Serella and Merlin walked slowly back to camp without another word to each other. Somehow, Serella felt that saying anything more on the subject might cause uncomfortable situations.

Fortunately for her, Merlin spoke first as they reached their campsite. Juniper trotted off into the ferns to graze with Merlin's horse, leaving the two alone.

"So you're like me."

Serella was so shocked that he was speaking to her that she stopped in her tracks and stared at him. "Like you?" she repeated. "You mean, you have magic too? I'm not alone?"

Merlin stopped abruptly and turned to face Serella, his blue eyes wide with surprise and his forehead creased. "You mean you didn't know?"

"That you're a sorcerer? N-no, no I didn't. How would I?"

Merlin looked confused. "You really, honestly didn't know."

Serella looked up at him with wide eyes. "No, how could I? I only met you a couple of days ago."

Merlin started to step forward, but seemingly changed his mind and abruptly turned around, looking at the cold pile of ashes that had once been Serella's fire.

"You did this?" he asked, pointing to the charred circle. Serella nodded, and Merlin knelt before the coals, holding one of his hands out over them and whispering an incantation. Suddenly, out of the bare earth there leapt orange flames, crackling and bounding into the air.

Serella smiled, and suddenly did something Merlin had never expected; she ran over and kissed his cheek, then gave him a huge hug.

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Kilgara smiled (if a dragon could smile) as he watched Serella tightly embrace Merlin, and the young warlock circle his arms around her hesitantly.

"Everything is going according to plan."

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Merlin's heart leapt at the sight of Serella's beautiful smile; it wasn't until now that he realized how much he really had missed it over the course of the journey.

But then she did something he never saw coming; she crossed the leafy turf, stood on her tip-toes, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and proceeded to hug him.

It was a sensation that he had never felt before; as if a million butterflies and fireworks had collided in his midsection and proceed to clog his throat. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her waist and held her there.

Without warning, Serella began to sob. Merlin instantly hugged her tighter, pressing her to him and letting her cry into his shoulder.

"I-I'm sorry," her muffled voice wavered as they stood there in the firelight. "It's just that...."

"Shhh," Merlin cut her off, stroking her hair down and kissing the top of her head. He didn't know why he did it; it was sort of an impulse. "It'll be okay."

"N-no, it w-won't," she sobbed, pulling away from him to look into his eyes. Suddenly Merlin felt cold, as if she had taken all of his heat with her when she released him. "I've put you in danger, when you should be back in Camelot, helping Arthur."

Merlin lowered his gaze to the ground, but upon registering her words, snapped it back up again. "How do you know about my destiny? I never told you."

Now it was Serella's turn to look away. "I didn't necessarily know it was you, but the dragon Kilgara had told me long ago that a young man, with a destiny to save the King, would one day help me on a quest."

Merlin turned away and looked up at the stars that had just started to blink into focus. He vaguely thought he saw the shadow of a dragon speeding off into the night, but he blinked; and it was gone.

"Kilgara told you." he echoed.

"Yes," she said, taking a few strides forward and touching his arm gently. Merlin felt shivers from her touch, and couldn't resist looking into her eyes again. They were so honest, so pure, that Merlin had no difficulty believing her.

"I thought I was the last Dragon Lord." he said quietly.

Serella shook her head. "I am not a Dragon Lord. I was raised by dragons from the time I was a baby to about eight years old."

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A/N

Hi! Jeepers, she keeps changing her story huh? Probably makes you wonder whether she's telling the truth or not....

But anyways! You're just gonna have to suffer through the wait until the next chapter then, heheh. Special shout out to @Animalsandadjectives, who is just starting into the world of Merlin! YAY!

Oh! Check out Ani's new book, Heroes and Villains. (And Ani, if I have any spoilers, please don't be angry at me :p)