Chapter 1

"So- you two will be alright, then?" Merlin asked anxiously, despite his lingering expression of awed joy. Aithusa, the new dragon hatchling, was exploring the remnants of her shell and the stump she was perched upon. "I mean, I don't pretend I know the first thing about raising a baby dragon, but you'll be able to handle it all?"

"I should certainly hope so, considering all the hatchlings that have played across my hide over the centuries." The warlock grinned again at the derisive snort Kilgharrah unleashed. "Although... I should warn you, Merlin, that Aithusa may not be content to remain by my side."

He frowned sharply. "That might be a problem, if she's spotted by anyone. We hardly need rumors of a little dragon floating around, especially so soon after this business over the supposed last egg-"

"Rumors were not what I was referring to, young warlock. You are the Dragonlord who summoned her forth, and therefore Aithusa will be drawn to your presence." Kilgharrah told him. Merlin promptly gaped up at the ancient dragon.

"But that- she's- what!"

"You did not mishear me, Merlin."

"B-but- if Arthur or any of the other knights see her around me-! Can't I just order her to stay away for her own safety?" The youth asked desperately.

Kilgharrah gave him a disbelieving stare. "Tell me, how many small human children do you know who will obey an order to sit still for hours on end, with very little to occupy themselves, because it is 'for their own safety'?"

"Um..."

"Dragon hatchlings in their earliest months of life are not bound to follow a Dragonlord's orders, simply because they do not yet have the maturity of mind nor power to do so. Soon enough, Aithusa's inner magic will stabilize, and then you will be able to order her away." Kilgharrah rolled his wings, the dragon equivalent of a shrug. "Until that day comes, you had best accept that she will be a part of your life."

"No! It's too dangerous, for her and me!" Pacing now, Merlin anxiously ran his hands through his dark hair. The hatchling clearly sensed something of his stress, for all of a sudden he was assaulted by a small white form flapping erratically and attempting to cling to his shirt. Carefully, Merlin wrapped his arms around Aithusa's fragile form, allowing her to settle on her new perch. Then, tiny golden eyes blinked up at him, and with a yawn the baby prepared to settle into sleep. Calmer, though still frustrated by this turn of events, the warlock reluctantly allowed her to remain there.

"You see?" There was a trace of amusement coloring Kilgharrah's tone. "She is soothed by your close company."

"I won't be able to say the same if she turns up in the city." Merlin muttered under his breath, cautiously stroking a finger over the miniscule white head. "Alright. I'll stay here as long as I can, but as soon as it starts to get light, I have to return to the camp, just as Aithusa has to remain here, with you. Take her and fly off to the mountains, I don't care, just get as far from Camelot as you can - and then do everything in your power to prevent Aithusa's return here."

"Merlin-"

"Do I need to make it an order?" The old dragon reluctantly sighed at Merlin's steely tone, but nodded. "Good."

After that, Kilgharrah settled himself upon the ground, allowing the warlock to sit and lean against him, hatchling still contentedly slumbering. Soon enough Merlin joined her in sleep, unconsciously maintaining the position of his folded arms in order to hold the infant. Keeping watch over them, the Great Dragon also paid close attention to the passage of time, knowing how upset the young Dragonlord would be were he to awake later than was prudent. Although, throughout the night, Kilgharrah debated with himself over using a bit of power to ensure both the little ones remained asleep and carrying them off to a safe place.

The flaw with that being, of course, that upon awakening, Merlin could immediately order him to return the warlock to Camelot. And besides, he had a separate destiny to fulfill, as Emrys, standing alongside the one fated to become the Once and Future King.

But despite this logic, Kilgharrah's internal battle lasted on, especially as he considered the fates of Balinor and the other Dragonlords...

When dawn was nigh on the horizon, he mentally nudged Merlin into waking up. The boy promptly deposited Aithusa within the larger dragon's paw, and hurried off to the campsite where his friends would soon be stirring as well. Mere minutes after her summoner left, Aithusa was awake and chirping inquisitively, eagerly looking about for him.

"Merlin is gone, little one," Kilgharrah murmured to her in the tongue of their kind. "You will not be able to see him again for sometime."

Instantly, Aithusa's snout wrinkled up unhappily. Even as he stood and prepared to take flight, Kilgharrah knew that he was about to have a distinctly tiring experience trying to keep the hatchling by his side. Hopefully, when she inevitably escaped and returned to Merlin, the young warlock wouldn't hold it against him too much.

Because it was inevitable, of that Kilgharrah had no doubts.