Merlin hesitates, unable to force the spell out of his lips to light the little boat on fire. Taking a deep breath, he raises his arm again, and whispers the spell.
The boat lights up in flames, drifting further and further from Merlin as the flames steadily encompass the whole vessel. He feels nothing, not the water around his legs, not the chill of the breeze, not even the silent tears traveling down his face.
He is reminded of a different time, when he made candle flames rise into the air, to show her that magic isn't purely evil, nor a curse. Of course, he hadn't fully understood her circumstances then, but it had made her smile (what a beautiful smile she had), and that was what mattered to Merlin.
He is about to turn around, when something shimmers above the fire. He looks closer at the boat, only to see a transparent form of Freya hovering over the boat.
"Freya?" Merlin chokes out, fresh tears blinding him.
"I told you I would repay you." Freya says, a sorrowful smile blooming over her face. "This is how I can do it. I will watch over you always. You may not be able to see me, but I will always be there, protecting you."
Merlin doesn't know what to say to this. He starts to walk towards her, but before he can get closer, the apparition vanishes. He stands there for another minute before turning around and going back to Camelot.
Later that night, Merlin cannot sleep, so he goes back to the lake. He doesn't say a word, just lies down at the edge of the water and looks up at the night sky. The stars twinkle at him, and he is filled with a familiar awe that overwhelms him when he looks at the many constellations. He begins identifying them, when he notices that there is a new one. He gasps; the new constellation looks exactly like a winged panther.
"Freya." He sighs. A warm breeze flutters across his skin, and he swears he heard a faint whisper in the breeze.
"Merlin."
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