The Lady of the Lake

In a land of Myth and a time of magic,
The destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of two young people,
Their names,
Merlin and Mira-Liana

It was a dark and stormy night as Gaius, Merlin and Mira-Liana walked down the streets of Camelot after helping a patient. Mira-Liana still had two weeks left before her baby was born and she was enjoying a possibly last breath of freedom with her brother and uncle before she would become a mother.

They hadn't gone far when they passed a horse-drawn cage and saw a young girl chained within. She had long black hair and wore a torn red dress. She flung herself at the cage towards them and her eyes were pleading.

"Gaius!" said Merlin, looking shocked.

"She's fallen prey to a bounty hunter," said Gaius.

"She's only a girl," said Mira-Liana.

"She'll fetch a good price, though," said Gaius, sadly.

"Someone's going to pay for her?" said Merlin, disgusted.

"Uther offers a handsome reward for anyone with magic."

"There must be something we can do," said Mira-Liana.

"Shouldn't there be?" said Merlin.

Gaius shook his head. "Mira, Merlin, bounty hunters are dangerous men. They are not to be meddled with. You, of all people, should understand that."

They did understand that, but that didn't shake their decision as they watched the poor girl in the cage.

XXX

That same night, Merlin and Mira-Liana snuck out of the castle and headed down to the streets where the girl in the cage was. They found her sleeping and looking quite uncomfortable. After checking to make sure no one was coming, they put their plan into action.

The girl then woke up and gazed at the twins with wide eyes.

"Don't worry," said Merlin. "We're not going to hurt you."

He and Mira-Liana grabbed hands and used a spell to unlock the cage before they climbed in. The girl, frightened, backed up.

Mira-Liana took the girl's hands and looked at her, as if asking permission, and the girl nodded and with a spell, the chains came off.

Merlin and Mira-Liana took the girl's hands and got her out of the cage and behind the cart just as Halig, the bounty hunter came out. He looked shocked and immediately began searching for the girl. He walked closer to the hidden three, but then he turned around and the twins used a spell to make the inn's sign fall onto his head and knock him out.

"Run!" Merlin whispered.

The three of them fled and were almost caught by the guards before they escaped to the castle's caves down below where they lit a torch and remained for several moments.

"They won't find you here," Merlin said to the girl.

The girl didn't respond and just gazed at them questioningly when Mira-Liana handed the girl her cloak.

"It's alright. I just thought you might be cold," she explained. "Here, take it."

After a moment's hesitation, the girl took it and wrapped around her shivering body. "Why did you do that?" she asked, speaking at last.

"What?" asked Mira-Liana.

"Help me."

"Well, we saw you and…it could've been us in that cage," said Merlin. "You'll be safe down here. We'll be back in the morning and get you some food and candles. Will you be alright until then?"

The girl nodded.

Mira-Liana squeezed the girl's shoulder. "It's alright. You're going to be fine. I'm Mira-Liana, by the way. This is my twin brother, Merlin. What's your name?"

"I'm Freya."

"Well, we'll see you in the morning, Freya," said Merlin.

She nodded and then whispered, "Thank you."

The twins smiled and then took their leave.

XXX

The next morning, Halig went to see Uther. He told Uther about Freya and how she was missing, but also said that she was dangerous as even the druids had feared her because she was cursed. This seemed to trouble Uther a great deal, who quickly offered his assistance.

XXX

At the same time, Mira-Liana collected food from the kitchens and went down to the caves with Merlin. They went down with their bundle of food and found Freya asleep on the cave floor, using Mira-Liana's cloak as a blanket.

Merlin gently shook her and she immediately jumped, as if she was unaware of her surroundings.

"Shh, it's alright, it's just us," said Mira-Liana.

Freya instantly relaxed. "I'm sorry. For a moment I thought…"

"It's okay, we understand," said Merlin. He unfolded the bundle of food. "Look what we've brought. Dig in."

Freya did just that. She'd obviously had little to eat for quite some time, as she practically inhaled the food. She swallowed after a few bites and said, "It's good."

"Fit for a princess," said Mira-Liana, smiling.

Merlin set up the candles and used a spell to light them. It was then that he and Mira-Liana noticed Freya's druid mark on her arm.

"Is that a druid symbol?" he asked.

Freya nodded.

"Were you born a druid?" asked Mira-Liana.

"Why are you asking me all these questions?" Freya asked, sounding a little harsh.

"We didn't mean to," said Merlin.

Freya's features softened. "Sorry."

"We understand," said Mira-Liana.

Freya shook her head. "You could never understand."

"We know what it's like to keep secrets," said Merlin.

Freya gazed at them. "Does anyone know you two have magic?"

"Just the few members of our family and some very close friends," said Mira-Liana, placing a hand over her swollen stomach, thinking of her unborn child. "But sometimes I don't think they really understand."

"I wish I was like everyone else, but—" Freya's voice wandered off.

"—but deep down, you know you're not?" Merlin finished.

"Because I'm cursed," she explained.

"Freya, don't say that. Magic doesn't have to be a curse. It can be a gift," said Mira-Liana.

Freya looked doubtful and was quiet.

Merlin and Mira-Liana turned to the candles and incanted a spell that made the flames rise from their wicks and dance about the room, making Freya smile.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, as the flames returned to their wicks.

Merlin and Mira-Liana smiled back, but then their smiles faded as they realized how long they'd been in the caves.

"We have to go," said Merlin. "Someone might notice we're missing. But we'll be back soon with more food. We promise."

"Here," said Mira-Liana, as she pulled a pillow from her bag. "This will make things a little more comfortable for you."

"Thank you," said Freya.

XXX

Later, the twins had to be extra cautious. Gaius had questioned them about Freya and warned them that the guards were looking for her, but the twins denied any involvement. Merlin got more food for Freya and was walking down to the caves when Halig stopped him.

Halig just took one look at him and then had him dragged down to the dudgeons where some of the guards held him. Halig took the food and dropped it to the ground.

"It's just my sister's leftovers," said Merlin.

"Does she know you steal his food?" Halig demanded.

"I didn't steal it!" he protested. Mir, get Arthur. I've got a bit of a problem with Halig.

"Where were you taking it?" Halig demanded.

"Home for my dinner," Merlin lied.

Halig looked as if he didn't believe Merlin. "Really?" he said. "The druid girl I'm looking for, have you seen her?"

"No."

"Do you know how much money she's worth to me?"

Merlin shook his head.

"More than your life!" Halig hissed. "So, I'm asking you again, have you seen the druid girl?"

"No," said Merlin, coldly.

Halig looked angry and shoved Merlin into the chair behind him. "Hold him," he ordered the guards. He pulled out a set of chains. "I think you're lying to me."

"I'm not, I swear!"

"I don't believe you!" said Halig, as he prepared to strike. But he stopped when a sharp voice was heard.

"Halig!" shouted Mira-Liana, stepping into view along with Arthur. "What do you think you're doing?"

"We caught the boy behaving suspiciously, Your Majesties," said Halig.

"Merlin," Arthur corrected.

"He could be harboring the girl. But he's going to tell us where," said Halig, about to strike. But Arthur held him back. "Leave him alone! Merlin is a member of the Royal Family. He has our absolute trust. If you have a problem with him, you come to me. Do you understand?"

"Unless, of course, you'd like to be punished and flogged for treason against the crown," Mira-Liana added, as she narrowed her eyes.

Halig just bowed his head. "No, Your Majesties. Sorry, Your Majesties."

Once he was gone, Arthur turned to Mira-Liana and Merlin. "Please tell me you actually didn't have anything to do with the druid girl escaping."

"Er…" said Merlin, rubbing his head. "Yes."

"We both did," said Mira-Liana. "Arthur, she's just a young girl. We had to do something. If it wasn't for Gaius and Hunith, we probably would've been captured and taken; just like her."

Arthur sighed. "Alright, alright, but she has to leave the city soon. I'll do what I can, but for heaven's sake be careful. I don't want to lose my family."

"How many times do I have to tell you? You won't lose us," said Mira-Liana. She gently kissed him before disappearing down the corridor with her brother.

XXX

They found Freya quietly sobbing as she sat curled up by the wall.

"We're sorry we took so long," said Merlin.

"It's okay," said Freya, as she wiped her eyes.

"Here, you must be hungry," said Mira-Liana, as she gave Freya the extra bundle of food Halig hadn't found. Then she saw the look on Freya's face. "What is it?"

"Nothing," said Freya.

"Are you upset?" asked Merlin.

"No."

"Did you think we weren't coming?" asked Mira-Liana. "We promised you we would."

Freya's face lightened a bit. "I scare most people away."

"We're not most people," said Merlin, smiling as he added more candles to the room. "How long had you been in that cage?"

"A few days," said Freya.

"The bounty hunter?" said Mira-Liana.

"Halig," said Freya.

"How'd he find you?" asked Mira-Liana.

Freya sniffled. "You can't always trust people."

"We know," said Merlin. "That's mostly why we left home."

"And where is home?" asked Freya.

"Ealdor," said Mira-Liana. "It's a small village. Just a few fields, a couple of cows, and such."

Small smiles crept across the twins' faces as they thought of Ealdor. It hadn't been much, but it had been their home and always would be. It was where they'd grown up.

"My home was next to a lake, surrounded by the tallest mountains," said Freya, smiling. "In the winter, the storms whipped up the waves, until we thought it would crash down and wash all the houses away. But in the summer, wild flowers and light…it was like heaven."

"It sounds perfect," said Merlin.

"It was."

"Was?" said Mira-Liana, noticing the past tense.

"My family died," she sighed.

"Have you been on your own ever since?" asked Merlin, gently.

Freya just nodded and another tear trickled down her cheek.

Mira-Liana held Freya in her arms for a moment. "You're not alone anymore," she murmured. "We're going to look after you, we promise."

Freya sniffled and shook her head, but she didn't get out of Mira-Liana's arms. She just took Merlin's hand in hers and closed her eyes. "You can't look after me. No one can."

"I don't think you understand," said Merlin. "We've never known anyone like you."

The twins tried to move, but Freya stopped them.

"We wish we could stay," said Mira-Liana.

"You're going?" said Freya.

"We need to be careful," said Merlin. "But we'll come back in the morning. You know we'll be back won't you?"

Freya nodded. She released them and smiled slightly. "Merlin, Mira-Liana, I've never known anyone like you either."

This made them smile as they went their separate directions.

XXX

The next morning, the alarm bell went off. Two people had been killed and Arthur was investigating as Gaius examined the bodies. He'd ordered Mira-Liana to stay inside the castle until he said otherwise, not wanting any harm to come to her.

"I think they've been killed by some kind of wild animal," said Gaius.

"Have your men been able to track the creature?" Uther asked Arthur.

"But that's the strange thing," said Arthur. "The ground is soft, so either a bear or a wolf would leave some mark. But there's no tracks."

"Then what're these?" asked Gaius, pointing to some prints in the ground.

They weren't animal. They were bare human footprints.

"Those are human footprints," said Arthur.

"But they're leading away from the body," Gaius pointed out. "Did someone escape the attack?"

Arthur shrugged. "No one's come forward."

"Could the person who made these be responsible?" asked Uther.

"I don't believe so," said Gaius. "These wounds could only have been inflicted by some beast of considerable size."

"And if this was done by neither a man nor a beast, then there's only one other explanation. It must be the work of a magical creature," said Uther.

Arthur suddenly felt uneasy. If something magical was unleashed in Camelot, it could prove a danger to his family. Or worse still, the danger could be the druid girl hidden beneath Camelot. Arthur sincerely hoped he was wrong.

XXX

Merlin and Mira-Liana returned again to Freya with more food.

"Hey, sorry we're late again," said Merlin.

Mira-Liana took out some bread from the bag. "What would you like with this? We can make you anything. Ham? Cheese?"

"Strawberries," said Freya, softly.

"Strawberries it is," said Merlin. He cupped his hands and then several strawberries in his palms, which he placed next to the bread which lay on the cloth.

Freya smiled as she ate some of the bright red berries. "Why are you two so good to me?"

The twins paused.

"Because we can't help it," said Mira-Liana. "We really like you."

"It's like you're part of our family and we don't have to hide anything from you."

Freya froze and then she took their hands. "Merlin, Mira, please, listen to me. I'm not like you."

Before she could continue, there was a crash and the three of them hid as Halig and some guards snooped around. They used magic to keep themselves hidden until they were sure the tunnels were clear.

They were crouched against the wall. Freya was in between Merlin and Mira-Liana as Merlin lit a torch. She was sobbing and shaking.

"They're going to find me," she sobbed. "I can't go on like this, I can't."

"Shh, shh, shh," said Mira-Liana, as she stroked Freya's hair. "We won't let that happen."

"We promised you we'd look after you and we will, no matter what," said Merlin.

"You really don't realize how special you are, do you?" Mira-Liana murmured.

Freya took a deep breath and looked at them. "You-you're not scared of me?"

They shook their heads.

"Being different is nothing to be scared of," said Merlin.

Freya smiled a little before she curled into the twins' embrace. "Thank you," she whispered.

They gave Freya a sleeping potion so she could sleep easily and left some protective wards around the cave so she would not be harmed before they left her, hoping that everything would work out somehow.

XXX

Later that night, they went to see Freya again.

"What're you two doing here?" she asked.

"We couldn't help it," said Mira-Liana. "We just wanted to check on you."

"You shouldn't keep doing this. It's dangerous," said Freya.

"We don't care," said Merlin.

"No, you two, you have to be careful."

"Don't worry, we're doing all we can," said Mira-Liana. "We've decided we're going to get you out of here, out of Camelot."

"How?" asked Freya.

"We'll get some clothes and disguise you," said Merlin.

Freya's face fell. "It's just…I'm going to miss you both."

Mira-Liana's squeezed her hand. "We'll never be very far apart, Freya. We'll take you somewhere safe and we'll come by as often as we can to take care of you."

"No, you can't. Don't say that!"

"Isn't that what you want?" asked Merlin.

"You don't understand. The two of you have a life here. You've got a family and friends who love you and a home. My life is…I have to keep moving, always looking over my shoulder, people chasing me—"

"It doesn't have to be like that," Mira-Liana interrupted. "All the things that we have, you can have them too. You can be part of our family."

"You mean it?" asked Freya.

"Yes," said Merlin. "What do you say?"

"I want that more than anything," she confessed.

They all smiled.

"Where will we go?" asked Freya.

"Somewhere with mountains," said Mira-Liana.

"A few fields," said Freya.

"Wildflowers," said Mira-Liana.

"A couple of cows," said Freya.

"And a lake," said Merlin.

"And a lake," said Freya, smiling.

"We'll be back in the morning," said Mira-Liana.

XXX

The next morning, more people were found dead. It was the same beast that had killed before. The few eyewitnesses claimed to have seen an enormous black cat with wings. There were no animal tracks, just human footprints yet again. This confirmed Uther's suspicion that magic was once again in the works in Camelot.

XXX

Merlin and Mira-Liana ran into Gwen outside of the caves.

"Merlin, Mira," she said.

"Hello, Gwen," said Merlin, as he kissed her. "What're you doing here?"

"Mira told me about Freya and I wanted to help out." She held out a bag that contained a fine dress. "Here, take this. She must be freezing down there."

"It's wonderful," said Mira-Liana. "Where did you get this?"

"I picked it up at the tailor's yesterday. From what you've told me, I think it'll look good on her," said Gwen, smiling. "Is Freya going to be alright?"

"We hope so," said Merlin. "The sooner we get her out of Camelot, the better."

"Good luck," said Gwen, as she hugged and kissed Merlin again. "I love you."

"And I love you," said Merlin.

"Come on, Freya's waiting," said Mira-Liana.

XXX

Down in the caves, Freya was waiting for them. She immediately stood up when they arrived.

"Look at what we've brought you," said Merlin, as Mira-Liana took out the dress. It was purple with gold embroidery.

"It's beautiful," said Freya. She held it to her chest and was smiling.

"You look like a princess," said Mira-Liana, smiling.

Freya smiled back, but then her smile faded as she folded up the dress and handed it back to Mira-Liana. "I'm not a princess. I can't take this."

"Freya, we don't understand…" said Merlin, but she cut him off.

"You two keep doing all this for me! I don't deserve it."

"Nonsense!" said Mira-Liana. "We want to."

"What's wrong?" asked Merlin.

"Nothing," said Freya.

"Please, take it," said Mira-Liana, as she handed her the dress. "You look wonderful in it."

Freya didn't meet their eyes as she took the dress.

"We can get you out tonight as soon as it's dark," said Merlin. "Everything will be alright."

Freya sighed and then her face brightened a little. "We'll need supplies. Food, water…"

The twins smiled. "Alright then," said Mira-Liana.

"I'll try and get some blankets and horses. And whatever else we need," said Merlin.

Freya smiled. "Go on, then. Go."

She then hugged them both before they left the caverns to gather what they needed. But neither Merlin nor Mira-Liana heard their dear friend whispered, "Good-bye, Merlin. Good-bye, Mira-Liana."

XXX

Merlin and Mira-Liana had just finished packing when Gaius came in.

"Oh, hello, Gaius, what can we do for you?" asked Mira-Liana.

"I need to talk to you both," said Gaius.

"Of course," said Merlin. "Please, sit down."

They sat around the table and then Mira-Liana said, "You look worried. What's wrong?"

"The beast struck again last night. There are two more dead in the lower town."

"Do you know what it is, yet?" asked Merlin.

"No. Once more, there were no tracks around the bodies except for human footprints that were leading away from them. It doesn't add up. The tracks indicate a human is responsible, but the wounds inflicted are definitely the sign of a beast."

"Strange," said Mira-Liana.

"Yes, until I remembered what Halig said about the druid girl. She's cursed."

"What's that got to do with the monster?" asked Merlin.

"Ancient chronicles speak of a heinous curse. It dooms its victims to turn at the stroke of midnight, into a vicious, bloodthirsty beast. The writers of old call this creature a bastet," said Gaius. "A monster of nightmare that inhibits the night world between the living and the dead."

Merlin and Mira-Liana exchanged looks and couldn't speak. It couldn't be true. It just couldn't be. Freya, a bastet? Impossible!

"Merlin, Mira, I want the truth. Did you two release the druid girl from the cage?" asked Gaius.

"Of course not!" said Merlin.

Gaius sighed. "There was a time when you two thought twice before lying to me."

Mira-Liana fought back tears and said, "We did what we thought was right."

"You two know that the creature and the girl are one and the same," said Gaius.

"No, you're wrong!" said Mira-Liana. "Freya is just an innocent girl!"

"Please, think about what I'm saying. You know it's the truth. Now, where is she?"

"No!" said Merlin.

"She's killed already and she'll kill again. She can't stop herself," said Gaius, gently.

"Gaius, please, I'm begging you. Do this one favor for us," said Mira-Liana. "Let us get her out of the city tonight. She'll be gone. Don't force me to use my authority."

Gaius sighed. "I can only give you until sundown. Uther wants answers by that hour and by then I'll be forced to give them. Do you understand?"

"We do," said Merlin. "Thank you."

They grabbed their things and fled the room.

XXX

The twins ran down to the caves, but they found no sign of Freya. All that remained was the purple gown they'd given her.

"FREYA!" Mira-Liana shouted.

"Freya, where are you?" Merlin yelled.

But there was no reply, which made them both worry.

They got help from Mordred, Frik, and Morgana, but in spite of all their efforts, Freya could not be found. Merlin and Mira-Liana could only pray that wherever Freya was, she was safe.

As Mira-Liana and Merlin sat together and talked and worried, the alarm bell went off, causing them to flee to the streets of Camelot.

XXX

Freya crept around Camelot. She hadn't wanted to leave Merlin and Mira-Liana like that, but she couldn't bear to put them in danger. She loved them as much as she had loved her family before they died. So, she had left the twins to protect them.

She hid behind some caskets and then she heard a man shout, "There she is!"

Without thinking, she ran, ignoring the protests and yells from the people chasing her.

Moments later she was cornered by Halig and some of the guards.

"Please, just let me go," she begged, trying not to cry.

But Halig just looked at her greedily. "No one ever escapes from me," he said, as he moved towards her.

Then the midnight bell began ringing and Freya let out a scream of pain. She fell onto her hands and began transforming.

Within moments, Freya was no more and in her place was an enormous black cat with yellow eyes, huge fangs and wings.

Seconds later, most of the men had fled and the bastet destroyed Halig. He would never again harm another living soul.

XXX

Merlin and Mira-Liana raced through the streets of Camelot searching for any sign of Freya. They found her in her bastet form attacking some of the guard.

She was wounded and limping as the guards surrounded her. She kept growling and hissing, but her noises quieted down when her golden eyes met Merlin and Mira-Liana's blue ones.

"Freya," Mira-Liana whispered.

"No," Merlin whispered.

The guards inched closer to her, but immediately backed off when Merlin made a stone gargoyle fall and give her just enough time to escape.

The twins followed her down to the caves. She was still in her bastet form and hissed slightly when they came near her.

"Shh," said Merlin, as he placed his hand on her head. "You're alright. You're safe now."

She let him stroke her black fur before she vanished from their sights and moments later; in the place of the bastet was Freya, who lay on the ground crying as she lay under Mira-Liana's cloak. She turned to the twins, who stroked her hair and wiped away her tears, and she looked distraught.

"You must hate me," Freya sobbed.

"No," said Mira-Liana.

"I'm a monster. I tried to tell you. I wasn't always like this."

"Shh," said Merlin. "You shouldn't try to talk."

"There was a man, he attacked me. I didn't mean to hurt him. I thought he was going to kill me."

"It was an accident," said Mira-Liana.

"His mother was a sorceress. When she found out, that I'd kill her son, she cursed me to kill forevermore. I'm so sorry."

"Shh, shh, shh," said Merlin, as he rubbed her arms to keep her warm. "We're going to make you better, Freya."

"No, you two, the wound's too deep," said Freya, sounding faint. "Please, go."

"No. No, we're not leaving you here," said Mira-Liana. Her heart was heavy with the pain of the knowledge of what had to be done, but they had no other option. "Listen, there's only one way we stop all of this and heal your wound. Will you do it?"

"Whatever it is, I'll gladly do it," said Freya.

And that was it. After dressing her wound and placing her in the purple gown, they took her to the lake where the sword forged with the dragon's breath lay. It was beautiful with the majestic snow-capped mountains, fields, trees and the wilting wildflowers. Freya's eyes fluttered open and she smiled as she lay in Merlin's arms.

"You remembered," she murmured.

"Of course," said Merlin, smiling. "We're sorry for what that sorceress did to you."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Freya whispered.

"We wish there was another way to save you," said Mira-Liana, through her tears.

"You already saved me, you two," Freya whispered. "You made me feel loved."

"We don't want you to go," said Merlin.

"We'll never be far apart. One day…Merlin, Mira-Liana…I will repay you, I promise."

And with that, Freya's eyes closed as Merlin and Mira-Liana used their powers to change Freya into the Lady of the Lake. She looked beautiful and happy before she waved good-bye and disappeared into the water's depths. Merlin and Mira-Liana could not hold back their tears as they watched their dear friend leave them, and there was no way to know if or when she would ever come back.

XXX

After Freya was gone, Merlin sat alone on his bed, just thinking until Gwen came in.

"Merlin?" said Gwen, as she sat beside him. "Are you alright? Is Freya okay?"

"She's fine. She's…she's the Lady of the Lake now," said Merlin, softly. "I know I should be grateful she's still alive and safe, but I just miss her. She was a good friend and like family. She was like another sister or even a daughter."

"I know, love," said Gwen, softly. She stroked his black hair as he leaned into her shoulder and held him close. "I know."

"I don't know what I'd do without you," he said. "I love you so much, Gwen. Don't ever leave me."

"I love you too, Merlin. I won't leave," she said. Gwen held Merlin close and after a few moments, they let go. "Merlin, I've got a little surprise for you."

"What is it?" asked Merlin.

Gwen placed his hand on her stomach. "I'm with child."

Merlin's face lit up as he lifted Gwen into his arms and spun her around before he kissed her. "This is perfect," he said.

Gwen smiled back and returned the kiss.

XXX

A week went by. Hunith had arrived in Camelot at Mira-Liana's request as she was close to having her baby. All that remained was for the baby to come.

Mira-Liana was missing Freya greatly, but she was coping well as she and Arthur sat in their chambers talking until she felt a sharp pain. She let out a gasp and clutched her stomach.

"Are you alright? What's wrong?" asked Arthur, looking worried.

"Fetch Gaius, my mother, and the midwife," she gasped. "It's time."