Some cuteness and Freya-ness. And Excalibur-ness :)

You guys gotta leave your thoughts, kay? :)

Merlin decided going to the lake alone was his best course of action; he couldn't bring Analise there, not with everything that happened on that ground. Maybe in time, but not yet. He wasn't quite ready.

"Freya!"

He scanned the area, and finding no sign of the Druid girl, he called out again.

"Freya!"

"You don't have to shout Merlin. I'm right here."

A breath of relief escaped past his lips as he saw her standing amongst the leaves in the forest, a non-existent wind blowing her hair around her face; it was almost majestic.

"Are you still willingly to help me?"

"Of course. Always."

"I need to get Excalibur back. It's at the bottom of this lake here."

"This is what you're asking of me?"

"Yes."

"Simple enough. I shall retrieve it for you."

"Thank you. Thank you."

In a moment, he lost sight of Freya, and stood alone, occasionally kicking a pebble toward the ever still waters of the lake. He longed for the calm presence of the girl, his heart pulling him in two different directions; one way, toward the girl he finally had back in his life, the other, toward the one he would never have again, not in the way he truly desired. His head regretted coming to the lake with Analise back in Camelot. The still icy cold hand of Freya jerked Merlin from his thoughts, and she gently placed the hilt of Excalibur in his hand. Hers lingered over his for just a moment, her ghostly pale skin actually contrasting to his pasty skin.

"Be careful with it," she warned.

"I know, I will."

"I have one request. Can you do that for me?"

"Absolutely. Anything."

"Do not bring this sword back here. The power of it scares me when I'm in presence around here. No, you must take it much further from the castle and hide it well. And don't let it out of your sight."

"I'll make sure I keep it by my at all times."

"Remember the power of this weapon."

"I know, Freya," Merlin insisted, and her eyes teased him. "Thank you."

"I trust you're fine from here. If there's anything else you need, please, don't hesitate to ask. I'll help you in any way I can."

"Thank you."

She nodded her head gently, then began to head back toward the forest. Suddenly she stopped, turned back around, and placed her hand against a tree trunk, the non-existent wind picking up speed, and with her other hand held her hair in one place.

"You only get so many chances at love, Merlin, be good to her. You deserve to be as happy as you can possibly be."

Then she turned back to the forest and promptly disappeared. Somehow, her kindly spoken words just made Merlin's heart ache harder for the loss of the wonderful lady who cruelly ended up on the wrong side of fate. A few tears escaped his eyes, and he wiped them away immediately, and then he gently smiled.

Sometimes the dead don't completely leave the ones they love.