Thank you to everyone who has been following and reviewing my other story What If!

This, obviously, is a continuation of What If? And it is about Merlin's quest to bring Freya back, and of him and Arthur's friendship.

It had been almost a week since Morgana had been defeated, and everything was going back to normal...sort of. It had also been a week since Arthur had found out about Merlin's magic, and he hadn't really spoken to the warlock since.

Sure he had gotten the sword, and he and Merlin had defeated Morgana and Morgause, but it had been unnerving to see someone like Merlin defeat and almost kill someone as powerful as Morgause. They had just managed to get out of the throne room without being destroyed, but had not been able to find Morgana or Morgause in the rubble. Gwen had found out about Merlin, and had taken it really well, once he explained everything to her. Percival and Elyan were clueless about it all and were curious about the tension that had arisen between the prince and his servant.

One morning Arthur woke to someone opening his curtains.

"Five more minutes Merlin."

"Um, sire. I'm not Merlin." came a timid yet amused voice making Arthur look up from his pillow. He saw someone who made him sit up in an instant.

"Guinevere! What are you doing here? Where is Merlin?"

"I don't know." Arthur threw on a shirt and stared confused. "You. Don't. Know."

Guinevere shook her head and placed Arthur's breakfast on his desk.

"He just left last night without an explanation. Arthur? What has happened between you two? I know Giaus said that he had been doing a lot of research lately but..."

Arthur rubbed his head. "We, I... I haven't taken his... abilities that well."

He sat down looking despaired. Guinevere sat down next to him and gave him a comforting hug.

"He did leave a note, but I didn't get the chance to see it." Guinevere said suddenly.

Arthur stood up. "I have to go. I have to make things right." he ran out of the room as Guinevere shook her head. At least Arthur knew when to admit he was wrong even if it took awhile.

Giaus looked at the note Merlin had left and sighed. Just then Arthur burst in.

"Sire! What are you doing here so early?" Giaus asked in surprise.

"Where is Merlin, Giaus?"

"Here." Giaus handed Arthur the note. It went something like this.

Giaus,

I am sorry for leaving so suddenly without notice, but I have two promises that I have made that are yet to be fulfilled. Arthur, also needs some time to cool off. I am not leaving my destiny, but there are some things I need to take care of first.

Tell Arthur that I am sorry for the damage that I have caused, and for... just everything. Tell him, that I will return only if he wants me to. For his will, unfortunately, is my command. It seems strange to leave the place that I have called home for this many years, but I leave with hope that Arthur will make the right decision, and with faith that he will be a good and just king even if I never see it happen. Life is strange that way, but we must move on in good faith. Arthur, if you are reading this, tell Lancelot thank you for keeping my secret and being so honorable. Tell Gwaine to stay away from the bartender at Rising Sun... I think if he goes in there it could be suicide. Singing on tabletops does not improve other people's opinion of you. And thank him for being a good friend. Also, if you wouldn't mind, thank Gwen for understanding, and tell her I think she will be an amazing queen.

Arthur, you have been a great friend (though if anyone asks I promise I'll deny it) and I'm sorry for everything that has happened. Coming to Camelot was the best thing I've ever done, though you are still a clotpole. I know that you will be a great king. I know you probably hate my guts, and I understand, but please promise to not let prejudice get in the way, because some of the greatest things you have ever done was when you thought for yourself.

Long live the king,

Merlin

Arthur sat down after reading Merlin's note. "So he didn't leave because of me."

Giaus sat down next to Arthur and stared at the future king. "No. He was going to stay even if he died for it. But last night I remember him reading something and then jumping up and entering his room. That was the last time I saw him."

Arthur put his head in his hands. "Giaus I betrayed his friendship. And he doesn't hate me."

Giaus put his hand on Arthur's shoulder. "He understood."

"He didn't even tell me of the other times that he saved my life, he just went on day after day without any sort of complaint. I didn't even thank him for saving my life and he never reminded me."

Giaus patted Arthur's back. "Would it help if I explained everything from the beginning?"

Arthur nodded. "Please don't leave anything out Giaus."

Merlin looked at his map. He had just passed Cenred's kingdom, and was very tired and yet very determined.

Last night he had read some passage in one of Giaus' very old books. It said that if a curse is placed and the victim is killed because of it, there is a way to lift the curse and bring the person back from the dead. Just place the sorcerer/sorceresses' blood in the Cup of Life speak the spell of the living, and the enchantment will no longer hold and the victim will live. It seemed simple enough, but there was something else needed. The sorceress need to die to trade the life for the life of Freya. The balance of the world had to be restored. Merlin knew that he would need the Druid's help to find the sorceress. He pulled out the Cup of Life and smiled to himself. Uther would go in a rage when he found the cup missing. Merlin thought of Arthur and his friends in Camelot and wondered if he would ever see them again.

Back in Camelot Giaus had just finished explaining to Arthur what had happened with Gilli when the bells rang. Arthur took one look at Giaus and bolted from the door.

As he entered the throne room with a servant, Uther turned to his son. A grave look on his face.

Gwaine and Lancelot saw that Merlin was not there and gave Arthur a questioning look. Arthur gave the two a I-will-explain-later look. Then he turned towards his father.

"What is it father? You look troubled."

Uther look graver than usual. "Yes, Arthur the Cup of Life has been stolen."

Arthur turned to look at Giaus discreetly who was gave his I-will-explain-later look.

Arthur frowned and looked grave for a moment. "Do we know who it was?"

Uther shook his head. "It was obviously done by a sorcerer, for he was in and out without being detected."

"Do you want me to send a search party?"

"Yes, we must catch whoever did this. It may bode well for Camelot, and it once again proves that magic is evil."

Arthur nodded and when his father's back was turned rolled his eyes at Gwaine and Lancelot, who hid a smug smile.

Back in Giaus' chambers, Arthur saw the physician looking over an old book.

"Giaus. Merlin stole the cup didn't he?"

Giaus frowned and nodded. "The foolish boy! I don't know why I didn't see it before."

"See what Giaus?"

Before Giaus could answer, Gwaine and Lancelot burst in.

"What is going on?" Gwaine asked.

Giaus held up a book that Merlin had been studying the previous night.

"Listen to this passage and it will make sense." Giaus replied. "It says here that a person who has been cursed and killed because of it can be brought back to life. If one takes the Cup of Life and uses the blood of the person who cursed the victim, then the victim can be brought back. It also says that the sorcerer or sorceress has to be killed in order for the victim's life to be restored."

Gwaine frowned. "That explains nothing."

To Arthur however, it explained everything. "Merlin thinks he can bring the Druid girl back to life? But why now? Why not last year? What spurred this quest?"

Giaus frowned. "I have no idea. Is there anything you can think of Arthur that would help?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "What about the time he saw her when he took the sword from the lake? Could that be the reason?"

Gwaine held up his hand. "What are you two talking about?"

Arthur sighed. "Its complicated, but the long short of it is, Merlin rescued a Druid girl last year, she was cursed, they fell in love and she was killed. Apparently he wants to bring her back to life."

Lancelot raised his eyebrows. "And how did you find out about this?"

"I followed him." Arthur turned his attention to Giaus. "We have to rescue him!"

Gwaine smirked. "So you would risk your pretty neck to save a sorcerer. You must not be such a princess after all."

Arthur frowned and rolled his eyes. "Thank you Gwaine... I think. You know only you could roll an insult and a compliment in one sentence and actually make sense."

Gwaine tossed his head. "Only the best for the prince of Camelot."

Merlin saw the Druid leader approach him as he dismounted and entered the Druid cave.

"Welcome Emrys! We were expecting you. I don't believe we had the chance to meet properly. I am Jenrad."

Merlin smiled and held out his hand. "I'm just Merlin." he replied. Jenrad led the warlock into his cave.

"So Merlin you have come seeking our help in how to bring the Lady of the Lake to life." Jenred sat down and motioned for Merlin to do the same.

Merlin nodded. "I need to know who placed the curse on Freya."

Jenrad frowned. "I will help you, but you must not let your anger get in the way."

Merlin nodded. "I won't but I made a promise, and I intend to keep it."

Jenrad sighed. "Her name is Valen. She didn't curse Freya for what reasons the Lady of the Lake told you. Freya was only decieved."

Jenrad sighed. "It was Morgause who organized the whole thing actually."

Merlin sat up in his chair. "Why?"

"She saw that this girl would bring her destruction once she had defeated Uther. She didn't know how, or why, but she knew she had to get the girl out of her way. So she hired Valen. Valen is more of a creature than a person. She was born with ability to changer her appearance to any shape or form. She is also a great seductress. Which is why she is so good at her job."

Merlin frowned. "Why is that?"

"She is an assassin."

"Naturally."

"She is the most skilled warrior ever born. She can change into a monster and destroy her enemies in any shape or form. She is also a greedy person, heartless, and never cares who or when she kills."

"So she changed into a witch. How did she get the power?"

"When she changes into something she gains whatever power that creature or person may have."

Merlin shook his head. "So Freya wasn't cursed by chance. It was all planned."

Jenrad looked at the young man who looked like he was getting more and more angry.

"Do not do anything rash young man. Though by killing Valen, you would be doing many innocent people a favor. You wouldn't be harming an innocent."

"Trust me." Merlin replied. "This is the one person I have no trouble in killing."

The next morning Gwaine, Arthur, and Lancelot were riding towards the Druid camp. Arthur sighed as he shifted on his horse who he had been riding all day. He remembered the conversation he had with Merlin when looking for Morgana. He smiled as he remembered the banter they always had.

"I miss him too." Lancelot was riding next to Arthur and was looking at him with a knowing expression.

Arthur was going to deny it when he saw Lancelot's look. Sighing he gave up in defeat.

"I hope we can find him in time."

"So, how did Merlin meet the Druid girl anyway."

Arthur shrugged. "He must have seen her and set her free. I didn't understand why and I still don't. He had never seen her before and he just risked everything for her."

"If it had been Gwen in the cage what would have you done?" Lancelot asked silently. Arthur looked at him. "You know I think I know why Merlin values as such a good friend."

Lancelot scoffed. "Besides you."

"I highly doubt that."

"Really Arthur? Do you?"

Arthur was about reply when something caught his attention.

"We are here."

Sighs. I know it's been a while since I updated. (At least for me it felt like it) I'm going to try to update once a week, sometimes twice, if possible. Hope you enjoyed my latest installment, and I will see you all next week. Remember to review! :)