Fanfiction writers have no inbetween - its either tear out my heart or make me squee with joy. Maybe that's why I read so much (when I can), eh?
This chapter was of the squee variety for me. I loooooove love love love Merlin in this chapter, my goodness. He is SO ON POINT. That little thing about his uncomfortable crown being interspersed throughout the whole scene, for some reason it just made me so happy. I have no clue. On top of that, Ellison being PUT IN HIS PLACE THAT'S RIGHT SON, right in front of the whole council by King Merlin. GAAAHHHH THAT WAS SO COOL. And then Merlin calling him to stay behind like a naughty schoolboy by his teacher, hehehe. Of course, their actual conversation was actually sort of awwww worthy, I don't know how you did that. By the end of it I was annoyingly hopeful maybe these two can salvage a relationship of some kind, maybe akin to Arthur and Merlin's even! (Though never as close, let's be real).
And then Arthur finding out about Merlin's many heroic deeds! That always fulfills my needs as a Merlin fan in a way the show never managed, so thank you. The cliffhanger, though! Man, it was hard to pause and review when next up Arthur is going to have to face the fact Camelot still bans magic! (At least, that's my guess as to the purpose of this witch. Camelot still bans magic, right? Its been awhile, sorry). Can't wait to keep reading!

Wow. This story is absolutely amazing. Really. Merlin is king is wonderful and I love that you still keep him merlin-like. He has to change and grow to fit into his new role but he's still merlin and he's still desperately devoted to Arthur and that is the most beautiful thing about him.
I teared up when Morgana died and they remembered how wonderful she had once been. I loved her in the show and I was heartbroken when she turned bad. The part with the little magical girl was so lovely and it made me so proud of Arthur. Also the moment between Arthur and Merlin when merlin breaks down after losing his people was powerful. Only Arthur could have helped him through that as he had experienced it so many times before.
Overall. Fantastic story. Really beautiful.

This is truly very interesting and hilarious to read; please update soon

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this fic, it was absolutely amazing, inspiring, and I loved every bit of it! It is definitely one of my absolute favorite Merlin fics to date, and I read this one in two days. I remember you said this took you a long time to write, but it was worth it and please give some thought to writing a sequel, it will be worth the wait. If you need any ideas for it, have writers block, need an editor, or just need a sounding board, I would be more than willing to help. What if you wrote about the hatching and training of the dragon eggs that you mentioned were in the vaults of Carthis? And of course I think everyone wants to see how Camelot progresses with the new laws and such, and their relationship with Carthis, the uniting of Albion under Arthur (that would be a bit more canon), Merlin's relationship with Raime and Mordred and Ellison, and the future of Carthis as well (what with Merlin being the last Dragonlord, although I think he is also immortal? how would that affect his rule? any heirs? magical advancements? how does the Druid prophecy play out? if Merlin is immortal, what happens to Arthur and their kingdoms?), etc. These are just a few things I thought of after reading it, when I tried to imagine a sequel. Again, thank you for your wonderful stories, and if you ever do have a sequel in mind, please let your readers know!

Oh poor Merlin, I want to give him a hug (more than usual). I like how you mostly focused on Merlin's experience of the crowning, which was all surreal flashes and impressions of the ceremony, instead of writing through the actual ceremony itself. And then Merlin crying, and then going to Mordred! HA I knew those two were about to be subject to some serious bonding. I love how Mordred basically calmed him down and helped Merlin forget about the heavy burden of his kingship for a bit, the poor thing needed it. And the last little part was gold, him agreeing that was what friends are for. Gaaawww I just about died XD
The knights talking about Merlin and his magic was awesome. You could clearly see each different perspective they were all coming from but how, at the end, they all reached the same conclusion: Merlin is a powerful, selfless sorcerer, but most importantly still their good friend. I'm glad Arthur and Gwaine are reconciling now, even though the latter had a right to be angry. Its good to hear him calling Arthur princess again :')
Best part of this chapter by far: "George had polished his armor to a luster never before known to man." Real life, out loud, cackling laugh. That was me. (Arthur acknowledging inwardly that George's attire was disturbingly close to Merlin's was a close second.)

Ooooooo! So much to love about this! Most importantly mage training, that seriously is a thing and I'm so glad because it SHOULD be a thing! I always wanted that for Camelot *sigh*
Kane was an absolute delight and I'm so glad Merlin found at least one place he feels comfortable and unworried again, those two totally need to be close friends. Although I'd advocate more for some strong Merlin/Mordred bromance. I've said it before, but let me say GAHHHH I love your Mordred. What a lovable cherub. Wanting Merlin to go so he could experience the freedom of the training with him! Awwww!
Merlin is sooooooo BAMF in general but especially here, with the two spells at once! WOOOAAH you blew my mind. I feel slightly bad its just another thing to set him apart from everyone else in Carthis, but I'm mostly too busy freaking out about how awesome that display of magic was! And just in time for rumors of Morgana to nose her way in the plot. I was wondering when and most especially HOW she would-I should have guessed the empty crown would have drawn her like a bee to honey. Or me to chocolate and awesomely long Merlin fanfics. Heheh.

Loved it from beginning to end! I adored the interaction between Merlin and Arthur and the new characters you introduced especially Riame (loved the discussion between Merlin and Raime about Tennison and Arthur being amused!) Also you write exceptionally well, balacing description and dialogue perfectly! Thank you for sharing and *crossing my fingers* hopefully you'll one day have the time to write that sequel.

Great conversation between Arthur and Gaius, I'm glad Arthur isn't completely in the dark about the Dragonlord element any longer. I guess Gaius not knowing he'd arrived explains why he didn't burst into Arthur's chambers like I mused earlier, haha! ...still a funny image though ;)
The whole Dragonlord has been a big element in both Metamorphose and this, and yet in such different ways! I love your expansion of the heritage and rule of bloodline that was barely touched upon in the series, really creative. I am SLIGHTLY confused a bit, of course, being me: If Balinor had older sisters wouldn't the oldest be 'Dragonlady' as you said, and Balinor just have an affinity being a younger sibling? I'm likely missing something out of your explanation, but I just can't figure it out. ENLIGHTEN POOR LIfEINDEED.
I'm really enjoying how you end each chapter, always leaving me excited/wanting more! Good thing I didn't read this while you were still updating, you'd have yourself one heck of an impatient reviewer. I'm going to have to turn in at this point, but looking forward to more ;D

EEEEEEK! Now that was great. I've got a big, pleased smile on my face right now, just so you know. Merlin's musings leave half the chapter with little action or plot-furthering, and yet I might enjoy them the most out of anything, I think. Its so vivid, how you write Merlin's feelings being here in this foreign place. Again, I loved Lord Penbrook. His beard inspires me.
Also the relationship between Merlin and Kilgarrah really speaks true to what it became through the series, a bond of friendship and loyalty. It reminded me of what you've previously mentioned, when Merlin spoke to Kilgarrah during that nasty business with the Dorocha. Their level of intimacy in that conversation is truly mirrored here, with Kilgarrah proclaiming before the whole council that Merlin is brave and compassionate and worthy of being king (by the way the last thing he says - Until we meet again, my KING - was nothing short of genius. Hit me right there).
I have no idea how Ellison truly thinks he CAN much less plans on still getting the crown, so it sort of feels like now he's going to gripe and ridicule Merlin at every opportunity instead. I don't know. Should I be worried about some underlying plot to assassinate my beloved warlock?
BRING IT.

I think somehow I must have skipped the part where Merlin already talks to Kilgarrah and apparently Arthur overhears, and I can't find it. What chapter is that in (and how the heck did I miss it, seriously)?
As for Arthur's struggle here, I am so SO SO HAPPY he's realizing his own faults. AND that last line, hoping to fix things! Such progress from throat-grabbing! I had no idea you'd even go back to his perspective, though I really should have realized, I suppose. Merlin feels bad about everything, Arthur feels bad about everything, obviously that's good ground to start on, next time they meet, enough to make up and hug, right? Gwen was a beautiful gem here, really, I love how you write her and how Arthur's affection for her is so . . . awwww. Yep, that's my best adjective for those two.
YAY FOR GAIUS UP AND COMING! Though I feel like he should be bursting in on their marital cuddling any second demanding where his Merlin is, considering news should have traveled by now that the party had returned.
Best part: Every utterance that came out of Gwaine's beautiful mouth. Someday I may actually get over how well you stay true to the character of all our beloved characters - BUT IT IS NO THIS DAY! (Reference? ;)

Hahahahaa, loving that last line. Also loving these long chapters. Here's a secret - I'm normally very intimidated by even slightly-large paragraphs and big chapters, as my own writing shows, so when I first started on Metamorphose the long paragraphs were almost enough to turn me from the fic in the first few sentences. Of course, I think you might have cured me of that irrational fear. Thanks for that, lol.
As for what's happening in this chapter - HOLY BUCKETS CHARLIE, THE TENSION! What a thing to throw at both Merlin and the reader, having to vie for the crown instead of just claiming it the second he got there like both he and I assumed! Gerund, that sneaky bastard. OF COURSE now that Merlin has already made the commitment, left basically all his friends, and traveled to Carthis with the intent of taking the throne, he'll just have to suck it up and put up with Ellison now, won't he! I was so glad Merlin gave Gerund a talking to about that. (Although Gerund is also a SMART bastard, because I think we all know with that info shared Merlin definitely would have just said, oh give it to him, he's probably more capable being a noble his whole life, whereas I am but a lowly servant and I have a destiny with Arthur, blah de blah de blah).
My favorite part of this chapter: dear old Lord Penbrook! I can already tell he'll be a favorite OC of mine, making Merlin feel at least a little more welcomed after such a hostile greeting from the Council overall. Looking forward to Kilgarrah's input on all this - a part of me is like, totally, the dragon will want Merlin to take the throne! while the other part of me is lawn-mowing over my nails in worry he'll be all like what 'naww Merlin, what you doin here, you Arthur's ho, yo!'
Maybe not exactly in those terms.

I wont lie i found this story today and read it all in one day. Thats how obsessed i was with this story and how much i absolutly loved it. If you are not already doing it, and you are able, mind you then please do a sequel.

THAT WAS AMAZING! One of the best stories I've read! Great plot and really well written too. Can't wait to read the sequel! :D

Woah, POV switch-ey! I was very excited to get a look into Arthur's thoughts, and of course you didn't disappoint! His anger and hurt is all very justified, yet I like how Arthur still can't get around to hating Merlin. Pretty impossible, in my opinion of course. But I also loved how Arthur, even as he realizes the times Merlin had been using magic he was saving Arthur/the kingdom, can't seem to get rid of that sense of betrayal. Makes for good reading, let me tell you.
Best part of this chapter by far: Arthur's inner comparison to what he did to Merlin and that stark memory of Uther grabbing at Morgana's throat as well. It is a bit sickening to think/read about, so I can't blame him for losing his lunch, so to speak. And thank you for not ignoring the repercussions of injury! That annoys me to no end. Gwaine's reaction was unsurprising, and my poor little Merlin! Blaming himself and justifying what Arthur did, THE FEELS, HOW DARE YOU! It was so beautifully sad. *sniffle*
I'm going to have to take a rest from all this emotion now, obviously, but needless to say you've got me (once again) hooked :D

All right, so Gwaine's input in this chapter definitely softened the blows of the last, for me and Merlin, I think. I especially enjoyed how he didn't *actually* know Merlin had magic, just had his suspicions confirmed by Merlin's facial expression. Priceless.
Basically everything about Gwaine was great here, to be honest, and I was pleasantly surprised by how you pegged Mordred. All sweet and grateful towards Merlin, despite the fact that Merlin has been such a horrible turnip to him like always. Personally I love love LOVE Mordred, but most of the time writers kind of focus on his future as Arthur's killer rather than his present as the adorable-innocent-cuteness-knight. Kind of like Merlin does. BUT anyway - I digress.
My favorite part of this chapter was actually the second paragraph. Weird, I know, but its because of: 1) How you described Merlin trying his best not to look like he'd spent a long time crying on the ground. It shouldn't have been funny. But it really, really was. And 2) this line: "He knew that things had really gone to shit when *that* was him being optimistic."
I WAS DYING.