A/n Hello everyone , I would say i'm sorry about the long update , but its been so long im not sure who would still want to read this haha . I have struggled trying to get back into the characters personality's in this story , and with continuity. But this is the best i could do , so i still hope people like it and its not to far off other chapters .

I cant promise times for updates , could be a week , could be a month or two . Im sorry but with how long this story is , its sometimes hard to remember every detail that's gone on etc. and i don't want to make mistakes . Also life is just kicking me in the ass , from personal issues , to work , im also really into boxing at the moment and the training zaps any energy you have . So like i said no promises when the next update will come .

ps i have no beta , there will be mistakes

Enter the dragon part III

Chapter 40

Ten Minutes earlier...

Morgana looked on in shock, her emerald green eyes gazing upon the broken chains that once held Kilgharrah down. She couldn't believe her magic, along with the sword she still gripped tightly in her hand had been strong enough to burst through the steel contraption that had kept the great dragon prisoner.

The dragon that was still perched upon a large rock, turned towards the young girl who had freed him, his golden eyes watching her closely.

"Come young Le Fay, if this Sir Edward is more dangerous than I thought. Does Emrys not need our assistance?"

"Our assistance?" Morgana looked up at the giant dragon, surprised when Kilgharrah turned on his perch, swinging his large tail in her direction.

The ebony haired beauty stared down at the dragon's scaled tail that was now only a few metres in front of her. Morgana glanced up to the dragon who was watching her intently.
Knowing what he wanted, Morgana stepped forward, holding her black dress up with one hand, and sword in the other as she stepped carefully over a few jagged rocks that lay In front of her. Until she was in touching distance of the dragons tail.

Dropping her dress, the sorceress slowly reached her free hand towards the tail, placing her palm on one of the large scales. She was surprised at how solid and rough it was compared to Aithusas softer, less hardened ones. Remembering stories of the great dragon that Balinor had told her, she placed her trust in the over grown lizard as she began to slowly climb onto his tail, before she began pulling herself up the dragon's body.

Morgana let out a breath she didn't know she was holding as she finally reached the middle of the dragons back. She could feel a heat coming from his body, the fire inside of his belly ready to be released. She sat nervously atop of Kilgharrah, looking out at the dark dreary cave awaiting what she knew came next.

"Took you long enough" The dragon growled in annoyance. Not understanding that it wasn't every day someone climbed aboard the back of a powerful fire breathing monster.

Just as she was about to tell the dragon to shut up, Morgana was cut off as he began to flap his wings. All the witch could then do was hold on for dear life as the dragon took flight. Soaring at record speeds as he worked his way out of the cave that had held him for so long...until finally the dragon tasted something he had been deprived of for too long...freedom.

Ten minutes later….

Merlin couldn't breathe, he couldn't speak, and all he could do was lay riving in pain as Sir Edwards spell continued to burn into his chest. The pain was something he had never experienced before, not even the torture he had succumbed to when under Kanens capture could compare.

He tried to gain control of his magic, he tried to attack but it was no use, Sir Edwards spell over powered him. His eyes looked up towards his attacker, his vision slowly blurring, but he could make out to the pure white eyes of his nemesis staring down at him with glee. Merlin's head then rolled to his left, his eyes catching a glimpse of the piles of ashes that once belonged to his friend Lancelot, scattered unceremoniously on the floor beside him. While Merlin felt pure anger for what Sir Edward did to him, even that couldn't produce the reaction from his magic he wanted.

He wasn't strong enough yet, not even close to the Emrys that had been written about, that was along with Morgana supposed to change the world. And yet he was strong enough to break through magic constricting chains, kill men with a mere flick of his wrist and survive being stabbed through the chest. It begged the question …just who, or what this creature called Sir Edward that stood in front of him was and how had he become so powerful. But he didn't dwell on that as the lights began to go out , he merely thought of one thing , his one true love , his life Morgana…..I'll always love you Morgana… The only problem was, the thought didn't leave, and no matter how much pain he was in, the light didn't completely extinguish.

Outside Camelot castle…

After calming herself down, Morgana looked on in wonder as the Dragon ripped through the black skies of Camelot. Circling the castle like it was circling its prey, the Dragons powerful wings flapping in unison, stretching freely for the first time in over two decades.

The ebony haired sorceress held one of Kilgharrah's horns tightly as she leaned her head back , allowing the ferocious night air to flow freely through her long silky black hair. As she was enjoying the feeling …something struck her and fast. The usual blissful feeling she felt or hers and Merlin's magic connecting as one was fading, she could feel the connection diminishing , and what little she could feel of Merlin's magic felt weak…and then she realised what was going on , she was feeling Merlin's pain.

What was that beady eyed rat doing to him. Morgana thought, her magic building, her eyes sparking a solid gold, all the while the hand that held the knight of Medhirs sword gripped tighter in anger. Sensing her anguish the dragon spoke, his haunting voice echoing in the breeze.

"What troubles you young witch."

"I can feel him Kilgharrah, he's in trouble. His magic's fading fast."

Without saying another word, the dragon changed course, turning full circle from his current position behind the stone walls of Camelot's great castle. His strong wings bringing them around the front in mere seconds, his large body know hovering over the impressive courtyard.

Looking down upon Camelot from a top of Kilgharrah, Morgana's magic pointing her in the direction of Merlin's location, her emerald green eyes zoned in on her love. His position still the same as when she had left him, just outside the doors to the Dragons prison. She could see through the pain glass window just in front of Merlin's position, a bright sparking light that looked hot to touch burning brightly.

"Quickly dragon, aim for that window with the shining light." Morgana ordered, not having time for pleasantries.

Understanding the situations importance, Kilgharrah quickly obeyed. Landing swiftly inside the courtyard, his large clawed feet planting on the cobbled floor, the impact making a loud echoing thud as he opened his mouth, a massive stream of searing hot fire streamed out from his mouth, aiming directly for Sir Edward and Merlin's position. As the fire struck its intended target, the pain glass windows shattered on impact, the flames making their way inside the building ….. Giving a certain warlock the distraction he dearly needed.

Inside Camelot's castle, a few minutes before….

"All this power and yet you lay here, so minute, so pathetic." Sir Edward smugly said through his thin lips. His eyes still a pure white as he stared down at his enemy, one thing was for sure though, the fact the boy still breathed impressed him …..Not that it mattered, he had plans to make that stop anyway. "Just think, here lies the great Emrys …. The one of fairy-tale, the one little druid girls and boys pray to in hope of a better world. Well there will be a better world when I take control, but you and that little bitch of a girlfriend won't be part of that."

"I wonder" Sir Edward then pondered ignoring the boy writhing in pain in front of him. "Who should go first after you and Morgana ….. I think that little self-righteous Pendragon boy, or maybe that maid of his, their heads would make great pike tops." Sir Edwards's eyes then seemed to widen in delight when his next idea hit him. "Or maybe I'll do what Uther couldn't and kill that pesky dragon lord Balinor, and maybe the woman he loves." His gaze then went back down to Emrys, a smug grin gracing his features. "Oh I do apologize, I shouldn't be talking about your mother and father like that. But at least you know you'll have some company joining you in the afterlife."

With a flick of his wrist, the sword that was once in his hands, lifted off of the floor and into his possession once more. Sir Edward then placed the tip of the sword against Emrys neck for a second time.

"Now ….Where were we before your friend so rudely interrupted us" The Camelot knight/sorcerer said joyfully. "Oh yes, I do believe I was about to take your head."

But just as he was about to de capitate the warlock, a roar was heard from outside, causing Sir Edward to turn towards his left, glancing out of the window beside him as a stream off searing hot dragons fire burst through the glass, engulfing his entire body.

Nimeuhs prison…

Nimeuh looked on in surprise …. And hope as the first chain holding her to the wall came off. She then watched through her blood shot blue eyes as the mysterious stranger took a few steps around too her right side and grabbed the second chain , once more he placed one foot against the wall and began pulling at the chain , his pure strength ripping the metal object from the wall.

The sorceress bit her lip trying not to scream as for the first time in countless years, her arms where by her sides instead of hanging upward. The pain was almost unbearable, but the ebony haired woman would take this pain over anything shed endured in her past years of torture, this pain was one she would happily embrace. While she still had the magic binding shackles tied to her wrists stopping her from once more feeling her magic flowing through her, this was the closest she had come to true freedom.

Her blue eyes then looked up at the handsome man in front of her, and for some reason, for someone who had been naked for so long, she became self-conscious, her shackled arms quickly going to her most private of areas in an attempt to cover up.

Seeing the unknown woman's embarrassment, Percival quickly removed the long black cloak he had been wearing to blend in with the knights of Medhirs, handing it over the venerable woman.

The broken sorceress nearly burst into tears at the simple kindness she had been shown by this stranger as she gingerly covered her modesty, as she sat on the cold stone floor of her prison.

He didn't know why she was down here, or who she was, these being questions for another time. But one thing Percival did know was he had to get this woman to safety, especially with Uther's men so close by. He knew Lancelot, Merlin and Morgana would be able to handle themselves, not to mention understand why once they saw the state this woman was in. So with that thought in mind, he knelt down in front of the woman, a comforting smile covering his face.

"Can you walk?"

Nimeuh relaxed a little at the man's soothing voice, before attempting to climb to her feet. But with no magic and her muscle mass depleted due to her lack of movement, she fell almost instantly to the floor. She then let out an uncharacteristic squeak when the man in front of her slid his arms under her body, lifting her from the floor bridal style.

Percival knew it would be tough to get out of this castle alive carrying a passenger, but he could never leave her, so with that in mind he confidently walked out of the dank room, the ebony haired beauty in his arms.

Camelot hallways…..

Merlin gasped, relief flooding his body as the searing pain in his chest stopped. He wasn't sure why as his vision had blurred from the pain.

As it slowly began to return, the warlock looked on as the man who had nearly killed him, screamed in agony, his body covered in fire. He felt instant relief as his magic breathed more freely, instead of trying to fight off Sir Edwards's overbearing power.

With his enemy in pain, Merlin, ignoring the charred and burnt skin that laced his chest, used all the strength he could muster to pull himself slowly to his feet. He could feel the shattered glass from the pain window under his boots crunch as he swayed on his weak legs, unable to stand fully he took a few wobbly steps until he was leaning his back against the hard castle wall. Breathing deeply, his heart thumping rapidly, Merlin looked in front of him towards Sir Edward, the man still on fire.

The sorcerer had stopped screaming though, instead, in a raspy voice he began chanting words off the old religion. The fire that once burned hot, began to wither away slowly revealing burnt and charred skin.

What the hell is this man Merlin thought as Sir Edward turned around to face him, the warlock nearly gagged at what he was now seeing? The once rat like face of Sir Edward, was now charred to the bone, his skin know a burnt black, with much of it hanging off his skulls skeletal structure. One of his eyes was completely ruptured, hanging slightly from his socket as the man stared at him.

"Don't think something as simple as fire can kill me." Sir Edward growled swaying weakly, his voice deeper than it usually was.

Thinking quickly, Merlin eyed the shattered window standing behind Sir Edward. And without hesitation, brought fourth his magic, sending it straight at the burnt sorcerer in front of him. As soon as his eyes flashed a pure gold, the weakened Sir Edward was sent flying backwards, his body going straight through the glassless window behind him.

Still in his weakened state, Merlin staggered toward the window he had just sent Sir Edward flying through. But when he looked down, to his surprise, there was no body to be seen. Gingerly he stepped back until his body hit the hard stone walls of the Camelot hallway, sliding gently to the floor, he sat trying to regain some strength, his eyes gazing to the pile of ash spread across the floor beside him that was once his friend, the honourable Lancelot.

Using his magic, he sent out a message, calling for his one love to come find him.

Outside, Camelot courtyard….

Morgana looked on in shock as a body came flying out of the window Kilgharrah had just shot his fire through.

Merlin she thought in shock as she dismounted Kilgarrah as quickly as she could, dropping the Knight of Medhir's sword, she grabbed the bottom of her black skirt before rushing across the courtyard , her heart thumping with worry.

She looked on in confusion when she reached the spot that should contain the body of either her Merlin or that bastard Sir Edward but there was no body to be seen. A small smile graced her ruby red lips in relief, when she still felt her magic and Merlin's dancing as one once more.

Looking up at the broken window, she hoped to catch a glimpse of her love. She thought she might have seen him but in the darkness it might have been nothing more than a shadow. Not wanting to waste any more time she briskly walked towards the stairs leading into Camelot, she smiled slightly when she heard Merlin's voice flow through her mind, but her heart broke at how weak it sounded. With that in mind she only moved faster, needing to lay eyes on her warlock.

After moving through the winding halls of Camelot castle, a castle Morgana unfortunately knew all too well. She was met with the sight of a weak and injured Merlin, sitting with his legs sprawled out as he lent against the hard stone wall ….. His eyes staring almost emotionlessly at a pile of ash to the right of him. The witch almost sprinted, even in her heeled boots when she laid eyes on the seared and burnt chest of her love.

As soon as she made it to him, Morgana dropped to her knees next to him. Raising one of her hands to the side of his turned face, she slowly pushed at his jaw until his ice blue eyes were looking into her emerald green ones. His eyes watery and distraught, but it didn't look like his eyes where watery due to the pain of the injury on his chest, but emotionally scared.

"Lancelot….I couldn't stop him, he was too strong" Merlin whispered almost inaudibly to Morgana, before his gaze fell back onto the pile of ash that sat to his right. The witch's eyes looked on in confusion, before it dawned on her what he was indicating, the pile of ash containing tatters of clothing. As soon as it did she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she choked back a few sobs, her emerald eyes began to moisten as she did. Needing the touch of Merlin to comfort her, she then leaned her forehead against the warlocks shoulder.

They both sat in silence mourning for what seemed like hours but was actually mere minutes as for the second time the warning bells of Camelot began to ring out, followed by a low sounding horn. Understanding what it meant, Morgana took in a deep breath trying to calm herself , without wasting anymore time she then place the palm of her hand against Merlin's seared and burnt skin causing the Warlock to hiss in pain.

"I'm sorry my love but I need to heal your wound" Morgana said whispering softly. Her free hand reaching towards Merlin's sweat filled hair, stroking it softly. "béanléaga fæger béanléaga béor" The sorceress then chanted , her eyes turning a pure gold as her magic set about healing Merlin's wound to the best of its ability.

The warlock sighed, letting out a breath of slight relaxation. Most would have been in pain as skin grew back over a severe burn. But Merlin's and Morgana's magic worked in tandem, as one, that the feeling of their magic dancing almost over powered the pain.

When the magic had finished its job, the skin was almost like new ….. Almost, as much like his many other wounds, scarred tissue still showed slightly over his body giving the warlock just another reminder of the battering his body had taken in such a short period of time.

Merlin groaned when Morganas magic stopped coursing through his body, the pain on his chest returning but only slightly. He felt exhausted, and every muscle in his body ached, not to mention how emotionally drained he was from losing Lancelot. It was just another stark reminder of the dangerous path that lie ahead. He let out a deep breath when he felt the warm hands of Morgana on his face, as his witch once more turned head so they were eye to eye.

"We need to go Merlin, when the bells are set off again in such a short period of time, along with the horn messengers send word to surrounding soldiers of Camelot that live not far from these walls." Morgana spoke trying to stay calm, all the while trying to avoid her gaze from falling to the pile of ash behind Merlin that was once her friend and ally. "If we stay here, the army of Camelot will come crashing down upon us all in the name of Uther." Morgana then stated, having seen it before. If an enemy attacked the first guard and took down enough of them someone would call for the true might of Camelot. All the while Uther seemed to vanish, one of his higher up knights usually taking charge.

"We have to get to Percival first" Merlin replied weakly, taking in tired breathes.

Knowing Merlin was in no fit state to fight, Morgana thought quickly, coming to a solution.

"I'll send a message to the knights of Medhir to head straight for Percival and get him out at all costs. You're in no condition to fight Merlin and I won't risk you getting hurt anymore"

"Mo-rgana" Merlin started, content on arguing his case even though he felt like he could pass out at any moment. He stopped when he saw the look Morgana was giving him, the I'm in charge and you're going to do as I say or suffer the consequences look. The warlock then nodded in defeat, it would always be a losing battle and this time he knew she was right.

Seeing Merlin had backed down, Morgana then began to use her magic to connect to the knights of Medhir, much like a dragon lord does his dragon. When she felt the dark pull of hers and Merlin's own personal protection, she gave them orders to seek out Percival and protect him , and guide him safely back to Amata. With that out of the way, she gazed back at Merlin before slowly getting to her feet. Trying to block out the hurt her heart was feeling over Lancelot, she reached her hand down to Merlin.

"Come on, let's go home my love."

The warlock nodded before taking Morganas hand, with a great deal of struggle he pulled himself up. Before Morgana placed Merlin's arm over her shoulder, using surprising strength to keep him up and walking, although Merlin was surprisingly light.

Neither said anything as the trudged towards the exit, both of their minds still reeling at the loss of their friend. But both knew they had to stay strong, even if it didn't feel right. Both realised this was the cost of war, and they both knew deep down, this could well be the first loss of many.

One thing they knew they had yet to discuss though, the elephant in the room … just what was Sir Edward, and how had he become so powerful.

Just outside the vaults of Camelot…

Percival, still carrying Nimeuh in his arms, slowly crept out of the large vault of Camelot. He was wasn't stupid enough to think he could merely sneak out of Camelot unnoticed , not after the ruckus he , Merlin , Morgana ,Lancelot and the knights of Medhir had made , but that didn't mean he couldn't try get as far as possible unnoticed , seeing as though there was a slim chance he could even make It out alive .

Turning down one of the many winding hallways off Camelot, this one littered with the crest containing the golden dragon adorning the walls. He walked silently, with an also silent Nimeuh in his arms. But just as they were about to come to the corner , both of them jumped in shock as a knight of Camelot was flung around the corner like a rag doll , crashing into the stone concrete wall unconscious .

Taking a few steps back, Percival's eyes widened a little in shock as seven hooded knights, dressed in black walked around the corner one by one, before each of them turned back around, forming a defensive wall in front of Percival and the weakened Nimeuh.

Percival then let a smile grace his lips, knowing Merlin and Morgana must have sent them, he did however slightly worry they may have had to make a break for it due to unforeseen circumstances. But with the knights now protecting him directly, he could get the unknown woman in his arms to safety. Glancing down at said woman, he caught sight of her stunning blue eyes looking up at him in shock, he assumed because of this unforeseen event, but little did he know she was thinking something much different. Because Nimeuh knew exactly who the knights of Medhir where and what power It took to summon them back from the dead, and while she was grateful for this man holding hers rescue , it did beg the question , just who was he , who did he work for , and where was he taking her.

A/N , any questions feel free to p/m , also i hearing what you think so do review if you have the time thank you .