And here's chapter 2! This story is so much fun guys, I hope you're enjoying it! :) And thank you to all of the favorites and follows (and a couple reviews too!) that I got in just one day! I'll be at the Quidditch World Cup all weekend so no more chapters until at least Monday. *sad* Enjoy and please review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Chapter Two

Merlin was standing next to Arthur on the balcony above the courtyard with all of Camelot in the crowd below. Geoffrey handed the king a folded blue cloth. It was a cloak, the one given to all of Camelot's Court Sorcerers in the past, which Arthur pulled around Merlin and pinned closed. The deep blue cloak shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting off the golden druid symbols woven into the fabric.

The king and warlock turned towards the crowd, "I present your new Court Sorcerer, Merlin Ambrosius!" Arthur shouted; the crowd cheered loudly.

-o-

Merlin's new chambers were to be located in the West Tower; after all, a man of his station couldn't keep living with his guardian. And the druids coming and going would get in the way of Gaius' own work.

Ronan and Ulric decided to stay in Camelot. Their rooms would be the two above Merlin's chambers. The druids wanted to continue guarding their king, even though he was surrounded by guards and knights and perfectly capable of protecting himself.

None of them had many things and they settled down fairly quickly. The three sat in the main room of Merlin's chambers talking until the druid king heard a voice in his mind.

Merlin, spoke Kilgarrah, Come to the courtyard of the castle. I must speak with you.

"The Great Dragon needs me in the courtyard," Merlin interrupted the conversation. He got up without another word and headed outside the castle.

The courtyard was full of people gawking at the massive dragon that had landed there. The king and his knights were standing on the steps when Merlin, Ronan, and Ulric walked out.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted when he spotted his Court Sorcerer. "What on earth is that dragon doing here?"

"I'm not his keeper," Merlin replied.

"You're the last Dragonlord. You, in fact, are his keeper," Arthur spat back.

"I suppose, but just because I can order him around doesn't mean I do. Or that he's happy about it."

"But do you know why he's here?" Leon asked, kinder than Arthur.

Merlin shrugged, "He said he needed to speak to me." The lord turned to the patiently waiting dragon, "Kilgarrah?"

"Young Warlock, do you remember what tomorrow is the anniversary of?"

Merlin swallowed, "Freya's death."

"That is correct."

"Sorry, who's Freya?" Percival asked.

Merlin shushed him and continued to talk to the dragon, "What's important about this year?"

"Merlin, I'm merely a messenger," Kilgarrah said. "You must go to the Lake of Avalon at sunrise tomorrow and speak to the Lady of the Lake. Bring the king and his knights too."

Merlin beamed, "I get to talk to Freya?"

The dragon nodded his head, "Indeed."

"Thank you, old friend."

The dragon dipped his head and took off. The crowd watched him go, then went about their business, many shaking their heads and mumbling about "magic folk."

Arthur turned to Merlin, "Explain."

"All I know is I need to speak to the Lady of the Lake of Avalon tomorrow at sunrise," Merlin replied. "Oh, and you have to come with me."

"Who is this Lady?" Elyan asked.

"She was once a cursed druid girl, when she died she became the Lady of the Lake," Merlin explained, tearing up a bit as the pain of her death still hurt after all this time.

"How did you know her?" Leon asked.

"She was trapped in a cage and I saved her, kept her hidden."

Gwaine eyed his friend, "You loved her, didn't you, mate?"

Merlin nodded, "We were going to run away together until she—" the word was caught in his throat, he couldn't say it again. The queen walked over to give him a hug.

"How much of your life have we missed?" Arthur asked.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you," Merlin began.

The king held up his hand, "No, I understand. It's just hard knowing my closest friend has so many secrets."

"It's been years, it'll take time for me to tell you everything."

The king nodded, "Guess the Round Table will have to prepare to leave tonight if we're going to get to that lake at sunrise.

-o-

Ronan, Ulric, and the Round Table sat on the shore of the Lake of Avalon waiting for the sun to rise as Merlin was magicking up strawberries.

"Lord Emrys, why are you making strawberries?" Ulric asked.

"Freya loves them," Merlin smiled. The sun rose over the lake and they all looked up as a woman came out of the water. Merlin stood up quickly and the others followed suit. "Hello Freya," Merlin's smile widened.

"Hello Merlin," Freya's face was equally bright.

The king stepped forward, "Arthur Pendragon, my lady." He took her hand and kissed it. The rest of the introductions were made in a similar fashion, Gwen curtsying politely. Gwaine made a comment about Freya being far too pretty for Merlin. His hair was now pink and Merlin hadn't decided when or even if he would change it back.

With Gwaine scowling and Merlin smirking, Freya told them why they had come. "I'm sure you've realized this isn't a mere social call," she said. Merlin nodded and she continued, "I have a quest for you."

"A quest?" Merlin questioned.

"Yes. A quest with a reward I think you'll like very much, Merlin."

"What is it?" Merlin was confused.

"I will be unbound from the Lake of Avalon."

"You'll get to come back to Camelot with me?" Merlin asked hesitantly.

"I'll get to come back to Camelot with you," Freya confirmed.

"No curse?"

"No curse."

Merlin nearly exploded in excitement; he even changed Gwaine's hair back to its natural color, "Let's go right now!"

Freya laughed, "I haven't even told you what your quest is!"

Merlin restrained his joy and grew serious, "Okay, what is it then?"

"Courage, Strength, and Magic much journey to the Perilous Lands and retrieve a locket from the Fisher King's vaults. It is made of a crystal from the birthplace of magic—Emrys will know if it is the right one," Freya explained.

"No one else may go?" Arthur asked.

"It must be the Trio and the Trio alone," Freya replied.

"Who are Courage, Strength, and Magic?" Leon asked.

"Well, that would be me, Arthur, and Gwaine," Merlin answered.

"Road trip with Magic Man and the Princess!" Gwaine yelled cheerily.