Gwaine hit and hit. He did not give his opponent any mercy and harassed him to retreat. The poor Sir Adhelm had to face Gwaine's frustration, sadness and anger in the exercise field.

"Goodbye Gwaine." Merlin whispered in his ear. "You are a good friend. One of the best."

Gwaine's attack was filled with pure rage. Sir Adhelm fell when he desperately tried to protect himself.

"Gwaine!" Lancelot sharp warning voice passed through Gwaine's mind and he stopped. He breathed heavily and retreated. He threw the sword away, turned and started walking away.

"Sir Gwaine!" Leon tried to go after the knight, but Arthur' hand fell heavily on his shoulder.

"Let him go."

"Sire?"

"He's, upset. He's just buried his closest friend Leon. Let him be alone now." Arthur sighed. Lancelot helped Sir Adhelm up.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. So, it is true? Merlin really is dead?"

Lancelot and Gwaine walked into the cave and the darkness surrounded them. They had been waiting for three days as they were promised. The further they walked the bigger the cave became. When they reached their goal, they found what they were looking for. First it seemed that they only slept. Merlin's body leaned against the dragon side, his head leaning against the forefoot. The dragon was circled himself around Merlin to protect, or to comfort him.

"Yes, he is dead." Lancelot said quietly.

"I'm sorry. He was a good man." Sir Adhelm sighed. Lancelot looked at him a little surprised and then laughed weakly. Exactly. Merlin had so many friends. He was touched so many souls and hearts. Of course, they were not the only mourners. But they were the only ones who had completed Merlin's journey.

()

Lancelot walked in the water, Merlin in his lap.

"He is dead, Merlin is dead. He said to come here. He asked to be buried here." Lancelot whispered. He walked deeper. Merlin's body touched water. Then something touched his legs and he stirred.

Merlin…

The surface vibrated.

My dear Merlin…

And the lady rose in the lake.

Beautiful girl, tears in her eyes.

My love…

Her hands were extended forward, her gaze locked onto Merlin.

Give him to me…

And Lancelot stretched the body out to her outstretched arms.

The lady cried.

She buried her face against Merlin's chest, holding him like he was only a feather.

Thank you, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gwaine. I see that the prince is not here. The lady noted.

Lancelot's heart chilled.

"I… He…."

No, do not lie. Keep your heat pure Sir Lancelot. The lady watched the man in her lap and smiled.

Too many lies are told through these years. Now it's finally over. Goodbye knights.

And the lady turned to walk away, back to the lake.

"Wait, what is your name? Who are you?" Lancelot stepped forward and almost fell over. But the lady didn't turn to look. She walked deeper Merlin with her.

I'm Freya, Lady of the Lake, the gate keeper of the Avalon. And I was his bride.

Whisper was borne across the water when they disappeared in mist.

()

"He not talk to me. He regrets that he didn't come along. He regrets that he turned his back and wasn't with him when you left." Gwen told him. Lancelot saw that Gwen seemed to be languishing more than was healthy. She had lost her friend, but it seemed that she was also losing Arthur. Lancelot pulled Gwen in his arms. He couldn't say or do anything that would have helped Gwen. And Gwen was crying against his shoulder. Lancelot discussed with the growing concern with Elyan, but they didn't know what to do.

Day after day Lancelot noticed how everything chanced.

Gwaine's cheerfulness was gone. Arthur walked like nothing was mattered anymore. Gwen withered before their eyes. Gaius was more tired and tired, and his eyes seemed to search something around him. It was like the whole town was fall in silence, and waited something.

When the fall came, Lancelot ride out of the Camelot and headed toward the lake.

It was as foggy as the day when they brought Merlin there.

Lancelot fell from the saddle and walked to the water level and watched the lake. He didn't really know why he came there. He was only wanted to leave, get away from that silent city.

He sat down on the log and gave the remembrance wash over him. He didn't know how long he had sat in place, when he heard steps approaching through the mist along the water border. He stood up and instinctively grabbed the handle of his sword. When the figure dived out of the mist, his hand fell on the handle. Nothing had prepared him for this.

"Merlin?"

To those who sometimes really read my notes.

Did you notice that I used one of my own story in this, that scene when Freya come take Merlin. It's from my two shot For you in Merlin's days. It inspired this chapter. That is pure whump/angst story.

Sorry it took longer I though because I go and finished my other Merlin story, Breathing, first. Now there is only this and Dark Edge, and oh, I forgot, I started that That is just Merlin story. Sorry LOL. Keep myself busy like usual. Have to write now when I can before my school start and before I leave Spanish again. Then there is going to be long break so I try finish this before that.

I don't think this take long anymore. But I'm not sure is there hapy end or no. What you think?

Ah, and I was really suprised when I got so much alerts last time. But can you please also review ?