Love, Faith and Family

Chapter 70

Kilgharrah wasn't the last dragon.

A man had come to see Gaius late in the night, bringing with him an artifact that had the potential to lead the bearer to a hidden tomb where a dragon egg had laid safe for over 400 years. Gaius, however, didn't want to help the man, Julius Borden as he was untrusting of his motives.

Miriam's heart burned. It burned for Kilgharrah, to save him from being the last of his kind despite the fact that Gaius had forbidden it. But Miriam's decision was solid when she'd summoned Kilgharrah and he'd begged her to find the egg.

Merlin was also in on the plan, him being the one that had overheard the man coming to see Gaius and then rousing his sister at the mention of dragons.

They'd then gone to see Borden in the morning, to convince him that they were going to help him get the last part of the triskelion from the vaults below the city.

Merlin had been charged with getting the key from Arthur before passing it off to Miriam who would then lead Borden down to the vaults.

Gaius had been right though.

Borden wasn't doing this to save the dragon, he was doing it to sell the egg.

And they knew that because Miriam didn't return at the agreed upon time to pass Merlin back the key.

He'd then gone after his sister to find her unconscious in the doorway that led down to the vault with the key in her hand.

She hadn't woken till the next morning, while her brother returned the key and pretended to know nothing about the triskelion being stolen. But when she did wake, it was to the sound of yelling.

"How could you both be so stupid?! Trusting Borden?! I expected more from the both of you!"

"I'm a dragonlordess, " Miriam spoke up, Merlin relieved that she was alright. "It is my sacred duty to protect the last of the dragons."

"The tomb would have remained sealed for another 400 years and the egg would've been safe! Now Arthur's riding out, intent on destroying it."

"Then we get there first," Miriam said as she stood, neck sore but otherwise she was ok.

"Miriam," Gaius began but she cut him off.

"I will not let Kilgharrah be the last of his kind. I will get to that egg before Borden and I will get to it before Arthur, and no one will get in my way. No one," Miriam said with the same conviction and fiery determination that would make her a brilliant queen.

"Come on! Arthur rides immediately. We haven't got much time to get ready," Merlin urged as he pushed his sister into their room, his promise to help his sister hidden in his words.

And all Gaius could do was shake his head.

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After setting off, Arthur was once again not entirely happy about Miriam joining them but once again unable to stop her, they'd tracked Borden deep into the woods before darkness fell and they decided to make camp.

As Miriam was getting her bedroll off her horse, Merlin was serving dinner.

"I'm hungry as a horse," Gwaine laughed as he pulled Merlin back so he could dish out more food onto his plate.

"Mmm, that's a point, Merlin. Have you fed them?" Arthur pointed out.

"What?" Merlin asked as he dished out food for himself and his sister.

"The horses."

"Well-"

"Come on. They must be starving," Arthur said and Miriam narrowed her eyes at him.

"But-"

"On your toes."

"You're right Arthur, you should get on your toes and go feed the horses. The poor things are famished after carrying your fat asses all day," Miriam said as she walked over to the group, standing at Arthur's side where he sat on a log next to the knights, Merlin grinning as he continued to dish out his plate.

"But-"

"Oh, you got me food. You shouldn't have," she smiled as she took his plate from him and lifted a spoon into her mouth. "Go on. What are you waiting for?"

With a frown and a glare that Miriam returned, the king stood as he moved to go feed the horses, Miriam taking his seat as the knights laughed.

"I'd suggest you boys wipe those smiles off your face before I make you do your own dishes tonight," Miriam said as she winked at her brother, lifting another spoon to her mouth as the knights shut up.

"She's not even queen yet, why are we doing what she says?" Gwaine whispered to Elyan, and not quietly.

"Did you say something, Gwaine?" Miriam asked with a smirk and a raised brow, Leon and Percival looking over in intrigue.

"Just that I was off to get some water. Would you like some?" he asked with a fake smile that Miriam returned.

"I would. Anyone else want some water, since Gwaine's offering?" she asked, Merlin and the rest of the knights piping up in agreement.

"You should probably get some for the king as well," Percival added.

"Mmm, good idea," Leon said as Gwaine sighed and set his bowl down on the log.

"It's because she's damn scary, especially when it comes to Merlin," Elyan whispered back as Gwaine walked off.

"And don't you forget it, boys," Miriam said as she looked into the fire, her brother sitting next to her, all of the knights slightly unnerved.

"Thanks, Mira," Merlin grinned at her as she playfully nudged him.

"Anytime, big brother."

Though that night as they slept, Miriam was woken up by a voice calling her name. But as she put a hand to her head and sat up, she realized that it wasn't her real name.

"Emerie. Emerie."

Where she normally would have woken the others up or gone for her sword, something in her heart told her that all would be ok and that there was nothing to fear as she stood and followed the voice into the woods.

"Emerie."

"Where are you?" she muttered as she delved deeper into the woods before climbing on top of a ridge where a group of cloaked people awaited her, and she couldn't help but feel a little scared.

"Do not be afraid. We know your quest," said the leader as he removed his hood and Miriam recognised him as the same man that had given them the cup of life.

"How?" she questioned, a little more at ease now.

"The man you seek also stole from us. He passed through these woods not three hours before you. "

"Which way did he go?" Miriam asked as she took a tentative step forward.

"To the east. But you must be wary, Emerie. The legends tell a tale that only the druids know," he said and Miriam grew slightly worried.

"What do they say?" she asked.

"Ashkanar was a wise man. He knew one day men would come seeking to disturb his rest. The triskelion is not just a key. It is also a trap."

"What do you mean? What kind of trap?"

"I do not know," the man answered. "But the legends are very clear. You must beware Emerie."

Miriam then looked around the group before returning her gaze to the leader.

"Thank you," she said before turning to leave.

"Emerie."

She turned back.

"There is one other thing the legends say. 'Only when the way ahead seems impossible, will you have found it.'"

With one last nod of thanks, Miriam returned to the campsite to tell her brother.