Joy in Sorrow
For MildeAmasoj.
Merlin stared at the waters of Avalon, still in denial over the whole turn of events.
Arthur was dead.
Arthur, whose destiny was to unite Albion in the golden age, was gone without even seeing the beginning of Albion.
To slumber in the lake of Avalon until Albion needed him the most.
Bitter regret rose in Merlin and he choked down tears. Arthur had been his life and now he was… gone.
Slowly, he sank to the ground, the tears beginning to rise in his eyes again but he didn't even try to stop them. Arthur had told him once told him that no man was worth his tears… well, too bad. Arthur was worth every tear that he had, and more.
"Merlin." a soft voice greeted firmly and Merlin looked up, his eyes widening as he saw the beauty that stood in front of him. A lady, so beautiful that his breath had been caught, she had a slender form, rosy cheeks and a warm loving smile, dancing chocolate eyes that were full of laughter and sweet brown curls… his love.
"Freya…" he breathed and she nodded, stepping forward. She held her hands out and he didn't hesitate to take them. She pulled him to his feet and smiled sadly at him before she placed a soft, gentle kiss on his lips and then she pulled away and wrapped her arms around him. Merlin sniffled slightly and wrapped his arms around her in return. "He's gone," he whispered, breaking the silence that had encompassed them. "He's gone and there is nothing that I can do about it… I tried to avoid it…"
She pulled away, but not entirely. She kept her hand on his cheek and her eyes were full of sorrowful wisdom. "It is not your fault, my love," she reassured him softly. "The fates have had this written since the dawn of time, nothing you could have done would have saved Arthur."
Merlin shook his head, denying her gentle, but firm, truth. "I still failed him though! If only I hadn't pushed Mordred away or if I had told Morgana…"
"It would have happened the same way," Freya disclosed firmly, her eyes full of fire. "If Morgana had known about your magic then Arthur's downfall would have happened sooner. I don't deny that you might have done more harm than good with pushing Mordred away, but in the end Arthur would have still died and your magic wouldn't have been known." Merlin stared at her, his mouth slightly open and she gently brushed his hair back.
"But…" he tried to protest but found nothing to say. She gently kissed his nose and smiled sadly at him.
"Nothing would have changed," she stated clearly and Merlin stared at her, his expression still broken but a little less guilt ridden. Now it seemed like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, as opposed to it crushing him to the ground. "I promise, Merlin, nothing would have changed."
Merlin sobbed slightly and drew her in for a hug, his arms shaking and she wrapped her own in return. "I'm so sorry… but thank you… and I'm glad you are here." He whispered into her ear and gently kissed her temple, and then he buried his head into her shoulder.
Tears fell from Freya's eyes, but there was a sad smile on her lips.
It would never be alright again, it would only ever be okay, but joy could be found in sorrow eventually.
Author's Note: Some Freylin for my buddy. :) I hope you like it, Millie. *Flying tackle bear hugs.*