Helpmeet: Reunited

Freya clasped the small knapsack that she carried closer to her. It had been given to her with some food and a change of clothes for her journey two days before when she left the druid encampment. It had been bittersweet saying goodbye to her new friends (friends, something she hadn't thought possible when she had been cursed) and looking forward to seeing Merlin again. Saying goodbye to Lucinda had been a tearful one as they both felt that they were parting not as friends but as sisters and they looked forward to seeing each other again. But her excitement at seeing Merlin again was too strong for too many tears and she had eagerly made haste towards Camelot. Now she was here.

It was midmorning closer towards noon and the streets were thriving with the bustle of the marketplace. The sky was clear with a few puffy white clouds and the white towers of Camelot, well, towered above her. In daylight it was much different from her last 'visit' to the magnificent city. The city seemed to be doing well since the end of Morgana's reign two months before and repairs all completed, they were thriving under Arthur as Prince Regent as Uther was much too lost in his own mind to rule and some had thought kind of guiltily that they hoped he wouldn't take charge again. The crowds were overwhelming to her as she stood along the edge side of the set roads in the city. She had never been around so many people in her life coming from a small farm as she had then being cursed. That tended to make crowds a bit of a turnoff.

Now though Freya realized she had a problem. She had no idea where to find Merlin. She was well, completely, truly, and hopelessly lost.

Gwaine strolled along the streets sword at his side making eyes at the pretty young women that caught his attention as he made his way to one of his favorite alehouses. After all even though he was a knight didn't mean that he couldn't have fun did it? Even though he was in reality skipping training with 'princess' and the others... Oh well they could handle themselves without him after all feelings might be hurt if he showed them up all the time.

Walking along whistling tunelessly he suddenly stopped causing a small traffic jam. There just ahead was an angel. Beautiful with waves of dark brown hair falling down her back with big doe like eyes. Her lips as red as her dress and quite pretty without the sleeves (he suddenly decided he like that style of dress). Her eyes were wide as she turned her head from side to side looking quite lost. Gwaine grinned quite roguishly as he snagged a daisy from a passing flower salesgirl. It looked like he was needed as a knight of Camelot; after all, they saved damsels in distress did they not? And this damsel certainly seemed in distress. It was his noble duty to help her in her time of need. Knight's code of honor and all that other rubbish he didn't pay attention to.

Time for him to save the day.

Freya was looking around her in despair tears welling up in her eyes. How would she find Merlin here she just couldn't go up to the castle and say she was looking the most powerful warlock of all time (well she could but the results wouldn't be pretty). She just wanted this reunion to be special (and secretly hoped it would be romantic as well). Now it seemed it would take forever to find him. She was just about to hang her head when a daisy was thrust in front of her. She looked up and saw a (very) handsome man presenting the flower to her. His already smiling face grew a larger grin when their eyes met. Then he spoke in one of the most seductive tones she had ever heard.

"A flower to cheer up my Lady. You would do me the honor of accepting this humble token from this unworthy knight." So saying he swept her a dashing bow.

He was so charming it was ridiculous and Freya couldn't help but giggle at his over exaggeration. Beaming he straighten and shot her another dazzling grin, and oh my, if her heart didn't already belong to Merlin...

"Much better. It doesn't suit such a pretty lady to have a sad expression. I am Sir Gwaine Knight of Camelot and here at your service, how can I help you?"

"Oh Sir Knight I am just a peasant I'm not worthy of such service." So saying she hastily curtsied, 'it wouldn't do to start my time in Camelot by offending a noble' she thought wryly.

Gwaine or rather Sir Gwaine waved off her curtsey and said "Nonsense, I'm here to serve and you look like you need some assistance what can I do for you?"

Freya eyed him he seemed sincere enough and so she decided to give him a chance. "I'm looking for a friend who lives here in Camelot except I don't know where to find him and he doesn't know I'm coming." Gwaine smiled down at her and gently teased "didn't think this visit through completely eh?" Freya hung her head "I'm alone, I've lost my family and was hoping..." she trailed off her voice soft relieving her memories of both her family and her first time meeting Merlin.

Gwaine suitably horrified and sympathetic to her plight offered his condolences. "I'm sorry for your loss. But I do know the just the thing to cheer you up." She looked back up at him and he continued "I happen to know a man, a physician, who has lived here for years and knows just about everybody if anyone knows how to find your friend it would be him." Freya brightened, hope swelling in her breast. Now she could find Merlin! Or at least it was a start.

"I'll escort you there" he said indicating the way with a wave of his arm. Freya giggled again. He was just so silly! Kind of reminded her of Merlin when he had a glint in his eye and was thinking of something amusing. So they started off making light conversation as they went"So Sir Gwaine," "just Gwaine" he interrupted. "Gwaine." She started again smiling lightly"you said you were a knight of Camelot didn't you?"

"Ah yes, in fact I'm Prince Arthurs right hand man in fact."

"Oh really?" Her tone gently cajoled him into talking more something he of course didn't have a problem with. Gave him the chance to tell her of his daring feats, have to impress the ladies you know.

"Yes, in fact..." and he began to tell exaggerated tales of some of 'his' feats as they made their way to the castle.

Arthur called an end to training as he finished the last series of exercises with his knights both old and new one of which was missing. Arthur narrowed his eyes as he thought of Gwaine. He would have to have a special training session with Gwaine to show him exactly what he thought of those who skipped training, not that it would have much effect he suspected maybe if he did it when Gwaine had a hangover...

He dismissed his knights with a wave of his hand and was about to call Merlin to clean up the training yard when he remembered that Merlin had left to gather herbs for Gaius. Sighing he indicated to a few servants at the edge of the training ground to clean up the yard. Most of his knights dispersed in different directions to take care of duties and other personal matters but a few made their way over to him. Lancelot and Percival came over with Elyon to visit a bit before they took care of their own duties. Arthur smiled at his new knights, they were some of the noblest of the lot despite their heritage he was glad to have these men at his side.

"Sire." Lancelot greeted ever respectful, Percival nodded, just big and quiet he was. Elyon bowed still a little in awe at his change of status and of Arthur in general not that he would tell the prince that wouldn't want him to get a swelled head as Merlin would say. Arthur grinned at his friends before asking, "Do any of you know where Gwaine is right now?" Not that he didn't have a pretty good guess already.

They shook their heads no but Elyon spoke up "I don't know where he is right now but I saw him head toward the lower town just before training started." The prince sighed running fingers through his blond hair "Sometimes I just don't know what to do with him." Percival spoke "I think Merlin is the only one that can get him to do anything responsible." Everyone nodded at that sad but true that Merlin was the only one who had any control over the most disrespectful knight in Camelot. It sent shivers down their spines Merlin of all people... disaster waiting to happen it was.

"Well maybe I can get your assistance in locating my wayward knight then?" Arthur grinned. The knights smiled and nodded their agreement to this, anything to ditch work and hang out together. Smiling then talked about 'manly' and 'knightly' things as they walked to the courtyard to make their way into the town.

"And that's how I saved Camelot from an immortal army." Gwaine finished with a flourish telling his obviously exaterated tale of Morgana's immortal army and his contributes to her defeat. Freya smiled indulgently she knew he was trying to impress her but taking the credit for Merlin's work? Not that she knew the details of what Merlin did but she knew he was the one that saved Camelot. Not having stores of knowledge available to her anymore was a bit frustrating but having some memories locked away to have a second chance at life was well worth the price. She took a moment to feel gratitude for Abishs sacrifice. 'I won't let you down Abish.' She felt peace wash over her and knew Abish heard her vow.

Gwaine was about to ask some questions of his lady companion as they entered the courtyard when he heard his name being called. Prince Arthur and his posse were heading their way. Gwaine then turned toward Freya to excuse himself before the 'princess' got there and ruined all his hard work of trying to win the lady over. "Would you excuse me a moment it seems I have something to attend to, I'll continue to escort you if you can just wait a minute if that's all right with you?"

Freya smiled and it seemed the whole world brightened at least that's what Gwaine thought and nodded her agreement to the plan. "That fine I'll just look around and take in the view. This place is magnificent" she said looking around. "I'll be but a moment," Gwaine replied bowing again and grabbing her hand to place a swift kiss on it grinning when she blushed then turned to intercept the prince in the middle of the courtyard.

Gwaine grinned as he strode toward Arthur who was standing waiting for him with Lancelot, Elyon and Percival. Arthur had his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised as Gwaine stopped about two feet away from him. "You missed training." Ah, no beating around the bush then. "I felt I was needed elsewhere this morning."

"Oh, really?" Disbelief and skepticism was prominent in his voice as Arthur and Gwaine carried on their conversation.

"Yes." Gwaine replied emphatically.

"So would this have anything to do with the pretty young woman waiting over there?" Arthur asked dryly as the others stifled their laughter.

"Most certainly so." Gwaine had no shame whatsoever. "She was in need of assistance, terrible lost and need of some help. Luckily I arrived and saw her need and so offered my services." By this time the beginnings of a smile was tugging at the corners of Arthur's mouth. Gwaine continued 'now for the follow up.' "It's a knight's duty to help the people you know." How he could say that with a straight face the sniggering knights would never know. With this last comment Arthur laughed out loud and clapped a hand Gwaines shoulder. "Oh do tell I want to hear this."

Shrugging Arthurs hand off Gwaine rocked on his heals and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Well she's looking for someone and doesn't know where to start I thought I would take her to Gaius and see if he might know. Of course I will be there to see it through don't want to leave her stranded if it doesn't work out right away."

"Of course." Arthur agreed.

Percival rumbled "what if she finds this person on her own?"

"Given how big Camelot is? Nah, not a chance."

Percival nudged Lancelot and pointed behind Gwaine as Gwaine finished his remark.

Lancelot looked to where Percival was pointing and grinned wryly "Oh it looks like she's well taken care of."

Gwaine spun around to look and dropped his jaw along with Elyon and Arthur. Shock and disbelief written all over their faces. Gwaine groaned "Now that's just not fair." Lancelot and Percival laughed out loud Arthur and Elyon were still in shock.

A few minutes previously.

Freya watched Gwaine walk toward the prince she hoped the prince didn't recognize her. That would be awkward. Not to mention her memories of the prince weren't the most pleasant she thought as she rubbed the arm where his blade had wounded her. There was only the faintest of scars remaining to serve as a reminder as to what had happened.

Freya gazed around awed by the castle and Camelot in general she couldn't believe that Merlin lived in this place and hopefully would welcome her to live with him as well. She heard the sound of something hitting the ground behind her and heard her name being stuttered in a breathy whisper "Fr-Freya?" Then she turned to the person whose voice she would know anywhere.

Merlin was hurrying along through the crowds towards the castle he wanted to drop off the herbs Gaius wanted and grab a bite to eat before the prat demanded his lunch. Merlin nearly squashed a chicken that had gotten lose and almost ran into a few people in his haste. He looked in the basket to double check that he had everything muttering the names of the various herbs as he went along. Finally satisfied that he had everything he looked up as he stepped into the courtyard and stopped in his tracks basket dropping to the ground spilling the hard searched for plants. And stuttered the name of the woman who haunted his dreams bitter sweetly. "Fr-Freya?" and the woman turned toward him.

She was even more beautiful then he remembered from their last very unusual encounter. His breathe hitched in his throat as she smiled at him lighting the world and said his name in the most beautiful voice he had ever heard "Merlin."

"You're here? You're real? How?" The questions asked in genuine curiosity didn't hide the confusion, longing or remnants of pain their parting had caused. Freya's heart broke a little at the hidden pain that was showing through. Merlin looked so vulnerable standing there hopefully blue eyes pleading for her to be real and not a dream.

"I'm here. I'm very real. A friend traded places with me. For you." She answered his questions even the unvoiced one and stepped closer to him. "Now aren't you going to say hello?"

"Hello." Merlin breathed eyes searching hers gazing at her caressing her face and figure as he drank her in. Freya took another step closer as she said hello back. "Aren't you going to kiss me?" She looked up at him only a step away now and watched as his Adams apple bobbed as he swallowed then spoke. "I'm afraid that if I reach for you you'll disappear." He choked out. His eyes were wet hopeful but afraid that this was just a dream.

"Then let me" she said taking the last step needed to bring her to him and reached up to bridge the gap between his lips and her own her hand laying gently on his face moving her lips against his. He stiffened then relaxed responding to her kiss by wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer to him resting her body against his own. His lips pulled back a little then brushed against hers again deeper this time and she was lost in the feel of him stars dancing and exploding behind her now closed eyes. And she felt the universe around her in her, and felt the earth move under her feet as it spun through space. Yet the only thing she could concentrate on was Merlin and the feel of him body close to hers hearts pounding against their chests. She wrapped her own arms around his neck and did the only thing she could. Kiss back.

I think I'll stop here for now I thought of adding more but decided I'd rather get this up and to you guys. I hope you enjoyed this installment. And just you wait. Remember Freya was brought back to save Merlin, but how? Dun Dun Dun.