The Dragonlady (A Merlin fanfiction; sequel to Camelot)

Chapter Six

After a few more days, Gaius gave me the all clear, and I was allowed to return to my chambers.

As I was walking through the castle halls, I saw Arthur outside my chamber doors "Ah, there you are Beatrice."

I curtsied "Hello, sire. What a pleasant surprise."

"I just wanted to check up on you. I heard it was pretty bad."

I nodded "Gaius could see bone."

Arthur made a face "Ouch. That sounds awful."

"Yeah. Gaius said it was a miracle that I lived."

"That reminds me, I wanted to tell you something. You are an excellent bow-lady. I've seen how well you shoot; you never miss the center of the target. You've improved a lot from when you first shot."

I remembered my first time shooting, how I barely got the arrow on the board the first two times, but the third hit right in the center.

I laughed "Thank you, sire. That first experience was pretty brutal."

"But, your sword skills definitely need some work. Granted, you've only had a few practices with me, but last night showed me that you still have a long way to go."

"I know, Arthur. It's just that, a sword and a bow are two completely different weapons. I'm so used to the gracefulness of my bow, and it's hard to transition to the more... brutishness of sword fighting."

"I see. I haven't seen you use your bow in a long time. Why is that?"

"I misplaced my bow and quiver, and King Uther said I could only have the one. So, I'm just hoping that I will find it soon."

"Oh, well, good luck finding it."

I curtsied "Thank you, sire."

"Now, have you seen my poor excuse of a manservant around?"

"No, sire."

He started walking away, mumbling, "Always late."

I giggled a bit; Arthur and Merlin's relationship sure was a unique one.

I was about to walk away, when I heard someone shout "Beatrice!"

I turned around, and immediately felt my heart beat faster in my chest.

Lady Morgana and Guinevere.

"Oh, you're awake!" Morgana pulled me into a hug "Your forehead looked pretty bad last time I saw you! I can't believe you've recovered so quickly!"

"Thank you, my lady." I said, curtsying.

Gwen grabbed my hand "I'm glad you're out and about now."

I'm sure you are, I thought.

But I did t say it aloud. Instead, I moved my hand and said, "Thank you. Both of you. But I must retire to my chambers, for I have been through quite an ordeal."

"Of course." The Lady Morgana said "I'm sorry. Please, get some rest."

I curtsied and walked into my chambers. After I had closed the door, I exhaled, not even realizing that I was holding my breath.

I opened my eyes and saw my egg sitting on my dresser. I picked it up carefully. When was it going to hatch? What kind of creature was it?

I didn't know...

But I knew someone who did.

I smiled as I opened the chamber door once more, and checked to see if anyone else was waiting for me. It was all clear.

I went down the stairs into the dungeon area, and saw two guards blocking the way.

It was easy to get rid of them. I knew because I've done it before. I simply used magic to make a noise in the hallway leading away from the tunnel. And, without fail, they got up to investigate.

I quickly walked through and grabbed a torch off the wall, and took the familiar route to the cave.

With a torch in one hand, and my egg in the other, I walked into the cave.

"Kilgarrah!" I called "I need to ask you something!"

All of a sudden, the graceful dragon landed on its perch.

"What is it, young sorceress?"

"I need to ask you something." I held out my egg "Do you know what creature is in this egg?"

Kilgarrah stepped back a little "Is that- no- it can't be-"

"What? What is it?"

"It looks like a dragon's egg. But that's impossible. I'm the last of my kind."

I looked at my egg "A dragon's egg? That's... amazing. Incredible! How is it possible?"

"A dragon's egg can live for a thousand years. It must've survived the Great Purge, and it must've been forgotten altogether."

"Wow. When will it hatch?"

The great dragon's face dropped "A dragon's egg can only hatch with the help of a Dragonlord. Unfortunately, I do not know where the last Dragonlord resides. He could even be dead for all I know. I suppose the egg must stay that way forever."

My thoughts immediately turned to Uther. He was the one who hunted down and slaughtered all the dragons and Dragonlords in cold blood.

He needed to be taught a harsh lesson.

"No." I huffed "I will find a way to bring this creature out of its shell. I will make sure that you are not the last of your kind."

"It doesn't work that way, Beatrice-"

"I give you my word that I will let this dragon see the sun."

Kilgarrah stood still "You do realize what you are doing?"

"Yes. I will save your kind, Kilgarrah. I promise."

"Very well. I wish you the best of luck, Beatrice."

I smiled slightly and left the cave.

As soon as I was out of the great dragon's presence, I realized what a big mistake I made.