A/N: Sorry I haven't update in a while. I'd lost most inspiration for this story for a while there, despite having the whole thing planned out (well, mostly). Hopefully writing this chapter will kickstart the creative process.

Enjoy chapter five, and THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who reviewed! You guys are amazing in every sense of the word.

For a long time, neither of them said anything. They held each other, and it was enough. It was more than enough.

For Merlin, it was long enough to convince himself that it was real.

For Freya, it was long enough to pretend it was real.

Real or not, it wasn't destined to last very long. Eventually, it had to end. Freya was the one who broke the embrace. She wiped at her eyes, but it was hardly any use. "Merlin," she said, reaching up to wipe at his red eyes, "Merlin, we can't stay like this all night,"

"Why not?" He sounded so innocent that she couldn't help but laugh around her thick throat. She didn't answer, but earning her smile was enough for him.

"I told you I'd try to explain," She sobered somewhat. Merlin nodded and guided her to a bench at one side of the room. He wouldn't let go of her hand even as they sat down. "There's… There's so much," Freya began, wondering how much she should actually divulge to him. "I don't know where to begin." He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"How about last time we met – at the lake, with Excalibur?"

She shook her head. "No. No, it goes back farther than that. Back at the lake, yes, but… the first time. Right after…" She stopped, and this time he put both of his hands over hers. She looked down at them and wondered when they'd lost their smoothness. She swallowed. "After I died," she managed, and Merlin only watched her. "But you see, Merlin, I didn't really die. Well, I did, but I… I didn't." She shot a glance up at him, and though he looked perfectly confused, he only watched her, rapt at attention. "Something saved me, there at the last moment, whether anyone meant it to or not."

"What saved you?" His voice was barely a whisper. She looked up at him, her eyes full of meaning.

"Magic."

Before realization could dawn in Merlin's eyes, Lord Valas opened the door.

"Lord Emrys, have you – Ah, Freya!" Merlin and Freya had leaped apart the moment the door unlatched, and looked extremely guilty as they sat next to each other. Valas had either somehow managed not to notice, or didn't let it show on his face. "I've been looking for you," He smiled. Freya didn't. "You should tell me before you go running off like that. I trust you had a good evening?"

"Yes, Father," Merlin frowned. Demureness didn't suit Freya. Feeling what was a perhaps unmerited surge of protectiveness, Merlin gave Freya back his hand and helped her from her seat in a gentlemanly way. However, the care he took, the ease with which she stood by him held a familiar quality that belied their affection. This, Valas did not fail to notice. He said nothing, but eyed their locked hands with an unreadable expression. Once he looked back up, he acted as though he hadn't, and smiled.

"Lord Emrys," He bowed the tiniest amount, and Merlin nodded respectfully, "I was glad to see you at the feast this evening, and might I say, I look forward to seeking your company and counsel in the coming days. It has been some time since I've conversed with a sorcerer of your caliber, you understand."

Merlin did understand. What he didn't understand was the strange, icy feeling that was creeping up through his gut as he gauged the air between Freya and Valas. On their own, both seemed like perfectly nice, amiable people, but together… Merlin was reminded of an experiment he'd made with magnets; two opposing poles repelling against each other. He wanted to ask Freya about it, but couldn't.

"I'm flattered," Merlin always opted for the humble road. "I look forward to it as well."

"As does my daughter, apparently," Valas laughed and despite her obvious discomfort, Freya had the modesty to blush. For whatever reason, the sight of it made Merlin flush similarly. "However, it is growing late and I, for one, and still tired from the road, as I'm sure dear Freya is. Come, my dear, I believe your maids are looking for you."

"Of course, father," Freya said, but her hand didn't loosen from Merlin's.

"I would be happy to escort the Lady Freya back to her suites," Merlin offered.

"That won't be necessary," Valas assured him. "After all that feasting and dancing, I'm sure you're tired too, Your Grace. A good night to you. Come, Freya."

Reluctantly, she let go of Merlin's hand and went to stand by Valas. "Good night, Mer-" She blushed and caught herself. "Lord Emrys." Between her formality and the positively stony look on her face as she maintained a safe distance from Valas, Merlin wanted to frown at her, but found himself smiling instead.

"Please, call me Merlin. Goodnight, Lady Freya, Lord Valas."

Both of them maintained the happy faces until they locked eyes just as the door swung shut. Merlin wasn't sure what her eyes had said, but it looked dark; dark and pleading.

Freya was right. She did need to explain.

Reluctant to let the thought of her go, Merlin turned and climbed the stairs to his chambers. Perhaps a good sleep would do him some good.

Arthur sighed.

When he'd made Merlin Court Sorcerer, he'd done so in the assumption that Merlin would remain the same friendly, big-mouthed, out-and-about, smile-faced lunatic that all of Camelot had come to know and love. For the first year or so, his assumption had held true. But then, this was Merlin's second year as Court Sorcerer, and apparently, he'd caved to the inexplicable craving for a hermitage in his tower. Or the library. Or Gaius' chambers. Or the forest. Or wherever else that damned warlock bloody well pleased. Rounding a corner, Arthur only just missed colliding with his wife.

"Have you seen Merlin?" He asked. The envoy from Drailynn had arrived two days ago, and Arthur hadn't seen his friend since.

"No, I haven't," Gwen said, and Arthur squinted at her. Gwen was a terrible liar. He'd misjudged Merlin's fibbing ability for years, but Guinevere was truly, certifiably rubbish at it.

"Oh really?" Arthur crossed his arms, and Gwen bit her lip, realizing he was in a mood. "Because something tells me that you have."

She didn't deny it.

"Where is he, Gwen?" Arthur tried to soften his voice. She sighed and slumped.

"Oh, Arthur, please don't pester him,"

"Where is he?"

"-He's been having a really tough week. Leave him be, for now."

"I haven't even seen him for two days, I think I have a reason to go looking. And what do you mean, a tough week?"

"Oh, you know," Gwen twiddled with her fingers, "You know, the Drailynian embassy, and all. He's the Court Sorcerer. It's a big deal for him. Lots of pressure."

"Funny, he was bouncing out of his boots with glee before they got her. But then they show up, and as soon as he sees that Freyacharacter, he-" And all at once, Arthur stopped talking and his face cleared. He took in Gwen's guilty look and looked slightly horrified. "Oh, no, Merlin's not.."

"What?"

"He's gone and tried to woo her, hasn't he? And it's gone all wrong, and now he's moping."

"Arthur!" Gwen swatted him.

"He ismoping, isn't he?"

"No!" Gwen insisted, and grew serious. "I do think he likes her, though." She eyed Arthur in a way that told him not to make light of it. He took the hint. It wasn't a lie, what she'd said. Although, Gwen didn't just think it, she knew it. Arthur didn't. He hrumphed ambiguously.

"Well, it's about time he found someone, anyway. Just didn't think he'd become a hermit because of it." Dismissing the whole matter as frivolous and temporary, Arthur drew himself up and walked away. Gwen sighed once he'd left, wishing it were all that simple, because in actuality, it was anything but. And still, Gwen didn't understand the half of it.

Then and there, she decided that it would be her new mission to figure it all out, for everyone's sake, for Merlin and Arthur.

Her first opportunity came, as if on cue, just a day later, when Freya had stumbled into a room looking rather lost.

"Lady Freya?"

"Ah, Your Majesties!" Freya looked somewhat bewildered when she saw Arthur and Gwen casually chatting with a man in knights' uniform. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine," Gwen smiled, and put the other woman immediately at ease. "Please, come in. Lady Freya, this is Sir Gwaine, whom I was just speaking with about you and your father's arrival." Gwaine, predictably, put on his most winning smile and kissed Freya's hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sir Gwaine," She smiled.

"Believe me, the pleasure is all mine," He said. Freya smiled back politely. Gwen had to bite back her smile and turn her eyes to the ground to avoid looking at Gwaine. Merlin would have you into a toad where you stand, Gwaine you utter flirt.

"Were you looking for something, Milady?" Arthur asked, having noticed Freya's furtive looks earlier.

"Oh, uhm, yes. I mean, well, sort of," The king thought Freya extremely unassertive for nobility. "I'd heard that Camelot had beautiful gardens in the courtyard. I was looking to see them, it's so lovely out today."

"Oh," Gwen said pleasantly, "Of course. I'd be happy to lead you down there."

"Would you?" Freya seemed genuinely pleased at the prospect, and Gwen nodded.

"Gladly. Arthur, Gwaine," They both curtsied and took their leave. Gwen had to fight back a glare as Gwaine waggled his eyebrows not-so-subtly at Freya. Freya pretended not to notice.

Once they reached the gardens, Freya breathed in deeply and smiled.

"You like gardens?" Gwen asked. Seeing others so happy made her happy.

"Yes, the outdoors in general," Freya laughed. "Especially right after a rain." Gwen agreed, and they fell into a comfortable silence as they walked, listening to the birds chirp amid the bushes of flowers and ivy.

"How do you keep so many blooms? Even in spring, it is astounding."

"Aha, that falls at the feet of Lord Emrys, in fact," Gwen had used the title as an experiment. A moment later, it paid off.

"Merlin?" Freya sounded surprised. So she does know him. Why else would she call him by anything but Emrys?

Gwen disregarded the use of Merlin's first name and nodded proudly. "Indeed. Ever since the ban was lifted, he's taken a particular joy in covering the castle in flowers whenever he gets the chance." She glanced at Freya and recognized her expression as one of her own; one that she wore when she thought of Arthur.

"I see," Freya said, smiling at the colors around her. After a moment, Gwen said,

"You know him, don't you?"

Freya blinked in surprise. "Well, I… I met him a few days ago, yes."

"No, before. You two have met before, haven't you?" Gwen was calm. Freya didn't speak for a moment.

"Did he tell you?" She asked carefully. Gwen answered in kind.

"I don't know much. Well, I don't know much anything at all. But I know enough to understand why he's so shocked to see you." The two women turned to face each other, each with differing levels of anxiety evident in their faces. "I don't know how you're here, and I don't know how he's going to take it all, but, for what it's worth…" Gwen bit her lip before saying sincerely, "I am glad you're here – however you are. Lord knows he need someone like you."

Freya looked genuinely surprised by the comment. She blinked "Then… Then you… You know? About-"

"As I said, I don't know much at all," Gwen told her, "but I do know that you shouldn't be able to be… here." She wondered if it sounded as strange to Freya as it did to her. She smiled regardless. "Frankly, I don't know whether this will all end up good or bad in the end, but for whatever reason… I think it'll be good." She confessed. Hopeful as always, Gwen thought that, despite any odd or unconventional or even suspicious circumstances, it would all turn out for better. Merlin's better, to be specific. She grinned wider over at Freya. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."

It took several minutes for Freya to digest what she'd been told, but when she did, she smiled and, taking some initiative, wove her arm through the queen's as a close friend might do.

"Your Majesty, if it's not at all rude or forward, I…"

"Yes?"

"I think I'd like it if I could be your friend."

Gwen smiled. "I'd like nothing more, Lady Freya."

"Please," Freya said, looking and sounding nothing like a noble-bred lady, "It's just Freya."

Gwen thought she was beginning to understand why Merlin liked Freya so much. "Of course, just Freya it is, then." And for reasons that had nothing to do with her new 'mission', something told Gwen that she'd just embarked on the beginnings of what just might be a very lovely friendship.

A/N: I feel as though most of this chapter was complete and utter filler. I'm sorry, y'all. I'm trying to sort out the pacing of this whole thing. I know what I want to happen, but I'm just not sure how soon I want it to happen, and if I want anything else to happen first. Make any sense? Maybe? Yes? No? Oh well. Thanks for reading! Drop a review if you enjoyed it, or even if you didn't.