Helpmeet
Chapter Two: Reviving Freya
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin (I just want to be him to be happy )
Authors Note: Thank you for all who have been given me such encouraging support and wonderful reviews. It makes me want to go on. Now on with the story.
The cloaked druids moved through the forest silently making their way to their destination. It was twilight; the time when mystical and ethereal things seemed to happen most often. Magic always seemed more powerful when the border between day and dusk was breached. The figures traveled as silently as they could for they were in dangerous territory and much would be lost if they were caught. They moved in a formation one leading, checking frequently to see that the way was safe. Two people followed one seemingly guiding the other; arms linked as if to reassure and support each other. Behind them at two points at equal distance from each other and the people they followed were two others looking as if to guard those within the triangle shaped from their two points and the man leading. Yet further around them were others only briefly seen before disappearing into the mist that had risen looking as ghosts; but all moving towards the same destination, all silent with apprehension all feeling varying amounts of fear and hope. Then before them rising majestically a magnificent mountain with snow capped peaks that silently stood above a still lake reflecting it's presence within its waters. They had arrived.
The figures from the mists went to stand at varying points around the lake no more then twenty figures of varying heights waiting among the reeds where earth receded from the water. The five that were within the mist of these figures approached the shores of the lake. The two, who had stood in the utmost center of everyone gathered, pulled their hoods back revealing their faces. Abish's hair shone with a silver glow in the glimmering starlight as the moon was only beginning to rise and not yet shed its light on the portion of the earth on which they stood. Lucinda gently pulled the cloak from of Abish's shoulders and passed it to Bryant who stood nearby. Not a word had yet been uttered in the sacred stillness of the evening. Abish was adorned only in a simple shift that covered her from neck to the tops of her feet, the sleeves tapered at the wrists, all in white in reverence of the sanctity of life. Lucinda brushed Abish's hair from the bun in which it had been held then moving to stand in front of her to place a crown of laurel leaves on her brow; a symbol of the greatest honor and recognition among their people.
Thus prepared each of the council approached Abish to embrace her as if to say their last goodbyes for this life. Bittersweet as it was they knew they would one day see her again when their time came. Lucinda was last to bid her farewells holding onto Abish as if to imprint her upon her mind. Finally releasing each other the two seers clasped hands Lucinda looking upon the face of her mentor, and Abish memorizing the feel of Lucinda's hands upon hers. Then they released each other completely and Lucinda stepped aside next to Gavin who had approached silently to give his support. Walking forward slowly but steadfastly Abish moved toward the water. When her bare feet were within the shallows, the water lapping at the hem of her dress Abish uttered the first words of the evening.
"Lady of the Lake I beseech thee to come unto me and grant me an audience with thee." These words though thought to have been uttered quietly seemed to gather strength as they traveled across the water. Then when all echo of the words faded there was naught but silence excepting the few nocturnal creatures moving through the brush surrounding the lake. After what had seemed like an eternity to those waiting a figure began to rise from the water about fifteen feet from where Abish stood. The crown of her head emerged first; the Lady of the Lake rising out of the water brown hair pooling around her shoulders though looking as if she had not been in the water at all. She rose until it looked as if she were standing on the lake with not but her reflection emerged in the liquid beneath her feet.
"Who asks for audience with me?" These words were softly spoken but carried all the regality and authority as one would hear from a Queen of a vast empire. "I am The Lady of The Lake. You may speak."
"I am Abish. I am a seer among the druids and a priestess of the Old Religion; it is I who seeks audience with you."
"For what purpose have you come unto me?"
"I seek to restore what has been lost, to reunite that which is separated; to bring life to what once was dead and bring death to what is living. I speak of a trade between myself and the Lady of the Lake to bring to pass the reunion between Lord Emrys and thyself. I willing give my life for none shall take it by force. Does my proposition please thee my Lady?"
After a few infinitely time filled moments Freya spoke. "This thing doth please me greatly. I accept thy proposition to take my place in these waters. Until death doth call me again to my place here you shall stand in my stead. Please, walk forward unto me." With this final exchange of words the two women began to walk toward the other, then passing each other by with only a grasp of hands briefly touched, continued in opposite directions. Abish headed further into the lake submerging herself within the waters heedless of the drag which the liquid usually grasped those who lived.
Freya continuing on her path began to sink in the shallow waters until the soles of her feet touched the bottom; the pull of the water beginning to cling to her legs and violet dress as she walked. Then as Abish's head disappeared within the liquid glass of the lake Freya fell forward at the edge of the water onto her hands and knees grasping at the sand beneath her palms and gasping took her first breath of her new life. Rushing forward to the fallen lady Lucinda wrapped what once was Abish's cloak, which she had retrieved from Bryant, around the trembling Freya's shoulders. Bryant moving to Freya's other side bent to assist the now living woman to her feet. Now standing Freya gazed about her breathing in the fresh night air with her newly restored lungs and body. The other two council members approached to stand before her.
"My lady I am Faron of the earth element appointed leader of our druid tribe. You will be weak for some time yet and we must leave at once. You will rest with us until your strength is restored." So saying Faron stood before her speaking firmly yet kindly in a gentle voice. Fixing her soulful deep brown eyes upon him Freya asked the question that held her in such curiosity and desire to know of what was to come. "When shall I see him? When shall I see my Merlin?" Spoken with such a heart filled desire one could not helped to be moved at the words the young woman spoke, words filled with longing and concern for another.
"Soon," Lucinda replied, "very soon. But for now you need to gain your strength for the times ahead Emrys will need you for."
Nodding her understanding Freya weakly tried to take her first step on dry land stumbling due to the tenderness in her legs. Upon which Bryant swept her into his arms and she rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep exhausted by her first moments of life.
The other figures surrounding the lake began to disperse back into the woods calling a mist up to hide their presence and retreat from the lake. The council still on the shore looked upon the young woman resting in Bryant's arms.
"Well, that wasn't as dramatic as I was expecting." Were Gavin's first words that evening irrevently breaking the peace which had so far been resting on them. "Have to say though; Emrys is sure one lucky dog to get a girl like that."
Turning to Gavin Lucinda smiled sweetly and called his name dragging out the last letters. "Gavin." Then when he turned to her 'smack!' Her hand shot up across the side of his head then she walked on past him. "Owww." Rubbing his sore head he looked at the young seer moving away from him and stupidly asked "what was that for?" Shaking their heads Faron and Bryant shaking ever so slightly with suppressed laughter, walked away from the lake and hopefully Gavin's obliviousness. Shrugging his shoulders Gavin turned to the lake and whispered his last goodbye to Abish then turned again and left rushing to catch up with the others and disappeared into the mist.
Letting the grass tickle the bottoms of her feet she stood in the sunshine face upturned to fully embrace the suns warmth. Arms loosely hung by her sides a single rose held in one hand the fingers rolling the stem back and forth. Breathing deeply and inhaling the scents of the clearing and forest around her she seemed content to stay where she stood for ages yet. "Lady Freya!" Thus called she turned to face the druid children approaching her, Lucinda with them, and smiled at the bright happy little faces though with a touch of sorrow for them not knowing what it meant not to live in fear. Still she pushed such sad thoughts aside and greeted the fast approaching figures warmly a smile lighting her features. It had been a week since she had been brought back to life and though the tribe mourned the passing of such a beloved leader as Abish was they welcomed Freya with open arms calling her Lady for she was to be Emrys's helpmeet and such was greatly respected and honored.
When the children arrived they smiled shyly up at her still a little in awe of this woman who was to do such great things. Then the youngest and smallest of them suddenly frowned and inquisitively asked "why don't you have shoes?" All the previously silent children looked down at her feet and marveled at the notion of such a Lady going without footwear within the woods. Laughing as Lucinda joined the group Freya responded to the innocent question. "I just got used to not wearing them, besides I like to feel the earth beneath my feet it makes me feel alive." So saying she wiggled her toes at them causing a few giggles from the children still looking at her feet. Then a little girl about seven years of age wearing braided pigtails and a green dress declared "Then I won't wear my shoes either" and proceeded to sit down and take off her shoes quickly followed by all the other half dozen children. This time Lucinda joined Freya in laughing and slipped her own shoes off her feet. Shrugging her shoulders she said "if you can't beat them join them" and then sat down to join the children encircling Freya.
Freya arranging her dress around her sat down as well. She had been enclothed in a simple but beautifully embroidered dress of soft red wool, sleeveless as per her request, the full skirt draping along her down to her just above her ankles. Smiling at the children she radiated such warmth that all shyness melted away from the children they began to talk enthustically to her describing their magic lesson that Lucinda had just given them. Nodding and smiling and participating in the ongoing conversation Freya looked at peace with the world except for the sad wistful look in her eyes that appeared whenever her smile fell away. Noticing this same small child who had discovered her lack of footwear suddenly asked "why are you sad?" Such a thing hadn't occurred to the other children and they quickly fell quiet waiting to her reply.
Looking at the little boy who asked the question she suddenly noticed that his eyes were a brilliant beautiful blue of such a colour that she had only seen once before on one other person. Raising a hand and running it through his dark brown hair she smiled sadly at him and gently said "oh I just miss someone dear to me, that's all, I'll be seeing him again though soon and then I won't be sad anymore." The children were quiet as they processed this. Lucinda smiled softly at Freya and reached over to grasp the hand that still held the rose and mouthed 'soon' at her bringing another smile from Freya. Then the oldest boy about 11 years of age drawled "Yeah, she misses her boyfriend." This brought an extended "oooo" from the other children and numerous giggles. Softly laughing the two young women there just smiled at the delighted children and enjoyed the moment.
Then came the questions.
"Are you going to marry him?"
"Where is he now?"
"Is he handsome?"
"Does he have magic?"
"Can we meet him?"
"If he hurts you can I beat him up?" This particular question came from the previously mentioned 11 year old boy who happened to think that Freya was quite pretty, but not in a sissy way of course.
"How many kids will you have?"
"Are you going to kiss him?" This last one prompted a resounding "ewww" from the boys and romantic sighs from the girls. Freya blushed and leaned forward towards the children and theatrically whispered "I already have."
Gasps ensued, shock all around and muffled laughter from Lucinda followed this astounding revelation. "And" Freya continued "I want to do it again." The boys immediately started to gag totally grossed out by such disgusting (in their minds) thoughts between girls and boys. Whereupon all the girls present turned on the boys and smacked them on their arms and in one case on the head and reprimanded them for such immature behavior. As of course girls mature much quicker then boys and aren't grossed out by grown up things. This interaction amongst the children sent the two women into peals of laughter, Lucinda even doubling over and tipping onto her side in her mirth.
"Are you in love with him?" This question came from a nine year old girl with light brown hair and tawny brown eyes. Little faces gazed at Freya expectantly waiting for the answer. Freya's dark brown eyes lit up as she smiled and responded "Yes, with all my heart." Filled with such devotion that even they could sense it they didn't say anything to disturb the hush that fell upon them. "Well, how did you fall in love with him?" Was the question that broke the hush. A fiery little red-haired boy (Gavin's younger brother) a full ten years demanded to know.
"I met him in Camelot." Freya began, and then told the story of how a warlock and a young girl fell in love.
"Then I gave him the sword and slipped back into the water and I haven't seen him since."
"Wow." Was the collective agreement among the listeners who had just heard this remarkable true story. The pigtailed seven year old sighed "that was so romantic." This started an enthusiastic conversation between the children voices over lapping each other in their own retelling of their favorite parts. Lucinda smiled at Freya and then called the children to attention. "Time to go back to camp ducklings we need to get ready for evening meal." Scrabbling over each other to get up and return to camp the children gathered their shoes with only a few mishaps and they bid hasty goodbyes to Freya as one of the children called out "last one there is a rotten magic hunter" and a mad rush towards camp followed.
Chuckling the two women linked arms for they had become fast friends in the last week and began to return themselves to the camp. Walking in a comfortable silence they took their time in order to better enjoy the peace.
"Will I be able to leave soon?" Freya questioned for she was anxious to return to Camelot, to Merlin. This was the center of her thoughts, her main focus since returning to life. "When will I see him again?" She asked Lucinda stopping to face her just outside the camp and ask the questions she so desperately needed answers to.
Smiling Lucinda was able to answer the earnest heartfelt questions from the younger woman. "You leave for Camelot tomorrow."
Well how do you like it? I worked hard on this chapter. But we all know what we are really looking forward to. Coming up next Freya and Merlin together again. Will Gwaine hit on her? How do they find each other? Coming up soon in the next installment of Helpmeet.