Who: Merlin... and Kilgharrah Where: Ridgeway grounds, near mountain path When: Afternoon What: His wish comes true! Rating: PG Status: Complete
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Merlin felt that he needed some time away from the populace, both employees and guests. He was a little confused about the situation about Lucius. He had been sure of ways to take care of it, as he did with past sorcerers back home that threatened the kingdom.. usually ended up banished or dead, or Uther found out and had the culprit executed. But something about it made him think that wasn't the way, not by torture or extreme punishments. Maybe the fact that Lucius had a family here played a part in Merlin's confusion. So he decided to take a walk. Maybe it would help him think more clearly. It would have been nice if someone he actually knew was here, like his uncle Gaius, court physician and his uncle.. who had also practiced sorcery years ago but stopped. But the wise old man wasn't here. And anyway, he was unsure if his uncle would even have an answer for him if asked. Maybe Arthur? But no, the prince was still trapped in the same belief as his father in believing that all magic was evil. He wasn't yet ready for a change.
The young man sighed as he continued down the path, spying the mountains in the distance. He walked faster. Quickening his pace as he knew he'd be alone as he currently was. He'd either have an epiphany, a stroke of genius about another option, or he wouldn't learn anything at all. About an hour of walking and muttering to himself, his thoughts turned to Kilgharrah. The Great Dragon. Quite possibly the last. If not, that was damn close. The elder creature had shared great wisdom with him before, was a creature of magic, even though the cryptic riddles got annoying. However, the fact remained... that each time? His advice was true. Merlin had created more problems by ignoring it occasionally, for not wanting to go to far.. but He had been right. Though the being had attacked Camelot after Merlin freed him. He could understand on some level. Uther had not only enforced the Great Purge and executed nearly all magic users, but most of the dragons were extinct, the last straw was imprisoning the Great Dragon. But Merlin had inherited his fathers gift of being a dragonlord and compelled his old friend to stop, and later to aid him on occasion. "I really wish I could speak to Kigharrah again," he mumbled to himself with a sigh as he sat by some big rocks near the mountain.
Suddenly there was a very distinctive flapping of wings, causing a slight gust of wind. Followed by a voice known to him all too well. "Why have you summoned me this time, young warlock?" As the youth turned to him, he noticed that it was indeed the Great Dragon. Right here. Hovering above in his splendor before finally descending to walk toward him on the ground.
"I.. I didn't," Merlin said with a shrug, a confused look on his face. He didn't understand it. He usually would have shouted for him by name and ordering him to come to him. But he clearly had not done that. "I swear, I did not summon you, Kilgharrah. I'd know if I did."
"You did," the dragon said with what sounded like an annoyed sigh for a beast. "It is not my fault you can not grasp the concept of a summons, be it conscious or not. I believe humans have a saying about being careful with what you wish for. Now, why did you call for me? What is it you desire of me this time around? This most certainly is not Albion. Just as it is not the time period from which we live."
Merlin replied, standing up now, "It's a resort. Err, for.. vacations. And there's humans here. But also other witches and wizards. Maybe aliens.. you know, people from other planets." That last one was still an unusual concept to him. "But there's books about me, and I think shows."
"But of course," the dragon chided lightly, "your destiny is legend. As I once told you, such a large destiny for one so small. It is you that will change the course of history, with Arthur, and together you both have intertwined destinies-"
"I know!" Merlin said, exasperated. "But that's not what I mean. They know about me for that, but more like myth. They know of you too.. the guests do also, a couple of them even made a joke and called you the Slash Dragon. Why would they call you that? They wouldn't say, just laughed before going away from me."
"I have no idea what that means," the beast said, "I am Kilgharrah, the Great Dragon! I have not been called by any other title. This is news to me also. I may be able to cut at things, but there are much better ways than that. Like fire."
"Yeah, it confuses me too," Merlin said. "But I mean.. they say we're fictional. Made up. Like we don't really exist, but like to watch us, even if we're real where we come from."
The Dragon reared up at hearing that. "Oh, do they now. They say that of us? Well. Don't you worry, I will show them just how fictional." He then began to rise as though heading off for the buildings.
"No, stop!!" Merlin raised his hands, exclaiming sharply. "NO. Don't do that. I don't want you to do here what you did to Camelot. No one must die here from your anger. Or amusement. Don't antagonize anyone. If any of the guests or people try to provoke or attack you, don't kill them. Or hurt them, or burn any of them. I command you, Kilgharrah."
The Dragon immediately stopped in midair, turning back around and landing in front of the sorcerer. There was a slight gesture as though rolling his eyes, but he kept his gaze upon the young master. "Anything else."
"Yes," Merlin said with a nod. "No burning of anything or attacking at all. No one here will be harmed by you. And no razing the place, kidnapping of princesses, devouring cows whole or decimating livestock or property. I want you to behave. Just.. stay around here, fly as high as you can manage, and.. well.. the mountains around here, maybe you can sleep near the peaks. Try not to interact with anyone if you can help it."
The Dragon paused for a long moment. But as Merlin was connected to him as a dragonlord, Kilgharrah simply gave a bow of his head. "Very well, I will concede to your commands. None shall be in danger of me. I will only come when you summon me.. but there is a reason why you called me?"
Merlin stopped, then quickly nodded. "Oh! Right, I'd nearly forgot. There's a man here. He's a mage, he.. tortured someone. He was summoned here too along with the others. He was working with an evil wizard in their world, a.. Dark Lord. These people rival Cornelius Sigand and other dark warlocks like him. Like Morgana or the Druid boy Mordred."
"Simple," the Dragon said, "they must die. Like what should have done with Morgana and Mordred, and yet your refusal to make a difficult choice will very well endanger Arthur. More than it has already. I know you do not wish to hear it, but it remains the truth. And so you must do likewise here. This person could very well pose as much a threat as I could be."
"I won't kill," Merlin said sternly, fixing his gaze upon him. There was no way he'd do that. And besides, Peterson had asked him not to use that sort of magic here. "There has to be another way. And don't say torture, that's been done. I don't agree with any notion that there should be more. Plus he has a wife and son too."
Kilgharrah was silent for a moment. Just staring at him. "Then," he said with a resigned glance, "I have no other advice for you. Unless his form were to be altered or if there is a dungeon here. I do not believe there is. If you will not heed my warnings or counsel, then you could always go with option three: stay out of it. But then of course if another life is snuffed out like a candle because of your inaction..."
"Damn," Merlin spoke under his breath, then cleared his throat. He knew it was correct, but that didn't mean it was right. "Oh. But.. there was a suggestion of stripping his powers. Make him as human as others."
"Ahh," the Dragon spoke, giving a little nod. "That could be one possibility. You will forgive me for not suggesting it. That is a ritual which you have not yet learned, if such is possible. That would be old magic. However, there is still no guarantee. It's a slim chance, boy. It will either be a learning experience and teach the error of traditions.. or.. could very well do nothing and you would still have an enemy. Not that it matters, as we know that isn't in your power. Yet."
"Petersen does," Merlin said, shrugging. "The ruler, a.. king, if you will. A god, but slightly lesser. It's by his power we are here. And maybe you too, I don't know. But I guess he can do power stripping or the opposite. So.. guess that's it, I'll not do anything now. Just wait and see what happens. So.. you may go. Just try to stay out of sight if possible but you can fly high if you like."
"Well, thank you," the Dragon said with sarcasm, "it is nice to be allowed to do what is natural for me. Until we meet again." And so the creature jumped up. Wings flapping as he then outstretched them. Soaring higher and higher. Circling further as he raised up.. before finding a suitable precipice of the mountain upon which to recline. Merlin sighed as he watched, then began to walk back to the resort's path. He did feel a bit better after the talk and it was nice to speak with his friend again. But.. maybe he should inform people on the network. Just in case.