"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

-Anais Nin


Arthur gently laind Merlin on the ground beside Lake Avalon, the mountains rising high in the distance and the forest around them so full of life. Nobody had argued, although he knew some people would disapprove of giving a sorcerer a funeral. He really didn't care what they thought; he was the King and not them.

It wasn't a large ceremony; Arthur, Guinevere, Gaius, Gwaine, Percival, Elyan, and Leon were the only ones attending. But he thought that's what Merlin would have preferred.

Gwaine, Gaius, and Leon were preparing the boat in which they would lay Merlin's body and send it out into the lake. The rest of them stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Arthur's thoughts were so confused - Merlin had lied to him, let him to believe he was someone he wasn't. Had he ever really been his friend? But then he had died, fighting for both Camelot and for Arthur; if he hadn't cared about any of them he never would have done it.

Now that he thought about it, Merlin had looked terrified when he glanced over at Arthur. Arthur remembered his own bewilderment, shock, hurt, and then smoldering anger he had felt in the time between Merlin's disguise falling away to the time it took for Morgana to recover. Then the horror as he noticed she was creeping up behind Merlin, a knife in her hand. After that it had all become fear, causing him to scream a warning without consciously thinking about it. But it had come too late, and Morgana had stabbed Merlin in the heart. Or at least, she appeared to. Gaius had explained that Merlin was also the last Dragonlord, so his heart was on his right side. Just another thing Merlin had forgotten to mention.

Now Arthur wasn't sure how he felt about it, his feelings were all jumbled up inside him and he hated it. There would never be a chance for them to discuss it, so there would never be an opportunity to resolve anything.

Would he have arrested Merlin? He wanted to say no, but in reality he didn't know for sure. The fact remained that Merlin had lied to him, and that hurt. It left him with doubts about his friend and servant, doubts he did not want to have. If he had been faced with the truth he couldn't simply have ignored it, he would have had to choose. Choose between his love for Merlin, and his hatred for magic. He would have had three choices: save Merlin, let him die, or banish him. Saving him would have meant that Arthur would be forced to rethink all his beliefs. But letting Merlin die… that was unacceptable.

("You're a riddle Merlin."

"A riddle?"

"Yes. but I've grown to quite like you.")

Arthur had never really considered the thought of what would happen if Merlin were killed; mostly because the idea was so preposterous that it had never occurred to him. Sure Merlin had come close a few times, but he always made it out of trouble. Despite Merlin's sassy comments, irritating optimism, constant babbling, and often frank disrespect, he and Merlin were friends. He had assumed Merlin would always be at his side, a constant presence he could turn to. The truth was; Arthur couldn't imagine his life without Merlin.

Gazing down at Merlin, Arthur thought that he should be struggling to hold back tears. He didn't like crying in front of people; somehow it made him feel weak. He had already done it once and he had a right to that, didn't he? But now no tears came.

"From the first moment we met he was one of my best friends." Said Gwaine quietly, breaking the oppressive silence that had fallen over them, his words prompting them to recall their first encounters with the cheeky manservant.

"He was always like a son to me," Gaius whispered in an unsteady voice, "I never expected such a blessing so late in life."

"Always brave, sometimes to the point of foolishness." said Leon, bringing a small involuntary smile to everybody's faces.

"I used to think we just had really good luck on some of our adventures, but now I know it was because we had a protector. It also explains how he always came out of our adventures relatively in one piece." Percival said solemnly.

"He was a sorcerer, but there was nothing evil about him." Said Elyan quietly.

Gwen took Arthur's hand "He was always so willing to make sacrifices for others."

This comment struck all of them hard: because that's exactly what he had done up until the very end. He had known that he could easily die in the fight, but he had chosen to fight anyway. In the end he had made the ultimate sacrifice for them all, and had even died with a smile on his face.

Arthur gazed at Merlin, feeling like he too should say something. But what was he supposed to say? That Merlin was more than a servant? How Merlin had become his best friend? About how when they first met Arthur thought he was a complete idiot, but had soon learned better? That Merlin had been just like a brother?

( I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass."

"Or I one who could be so stupid.")

"He-" began Arthur, but his voice cracked.

("You were coming back to look for me."

"Alright it's true. I came back because you're the only friend I have and I couldn't bear to lose you.")

Arthur cleared his throat and began again "He was a good man, and he died a hero."

To many people it would seem very odd, even inappropriate, for any kind of noble to show this much affection and emotion for a simple servant. But Merlin hadn't been just an ordinary servant, he'd been King Arthur's best friend and almost everyone in Camelot had known of the strange and amusing bond they shared. It was a very well known fact that nobody else had been allowed to speak to Arthur the way Merlin had done. But that had been because they were not Merlin; only Merlin was Merlin; so only he was permitted to do so. Because he was Merlin.

"Sire!" gasped Gwaine suddenly, hand going to his sword.

Looking up Arthur saw a girl, slowly and silently walking out of the lake. For some reason however, she was perfectly dry when she reached them.

Nobody knew how to react, so they just stood there and watched. She was slender with long dark hair and beautiful large brown doe eyes, dressed in a gown fit for a princess. But most distinctive was that there was something unearthly about the girl. Arthur's hand began to stray towards the hilt of his sword uncertainly and she looked at him, smiling gently.

"I mean you no harm. My name is Freya, and I have come to fulfil a promise that I made long ago."

Out of the corner of his eye Arthur saw Gaius shift slightly, a look of understanding on his face "He recognizes the name."

She knelt beside Merlin's body, and the look of longing and regret in her eyes tugged at Arthur's heart. The way she cupped Merlin's cheek, caressing his pale face with long graceful fingers that spoke of nothing but love.

Arthur did not understand this, because as far as he knew Merlin had never had any kind of romantic relationship with any girl. Alright, Merlin was good looking enough, but he was awkward and clumsy! For a while Arthur had suspected him of pining after Morgana, but that had simply been a crush- this was different.

She bent down to touch her forehead to Merlin's, and there was a electric tension in the air as everybody waited, sensing that something important was about to happen.

Her lips moved, whispering words that seemed to be just for Merlin, and Arthur thought it was most likely some sort of magic. Tenderly she pressed her lips to Merlin's in a long, lingering kiss.


Merlin hoped that even though he was dead Arthur would continue on to fulfill his destiny. He had definitely been making good progress, but he was still a clotpole. Well, then again, Merlin supposed some things could never change and that in fairness everyone had their faults. But then it occurred to him that if he was actually dead, why was he still somehow aware? He had a sense that he had been somewhere nice, somewhere peaceful with people he cared about who had moved on, but the more he tried to recall the details the hazier it became.

Slowly he became aware of a soft voice whispering to him, and straining to hear what it was saying he felt a jolt as he realized it was Freya's voice. Even after all this time his feelings had not changed.

There was a warmth on his lips that slowly spread through his entire body, and it was as if he was being pulled back from far under water, gradually becoming more and more aware of himself. He was laying on a hard surface, rocks somewhere. There were sounds of people around him, the air fresh, a bird singing in the distance. Was he by a lake? That would certainly explain the gentle sound of lapping of water he could hear.

Breathing in deeply, Merlin enjoyed the fresh smell of the forest, fingers curling slightly. He became aware of the sounds of movement around him; laughter and voices saying his name in all different tones, voices he recognized and cared about. Opening his eyes, Merlin blinked at the bright light that blinded him, as though he had been in the dark for a very long time. Very slowly, Merlin focused in on the people now gathering around him, feeling rather confused and overwhelmed by all the noise. "What's… going on?" he mumbled, dazed.

"You're back!" said a voice he was all too familiar with.

And there he was, on one knee beside him: Arthur. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face at the sight "Hi." Arthur looked deeply conflicted and he waited for him to speak, looking at the Knights over his shoulder. Was it just his imagination, or did Gwaine's eyes seem a little too bright? Suddenly he remembered the voice that had come to him through the darkness and pulled him back "Freya!"


Staring, Arthur tried to grasp that Merlin had just been brought back to life by a strange girl. Everybody was talking at once and Arthur could tell the surge of noise was confusing the newly resurrected Merlin, who was blinking rapidly.

"What's… going on?" mumbled Merlin, blinking.

It was this that familiar voice the snapped Arthur out of his shock, "You're back!" he exclaimed. If Merlin hadn't been laying down Arthur would have hugged him, right there in front of everybody.

Arthur was rewarded with a weak smile "Hi"

There were so many things Arthur wanted to say he didn't know where to start, but before he could sort out his thoughts Merlin's eyes widened, "Freya!" Merlin exclaimed without warning, sitting up abruptly and looking around, obviously searching for the strange girl. Arthur hadn't noticed her leave, being too focused on Merlin. But now he too looked towards the lake and there she was, standing at its edge and gazing at Merlin with her soft brown eyes, a sad smile playing across her lips.

Puzzled, Arthur looked to Merlin who was slowly and slightly unsteadily getting to his feet, eyes never leaving the girl "Freya?" Merlin's voice was so full of anguish and longing that Arthur stared at him in shock. When had Merlin ever had any kind of relationship that wasn't friendship with a girl?

"Hello Merlin," she said softly, "I told you I would see you again. I promised that one day I would repay you."

Merlin stood rather unsteadily and Arthur reached out to steady him, but Merlin hardly seemed to notice and moved between Arthur and Gaius as though half asleep "But how, you're still… aren't you?"

"Yes Merlin," she said, glancing back towards the lake "and I haven't much time left here."

The tension in Merlin's shoulders was obvious but Arthur was unable to see his expression. Suddenly they rushed together, embracing tightly. Merlin was laughing and crying at the same time "It's really you" he touched his forehead to hers and they gazed into each other's eyes. It was like they were the only ones beside the lake, as though he had completely forgotten there were people watching them. Suddenly Merlin's legs gave out from under him but Freya caught him, lowering them both to the ground.

"Your body is still recovering, I healed all your wounds but you must take it slowly" she said gently.

Nodding, Merlin looking slightly embarrassed.

Arthur felt as though he was spying in on a private moment. This was a side to Merlin he had never seen before, one he hadn't known existed. Just another thing about Merlin that he hadn't known; that was a stranger to him.

Reaching out to her Merlin pushed a strand of dark hair away from her face, "I'm so sorry… I couldn't protect you." he sounded helpless "If only I'd had more power I could have healed you."

"More power?" thought Arthur incredulously, recalling the extraordinary magic Merlin had demonstrated.

Freya shook her head, taking his face between her hands "Don't be Merlin. It would have been wrong for me to take you away from Camelot, your place is by Arthur's side."

"I'm afraid those times may be past." murmured Merlin miserably.

It was when Merlin said this that Arthur realized he really had forgotten that they were there. What must it be like, to be so absorbed in somebody that the world seemed to disappear around you? This is what he and Gwen had together. He caught sight of the tattoo on Freya's wrist she's a druid! But that would explain how she had been able to use magic to bring back Merlin. That fact was almost frightening, power like that could be used for great evil. And yet it hadn't been, magic had once again been used for good, and Arthur didn't know how to feel about that.

Freya moved to embrace Merlin tightly for a few moments before pulling back again "I'm glad for this chance to see you, but this is goodbye for now"

"You… you're going to leave again." said Merlin listlessly.

Freya ran her fingers across Merlin's cheek "I must Merlin, we are no longer of the same world. You understand this, don't you?"

He caught ahold of her hand, pressing it against his cheek "Will I ever see you again?"

"When they die, all worthy and noble souls come to Avalon. Until your time truly comes Merlin, I shall wait for you."

He slid his hands down her arms, pulling her to him in another embrace "I love you."

"And I you." As they all watched she began to fade, pulling away just enough to kiss Merlin gently. He bent his head closer to her, one of his hands cradling the small of her back while the other sought out her hand.

Arthur felt as though he should look away, as though he had no right to be watching their last moments together.

After a few lingering moments Merlin and Freya broke apart and they watched as Freya began to fade. Merlin's eyes widened in panic "I don't want you to go."

"I'll never truly be gone Merlin. That place between awake and asleep, that's where I'll always be waiting. That 's where I'll always love you." With those last words she faded completely and Merlin's arms were suddenly empty, closing on nothing but air.