I'm stuck in a slightly different way. I got to the scree caves
via a passage, not through the Fort Emerald gates. I killed
the dragon, and also got the crystal box. When I went back to the passage, the gate was closed with the wheel on the other side. Contrary to several other people's experience, I cannot dispel the barriers at Fort Emerald. I found the crown symbol scratched in the rock, but there does not seem to be any way of opening the hidden passage that is apparently there. So I seem to be stuck in the scree caves with no way out.
Is there a way? I guess I just want to know if it is possible, I don't want a hint, at least not quite yet.