Wha… what? ” Merlin’s voice was soft and it trembled with the effort to speak. Had he just heard right? Had Balinor been a noble lord, not just a Dragon Lord? The lands of Gedref, between Camelot and Nemeth, were where Anohora resided and guarded over the unicorns and the labyrinth that led out to the sea. He’d watched as Arthur had drank the poison along the shoreline in order to prove his worthiness after killing a unicorn. Even parts of the Valley of the Fallen Kings had been marked on some older maps as part of the lands. His mind reeled and began to wander.
Just outside of Gedref was the Isle of the Blessed. Perhaps it had been part of Gedref at some point. It was a question he’d have to ask Gaius about at a later time, if he ever managed to get out of this mess. He also began to wonder if Kilgharrah had known about all of this. So much of Merlin’s family history was like pages torn out of a book, everyone having been allowed to read it but him. For the first time, someone on the outside seemed willing to help fill in the blanks. “Judging by your reaction, I would say you at least knew his name and that my assumption was spot on. Rodor chuckled at Merlin’s floundering, and ignored Arthur’s protests for the time being. “Tell me what you know about your father. ” Merlin’s eyes darted nervously about the hall. Mithian had a hopeful look on her face; a small hint of a smile at the prospect that the man she loved might not be just a common servant. Arthur glowered, his gaze shifting between Gaius, Rodor, and Merlin. The younger king was completely out of his element and trying to keep peace, while battling inner demons that Merlin could only begin to imagine. Gaius stared at his ward.
The warning in his raised eyebrow was a red flag telling Merlin to keep his head down and mouth shut. Leon gave a hint of a nod. It seemed the knight had figured things out and was willing to accept the outcome. The revelation of Merlin’s parentage didn’t seem to come as a shock. Instead, it appeared to serve as confirmation to something Leon had already been considering. Though how he had a clue about anything in Merlin’s past was a mystery to the servant. Only Rodor’s guards stood impassively at the sides of the Great Hall, unfazed by the discussion happening in the center and the sudden maelstrom that had become Merlin’s life.
He felt miniscule and insignificant standing in the middle of such a gigantic room that seemed so empty. His chest heaved, trying to draw breath, and the pressure from such a vacant space felt like it was pushing down on him. He was drowning in anxiety. For a moment he thought about magicking the shackles to release him and trying to make a run for it. He didn’t have a clue how far he would get, but it seemed a safer option than standing there with all eyes on him. “Merlin, King Rodor is waiting for your answer. ” Arthur’s gaze burned into him.
Perhaps it was time to clear the air to let some, if not all, his secrets come into the light. Rodor was offering him sanctuary and possibly a chance to learn more about the man his father had been. A man so far removed from the angry, old hermit that he and Arthur had met. It was so hard to keep secrets, but the opportunity to finally admit any of it out loud left him severely distressed. The old king’s smile faded. He appeared saddened from not being given an answer right away. Merlin couldn’t blame him. He decided that he at least needed to give the king a sense of closure. He died a hero, saving me from a spear. ” Rodor’s eyes were filled with tears, as he gave Merlin a nod of appreciation. “Thank you,” Mithian mouthed. She graced Merlin with a smile that was filled with love. It emboldened him and made him want to say more, despite the shock in Arthur’s face and the disappointment in Gaius’. “I don’t know much about him beyond his name, which I only learned a few years ago. ” He stared at his feet and took a breath, while trying to decide how to tell the story. “The Great Dragon had been kept below Camelot and when he was freed he wanted to take his revenge against King Uther.
It was during that time that Gaius admitted there was one Dragon Lord left. Arthur and I were sent out to find him. I was told of my relation the night before we left. When we found Balinor, Arthur had been injured, but my father was able to heal him. “After that, we explained who we were to Balinor, but he refused to help. I was able to speak with him and I told him who I was. He didn’t know he had a son. ” “So, that was why he agreed to come? Not because people were dying, but because you asked him to? ” Arthur’s face had taken on a look of interest and curiosity. Merlin nodded.
He wasn’t sure what was going on in his king’s mind. But, as long as he wasn’t being berated for telling the story, and for not having told Arthur initially, he counted that as a good thing. “We were attacked by some of Cenred’s men for being across the border. One of them came at me, but my father got in the way. ” “Why didn’t you ever tell me, Merlin? ” To those who didn’t know Arthur, it sounded like a simple question. For Merlin, however, he could hear the heartbreak in his friend’s voice. Arthur was feeling betrayed, more than sympathetic that Merlin had never confided in him about it. If I would have told you, you would have been obligated to tell your father. He would have had me killed the moment he found out. ” Arthur scoffed and folded his arms defensively across his chest. “He wouldn’t have. ” “Yes, Arthur. He would have. Ask Gaius or Leon, they both knew him for what he was. It wouldn’t have mattered how many times I had saved your life. I’d be dead simply for being related to someone like a Dragon Lord! ” The young king rolled his eyes and turned to Leon, expecting his knight to support him. Merlin saw the confusion and doubt fall across Arthur’s face at what he did see.
Leon was staring at the floor, ashamed to confirm out loud that what Merlin had said was true. Gaius stood straighter, his chin raised and face neutral. “Gaius? ” Arthur asked, dreading to hear the truth. He cringed when the physician gave a slight nod. “Sire, that is why Merlin was never told until he needed to know. It was for his own safety and for yours. ” Merlin’s chest tightened as he watched Arthur, waiting for his friend to say something. Tears stung his eyes when Arthur refused to meet his gaze.
“King Rodor,” Arthur said formally. If all this is true, then from what you are saying, Merlin is not the low-born peasant we all suspected. ” “No. It would appear as if my assumptions are correct. He is the heir to the lands of Gedref and is someone worthy of my daughter. ” Blinking rapidly, Merlin tried to catch up to the conversation, curious and fearful about where it was heading. He wanted to jump for joy at the prospect of being able to court Mithian, but he still couldn’t imagine leaving Arthur’s side. Then he wondered if, as a noble, he could still stay with Arthur, but perh