Firstly, thank you to everyone who reviewed the prologue, you were all so lovely! This chapter is set fifteen years ahead of the birth of Freya. Merlin is about 33, and Arthur is about 36 (yes, I know these ages don't really work with how old they look in the TV series, but it works with the story). Enjoy! :)
'Sire, she's absolutely adamant. She won't come.'
Arthur rolled his eyes at Merlin. The court magician smiled back.
'Tell her that I am her father, I order her to and if she doesn't come she is banned from buying any new dresses for a whole month.'
Merlin nodded. He walked out of the throne room, where Arthur was preparing to go on a hunt with his daughter. The young princess couldn't stand the idea of killing an animal for no reason, and could rarely be persuaded to join the king on his expeditions into the forest.
Merlin headed to Freya's chambers, where he found her sat on her bed, arms folded, and with a look on her face that distinctly said I've Made My Mind Up.
'Princess Freya. Your father has asked me to inform you that if you do not join him on today's hunt, you will be banned from buying any new dresses for a month.'
She turned her stony glare on him, and after a few seconds both burst into peals of laughter.
'You're joking! He honestly thinks I'm that shallow?'
'Well, you do seem to have a preference for purple silk at the moment, Freya.' Merlin sat down next to her on the bed, and she leaned her head into his shoulder.
'Why don't they understand, Merlin? I just don't like the way people kill innocent creatures for absolutely no reason at all! I mean, if it were a trip to help stock the kitchens, then I might consider, but…'
'I know.' He smiled down at her. The young girl was as strong minded and stubborn as her father, and had been all her life. He'd been her best friend for as long as she could remember. He could still recall sitting with her in the gardens when she was three, making little bubbles out of nothingness while she ran around trying to catch them, her auburn curls bouncing as she laughed. Or when she was seven, and had just learnt to read properly (under his tuition, of course). He could picture even now that magical moment when everything clicked and she could see real words on the pages instead of the little, jumbled up black marks. Her first proper sword fight with a local boy, and how proud he had felt when she floored the poor lad in seconds. And her last birthday, when Arthur had let her have her first taste of wine - one glass had been enough to make her gigglier that Merlin had ever seen her.
She noticed his grin.
'Hey? What are you smiling about?'
'Just – memories.'
She sighed.
'You old people. So nostalgic. Come on then, let's go and tell my father I am NOT GOING.'
He snorted at her tone, and took her outstretched hand. They ran down the corridors, their laughter echoing off the stone walls.
It was funny. When he was with her, he felt almost like he was only fifteen years old himself.
Thanks for reading! Again, this chapter wasn't much in the way of storyline, but I'm getting there! I promise to update soon :) love you all!
Iliketotastetherainbow x