Chapter 3: Frey
"Hey! Frey! Get down here before the cab leaves!" The roommate screamed at the top of her lungs. Rolling out of the bed, the other girl, Frey, ran her hands through her hair. She'd had to see Ryan tonight, ending their relationship; she wasn't really ready for the heartbreak.
The thing is Frey and Ryan had been dating for a couple of years now, things were going okay after the year, she'd changed, but she never had the idea on whether it was him or her. It was her.
She lost her brother last year and things were pretty rough, she hated parties, friends, social gatherings, dresses, make up, getting ready definitely. She just wanted to wither away in her bed with books and tea, until she'd meet her brother again.
Of course, her friend Morgan never would allow it. He was a great friend and he seemed to be the only one who stuck with her through the years after the incident. He always spaced away though as if trying to remember something he kept forgetting, but she loved the crazy bloke.
She stuck her feet into the heels her mother use to hate. Throwing on a tight black dress, she walked down the stairs, finding Morgan waiting.
"Look has finally gotten out of the smelly old cave you call a bedroom!" He smiled, throwing his blazer over his t-shirt.
"Well you're screaming wasn't going to stop, figured might as well get out."
He held out his hand, she held on tightly, hoping not to fall. It felt years since she figured out how to walk. This was going to be difficult. She doubt Ryan even cared anymore about her in the first place, he never really came to visit her and when he did, he just wanted to get a jump in her pants, of course she'd let him. The most boring thing in the world. Once he'd left, she'd be a robot, staring at her ceiling, wondering what her brother would think of her right now. She kept her tears inside as they sat themselves inside the waiting cab.
The cab drove off, she let go of Morgan's hand as she sat uncomfortably in the cab, wishing she could just jump out the door right now.
"Frey! Hello. Earth to Frey!"
She jumped, "Hmm?"
He rolled his eyes, "Figures. I let you out of the cave and you already start to dream off into that little head of yours."
She tried to smile big, "I'm just tired. That's all."
"You always are."
She looked at him, "You know why."
He nodded, "Yes I know. Nightmares and your brother. He wouldn't want this for you though. I would know. The bloke was my mate. I miss him too and I definitely believe he is telling me right now... TAKE MY SISTER OUT! Don't let her rot in the room!"
She laughed quietly, "I know I know. I'm here now alright."
"Are you finally going to throw out that piece of trash you call a boyfriend tonight?" Morgan said, spitting with disgust. He really hated Ryan. She couldn't blame him, he was a dickhead. No doubt.
She nodded and he smiled in victory. Now the worst part of the night as the cab stopped in front of Ryan's club his father had owned, this was just going be a wonderful party. "Here goes nothing," she muttered as they stepped out of the cab, making their way to the security outside of the club.
The small boat grazed itself against the mud of the island. Merlin stepped out, staring up at the old place he had visited all those years ago and never tried visiting again, afraid of the spell never working. But it did work! He saw the lights beaming in the sky; he felt it in his heart that his king had awakened. Arthur was reborn.
He, at first, slowly walked up the hill that led up to towers and tombs of where he had first begun the spell. But he couldn't keep his feelings in anymore; he sped up his walking to get to the towers faster.
"Arthur! Arthur! I'm here!" He screamed as he raced up the hill to the stairs to make his way to the towers.
He tripped in the dirt, picking himself up quickly he finally stopped himself in the middle of the surrounding towers and tombs of the hill.
"Arthur!" He tried calling out again.
Out of breath, he searched around the place. It felt like hours until he realized there was no sign of Arthur. Had he imagined the beams? No. He hadn't. He felt it, he knew he did. His magic worked.
But his heart couldn't help but sink as he had a slight piece of doubt in his mind of whether or not it worked. It could have been a fluke, a wrong turn of his magic. Something else could have triggered it. No, he had to be here. It's where he last left him.
He remembered the spell he cried out the day of Arthur's burial. The enchantment of flames protected Arthur's body, preserving it until the dragon's prophecy of return could be fully full filled.
He ran by one of the tombs he remembered the years ago. He said a few words and with the flick of his hand the tomb opened. He had set this device of hiding so many years ago; he'd spent years hiding in the cave, forgetting of the outside world, only waiting patiently for his king.
He walked down the familiar stoned steps. He could see his breath misty in the air from the cold inside the cave. This would be the only way to find Arthur and since he had the power once more, he knew he could find him. A simple locating spell would do.
He walked further down the cave as the tomb closed behind him. He stopped himself at the circular decor of the crystal stones had had transferred from the cave of the druids so long ago.
He knelt down in the sanctuary he had built for his magic from the previous years. He stared around, almost smiling at the familiarity everything was bringing to him. He had changed out of his old man clothes, slipping into his familiar man servant attire.
He figured if Arthur returned, he needed to appear as he had last seen him. He would have a lot to explain to Arthur about the new world. All the things especially the fact of no royalty. Oh, he would have a kick at that. Probably beat Merlin until he admitted he was lying, even if he wasn't.
He put his hands deep into the dirt of the cave, picking up the spectacles of mud left from the rain previously. He let his tears drop into the mud at the thought of Arthur being alive.
He used his free hand to grab a crystal from the sanctuary. He rubbed it into the mud then squishing it in his joined fists. He whispered a spell into his fists. Then his heart whispered, "Show the way to Arthur."
His eyes glowed with gold as the crushed crystals and mud sparkled in a purple and pink light. They gathered together, forming a mirror in front of Merlin. They then glowed again as an image reflected inside.
His heart dropped as he gasped, "Arthur."
"What do you mean' it's over!' "Ryan screamed down at Frey.
She rolled her eyes, "Oh stop being so dramatic. I haven't seen you in weeks. And the last time I saw you humped me until I faked a scream."
He winced, "You faked it."
"Obviously. Did you think I really loved being jumped by you? I wasn't even moving!"
He shrugged, "We're not breaking up."
"Oh really? We're not? Because you say so?"
"Yes."
She slapped him, "Well that's too bad Ryan. Get over yourself and whatever you thought this was. I'm done with you. You're a dick. And you are a horrible boyfriend."
He stalked off in anger, glaring back at her as she grinned at him. Now he doesn't understand what had happened, but it seemed very entertaining to himself at the moment.
He was confused though. By the people. They were dressed differently. The girl was as well. In his kingdom, no peasant would be allowed to wear those kinds of things. In fact, what was this place?
He stared around, was this sorcery?
"Excuse me peasant! Where am I? Are you a part of the druids?"
No answer. Well I'd certainly have her hanged for this. Not really though of course, Merlin would disapprove and Guinevere. Merlin! Guinn! Where were they?
"Merlin!" He screamed out, no answer.
He looked around the strange dancing and brightly dressed peasants.
"Hm. I wonder where stupid Merlin is now. Probably at the tavern. Again! Better ask Gaius."
He was about to ask the people to get out of his way until they walked straight through him. He nearly jumped at the actions of peasants. Why? How could they do that?
What was this sorcery? Merlin would have a lot of explaining to do. He turned around and looked for the girl; she definitely would have answers to all this somehow.
"Hey girl. I have some questions for you about this kingdom! Hello!"
He stopped at the side of the girl, who was ignoring him. Rudeness. From a lady to a king! How unacceptable. She kept walking again, pretending not to hear him as he kept walking right through people who hardly reacted at all. What was happening?!
He stopped just as the girl stopped. It all shot through his head, the memories. He remembered the war and Mordred.
"Oh God," he whispered. He could feel the tears welling in his eyes. He got angry with himself, quickly wiping the tears away. A King should never cry. That's what his father would say.
He gasped at the sorcery the girl had in her hand as she pulled out a square looking thing. It glowed and beeped. She was moving screens and letters. She was writing a message?! Without a quill or ink? What was this place?
Morgan. Where are you? I finally dumped Ryan. I'd like to go home now.
Alright. Meet me by the DJ.
What was a DJ?
"Lady. What is this in your hand? Druid work?"
Still no answer. He jumped up and down in frustration. This was getting ridiculous. Someone needs to answer him!
The girl disappeared in Arthur's view. He shrugged it off as he walked passed a reflection that stopped him in his steps. No. It couldn't be.
As he put his hands to his face, the strange object as well in his hand.
"No… How could this be?" He gasped as the lips moved along his.
In the reflection, the lady's hands were on her face along with the object in her hands. Arthur gasped, she did as well. He moved his head to the right, she did the same. They were copying each other's moves.
"Sorcery…" He could only whisper.
"Frey. Come on, let's go dance or something." Morgan stepped into view.
Arthur nearly jumped at the touch.
"What's wrong Frey?" Morgan asked.
Arthur shook his head as he stared at the face of Morgan. It wasn't possible, none of this was possible. He stared back at the reflection of the girl, her expression the same as his.
"I'm not supposed to be here." Was all he could manage to say through Frey's voice.
