Chapter 9

A/N: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the story so far! Here is chapter 9. Enjoy!

I woke to someone shaking me lightly. "Merlin, it's time to get up" a soft voice said. I knew who the voice belonged to and it made me smile. Freya. Why had she come back? The thought wouldn't leave me alone. I rolled over on to my back, pulling her with me. "Freya, can I ask you a question?" she smiled and nodded "you just did" she said. I grinned at her before becoming serious again. "I'm serious Freya, I really need to know something" I said. Her eyebrows knitted together in concern. "What's wrong?" she asked. I sighed and said "nothing. I was just wondering…how did you…I mean… how are you here?" she smiled at me and stroked my cheek. "The Gods sent me back." She stated simply. I stared at her for a moment in utter shock. "Why?" I asked finally. "Not that I'm not happy your back, I am. It's just…they must have brought you back for a reason an-" I was cut off in my rambling as she brought her lips to mine. Eventually she pulled back to look at me. "Why?" I whispered, my hands tightening their hold on her, as if she would just disappear. "The Gods thought you have had so many bad things happen to you that you deserved something good in your life, something you had lost. So they said I could return to the world, curse free, if it helped you stay on the right side of destiny" I was about to reply when there was a knocking at my door. I sighed "enter!" I shouted and a serving boy, about 10 years old stepped in, his head bowed. "Yes?" I asked gently not wanting to scare the boy. "The King has requested that you and your guests join him for breakfast this morning, my lord" I smiled at the boy and nodded "ok, thank you." He took his dismissal and left, leaving Merlin and Freya staring at each other. "Come on, we need to find you something to wear."

0o0o0o0

15 minutes later Merlin and I were walking hand in hand down the corridor. Many of the servant stared at us but we ignored them. When we finally made it to the dining hall I saw everyone waiting on us. "About time!" Arthur said which earned him a slap on the arm from Gwen. Balinor just smiled at his son and waved a hand at the table. "Well? Are you just going to stand there or are you two going to join us?" he asked. Merlin and I made are way up the table next to the King. When I looked at Morgana I realised she was wearing a similar dress to me. They were both off shoulder with the coloured dust covering the bottom and working its way up the skirt. The only differences were that mine was a white dress with the gold dust and Morganas was green with silver. Once Merlin had settled in his seat the King allowed everyone to eat. After a while of eating in silence the King finally spoke up. "How long do you think you can stay for, Arthur? I would really like to get to know my sons friends better" he said. Arthur looked surprised at the sudden conversation but answered swiftly "I should think my father can run the Kingdom for a while without me" Balinor smiled then said "so you will stay?" Arthur smiled and nodded "of course."

0o0o0o0

Merlin and I walked to the training grounds to watch the knights fight. When we saw Chester defeat one of the other knights Merlin smiled and walked over to him, I followed. "I see you have still got your skill Chester" Merlin said. Chester grinned at his prince, obviously knowing something I didn't because he nodded and grabbed a new sword. Merlin walked over to the rack of swords and picked one, the only one with decoration on it. Then I saw it, his name, engraved into the sword in gold letters, Merlin.

0o0o0o0

It was cold. The drip of water in the distance was starting to get insufferable. The stone floors as cold and unforgivable as the men that had captured me at Blackbourne a couple of weeks ago. Was it weeks? Days? Months? I had no way to no, there was no windows in the cell to tell the time just the single candle, his only light and warmth. After a couple of hours – was it hours? – I could hear voices outside the door of my cell. I could only hear some of the guards conversation as the door muffled the voices. "…Cheyne…Prince Merlin…kidnapped riding" The other guard asked the one outside the door a question and he said "…Prince Arthur and…girl…Morgana…Ward…Princes love Freya…kill them…back here…" another question was asked "tomorrow…" Then the guards walked away, leaving me with my thoughts. I have to find a way to warn them. I have tried mind speech but I was too far away for anyone to hear me. That's when the idea hit me. I lifted my ring to my lips and whispered "Merlin…" hoping beyond hope that he would hear me; I sat back and waited for an answer to my call.

0o0o0o0

I was amazed. Merlin could use a sword. Merlin! Who would have thought? Then again it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise considering he was a Prince. Merlin and Chester took up their fighting stances and began to circle each other, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They seemed to lunge at each other at the same time and suddenly Chester was on his back with Merlin's sword pointed at his throat, disarmed and unable to defend himself. I stood there, eyes wide with shock. Did I see that right? I must be going insane. Suddenly, Gwaine let out a low, appreciative whistle and said "you were really holding back on us mate" I nodded in agreement and Merlin smiled. "Well, it would have been strange if a village boy could use a sword, wouldn't it?" he asked. Gwaine laughed and said "but you were no village boy, were you Merlin." Merlin's smiled widened when he said "no…I guess I wasn't" I looked at the two, an amused expression on my face then said "how about me and you fight Merlin, let's see who the better fighter is" I grinned when Merlin nodded and spun his sword expertly in his fingers. This was going to be fun…

0o0o0o0

As Arthur walked towards me, the sudden urge to go find the box Byron left behind took over. I fought it off and looked to Arthur, who was getting into his fighting stance. This wasn't even a proper match for me, the only person I have trouble beating is my father, but I was still learning last time I fought him. I smiled knowingly at Arthur as we circled each other, people of all station coming over to watch. Arthur swung first, aiming for my left side, I blocked the blow with my sword and stepped backwards, silently laughing at the annoyed look that passed over Arthurs face. We carried on like that for a while, Arthur attacking, me defending. Until, finally, I got bored with the little game and went on the offensive. Arthur didn't even see it coming. I swung my sword at his head then at the last possible second aimed for his right arm, knocking the sword from his grasp. Then without giving him time to recover I knocked his legs from under him. I placed the tip of my sword on his heart and the crowd erupted into cheers. Arthur lay there, a shocked expression on his face. I moved my sword away and held a hand out to Arthur, who took it gratefully. Gwaine and the other knights came to pat Merlin on the back for his victory, all to stunned to do anything more.

A/N: Another chapter done. Sorry I haven't updated in a while its just I didn't know what to write so if I don't upload the next chapter for a while, that's why. Also, would love to know what everyone thought about this chapter. I don't know about the ending, but I did write it a 3 in the morning so it is as good as expected at this time. Please Review, and if you have any ideas then let me know! Also want to know if you guys can guess who has Byron? And what do they plan to do with him? All is revealed in next chapter, most likely the one after that as well.

Review! XxFall3nAnge1xX