaking hands. He flexed his fingers, trying to ignore the sharp look of his nails. Easier said then done. He swallowed hard. The curse was getting worse.

Laughter made Merlin jump. His head snapped up, sharp eyes landing on the deepest shadow outside his prison. An angry growl began to bubble up in his throat.

Morgana stepped forward, smiling unpleasantly. "Hello Merlin."

He tensed. Where were the guards? Uther would never have let her come down here unprotected, which meant this visit was all Morgana's doing. Merlin drew a breath, trying to affect an air of calm. "What are you doing here, Morgana?"

She shrugged carelessly. "I thought you could use a hand escaping." She touched the single bar he'd pried up. Merlin's stomach dropped. "I'm impressed. Apparently I underestimated you." She smiled, hand resting delicately on the metal.

Merlin flexed his left hand, trying to ignore how tight the skin felt. He stared at her through the bars. "If you think I'll go with you quietly, you have another thing coming." High above, the warning bell roared to life. Merlin's head snapped up. "What–"

"Sounds like things are getting started," mused Morgana, not the least bit bothered by the noise. "The war that will put Camelot's rightful ruler on the throne."

Merlin stared at her. "What have you done?"

"Cenred's army has just launched a surprise attack against Camelot." She grinned, eyes fixed solely upon him. "The opening act to your first battle, Merlin." He didn't suppress the dangerous growl that escaped his throat. "Now, now, save it for Arthur and his knights."

"How about I just breathe fire at you instead?"

She laughed. "I'd like to see you try." She held her arms up in challenge. Merlin grit his teeth, staying where he was. Morgana smirked, letting her arms drop. "I'll admit, I had been looking forward to dear Arthur razing Camelot to the ground, but you've managed to impress me, Merlin." She gestured once more to the twisted prison bar. "A dragon's power is quite impressive to behold."

Merlin bit back his fear. "Do you really think you can control something like a dragon?" He still remembered the rage that had made him tear the mercenaries' camp apart. He shuddered, and Morgana just watched him. She hadn't been here for Kilgharrah's attack. "You don't get it, do you."

"And what, pray tell, am I not getting?"

"Dragons only have one master, and you'll never–"

Morgana laughed. "You're an expert now?"

Merlin said nothing.

"There'll be nothing left of you once the curse takes hold. You'll be nothing more than a poor dumb beast." She smirked. "My very own pet dragon." Merlin's expression darkened. "No? We'll see how long that attitude lasts. Especially when you face Arthur– The Great Dragon Slayer of Camelot! A fight to the death, no doubt."

Merlin tensed, eyes darkening. "That's not going to happen."

"Oh? What can you do?" she taunted right back. "Scream? It's not like the dead can hear you." She glanced down the empty passageway. "It's the guards own fault for trying to prevent our little chat."

Merlin felt sick. There was no remorse in her eyes, and he realized, this was it. They were past the point of negotiation. Her last chance was up. They had picked their sides, and there was no turning back, not even in the name of the friendship they had once had.

Merlin let out a breath and made a choice. He stepped away from the bars. Morgana watched him, not understanding the significance of what he was about to do. Merlin faced the bars, and raised his hand. "Tóspringe!"

For a split second, utter shock appeared on Morgana's face, and then the next, Merlin's wild magic blasted away both her and the entire front wall of his cell. Dust filled the air, making him cough. He let his hand drop, heart pounding. What would Gaius think when he heard about this?

Merlin hurried over the wreckage, eyes watching for any movement. The bells were still pealing, if anything, sounding more frantic. There was no sign of her among the twisted metal and shattered pieces of stone. Merlin grit his teeth. There was no time. He needed to get to Arthur. Even with a head injury, Merlin had no doubt the idiot would try to join the fight.

Merlin raced toward the exit. At the end of the passageway, he entered the guards' post where the stairs lead to the way out. Dead bodies lay strewn about the room, the unfortunate guards Morgana had killed. Merlin spared them a sad glance, before racing up the stairs. He took them two at a time, eyes focused on the exit.

He was just nearing the top, when a voice shouted. "Wáce ierlic!"

An invisible force threw Merlin backward. Ceiling and floor twisted together as he crashed down the staircase, slamming into unforgiving stone. He hit the bottom, pain tearing its way up his left arm. A horrible cry escaped his lips.

Behind him, Morgana snarled. "Traitor!" Merlin struggled to push himself up, only to be thrown back down by a nonverbal-spell. "How could you! How could you!"

Merlin gritted teeth, cradling his injured arm. "You're one to talk."

"Shut up!"

He struggled to rise to his feet, hissing against the pain in his arm. He leaned back against the wall, testing his left hand. Ow. It wasn't broken, but the pain rocketing up the limb left him with no doubt that he wasn't going to be using it anytime soon.

Swallowing hard, he looked once more at the witch who stood across from him. Her eyes were blazing. "Why?"

Merlin stared at her, expression hard. "There's nothing left to say, Morgana."

"Nothing! You've sided with a murderer– with the very man who exterminates magic users. Exterminates us! We're almost extinct because of him."

Merlin was silent for a long moment. "I've sided with Arthur."

Morgana scoffed. "Uther sacrificed his wife to bring Arthur into the world, and you've done nothing but prop up those lies. Arthur hasn't fallen far from his father's tree."

"Neither have you. You call me a traitor, but you've abandoned Camelot and its people. You've dragged innocents into this, Morgana, and that makes you no better than Uther. Camelot should never have to suffer for our choices and I will not sit idle as you threaten her again. Get out of my way, Morgana, or I will go through you."

Furious, Morgana shot out a hand and yelled a spell at him.

Merlin called a shield in answer, but the spell was overblown with power and shattered under Morgana's first blow. He twisted to the side, barely avoiding the second spell she flung at him.

"Forbearnan!" Merlin shouted, hand pointed toward a torch. But the spell leapt too easily from his control, exploding outward as a giant fireball that forced the two combatants away from each other.

Merlin stumbled back, tripping over the leg of a dead guard. He fell, crashing into the wall. Pain rocketed up his injured arm, making dots of colour dance before his eyes. On the far side of the room, Morgana laughed at his clumsiness, throwing another spell at him. It rocketed toward him, and in that moment, half lying over the dead guard, something inside Merlin snapped. He rolled away from the spell, spinning around so his hands and feet were under him. A snarl gathered in his throat as he lunged forward, fingers curled like talons and he came at her with a speed he hadn't possessed a moment ago.

Black scales began to appear along his skin and an unnatural gold colour entered in his eyes. Morgana panicked. Her hand shot up, trying to track him. "Wáce ie–"

Too late.

Nails, far sharper then any humans, sank into her side. Morgana gasped, eyes going wide. She stared at him, at the black wings beginning to appear over his back. He raised his bloodied claws for a second strike. Terrified, Morgana blindly threw her hand out, instinctive magic lashing out and catching him in the chest.

The spell barely fazed him, but the fear she showed and her gasped, "monster!" did affect him.

Awareness blinked back into Merlin's eyes, but with it came the realization the curse almost had him. No. Merlin fought it. Fought the curse with every inch of his being, but he could feel his bones cracking, and his very form shifting. Tears welled in his eyes. He couldn't let this happen. He was Merlin. He was–

Something not even close to human.

His control slipped and with the anguished cry, his body changed, fueling his wild magic. It surged up into the air, and in the small space of the dungeon, exploded.

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They'd been arguing out in the courtyard when the explosion rocked the castle. Arthur didn't even know what had happened at first, only that one moment he'd been on his feet arguing about joining the fight in the lower town– The next he was staring at the cobblestones inches from his nose.

The warning bells warped strangely in his ears, and panicked shouts could be heard all around. Where was Guinevere? She'd been right in front of him. That terrified thought got him moving again. He scrambled up, stumbling slightly as he looked frantically about the narrow gate, until he spotted Guinevere several feet away, rising to her feet.

"Are you alright?" he asked, but her eyes weren't on him. A look of horror was upon her features and frightened, Arthur turned to see why. Black smoke boiled up into the night sky, obscuring half the castle. What? The wind shifted and in the flickering torch light, a grate gaping hole that had once been one of the castle's sturdy stone walls came into view. All the colour drained out of Arthur's face, his argument with Guinevere forgotten.

Knights milled about, shouting to each other. Arthur started forward, only to have Guinevere catch his arm. "Arthur!"

"Let me go," he snapped, trying to pull loose, even as more stones fell away from the castle high above, shattering against the cobblestones. "Merlin's in there!"

"I know!" her voice shook, and broke. "But his cell–" She couldn't finish.

Arthur didn't want to think about it either. The dungeon had been on that side of the castle. He didn't want to think about his friend being buried under all that stone. Gods. What if he was–

That was when a terrified cry went up, a single shout that was clear even over the horrible din of battle. "Dragon!"

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Distant cries echoed in his ears, warping into unintelligible noise. His head hurt. Everything was dark. Wh-what was–?

Merlin choked on the heavy dusty air, struggling to get his body to move. Everything ached, his left arm most of all. He curled his fingers, nails digging into the rough uneven ground. This was wrong.

This was all wrong.

A cough escaped him, and his whole body shook. Rocks tumbled, falling, clattering loudly, too loudly, for his sensitive ears. A groan escaped his throat as he twisted, trying to escape the noise, but that only made it worse. The whole world shifted, tilting, and with a tremendous crash, suddenly he could see. Fresh smelling air stung his nose, making his sneeze.

He drew his first real deep breath, savouring the sweetness. Flickering torches peered down at him from the edges of the crumbled stones. He'd been buried alive, he realized somewhat numbly, and… and…

He could hear the sounds of battle. A sharp breath escaped him. Merlin surged up, and the debris that should have been far too heavy to move was knocked away as though made of nothing. Embers danced in the air, as he crawled on all fours out into the open. Torches lit the courtyard around him, and high above stars shone in the clear cloudless sky. The castle stood behind him, smoke obscuring the structure from sight. Merlin's left arm gave out, and he tumbled over in the uneven rubble.

He cursed, trying to get his limbs back under him. The wind shifted, brushing the smoke away. He pushed himself up and a voice on his left screamed bloody murder. "Dragon!"

Merlin's eyes snapped to the sky, expecting to see Kilgharrah's giant form swooping down over the castle, but the sky was empty. Another cry of the exact same word from his right and, well, Merlin wished it was the Great Dragon they were all staring at. The knights were pointing at him.

Merlin flinched as he caught sight of himself. Oh magic. He was– he'd– Panic set in. His claws dug into flagstones. Knights were starting to gather. Merlin's tail coiled nervously around him. They were going to box him in. Another knight yelled for backup and Merlin bolted. Pain flared in his left foreleg– arm?– making him stumble. Several knights yelled, leaping aside as Merlin tumbled through their ranks.

He forced his weight back onto the shaking limb, and ran for the castle's main gate. Shouts followed behind him. His left foreleg shuddered, threatening to give out. He wasn't going to out run anyone like this. Frantic, he dodged around a knight still struggling to draw his sword, and whipped into the narrowed gate, only to come to a screeching halt.

Before him, blocking the way, was Gwen and Arthur. All three stared wide-eyed at each other. Merlin wanted to swear. Another shout from the approaching knights and Arthur grabbed Gwen, shoving her behind him as he drew his sword. The clotpole really had been trying to join the fight.

Merlin tried to back away, but his leg buckled, nearly sending his jaw smashing into the ground. The knights appeared behind him, fanning out to box him in. His eyes darted frantically back to Arthur. There was no recognition on the prince's face, only the cold look he gave enemies. Merlin flinched. His best friend was going to kill him.

Back pressed into the wall, a half word tumbled from Merlin's mouth. He glanced anxiously back at the knights advancing on him, completely missing the way Arthur froze, and the way Gwen's hands flew to her mouth. Knights, emboldened by the prince's presence, moved closer with weapons raised.

Merlin's wings fluttering anxiously on his back, and the warlock did a double take. He had wings? His distraction was the opening the knights had been waiting for. With a battle cry one of them came at him, Arthur yelled even as Merlin panicked. His wings instinctively rose, striking the air with all the power in his muscled frame.

The closest knights were knocked away, but the rest were still advancing even as Arthur shouted at them to hold. Frantic, Merlin flapped harder, sending out larger and larger gusts of wind, until even Arthur was stumbling back, unable to keep his feet. Merlin kept flapping, not realizing he was airborne until his head struck the underside of the fortifications.

Startled, Merlin almost dropped out of the air. A spear swiped at his underbelly, and Merlin flapped harder. He rocket up, taking off into the black sky. With a breathless cry of delight he soared past Camelot's towers, climbing higher and higher, until he left the castle and its shouting knights behind.

Smoke streamed up into the midnight air, carrying dancing sparks with it. Parts of the lower town had been set ablaze. Weapons flashed in firelight as steal clashed with steal, invaders and defenders battling for the control of Camelot. Even up here away from the sounds of the castle, the deafening roar of battle still reached Merlin's ears. It was a horrible sound.

A grim look settled on his long face as he took everything in below. The outer walls of Camelot were breached and their knights were scrambling to defend the lower town. Merlin's gold eyes narrowed. Cenred's men had invaded his home for the last time.

Angling his wings, he swooped down, heading for the invading army. Cries of horror escaped the Camelot knights as he passed, their memories' of Kilgharrah's attack still strong. Merlin flew out of the lower town, aimed directly at Cenred's forces. The invaders began to cheer when they saw him. "He's here!" Merlin heard several voices cry. "The monster promised by the witch sisters!"

Too bad said monster had other ideas. Merlin drew a deep breath and from his very core a feeling of warmth rose, building, until with a mighty roar, he let loose a jet of fire. The cheering turned to cries of fear, as the invaders ducked, trying to escape the flames. Merlin flew directly over them, torching catapults and anything else that got in his way. Dipping low, he snatched up a few of the enemy knights, tossing them at their fellows, and knocking them over like pins.

Laughing, Merlin rose up into the air to go back for another pass, and was delighted to see that some of the men were already breaking rank. Those who ran, headless of the shouts of their superiors, Merlin left to their own fates as he focused on knights who fought on.

He swooped again, taking no heed of the arrows that bounced harmlessly off his scales, and unleashed another torrent of flames as he passed. As he neared the crumbling outer wall of Camelot, Merlin spied a group of Camelot knights on the battlements overwhelmed by attackers.

Making a snap decision, Merlin dove at them, curling his front foot into a fist and bashed several invaders over the head. Grinning, Merlin swooped past. His tail flicked out in delight, knocking over the defenders he'd just saved. "Sorry!" he called back as he banked, trying to gain altitude before he accidently crashed into a house. A spell rocketed by him, narrowly missing him by inches.

He twisted in the air, struggling to regain control of his flight, as another spell came at him. This time he dove under it, skimming a rooftop as he twisted his head to see who was responsible.

Morgause stood alone on a piece of Camelot's ruined defences, hand still raised, and glaring murderously at him. Smoke twisted about her, pulled in a wind, as she silently dared Merlin to come and face her.

Narrowing his eyes, Merlin changed direction, meeting her head on. He bared his teeth, readying his fire. Morgause raised a hand, not the least bit afraid as she fired off a string of spells. He rolled in the air, avoiding the first, twisting away from the second, rising over the third, and then was upon her.

"Ástríce!" she cried, throwing the flames as a final defence. With no time to dodge, Merlin charged blindly through, squeezing his eyes shut. This was going to… hurt? Confused, he opened his eyes, and found himself closing in on one very shocked Morgause. She leapt to the side, and his claws missed her by inches. His tail, however, did not.

She cried out as she was knocked into the town below, a cry that changed into a spell incantation. Unafraid of her magic, he didn't think to dodge. The spell erupted against him, and for a second nothing happened. Then a sharp electrical shock ran through him. He cried out as his wings buckled, and he fell.

Through blurring eyes, Merlin scarcely had the presence of mind to aim for the relative safety of the lower town. Forcing his wings open, he struggled to stay aloft. He barely cleared the ruined outer wall, before he crashed head first into a ramshackle house, bringing most of the structure down with him.

Dust clung to the air as the last standing wall settled into its new position. Merlin coughed, body shuddering with every gasping breath he took. His whole body throbbed unpleasantly with after shocks. That was stupid. Fire was a dragon's element. Of course it hadn't hurt him, but other spells, ones not of a dragon's element, those were still fair game.

A fallen timber shifted, crashing into the dirt. He struggled to get his limbs under him, claws digging into the debris, looking for perches. He spat out a mouth full of dirt. Embers danced in the air, bright sparks against the black night.

A heavy silence hung, broken only by the crunch of gravel beneath uneven, faltering feet. Merlin struggled to turn his head, eyes blurring with every blink. Morgause stood behind him, just outside the ruined home, a bloody gash on her forehead dripping into her wild eyes. Merlin struggled to rise, baring his sharp teeth at her, even as his limbs trembled beneath him. His nails bent painfully on the rough ground, and with a lurch he realized he was changing back. He couldn't feel his wings anymore.

"Damn you," cursed Morgause, stumbling over her own feet.

There was no time. He drew a breath, intending to breathe fire, only to have his throat sear with pain. He choked, coughing on the smoke, gagging and gasping. The witch's hand came up, and Merlin barely rolled to the side in time as the one remaining wall of the house exploded in his place.

Snarling, he leapt, diminished claws out and teeth bared. Morgause's arm turned defensively, shouting a spell for a shield, as his bulk came down on her. He crashed into the invisible barrier, digging into it, and the spell shattered under his hands. He slammed into Morgause, sending them both crashing onto the cobblestones. Her head struck the stones first, but he barely noticed as he drew his right hand back, sharp nails aimed for her throat–

"Merlin!"

He whirled, snarling, ready for a fight, to attack–

Arthur.

Merlin froze, unable to breathe as the prince recoiled from him. Oh no. No no no. Arthur was staring at him like he was an animal, like– like he was– a monster.

Merlin's body diminished, sinking fully back into weak human flesh. Back to normal, even as everything else fell apart. He shuddered, throat tight. It felt like he'd swallowed rocks. He stared up at the prince. What could he even say?

The silence between them felt heavy.

But Merlin still had courage, even if it flickered like a dying flame in his chest. He drew a breath, clenching his hands. "Arthur?"

Arthur's sword came up quick as a flash, aimed directly at his chest. Merlin stared at the blade even as the prince snarled. "Step away from there, Merlin."

The lower town burned around them, the ruin of so many lives.

Merlin turned his head away, swallowing hard. This was a nightmare. Fighting back tears, he rose shakily to his feet, cradling his left arm as he stepped away from the unconscious witch and away from Prince Arthur.

Backing away on trembling limbs, Merlin bit his lip. He couldn't show weakness. Not now. Not while Arthur was looking at him like– that. Merlin's back hit the crumbling outer wall and he stumbled, good hand snapping out to steady himself. A hiss escaped him as the burn onhis hand, the one from that stupid little pitcher, reminded him painfully of its grimaced, but if he let go of the wall, he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep his was the last thing he needed, falling flat on his face right in front of the prince of Camelot.

Across from him, Arthur moved, never letting Merlin out of his sight as he checked on Morgause. Was she dead? Merlin couldn't bring himself to care. He turned his eyes away, taking in their surroundings. Cenred's army was retreating, but their location was right in the way of any knights trying to flee the city.

"This place isn't safe, Arthur," Merlin said quietly, voice rough from the flames he'd choked on.

The prince startled, eyes snapping to him, and this time Merlin didn't miss the fear lurking in Arthur's gaze. The prince glowered. "I don't need you, of all people, lecturing–"

Merlin flinched.

Arthur stumbled on his words, but his temper was quick to get him going again. "What were you even thinking? You're not a warrior, Merlin, you're not supposed to kill–" Arthur floundered, the unsettling fear growing brighter in his eyes. His gaze danced briefly to the crumpled witch at his feet.

"I know." Merlin stared at the ground. "But I have."

"Why?"

This time Merlin did look up. "I'm not above defending my home!"

"You turned into a bloody dragon!"

"You think I had a choice!"

They stared at each other, tension crackling in the air. Arthur's sword remained raised, while Merlin clamped both his hands down on the rough stone behind him, anchoring himself to the spot. This couldn't possibly get worse.

Shouts rose up from town. Merlin's heart plummeted as a group of Camelot knights rushed to the prince's side. "Prince Arthur!"

"Sir Bors," Arthur said, never once lowering his sword. Merlin stayed where he was up against the wall, half hidden in shadows, silently watching as the knights fanned out over the area.

"My lord, it's not safe here," said the knight, Sir Bors as he came up beside Arthur. "I've been ordered to escort you back to the castle."

But Arthur shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't follow that order."

"My lord?"

"I'm guarding a prisoner."

Merlin stiffened. No, he took it back, this was far, far worse.

Surprised, Bors's eyes darted to Merlin. Given that he was supposed to be in the dungeon, and not running around a battlefield, Merlin supposed the look was warranted. He just wasn't prepared for the next words that came out of Bors's mouth. "Sire, the dragon was seen going down in this area."

Arthur's eyes locked on Merlin, and the warlock found, despite himself, every one of his muscles tensed. He silently stared at the prince, waiting for the words that would damn him.

He wouldn't beg though. He wouldn't grovel. Maybe it was pride, but he had always met Arthur levelly in the eye, giving just as well as he took, and even with a sword pointed at his chest, he would not collapse to his knees begging acceptance or forgiveness for what he was. He was a warlock, a Dragonlord, and, even if it was thanks to a curse, a dragon. He was what he was, and he wasn't sorry for it in the slightest.

Arthur drew a deep breath, tearing his eyes away. "See to her transfer to– whatever's being used as a dungeon."

Both Merlin and Bors faltered. "My lord?" inquired the knight.

"I've successfully captured the witch who kidnapped Morgana," answered Arthur as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "See to it that she's restrained and properly imprisoned before she wakes up and causes more damage."

"Of– of course," answered Bors, eyes flickering back toward Merlin. "But, Sire, what about–"

"I'll deal with it." was his clipped answer.

Bors must have been feeling particularly brave that day because he added. "And the dragon, my lord?"

"I'm dealing with it," Arthur ground out. "Dismissed."

Unable to argue with a direct order, Bors called over another knight and together they carted away the still unconscious Morgause. Merlin watched them go, not really sure what he should be feeling. Relief? Dread? It was just him and Arthur now. Well, him, Arthur and the prince's very pointy sword.

Another silence fell. Embers drifted past in the air between them and from several streets away knights began to call orders back and forth to each other, but in that little space just before the walls, it was only the two of them.

Merlin absently brushed his thumb over the cool stones behind him. He wondered how far he'd get if he made a run for it. Out into the plains where Cenred's army had stood? To the forest beyond?

"Well?" Arthur suddenly spoke up. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Merlin winced as his left arm gave another throb of pain and drew it across his chest, only realizing then his shirt was once again missing. He did his best to hide his embarrassment as he regarded Arthur. "You haven't said how you're going to deal with me."

Arthur's expression blanked, but his eyes were still too bright. The truth scared him, and so in true Arthur fashion, he avoided it. "You've all but admitted to poisoning Morgana, Merlin. How am I supposed to react?"

Merlin's temper caught hold of his tongue. "How you're supposed to react?" He grit his teeth. "You insensitive prat. That's the part you want to talk about? Not the I'm a bloody dragon bit?"

Arthur was silent. Eyes fixed upon him.

Merlin let out a slow breath, sagging wearily back against the rough uneven stones of the outer defence. He stared up at the sky, hoping absently that he'd catch sight of the stars.

What time was it anyway?

He felt exhausted right down to the bone. "Can we… not beat around the bush?" He paused, but just as before Arthur had become reluctant to give any comment. "Look, I know it's only today you found out about Morgana, but…" Merlin hesitated. "This has been going on for months, Arthur. Months. Morgana sent us to go find a monster. And you know what? That was supposed to be you. Only… well, it's me." He paused. "I guess I'm lucky like that." His smile was brittle, and already cracking at the edges. For the first time Arthur looked away. "Will you give me a head start?"

The prince jerked, hands tightening on his sword. "What?"

"I'm already dead for the whole poisoning thing, and now, being… a monster, I guess it's doubly so." He couldn't look at Arthur. "Your father's going to send you after me, so, really, I just want to know, do I get the chance to run before you kill me?" Finally Merlin looked up, expression calm, and utterly unafraid.

The sword began to shake in the prince's hands. Arthur wanted to scream. He wanted to yell at Merlin. Idiot! Stop being such a stupid bloody idiot! But he was terrified. There was a power there, lurking inside the skinny pale servant, one that had turned his klutzy friend into something completely unrecognizable, and that… that was… it scared him.

"Sir Bors has already seen you with me, Merlin. I… I can't let you go."

His friend gave a weak laugh, looking utterly exhausted. "That's too bad, I… I don't think I could run anyways." His legs gave out, and Merlin sank gracelessly to the ground.

Alarmed, Arthur rushed forward, only to remember himself. He couldn't help. But his servant still noticed the aborted attempt, and gave him another understanding and utterly miserable looking smile. It pulled at something inside the prince, and before Arthur could think, he was blurting out, "How can you still act like that?"

Merlin shrugged as though he didn't have a care in the world. "I'm still me." A knowing look crossed his face, but it was the far too perceptive eyes that made Arthur want to recoil. "I would never hurt Camelot."

It was a promise, a vow, but…

Merlin sighed. "It's hard to believe the word of a monster though." He nodded his head as though he understood.

He probably did. Merlin knew him too well.

His servant raised a single hand. "So here we are." And Arthur realized he wasn't the only one that was shaking. "I'm at your mercy, my lord."

Arthur's anger rushed back worse then before. "Stop it!" he shouted. "Stop thinking that I'm going to kill you!" His words brought them both up short. Merlin stared at him with something very close to surprise and didn't that sting.

Then his servant gave another sighed. "Arthur, you're pointing a sword at me."

"That's–" he tried to protest, but his weapon was still raised, rattling visibly in his grip. He swore, trying to steady his hands.

Merlin's eyes darkened. "You can't say you're not afraid when your hands are shaking."

"I'd be a fool not to be scared! You turned into a monster!"

Merlin flinched. "I-I didn't ask for this." He hugged his chest tighter, looking pale and ill. "I didn't."

Arthur came up short. Merlin… his friend was scared of himself, and suddenly the prince, no matter his own fears, he couldn't un-see it. His idiot manservant had faced down Morgana without fear, was facing him down without fear, but when it came down to himself…

Arthur squeezed his eyes shut. This was all wrong. Merlin was supposed to be his overprotective, and somewhat incompetent manservant, not a violent, bloodthirsty monster who… who was now shaking like a leaf, more scared of himself then of Arthur.

Curse it all.

Slowly, and against every instinct he felt, Arthur lower his sword. Merlin blinked, staring at the blade before his gaze snapped to Arthur, silently trying to understand what the prince was doing. Arthur snorted, as though it wasn't clear enough already. "You're an idiot, Merlin," his voice wasn't as steady as it should have been, he just hoped it was enough.

Another owlish blink, and Arthur realized he was going to have to make the first move. Taking hold of his scabbard, he sheathed his sword, before closing the last of the distance between them. He stopped before his friend, and silently held out his hand.

Merlin stared at him like he'd never seen Arthur before. The blond didn't move, waiting for the other to make the next step.

Merlin swallowed hard. Hesitantly he raised his arm, fingers curling away from the prince's outstretched hand. Arthur simply waited, and after a moment Merlin placed his hand within Arthur's own, allowing the prince to yank him to his feet.

Merlin stumbled, legs uncoordinated, until Arthur stepped in and steadied him. Still hesitant, Merlin couldn't help but point out. "You don't have to do this." Arthur grimaced. "I could still–"

"Don't even think about finishing that thought, Merlin." It was surprising how easy it was to speak, even if recent events were still leaving him reeling. "Morgana could still be prowling about."

Merlin was silent for a long moment. "She attacked me, earlier, in the dungeon."

Arthur's eyes darted to the destroyed northern wall. "I see." He knew Merlin had said Morgana had magic, but gods, to see the evidence of her power. "I suppose we're lucky she didn't decide to blow up the whole castle."

Merlin grimaced, looking ill, but said nothing.

Arthur hesitated. "Do you know if…?" he couldn't finish, uncertain he wanted to know the answer.

Merlin shook his head. "She didn't escape, and she was hurt. I–" His hand twitched, but he didn't elaborate.

"We'll worry about it later then. Come on, let's get you to Gaius." Merlin glanced at him nervously. Arthur sighed. "Do I have to spell it out? I'm not arresting you, and I'm not turning you over to my father." Merlin gave him an incredulous look. "We'll– we'll figure this out, Merlin. I give you my word."

Merlin could still see the fear in his eyes, a fear they both shared, but despite it, Arthur really was trying to get past it. A genuine smile slowly graced the warlock's lips as he silently nodded.

Arthur started forward, and together they slowly began to hobble their way back toward the castle, leaning on each other for support. It wasn't till they reached the upper town that Merlin softly spoke. "Thank you." For not abandoning me.

Arthur didn't respond, but the slight squeeze he gave Merlin's shoulder was answer enough. That's what friends are for.

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What a mess of a chapter. I don't know how many times I've taken it apart and rearranged it. The first scene with Merlin in the cell is the worst of the culprits. I've lost track of all the rewrites, but various versions had the warning bell ringing sooner or later, and his encounter with Morgana shifting about, from what you have above, with him still in the cell, to an early draft where Merlin escapes and runs into her seconds after she's murdered the guards.

The pacing was pretty tricky in this chapter, what with all the dramatic encounters and battles taking place. So I was being very careful that the sense of tension wasn't lost through this chapter. Hopefully, I've managed to do the dramatic twists and turns justice.

Funnily enough, in an early draft of the scene where Merlin and Arthur are talking at the wall and one of the knights shows up. I actually had Sir Leon showing up instead of Sir Bors, which I realized was a silly idea since Leon just showed up last chapter hobbling out of Morgana's and Morgause's trap. I figured him running off to battle right on the same day was a bit of a stretch. Plus Arthur seems to have that angle covered already.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this exciting chapter and the appearance of Merlin the dragon. We've got one more chapter to go after this, and then, dear readers, this story will be complete.

Next time, the final chapter: In which Merlin goes looking for a cure, and tries to settle with the idea that Arthur knows. Look for Chapter 6: A Cure on April 1st.

Till then lovely readers and big thanks going out to my reviewers! You guys have been great. Till next time!