Request: Could you do a multi-chap Merlin (BBC) in which Merlin is still mourning about Freya and Arthur and the knights (particularly Gwaine) find out about his magic and about Freya?
Merlin watched the light leave Freya's as she took her last breath and he was unsure of how he was supposed to cope without her. She had only been in his life for a few days, but she had done something for him that he didn't know he needed. They had connected on a level that Merlin had never felt with anyone he'd ever met before. But as quickly as she had entered his life, she had left it.
He let the boat with her body, drift to the middle of the lake before he set it a light with his magic. He sat at the lake side for a while watching the slow burn of the girl he had planned to run away with. Finally, his tears subsided and he made the slow trip back to the city. Daylight was fading and Merlin knew he would be needed in the castle.
Walking alone for five minutes, he began to sense someone was nearby. He hadn't noticed how much he had let his guard down, letting his grief take over all his being. He stopped and listened momentarily, hearing the pattern of footsteps and breaking branches.
"Merlin." A firm but friendly voice spoke from the left.
Merlin turned suddenly, finding himself face to face with Gwaine. "Gwaine, you really shouldn't sneak up on people like this." He cracked a smile, wondering what the knight was doing out in the woods.
Gwaine smiled sadly and placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Merlin, I think we need to speak about what just happened."
A panic rose up in Merlin's throat. He had known someone was going to catch him at some point. He had grown lazy when it came to hiding his magic well. He tried to play off the comment but Gwaine could see the sorrow and defeat in Merlin's eyes.
"And what just happened? You being caught trying to sneak up on me? You know you really must work on your stealth. I heard you coming up on me."
"I think it's best we do this outside the city, don't you?" Gwaine asked with a sigh.
Seeing no way out of it, Merlin admitted defeat. "I suppose so. It will give me a couple more moments of freedom before facing Uther."
Merlin sat on the forest floor with his back against a grand oak tree. Gwaine laughed softly and sat down with him.
"What, you mean you're going to turn yourself into Uther?"
Merlin looked over to Gwaine, slightly shocked at his friend but also relieved. He considered Gwaine to be a good friend of his, but that didn't mean he could trust him with the knowledge of his magic. Merlin knew that he couldn't make even his closest friends choose between keeping Merlin's secret and obeying the laws of Camelot, especially when those friends are knights.
"Merlin, I'm not going to tell anyone anything about today." Gwaine admitted. "You kept the secret of my nobility and I shall keep yours of your magic."
Merlin closed his eyes and smiled, leaning his head back against the tree. "Thank you Gwaine."
"But Merlin, what of that girl? I don't quite understand your connection with her."
Merlin wasn't sure he completely understood why he'd had such a strong connection with her so quickly, but he was actually kind of glad for the opportunity to talk it through with a trusted friend.
"Her name was Freya. She was a druid girl who had been cursed by a horrible sorceress. Each night she unwillingly transformed into what you and the others faced last night… But… she was so much more than that."
Gwaine listened thoughtfully, not minding the few tears that had begun to fall from Merlin's eyes.
"She was kind and beautiful. We understood what it was like to hide ourselves from everyone and she deserved so much more than she ever received."
The two men sat in silence for several minutes, letting each other's company be enough.
Eventually, as the sun grew dim, Gwaine stood up, offering a hand to help Merlin up.
Merlin accepted, but looked at his friend quizzically. "Gwaine, why were you following me?"
"To tell you the truth Merlin, I had my suspicions… Ever since we first met, really. But then when you arrived last night and the beas… I mean, Freya, suddenly changed… like she knew you. It was odd. Then when she flew off and you ran to follow, I knew you were up to something. I figured it was better I follow you than anyone else. Arthur was making the connection as well, but I told him I'd find out what was going on, put his mind at ease."
"So what will you tell him?" Merlin asked as they walked back to the castle.
"That you were frightened of it and that I found you out here gathering herbs for Gaius, still slightly upset about the whole thing, but keeping yourself distracted. I'll inform him Gaius needs you for the night and find him another servant to help for tonight."
The two parted ways when they reached the castle and Merlin thanked Gwaine. Merlin sat by the window in the chambers he shared with Gaius and let himself live out the life he could have had with Freya. He dreamt up the home they'd find to live in and the lake they'd live by. He thought of the children he'd have had with her and the years they'd have spent together after the children had grown. He lived out their whole lives in a span of a couple hours. When Gaius found him sitting at the window several hours later, he comforted the boy and let him grieve for the evening.
Updates to come. Let me know if this is a good start.
