Merlin's POV

I'm sitting in the dining hall the next morning, fiddling with a wooden spoon on the table. I haven't touched my bowl of stew yet. I can't think about food. My mind is on what the strange voice said last night. I must go to Camelot... and the fate of the kingdom? How can I do anything? I'm just a warlock! If anyone can do anything of that caliber it's my father.

"Merlin? Are you alright?" I hear Lancelot ask. Always the caring one.

I look up at him and sigh. "I'm alright," I respond, turning my attention back to the spoon.

"You don't look 'alright'. Your eyes are bloodshot and have bags under them. Did you sleep last night?"

"Yes, just... nightmares."

"Perhaps you should get a sleeping draft from Gaius?"

"No, it's fine. It'll pass."

"Mer-"

"I'm full. You can have the rest of my food Gwaine." I push the bowl in front of him.

He looks at me. "Thanks! I was hoping for seconds!" Gwaine exclaims gleefully. He starts slurping it down without hesitation.

I get up from my spot at the table, tossing my spoon on the tabletop before leaving the pavilion.

I skirt past the hustle and bustle of the town and make my way to the training field. Perhaps that will calm me down. Some time with a sword in my hand should help.

I reach the training ground. A few people are already there, hacking away at the dummies despite there being no training scheduled for today. They're committed. There is no need for fighters who don't try their best.

A few of the fighters stop to bow when I pass. I simply smile and wave them off. I dress myself in my armour before I grab my sword from the rack and pull it from its sheath, watching the suns rays slide across its surface. I spin it once in my hand before heading towards a training dummy. I ready myself in front of the straw target. I take in a deep breath and begin hacking away. I beat down the armour on the dummy until it's dented beyond repair. I catch a few onlookers watch with worry as I madly slash at the metal. I didn't care. I need the thrill of fighting to take my mind off things.

I finally come to a stop when my arm becomes sore. My chest heaves up and down at a frightening pace. Half the straw from the dummy has become mixed in with the grass while the armour hangs precariously on its body. I stab Excalibur into the grass and storm off into the palace, frustrated that it hadn't helped as I had hoped. It was... invigorating. I do feel somewhat refreshed but other then that the problems are still floating about in my mind like a bee to a flower.

I see from the corner of my eye an attendant grab my sword and bring it back to its place on the rack. A few of my friends look on with curiosity and worry at the dismembered dummy. I ignore them all and head back into my chambers. I slam the door and throw my armour off onto the table. I change out of my sweat stained clothes in favour of a fresh pair.

When I finish changing I head out towards the waterfall. Hopefully that will clear my head and maybe Arthur will be there. He always has that way of making me smile.

I arrive only to find that Arthur isn't present. I sigh. I am early today. He'll show up later.

I sit down by the pool, facing the waterfall. I let the cascading falls place me into a trance. I let it mesmerize me with its hypnotizing beauty as it washes away my worries. I take a deep breath of fresh air, smelling the scent of blooming flowers. I sit silently in the clearing for awhile, basking in the sun as I listen to the water crash into the lake and the birds sing as they fly by overhead.

"Merlin? You're here early today," Arthur says behind me.

I turn and there he is. His blonde hair glows even brighter then the sun. "Yeah. I had some things on my mind and needed a place to just... get away from it all," I tell him. I didn't know why but I could always find myself telling him all my problems.

"Did something happen?" He sits down beside me.

I contemplate wether or not to tell him. After all what am I to say? A strange voice in a dream told me to sneak into to Camelot to talk to it and the fate of the kingdom, is apparently, in my hands? He'd think I'm crazy. I'm not telling him.

"It's nothing." I could tell he didn't believe me. I was never a very good liar.

"Alright, if you say you are. Just know that I'm here if you need to talk to me about anything."

I smile for the first time that day. "Thank you. Perhaps I'll tell you later."

Arthur smiles. "Take your time."

He doesn't speak after that and I don't either. I appreciate the time he gives me to think and the reassurance that he is there to help if need be.

Sneaking into Camelot... that is a difficult task. It's extremely well guarded. One slip up and I'll be dead. Father would never allow me to preform such a task, then again who says he has to know? I could sneak out at night and go, hopefully I'd make it back by morning. There's also the question of if I can even trust that voice. It can't be a trap set by Uther since something like a dream message would require magic. So it has to be a sorcerer... I guess it's worth a try. If the fate of the kingdom is really on my shoulders then I might as well go.

I stand abruptly from my spot on the grass, startling Arthur half to death. "What's wrong?" He asks, slightly alarmed.

"I'm sorry but I need to go. Thank you for your help," I say with a smile.

Arthur grins. "I didn't do anything Merlin. Good luck on... whatever is bothering you."

I wave him goodbye and sprint off back home.

-----

It's late night now. The stars are up in the sky and the moon is shinning brightly. I look off into the distance and see the palace looming over the tree tops. I shiver as a gust of cold wind blows by, blowing the hood from my cloak off my head. I'm standing alone in the forest, my horse beside me. I leap down and check the contents of my satchel one last time. There are blankets, food, water, and some potions I had Gaius make. I hope this will suffice.

I hop back on my horse, pull my hood back on, and spur it forwards, galloping into the shadows.

-----

Arthur's POV

I yawn loudly and stretch my legs out under my desk. I rub the sleep from my eyes, dropping my quill on the table in the process. I hate writing speeches. They're such a bore.

I stand and stretch again. I look out the window to see its pitch black except for the few torches alight outside. I look down at the parchment I had been writing on. It's half filled. That should be enough for today. I still have tomorrow.

I toss my tunic onto the floor and crawl into my bed. I snuggle the blanket up closer to my face. Nice and warm.

I close my eyes. I'm about to fall asleep when the warning bell rings down the hall. I open one eye and groan loudly. What can it be now?! Why can't people break in another day?!

I roll out of bed lazily and pull my tunic back on. I grab my sword and head out into the hall, not having the time to put on my armour.

I run down to the council chambers. I throw open the door and see my father pacing back and forth across the room. He turns when he hears me enter. Immediately his gaze hardens.

"What's happening?" I ask.

"Someone has infiltrated the citadel. How I do not know. We have guards everywhere, watching every corner. How did they get in?!" He yells angrily. "It must be them. Balinor's men. Only sorcerers could perform such a feat."

He walks towards the window, staring out of it. He thinks for a moment before turning back around to face me. "Order the Knights to search the whole castle. Leave no stone unturned and I want you to patrol the halls with them."

I nod. "Understood."

I turn and head out the door. So much for sleep. This is going to be a long night. I hope we find this intruder soon.

-----

Merlin's POV

I peek out from around the wooden shack. Two guards are patrolling the front gate into the citadel, a hearth with burning flames sits in the centre. I examine the area. No other guards. This should be easy.

I whisper a spell towards a barrel sitting in front of me. It starts to roll towards the guards who stare at it in shock. They walk over slowly, weapons drawn. I chuckle. Idiots. I chant another spell which causes the many other barrels around me to do the same. The guards start to panic when they see the army of barrels rolling after them. One of them pokes at a barrel with his lance only to have it fly up and smash him in the face. He topples over. The second guard starts to run only to be bombarded with barrels until he collapses as well. I give a satisfied smile, admiring my work before stepping over the unconscious bodies and barrels into the citadel.

I sneak past a few guards as I search for a staircase that would lead down to the dungeons. I never knew how large the castle of Camelot is. How does anyone find anything in here? After searching for what felt to be over an hour I heard the unmistakable sound of the warning bell. Oh no. They must have found the bodies.

I quickly sprint down the hall as quietly as possible, doubling my efforts in searching for the entrance to the dungeons. I turn the corner only to see the shadows of armed men heading my way. I turn back around to hear boots stomping against stone. I'm surrounded! I look around frantically for somewhere to hide when I spot another hall veering to the right. I dash towards it and run down the hall just as the first man turns the corner. I'm rushing down the steps two at a time when I hear a loud voice bellow behind me.

"Over here! After them!" The voice commands. No doubt the leader. That voice though... it sounded awfully familiar. Who could it be? I don't know anyone from Camelot.

I push the thought to the back of my mind and whip around a few corners. I press my back against a wall, holding my breath until the sound of footsteps fades into the distance. I poke my head out and breathe a sigh of relief. I take in my surroundings. I see rows upon rows of barred cells. It seems I found the dungeons. Lucky me!

I start to head towards the lowest level. I push open a large metal gate and head down the steps. I grab a torch off the wall before opening the last door. I let out a gasp at the scene before me. The door opens to a large cave. Sharp rocks hang from the ceiling, threatening to drop on your head at any second. A dark void rests over the ledge I'm standing upon. Darkness oozes from its very core, I couldn't see the bottom. There is hardly any light in the cave. The only source of light comes from the torch I hold aloft in my hand but that isn't the most breathtaking thing about the room. No, something far more spectacular is present. In the centre of the cave, on a large boulder, sits a dragon.

-----

Arthur's POV

I turn the corner only to see a dark shadow swoop into the hall. I pull out my sword instantly. "Over here! After them!" I shout loudly to my men.

I charge after the shadow into the hall. The figure whips around a few corners before finally disappearing from sight. I slow to a stop by one of the cells, panting heavily from the run. I curse. I turn back to my men. "Secure the exits. to the dungeons. We can't let the intruder escape. The rest of you, search every inch of this place," I order. They all nod and head off. I start to chew on my bottom lip in frustration. Who in the world can sneak in here so easily?

-----

Merlin's POV

I stare in awe at the dragon. It has bronze scales and is huge in comparison to Aithusa, the dragon my father cares for.

"Kilgharrah..." I whisper the name into the air. I remember the story my father told me long ago, how he had aided Uther in capturing the Great Dragon Kilgharrah. That it is now trapped underneath the castle in Camelot and how he wished to rescue him someday.

"Indeed that is my name young warlock. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, son of Balinor," the dragon says, bowing slightly.

"Um... It's a pleasure to meet you too?"

He chuckles. "No need to be so timid. I do not bite. I'm sure you came here to ask me something."

I take a small step forward. I suck in a deep breath and decide to ask the question hat has been on my mind. "Why have you called me here? What did you mean by 'the fate of the kingdom is in your hands'?"

The dragon grins. "Before I tell you more you must promise me two things."

"That'll depend on what I must promise."

"Do not worry it is within your power. First, you must free me from my prison when you have the means to do so. Second, you must not blame me for what comes to pass."

I raise a quizzical eyebrow. I understand being rescued but... the second one makes me weary. What terrible things are going to happen? "I agree to your first term but what do you plan on doing? What mustn't I blame you for?"

"I won't be doing anything. Once I am free I shall leave you alone unless called upon but... I simply do not wish to be held responsible for the course of events that will soon come to pass. I am only here to give you a message after all."

Fair enough. As long as he leaves my friends and family alone. "Deal. Now tell me what you meant last night."

Kilgharrah smiles. "A tragedy shall soon befall both Camelot and the Resistance. You must be ready, for your time is coming."

"A tragedy? What kind?"

"I cannot tell you that. You must find out for yourself."

"Is there any way I can prevent it?"

"You mustn't prevent it young warlock, for it is what shall drive you to success."

I gulp. I don't want a tragedy to happen for my sake. "I refuse to stand and watch as people I know and protect die! What is this tragedy?!"

"As I said Merlin. I cannot tell you because I know you will prevent it which is something I cannot allow."

"Then why even bother telling me?"

"Because you need to be prepared for the worst. Mentally and physically."

"Alright, fine. Then how does that have anything to do with the fate of the kingdom?"

"You will need to make a choice. One that will change everything. It may be in a week, a few months, or even years from now, but the choice must be made."

"What kind of choice?"

"One regarding magic and the kingdom."

"You can't tell me more?"

"I cannot."

I shake my head. "No. You will tell me now. I did not come all the way here for these vague answers."

The dragon cackles. "You will need to make some hard decisions. Do not blame yourself if you cannot protect everyone."

I scoff. "Don't avoid the question!"

"Goodbye Merlin."

Kilgharrah spreads his wings. He flies up towards the ceiling of the cavern, a long chain jingles as it follows the dragon up.

"Hey! Come back!" I yell into the void. It's too late. The dragons long gone. I throw the torch on the ground in frustration. I hope Aithusa doesn't become like this.

I head up the steps and shut the gate behind me. I turn and see a few guards standing before me. Torches and swords raised.

I smile nervously, giving them a wave. "Oh um... good evening sirs. I seem to have gotten lost on the way to the little boys room. Can you point me in the right direction?" I blurt out.

The men growl at me.

"I guess not." I mumble a spell under my breath, causing all the torches to blow out at once. Pitch black darkness takes over. I whisper another spell and my eyes adjust to the dark. I dodge the men and run, leaving Camelot behind me. More questions then ever before floating around in my mind.