So here's part two. I have the entire story finished on my computer, so I'm just gonna keep posting til it's done.

Also, I still don't own Merlin.

By The Lakeside

Part Two

"Who was she, Gaius?"

Merlin, still half asleep, heard the concerned voice of Arthur. But he was too tired, too upset, too exhausted to wake and spare Gaius from answering the question that was too upsetting to think about. Whenever Merlin thought of his lost love, he would have to force a smile and keep going about his day like nothing was wrong. He had to put on an act so his friends wouldn't worry and ask questions.

It seemed like Merlin's life was one big act. One big lie. A necessary one, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

"I don't know exactly who Freya was," Gaius replied, "or how her spirit became tied to the Lake of Avalon."

"But who is she to Merlin?"

"His first love. He doesn't speak of her often to spare himself the pain. Even to me Merlin disclosed very little about her. But never have I seen him as happy as he was those few days they had together. Merlin is good at hiding the pain, but I know he has not loved another since."

Stop, Merlin thought as there was a contemplative silence after Gaius finished speaking. Arthur's asking too many questions. He'll find out. And Freya…

"… Freya …" The warlock rasped out before sleep claimed him and he knew no more.

Both Arthur and Gaius immediately turned to Merlin when he murmured Freya's name, but it soon became apparent that he was fast asleep.

They were in Gaius' chambers, both watching over Merlin. Arthur's mind was still reeling with questions, so he decided to use the time to ask the man who always seemed to have the answers – Gaius.

He has not loved another since.

Gaius's words echoed in his mind. Poor Merlin, he thought. Arthur had been without Guinevere once and it was painful. So hard that some days Arthur didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. No, he would not let his friend go through that pain anymore.

"Then we must get them together!" Arthur announced, "Sorceress and lake be damned. I will not see them apart another day."

It had been so long since any of them had spoken that Gaius jumped, startled, when Arthur declared his intentions. The physician turned to the young king and Arthur was surprised to see a look of great sadness etched on the elder man's face.

"Though I, and undoubtedly Merlin, appreciate your concern, Arthur… There is nothing you can do for them."

"What do you mean? If it's the magic law … Well, she healed him, didn't she? Surely – surely that means magic isn't all bad?" It felt strange to say that out loud, seeing as though Arthur had been raised since birth to despise magic. But the events that had occurred by the lake of Avalon had made Arthur severely question everything he'd been taught.

"Although I agree with you, sire. That is not what I meant," said Gaius.

"Then what?"

"Freya is dead," Gaius said bluntly. "She has been for many years."

Arthur leant back in his chair. Whatever he had expected Gaius to say, it wasn't that. "She – what?"

Suddenly Merlin's overwhelming grief and sobs by the lakeside seemed so much worse and a lot more understandable. How else would you react when you'd seen the love of your life who'd been dead for years?

"I really think Merlin should be the one to tell you this," Gaius looked reluctant to speak.

The time of Albion is nearly upon us, Gaius's reluctance reminded Arthur of Freya's confusing words after she healed Merlin, but it is from Emrys' lips that you should hear the truth. Not mine.

Great, Arthur thought with a hint of exasperation, another person who doesn't want to answer my questions. But Arthur could understand why Gaius didn't want to say anything. It was a personal topic. It would be better to hear the whole story from Merlin.

Instead, Arthur changed his direction of questioning. "Gaius, what does the name Emrys mean to you?"

Again, the physician's reaction surprised Arthur. Gaius tensed up, his eyes widening in shock as they darted to the king. Arthur's surprise and concern increased as he noticed the level of alarm that was in them. But in a second it was gone, Gaius's expression returning to normal. Like nothing was even wrong in the first place.

"Where did you hear that name?" Gaius asked.

Even Gaius's voice gave nothing away. If Arthur wasn't so sure he'd seen the man's earlier distress, he wouldn't have thought anything was wrong.

I am missing something here, the king thought. Something big… and I will find out what it is.

"… Well, I first heard the name when Morgana last tried to take Camelot. She said 'not even Emrys can save you now' and then Freya mentioned him after she had healed Merlin."

"What did she say?"

"She said the time of Albion was almost upon us and that Emrys has kept his secret well, even if he didn't want to."

Again, there was the flash of alarm in Gaius's eyes. If Arthur wasn't looking for it, he would have missed it.

"Emrys is just a figure of legend, sire," Gaius soothed. "He features prominently in the Druidic prophecies, but he is just a legend. Nothing more."

Gaius wasn't telling Arthur everything. The king knew that Gaius knew more than he was letting on.

Arthur suddenly recalled the conversation he'd had with Gaius after Merlin and Gwaine had rescued him from being kidnapped. I chose to protect him, the physician had said, I feared you would seek him out and execute him. That would have been a grave mistake.

"Please, Gaius," Arthur said, "I'm not about to go and try and execute a figure of legend. I just wish to know more. Please. What do the Druidic prophecies say?"

After a long, reluctant pause, Gaius spoke, "They speak of Emrys. His is a warlock. A creature of magic born into his abilities. For him to use magic is as natural to him as breathing. He is a man more powerful than any that have come before him, or any that will come after. No one will surpass him in magical power. Emrys is said to protect the Once and Future King and is destined to unite the powers of the Old World and the New. Together with the Once and Future King, he will bring about the time of Albion. The Druids revere Emrys because it is prophesised to bring magic back to the land. But that is all they are, sire. Just prophecies and myths."

Arthur barely heard Gaius's soothing words that it was all just a myth. He was caught up in the title of the 'Once and Future King'.

Emrys is said to protect the Once and Future King … He will bring about the time of Albion.

Thank you, Arthur Pendragon, Arthur recalled Freya's voice in his mind, the Once and Future King of Albion.

Albion … what else had she said about Albion?

It was not his destiny to die here, and all of Albion would be lost if he did.

"… Arthur? … Sire? … Sire?" Arthur only just became aware of Gaius's attempts to get his attention.

The king shook his head, as if clearing his thoughts. "Sorry Gaius," he said, "I was just … thinking."

Gaius looked worried but Arthur decided not to press him any further. He stood up, "Thank you, Gaius. You have given me much to think about. I will leave you be. Send for me as soon as Merlin wakes."

"Of course, sire."

Arthur took his leave and headed for his own chambers he shared with Guinevere. It was late and Arthur was tired, but the king knew he was not going to get any sleep. His mind was too full of questions.

Walking into his chambers, he found Guinevere lying on their bed reading a novel. Upon seeing him, she immediately put the book aside and went to get up.

Arthur stopped her with a gesture, "It's alright," he soothed, "stay there."

"How's Merlin?" She asked, concern written all over her face.

"Gaius says he'll make a full recovery. All he needs is rest."

"Thank goodness."

"He said Freya's name while I was there," Arthur said sombrely.

Gwen's face fell. Arthur had filled her in when Arthur and the knights had returned to Camelot the day before. Gwen had also sat by their friends bedside while Merlin had slept through all of yesterday and today – physical and emotional exhaustion, Gaius had said – she had only left at Arthur's request, as he wanted to talk to Gaius and he doubted the physician would speak with both of them there.

Not that he said much to me anyway, Arthur thought grudgingly.

Gwen had described the situation of Merlin and Freya as "heartbreaking". She felt upset that Merlin had to bear the pain of being away from your loved one alone. But Gwen only thought they were apart because she thought Freya was a sorceress that could not leave the lake. Like Arthur, she didn't realise the separation was so permanent.

The queen must have noticed the bleak expression of Arthur's face. "What?" She asked, "What's wrong?"

"You know that the only reason I asked you to leave Merlin's side tonight was so that I could speak to Gaius? And the only reason I didn't do it yesterday was so that I could give us all time to get over what happened?" Not that it helped much, he added silently.

"Yes?"

"I spoke to Gaius, a-and," Arthur faltered, suddenly finding it hard to speak.

Gwen rushed out of bed and was in his arms in an instant. She held his face in her hands. "Arthur," she said, worry toning her voice. "What happened? What did Gaius say?"

In response, Arthur just held her closer to him, not saying a word. "Guinevere," he said at last, "Freya – Freya is dead."

Gwen gasped and stepped back from him in shock, her hand flying to cover her mouth in surprise. She just stood there looking dumbfounded, her eyes pooling with tears. "Wh-What?" She managed to choke out.

"She has been for many years."

"But – but I wanted them to be together."

"I know, so did I. When I said so to Gaius, that's when he told me."

"… How?" Tears were falling down Guinevere's cheeks as she thought of Merlin and pain he must have gone through, suffering in silence.

"He didn't say how she died. He said Merlin should be the one to tell me that, and rightly so … But if you had seen them, Guinevere. Their love for each other was written all over their faces. And Freya…" He trailed off, lost in thought.

"And Freya? Gwen prodded.

"At the time I didn't notice – I was preoccupied with a dying Merlin – but thinking back on it, she seem familiar. But for the life of me I can't think of why. And the things she said to me! I have so many questions!" The king of Camelot looked incredibly confused.

"What did she say?" Gwen asked, wanting to help. Her husband looked so lost and she wanted to fix that. She knew the best way would be by talking about it. She just had to get the answers out of a muddled Arthur.

Arthur led her to his desk and the couple sat down across from each other. There was simply too much to talk about to continue standing up.

"At first she said that she and Merlin were separated by a void that everyone but Merlin can cross, though apparently he will eventually," Arthur said.

Gwen frowned in confusion, "Well, what does that mean?"

"I have no idea. Then she started talking about someone called Emrys."

The queen's eyes sparkled with recognition. "Emrys?"

"You remember, don't you? What Morgana said –"

"-'Not even Emrys can save you now,'" she quoted.

Arthur nodded. "Then Freya said that the time of Albion was almost upon us and that Emrys had kept his secret well, even though he does not wish to lie … Least of all to me."

Guinevere looked as confused as Arthur felt.

"Freya also called me the Once and Future King of Albion, and that all of Albion would be lost if Merlin were to die," Arthur continued.

"If Merlin were to die?"

"I know, I was confused too. Like you, I love him like a brother, but he's just Merlin. He is important to us, but to all of Albion? So I put it down to her being concerned for her loved one's safety. He nearly died, she was upset … clearly exaggerating."

That what Arthur told himself the day before, when he thought back on his and Freya's conversation. Now, he wasn't so sure. He felt like telling it to Gwen was more to reassure himself than the actual truth.

Gwen nodded for him to continue, "So I asked Gaius about Emrys and he said he was just a myth," Arthur went on. "A figure in the Druidic prophecies … But he was lying, Guinevere. I could tell."

"Why would Gaius lie?"

"He has done so in the past. He knows the sorcerer who killed my father – though Gaius claims he didn't kill him – and Gaius protected him back then. He would not tell me who the sorcerer was because he thought I would execute him. Which would have been a 'grave mistake' as Gaius puts it. According to him there are a variety of people in this kingdom with a variety of skills and Gaius isn't the only one looking to protect me. Apparently one day I'll know all that they've done to me … Gaius told me that after he'd been kidnapped. I was just as confused then as I am now."

"But you think that this Emrys is the old sorcerer that Gaius protected?" Gwen asked, knowing exactly what Arthur was thinking and feeling. The king smiled at the fact she knew him so well. Sometime she knew him better than Arthur than he knew himself.

"It makes sense," Arthur said, "Gaius protected him then and he's protecting him now."

There was a contemplative silence before Guinevere asked, "What exactly do the prophecies say about Emrys?"

"That he is more powerful than any who have come before him, or after. That he will bring magic back to the land and that … he is the protector of the Once and Future King."

Gwen's eyes widened and her mouth opened in surprise at recognition of the title. "A sorcerer who protects you?"

"A warlock, apparently. Whatever that is. He is a creature of magic, according to Gaius. But I don't understand why anyone with magic would protect me. I'm a Pendragon – The Purge – both my father and I have persecuted so many who possessed magic … I just don't understand it."

Silence lapsed between them once again, both of them lost to their own thoughts. "I suppose I should thank him," Gwen said at last.

Arthur stared at her in surprise, confusion written all over his face. "I'm sorry?"

Gwen smiled at him, "Arthur, you have been in too many situations where you shouldn't have prevailed and yet you have. If sorcery had anything to do with that, than I would like to give my gratitude to the sorcerer – er, warlock – who was responsible."

Arthur's thoughtful frown increased, "So do you believe, then, that magic is not wholly evil?"

Gwen's eyes were sympathetic. She knew that Arthur was questioning everything his father had drilled into him since birth. She knew that the idea of magic not being the wholly evil force he previously believed it to be would be a concept he would have trouble wrapping his head around.

"Perhaps," she said softly, "it is like a weapon. Not an evil force of corruption. Just a weapon, and how it is used – its actions and consequences – depends solely on the heart of those who wield it."

Silently Arthur nodded. He was still deep in thought. "But what does all of this have to do with Merlin?"

Gwen sat, piecing all of the bits of the puzzle together. When she finally worked it out, her eyes widened in shock and her heart went out to her best friend who had to suffer in silence and bear this burden alone.

Arthur was still thinking hard when he felt Guinevere's hand grasp his own and give it a loving squeeze. "Arthur," she said, still speaking softly. "This has everything to do with Merlin, and I think you know that."

Arthur looked surprised at Gwen's words, but he once again frowned in thought, staring at his desk. The thoughts and memories came in a rush.

An uneasy Gaius, telling him the legend of Emrys in his chambers. Emrys is said to protect the Once and Future King … He will unite the land of Albion.

Freya, by the lakeside. Thank you, Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King of Albion.

It was not his destiny to die here, and all of Albion would be lost if he did.

And Merlin, always Merlin. The one who was always by his side, his loyalty unwavering.

Destinies are troublesome things. You feel trapped, like your whole life is planned out for you and you've got no control over anything. And sometimes you don't even know if the decided destiny is really the best thing at all.

It is your fate to be the greatest king Camelot has ever known.

I'm going to be at your side, like I always am, protecting you.

Do you know how many times I've saved your royal backside?

The time of Albion is almost upon us, Freya had said, but it is from Emry's lips you should hear the truth. Not mine.

Arthur remembered a desperate Merlin, before they were going to defend Ealdor. Whatever happens out there today … Please don't think any differently of me.

Then Emrys has kept his secret well, even if the deceit has caused him great grief and pain. He never wanted to lie. Least of all to you.

Arthur's memory seemed to be in overdrive. Every lucky break he and his knights had ever had, every odd explanation that Merlin had ever given him that Arthur had just accepted with nothing more than a passing thought on the sanity of his manservant.

How could he have never seen it before now? Was he really that oblivious?

I could take you apart with one blow.

I could take you apart with less than that.

The signs had all been there, from the very first day Arthur had met him.

"Merlin," Arthur said at last, looking up at Guinevere.

His queen smiled at him, nodding at Arthur to continue. To voice the realisation that both of them had come to.

"Merlin is Emrys."