Chapter Four

I let Ariel go, the crowd of people surrounded us they looked very uncomfortable.

"We decided that we are going to head out of here, we can't live in a shared cave for the rest of our lives," The man from earlier said.

"What about our families, our homes?" Ariel said wiping her tears.

"We have to look at the facts Ariel, the Queen gave up on us. There's no salvation in Mud-Haven, no food, no water, no wheat, Mud-Haven is dying.” The woman from prior says she looked quite frail, the fact that she got this far is even impressive.

”We can't live there anymore, of course, if there is anyone left in need of help we will be there and take them with open arms." The man agreed.

"Think what you want, and do what you please. But Luke and I are not giving up." Ariel spoke shakily.

"I know I have no business in the village's matters, but can I aid you with some assistance?" Merlin assisted.

"What kind of assistance could 'you' possibly give us," A woman said with a snide remark.

"Up to you, I figured I'd lend a hand to those who are homeless when one already has a home." Merlin turned to walk away from the conversation.

"Hey, hey now wait a second. What do you have in mind?" The man asked curiously.

"You can't be serious Charlie. This old man is crazy, for god sake he thought Luke was someone named Arthur." The woman said annoyed.

The man named 'Charlie' ignored her and followed Merlin. "Please, tell us what you can do."

Merlin turned back around to face him, but instead of speaking walked past Charlie and walked outside of the cave gesturing that Charlie and everyone else to follow. We all went outside and Merlin looked at us then back to where there was a long piece of land.

"Watch where I point, and don't blink or you will miss it," Merlin ordered.

"You have to be kidding me," The woman rolled her eyes.

Suddenly there was a flash and a small village appeared as if it has been there the whole time, the whole crowd gasped including me; he still didn't explain how he lit up the cave.

"You wanted a home, there's your home. Now hurry up and leave before I change my mind." Merlin said snidely.

"You weren't the greatest guests I invited here and I rather you leave," Merlin stated walking back inside the cave.

Charles turned to us still a bit dumbfounded. "If you change your minds, you know where to find us," He nodded.

"Of course," I said with a fake smile.

Honestly, I'm with Merlin on this one. They aren't even thankful that they have been saved.

I turned and walked back into the cave following Merlin, as he walked to Balinor patting his head. "I want to apologize to you for how selfish our civilians were towards you," I spoke apologetically.

"Let me ask you something, is this village really worth saving?" Merlin asked not facing me.

"Of course it is!" Ariel stepped in out of turn, she seems to like speaking for me.

"I didn't ask you, I asked Lucas. Now let me ask you again, is this village worth saving?" He turned to face me this time, Ariel sighed.

I took a minute to think. Do I want to save a place that is so selfishly inclined?

"Absolutely." I nodded matter-of-factly.

Merlin nodded back silently for a few seconds. “It’s going to be a challenge when neither of you has any magic yourselves… However, I guess I made myself inclined to be of assistance.” he paused with a sigh and turned his head to the large winged creature. “What do you say Barinor, care to give us a ride, old friend?”

The dragon slowly got to his feet and moved forward toward the mouth of the cave, moving out of the way so Balinor could exit he went outside, with us shortly following him.

Now finally seeing Balinor fully; he was about 50 feet tall not including his wings and tail, his scales were not just one shade of green but multiple as they shined in the light noticing also that the rain finally stopped.

Merlin began climbing Belinor's back until he reached around his neck and looked down at us.

"Come on you two we don't have all night, it's going to get dark soon," Merlin called out, we began climbing one by one.

Balinor's scales were rough and dry and shaped in tiny octagon shapes, he was much easier to climb than I figured he would be.

Settling behind Merlin, Ariel held around my waist as she settled behind me.

"Everyone ready?" Merlin called out.

"Yes we are ready," I called back.

That's when Balinor lifted off his front legs and skyrocketed into the air almost falling off and taking Ariel with me I held as tightly onto his scales as tight as possible, breathing deeply.

The view was amazing from up here; mountains, thrusting spires of naked rock into the heavens so high that you would believe the very sky was pierced.

The river surrounding the mountains was a vigorous and optimistic blue, it mirrored the sky and the reflections of the mountains were beautiful.

Balinor's wings flapped gracefully in the wind, we rode silently until suddenly Balinor flew higher this time knocking off both Ariel and me, into a free fall that was leading us into the river down below, Ariel was screaming very loudly.

This suddenly felt like Deja Vu.

"Alright Balinor, you had your fun, go get them," Merlin said laughing. The gigantic dragon caught us onto his back once more.

"That wasn't funny!" I yelled over the wind.

"Really, I thought it was hilarious!" Merlin continued to laugh, and I swear I heard Balinor mischievously chuckle.

I squinted out at the horizon, there laid an old stone tower that stood on a rugged slope, across the land of mountains, the sun glinted off of the glass windows and stood almost as high as the clouds which were slowly glazing the sky.

As we got closer the tower looked as if it had been built from the mountains itself, there were large spurs atop the tower, with vines snaking up around the stones and rocks that surrounded it.

Large pine trees were scattered around filling the air with its amazing scent, the dragon swung around the building looking for the entrance.

"Ah, I haven't been here for about one hundred years, it really is nice to be home." Merlin took a long breath breathing in the mossy, pined scent.

"Home?" Ariel and I both said in unison.

"What, you think an old wizard like me doesn't have a place to call home? You Mud-Haven folk are some closed-minded." Merlin said insulted.

"Well, I just thought-" Merlin cut me off.

"Thought that I lived in that ragged stuffy cave, no offense Ballinor." Merlin quickly added.

Ballinor looked back as if to say, "None taken," And continued his way around the tallest spire.

We continued to circle the spire slowly getting lower to the ground ever so slightly.

"Merlin!" Luke shouted. "Are we ever going to land? I'm getting air-sick." He said trying hard to cover his mouth and NOT fall off the dragon.

"I can't say, really whenever Ballinor decides to I'm guessing," Merlin shouted back.

"I really rather not be puked on," Ariel said terrified.

Ballinor not wanting to be puked on either, started quickening his pace towards the lower right side of the spire, entering an eye-catching garden.

Before I could even catch my breath, I was blown away by the most breathtaking place I have ever seen.

In front of us lay a massive courtyard, covered in fresh pines and twisting vines. Getting closer we could see vibrant, hues and colors from the garden, as far as the eye could see.

Ballinor scattered to get his footing to land his large legs scooted into the courtyard and finally landed. I hurried off Balinors back and ran to the nearest bush and spilled my stomach out.

"Thank god he made it to the bushes," Ariel said with a disgusted look.

"Those...were marigolds he just...you know what, let's get inside," Merlin says quickly going on a different subject.

My stomach grunted as I stand back upright wiping off the disgusting spew off my face. "I don't think I enjoy dragon flying," I said sickly.

"I don't think he enjoyed it that much either, considering you almost puked on him," Merlin chuckled, we walked into the tall tower and the inside was just as beautiful as the outside.

"Are you sure you live here Merlin?" Ariel exclaimed sarcastically, This place looks far too beautiful for an old man like yourself. Shouldn't there be a princess or something?" She said examining a pile of old books.

"And what if it is?" Merlin said slyly. "What if I told you it once belonged to a princess," Merlin continued.