A Figure in the Shadows

by A Diamond in the Rough

It's five years after Freya's return. But Merlin's spell ward around Camelot is failing and there's talk of a new sorcerer who walks in the night, and is never seen in day. Who is it? An enemy of the past? Or a friend? Enjoy, and please review! Will be updated soon. Sequel to my first story, which is complete, called "The Gifts of a Dragon." Events After s3ep6 never took place. :P

29. The Gifts of a Dragon

When Merlin reached the stables it was to see Freya sobbing with Ania's cold, still body in her arms. Merlin felt as if his heart had been snatched out of his body. He sank down beside her, holding her and Ania close to him. Freya's sobs gradually ceased and she sat bolt upright.

"Merlin! Merlin, I can save her!"

"How, Freya?"

"I will give myself for her," said Freya. "It is the only thing I can do."

"Let me," said Merlin. "Let me do it, Freya. I failed in keeping her safe-it is my duty."

"I'm her mother," said Freya. "I shall do it. Merlin, I love you so. I could never let you die when it was my duty to do so. The world needs you, Merlin-not me."

"But our children need you," said Merlin. "Surely that is more important than the world to you."

"They are my world," said Freya. "They are my world and you are my world. It's my world that needs you most-I do not care about Albion!"

"Neither of you will be dying for Ania," said a voice from overhead.

They looked up to see Kilgarrah. "It is I who will."

"Kilgarrah-"

"Merlin, you forget that I, too, am her father. And you forget that fifty years ago I heard her dying and I knew that I could not save her-that there was no way I could save her-that I had failed her...and her mother..."

Merlin knew he was right.

"Why?" he asked. It would pain him greatly to lose his old friend, though nowhere near as much as Ania's loss hurt him then.

"Do you remember, that day you brought her to see me, I gave you a scale for her?"

"Yes," said Merlin, who remembered that day very well-the day that Freya had vanished so long ago as a result of Ania's magic.

"It will make sure that her spirit does not stray far in Avalon; so when I enter I can send her back."

"Oh, Kilgarrah!" cried Freya. "I beg you to let me go instead."

"If you did, you would never return," warned Kilgarrah.

Kilgarrah touched Merlin on the forehead with his snout, and then Freya. He sighed, looking at the tiny figure in Freya's arms.

"One thing that I have never said to you, Merlin," said Kilgarrah, looking Merlin directly in the eyes, "is that one should never underestimate the gifts of a dragon."