Uther Pendragon's line ruled over Albion in peace and prosperity for generations, and Kilgharrah woke screaming a second time. This was clearly a forked prophecy, the first he'd ever dreamed. What were the branching points? Was there, perhaps, a third way, one that would mean the return of magic and the fall of the Pendragons?

This time, he drew upon all his power to guide the visions. It was like flying over a tapestry as big as the world, trying to trace a single fine-spun thread. Like hawks, dragons had eyes far sharper than humans, and just so was Kilgharrah's power of prophecy greater and sharper than any mortal seer. Still, few dragons had attempted to pierce the veil of time so clearly. It might take years, but he had years to wait. He said aloud, "Show me the deaths of Arthur Pendragon."

The images fell around him like raindrops, each one showing a human lifetime in a single glimpse.

The child Mordred slays Prince Arthur from ambush in the forest. In the fortieth year of King Arthur's reign, Sir Mordred fatally wounds him on the tourney field, entirely by accident. The young mercenary Mordred slays King Arthur in a snow-bound fortress in the fourth year of his reign. Mordred, first ally of the mad priestess Morgana, stabs his former liege lord amid a furious battle in a narrow pass. Prince Arthur dies in a fall from his horse, trying to aid a young druid fugitive in escaping Camelot…

Even a dragon could not hold on to so many dreams, and the moment he woke, the images began to fade. Kilgharrah had no wish to see them in his mind's eye again. Instead, he committed the most important parts to memory:

Arthur will die by no hand but Mordred's,

Everything hinges on when Arthur dies

The key to Mordred's heart is a young druid girl, and the key to the girl is the witch Morgana.

If Morgana dies too soon, Albion will be lost. But if she aids Camelot, the Pendragon dynasty will endure. The only chance is to drive Morgana away from Camelot.

The key to Morgana's fate is Merlin, the warlock, Balinor's son.

Somewhere, shining like a star among a filthy mess of human foolishness, Kilgharrah found one final memory. Merlin laughs out loud, tears of joy streaming down his face, as a tiny pure white dragon pecks its way out of an egg. But though the dragon strained and squinted for days, he could not see which path led toward that day, nor could he see what would become of the dragon afterward.

Slowly his mind cleared and the last of the visions faded, leaving behind only dim shadows of memories.

It would be difficult, the dragon knew. He'd have to guide Merlin by nudges and touches, never revealing his true aim. And of course, once Merlin inherited his father's power, it would be even harder to deceive him. Still, it had to be done. The race of dragons were finished, he knew that. Bringing the Pendragons down with them was the only thing Kilgharrah had left.

This time, he'd keep Arthur alive long enough to unite Albion, but make sure that Merlin and Morgana never became true allies.

Kilgharrah closed his eyes and let the visions come a third time, from warning Merlin away from the witch Morgana to helping him lay the young and childless King Arthur to rest in the Lake of Avalon.

So, it was possible. Albion united, magic freed, and the Pendragons wiped out utterly. He'd just have to betray Merlin's trust to get there. Was it worth it? Which path to choose?

Above his head, the young warlock stepped through Camelot's gates for the first time.

Whew! Thanks, everyone, who stuck with this story to the end. I feel like I've been writing it forever, but I'm finally ready to share it with all of you. Let me know what you think!