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It was the last day than the only surviving member of the du Lac family was to leave the kingdom of Orkney. They had been murdered, slaughtered by bandits on the way back from a trip to visit family in their homeland of Benwick. The fifteen year old boy was the only survivor, he had fought, he had held his mother as she died, watched his father get run through by a blade. No one had been there to help them, though he had learnt that supposedly there were knights patrolling the paths, no one came. He had returned to Orkney covered in blood, and spoke to few. Not the king. Not the physician. Not even the prince.

He was numb, it all seemed like it was unreal, that it hadn't happened. One day he was running around with the prince of Camelot, his master and best friend. Like his father, Lancelot had been hired to work for the Lothian family, or more specifically, Gavin Lothian, the prince of Orkney. He was fine with it, he did his work with a smile because it meant he got to spend the day with his good friend. They had talked about running away, escaping the kingdom to go on adventures, to explore and have a damn good time doing it. The foolish dreams of a child… Lancelot tightened the saddle on his horse with a tug of the strap, his eyes fixed on the dark leather. He had to get out of there, everything about the place made his heart ache.

As he secured his rucksack to the horse's saddle, he felt a hand touch his shoulder and turned to look into the dark eyes of none other than the prince himself. "You don't have to leave Little Ban…you are more than welcome here…" Gavin said softly, using the nickname that he had always used for Lancelot as a child, unable to pronounce his companion's name correctly. "We'll take care of you."

Lancelot simply shook his head, his hand resting on the saddle upon the gray horse's back. "Can't…I need to get out of here sire… Surely you must understand that." He hoped that Gavin would, he didn't want to explain, didn't want a long drawn out good bye that would just make his heart ache even more than it already was. Though there was more motivation behind his leaving, he wanted to fight, he wanted to become a knight and in Orkney, that would never happen. He was simply a servant boy. "I'm sorry Gavin…" he muttered as he mounted the horse.

Before he could nudge the animal's sides and start off in the direction out of the great kingdom, Gavin wrapped his hand around Lancelot's wrist, keeping him there. "Then take this…" Lancelot watched as he pulled the seal of Orkney, a copper semi-circle next to a circle that held the head of an eagle. "So you don't forget me."

His fingers curled around the necklace, looking down at his best friend. In a swift moment, from around his own neck, he took off the pendant that was there, a crescent moon with the opening facing downwards, silver, a token that had been in his family for years and held it out to Gavin. "Then you keep this…so you won't forget me."

The second Gavin had it in his hand, the second his grip loosened on Lancelot's wrist, he took off on the horse. "Good bye," he had whispered quietly and quickly before the ride began. It was a matter of moments before he was out of the city, and away from the prince.

The story that Gwaine told him was one of a prince who grew up hating his throne, not wanting any part of it, and of his friendship with the son of his father's servant, a little boy who he could only remember by the name of Little Ban. He told him of the day that Little Ban left Orkney, and how not more than a week later, he did as well, going by his middle name of Gwaine. He told him that he was royalty, but wanted no one to know, he would rather his brother Gareth rule than he, though if it came down to it, he would take the throne.

As he spoke, Lancelot was staring at Gwaine as if he had seen a ghost, his eyes moving from the suddenly familiar features to the necklace that hung around his neck. He recognized it. How could he not? How had he not in the past? It had never occurred to him that Gwaine could possibly be Gavin, the boy he had grown up with. The boy he had left behind. His fingers trembled as he reached out brushing them against the silver charm. "It is…" he muttered to himself, fumbling with his own armor suddenly trying to unearth it.

"Lancelot what is it?" Gwaine asked, a confused tone in his voice. Finally, Lancelot succeeded in pulling the pendant from beneath his armor. "Is that…"

"It is…"

"And…you?"

A small smile formed on Lancelot's lips and he nodded slightly. "My name is Lancelot du Lac of Benwick. Son of Elane and Ban du Lac of Benwick. My parents worked for the king of Orkney, I worked for the prince till the day my family was murdered. Everyone in the castle…knew me as Little Ban."

The next moment, Lancelot was knocked onto the ground, Gwaine on top of him, lips pressed against his. "My Little Ban…I've searched for you…for years I've hoped that I'd find you again," Gwaine whispered to Lancelot, fingers tangled in his hair. "Don't leave me again…don't you dare, stay with me…stay here with me…" Their lips met again, softer more gentler than the surprise one only moments ago. "Be with me Lancelot, I won't hurt you. I'll be the man you deserve."

For the first time in their complex relationship, Lancelot reached up, his fingers pressing against the back of Gwaine's head, kissing him softly. He never started the kiss, never started any of it. It was all on Gwaine. Lancelot had been worried, been nervous because of what had happened between him and Merlin. "My prince…I won't leave you again…I'll be yours…"
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It had not surprised Arthur as much as he thought it would to see Lancelot and Gwaine so close, their hands holding the others, talking quietly. But they didn't have time for that. They had to leave. He said nothing, just swung his leg over his horse and took off, riding at a full gallop back towards Camelot. He could hear the others calling after him, the sounds of their horses riding after him. Good at least they could keep up with him after all of that. His father…he had to confront his father and admit to everything. Dear god he felt like he was about to be sick, but he rode on, driving his loyal horse fast as her powerful legs would carry her.

The only thought in his mind was of Merlin, of getting him back from the land of the dragons, and that he had to keep his promise to Kilgarrah, he would not betray the fragile trust that the dragon had placed in him. The wind was biting at his face, the air cold, the sun starting to set again. Had he really been riding for that long already? It didn't seem like it… By that point Lancelot and Gwaine had caught up with him, riding beside him. The pounding of the hooves of the horses on the firm ground seemed to echo. Through the forest they were going, the animals easily dodging any obstacles in their path.

His eyes darted to the side as he saw figures lining the path back to Camelot. The hooded figures all bowed their heads. One thought crossed his mind, he knew who they were, and they meant him no harm. The Druids were there guiding his way back light coming from their hands, they were friends, not foe that his father had always claimed them to be. Everyone seemed to have faith in him, more so than he had in himself.

He could see the castle, could see the small figures of the guards leaving their posts to open the gates, and to alert his father to his return as they left the woods and the Druids behind them. Through the lower town they rode, the streets completely empty except for the two knights, and the prince. It was almost time he was almost there. Up head, he could see a small crowd gathering just outside the steps to the castle, his father among them.

The horses slowed to a complete stop in front of the group, though Athena would not remain still, she could practically sense her rider's unease and wanted to get him out of their. Unlike his two knights, he did not dismount, but he watched as Gwaine and Lancelot joined the other three, his Knights of the Round Table. He spotted other familiar faces within the crowd, though the only two he actually let his gaze linger on was Gwen and Gaius, then it was back to his father. Athena pawed the ground nervous as Arthur stared at his father, his heart pounding like the frightened birds wings. "I must speak with you father."

"Now why should I listen to the request of a disobedient child? I ought to have you locked in the dungeons again. Did that first time you rode off to save the servant's life teach you nothing?" Uther stared up at his son, his face stone cold, anger in his eyes.

Arthur shook his head. "No you will listen to me. I will always continue to disobey your orders when it comes to the safety of my ser- of Merlin father. He is more important to me than you can possibly imagine."

The king waved his hand, as if dismissing the comment that his son had made as nothing more than something trivial that he had no time to waste listening to. "Come now Arthur the boy is just a servant."

"I don't care."

"He is beneath you, he is replaceable."

"I love him."

There was dead silence, no one dared to make a sound. "What did you say?" Uther asked his hand shooting out to grab at the reigns of Arthur's horse.

Athena reared up, backing up away from the king. "I said I love him!" He laughed bitterly. "Oh but you stubborn old man think it just an enchantment right? Well of course it is. It's called love father. What you felt for my mother at one point in time." Arthur's gaze turned completely cold as he stared at his father. "I'd give up everything for him. I'd give up my crown for him."

"Then I suggest that-"

"If Prince Arthur leaves, the kingdom of Orkney will gladly welcome him into their family." All eyes turned to Gwaine, who had stepped forward, between Uther and Arthur. "My brother Gareth would be glad to have such a valiant and courageous man as a knight of Orkney."

"How dare you interrupt me knight, I should strip you of the colors you wear, you did not deserve them in the first place," Uther threatened a growl low in his throat.

Arthur could only watch as the other knights, and Gwen moved between him and his father. "You cannot strip me of the seal of Camelot. You'd dishonor a prince of Orkney. We've met before sire. You remember my father. King Lot. I'm Gavin Lothian, eldest son and prince of Orkney. You send Arthur away we will follow him. My loyalties lay with him and him alone. Not you."

No one spoke, everyone just watched the stunned king as his son and those who had sworn alliance to Camelot turned against him, and towards his son, where their true loyalty lay. It wasn't until they heard someone chuckle did they all turn to look at a man standing by the gates. Arthur knew that sound, he knew it and he couldn't possibly believe it.

"It finally seems like the people have made their choice Uther Pendragon. They believe in your son more than you a mass murderer, the man who caused the genocide against the magical beings." The man spoke, walking forwards, towards them. He had a shaved head of dark hair, scars littering his face, and bright gold eyes. The man was as tall as Percival, but leaner, with strong shoulders. "Your time has come to an end, it is time for your son to become King. Or are you to deny him his birthright? The same as you would any child born with magic?"

"Kilgarrah. How are you standing here like that?" There was actual fear in his father's eyes as he and the dragon stared down each other.

"There is a world of knowledge that you can only dream about Pendragon. Now answer my question. Will you step aside and let your son rule?"

The events that happened next nearly had Arthur's head spinning. He saw a knife fly from his father's hand, to land squarely in the dragon's chest. The creature just smirked and pulled it from his chest, blood dripping from it. "That won't kill me. I am not mortal like a dragonlord. I am a dragon." With a flick of his hand, Uther was on the ground and Kilgarrah stood over him. "I should kill you for the thousands of lives you took, but I will not. I will show you mercy that you did not show my kind." From the king's head he pulled off the crown and moved over towards Arthur. "It is your time boy."

Arthur lowered his head and let the dragon place it upon his head. It was no official ceremony, but for everyone else it was good enough. They bowed and his father only looked on in shock. "You kept your word, get your knights ready and I will lead you to Merlin."

It was an hour before they were riding off, led by Kilgarrah once again a dragon, towards where Arthur's trapped lover was. I'm almost there Merlin…just hold on.
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The sun would rise again, and Merlin would still be sitting on the moss covered roof of the sacred space, his back pressed against the bloodstone dome. Beside him was a little white dragon that had been following him everywhere. She seemed to had taken a liking to him, and Merlin didn't mind her, thought she was rather sweet, and called her Aithusa, seeing how she couldn't tell him her name. The gray dragon said it was his job to raise her, but at that moment Merlin really couldn't care less about anything (except for maybe the baby dragon) other than going home, and returning to his prince.

In the back of his mind, he was in awe of the place he was in. Everything looked like it had been carved from the earth, and the left to become part of it again. Every building was covered in plants or moss, and all the buildings were made of stone. The other impressive feature was the fact that each building was large enough for a whole family, and one full-grown dragon at least. He was sitting upon the basilica where the gray dragon was inside, watching him from below, keeping him safe from Myrriden. Merlin couldn't understand that man, couldn't understand his reluctance to let him leave. It made no sense to him.

It was turning out to be a rather peaceful day, from his vantage point he could sit there and watch as all the children would play with the young dragons under the watchful eyes of the adults; human and dragon alike. If he had been in a better mood and didn't hold so much contempt for the place, he might have enjoyed himself. And everyone else would have too, until a defining roar rang throughout the kingdom of Igmeraldama. A roar that Merlin knew.

The young wizard was on his feet in the next instant, Aithusa jumping onto his back as he slid down the roof and onto the floor. The second his feet hit the ground, he was running towards the entrance of the hidden lands. It couldn't be…but it sounded so much like him, it sounded so much like Kilgarrah… He could hear the gray dragon and who had to be Myrriden following him, but it did nothing to make him want to stop running.

His eyes fell on the large dark figure of the Great Dragon and Merlin threw his arms around the dragon's leg. "Kilgarrah!" For the first time (or one of the few) he was actually happy to see him.

"Emrys…it has been far too long." Kilgarrah answered eyeing the little dragon on Merlin's back curiously. "There are people here to see you young one."

Merlin tilted his head to the side and looked past him. They were there. They were all there. Aithusa leapt off of Merlin, choosing not to get squashed, as Merlin darted forward again. Tears were in his eyes as he hugged Gwaine and Lancelot, the other knights joining in one big hug. Each of them in turn hugged him; Gwaine, Lancelot, Elyan, Percival, and Leon. Merlin could have sworn his heart was about to burst right from his chest, that nothing could have made the moment better. Well…one thing could.

He felt a hand touch his shoulder and turned to stare up into the blue eyes of his prince, of Arthur. The grin that broke out on Arthur's face was one that Merlin wanted to have framed so he could always see it. Arthur wasted no time, he pulled Merlin close, he kissed him softly, lovingly. "I thought I had lost you…"

"I thought I'd never see you again…" Merlin whispered back his arms wrapped around the prince. Nothing could wreck it everything was per-

"What is the meaning of this? You brought mortals, non-magical beings here Kilgarrah? You break the very laws you designed!" Of course Myrriden would be the one to wreck everything.

"You have no place to tell me what is right and what is wrong Myrriden. You directly disobeyed my orders. I should have you thrown in the dungeon for your disobedience." Kilgarrah roared at the dragonlord. "You forget your place! You may be of the Emrys bloodline but you are NOT in charge. This is my kingdom and will be till the day I die. I broke no such law. Arthur Pendragon is of magic blood, his knights are here to guard him from what dangers could have occurred on the ride. He is to be made king of Camelot and needed his beloved beside him."

Merlin's eyes turned to Arthur's face, staring at him curiously and completely confused: what the hell had happened? His mind was racing, too many thoughts, but it all made sense why Myrriden wanted him to stay there…if he really was related to him. The small white dragon had crawled back over to Merlin and perched on his shoulder.

"I am leaving and I am taking Merlin with me. In time, he and Arthur will unite the land of Albion, and bring us back from the darkness." Kilgarrah turned his back to the others. "Come, we're leaving."

Arthur slipped his hand around Merlin's squeezing it softly. "Let's go home Merlin…" Arthur said softly to him, watching as Merlin glanced back at the realm that he had been trapped in. They were his kind, his people but…

They were not his family. "Coming Arthur," he answered and followed the group through the cave and back into the world he knew. He would be going home soon. He was safe. But above all else, he was back with the man he loved. He was back with Arthur.