Goodythreeshoes- People who know me wouldn't expect anything different from me. Me & Liz are the only girls in our class so we need to make our stand ;). Actually, I think I've always had some sort of feminist streak.

Jisbonfriend- Don't worry. I hope next chapter is clear enough seeing that I have a tendency to let certain details from the episodes out.

I'm addicted to Christmas! I love Christmas! To say it in a cheesy, cliché way: I wish everyday would be like Christmas!

Therefore, I'm giving you all a second chapter. Just because I'm in a good mood today

Chapter 10

Merlin touched the crystal, he knew he shouldn't have done it. He knew that if anyone in the kingdom or even the whole of human existence had the power to use it, it would be him. But still, there was something in the temptation of touching the crystal that he just couldn't resist.

As soon as he did so, visions of a possible future started to appear: Camelot burning, the Dragon, Arthur, Merlin, the list went on and on and then suddenly he saw her… Freya. She was smiling, flowers surrounded her, it was as if the crystal wanted to show him a brighter future. As if the crystal didn't want to leave him in despair.

The next vision was Freya again, there was a fire, she was screaming his name and then there was blackness as he let go of the crystal.

His breathing was heavy, as if he had just woken up from a bad dream.

He tried to recollect himself, it could've been nothing, right? Just a vision of a future that might not even be and of which it wasn't even certain that Freya would get hurt.

Still, as he sat down on the stone, among the sleeping knights in the middle of the night. He couldn't help but think the worst.

*--*--*--*--*--* MERRY CHRISTMAS *--*--*--*--*--*--*

"Merlin?"

Merlin turned around and stared at Freya. She looked worried at him and on that moment Merlin realized it had been stupid to keep her in the dark. He looked at her and realized that in decent clothes and after being put in a surrounding that seemed more and more like a safe haven for her, a home, she didn't looked like the scared girl he had tried to protect.

She looked strong, the way someone who definitely knew how to take care of herself would look. He had more and more hope that the vision he had wasn't her death, she would survive it, he was sure of it.

"That's my name." He answered.

"Don't try to be smart, it doesn't suit you."

"Are you saying I'm not smart?"

"You're goofy and cute followed by intelligent." Freya said as she approached him, a smile on her face " Smart is something that suits Arthur. You know…"

"… Prat-like smart."

"Not what I was going to say," Freya answered, "But it's a possibility." She finished as she started to nod her head.

They both laughed at this. Freya was the first to end, turning serious again she stared at Merlin.

"There is something wrong though. I've seen it, ever since you returned. And the way you looked at Morgana."

"It's nothing." Merlin started to deny.

By all that's magic, he was doing it again! After realizing that she was more than capable of taking care of herself he still did it. Was this something that was normal for men in love? Having to pretend that they are the knight in shiny armor?

"It's something." Freya shot back at him.

Finally, Merlin broke all laws concerning men in love and decided to tell her what he saw. Well, not all of it. He wasn't about to tell her that he thought something bad would happen to her.

There was still a difference between protecting your girl and letting her live in fear.

"And Morgana…"

"Morgana's lost it. Officially."

Freya took his hands in his and stared at some point, an end away in the hall. There was nothing interesting about this point, she just didn't want to look at Merlin as she was trying to make sense of what he just told her.

"Are you sure that there isn't some misunderstanding going on?" She said as she finally looked at him again.

"I saw what I saw, Freya. It was clear and obvious enough to understand that Morgana wants Uther dead. It's not the first time she wanted that, she has tried it some time ago when Gwen's father died but this time… this time she's determined."

"I don't understand, I mean, she's such a nice woman. Never threats anyone unkind. In fact I'd go so far as to call her compassionate."

Merlin went to sit down and urged her to do the same.

"That's the thing. She is compassionate and that's what's making her do this. She has so much compassion for all those people with magical abilities, for all those who became a victim of Uther's regime that she's losing sight on what's wrong and what's right. Those druids, they know that as well and are using it."

Freya looked down again. Merlin stared at her and again felt that strong emotion of love flowing through him. He couldn't lose her, not ever. In his mind he saw their future together, marriage, children… How he would love to see their children. They would be something. A combination between him and her, that would guarantee the strangest children anyone had ever seen. Clumsy, determined, brave, maybe even magical. No, they wouldn't be strange. Merlin took his words back. They would be perfect.

Before Merlin realized it himself, the words escaped his mouth.

"Freya? Will you marry me?"

Freya looked up, obviously her current trail of thoughts hadn't prepared her for this.

"What?"

"I just… I love you so much… there isn't anyone else I'd ever imagine to be my wife but you."

A smile appeared on her face as she leaned in to kiss him.

"I'd be honored to be your wife, Merlin Emrys Ambrosius."

*--*--*--*--*--* MERRY CHRISTMAS *--*--*--*--*--*--*

Meanwhile in Avalon, Viviene looked at the pair with a sad expression on her face. Knowing that the children Merlin dreamed of, would never become reality.

Reviews are always welcome and again :D

Merry Christmas to you all