To most of Kilgharrah's listeners, the legend of Myrddin and Bruta did not really come as a surprise. After all, Freya had already told them the whole story.
In addition to that, Gwaine had replayed the tale to Arthur and Merlin. Who were, as you know, their reincarnations.

But Kilgharrah's story didn't end with Bruta's death.

"I was one of the first dragons that Myrddin hatched...", Kilgharrah explained, forming uncharacteristically coherent sentences.
"And I became one of her most trusted friends. We spend many decades together. She taught me magic and the secrets of prophecy.
When the day came that she deemed me ready, she entrusted her family to me.
Her children, the lineage that would one day bring forth her reincarnation. That is you, young warlock.", Kilgharrah leaned down to nudge in Merlin's direction.

"She -", he paused, looking around at faces with reactions of various degrees. "- went to Camelot. She took the egg with her. I don't know much about what happened after.
But I later found out that Hector and his wife Elena found the egg."

There was a deep rumoring vibrating through the crowd. As many hadn't expected Hector to play further role in this. Other's just hadn't expected Hector to have a wife. Let alone one that supported his actions.

"Since the Dragon Lord lineages were thinning out, Rebecca here -", he pointed at the elder of the village with his tail, "send us to fight Uther. Who, as we knew, was working with Hector against us.
For me however, who was ordered by Myrddin herself to take care of her family, I came to Camelot, because Balinor's father had died. And I found it necessary that he would know. So I had asked permission to come along.

I remember the towers of Camelot's Castle standing proud in the sky, when we approached.

The guards and knights of king Uther were already waiting on us. And Uther had send Hector to fight us as well.
However, when Hector saw me, he asked for help instead."

There was a meaningful pause.

"He asked you for help?", Rebecca's eyebrows were raised in question. "Did he think you would just turn against us? Was he nuts?"

" That's not what he asked for. He demanded answers. He and Balinor captured me with chains at first, to ensure I wouldn't escape them. I understand now why they did it, even though I am not pleased that it happened. They told me why. Hector didn't know what to do or what was going on. But his own son had awakened the egg.", Slowly, all heads turned to Leon. Who needed a moment to realize that by 'his son', they meant HIM. But Kilgharrah wasn't done talking yet. "And they had wanted to ask me which effects this was bound to have. And also they didn't want me to attack Camelot, like the other dragons were at the time. They knew I would never hurt Balinor. And I knew the most about all this. So they found it safest to capture me. "

Only then did Leon find his voice to ask the question that was at everyone's mind right now:
"Wait... I'm no dragon Lord. That.... doesn't make sense. I couldn't have done that. I don't even remember that."

"The rules of the hatching of dragons do not apply to him. In the old days, when our kind still had feathers, back when we were free of rule, anyone of our blood could hatch our children. As long as they found a connection to the hatchling inside.
It appears, you have found that connection with the dragon. And given them their name."

"But I don't....", Leon blinked.
Somehow..... this did sound familiar. It's a rare thing to remember something from so long ago. So long that it was buried deep within your mind. From before your consciousness set in.
But sometimes it happened. There can be triggers to that. Smells, songs, or stories, as in this case.
Do you sometimes smell the sweet smell of cookies and are instantly set back to Christmas at your grandma's house? It's things like that.

Leon saw feathers flashing before his eyes. A pyre being built. He saw flames, he could smell the smoke (the fact that the house behind them was still burning might be responsible for that) and then he saw a tiny face. Too child like to recognize the adult behind it. But there was something on it, that he did, in fact, recognize.

"You don't remember, because you were too young.
Hector had somehow believed that you hatching the dragon would have broken the curse on us. Because our curse is ingrained to this child dragon. When Hector realized it didn't, he asked me what still needed to be done.
I told him the truth. That two parts of the legends were missing and that he would not live to see that day.
I told him he needed to protect the dragon.
He had to, when Uther found the child not soon after. Hector did everything in his powers to defend the dragon and you-", Kilgharrah smiled at Leon.

"He asked me to send the remaining dragons away. He had somehow changed his heart. He saw a peaceful way out things. It was a path he hadn't seen before, but now that he did, he desperately tried to follow it.
I .... did not want to help him. I thought it would be better, if the dragons took over Camelot. That way the dragon could have been saved and brought home to Drakonier. As his son would be safer there as well."

"But you did. Help him, I mean.", Merlin muttered.
"Not quite, young warlock.", Kilgharrah looked at Merlin.
"Balinor did."
There was another pause.
"Balinor was supposed to have lost every chance to use his powers. But his destiny had other plans for him. His fathers death came after he was poisoned. The abilities were still passed down to him, when his father died. And Balinor felt it in that moment, when the dragons approached Camelot.
And ordered for the war to end, and for the dragons to leave.

The dragons left, all but one. And Hector told Balinor to leave with the baby dragon. Instead, however, they could not find the dragon any longer. Because he had transformed and become invisible to us.
Hector was finally faced, as his last action, with Uther Pendragon again. Hector had revealed that he used magic. Against Uther's orders. So Uther sentenced him to death. Especially since he had helped save the dragons and proven himself a traitor to Camelot.
Hector's wife must have had a talk with Hector. Because he didn't look surprised, when she sided with Uther."

"My mother...", Leon asked, eyes wide.

"You must understand, Sir Leon. That your mother was trying to protect you. Your father as well. They had talked about this and made a deal for the worst case scenario. Lady Elena told me this later, as she too needed my help when you turned out to be immortal. Your life was worth more to them than anything else. You mother was protecting you and Hector himself knew that and supported it.
But their attempt was in vain, because they had forgotten one thing."

Leon looked up in confusion.
"And that is?"

"That Uther despises all kinds of magic. And seeing as you were the son of a sorcerer, a traitor and what he assumed was a powerful dragon lord, the assumption lay near that you would follow in your fathers footsteps sooner or later."

Leon stopped. "Wait...."

"Your father and you were burned at the pyre the next day."

The smell of smoke was Leon's nostrils yet again, triggering that memory. He could see the pyre in front of him. A man, looking just like him, burning at it. He felt burning. And pain. So much pain.
And then a breath. A healing breath. That child's face again.....

Leon gasped for air as the realization finally hit him.

Only now did reality come back to him and his eyes wandered from person to person in utter horror.
His mouth was open, he was unable to say anything. To respond.

Arthur was walking towards him now. Slowly, as if scared to accidentally set him off. Leon's distressed face must have reached a new limit, because everyone could see that something had just broken inside him.

"The only one who can find the dragon, is you, Sir knight. Because you two are connected.", Kilgharrah bowed to Leon.

"Can you shut up for one goddamn second? You just told him he was burned to a crisp as a child!", Arthur exclaimed, startling the giant dragon who was the only person in the city who had not noticed Leon's sudden paleness. The way his entire body shook. His eyes were glassy. Leon was always easy to set off. To annoy, to make him frustrated and exasperated. But this reaction was not that. Not at all.

Leon stared ahead. He could have pointed out that Kilgharrah had burned him to a crisp too once. But that wasn't on his mind. That was different.
Because Leon had trusted Uther. Not in his leadership. Not even as king. No.
It was a different kind of bond they had. Uther had basically raised him. Had granted him a place to live. Had taught him the ways of the court, had granted him permission to become a knight, despite who his father was.
The whole reason why Leon was loyal to Uther was, because he had believed the man had spared his life. Despite of what he was. Who's son he was.

But fact was.... And that realization came to him with a horrifying suddenness ...that the only reason Leon was alive, was because Uther did not know how to kill an immortal. Not for the lack of trying.
"I think that all sounds oddly suspicious.", Rebecca suddenly said, uncaring of Leon's inner turmoil.
"Leon, are you okay?", Elyan whispered from behind him, as Leon still hadn't moved or said anything.

"Leave him. He needs a moment.", Gwaine tried to explain, but Leon's patience had been tested for too long now. He had finally learned too much.

"Ciril, what's the fastest way back to Camelot?", Leon suddenly said. It was a whisper. But the moment he opened his mouth, all the chatter died down instantly. It was in his tone. It was hard to describe, but no one had ever heard him like this.
Finally, Ciril's head popped up from the heap of dragons that were still holding him down. Until Merlin got the hint and said something so they would let go off him.
"I think, flying? Why?", he asked, head tilted.

Leon looked at him, eyes stern, if still tired. "Can you get me to Camelot?", Leon asked and it was painfully obvious that he didn't say "Get me home." Ciril blinked, but then seemed to understand. "I... I don't think that's a good idea.", Ciril muttered.

"Please.", Leon asked. And then Ciril complied. And shifted. He grew bigger. Big enough to have one person ride him. And that was exactly what Leon's plan was. Leon looked slightly surprised that Ciril was capable to make such a change. But he shook off his surprise as soon as possible.

"Leon... what are you.... you're not...", Arthur asked, sounding slightly panicked among the people around them.

Leon turned around with a regretful expression. "I'm sorry, Arthur."
One moment later, he sat on Ciril's back. Ciril's eyes flashed gold and then he shot up into the sky. A shock wave almost threw the remaining knights off their feet, as Ciril stepped his feet into the ground, before shooting up into the sky.
Leon and Ciril were fast. Faster than any boat. Even the one... Percival and his crew were on.

Leon's goal was painfully obvious.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Shit.", Gwaine swallowed, as they all watched into the sky, where the specks of Ciril and Leon grew smaller and smaller.
"This is bad, isn't it?", he asked and turned to everyone else. Who were left staring just as confused and mortified as Gwaine did.

"What... what is he going to do?", Arthur was pale now. Not because he didn't have an idea what Leon was going to do. But because he feared to be right. And wanted someone to tell him he was wrong.

"What do you think? Leon looked ready to murder!", Gwaine muttered and crossed his arms.
Elyan nodded.
"Yes! I've never seen him like it! He's going to kill your dad!"

If possible, Arthur only grew paler.
"No no no, I'm sure this is a misunderstanding. Leon probably remembered who the egg was!", Merlin tried to help, but that sounded unlikely in this situation. Though Arthur relaxed a little, knowing there was at least an alternative.
"He will bring them back. Kilgharrah, it took you... how long to get here?"

"A few minutes?", Kilgharrah replied.
"See? I'm sure, Leon will be back, AAAAANY minute.", Merlin smiled widely. But with each second that passed, the more the stares directed at him grew on his nerves. And his smile faded.

"Leon once told me, when we were younger, that the only reason why he was loyal to Uther, was because he owed him his life. I didn't understand at the time.
But my guess is, that Leon believed that Uther spared him from the pyre, when he was a child. He has endured a lot for king Uther. The entire reason why he ever fought and suffered for Uther was because he let Leon live. And that's a lie! You can imagine how he feels. I think he's finally, actually -", Elyan shot a look at Gwaine, "lost it this time."

Everyone blinked to stare at Elyan. "Huh?", made Gwaine.
Merlin however was able to ask actual questions. "How do you know that?"
Elyan shrugged. "I'm sure Gwen has told you that our mom used to serve in Leon's household, right? As a result, Leon, Gwen and I grew up like siblings. Uther often came by to check on him. They always talked alone, but Leon looked very beaten up, every time Uther left.
He's been determined to proof his worth to Uther, ever since we were like... five or something.
I always wondered why Leon was so stuck up all the time...", Elyan looked after Leon and Ciril in the sky, but they had already disappeared.

"Alright then.... shouldn't we like.... go after them?", Merlin finally pointed out.

Rebecca laughed. "And why would we do that? If he's going to kill Uther, it's a win win for everyone isn't it?"

Arthur stared at her, as if HE was ready to murder. "He's still my father, you fucking -"

"Hey hey hey...", Merlin basically jumped to stand between them. "Arthur is right. We have to stop him. And I don't think we have the time to fight over it. You guys will stay here. I will go after him. It's faster if it's just me.", Merlin nodded.

"Are you nuts?", Arthur complied! "I won't let you go all by yourself!"
Merlin rolled his eyes. But relented, knowing he could never leave Arthur all by himself in enemy territory anyway. Not to mention how stubborn Arthur was. Once again, they didn't have the time to argue. They were already wasting time by talking.
"Alright then, clotpole. You can come with and calm down your dad. But the rest of you -", Merlin turned golden eyes at the dragon kin and the knights.
"Stay. And behave, until we're back! If I hear that any single one of you tried to hurt one another, it WILL have consequences!"

And since Merlin was the most powerful person/dragon lord/ warlock to ever walk the earth, no one dared to talk back to him.
"Kilgharrah!", Merlin called out and nodded at him.
"I'm not a horse, Merlin!", Kilgharrah growled, knowing exactly what Merlin was hinting at.
"According to the legends, you might have the ability to be one one day. Now shut up, we don't have time to discuss this. Help us, before I order you to!"

And that, by far, surprised the dragon kin even more than anything else they had seen all day. Because they had never witnessed a dragon lord order a dragon around, without ordering them around.

The great dragon complied anyway.

------------------------------------------------------

How George managed to convince the entire castle to help him, shall remain a secret. Just know that he never used magic or other supernatural abilities to do so.
He simply convinced them.
It took him an entire day to gather everyone and explain to them what was going on.
A few relented, of course. As they were loyal to Uther. But most people were even more loyal to Arthur himself and George could be very convincing (threatening) if he wanted to be.

"I must admit, George... I could have imagined anyone in the castle doing this...... Except you.", Morgana had her arms crossed, while George watched the knights and servants running around and following George's instructions.

"Thank you, my lady.", George said and courtly bowed to her.
"Seriously though, HOW did you manage to convince everyone? I mean.... I know how you convinced ME, which is a feat. But like... the entire castle is ready to throw a fight against Uther at this point. Because you called for it."

"I have many talents, my lady.", George explained. Which actually caused Morgana to laugh.

"Are you sure it was a good idea to throw Uther in the dungeons? I mean... if he gets out, he WILL kill you!", Gwen added. She was standing right next to Morgana and held her hand. For the first time, publicly, because they could do that now.
Gwen was still basically hiding behind her girlfriend, trying to avert the looks of everyone who had long guessed about their relationship but never said anything.

"We're opening the way for Arthur to assume the throne. I doubt killing his father would make him see sense, especially about magic."

Morgana flinched a little at the mention of magic. "I still can't believe you knew about that."
"I'm a servant, lady Morgana. I know a lot of things."
"I'm a servant too, and I didn't know until she told me!", Gwen argued, but George only shrugged.

"Remind me to never test you.", Morgana mumbled to herself, but George smiled as though it was a compliment.

"George!", a young voice suddenly called out to them.
"Hmm?", George asked, a little irritated, as he turned to the young servant. She was a relative new addition to the staff and she seemed very shy and nervous all the time.
But George had checked, she had nothing to hide. Except for a little magic. Which was why she was safe under George's watch.

"There is a ship approaching! It's maybe a day or so away from the castle! Sir Owain told me that he thinks it might be a few of Arthur's knights! It's from the Drakonier expedition.

"Already?", George's eyes widened.
Ship expeditions usually took much more than just a few weeks. Let alone days. This was hightly unusual.
"That can't be a good sign. Either they have bad news or they are asking for reinforcements.", George muttered. At this point it is probably good to mention that this ship contained Percival and his men. We haven't yet reached the part where they returned to Camelot.
"Is prince Arthur with them?"

The girl shook her head. "But... erm..", she said and swallowed.
"What is it?", George nudged her to continue.
"We have caught sight of some kind of bird in the sky. But it's too big and too fast to be a bird.", the girl was starting to panic.

But the warning came too late.
Suddenly they could hear a shriek from outside and someone shouted: "DRAGON!" and then panic broke loose in the entire castle.

-------------------------------------------

Another shock wave hit the entire castle, as Ciril and Leon landed on the ground it was build on with an explosion that was big enough to rip a whole into Camelot's walls.
It was loud, and rocks and dust swirled through the air.

It settled slowly, but when the cloud of dust finally settled, Leon and Ciril were surrounded by knights with lances.
Within moments, shocked gasps errupted from them. Until they saw Leon's expression.
Sir Leon looked old and withered and angry. Extremely angry.
The initial relief faded, as Leon nodded at Ciril to open the way up for them.
Ciril hesitated, but a second later, he roared in the direction of the knights and they were instantly blasted aside.

Startled, the rest of the knights charged at them now, ready to defend themselves, but Leon only swirled around the men he had trained when they were young, tripped them off balance and unarmed them in one single movement.
Leon was a fighting instructor. And he was second in command only to prince Arthur himself.
And maybe Lancelot. Neither of which were here.

How unfortunate for king Uther that his best men were neither of royal blood. (Well.... except maybe Sir Gwaine.)

Leon usually held himself back, so the other knights had a chance to win against him, but right now his abilities and stamina were loaded with anger.
Another knight threw his lance at Leon, but Leon caught the object mid air, twirled around and threw it back. Barely missing the knight, who fell on his butt in shocked surprise.
Leon had missed him on purpose.
And he didn't even pick up a sword.

And Ciril himself wasn't to underestimate either. He shot and magicked everyone out of the way and blasted wholes into the walls.
The crashing sounds were loud and deafening. Anyone near, caught a ringing in their ears for being too close.

It took them mere seconds to infiltrate the unorganized castle.

Steady and fast, the marched through the halls Leon knew by heart and they only stopped in front of the throne room. Where George and Morgana and Gwen came running for him.

"Leon?", George asked in surprise. He had expected something more.... terrifying.

"Is that a dragon?", Gwen shrieked, and Morgana placed herself before her girlfriend, ready to use her magic against the knight and the dragon.

"Where is Uther!", Leon growled with so much anger, it caught the girls off guard.
George looked less surprised.
"Leon.... think about what you're doing!", George basically whispered, but the dragon suddenly faced George head on and his eyes widened as he stared into George's soul and recognized the truth about the servant.

"I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm going to kill the king, who tried to MURDER me as a child!"
Leon's breathing was rash and his eyes frantic and wild.
But George's expression only widened in surprise.

"Leon, I'm serious here. Don't do what you will regret later."

"Oh I will regret it, if I'm NOT doing this. Now, get aside, I'll go in and behead him!", Leon was balling his fists. Still weaponless. As if he wasn't imagining a sword to rip of Uther's head, but his bare hands.

"As you wish.", George muttered and stepped aside. Morgana and Gwen, terrified as they were, also stepped aside, more out of fear that taunt, though. Fear from the dragon, by the way. Although Leon's change in attitude did have them retreat as well.

The door to the throne room was kicked open by Leon's steaming rage.
But then Leon stopped. The throne room was empty.

"George, where is Uther?", Leon demanded to know.
"I won't tell you that.", George refused.
Leon turned around and faced his friend.
"Tell me where he is.", Leon growled.

"No.", George frowned back.
"I said -!", Leon growled and this time his voice sounded different, it was growling. It came from deep, deep inside him. It was a language neither Morgana nor Gwen understood.
"TELL ME WHERE HE IS!"

But George did. George heaved with anger and his eyes twinkled at the challenge.
"You have no power over me, Leon.", he said back.
No, growled back. Rumbled, the same way Leon had rumbled. Leon's anger grew even more. And he was NOT surprised to find his friend answering in the dragon tongue.
All while Morgana and Gwen stared to try and understand what was going on.

"I don't care! Where is he!"

"I said, STAND DOWN, Leon!" It was an order that escaped George's lips.
Leon was by no means a dragon. And Ciril didn't even have to listen to Leon. But George's order was more powerful than that of a dragon lord. Because he was the contract. He was the dragon inside the egg and he had power over everyone who was part of that contract.

Leon and Ciril suddenly were forced to their knees. Shock and confusion ringing in the air, as they suddenly crushed against the floor.

"What the...", Morgana whispered and Gwen held her hands in front of her mouth.
George, however, had his mouth wide open. Completely caught of guard by what had just happened.

Seconds later, the great dragon landed close to the walls that surrounded Camelot. And Merlin and Arthur entered right behind Leon and Ciril.
Arthur's sword clattered to the ground at the sight in front of them.

Dusty clouds surrounded one of his best trained knights and the dragon that had managed to knock out three others of his round table.
Kneeling before a servant. While the king was nowhere in sight.

"You've got to be shitting me.", Arthur muttered.
"It's George!", Merlin gasped.