Chapter 2: Merlin's Mate
"Those are nasty wounds you've got Freya! Here, let me treat them for you." offered Gaius, wandering over to a shelf stacking hundreds of bottles of treatments.
"No I'll be fine, they'll heal. When's Merlin coming back?" she asked.
"He should be returning soon, it depends on how much work he has to do...which is usually a lot!" replied Gaius, starting to prepare the tea. Freya giggled. Poor Merlin, he always has so much to do, and he never gets any breaks!
"I'm sure you're feeling hungry, am I right Freya?" asked Gaius. Freya grinned with relief.
"No, I'm starving!" she answered, rubbing her stomach as it rumbled like thunder. Gaius chuckled.
"Well then you'll be having most of Merlin's food then!" he laughed. Freya shook her head.
"You're mean!" she commented, sitting at the table. The two laughed.
"MERLIN!" called Arthur, impatiently. Merlin groaned and followed Arthur's voice to find him standing outside his room, which Merlin had been cleaning all afternoon.
"Where do you think you're going?" asked Arthur, looking annoyed.
"Back to my chambers to rest after yet another day of cleaning your impossible chambers!" explained Merlin. Arthur shook his head.
"Come in here." he ordered. Merlin followed him into his chambers. The floor was spotless and shimmering in the light like stars, the bed was neat and cosy-looking, and the curtains were squeaky clean. Merlin glanced at Arthur, a puzzled expression on his face.
"What's the matter?" he questioned. Arthur pointed at his bed leg. Merlin peered closely at it. There was a small, round hole carved into the wood.
"Woodlice!" growled Arthur angrily.
"Are you sure your bed isn't just getting old like you are?" said Merlin, grinning cheekily.
"It is not funny, Merlin! If you don't find those woodlice and get rid of them, there'll be nothing left of my bed left to sleep in! Where will I sleep then?!" yelled Arthur.
"With Gwen?" suggested Merlin. Arthur narrowed his eyes at him.
"Find those woodlice and kill them, I don't care how you do it! Or, you'll be spending the entire day in the stocks tomorrow!" demanded Arthur, sternly.
"I best get looking then!" gasped Merlin. Arthur sighed heavily and left his chambers. Merlin groaned again.
"GREAT!" he said to himself, "Even more work! It's my lucky day!".
"I thought you said Merlin would be back soon! But you said that ages ago!" complained Freya.
"I know, I thought he would be. Perhaps he's having a bit of trouble. I'll look for him, you stay here and keep an eye on the tea, and don't answer the door to anyone! If someone knocks, hide! You can't be seen, or the king will have you killed! Just stay here and keep quiet! I'll be back soon, I promise! He can't have gone far!" warned Gaius, as he left the chambers, closing the door behind him. Freya frowned.
"I hope Merlin's alright!" she prayed to herself.
The door to Arthur's chambers creaked open. Merlin rolled his eyes, as as he expected it to be Arthur, however when he turned round, he realized it was a different person.
"Gaius!" he cheered, climbing to his feet.
"Merlin, what are you doing? You were supposed to be back ages ago! What's wrong?" asked Gaius. Merlin frowned.
"Woodlice." he sighed. Gaius raised his eyebrows.
"Woodlice?" he repeated in question.
"Arthur wants me to find to find them before they completely demolish his bed! I did suggest him sleeping with Gwen, but..." explained Merlin.
"Merlin!" gasped Gaius at him being so rude.
"Sorry, I can't help it, I'm bored out my mind here!" apologized Merlin.
"Merlin, you need rest! You've been working all day! Besides, there's someone at our chambers who's eager to see you!" said Gaius. Merlin narrowed his eyes.
"Really? Who?" he asked curiously. "It's Freya." he revealed. Merlin gawped at him, his eyes filling with tears of joy.
"F-F-Freya? She wants to...she wants to see...me?" gasped Merlin. Gaius nodded, chuckling as Merlin fled the room to head for their chambers.
Freya was about to get up and go looking for Merlin herself, when the door flung open and a thrilled Merlin stormed through it. "M-M-Merlin!" breathed Freya. The two dashed up to each other and threw their arms around one another, one pressing against the other's body, creating a warm air between the two lovers.
"I thought I'd never see you again!" sobbed Merlin, his face shining with tears.
"I thought the same for you! I've been running from these Bounty Hunters who were chasing me! I fled here because I knew it would be the only place I'd be safe, as you're here! I'm so relieved I found you!" wept Freya, her heart swelling with happiness.
"Bounty Hunters? What Bounty Hunters? What did they look like? Tell me and I will stop them from ever finding you here!" promised Merlin, his eyes flashing with fury.
"And reveal your magic to everyone?" gasped Freya.
"If it means saving you, I'll do it!" concluded Merlin, gritting his teeth viciously.
"No Merlin! Don't! You can't just storm at some Bounty Hunters and use your magic on them! It's too risky! There must be another way!" declined Gaius, who had just walked through the door.
"There is no other way! It's now or never, Gaius! Wouldn't you do the same for Alice if she was in this situation? I'm sure you would, so I'm going to do it! And there's nothing you can do or say that will stop me! Just you watch me, I'll teach them a lesson they will never forget!" hissed Merlin, charging out of the door before Freya or Gaius could stop him.