A tenderness flowed through Merlin's veins as her touch melted away his sorrow. His lips quivered; as her fingers clamped his shoulder. His eyes filled with tears of joy. He dare not open his eyes to ruin his fantasy. Just a moment alone with her; to see her smiling face again, as he savored her tender touch. To feel her again,

"Open your eyes, Merlin."

"Then, you will be gone."

A soft hand caressed Merlin's face, he trembled slightly as he longed to see her one last time. "Open your eyes, Merlin."

Merlin blinked away tears as his eyes fluttered open. His hands rose slightly as his body shook. He smelled roses, jasmines, and lilies as her heavy hair touched his face lightly. He twirled a strand of hair around his fingers. It felt silky in on his fingertips. Freya's delicate hands cupped his face.

"It is not the time of sadness, Merlin. A great darkness grows to envelope Camelot. You must be strong to assist Arthur."

"I'm tired of being strong. I don't know, Freya."

"You must embrace your destiny."

"I can't kill Morgana."

"That is not your destiny."

A shell and pearl netting covered Freya's hair, soft curling end draped her shoulders. Her dark eyes coated with slivery sparkles like fish scales. A sea green dress clung to her lithe body. A wide smile rested on her face. She offered a hand to Merlin.

"Walk with me, and listen to my words."

Her hand was so soft and warm. Merlin's fingers linked with Freya as she pulled him from his cold gray rock. He giggled slightly as she smiled lovingly, tenderness in her eyes. His problems drained from his mind as she locked eyes with Freya. Freya waved a hand , Camelot appeared in the background. Merlin spotted Arthur and Gwen holding hands on the castles' ramparts. Golden crowns adorned their hair. Laughing, Arthur looked down and yelled at Merlin, who walked through Camelot's town with Gawain.

"This is your future. However… she plots against you," Freya breathed sadly." Freya moved her finger slightly. Her vision revealed a Camelot covered in flames, trapped in smoke, and surrounded by cries of despair. Her rule is violent, painful, and drenched in evil. Be smarter and Be careful. This is all for Camelot."

Merlin stared happily at Freya. "What now?"

"Come with me."

Freya lead Merlin to a small clearing with sweet green grass, ancient trees with rustling leaves, and glorious rays of sunshine. Merlin spun Freya around as their laughter floated to the sky like a lost butterfly. Merlin forgot his worries. He lost his despair over Morgana's hateful acts. He didn't worry about Arthur's chore list or destiny. His secret didn't hang on him like a heavy deadly lock. He felt free… alive and happy.

He pulled Freya into his arms and softly pressed his lips to her as his heart sank in joy. He lifted her into his arms as he feet danced into beautiful melody in his mind. Merlin raised his head and stared deeply into Freya's glazed browns eyes.

'I love you, Merlin."

As my heart is yours. Freya."

"Oh, Morgana," the mirror called. "My surface is filthy. Clean me."

Morgana arched a ark eyebrow. "I don't clean. Not a chambermaid."

The mirror giggles irritated Morgana. Happiness and glee weren't her favorite things as of late. "Oh, you will. One of your foolish maids might tell Uther that you own a magic mirror. The tales that I could say.'

Morgana grabbed a soft cloth with a huff. She tossed the cloth against the mirror. 'You have to wipe, Morgana." Annoyed, Morgana's hand glided across the mirrors surface. "Lower, you nitwit." Morgana frowned as she removed dusty smudges from the mirror. "A little harder and to the right." The mirror moaned in delight. Morgana felt a little uneasy touching the mirror.

"Now, ask me anything."

Morgana arched a shoulder," Where's Gwen?" The mirror exhaled with a scuff. "Really, obsessed with the serving girl, your future queen. Maybe, she should look into me. Everyone wants her. Arthur and multiple others. Do you? Is that why you're such a sourpuss , Morgana. Did Arthur steal not only your crown, but you're girl. You don't have anyone to pay dolly?" Morgana resisted an urge to break the mirror.

"No, no, no, my dear. I won't be silenced. Leave Gwen alone. You ask for trouble."

"She's just a servant."

"Yes, but she will be Queen. You will mutter to yourself and plot revenge. Not much change for you."

Shut up."

"Oh, how the truth is painful."

Gwen cared for Kilgharrah's egg over the next three days. The shell felt cool to her touch. At times, she could feel something twisting around. It changed color from a blue pastel to a deep emerald green. Her egg laid proudly in a basket of fine linens. Gwen sat mending an old tunic of Arthur's as she smiled happily.

"Well, eggy, we are not married, yet, he left mending for me. Guinevere, he called in his deep drawl, "Could you find time to fix a seams and sew a few holes. Of course, I said yes. " Gwen twisted her mouth when she heard a crackling behind her. Arthur's tunic dropped from her hand. Cautiously, she moved in front of the egg. She noticed a large crack in the center. The egg hummed slightly as the shell began to break into a thousand piece. Shell pieces clacked as they hit the floor.

She peered into he bask as the egg lid flew off. Gwen giggled when a small pair of blue eyes stared at her sweetly. "Ohh, you sweet darling. Can you get out?"

Gwen scooped the baby dragon from his birth chamber. The tiny dragon was covered in a sticky red goo. "You need a bath." Gwen carried her baby over to a bowl. She poured cool water over the dragon's head. He squirmed in fear when the water hit his small body. "Stay."

The tiny dragon opened his mouth to reveal tiny rows of sharp teeth. Blue eyes followed Gwen's movement. Gently, she rubbed his rough body cleaned. Carefully, she lifted him from the bowl. She rubbed his body dry with a towel.

The tiny dragon fit perfectly into her arms. He pulled his legs to his stomach. He stared lovingly at Gwen. "Mother," he squeaked. Gwen's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, dear, Arthur isn't going to be happy. My first child isn't his son or daughter. I'm a mother to a baby dragon. He just loves dragons." Gwen fingers traced circles on the baby dragons' belly. "Your skin is rough."

Gwen rocked her baby as she walked around the room. 'You need a name. " She stared hard at the dragon. "I'll call you Bob.