Aithusa

For the episode with the same name see: Aithusa (episode).

"A white dragon...is indeed a rare thing--and fitting. For in the dragon tongue, you named him after the light of the sun. No dragon birth is without meaning. Sometimes the meaning is hard to see, but this time, I believe, it is clear. The white dragon bodes well for Albion, for you and Arthur, and for the land you will build together."

- Kilgharrah to Merlin

Aithusa is a white dragon summoned from its egg by Merlin, who later saved Morgana's life by healing her wounds. The Dragon later participated alongside Morgana in scheming against Arthur, Merlin, and Camelot.

Birth
Aithusa was brought into existence after the Dragonlord, Merlin, rescued the egg from the Tomb of Ashkanar and Julius Borden. As Merlin learned from The Great Dragon, a dragon will only hatch when a Dragonlord gives it a name. Using his power as the last Dragonlord, Merlin names the hatchling Aithusa. Then, only moments later, Aithusa was born.

Kilgharrah, The Great Dragon, notes that the name Merlin chose is very fitting, for in the Dragon Tongue, the name means "Light of the Sun". It is fitting because Aithusa is a rare white dragon, and its birth symbolizes a good omen for Merlin's destiny, for Arthur, and the land that they will build together.

Saving Morgana
Aithusa presumably remains with Kilgharrah while maturing. When Morgana loses the throne of Camelot for the second time and is gravely injured fighting her way out, Aithusa flies to where she lies dying in the forest. Morgana, cured by the dragon's breath, appears both shocked and elated at the sight of the dragon, smiling in disbelief as Aithusa flies away, right after healing her (The Sword in the Stone).

Imprisonment
Following the events of Aithusa saving Morgana, they were both captured and imprisoned by Sarrum of Amata, Aithusa grew too large for the pit in which the Dragon was locked away. With no room to grow, Aithusa became twisted and crippled, its cries of pain could be heard from outside the pit and were said to be more pitiful than that of Morgana's (Arthur's Bane, The Hollow Queen).

Tormented Ally of Morgana
Aithusa bonds with Morgana within the next three years, since they spend two of those years imprisoned and tortured together by Sarrum. When Aithusa visits Morgana, just before Arthur and Merlin arrive to rescue the knights Morgana captured, the Dragon has grown quite a bit larger, although it is still small enough to fit in Morgana's bedroom and the caves in which Morgana is searching. Aithusa attacks Merlin, Arthur, and Gwaine, who are all shocked that Morgana has found a dragon. Merlin chases after Aithusa and when the White Dragon tries to attack him, he blocks the Dragon's fire with a magical shield and then uses his Dragonlord ability to command Aithusa to stop attacking. Merlin realises that something traumatic happened to Aithusa, and it is revealed that the dragon also cannot speak. Merlin commands Aithusa to go, allowing the Dragon to exercise its free will to choose its own loyalties. (Arthur's Bane:Part Two).

Later after these events, the Dochraid warns Morgana about Merlin's attempt to heal Morgana's puppet Guinevere, who was under her control, she turned to Aithusa for help. The white dragon attacks Merlin, Arthur, and Mordred with the knocked-out Guinevere in tow at a canyon. Just as before, Merlin uses his Dragonlord powers to send Aithusa away and end the Dragon's attack (With All My Heart).

The Final Battle
Upon the Battle of Camlann. Aithusa uses its breath to forge a sword for Morgana's ally Mordred. Later on, during the battle, Aithusa fights alongside the Saxons and attacks the knights of Camelot by air, but flies away with a scream once Merlin uses his Dragonlord powers against the White Dragon. It is unknown what Aithusa's fate was after the battle, and unknown how the Dragon will fulfill its role as the "Light of the Sun" (The Diamond of the Day).

Attributes
Aithusa is a dragon, with white scales, and wings with a white, almost transparent membrane. Aithusa has big, light blue eyes, four horns, short neck spikes, and tail spikes. As a newborn, Aithusa was about the size of a small bird. After three years, Aithusa appeared to be the same size as a Wyvern. How long it would take for the White Dragon to reach Kilgharrah's size is unknown.

Personality
Aithusa has a very mysterious personality. The Dragon saved Morgana's life, although it is unknown what motives led to this. Aithusa has been shown to have a genuine bond with Morgana, who treated the Dragon as a pet and developed affection towards Aithusa after the young Dragon saved her. Aithusa appears to be mute since it has never been seen speaking; whether this is the ramification of the trauma due to its imprisonment or to its youth is unknown. Aithusa is highly intelligent but a shy and reclusive dragon.

Merlin
Merlin used his powers to summon Aithusa from its egg by giving the Dragon a name. However, Aithusa later saved and bonded with Merlin's arch-enemy, Morgana, for reasons unknown. Aithusa unwittingly attacked Merlin, Arthur, and Gwaine, leading Merlin to chase after the White Dragon and use his Dragonlord powers to stop Aithusa from striking again. He could tell that something terrible had happened to Aithusa and realised that the poor Dragon couldn't speak. When Merlin told Aithusa to go the first time, the Dragon refused; but then he commanded the Dragon to leave.

Kilgharrah
Kilgharrah was Aithusa's Dragon guardian. He indirectly indicated that Aithusa was male. Aithusa later saved Morgana's life and appears to have betrayed Kilgharrah.



Morgana
For reasons that have not been revealed, Aithusa saved Morgana at the brink of death. Morgana was grateful and elated when Aithusa did this. The two were later imprisoned and tortured for two years by Sarrum of Amata, and after escaping, both of them were still haunted by their past experiences. Morgana was protective of Aithusa and reassured the Dragon that everything will be alright. Morgana treated Aithusa like a pet and the white Dragon seemed to be the only thing she genuinely cared about. Aithusa was shown to be loyal to Morgana and attacked Merlin, Arthur, and Gwaine, although the White Dragon couldn't resist Merlin's Dragonlord powers. Aithusa was later seen following Morgana through a freezing blizzard outside of Ismere, which shows Aithusa's bond with Morgana. It is also unknown how Morgana came to know the dragon by the name Merlin gave to it.

Abilities
Aithusa is a dragon of the same type as Kilgharrah, so Aithusa has many or all of its abilities. The White Dragon has great magical power that is used through its breath, it can be used to heal, gift knowledge or power, and breathe fire. Although the dragon is only the size of a man, Aithusa can attack assembles of men and breathe fire. Aithusa was also able to create an enchanted sword; similar to Arthur's, by using its fire as Kilgarrah had done.

Legends

 * In some versions of the legends, the red dragon - symbolising Wales, King Arthur, and Christianity - kills the white dragon - symbolising the Saxons, Morgan Le Fay and paganism. The red dragon is most likely The_battle_between_red_and_white_dragon.jpgsented by Kilgharrah and the white dragon by Aithusa.
 * In others, the red dragon symbolises a tyrant king (most likely Vortegrin) who had been defeated, whose banner was a red dragon. King Uther killed him while riding under a white dragon banner. Two dragons were sleeping in stone beneath the tyrant king's tower, which wouldn't stay standing. So, Merlin (Emrys, in the original), a resident of the village who had been forced to build the tower, informed him of the dragons. Thus the tyrant dug underneath the tower and found two massive hollow stones. He broke them, and the two shot into the sky and started fighting. The white won, killed the red, and then flew off. Less than a week later, King Uther, who was then just Sir Uther, and thousands of other knights, came under the white dragon banner. King Uther delivered the final blow.
 * In the myth about the Welsh flag, it was the red dragon that won and in honour of its victory the Welsh king made it his flag. Some believe the white dragon was later killed by Saint George of England (the full story https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/craflwyn-and-beddgelert/features/a-tale-of-two-dragons)

Appearances

 * Series 4
 * Aithusa
 * The Sword in the Stone: Part Two


 * Series 5
 * Arthur's Bane: Part Two
 * The Hollow Queen
 * With All My Heart
 * ''The Diamond of the Day: Part One
 * The Diamond of the Day: Part Two

Trivia

 * When the writers learned about the fans debating whether Aithusa healing Morgana had to do with the white and red dragon legend or not, they had mentioned very loosely: "we hoped it was a nice tease..." Although this was never followed up on explained within the show. Many fans regard this as a terrible plot hole. This said, it should be noted that this legend is not a key point of the plot nor should be considered as such.
 * Katie McGrath has stated in an interview that Aithusa is, for her, female, despite being mentioned as "he" in Series 4, although this was never explained or indicated within the show.
 * Aithusa used its breath to forge a sword for Morgana in The Diamond of the Day. In legend, Clarent was the Excalibur's twin sword, used by Mordred to slay Arthur. This legend was referenced in the finale.
 * Although Aithusa is considered a female by many fans, there has been no indication within the show that Aithusa is female. Its gender remains unknown.
 * It was never explained how Aithusa was the 'Light of the Sun'. According to an English-to-Greek dictionary "Light of the Sun" is spelt "αὐγή", which when entered into Google translate, means '"Dawn". ---> EXPLANATION : it comes from the Ancient Greek "αὐγή" which means both, the "light of the sun" and "dawn", as well as: rays, beams; any bright light, as of fire; any gleam on the surface of bright objects, sheen. Whereas its descendant, "αυγή", means: dawn; sunrise, daybreak; (figuratively) beginning, start
 * "Aithūsa" is Greek (Αἰθουσα) for "Hall". Showing no correlation between Aithusa's name and the meaning given by Merlin BBC during the episode 'Aithusa' in season 4. (This show has no correlation to Greece at all, it should be referenced to Old English).
 * It was never explained how Morgana knew Aithusa's name as the Dragon cannot speak; Merlin and Kilgarrah are the only ones to know Aithusa's name.

Gallery
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