He found her huddled around the corner of the restaurant. She was shivering and her teeth were clattering. Merlin entered her shadowy corner and held out his arms. She slammed into him, tears already streaming down her face.
"Thh-aat was him-m wasn't it?" She was normally so collected, Merlin hated to see her like this, but it was an internal conflict for him as well.
"Oh yes my dear. The dreaded Uther Pendragon has made his appearance." Merlin rubbed her back as she sobbed into his shoulder. "Come on let's go see what you want to show me." He gracefully picked her up bridal style and carried her down the lane. As they walked away, what they didn't see was the emerald fabric hidden behind the trees and shrubs.
Merlin carried Freya for a few miles, following her directions to a large wooded area. Halfway through the woods, she sprang from his arms and ran ahead. He followed as best he could, but tripped over a large protruding root. He heard Freya giggle and swung himself up.
"Okay, I see how it is!" He ran in her general direction laughing. They ran for over an hour, throwing spells and sparks at each other. They only stopped when they came to the edge of the wood. Merlin had long discarded his suit jacket and shirt, shoving them in his bag slung over his shoulder, only to replace them his coffee stained shirt, which Freya then removed the stain from. Freya had used magic to change as well, much to Merlin's chagrin. The edge of the wood curved around a huge beautifully blue lake. "Avalon," Merlin stated. Freya nodded. She walked down to the lake and sat on the slightly rocky shore. Merlin did the same and put his arm around her. "It has been quite a day." Freya smiled.
"And just think, it was only the first."
"Ugh! I don't know if I'll be able to do it. Pendragon is such a spoiled prat." Merlin grimaced.
"Nah he likes you. If it helps he's gay." Freya smiled as Merlin shoved her away.
"Now you don't know that." He scowled.
"Oh yes I do. I also know you were shamelessly admiring the lack of his top button." She pointed out.
"Frey! How do you know these things?" Merlin was blushing crimson.
"Well Gaius said I'm a seer. Kilgharrah said I'm a rare kind of seer. My visions are specific. Specific to you actually." She explained.
"And you didn't tell me because…?"
"Because you can't know. I can't tell show you anything I see because of what might happen. I can guide you, but you have to do things your way. I've seen how things would change if you just did exactly what I told you, and I don't like it."
"Okay. I will try to listen to your advice as much as I can." Merlin nodded his understanding. Magical means were always so much more complicated than normal life. "So how was your first day of school?" That started Freya. She spewed non-stop about how great the school was and how she made friends with a girl named Gwen. Merlin's heart grew as she talked. He had never seen her so happy, maybe roots weren't such a bad thing. She was almost deflated by the time she finished.
"And how about you?" She returned.
"Made friends with lovely Morgana le Fay, beautiful artist by the way. Met Prince Prat, who spilt my coffee all over me, and then demanded an apology. Morgana bought me another one though. Nimueh, my art professor, is creepy. I learned something very interesting about Gaius. I was going to let him talk to you, but now seems good. I learned from the Prince that Gaius's nephew is in town." Freya looked surprised.
"He never said anything about seeing his nephew!" She exclaimed, worried they had gotten in his way.
"That would be because his nephew lives with him." Merlin was sure she stopped breathing.
"Oh."
"Yep."
"I now understand the glass."
"Yep."
They sat in silence and Freya digested the knowledge. "Okay," she said with a nod.
"Okay?"
"Okay. C'mon let's get back." She stood and held out her hand. He pulled himself up and they began the long walk back to Gaius's.
"Oh! I got a job!" Merlin exclaimed, clapping a hand to his forehead.
"No way!?"
"Yep, little café. I start at 5:30 Thursday morning. Soon we will have our own little flat space." Merlin smiled down at his Freya. She had grown so fast and so strong. Her smile matched his.
"Roots?"
"Oh yes, there will be roots. But I want you to know, that if our magic is revealed, we have to run."
"No especially with Uther Pendragon afoot." Freya leaned into his warm side. "Race you to Gaius's?" Before she heard his answer, Merlin was running. She ran after him laughing and trying to catch up, sending more spells his way. They returned to the flat sweating and laughing, as Merlin's hair had turned from black to midnight blue.
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