Summary: In which Merlin discovers he has a twin brother who fights in Cendred's army and who is hell-bent on killing Arthur Pendragon. Slight AU, tag to The Last Dragonlord.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, unfortunately. The plot and some other characters are mine, though :p

This is my first try at a multi-chapter Merlin story, so please, review and tell me what you think.

PROLOGUE

Merlin woke up and stared at the wooden dragon his father had carved for him the night before. Then a hand grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth. Merlin struggled a little, until he heard Arthur's voice whispering hurriedly in his ear "Cendred's men."

He shot to his feet and took a sword, just as Cendred's soldiers came rushing out of the forest into their camp. The warlock tossed a sword to Balinor, and defended himself as much as he could with a blade. He couldn't afford to be discovered using magic today. Merlin tried to keep an eye on Arthur and his father, but the former had gotten out of his line of sight. He was startled by this and lost his concentration, giving the chance to the other man to disarm him. Just then, Balinor put himself in front of Merlin and ran the man through. Father and son were about to smile with relief, when another soldier, wearing a helmet like the others, rushed straight to them. Merlin couldn't think. He couldn't react.

He only saw as the blade pierced his father's torso. Balinor fell, and Merlin seized him before he fell. Feeling the limp body of his father, a roaring rage took control over him, and he screamed his magic out. All the soldiers in the clearing were thrown back, their helmets snatched out, and the clearing was filled with the sound of skulls breaking.

Merlin breathed heavily and, lowering his father to the ground, he glanced to see the soldiers. They were all on the ground, laying in awkward positions. They were all dead.

Except the closest to Merlin, whose chest clearly rose and fell. Merlin felt defeated. His father was dying and he couldn't even kill the man who had pierced him. Crying, Merlin stared at his father, who whispered "Ah, I see you have your father's talent. Merlin…"

The warlock sobbed, holding his father closer. "Please, no. Please. I can save you."

Balinor's eyes were slowly losing their light. "Listen to me. 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's voice was but a broken gasp.

Balinor held on to life, just enough seconds to whisper "Listen to me! Oh, my son. I've seen enough in you to know that you will make me proud." The glint in his eyes paled, and he remained still.

"No! Father, no!" Merlin sobbed and rocked the corpse of his father back and forth, feeling the new happiness he'd found at the side of Balinor crumbling down.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. At first, he thought it was Arthur coming back, and he quickly wiped the tears out of his eyes, and suppressed his sobs. But when he turned, he didn't see Arthur. He saw the soldier who had killed his father scrambling to his feet.

Then the man turned and Merlin paled. He was stunned. The man in front of himself had exactly his same eyes. His hair, his ears, his face, they were exactly like Merlin's. His body was the same, if somewhat stronger. Merlin couldn't move.

Because staring down at him, was the very image of himself.

The man had a dazed look in his eyes, perhaps from a concussion, given the fact that Merlin had thrown him backwards.

Merlin gaped. The soldier didn't look his way again, trying as he was to keep standing.

And then Arthur's voice behind him startled Merlin. "NO!"

Merlin turned and watched as Arthur embed his sword in the rusty ground and raged over the death of Camelot's apparent last salvation. Merlin felt like crying again, and turned back to where the man who looked like himself was.

But there was no one there anymore.

So, what d'ya think?

Remember, reviews keep writers alive :p