Chapter 2: 5x08 The Hollow Queen- Freya

A/n: I know there is already a Fanfiction or two that is similar so I take no credit of this idea. I just wanted to make my own version of how this particular conversation went down. This continues my previous chapter so Arthur knows that Merlin used magic to save him. This is also NOT edited xD

No p.o.v.

"I still can't believe how lucky I was. I owe that boy my life and I don't know who he was or where he's from. We need to make sure we give him a dec8nt burial." Arthur remarked.

He felt grateful, but also worried. He knew that shot was meant for him, and he also know his survival is also credited to Merlin, yet he required no recognition. It didn't worry him about that, just how much the death of that boy is affected Merlin at the moment. Also the limp concerned him.

"I'll do that. If you'll allow me the time." Merlin replied.

Arthur knew that Gwen's excuse of a girl was not true. Ever since he noticed the smirk as he passed out from the poison, he also noticed the deceptions of his once beloved queen. Something had obviously changed. Despite Arthur knowing that the girl was a lie, he wanted to see how easy it would be for Merlin to come up with something.

"Oh, so you can go and visit that girl again." Arthur stated.

Flashing of his beautiful and fragile Freya came to Merlin's mind and he had to blink back tears. Arthur noticed this, and the challenging stare on going between his best friend and wife.

"What?" Merlin questioned, internally freaking out. Of course he dated, but that was years ago!

"Girl." Arthur supplied, not as amused as he hoped he'd be by the look on his manservants face. He was hoping to see panic as his mind rushed to make up an excuse, not grief.

"I don't have one, not anymore." Merlin mumbled, glossy eyes downcast as he turned to look at Arthur and set the jug of liquid down.

"You had one?" Arthur asked, shocked. Then realized the mistake. "I mean... you don't have one anymore?"

"She died a few years back." The servants face looked devastated and Arthur's heart clenched.

"What was she like?" the King asked softly, knowing that this wasn't a lie.

"She was... the most beautiful person, inside and out, that I've ever seen." Merlin so described, eyes distant as if going into his memory. "She had long dark hair and a heart shaped face. Her eyes were a soft brown that were so full of compassion, but also fear."

Merlin softly bowed his head as a few tears managed to escape. Arthur was surprised.

"Fear? What do you mean?"

"She was cursed. When she was younger, a man attacked her. In self defense, she killed him. She didn't know that his mother was a sorceress." Arthur gasped, but continued listening on. "She was cursed to kill forevermore."

"I first met her when she was captured by a bounty hunter. I couldn't just let her stay, looking scared and frightened and alone in that cage. So I broke her out, and hid her. We were going to run away after I'd fallen in love with her. We even kissed." Merlin choked on his grief before continuing. "She left because she didn't want to ruin my life in Camelot. She didn't want to hurt me."

"This... girl was the cursed Druid I stabbed, wasn't it?" Arthur asked, guilt turning in his gut. His eyes stung.

"Yes." Merlin sobbed. Arthur stood and enveloped his best friend in a hug, realizing some details were left out, mainly including how he helped this girl escape.

"I-I took her to a place like where we wanted to live together. A lake surrounded by mountains and flowers." he cried. "And held her as the light faded from her eyes. Then I laid her to rest and watched her burn in a boat on the lake."

"I'm so, so sorry Merlin. If I had known, I wouldn't have hurt her. Gods Merlin, why aren't you angry with me?" 'Why haven't you tried to kill me like all the other revenge seeking sorcerers?'

"You-" sniff. "had to to protect Camelot. I forgave you years ago."

Arthur knew for sure that Merlin was the most compassionate and kindest friend that he could've ever had. Magic or not, his heart was pure gold. Despite the guilt turning inside him, he knew Merlin never held anything against him.

"What was her name?" he questioned quietly as the Merlin's sobs receded, and he started to take deep breaths.

"Her name was Freya. I was visiting her grave."

Arthur didn't question the lie. He knew that Freya was real, but his friend was probably off doing something stupid to protect him. All he knew was Merlin didn't deserve his loses, and that he himself didn't deserve Merlin.