Camelot

Three - Destiny

Author's Note

Many of the characters in this story as well as the basic storyline has been adapted from the 2008 BBC series 'Merlin'. This is purely a fan-fiction I have written for my own and others enjoyment. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions. 

Three – Destiny

THE GREAT DRAGON BLINKED SLOWLY, looking at me just as inquisitively as I was looking at him. It was no wonder, considering the last time he saw a human being was most likely the time of the great purge where he was captured and imprisoned here. The story was legendary, almost mythical. Now that I knew that it was true, I was filled with rage. How could Uther be so cruel?

"So, it is true," I shivered, staring into the dragons enormous eyes with intrigue. "Uther does imprison a dragon in the depths of his castle."

The dragon stared at me once more before opening his wide mouth to speak. I had only ever heard of dragons in my lifetime, but they were just as incredible as the old Druid tales had said. Everything from the beasts shining scales to his long, sharp teeth and the old magic that simply radiated from him was majestic.

"He has left me here as a reminder to all, of the great purge," the dragon answered fiercely. "I am nothing more than Uther's trophy. A reminder of what he believes to be the greatest achievement he has ever made. The rest of my kind are long gone."

Hatred for this kingdom and the man who controlled it surged through me. It was well known that Uther had led the great purge, outlawing magic and killing many of my own kind. It was somewhat of a campfire story of the Druid people, reliving their last few moments of freedom. Again, my reasoning for coming here seemed completely overshadowed by the horrid acts of the King.

"What is your name?" I asked curiously, stepping as close to the edge of the cliff I stood on as I possibly could. I winced slightly at the rockfall that crumbled just below my feet and stood back slightly.

"My name is Kilgharrah," the dragon answered, opening his wide wings and looking even more majestic than he had moments ago. I was in awe.

He beat his wings softly, showing just how large he was and I was hit with a gust of air that extinguished my torch. In the darkness, he folded his wings back against his side and I heard he unmistakable sound of metal clinking upon rock. As soon as I had relit my torch, I looked down to see a heavy chain fastened to the beast's ankle.

"Did you call me here to set you free?" I questioned, already thinking up spells that I could use to break the chain and free the dragon. It wound not be easy, but I was sure that I could manage it.

To my surprise, the dragon backed up slightly, causing the metal chain to slide from the rock and out of sight. Evidently, it was not his wish for me to set him free at this moment in time. If that was not why he had called me all these years, I was unsure what he wanted of me.

"It is not your destiny to set me free," he said calmly. "I do not deny that you have the power to do so but setting me free will change the course of a young warlock's life forever. I lie in wait his for arrival in Camelot. It is he that will change everything."

"Who is this young warlock that you speak of?" I asked curiously.

"The greatest sorcerer that will ever walk the earth!" he roared proudly. "Can you think of no one that will hold such a title? Your own people have told tales about him for many years."

A name instantly sprang to my mind.

"Emrys," I answered, feeling my breath catch as I spoke his name.