Welcome back to another chapter of this story. I apologise with how long it's taken me. Another project jumped at me and demanded attention.

Merlin belongs to the BBC.

Chapter 2

The Chair

"I can't believe you're deciding to have a lazy day today," Freya laughed as she watched the strawberries float towards the basket when Merlin had plucked them from the plant. Merlin looked over to Freya who was busy picking the blackberries they had growing nearby. They had both agreed that they wouldn't pick their personal favourite berries…otherwise the berries wouldn't make it inside.

"Will you be coming with me to forage in the forest?" Merlin asked as he picked another strawberry and let it float towards the basket.

Freya looked up at the sky and pondered. The sky was clear, making it a perfect day for a walk through the forest while looking for other fruit and nuts. There was a nice cool breeze in the air too which only made the thought of wandering the forest even more appealing to her. She looked at the blackberries and then at Merlin who was still waiting for her response.

"Only if you pass me a strawberry~" Freya responded and cupped her hands. Merlin's eyes flashed gold as a strawberry danced its way over towards her in the air. Once it reached her it landed gently into her cupped hands. "So, this strawberry has better dance moves than you do?" She laughed upon seeing Merlin's mocked offended expression.

"I taught the strawberry the moves it needed to know," he said before his expression went from mocked offended to confused as to what he just said. Freya simply continued to laugh before Merlin started to join in. Once they had both calmed down they returned to their tasks of picking the berries. Freya taking a bite out the strawberry and made a satisfied moan as she felt the sweetness of the strawberry, her mouth exploding with juicy fresh strawberry. When she wasn't looking, Merlin's eyes flashed gold once more as a blackberry started to make its way to him. He wasn't lucky though as she swiped it from the air and put it back in the basket.

"Later." Merlin pouted.

"Think that's the last apple on the tree," Merlin said as he tried to see through the leaves. After being unable to find any more apples he sighed happily and glanced down at Freya and the basket of apples. Before they came on this walk they had returned home to gather another four empty baskets so they could gather more fruit. Merlin would later enchant them to keep them fresh for consumption, cooking or trading with others.

"Careful on your way down then," Freya called up to him. He glanced at the branches and retraced where he climbed up from. After a while he dropped down and landed on his feet. "You haven't even tripped and you've got leaves sticking to you," Freya scolded lightly as she placed the basket down and walked over towards the warlock and started to de-leaf him. While she was busy worried over the leaves Merlin raised his hand towards the basket and pushed his magic forward. He watched as it wound its way in the basket and wrapped around the apples, preserving them.

"I think we have enough to last us a while. Let's go home," Merlin spoke once he felt the magic dissipate as it was no longer needed.

"Hang on, few more leaves…" Freya responded as she ruffled Merlin's hair.

"That wasn't a leaf."

"I know, I just enjoy doing it~" She left his side, a bright smile on her face before she scooped up an empty basket and started to skip off back home. Merlin shook his head, a happy sigh escaping from him as he looked back up at the apple tree.

"Thank you for letting us harvest your apples," Merlin smiled at the tree as he placed his hand on the trunk. He felt his magic flow through his hand and into the tree as a way of saying thanks once more. Once enough magic had passed through him he lifted his hand and turned to leave.

The cracking of an open fire was the only sound in the room that evening. Their bellies were full and the atmosphere was calm. Freya was sitting at the desk with a stick of charcoal between her fingers and some paper under her hand. She glanced out the window at the night sky and noticed the stars twinkling. She continued to draw on the paper while she left her boyfriend to read in his chair. His back pressed against one arm and his legs hanging over the other arm, the book clamped tightly in his hands with his attention on the pages.

"I'm sure you've already read that book," Freya spoke up after she heard Merlin turn the page. She didn't look over her shoulder as she knew that Merlin's eyes would linger on the current page.

The book was a collection of stories, some involving magic, quests and a handsome prince looking for his princess. Other stories told the legends of Camelot and very rarely did they cover kingdoms or villages outside Camelot's border. They had acquired the book from a trade with a druid from one of the camps in the forest.

When Freya didn't get a response from Merlin she placed the charcoal down, her drawing of an owl lay incomplete on the table, and turned around to look at him. A soft smile grew on her face.

There in the chair she found Merlin fast asleep, he had shuffled slightly in the seat to rest his head against the back of the chair, the book lay face first on his chest, rising up and down as he breathed. Freya slowly pushed her chair backwards and stood up. She had a suspicion as to why Merlin was already asleep at this time and was thankful for Merlin's 'lazy day' today. It meant he used more magic and exhausted himself quicker.

She carefully slipped one arm under his legs and used her other arm to secure his back. Thanking that it was night, she had more strength than she did during the day and lifted him up and wandered to the bedroom. She felt the magic coming off Merlin and watched as the door opened and the covers move. "Times like this is when I really believe your magic has a mind of its own," she whispered as she tucked Merlin into bed. Giving him a kiss on the forehead, she turned to leave before looking back at him once more. "Good night, my love~"

PadrePedro - I'm just super happy to be writing this little AU series. Thanks for the comment too.

The Sorrowful Deity - Yes, this series is also on AO3, I go by the name of YukiStudios there. Glad to hear how you liked the chapter though.

Thank you for reading and take care everyone~

The Hut in the Forest Series:

The Hut in the Forest, The Prince Comes to Visit, Forging Friendships, To Sleep In Ones Bed.