Arthur and his knights were just finishing up their training, laughing at Gwaine's latest tales from the tavern when suddenly a loud cry, a mix between scrapping metal and a large bird, filled the courtyard. It was a sound all in the castle had become accustom to over the past few months as it belonged to a large, white dragoness.

Aithusa was still growing at an alarming rate, every time she visited Camelot she had grown. Now she was at least double the size she had been when Arthur first met her over a year ago, no longer could she wander inside the castle but she was always welcome in the courtyard all the same.

"Quick Arthur hide!" Leon called but it was too late and the large beast had playfully knocked the man off his feet and licked his face happily.

"Arthur!" the child-like voice greeted him.

"Yes, hello Aithusa." He sighed rolling his eyes, "Can I get up now?"

The dragon cooed, nuzzling at the newly crowned king and lowering her neck to allow him to access the scroll currently tucked behind one of her scales.

"I still can't believe that dragon is acting as a glorified post man." Percival breathed and Arthur took the communication, "It seems a bit unorthodox."

"She doesn't mind do you girl?" Arthur smiled, Aithusa trilled happily, "Besides, vampire messengers can't travel in the day and she can."

Indeed Aithusa had been a happy carrier of messages for several months now. With Arthur acting as Regent he had given the vampire clan full permission to construct another castle in the Valley of the Fallen Kings to match their first on the Isle of the Blessed. This, like the first castle was to be mostly underground, Arthur had picked the area himself along with Merlin the vampire's prince and soon to be Lord. He had then spent a few knights watching with amazement as Merlin lifted stones and bent them into strong bricks with nothing but the will of his mind.

Other vampires gifted with magic were helping too of course, meaning the upper levels of the castle were built within several weeks. The lower tunnels were taking them some time but according to Merlin's letter were almost done themselves and the garden's were growing wonderfully in the middle of the castle walls.

Vampire castles we're designed differently to human ones. Instead of the usual plan, they were square or rectangular with no buildings at all in the middle, leaving a large open area for growing food for their human thralls. Of course, Merlin being Merlin, he managed to sneak a few moon flower bushes into it as well.

His father had not approved of course, then again, his father had not been in his right mind in the months leading up to his death. Arthur still blamed himself for his fathers mental break but deep down he knew there was nothing that could be done. He claimed all his food and water had been poisoned, that every guard, servant and even Arthur was an impostor, an assassin. Eventually he had refused to see anybody and wasted away into nothingness. At least in death he could rest.

"Come on then princess!" Gwaine yelled, breaking him from his reverie, "What's Merlin got to report?"

"I'll tell you later." Arthur sighed, "I'm the king I get to see these first."

Gwaine groaned, "But he always asks after us as well!"

"Later Gwaine."

-oOo-

Arthur was glad for the letter, though his kitchen wasn't, Aithusa always raided it somehow when she came to stay. The king had found an invaluable friend in the young vampire, though it still baffled him that Merlin was older than him but mentally and physically younger. Still, he was coming of age soon, idly he wondered if he'd been invite to the celebrations, did vampire's even celebrate coming of age?

It had been several months since he'd even seen the vampire, they had instead been communicating through Aithusa every few weeks. It had been a while since Merlin's last letter so eagerly Arthur unrolled the parchment to read.

Dear Arthur,

Construction is finally complete! It's taken months even with magic, I don't know how you got anything finished before you changed your fathers laws. Seriously, building your castle without magic would of taken years! Half the population from the Isle are currently moving in but there is plenty of room for growth and most of the furniture has arrived and the market's started up. It's beginning to feel a lot like home. I've been instated as the Lord of the castle, making me one of the Three Vampire Lords of Albion now and I'm not even of age!

Running the castle isn't as hard as I thought it would be, then again I've been raised for it and I've only just begun. I can't believe you rule an entire city as well as all those villages, it must be exhausting being a king.

Speaking of my coming of age, I thought I would invite you and your knights, the Round table ones anyway. It's being held at the new castle next full don't feel obligated to show up, vampire celebration's are probably unnerving to you, all those goblets full of blood and all. I'm not sure how humans celebrate coming of age but for vampire's it's quite, dramatic, especially for royalty.

If you choose not to come you should still come and visit the castle in the near future, it is part of your kingdom in a way, but please tell me when you're coming. Loads of families are moving in and there are fledglings everywhere and they tend to get a bit frantic around strangers, one of them even bit me!

Tell all the knights I said hello and tell Gwaine especially that no, vampires do not drink alcohol.

Merlin.

The last part made the king chuckle, Gwaine would be so disappointed. Quickly he grabbed his ink and quill to write his reply for Aithusa to deliver. The full moon was only a week away.

Dear Merlin,

The knights and I wouldn't miss your coming of age for the world. True the smell of blood might be a tad uncomfortable but the event sounds interesting. When I came of age we simply feasted and I was declared crown prince, then the following day there was a jousting match in my honor.

I'm sure you will do well as one of the three Lords but if you don't mind me asking, who's the third? Your father is the second, you're the first but I didn't even know there were more vampires. I thought Lancelot mentioned the Norther Vampires once though.

I'll save any other news I have for when I see you next week for your coming of age. Good luck with the castle!

I'll see you at moon rise one week from today.

Arthur.

The sequel has arrived! Coming up next, Merlin's coming of age ceremony which as you have probably guessed is a lot more magical and dark that a human coming of age.

To answer some questions I know are coming

Yes, Morgana will appear.

Yes, Will and Freya are characters but I wont mention how major or minor they are yet.