"Sleep," Freya chanted in the Ancient Language, watching as the guards' bodies slumped on the table, snoring lightly. She grabbed one of the lit torches and walked past them, descending down the stairs that will lead to the dungeons.

Once she reached the mouth of the entrance, she ran her hand against the wall until she felt one of the stones give. Freya lowered it down quietly and pushed her hand inside the hole until her fingers touched something cool and metal. 

She took the iron key out and used it to open the iron door leading to the tunnels underground. Looking around her one more time, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, locking it behind her. Freya hurried down the steps, knowing she was pressed for time. 

Once she disappeared out of sight and the door closed shut, Merlin rushed behind her. He tried to open the door but found it locked. He took a deep breath and said, "Open," his eyes flashing golden briefly before returning back to blue. The lock snapped open with ease, making Merlin smirk.

Without a moment's hesitation, he followed Freya inside.

Freya stopped walking at the edge of a cliff that opened to a ginormous cave. A hundred yards ahead, a giant rock rested in the middle of the ground, worn down from the weather.

Freya's brown eyes flew around the place, searching for what she came for. A sudden gust of wind blew in, throwing her cloak back and exposing her face. Freya's gaze swung up as the sound of enormous wings beat. A moment later, a giant of a beast descended on the large rock, bright, gold eyes staring at her expectantly. 

At that moment, Merlin rounded the corner just in time to see The Great Dragon appear, freezing him in his tracks momentarily. He quickly scrambled behind the closest wall, heart hammering. Suddenly everyone knows of the dragon's existence. Just great. 

"Hello, young sorceress," the dragon said, his voice reverberating throughout the cave's walls. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"You don't sound surprised to see me," Freya noted, a dark eyebrow arched. "Am I that predictable?"

The dragon chuckled. "Your arrival has been foretold since the beginning of time, Freya Penhart. Your destiny and young Merlin's are not so different after all."

Freya waved the dragon's comment off. "That foolish warlock knows nothing. He distrusts everyone, even his own kind."

"You know as well as I why that is so. He has to protect Arthur at all costs."

Freya hesitated before nodding slowly. "Even so, his methods could be improved upon."

Merlin bristled from his hiding spot. Improved upon? There is nothing to improve! 

The dragon smiled, his sharp teeth clear on display. "Are you going to ask me what you have come here for, young sorceress?" 

Merlin swallowed thickly as the young queen and dragon conversed, his heart beating quickly. How do they know each other? And what did the dragon mean by saying her destiny and mine were entwined? I hope she is not another Mordred.

Freya rolled her eyes. "You already know what my question is, Great Dragon, so what is your answer?" 

The dragon stared at her for a long minute, studying her. The quietness frayed Merlin's nerves, already tense from listening to them. Stupid dragon! Why did you not let her voice the question out loud?

The dragon beat his wings twice before settling back in place once more. "Very well," he said at last. "I will help you, young sorceress. Do you have the pendant and the dagger?"

Freya's tense body relaxed slightly and she nodded. "Yes." She reached into the folds of her cloak and drew out two items: a beautiful, bejeweled dagger and a simple gold pendant, hanging on a gold chain. Placing the items separately in each hand, she presented them to the dragon. 

The dagger flew from her right hand and hovered in front of the dragon. The great beast opened his mouth and fire emptied out, directly on the dagger.

Next, the pendant flew to the dragon and hovered in front of him also. Just as before, the dragon opened his mouth, but instead of fire coming out, a gentle wind blew across the pendant, momentarily making it shine.

The two items flew back to Freya's still-outstretched hands. A soft gasp of wonder escaped her lips. "It is done?"

The dragon nodded tiredly. "Yes. The rest falls on your shoulders, young sorceress." The dragon unruffled his wings and flew up, his enormous body disappearing out of her sight.

Freya slumped against the wall nearest to her with a heavy sigh, nearly stopping Merlin's heart dead in his chest as he held his breath. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to hide so close to her...

She looked down at the items clutched in her palms and chanted in the Ancient Language, her brown eyes flashing blue momentarily before returning to their normal color. With another sigh, Freya put the items back inside her cloak and straightened up. With one last look around the place, she returned back the way she came, mind churning with thoughts.

Once Merlin heard the iron door open and close, he stepped out from behind the wall Freya had been leaning against, a frown marring his face. Arthur will never believe any of this, not without proof, and I cannot show him the dragon either. I need to know what Freya will use those blessed and enchanted items for, and before it becomes too late to stop her.

He debated on whether to call on the dragon or not, but that will give himself away, and he didn't know if the dragon was on Freya's side or not. Deciding against calling him, he rushed after Freya, hoping to find out soon what her goal was.