Arthur frowned when he found his manservant sitting idly beside a lake, staring out over the murky waters. Merlin had his back to the prince, seemingly unaware that Arthur was standing a few feet behind him. The prince walked closer to Merlin, before he spoke. "What are you doing here, Merlin?"

Merlin jumped slightly, before turning to face Arthur. He wore an expression of surprise at seeing his master standing behind him. The warlock frowned. "How did you find me here? Why are you here?"

"I followed you here, you idiot," Arthur said, raising his eyebrow. He walked forward, and sat next to Merlin, who looked back to towards the lake. "So, why are you here?"

"I've been coming here for the last two years, Arthur."

"Two years? How come I've never noticed?"

When Merlin laughed, the sound was hollow, as though he wasn't really amused. "You don't seem notice much."

"Oi! Just because I didn't notice that you come here…" Arthur started to say indignantly. He trailed off when he saw the look of sadness in Merlin's eyes, oddly replacing the brightness that usually filled them. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, sire," Merlin mumbled.

Arthur sighed. "Now I know something is wrong. You never call me sire unless you're upset or angry with me."

Merlin didn't answer. He brought his legs up to his chin, and wrapped his arms around them. He watched as a leaf fell from a tree, slowly falling into the water below. His eyes followed the ripples that extended from the leaf, choosing to ignore the prince next to him.

Several minutes passed this way, in silence. Eventually, Merlin made up his mind. "Freya."

Arthur blinked, looking over at Merlin. "Sorry?"

"Her name was Freya."

Arthur stared at Merlin, who was now looking down at his feet, tears filling his eyes. "Her name… was?"

Merlin nodded, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "She died. Two years ago today, actually, on the edge of this lake."

Stunned into silence, all Arthur could do was watch and listen as Merlin told him about the only woman he had truly loved. When he finished telling Arthur about her beauty and her kindness, Merlin again fell to silence. Arthur looked the lake. "You said she died… what happened to her?"

"A prince that wanted to keep his people safe killed Freya. Because of what she was," Merlin muttered, refusing to look at Arthur.

"Me?"

Merlin nodded.

Arthur was filled with sorrow and confusion as he took this in. "I don't…"

"The druid girl from the cage."

Oh. How did I forget about her? Arthur thought, furious with himself. "That's why you didn't seem happy that day. Because I killed her."

"You didn't know, it's not your fault."

"Merlin, I caused you pain and you didn't tell me. Why?"

The prince's manservant snorted. "Oh, I don't know… maybe because you're the prince and have enough to deal with?"

Arthur frowned yet again. "You really think that you can't talk to me because I'm the prince? You're my manservant… and my friend. I'm supposed to be looking after you, and making sure you're okay."

Arthur looked behind him, noticing that the sun was beginning to set, strands of light seeping through the trees it now hid behind. "C'mon Merlin, we'd best be getting back."

He pulled his manservant up by the arms, and turned him towards Camelot.

"Dollophead."

"Stop calling me that!"

"No!" Merlin said loudly. His eyes widened when Arthur started running at him. He yelped, and took off, his grief momentarily forgotten as he ran from his master.