The Last Hope

[Arthur Pendragon]

This journey was not going to be a smooth one. Anytime they crossed over the border into Cenred's kingdom, meant they -- he -- was in constant danger. It could be seen as that final push towards war, which was going to most certainly happen at any given moment. Arthur only hoped it would be well after they sorted out this dragon business. The last thing Camelot needed right now was to be at war with another kingdom, when their resources were already running out and people were dying left right and center because of the dragon. They needed to eliminate one threat at a time, rather than overload themselves and end up fighting a two front war. With that in mind, Arthur finished getting dressed in his regular attire to draw as little attention to him as possible. Of course, if someone saw them -- such as Cenred's guards -- they may immediately recognize him, but right now, Arthur was hoping for the best. For his sake. For Merlin's sake. For Camelot's sake.

They did not even know what this Balinor person looked like, and Arthur knew it would take time to scour the villages, finding out what information they could about him. Even though they had a general location, time was of the essence. He would not be here to fight off the dragon with his men when it attacked at night. He would not be able to protect the people of Camelot directly, as he would be off searching for their final hope to cease these horrific, violent attacks. Tensions and stress was high -- to say the least -- and a lot was riding on this Balinor dragon lord. They needed to find him for failure was not an option.

As Arthur reached for his vest, he slightly cringed, the wound on his chest burning. Even though it had been tended to by Guinevère, and quickly checked out by Gaius, he still felt the burning wound, somehow seeping through his veins. It was making him feel even weaker . . . where as usually it was not difficult for him to get over a battle wound. He had been injured before, but this was different. Perhaps it was because it was a physical attack from a creature of magic. Whatever the case, Arthur could not afford to be the least bit impaired right now. He needed to be on full alert. Fully guarded. He waited in his chambers for Merlin to join him so that they could leave right away. The horses were probably prepared right now and as soon as his servant came, the two would be off to their venture to find the last Dragonlord.

_{Setting: Starts in Arthur's chambers, eventually extends Cenred's kingdom
Time of Day: Late night/early morning
Timeline: During The Last Dragonlord
Tag: Merlin Caradoc
Notes: Off to find Merlin's daddy!}

[pie]

Really? Really?! Merlin thought to himself as he headed towards Arthur's chambers. Not only had the Great Dragon betrayed him by attacking Camelot after he had let it out, but the only person who could stop the dragon was a Dragonlord. And, this Dragonlord, as there was only one now thanks to Uther's extermination of all things magic!, was Balinor... His father, according to Gaius. Why hadn't anyone told him that he had a father? Told him that his father was still alive? Because he was a Dragonlord and had magic? That was unfair, he had magic! At least... now he knew that his father was alive and had an actual reason for abandoning him and his mother.

At least, they could hope he was alive! What if he wasn't? What if in the end, this whole situation would turn out for naught and they would find out that Balinor had died or been killed a while back? Merlin surely hoped not. He'd be devastated, and for more than one reason! Camelot would be doomed, and he wouldn't be able to meet his father. Although, the more he thought about it, the more he wasn't sure if he did want to meet his father. What if he was rude? Or didn't care? What if he wouldn't help at all anyway? And no one could find out about this, not even Arthur. If Arthur knew that Balinor was his father, than he might associate Merlin with magic. And while that assessment would be true, Merlin didn't want that at all.

Merlin carefully opened the door to Arthur's chambers when he got to them, and stepped in. "Sire," he spoke, letting the door close behind him as he walked over to the Prince. "The horses are ready, we can leave anytime." Sooner would be better than later, though, as the longer they waited, the more people would wind up dying.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur looked towards Merlin when he entered, about to look away but something kept his gaze on his servant. He stared only for a couple moments before reading for his riding gloves. "Lets go," he announced, knowing that any moment meant right now. They could not waste a second! Any more time they spent standing here speaking, was a wasted one. It was made clear to them that the dragon was not going to show any mercy, and the thought of not being with his people during a knight of vicious attacks was already painful enough to imagine. Of course, as he had previously established, they had very little choice. He walked towards the door, opening it and waking outside, waiting for Merlin to join him in the hallway so that they could make their way to the courtyard.

"You alright?" He asked him. The question stemmed from genuine concern, and it could be taken in many ways. Arthur had noticed that Merlin looked troubled. Perhaps it could be as everyone else -- devastated over the high loss of people. Worried for those who may be joining them tonight. There was a great deal of massive concern spread throughout the city. But, Arthur also wanted to ask in terms of this journey. As previously established, it was not safe. Though Arthur -- as usual -- did not admit it, he was always grateful for Merlin's company. He knew that he often did not leave him with a choice, but ultimately -- shockingly -- Merlin did have one. Arthur would never ask anyone to enter a dangerous situation if they were totally against it, but Merlin constantly proved his loyalty, and he had become someone that Arthur fully counted on and trusted.

With those thoughts of his servant, he waited for his answer before walking any further. This was not safe, arguably more safe than staying in the city while the dragon attacked, but still. It was better to be sure that Merlin truly was ready for this, or if he preferred otherwise . . . preferred to stay. Arthur would not blame him for doing so, though he doubted Merlin would make such a decision. He knew his faithful servant better than that. Though, if something were to in fact happen to them, he did not want to forever regret not asking him, just to be certain. Maybe the biggest assumption of all, was that Merlin could gather all of this from two words posed as a simple question. Oh well. He wasn't quite as stupid as Arthur made him look.