Chapter 35: Things are not always what they seem

Arriving at the lake, Gwaine saw a beach head but no people. All three men had climbed off the Dragon without a word. The three nobles were simply staring at each other.

"In your own time my lords."

"Kilgharrah I don't know what to do next."

"It is easy Earl Gwaine, you must repeat these words after me."

"Ó coimeádaí, OH choimeádaí na lasracha seachtracha. Ó Mhuire Loch an. Is féidir leis an duine Emrys amháin scrios. Ó coimeádaí, scaoileadh nach bhfuil an méid mise anois. Feá mé coimeádaí tú a chur ar an Diúc ina ionad."

Gwaine heard a clap of thunder, trees began to sway and a wind picked up. The thunder grew louder and hail flew out of the sky. Lightning crackled, Gwaine could now see a tree on fire, the wind was still picking up.

The King, Duke and Dragon, remained rooted on the spot.

Then there was a light, a pale blue light forming above the lake.

Down below, the noise was heard:

"What was that Merlin?"

"What was what Curls?"

"That noise Merlin, sounded like thunder."

Merlin shrugged, "Oh yeah could be, I think we can hear the weather still."

"Merlin, does your head hurt?"

"No I don't think we can feel anything anymore, well I don't."

"I do. My head is spinning and I can hear voices."

Merlin stared at his brother, "What sort of voices?"

"Well I'm not sure, but they sound familiar."

Merlin was puzzled, "Are the voices still there? What does it sound like?"

"If I didn't know better, I would say it was some form of spell."

Merlin knew at that moment what was coming next. "It is. Someone is trying to bring us back. Idiots."

"What? Wait? Why are they idiots?"

"We can't be brought back Leon." Merlin pointed to the sky, the roof of the lake. "There is no one out there with the power to bring me back. And if I can't be brought back then I can't get you back can I? We are stuck here."

Freya appeared in the sky, "Things are not what they seem Merlin."

"Freya? Sorry, my Lady?"

Leon thought that was the first time ever he'd heard Merlin embarrassed about not addressing someone properly.

"It's still Freya, Merlin."

"Of course. And what do you mean things are not what they seem?"

"You have the power over life and death Emrys, this you know. You made me the gatekeeper. And I told you once that I would help you no matter what."

Leon's eyes had lit up.

"Leon, she doesn't have the power to bring me back."

"That I do not. But they are not calling for you to go back, but your guide here, Lord Leon."

"I'm not going anywhere without Merlin. It is not happening."

Freya smiled, "You do not have a choice when destiny calls. I'm sorry but not even I can refuse what is being asked of me."

Merlin put his hand on Leon's cheek. "Leon, Leon, you have to go back."

"I can't" he choked out," I can't go without you. I can't live without you. When Gwaine murdered me all I can think of was coming to you. And making sure you were ok."

"Gwaine didn't murder you Lord Leon."

"He did my Lady, he pushed me."

Freya looked down directly at Leon, "No you fell. Don't blame him. It was your destiny. You had to come here to see my Merlin."

Leon turned to Merlin, staring into his eyes, pleading, "See Merlin, my destiny was to die and come and be with you."

"And now it is to go back, you won't be alive fully but it is better than staying trapped in a lake. "Merlin raised his hand and pushed it towards his brother, with tears in his eyes, he ground out

"Lad siúd a lorg ar an athchóiriú a eagna, chuala mé do ghlaoch, ní bheidh mé ag stopadh an gatekeeper más rud é go raibh a mian."

Now the wind really was blowing a gale, the sky had fallen to a pitch black. The only light supplied was the flashes of lightning overhead. Gwaine was the first to see Leon walking out of the water, 'if looks could kill,' he thought.

The Duke shook the King's hand and nodded to Gwaine.

"It is time, take good care of my son."

"I will brother." Garratt would miss his brother. Scandal or no scandal, he was still his brother. And he had come around in the end.

The Duke walked straight into the lake, Leon's eyes almost exploded from their sockets as he saw his father walk into the lake. He stopped.

"This is not right. I am going back without Merlin."

"I'm sorry my son, sorry for everything, but I am sick, riddled with illness. It is an honour to change places with you. I'm just sorry I couldn't help further.
"There was so much I wanted to say to you Leon. Know this; I am very proud of you. Your parents did a fine job in raising you, and do not blame Hunith. You should make peace with her."

"I cannot dismiss a dying man's wishes. Thank you." Leon went to shake his father's hand but he had gone.

As he walked onto the shore, the hail began to fade and light slowly returned, but the thunder remained. He was completely soaked and shivering. Gwaine just stood there gawping at him. Leon thought it was typical that he would have to make the first move. But Merlin wouldn't forgive him if he wasted this opportunity.

He took one look at Gwaine and bit out "Apparently you didn't murder me. I fell."

"Leon, please, cousin."

"And there's no use arguing about all of it Gwaine. Merlin's old girlfriend is pretty powerful and she told me the truth. I know you couldn't really murder me. I was angry, angry that I had not been able to protect Merlin. Angry that I had ended up in a Lake. And I am still angry he is stuck down there."

Gwaine cocked his head at his cousin, "Girlfriend?" Then with his hand on his chest. "Oh I am wounded."

"Careful, Gwaine. Careful." Leon was now de facto face to face with him.

"Apparently destiny wanted me to go; you were just helping it along. But that doesn't mean to say this will be easy."

"I know. I'm sorry Leon. I know I act like devil may care, but there are some people I do care about. You are one of them. "

"I know. Come here." Leon beckoned Gwaine to come closer. Gwaine stared at his cousin, part of him thought that everything happened for a reason and that they would be fine in the end. The other reminded Gwaine that he had lost Merlin and that recent events proved nothing remained the same for long.

Gwaine saw that his legs were still making him walk towards Leon despite his reluctance. Merlin, he thought, Merlin is pulling us together. Well, he couldn't deny Merlin his wish could he? He particularly jumped Leon.

Leon grabbed Gwaine's shoulders and pulled him in. "I should run you through. But I just can't. You're the closest family I have now Gwaine."

Merlin smiled, his two protectors were going to be ok. He turned to Freya. "What's next Freya? I know this is not it."

"Everything you think could happen could happen. Destiny is going to settle down but not yet. I do have a revelation for you though. Well two."

"One, your story is not complete."

"And the other?" Merlin did not like where this was going,

"Is too horrifying to say aloud."