When they arrived in Snowdonia, it was approaching seven o'clock. After an extended stop at Holyhead and several impromptu stops on Morgana's behalf as she made everyone explore medieval castles and churches; marvelling about the stone and the deaths associated with the place – the two hour journey from Holyhead was extended by quite a bit. The journey seemed everlasting by the time they drew up by the chalets, tucked away in the Snowdonian Mountains. There was a small array of shops as well as a B&B where they were to have breakfast each morning – but apart from that, they were on their own. As the students tumbled tiredly out of the coach, stretching their aching limbs, Morgana looked up and cried out in delight as she saw the falling snow.

"Isn't it beautiful?" She breathed, allowing it to nestle in her hair and on her eyelashes.

"It's cold," Arthur grumbled, most of his face hidden by the enormous woolly hat Morgana had bought him for his twenty fourth birthday.

"Oh grow a pair," Gwen scoffed, slipping her arm in to his. Together the four looked up at the snow, each lost in their own world.

Out of the corner of her eye, Morgana noticed Freya, standing on the edge of the hill they were on, looking down at the lake. She approached her, cautiously.

"Freya? Freya are you alright?" The girl blinked, before looking up at Morgana.

"Oh, yeah I'm fine. Sorry – I just – you know what? It's nothing. I'd best be getting to bed, I'm tired." With that she ran off to the chalet she was sharing with Miss Ueh, leaving Morgana baffled.

"Odd," she muttered, before espying Miss Ueh in the corner of her eye.

"Ah, Miss Lefay. Here are the keys to your cabin – you'll be sharing with Miss Jones. Morgana accepted with a gracious smile, and Miss Ueh swept off: Probably to tell Merlin off about something. Whilst the bloodhound's back was turned, Gwen slipped Morgana a devilish smirk. Oh they knew exactly where they were sleeping tonight.

"Let me in, I'm freezing," Merlin complained, rapping at her back door." Morgana let him in, with a giggle and a whispered, "shh," as Gwen slipped out the same way and knocked at Arthur's cabin. They shut the door sharpish, as the snow had only increased in intensity. As soon as the key turned in the lock, Merlin kissed her, pushing her gently down on to a rug by the roaring fire. Smiling, she slipped off her pyjamas until she was naked beneath him, taking his face in her hands and admiring the structure of his cheekbones – something that she never thought she would tire of. Of course she didn't spend very long admiring them: There were more important areas to explore. Merlin kissed her hungrily, only pausing when Morgana was trying to tug his shirt over his head, getting it stuck rather painfully on his ears.

"They're too big, he muttered against her lips, his hands grazing against the soft skin of her stomach.

"They're perfect," she insisted, before pushing him off her gently.

"I'm going to take a bath," she announced, sauntering over to the curtained area in the corner, pulling it back and turning on the water, her long black hair falling down over her back. She ran over to Merlin and kissed him again, feeling more than a little cold.

"The water takes ages to run," she murmured, running her fingers through his hair. "We have time to kill." Feeling the chill of her skin, Merlin began to nuzzle down her neck, placing hot kisses over her arms and stomach, then back to her lips. Morgana closed her eyes, her lips parted slightly. "That's better. Warm me up, Merlin." His smile was devious as he lifted her up and deposited her in the bath, taking off the remainder of his clothes and climbing in with her.

"As my lady commands," he murmured, managing in the hopelessly cramped bathtub to kiss a path up her legs, teasingly slow as he circled around her thighs.

Merlin woke in a tangle of blankets and towels and Morgana in front of the fire – well, what used to be the fire. Significantly colder than he had been before the flames had died, he gently tried to disentangle himself from the sleeping woman, whose hair spilled on to his chest as she tightened her grip around him.

"No way," she yawned, "If you leave I'm going to be twice as cold. I forbid it."

"Let's run up in to the mountains together," Merlin whispered in to her hair. "It's still dark, it's so early in the morning. Let's see the stars from the hilltops."

They ran up the mountain paths together, their hands held tight. The early morning frost made their noses red and the back of their throats ache, but that only made them run faster.

"Slowcoach!" Morgana cried, panting a little herself.

"You'll pay for that," Merlin shouted back, rugby tackling her down on to the snow and proceeding to tickle her for all she was worth. She shrieked and squirmed, yet he refused to relent, until finally he lay back in to the snow, laughing so hard the thought he might burst a gut. Morgana waved her arms up and down, and they made snow angels, making extra care that they didn't ruin the clear shape as they got up. But they kept on running after, and didn't stop until it was dawn, and they reached the top of the hill.

"It's magnificent," Morgana breathed, looking down at the valleys and hills of Snowdonia, the snow sparkling in the new sunlight. It reflected the pinks and purples and oranges of the sky, casting a celestial glow over the village they were staying at. Morgana leant her head against Merlin's shoulder, and they stood like that for a while. Until she left, and crossed to the other side. She gazed at the great lake that people still called Avalon, watching as the dawn colours caressed the shining waters: The black silhouette of birds skimming the water, creating ripples. She felt the wind against her cheek. It cut against them, gave her that feeling of connection with sky and earth and water. She opened her arms and let it embrace her; caress her in its steely grip.

And yet as she looked closer, her heart froze. There, standing in the middle of the lake at near minus twenty degrees in the air alone – so God knew the temperature of the water – was a lone figure. Whoever it was had nothing on but a slip, yet was up to her waist in water. At least, Morgana thought she was a she – her long brown hair pooled in the lake.

"Merlin!" She shouted. "Merlin! There's a student down there!" Merlin crossed over to her side of the mountain, visibly paling.

"Shit, shit, shit…" they scrambled down the rocks together, tripping and stumbling in their effort to reach the woman in the lake.

"Hey!" Merlin called. "Hey, get out of there! What the hell do you think you're doing young lady…?"

"You'll catch your death!" Morgana shouted. "Come out – please. Sefa? Sefa is that you?"

They reached the shores of the lake, skidding on the banks. It started to snow again, Morgana's glasses steaming up and her hair clinging to her face. The figure turned around, and Morgana gasped out loud.

"Freya? Freya what are you doing? Come out, you have to come out now!" Freya laughed, her smile bordering on ecstasy.

"It's time. Don't you see? It is the time of rejoicing, the time of the returning. The dawn must come, the sun will rise and he will return. The water, it reflects the stars, the heavens above. They all sing of one name. Can't you hear them, Emrys? Her eyes became pleading as she turned to Morgana. "My lady. I was so cold, so tired. You clothed me once, though you knew it not. You are a priestess; you have heard the stars sing as I have. Do not tell me you cannot hear that now." She turned to Merlin, her tears falling in to the water. "You loved me once. This life you are destined for another, but you must listen to me!"

"Delirium," Merlin muttered. "Probable hypothermia. We need to get her out. Now."

Thinking fast, Morgana took off her coat, jumper and shoes, until she was only in a long-sleeved top and jeans.

"What are you doing?" Merlin said, aghast.

"Trust me," she murmured, already feeling the bite of the cold weather. She shivered, and plunged in to the lake before she could think again.

"Morgana come back," Merlin yelled, his voice echoing through the valley.

"Call 9-9-9," she yelled back, already unable to feel her legs. "She can't last much longer." The cold was torment, as if some unseen force was hacking at her skin with a knife. She walked until she also was waist-deep, until she stood facing Freya.
"Freya, come back." She said quietly. "Please. I am begging you." Freya tilted her head to one side, and she began to sing, her voice beautiful and clear in the sharp daylight.

"Andlang tidfaran reónigmód,

Andlang aet Avalon.

Ic i forþscence fantbæþ froma amel aet ou

Andlang aet Avalon"

Morgana replied instinctively, as if long ago someone had taught her the answer, and it came readily to her lips as the question was asked. She sang in a voice husky but sweet:

"Naht tidfarans for ou, sweostor,

We adwelap froma Avalon.

Behréowsungtíd ne sy uppan ús níwe,

Angelcyning sy níwe innan swefecung."

She blinked, struggling to understand where the words had come from. Freya frowned, then cried out weakly. Then she crumpled in to the water.

"Freya!" Morgana shouted, diving in the water. She reached around blindly, coming up empty handed.

"Merlin!" She screamed, and plunged back in, her hands meeting reeds and emptiness until finally, finally…

"Merlin!" She screamed. "I've got her! Merlin!" With the last of her strength, she dragged Freya's limp body back to shore, shivering uncontrollably. Merlin reached for the girl immediately, putting a coat around her as Morgana fell down to her knees on the banks, exhausted

"Morgana are you alright?" He asked her, not looking up. She lay on the shore, her hair clinging to her face. She couldn't even muster the energy to reach her clothes.

"So – tired," she managed to get out through her shivers.

"Don't go to sleep," Merlin said urgently. "Morgana, don't go to sleep, do you hear me?" Silence. "Morgana I can't leave Freya. Can you cough for me?" Morgana shuddered as she coughed weakly, the movement only increasing her shivers. "Good, that's good. There's a mars bar in your coat, remember? I want you to reach out for your coat, put it on and start chewing slowly on the mars bar, okay? The paramedics will be here shortly, and you are going to be fine, all right?" Merlin sounded so fierce that she did what he said, gritting her teeth against the ache in her bones. Everything was numb, her arms and legs and face were all chalky white.

Morgana didn't know what Merlin was doing, but she nearly sobbed in relief when she heard Freya cough up water, unable to muster the strength to sit up. Freya looked up in panic.

"Where am I? I don't know where I am!" Her breath was slow and sluggish, her words slurring as they left her lips.

"It's all right, Freya. Look at me, now, look at me. Can you move at all?" Freya tried to move her arm, and began to jerk and convulse, her shivers wracking her body. Merlin cried out in relief.

"She's shivering. Oh thank God, she's shivering. Now look at me again? Freya what did you have for breakfast this morning?"

"I – I…" her eyes wandered, never quite focusing on Merlin. He wrapped another coat around her, hugging her gently.

"Okay, just hang on Freya. The paramedics are nearly here." He reached out and took Morgana's hand.

"Why did you do that?" Merlin asked quietly, rubbing up and down her leg to try and make her warmer.

"What?" She breathed.

"You know what Morgana, God – dammit!" He took a deep breath before continuing. "The cold water could have made you seize up. It already looks like you have mild hypothermia yourself- why could you not wait?"

"Because I knew." Morgana muttered. "There was only one way Freya was going to come out. She asked a question and I answered it." Merlin looked concernedly at her.

"Morgana?"
"I'm not delirious!" She tried to shout that last bit, but it hurt her throat and she whimpered a little. "I – I." She stopped. "I don't know," Morgana whispered, "I can't think. I'm so cold."

The paramedics, once they arrived, immediately wrapped Freya in a blanket and loaded her on to a stretcher, congratulating Merlin on his quick evaluation of the situation. They did offer Morgana a night in hospital – but she immediately refused. Merlin knew how much Morgana loathed hospitals, so backed her up in her insistence she was fine, making promises to look after her once she got home. The ambulance set them down at the door, before driving a now unconscious Freya to the hospital.

"Will she be okay?" Morgana murmured, leaning on to Merlin's shoulder. The shivering still wouldn't stop, though they had put all of Merlin's coats on her.

"She'll be fine," Merlin soothed, "Her case isn't severe. When I was a student, we saw cases of frostbite; extreme hypothermia; patients comatose from the cold – trust me on this, she'll be alright." They stood outside the door of the log cabin, snow beginning to fall once more. Morgana whispered.

"I can't. I'm too cold." Sighing, Merlin scooped Morgana up and carried her in, bridal style.

"Well this is romantic," she teased, "Carrying me through the threshold,"

"Mainly for the purpose of either of us getting through the threshold," Merlin muttered, but kept carrying her until he was able to lay her down on the bed. Gathering all the towels they could muster, he began to dry her hair gently, careful around her sensitive scalp. Together, they eased off first the coats and then her wet clothes underneath, Merlin rubbing warmth in to her aching joints and freezing limbs. She began to whimper as feeling came back in to her bones. It was agony, her skin tinged red with cold as she began to feel the hell her body had been through. He dressed her, pulling her pyjamas on, all the while trying to get her warm.

"We'll keep you in tomorrow," he murmured, kissing her hair. "God knows what you've caught diving in to that hellhole."

"It wasn't a hellhole," she said sleepily. "It was the opposite. Merlin it hurts."

"I shouldn't wonder," he laughed. "We should wait a couple of hours before getting you in to a bath." Her arms entwined themselves around him, her head resting on his shoulder.

"I'm so cold, Merlin," her teeth chattered. "I can't get warm. It's like that story, where that boy has a chip of ice in his heart." He kissed her gently, his hand on her cheek.

"Come to bed," she whispered.

"Morgana I really don't think that's a good…"

"No, not like that. I just think I would sleep better with you. You make me warmer."

"Alright."

"Do you remember that night? When you came to mine after Lizzie was born. I was so cold. I couldn't feel anything. You've always made me warmer, Merlin." He laid a hand against her forehead.

"Okay, I think you've got a temperature."

"Ahh," she moaned, the cold biting at her like an angry dog. "Merlin please." Merlin smiled, before taking off his clothes.

"I can't refuse you anything," he whispered, climbing in to bed and spooning her, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair – something like pinecones and acacia.

"I know," she murmured, snuggling further in to his arms.

The next day, predictably: Morgana had a fever, and was fretting and worrying about anything and everything. Shivering and complaining about the cold though her skin was on fire. The students of course knew everything by breakfast, when Miss Ueh was already telling them to shut up and eat their cereal.

"Do you think Freya's alright?" Sefa asked Kara, her brown eyes wide with fear, "Stanley said that she was in a coma, and that all her fingers had dropped off."

"Stanley is an oaf, and you know it," Kara said airily. "I asked Mr Ambrose and he said that she was just resting in hospital. Fancy Miss Lefay, plucking her from the waters though."

"I know," Sefa marveled. "And Mr Ambrose giving her the kiss of life. It's so romantic. Do you think Mr Ambrose and Freya will get together?" Kara smiled to herself.

"I wouldn't count on it."

"So she dived in to the water after her?" Gwen screeched. "What was Freya playing at? She could have got them both killed!" Morgana was finally asleep, after a morning of her trying to get up and wander out in to the snow in only her pyjamas; and Gwen and Merlin were taking a well earned rest, Gwen sneakily Irishing their coffees every few minutes. Merlin was finally able to relate the tale to his outraged friend.

"She wasn't herself," Merlin defended, "she was saying things that didn't make sense. Perhaps she was feverish, or hallucinating – I don't know. But she was even singing at one point." Gwen frowned, shaking her head.

"How long before Freya gets out of hospital?"

"A few days," Merlin confided. "She got it pretty bad. If you think Morgana's had it rough…"

"You weren't too shabby," Gwen commented slyly. "Resuscitated Freya. Stopped Freya and Morgana from slipping in to unconsciousness. You're quite the local hero." Merlin shrugged non-committedly.

"Perhaps."

"Why aren't you a doctor, Merlin?" She asked bluntly. "You love the work, you're amazing with people – what the fuck are you doing at a Secondary school?" Merlin groaned.

"Look, Freya is in hospital with moderate hypothermia, Morgana's got a temperature of forty degrees and keeps trying to go back to the lake – can we please just focus on the task at hand." Silence. Gwen took sip of coffee.

"My mum died when I was seven," she said absently. "In a car crash, taking my brother back from football. Her and his friend were killed. It wasn't nearly as traumatic as Morgana's experience, and he was quite a bit older – but Elyan was never able to do anything after that. He could never put his mind to anything save sport, and he and dad were always falling out. But he's always made it clear to me that we have to stay close – have to support each other. Can't stand it if I ever bring a guy over, just because he feels it gets in the way of our family.

"I wanted to be an artist," she confessed. "I had an apprenticeship with this guy, everyone at my university said I had potential – and then one day Elyan showed up. Told me I was getting up myself, that being an artist wouldn't make any money, and that we had to think as a family. He got me a job at the school he worked at. I had to move in with him. And I've never stopped wishing that I had just walked away – gone to London, met artists, had a life."

"Elyan needs help," Merlin murmured. "How did he react to you moving in with Morgana?" She laughed.

"How do you think? But I don't care. I stood up for myself, and I loved it." She lowered her voice. "I've only told Morgana this, but I'm resigning at the end of the year. I got a contract with this gallery after they saw that big canvas I did – you know, the one hanging on my wall?" Merlin hugged Gwen, lifting her up in to the air.

"That's – that's fantastic!" He exclaimed. "Oh Gwen –that's." Her grin split the sides of her face. "Don't forget us when you're rich and famous, eh?"

"Stop it," she laughed. Her face grew serious. "But the reason I brought it up is – whatever's tying you to Camelot High, Merlin, it can't be more important than doing what you love." Merlin sobered and nodded.

"Point taken. Thanks Gwen." The two hugged again, having reached an understanding.

"Myrddin! Woda – gelácne mec!"

"Morgana!" Merlin jumped a chair and ran to her side. "What do you mean?"

"What? Merlin I don't understand. What are they trying to say?" Morgana muttered, tossing and turning on her pillow.

"Still forty degrees," Merlin muttered. "We might have to dose her up with antibiotics and sleeping pills before we get her on the coach. Her and Freya both. Uther will not be happy." Gwen squeezed Merlin's hand.

"Morgause is the one I'd worry about," she confided, and Merlin rolled his eyes – although he had not yet mastered the art of the Lefay Eye-roll.

"Reassuring, Gwen, really."

"Sorry."

"It wasn't your fault." Morgana murmured, drifting back in to sleep. "Never think that. You didn't have a choice. "

They got a doctor to visit, to prescribe her some antibiotics. He proclaimed that Morgana had pneumonia, and should never have been allowed to simply go home – but when Merlin explained their very strained circumstances, he relented a little, gave them some penicillin along with a long lecture, and went on his Welsh way. Morgana had remained semi-conscious for most of it, the fever having broken after a long spell of seemingly Old-English chanting (translate as screaming). Quite literally. Not that Merlin had actually seen anything, but the trees outside had begun to blossom, and he suspected that the four silver birches were now apple trees. A few days ago that would have sounded crazy, but now he was not so sure. There was something he was missing – in the corner of his eye. Almost tangible: But not quite.

Freya got discharged from hospital, although the nurses pursed their lips and looked very disapproving. She had been very lucky, they were informed, and was suffering from acute pneumonia. It was only Merlin's promise that they would refer her to a doctor in Donegal as soon as they got home that got her out. It was okay though. Him and Arthur had a plan.

"This is a fuck awful plan." Arthur grumbled, Freya in his arms. Both girls were so dosed up they couldn't have told you their own names, let alone walk to the coach. Miss Ueh of course had been told that both women were in fighting form and ready to travel, so was currently being expertly distracted by Gwen whilst Arthur and Merlin smuggled them on to the vehicle.

"Ready?" Gwen whispered. Kara, Sefa and Daegal nodded, steely determination in their eyes. "Right. Three, two, one…"

"Ow that hurt you bitch!" Sefa shrieked, pretending to fall back to the ground.

"May the Gods curse you to the fiery pits of Hades!" Kara yelled back. She liked to be dramatic.

"Get away from me you little freaks! Daegal shouted, gradually getting in to the mood of things until their fake punch up was in full swing.

"Will everyone calm down!" Gwen screamed. "Miss Ueh, would you please come and help me?"

All four had been quite keen to help at the start. They were less sure as the scariest woman in all of Ireland and possibly the EU came stalking towards them, her eyes cold with fury.

"She's taken the bait," Mordred, their trusted envoy whispered. "Go, go, go!" The two men hoisted their passengers up and climbed aboard the coach, the other year sevens too hyped up on sweets to notice much. Gwen had valiantly offered to switch places with Miss Ueh to avoid discovery, so that Arthur was sitting next to Freya, and Merlin was sitting next to Morgana.

"This is what happens when you go crazy diving in to lakes to save crazy women!" Merlin whispered, kissing her brow. She moaned a little in her sleep. She was still in a better state than Freya, who hadn't really woken up properly since her fever broke.

"Mission accomplished," Arthur hooted, punching the air in triumph.

"Shh," Merlin laughed. "Miss Ueh will…" At that very moment, Nym Ueh stormed on to the coach, dragging the trio by their ears on to the coach.

"If anyone else feels like fighting," she snapped, "simply look at these three. They will not be permitted to get off the coach at the terminals; they will be sitting behind the teachers on the coach and will be in detention for three weeks once they return from their Christmas holidays. Is that understood?"

"Yes Miss Ueh," the coach chorused, and all three kids looked more than a little dejected. Arthur leant over and whispered.

"Cheer up. We'll buy you something nice for Christmas."

"Yeah, you did great, kids. And Morgana and Freya will be very grateful once they regain consciousness," Merlin patted them on the back. "Expect a hell of a lot of chocolate when you get back.

"Is she alright?" Morgause fretted, taking a collapsing Morgana from Merlin.

"She's fine. She has pneumonia after mild hypothermia but…" Morgause punched his shoulder, hard.

"Idiot. What about Freya?" Merlin grinned ruefully, rubbing his shoulder.

"I need to take her to the hospital. She's in a far less stable condition, and she doesn't have any family in the city. If needed she can stay with me and Gaius, but I promised the hospital in Snowdonia that I'd take her to one here as soon as we got home." Morgause gave him an impassive look.

"You're a good man, Merlin," she said suddenly, and he gave a shy little shrug. That was high praise coming from Morgause.

"I do my best. Now, make sure she gets plenty of fluids and stays in the warm for another week at the very least. Her fever's broken, and she normally looks a bit more lively than this – but we had to dose her up to get her on the coach." His face grew mock serious as he joked, "If she dies she dies a hero."

"How so?" Morgause's voice was sharp. Now Merlin was actually serious.

"I mean it. Freya would have drowned or frozen if Morgana hadn't gone in. She saved her life." Morgause's expression softened, as she looked down at her baby sister, leaning on her shoulder.

"Thank you, Merlin. First you saved me and now you look after my sister. Our family owes you a debt."

"Alright, no need to get all Shakespearean on me. Just…just call me when she wakes up."

"Will do." Merlin watched as Morgause helped Morgana in to the car and drove off in to the bright city lights, Freya leaning on his arm. He looked down at her.

"Right, come on. Let's get you to hospital."

"You failed me,"

"A minor setback, nothing more. You must understand…"

"All I understand is that nothing has changed!"

"Understand this, then. This Emrys has made different choices. He does not seek the Lady of the Lake. He has chosen Morgana?"

"Morgana? It is true that she was once the Emrys' lover, but it turned to hatred. No good came of their union. Does this look different?"

"It does indeed. They are well matched, it would seem in this life."

"This cannot be allowed. You know well the consequences of this."

"Well I do. What must be done?"

"You know what must be done. There is no other way…"

Morgana woke up mumbling feverishly, repeating the words that had flashed across her eyes, no figure attached to them. She whimpered, tossing and turning as Morgause rushed in to the room, pressing a cool flannel against her aching forehead and once more spooning a sleeping tonic down her throat. She checked Morgana's temperature and sighed as she felt it burn up again, going back to her bedroom to retrieve her duvet and spend the night on Morgana's sofa. But as the medicine took its effect, and Morgana's eyes began to shut once more, the words replayed themselves in her head. "There is no other way…"

Wow. This chapter basically wrote itself. I started out just with Freya in the lake, and then ended up branching out spectacularly. Oh well. Please click the review button – I love you all!