Arthur's POV

I open my eyes slowly. My eyelids feel heavy and drowsiness continues to cloud my mind. Everything seems to be a huge blur in my vision. I try to get up only to feel a hand immediately rest against my back, helping me move into a sitting position. I groan and rub my head. When the blurriness subsides I make out the faces of Leon, Elyan, Percival, and a few other worried knights. I glance around to find I'm lying on my father's bed with Merlin no where in sight.

"Are you feeling better sire?" Leon asks, worry laced in his voice.

"I'm fine. What happened?" I ask, throwing my legs over the side of the bed.

"We came in here to find you unconscious in Merlin's arms. He said you were knocked out and told us to watch you until you woke."

"Where is he then?"

"He said he had something to do and took off."

I scowl. He knocked me out! I'm going to strangle him when I get the chance. I place my feet on the ground and try to stand only to feel lightheaded instantly. I collapse back onto the bed. My Knights immediately surge forward with worry.

"Are you alright my lord?" Elyan asks.

"I said I'm fine. Just... give me a minute." I take a few deep breaths before turning back to Leon. "Have you found my father yet?"

Leon shakes his head. "Unfortunately no. Though we haven't been able to search the castle throughly," he explains.

"Where have you checked?"

"The armoury and his chambers. As we said, we haven't gotten the chance to search properly."

"Alright." I get to my feet, this time I'm able to push aside the dizziness. "We'll head to the council chambers first. Check every room on our way there."

The knights nod in understanding and we all head out of the hall. I make sure Merlin's sword is sheathed comfortably into my belt as I run down the hall.

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Merlin's POV

I make my way down quickly to the dungeon. Luckily, with all the commotion with the Knights of Medhir, there aren't many guards patrolling the halls. I find my way down the staircase that heads to where the dragon resides. I open the wooden door and enter the cavern. Even now, it still takes my breath away. I can hardly believe such a large cave can be underneath the palace of Camelot.

Kilgharrah soon appears. Swooping down to perch atop the large rock directly in front of me. He smiles when he sees the sword in my belt. A certain anticipation graces his face as he waits for me to move.

"If I let you go," I say, my voice echoing off the walls, "will you honour your word? About leaving things alone unless I call on you?"

"Of course young warlock. A dragon does not back away from a promise."

I nod and head down the stone steps that lead towards the large rock Kilgharrah rests upon. I see the large chains shackled around the dragons hind leg when I approach. The chains are large. Each link almost the size of my head. I can hardly believe the sword can cut through them.

I lift the blade over my head but stop before I bring it down. A new thought crosses me head and I lower the sword. I turn to Kilgharrah who stares at me with impatience. "What are you doing Merlin? Why aren't you honouring your side of the deal?"

"Before I let you go, can you tell me more? About my destiny. About what you spoke of before. The tragedy. The fate of the kingdom. About why I shouldn't save Uther?"

"I cannot tell you Merlin. For the goddess's will not allow it. Now free me!"

I hesitate. There are still more questions bubbling in the back of my mind but Kilgharrah already seems plenty angry. I decide to ask him another day. I turn my gaze back to the chains which are clanking loudly. I lift up the sword. I chant, allowing the magic to flow through me and into the blade before I thrust it into the metal chains. Instantly the link snaps. Kilgharrah swoops into the air with a hardy laugh. "Thank you young warlock. Now come, let us take our leave," Kilgharrah says, his mood instantly improved. He lands atop the rock once more and bends his neck low enough for me to climb on.

I back away slightly. "No, not yet. I have to go help Arthur first," I tell him with a shake of my head, "you can go on ahead without me."

Kilgharrah gazes at me in amusement. "Ah, the young man you've grown fond of." I blush brightly at that. I look away, embarrassed. "you need not worry about him Merlin. He will live, as it is not yet his time."

I immediately whip my head around and stare in terror at Kilgharrah. "What do you mean?! What do you mean it's not his time?! Is he involved in... whatever this is?! Is he... is he going to die?" I choke on the last word. The questions pour from my mouth. I don't stop to take a breath until the last words leave my lips.

Kilgharrah gives a small chuckle. "Oh he's involved far more then you would think. Your destinies are intwined together. It was no accident that the two of you met that day. As for his death... that is still uncertain. His fate has not yet been decided."

My heart almost stops. Arthur might die... I swallow the lump in my throat and turn to Kilgharrah, my shoulders stiff from tension. "Why is Arthur involved? He's just a knight..."

The great dragon lets out a boisterous laugh. He throws his head back, the cackling bouncing off the cavern walls. "Oh if you knew the whole truth. I cannot tell you that Merlin. As it is up to you to find out."

"Then how can I save him? I can't let Arthur die..."

"I cannot tell you Merlin."

"Why not?! Why can't you tell me?! I need to save him! He means everything to me!"

This time, instead of his usual amused expression, his face fills with sadness. Maybe even a little pity. He turns his head away as to not look at me. "Let us go now Merlin."

"Don't avoid the question!" I yell at him, tears beginning to appear in my eyes causing them to turn red. "Answer me Kilgharrah!"

The great dragon shakes his head again. His wings begin to beat the air around us, causing my tunic to ripple in the sudden gust of wind. I shield my face with my hands from the small rocks being whipped up from his wings. When the wind dies down I look up to see Kilgharrah flying over me. His talons come down and wrap around my chest. Soon, my feet are no longer touching the ground. I feel my body being lifted into the air.

"Put me down! Kilgharrah!" I shout at the dragon as he begins to fly out of the cave.

The dragon ignores me as he soars out over Camelot. I look down to see the spiralling towers of the palace below. The small buildings of the lower town dot the area around the castle while vast expanses of trees surround the place. I gape in awe as Kilgharrah flaps his wings and gives a mighty roar. A few of the towns people start to point and scream in terror as we pass by overhead. I don't blame them. It's not everyday you see a dragon.

"Kilgharrah! I said let me go!" I yell at him again. This time I start to kick my legs and thrash around.

"You best stay still Merlin or I might drop you," he replies. I look down and immediately stop. I feel myself pale at the sight. We're even higher in the sky now then before to the point where I can almost skim my fingers over the clouds had I been on the dragons back. I look back to see that I could no longer see Camelot. The towers are receding from view. Only the forest is below us now with the occasional small village hidden under the trees.

I let out a huff and stay silent. Kilgharrah gives a low chuckle at my obedience. He flaps his wings again and heads in the direction of my home.

-----

Arthur's POV

I lean up against a wall by a window, panting for breath. I glance out at the courtyard below to see that the lower town still seems to be safe. No fires. No massive army attacking. The only thing odd is a large shadow that quickly passes overhead. I shake my head. Probably my eyes playing tricks. I look behind me to see the rest of the knights gasping for air. We've searched the whole castle and there is still no sign of my father. I turn to Leon who's wiping sweat off his brow.

"Where have we not yet checked?" I ask in between breaths.

"The only place left is the throne room," he replies, pointing in the direction to said room.

"Then we're heading there next. Let's go. Break is over." I hear a couple Knights groan loudly behind me. I shoot them a glare and they instantly stiffen, backs straight and expressions hardened. I turn and dash down the hall, the stomping of boots following behind me.

-----

We reach the throne room doors rather quickly. I burst through, causing the doors to smash against the walls. I run in. My eyes instantly widen at the scene before me. The bodies of many Knights of Camelot lay scattered across the room. Blood covers the walls and floors and two of the undead knights stand in the centre of the room facing none other then my father.

"Father!" I shout, pulling Merlin's sword from my belt.

"Arthur! Stay-" he doesn't finish. One of the black clothed knights drives his blade through my father's side. I can hear him gasp from across the room, his body falls to the ground, hand gripping hopelessly at the wound. His sword clatters to the floor, the metal clang echoing across the walls.

I start to see red. Pure, uncontrolled, hatred burns strong and bright in the pit of my stomach, consuming me inside out. I let out an enraged shout and charge. I feel Leon's hand try and pull me back but I shake him off easily, giving him a scowl as I take off across the room. I drive my blade through the first knight easily. He crumbles as soon as the blade connects. Disintegrating into nothing more then a pile of dust. I turn to the second knight. I let out another roar before swinging down. This time, the knight blocks the blow with his own blade. Our swords lock. I push forward, using my rage as strength. My teeth clench together. I let out a low growl as I shove my blade further and further down onto the knights own until I finally manage to knock the blade away with a quick swipe to the left. The sword skitters across the floor, leaving the knight defenceless as I slash across his chest. Merlin's sword cuts through the man like parchment, causing him to melt into ash.

I breath heavily, finally coming down from my rampage. I drop the sword and run to my father's side. I kneel down beside him. He's unconscious and looks frighteningly pale. I swallow the lump down my throat and place two tentative fingers to his neck. A faint beat pumps against my finger tips, sending a stronger flush of relief through me with each small pulse. I turn to Leon instantly. "Get the physician. Now!" I shout as I cradle my father into my arms.

Leon nods and rushes out of the throne room. A few knights follow him but otherwise the rest stay still, gazing at their fallen king with worry. "He'll be fine," I say in an attempt to reassure them. "He'll survive."

The knights all look down solemnly as if they didn't quite believe me. I don't care. Believe what they will. My father will not die.