Kindred Spirits by Roguefan212000
I don't own Merlin.
Author's Notes- This is an alternative storyline to The Lady of the Lake. I hope you like it. Please review!
Moonlight shone thorough the window, as Merlin stuffed the last of his supplies into a sack. He knelt down then reached under his bed grasping a spell book, which he tucked under his arm. Merlin slung his sack over his shoulder then headed out the bedroom door. As he crept through the darkness, he spared Gaius` slumbering form one last glance. The main door shut with a small creak. Merlin hurried off into the night. He slipped past the guards. Merlin grinned as he snuck into the tunnel where Freya dwelled. A magically lit torch guided him through the narrow passages. Freya was huddled in a corner watching the dying candle light. She was wearing Morgana`s dress.
"You look lovely," Merlin said with a smile. Freya shyly smiled in return. She self consciously ran her fingers over the fine silk dress. Merlin held out his hand. Freya held tightly. The pair crept through the tunnels hand in hand. As they reached the threshold, clanking armor and voices could be heard. Merlin stepped forward but Freya froze.
"What if we're caught?" Freya said in a trembling voice. "I can't go back in that cage again." Merlin pulled her close. "No harm will come to you", he whispered. "I promise." Merlin's eyes turned gold. A fog surrounded the guards. Merlin and Freya ran past them. The pair ran through the castle gates and into the forest. They stopped to rest upon reaching the forest's depths. Merlin started a small fire. Freya silently watched the dancing flames. Merlin opened his spell book leafing through the dusty pages. She turned away from the fire to glance at the book's pages. He looked up at her. "I will find a way to save you," he said confidently. His blue eyes brighten with determination. A sad smile graced Freya`s lips as she watched him. He cast spell after spell. Nothing seemed to happen.
"I don't feel any different,"Freya admitted.
"Perhaps it takes time to feel the full effect," he said hopefully.
The curse sent a stab of pain through Freya`s body. Freya cried out. Merlin rushed to her side but she pushed him away. She struggled to stand then staggered off into the forest.
"Freya," he called out.
"No. Merlin," she said gasping. "You have to stay away. I don't want to hurt you."
Freya ran until the pain overcame her .She fell to her knees clutching the loose soil as she cried out in agony. Her slender body bulked and stretched becoming the fierce green eyed Bastet. Morgana`s dress lay in pieces on the ground. Her glossy black fur shone in the moonlight. She spread her wings preparing to take flight. The sound of rustling bushes stopped her. The Bastet followed the sound. Merlin emerged from a cluster of tall bushes. Worry marred his gentle features. Freya had warned him to stay away. What if she couldn't stop herself? Her lust for blood shed was so powerful. The Bastet roared in frustration. She swung her head to and fro. Every part of her screamed for Merlin's blood. She backed away from him battling the urge. The Bastet lowered her head. She shut her eyes hoping to strengthen her will power. Soft warmth caressed her head. The Bastet`s head shot up. She stared wide eyed at Merlin. His hand lay atop her furry head. Only affection and sadness shone in his eyes as he gazed at her. He knew there was a part of Freya locked within the beast. So she could never hurt him. She nuzzled against Merlin.
"Come on," he said softly. He led her back to the campfire. Merlin settled down on a blanket. The Bastet sat beside him. She looked at the surrounding forest. The need to kill still lingered within her. Merlin sensed her restlessness. He touched the Bastet`s face making her look at him.
"You can fight this, Freya," he said earnestly. "I know you can." The Bastet groaned. Merlin wrapped his arms around her. She whimpered throughout the night feeling restless and hungry for killing. Merlin stayed by her side. In the morning, Merlin felt smooth skin against his hands. His eyes fluttered open.
"You did it," he whispered, smiling sleepily. Merlin kissed her forehead. He gently pulled away from Freya, careful not to wake her. Merlin covered Freya in a blanket. He found a spare tunic and trousers in his sack. Merlin lay the clothing beside her then tended to the campfire. His eyes turned gold causing flames to spring up amongst the woodpile. He headed off into the forest in hopes of finding a rabbit for their meal. When Merlin returned with his bounty, he saw Freya dressed sitting by the fire. He smiled at her. Her smile faltered as she noticed how tired he looked. She knew it was all her fault. How long could this continue? They couldn't hide in the forests forever. She fought off the curse last night but what about today or tomorrow? She placed her hand on his arm.
"Here let me," Freya offered, taking the rabbit from him. She ignored his protests. Freya skinned and cleaned the meat preparing it to be roasted by the fire. Merlin gazed at her wonderingly. Her hands were skilled and steady. She wasn't bothered by the mess. Freya noticed his expression.
"It becomes easier with time," she explained. "I had to learn how to hunt while being on my own."
"You're not on your own anymore," he reminded her.
"No. I'm not," Freya said with a smile. The light of Freya`s smile never reached her eyes. Merlin noticed this, he gently stroked her cheek. "What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.
"Merlin, what you did last night was dangerous," she answered feeling ashamed. "I could have killed you."
"But you didn't," he protested. "I know you." His expression was sincere and loving. Freya sadly shook her head. "I will make things better. I promise," he said earnestly.
"We'll reach The Lake of Avalon before nightfall. If I can't break the curse than we will find someone who can."
Avalon… the very name inspired awe. Freya remembered tales about Avalon as a child. Merlin seemed convinced that Avalon held her salvation. Freya hoped he was right. The pair ate the meal in silence. As Merlin promised, they reached the lake before dark. They found an old vine covered boat near the shore. Merlin helped Freya into the boat before stepping in himself. He whispered a spell then the boat began to sail across the still waters. His eyes turned gold. Time slowed causing the veil of Avalon to become visible. Freya stared in wide eyed awe. He smiled at her. There was a tiny ripple of magic in the air. Merlin steered the little boat in the ripple's direction. They sailed through the veil of Avalon. A temple shrouded by mists came into view. Surrounding green slopes peeked behind the mists. Their little boat sailed toward the shore. Merlin and Freya stepped out of the boat heading toward the temple. They were greeted at the door by a silver haired priestess named Eleanor. Her gentle blue eyes held a friendly twinkle. She led them inside. Everything was bright and beautiful. The finely detailed architecture put the castle in Camelot to shame.
"Welcome Emrys," she said bowing. "Welcome Freya , what brings you to Avalon?" Merlin told her about the curse. Freya swallowed nervously Eleanor's wise eyes seemed to pierce her soul. Freya slipped her hand into his; Merlin gave her hand a comforting squeeze. The old priestess gazed sympathetically at Freya.
"I will help you, sister," Eleanor said to Freya. "But all things come with a price. In exchange for this wish, you shall become a servant to Avalon. You will be bound to us forever." Merlin's hopeful expression melted away upon hearing these words.
Freya stepped forward. A life of servitude was better than living with this curse. "I understand," she answered solemnly.
"Then come with me," Eleanor said, turning to leave.
"Freya," Merlin cried. "I didn't mean to trap you here."
Freya raised her hand in protest. "It's alright, Merlin," she said. Unconvinced Merlin stepped forward ready to follow.
"I'm sorry, Emrys", Eleanor said kindly. "She must come alone." Eleanor placed her arm around Freya`s shoulder as they walked through a curtain covered threshold. Merlin's brows furrowed in worry as he stood alone in a golden flower filled room. Eleanor led Freya to an inner circle of Priestesses. A young priestess handed Eleanor a golden bowl filled with the sacred water of Avalon. Eleanor held the bowl high. Her blue eyes turned gold. She chanted a spell. All the surrounding priestesses chanted in unison. Eleanor gently poured the shining water over Freya`s head. Freya trembled as she felt a shock of power channel through her body. She felt as though she had been reborn. The curse's poison left her soul.
"From this day forward, you are a daughter of Avalon," said Eleanor. "You will be trained as a priestess. When I believe you are ready, you will become the guardian of the lake." Freya`s dark eyes shone with tears. "Thank you," she said crying. Later Freya emerged from the room clothed in a pale blue dress. Her hair was tied into a braid. Freya nearly glowed with joy. She rushed into Merlin's open arms, telling him about her service to Avalon. So Merlin decided to stay with her.
Time in Avalon was slow and sweet. Spring was eternal in this magic land. Every afternoon after Freya finished her lessons in the temple she would meet Merlin in the apple orchid. They would sit in the comforting shade of a tree. She would tell him about her day. Then he would show her a new spell he mastered from studying Avalon's massive collection of spell books. One day Eleanor spotted them as she walked through the orchid. As always the pair sat under a tree. She saw Merlin place a white blossom in Freya`s hair. He whispered something to Freya then she smiled, rewarding him with a kiss. Eleanor's fond expression darkened suddenly upon remembering a vision. In a brief glimmer, Eleanor had seen Prince Arthur battling King Olaf to the death. The conflict centered on the king's beautiful daughter, Lady Vivian. The young prince did not fair well in the battle. No matter how great Emrys `s love was for Freya, he could not abandon Arthur in his time of need. So Eleanor shared her visions with Merlin and Freya. They both had a destiny. Freya`s destiny lay with Avalon but Merlin belonged in Camelot. Merlin had not forgotten Arthur during his time away. Arthur was strong and well loved by his people, Merlin had reasoned. Freya had no one. At the time, he believed Freya needed him more. If Merlin were to be honest with himself, he needed her too. Freya demanded nothing from him, except his love. He had gladly given her his heart.
The couple said their goodbyes at Avalon's shore. Freya cupped Merlin's chin in her hand then kissed him. He returned her kiss with all the affection he could muster. Once their kiss ended, he pulled Freya close chastely kissing her brow. Freya ran her fingers over Merlin's frayed scarf .Tears blurred her vision. She blinked then the tears dripped from her thick lashes gliding down her pale skin.
"May I?" she asked her voice trembled slightly as she gestured toward his scarf. Tears shone in Merlin's eyes as he turned letting Freya unknot the scarf around his neck. She held the worn blue fabric against her neck allowing Merlin to tie the ends together. Merlin tucked Freya`s wind blown hair behind her ears.
"I love you," he said backing away. He turned toward the little boat. "Wait," Freya called out. She tugged a ribbon loose from her hair pressing it into his palm .Merlin gazed fondly at the floral printed ribbon. His blue eyes glistened with tears as he tucked the ribbon into his jacket pocket. He kissed Freya once more before stepping inside the boat. Merlin whispered a spell causing the boat to sail away from the shore. Freya`s beautiful tear stained face was the last sight he saw before the mist obscured his vision. He roughly brushed his tears away. "I love you," he heard Freya whisper as the little boat carried him across the mist shrouded waters.