Chapter 10

As Freya crouched behind the bush watching the scene in front of her she was aware that suddenly everything seemed very quiet in the forest. It was only minutes before that she had heard the singing birds, the buzz of insects on the flowers and bushes. But now just a pitiful silence prevailed, as if Demonia 's mere presence had somehow blocked out the life that usually serenaded the forest. It made her even more determined to save her friends. She narrowed her eyes as she watched the witch mock the Knights.

As Freya watched she could sense the tension in the air as Demonia approached Isolde, grabbing hold of her face and squeezing it tightly. Freya preyed that Tristan didn't do or say something that would make the situation worse. Freya felt for the stone in her pocket, it's soft touch somehow calmed her. She knew the power of two people combined was more effective, but Merlin was not around, so this was the time for Freya to prove what she could do.

She took a deep breath before she concentrated hard, trying to remember the spell that Merlin had used in the castle with the stone. She could remember the start of it, but try as she might the ending did not come to her. She paused lost for a moment, she could not afford to let her friends down now, or else things would be dire for them. She closed her eyes and searched for the words, willing her memory to remember the spell that would release, the power of the stone with full force onto the witch who was only yards from her.

Just as she began to despair a sudden sense of reassurance overcame her, as she crouched in the bush she could hear Merlin's voice in her ears easing her fear and nerves. In that time she hardly had a chance to question how it was possible, she could feel her and his power combine once again into an incredible force and suddenly she threw her head back and shouted the spell into the silence.

Freya did not notice her friends the only person she was interested in was the witch. Freya watched as Demonia briefly recovered preparing to throw back a desperate spell at Freya, but Freya already had the stone high above her. She could feel the power radiating through it towards the ground where Demonia stood, open and with no defence. Demonia took a direct hit, for a second Freya thought she had her instantly. But the witch had a spirit and staggered up and prepared to throw another spell back at Freya.

Freya re-positioned the stone so it directly threw its power at Demonia, just as the witch released her own spell at Freya. For a moment Freya staggered thinking she'd been hit, but in fact it had careered passed her just yards away, damaging a tree in the process. As Demonia desperately tried to get to her feet, Freya could sense the witch losing her power she began to walk towards her, her eyes locked onto Demonia's face.

"I will take the one thing away from you that you cannot do without." Demonia shrieked at Freya, her voice and face manic. "You will never see Merlin again, I will take him with me!"

"Oh no you won't." Freya shouted back. She walked nearer and nearer to Demonia her face never leaving Demonia's for a second. As the witch began to say some words, Freya threw the stone towards Demonia, as she did so a tremendous noise echoed around them, followed by an immense light which lit up the clearing. As Freya had finished shouting her words, Demonia flew backwards at great force, landing with a nasty thud that made even Freya gulp with disbelief.

The rope which bound her friends was instantly released, and suddenly Freya felt Isolde's arms around her hugging her gratefully.

"You saved our lives once again." Isolde breathed, hugging Freya tightly.

" I don'think that was just me." Freya smiled, mysteriously. "I'm just glad you are all okay."

"Wow you are some woman!" Gwaine said, looking suitably impressed. He hugged her too, his smile making Freya forget her fear for a few seconds.

All of a sudden everyone was talking at once, about the amazing scene that they had all just witnessed. Freya looked behind her where Percival was bending down by Demonia. She watched as he slowly walked back towards her.

"She is definitely gone." Percival confirmed, "Thank you for saving our lives."

There was a mumble of agreement from everyone else. Freya could do little more than smile happily just grateful that she was able to help save her friends. But suddenly she had a restless urge to check up on Merlin, hoping that he was still okay. She had felt such anger when Demonia had threatened him, she wondered how much her mood had contributed to the power of her attack on the witch. But all this would be meaningless if her beloved Merlin was no more.

"Let's take you back to the others." Percival commented, as if sensing Freya's distress. "We need to leave quickly." He urged moving away.

"Yes it will be dark soon." Freya agreed, following him instantly.

"I still don't understand how you managed to see off Demonia like you did." Isolde said, catching up with Freya. "If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes I would never have believed it."

"I'm still trying to work it out myself." Freya murmured, knowing that wasn't an answer Isolde would be satisfied with. In her own mind she was still unsure herself, but somehow Merlin had been in touch with her, maybe through the stone. She could still feel its power penetrating in her pocket as she walked.

Not for the first time Freya sensed a real bit of respect from the lsolde. Freya had always been seen as the young apprentice; the young girl to be looked after, whether it was by Merlin or either of her other friends. On the one hand she was pleased that she had brought a bit of breathing space, that she had proved she could do acts on her own, but she also knew that she had not been entirely alone. But the only person who could tell her more she suspected was Merlin, and who knew what state he was in now. She increased her pace knowing she would only relax once she was with him again.

When they had heard the huge noise and seen the light that lit up the sky, Arthur, Leon and Gwen were busy calming Merlin down. One minute he'd been sleeping away, but something had made Arthur turn around and go over to his friend. He had gasped as he saw his friend's face. Merlin's eyes had flew open a look of manic terror in them. For the first time he had sat up as he began murmuring a spell of such force and ferocity, that Arthur could feel the earth shake under his knees.

Arthur had put his hand on his friend's arm for support, as he watched his friend closely. As he did so he could feel the raw power sap through Merlin's features. For a second he hardly recognised him and almost moved away from him in shock. Merlin's eyes were fully open, as he continued to recite in the language Arthur had heard before, the sorcerer stared manically ahead. As the words were said quicker and quicker, Arthur could feel a sudden surge of power inside his friend. It was like something he had never felt before. Arthur had had few conversations about what Merlin's magic felt like, as the King felt it was Merlin's private business, rather than his own. But as Arthur sensed the feeling of power his friend possessed in that moment, he suddenly felt quite afraid.

He hardly had time to think too much about it as Merlin was onto the next phase of his spell. His hands were up in front of him moving, almost hypnotically as if conducting something. As Arthur sat watching spellbound, he realised Merlin was actually guiding his power out of himself to move it out in a sudden direction. His friend's words became louder, his eyes wilder still until Arthur watched and saw his eyes turn orange. In that moment it all happened, Arthur could feel the commotion before he actually saw the fireball, go sprinting out into the sky. For a second although it was going dark, it felt as if they were in the middle of daylight. But it lasted for seconds as suddenly the fireball was flying through the sky, at a rate of knots.

Arthur, Leon and Gwen had all stood up watching the fireball move through the trees, moving into an easterly direction. Arthur knew it was in the direction they had just left towards Demonia's castle. Did that mean she was still alive he wondered, a cold dread running down his face. Just as he struggled to keep a hold of rational thoughts he could see, Merlin trying to scramble up.

"I must go and find Freya." Merlin murmured, losing his balance as he did so, and falling over.

"No Merlin. Stay where you are I have sent Percival and Gwaine over, they will bring her back." Arthur assured him, trying to persuade him to lie back down again.

"You don't understand Arthur, she needs me." Merlin argued, once again trying to get up. "I have too-"

Arthur pleaded with him. "Merlin you are exhausted you can't even stand up. Please trust them."

"Please Arthur-" Merlin murmured his tone getting fainter as he fought his exhaustion.

When he fell over again this time it was for good. His breath sounded loud and laboured, making Arthur look anxiously at Gwen.

"Leon get me some water please." Gwen said, sitting next to Arthur and tapping his knee in reassurance. "Merlin you must rest, that spell has taken a lot out of you. I feel sure Freya will return with Pericival and Gwaine shortly."

Leon arrived back with some water, Gwen picked up a cloth and softly wiped Merlin's forehead. After a brief second of Merlin trying to sit up, he appeared to give up, and slowly sank back down to earth. "Support his head." Gwen said, and Leon brought over a cloak and put it under Merlin's head.

To Arthur's relief it seemed that Merlin had given up the fight, and was now relaxing into sleep again. Arthur stared at his friend's sudden gentle features, finding it hard to believe that this was the same person that had launched a fireball only seconds ago. Not for the first time Arthur struggled to really understand who Merlin was. He knew he would never do any good person harm, but he realized he was a long way away from understanding the sorcerer, in the way he understood his friend.

"Arthur, what is it?" Gwen softly asked, gently stroking her husband's hair. "You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"In a way I think I have Guinevere." Arthur murmured, wondering how he could explain to her the feelings he had.

"Arthur it's just Merlin that is all." Gwen whispered.

"But he is so powerful Guinevere." Arthur said, in awe.

"But we know he would only use it for good." His wife replied, pulling him over to the fire. "It's Merlin after all."

Arthur let Gwen's words hit home, and he knew despite everything that she was right. All the years he'd protected him had been the proof of that statement. He knew though that maybe the time had come for him to understand more about Merlin's magic. To understand him truly, surely he owed him that at least. He took one last look over to his sleeping friend before sitting down with Leon and Gwen.

The conversation became a little lighter as they ate, waiting for their friends to return. They kept their voices low trying not to disturb a sleeping Merlin behind them. Every now and then Arthur would get up and check his friend it looked to the King as if his friend was having a private battle with himself. He sighed putting his hand on his shoulder softly and whispering "Rest Merlin." He waited a couple of minutes, before deciding he was best to leave him on his own and hope that sleep would eventually take him.

A mighty battle raged on inside Merlin's exhausted mind. On the one hand he felt beyond tired. In fact he hadn't recalled ever feeling as worn out as he did now. It was a weariness that dragged his mind and body towards a bottomless pit. It was as if the spell had wiped him out completely. His eyes could not stay open for more than a few seconds at a time.

But the moment he briefly closed them again, an image of Freya came into his mind. He fought the irrational fear that haunted his head that Freya was no longer alive. The thought chilled him to his bones. The moment he reluctantly accepted it, then suddenly a more relaxed voice countered it. He had to believe that his magic had been enough to save her, otherwise what was the point of anything if he couldn't help his friends or loved ones?

Yet the fear continued to chip away at his confidence rendering him desperate. He could feel himself tossing and turning as he lay there under the tree. Yards away he could hear the voices of his mumbling friends. The negative voice inside his head demanded to know why they were not afraid as well? Why were they not out looking for her now the voice asked? Why did they not appear to care? Just as he began to get more frantic the other soothing voice spoke to him, she will be fine I would be able to feel it if she was no longer with me, it said. He relaxed, but the other voice was still there deep in his subconscious, haunting him as he fought to sleep.

He just longed to be able to rest his aching limbs, but even though he was lying down the pain in them was immense. He tried to rub his hand down one leg, hoping it was ease his agony. But nothing seemed to help. Every now and then he looked at Arthur through half opened eyes. He could sense his friend's unease now, just as he could when he'd uttered the spell. The feeling had saddened him as if some barrier was between them even now. He had sensed Arthur's naked fear in the power he'd unleashed in that angry moment. In truth it had also frightened Merlin too. Those moments of raw naked emotion that spewed out of him, whenever anyone he loved was at risk, had always been something that troubled him. Yet he knew this was his fate, his magic was something that could beautify as well as defile. He had always known that in another life he could have been Morgana, and his life would have been very different. But thanks to his family and friends he had kept a steady hand on himself. He had learnt to control his emotions most of the time, and for that he was grateful. He more than anyone knew what magic could do.

For a few minutes he found peace in his mind, he was aware of his breathing becoming more regular and less excitable. He thought about Freya and the life they would share, when she came back to him. For the first time his features relaxed and a small satisfied smile developed on his face. He felt such contentment when she was with him, as if he had truly found someone he wanted to be with. He knew his first commitment would always be to protect Arthur, but for the first time he knew he had found someone else he could share his life with.

He suddenly understood what it was like that had made his friend so happy, in those moments when Arthur would speak about Gwen. He also knew he had seen it in his mother's face, when she had told him tales about the men who had walked with dragons and who had weaved their magical spells. Only now could he truly appreciate what love did to a person and how it transformed them onto another level. He could hardly bare to think about what life would be without her. He searched his magical mind for connection, making sure he explored every part it could. Surely at sometime she would reconnect with him and everything would be good again?

Percival walked ahead of the group using his tracking skills the way only he could. He had no idea how he had acquired the skills from his childhood. As a boy he had stuck to his brother like glue looking up to him in the way only a younger brother could do. They had barely left each other's side when they grew up. Even now he could remember Jacob's face, remember his generosity and the way he would always spoil Percival. For a second he was lost in the distant past, but just as quickly the feeling was lost, as he knew he need to concentrate on the task in hand.

He pushed his way through a bush, a feeling of familiarity entering his mind. His spirit lifted as he recognised the clearing they were entering. If his memory was correct Arthur was not too far away now.

"I think we are near where we left Arthur." Percival said, a smile on his face, as he sensed how the others appeared lifted by the news.

"Wonderful I am famished. I hope they have left something for us to eat." Tristan said, knocking a branch back with his sword.

"You are always thinking about your stomach Tristan." Isolde laughed.

"Not always I think about you a lot too, you know." Tristan replied, coming up behind Isolde with a bright, yellow flower in his hand. He bowed as he presented her with it, and laughed as he noticed how she blushed as the others tittered.

Freya watched them with a little smile on her face which soon turned to a grimace. How she wished she was back with Merlin now. She was still fretting away wondering how she would find him. She was more positive than ever that he had somehow connected with her as she finished off Demonia. To her it was the only rational explanation, as she remembered the rush of power that had been released through the stone. She did not have enough power on her own, even with the stone. Even now she could feel the buzz that had penetrated through her fingers, and the way the earth around her feet felt scorched. She had remembered her father telling her a tale about a spell that had been similar to her recent experience. Could it have been the same she wondered, how she wished he was still around so she could have asked him. Her father would have liked Merlin; the two of them had qualities that were very alike. Her reminiscing made her even more anxious to get back to Merlin. She looked around realising that she had moved ahead of the group.

She stopped feeling a little tense as she waited for them to catch her up.

"You don't have to worry about Merlin so much you know. He is a lot tougher than people think."

Freya jumped as Gwaine's voice came from behind her. She smiled as the Knight caught up with her, dragging his sword along the ground.

"Oh I know." Freya admitted, "But I still find it hard not to."

Gwaine laughed, "The two of you spend too much time worrying about each other, and not enough time making the most of your time together."

Freya laughed, looking down at the ground for a second knowing that there was a lot of truth in the Knight's words.

"I have always been a worrier. I wish I could be more like you. You never seem to have any worries, though I am sure that's not true." Freya said, looking at him with interest.

"I was once a worrier to. Especially after my father had died, my mother was penniless. That time taught me a lot, never to take anything for granted. It also taught me to make the most of your opportunities. There are times when the only thing I need is a sunny day and a nice girl on my arm."

Freya laughed. "I hope you never change Gwaine."

"Well I will do my best." Gwaine winked. "I do believe we maybe in time for dinner."

Suddenly Freya smelt stew on the wind, and looking ahead she saw Leon coming across to meet them.

"We thought you'd never come." Leon smiled, hugging Gwaine. Freya had already run passed him barely noticing Arthur and Gwen who had come over to her.

"Are you all right Freya?" Gwen asked, checking her face anxiously.

"I am fine thanks, what about Merlin where is he?" Freya asked, looking around in a panic.

"Fast asleep as usual." Arthur grinned, pointing to the slumped figure of Merlin who was lying by the oak tree. Freya ran over to him relief etched on her face. For a few minutes she sat by him, listening to each breath he took, and watching his face like a hawk. She picked up the water skin by his side, and began to drink from it. As she did his eyes slowly opened, and before they knew it they were wrapped in each other's arms.

"Merlin thank goodness. I was so worried." Freya whispered, stroking his hair, not quite believing they were together again.

"You were worried?" Merlin said, "I thought I'd never see you again."

"Have you so little faith in me?" Freya asked, a smile on her lips.

"No of course not. You performed a huge accomplishment today I am very proud of you." Merlin said, kissing her.

"Merlin I wanted to ask about that." Freya said, her curiosity once more growing.

"I will tell you tomorrow, you need to eat and get some rest, we all do I think." Merlin said, stretching his arms above his head.

"Yes I suppose it will wait another day. Shall I get you something to eat?" Freya asked.

"I will get up, I feel a lot stronger than what I was before, let's join everyone else."

Freya took his hand and led him over towards the fire where everyone else was sitting talking. The atmosphere was light with much laughter as everyone relived their latest adventure. Gwaine as ever was centre of attention.

"I tell you if it wasn't for me we'd still be wandering around that forest, isn't that right Freya?" Gwaine asked, laughter in his eyes.

"I really couldn't say, though I seem to remember Percival was leading us for much of the way."

"Thank you Freya, at least someone remembers." Percival said, slapping Gwaine's shoulder.

"Merlin you're joining us." Gwen cried, reaching over and giving him and Freya a bowl.

"He must have smelt the stew." Arthur said, laughing. Gwen rolled her eyes at him. After she gave Merlin and Freya some stew, Arthur coughed so he could get everyone's attention.

"Seriously everyone it is good to see us all together with no one badly hurt. Thanks to the team work another successful mission has been fulfilled. I am proud of everyone's part in it, and I salute you all. When we go back to Landine we can raise our heads in the thought that once again we have helped a part of our Kingdom overcoming problems. Once more we have seen how good magic can be used to overcome people who use their powers in a negative way."

Arthur made sure his eyes met Merlin and Freya's at this point, noting how the pair of them glowed with pride.

"Now I suggest once we've had this lovely stew we get some sleep so we can set off nice and early tomorrow. I will take the first watch." Arthur smiled as he heard the happy mumbling that greeted his offer.

For the remainder of the evening there was much chatter and laughter as everyone made up for lost time. Freya made sure she enjoyed herself knowing that darker days would come their way in the future. But as she snuggled up to Merlin for the night she knew she would not swop it for anything in the world.

Epilogue to follow.

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