Kindred Spirits by Roguefan212000
I don't own Merlin.
Author's Notes- Part one takes place during The Darkest Hour part two. It's an alternative storyline for Merlin being healed. Lancelot takes Merlin to The Lake of Avalon. Part two takes place after the Season four finale.
Part One
Lancelot glanced worriedly at his friend. Merlin's lanky form leaned against his horse's neck. His blue eyes were glazed over. His skin was alarmingly pale. Incoherent muttering came from Merlin's lips. Lancelot tightened his hold on his horse's reigns. He looked ahead, strengthening his determination. His lips form a tight line. They would make it, Lancelot told himself. They had to make it. The two companions traveled into the heart of a forest. Lancelot glanced about the surrounding area. Dusk had come and night would soon be upon them. He spied a lake a bit further up. So he decides to rest and water the horses. Lancelot carefully lifted Merlin off his horse. He placed his frail form near the lake's edge. Merlin stretched out his arm, letting the cool water caress his fingers.
"Freya", he muttered. Lancelot gave Merlin a concerned look. He reached down to remove Merlin's hand from the water. The clear waters took on a golden glow. The waters churned violently. A woman emerged from the parting waves. The brown eyed beauty appeared perfectly dry. The lady's dark hair came to her waist. She was clothed in a flowing violet dress. The lady's serene other worldly aura was shattered upon seeing Lancelot hovering over Merlin's limp form. On the shore, Lancelot could only stare in awe. She seemed to float across the lake barely making any ripples in the water. As she came closer, Lancelot could see her face form an expression he clearly recognized as worry. She walked onto the shore .Her gaze shifted from Merlin to Lancelot. The Lady`s eyes rested on Lancelot. Wide eyed Lancelot rose to his feet.
"You have nothing to fear, Sir Lancelot," said the lady. "I am Freya, Lady of the Lake."
"My friend is sick, Lady Freya," Lancelot explained. He regarded her with sad and weary eyes. "Please, can you heal him?"
"Yes," she answered, glancing at Merlin. "Rest now, I will watch over you."
"Thank you, my lady", Lancelot said bowing.
The lady knelt beside Merlin. She placed her hand over his chest. Then she whispered words in a language that Lancelot could not understand. The language was soothing to his ears. Lancelot reluctantly drifted off to sleep by a tree. Merlin's eyes fluttered open. He stared dazedly at Freya . "Hello Merlin", Freya said with a wistful smile.
" Freya," he cried hoarsely. "I must be dreaming." Freya laughed, and then shook her head. "You saved my life," said Merlin. "Thank you".
"There's no need to thank me, Merlin," Freya replied. "I'm just grateful your knight brought you here in time." Merlin tried to sit up but the slight movement made him dizzy. So he lay down again. "You must rest," Freya said in a voice laced with concern. She placed her hands on his shoulders. "Your strength will return in time."
Merlin lifted her hands from his shoulders. He cradled her hands against his heart. She was solid, real and right before his eyes. Merlin's mind reeled with endless possibilities. His affectionate gesture brought a smile to Freya`s lips. Freya`s hands were soft and warm. His brows furrowed in confusion. "How is this possible?" he asked. "I thought …"
"Now is not the time", she answered solemnly. "Sleep Merlin, you aren't well. I will watch over you."
"How could I possibly sleep now? ", he protested. His heart broken expression stirred remains of human emotion within Freya. For so long, she had only known the gentle currents and secret magic of the lake. She did not feel the pain and sorrows of mortals. Within the lake, she only felt a dull pang of longing for Merlin. Freya felt dampness against her cheeks. She had forgotten what it felt like to cry. Freya lay down beside Merlin, and then wrapped her arms around him. She rests her head against the curve of his neck. Merlin leaned back to look at her. Freya`s tear stained face mirrored his own.
"Let's treasure the moment we have now", Freya said. Neither spoke about tomorrow or what could have been. They shared a few chaste kisses and only talked about how they missed one another. Merlin lay against the grass simply gazing at his beautiful Freya. Weariness overtook him. Merlin's eyes lids grew heavy with slumber. Freya watched over Merlin and Lancelot until dawn. She glanced at the shining lake. The magic called out to her. Freya felt the power drawing her back to the waters. She blinked back her tears as she gazed at her sleeping lover.
"Good bye, Merlin," Freya whispered. She stepped into the lake. Her slender form was swallowed up by a magical whirl pool. Soon the waters grew calm. Glimmering sunlight shone over the spot where Freya vanished. Merlin awoke from a peaceful sleep to discover his Freya was gone. He clambered to his feet. He knelt beside the lake then dipped his hands into the clear water.
" Freya," he whispered brokenly. Merlin called out to her again and again but she did not return. Merlin glanced at the lake's sunlit ripples. A tear traveled down his cheek. In all his young life, Merlin had never yearned for anything or anyone this much. Merlin's heart ached for what could have been. He thought of a little house surrounded by wildflowers standing a few meters away from a lake. A sad smile graced his lips as he remembered the paradise he and Freya dreamt of not so long ago. He silently vowed to return one day and free Freya from her watery prison. He glanced at the sleeping Lancelot. Merlin thought of his quest and Arthur. With a heavy heart, Merlin stepped away from the lake. He had to wake Lancelot. Arthur needed them. Destiny cried out. Merlin could not deny her call.
Part Two
Merlin studied spell book after spell book but nothing proved to be effective. Freya would not rise from the lake no matter how much he pleaded. Merlin stood gazing sadly at the still waters. Exhausted both physically and emotionally, Merlin headed toward home. Night was swiftly approaching. As Merlin walked through a forest's clearing, he heard an animal wailing. The sound was coming from a near by cluster of bushes. Merlin followed the noise. The cries sounded like a wounded horse. He pushed past the shrubbery. A unicorn lay in the grass. There was a deep gash along the unicorn's right front leg. The unicorn's eyes grew wide with fear. She twitched her ears nervously. Merlin slowly stepped toward her. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said kindly.
He gazed sympathetically at the unicorn. He reached out to touch the wound. His blue eyes turned gold momentarily. The unicorn's flesh mended together. Merlin smiled as he gently patted the unicorn's neck. She stood up then glanced at Merlin. "Thank you, Emrys", said the unicorn. "I shall repay you. I promise."
Her voice echoed within Merlin's mind. Startled Merlin stared wide eyed at the unicorn. He watched as she trotted off into the forest. Merlin returned home. He trudged past Gaius`s empty bed as he headed toward his room. Gaius was away treating patients in one of the outlining villages. He missed the dear old man. He didn't relish returning to an empty home. Whenever Arthur allowed him a spare moment, Merlin would spend the time by Freya`s lake. Merlin collapsed onto his bed. He fell into a restless slumber.
Meanwhile ….. A unicorn stepped toward a lake. She lowered her head, so her silver horn touched the sparkling waters. Freya emerged from the shining waters. Her violet dress flowed around her slender form as she stepped onto dry land. "From this day forward, you are free", said the unicorn. "I have granted Emrys his greatest wish."
"Thank you", Freya said crying. She embraced the unicorn. The unicorn's magic swished Freya away in a flurry of light.
Back in Camelot … Sunlight shone through the dusty window in Merlin's room. He was already dressed in his usual servant attire. Merlin rolled up his night shirt and put it way. Foot steps sounded from behind his bedroom door. Merlin frowned. Gaius was not meant to return from his travels for a few more days. Perhaps it was George. He shuddered at the thought. Merlin was certain Arthur only kept George around just to annoy him. Had he come to boast about beating him at serving Arthur breakfast again? Merlin stomped toward the door. He reached for the handle then pulled the door open. His lover stood before him. Her pretty face was spoiled by joyful tears. Merlin's previous irritation was replaced by shock. This was followed by a wave of other emotions.
" Freya," he gasped. Merlin stumbled back from the door way. He sank down onto his bed. He struggled to regulate his breathing. Freya sat down beside him. She rubbed his back trying to calm him. He started to cry. Freya cried too. She pulled him into her arms then kissed his forehead. "I love you, Merlin", she whispered. Her breath was warm against his ear. Merlin raised his head to look at her. He cupped her face in his hands.
"Is it really you?" he asked .Merlin needed to hear her say so.
"Yes", she answered. "I'm finally free!" Freya told him about the unicorn who granted his wish .He recalled finding a wounded unicorn in the forest. Merlin released a breath; he didn't realize he was holding. He smiled brilliantly. Merlin held Freya close. "I love you too," he said.
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