I don't own Merlin but I'm looking into it. Enjoy!

Percival's POV

I knew it was her. As soon as I'd seen her I recognised her and now I was here in the forest under the pretence of looking for fire wood but really trying to avoid her and the torrent of memories seeing her again brought. She'd changed, aged, and yet seeing her brought back the memories I'd run away from for so many years, maybe it's time I faced them- faced her.

I wasn't surprised when I heard her soft voice. "You haven't aged a day Percival."

"I can't say the same for you." I turned to face her and contained the shiver that went up my spine.

"No." She replied abruptly scowling. "Both of our lives have changed much since we last met."

"Those were happier times."

"Yes they were. We were both so young, age has changed us both I see." She was looking sadly at me and I couldn't stand it.

"You were never very young."

"Comes with the position I'm afraid. She was the same."

"She was always acted as if she held the fate of the world upon her shoulders."

"In some ways she was. We all were. If her sister hadn't granted his wish none of us would be here today."

"Do not even mention them- they both betrayed us! We were their friends and they turned their backs on us."

"Obviously we weren't enough to stop them from becoming what they did."

"I fail to see how we could have done better." I growled at the dark haired beauty in front of me.

She shrugged. "Sometimes that's just how it is Percival. It was her fate to die as she did."

"That was never fate! To die with nothing! Knowing her sister and friend had betrayed her!" I was yelling now but I didn't care. I never had anyone who knew what had truly happened, she was the only one left from back then.

"She had you, Percival! Her love for you was so strong she gave you the greatest protection she could that cost her her life."

"Well I wish she hadn't. I am nothing without her!"

"Percival what happened happened for a reason! Giving up would be wasting the sacrifice she made for you!"

"Would you have protected him if you could like that? Let him live this half life without you- alone forever?"

"Yes." She replied fiercely. "I would've gladly give my life for Balinor's!"

"Ambrosia." I whispered mournfully. "Twenty years of living without the one you love is worse than death itself."

"Don't think you need to tell me that Percival!"

"You have Merlin and Freya!" At her startled expression I snorted. "A blind man could see they are clearly yours and Balinor's children."

"It's not the same. I love Merlin and Freya with all my heart but Balinor will always hold my heart even in death."

"But you have something you have a part of him with you. My beloved is gone, dead, and I am cursed to never join her."

"It's not a curse Percival but a gift."

"A gift that prevents me from reaching my heart's desire. I dream of death Ambrosia."

"Elowen would hate to hear you talking like that." Her soft hand fell upon my shoulder.

"Please... Please... Just don't say her name..." I stuttered- hearing her name after this many years pierced my heart.

"Percival..."

"No Ambrosia. Please leave me. I need to collect more fire wood." With that I left her and tried hopelessly to not let the tears overwhelm me but a few escaped my once firm walls and after that I crumpled into a heap on the floor tears streaming down my face.

Arthur's POV

I'd quickly escaped the conversation with the apparently noble hating Gwaine. He seemed nice and from what Lancelot told me is a good fighter but he's obviously got something against nobles from the dirty looks he keeps shooting me. Scrap what I said about him being nice. Merlin seems to get on well with him and I feel a twinge of something I have no desire to examine in my chest so instead I go over to where Morgana is attempting to cook. "I didn't know that you knew what cooking was Morgana."

She glared her signature glare at me. "Says the man whose never cut a piece of bread on his own and don't call me that!"

I glared right back at her. "Hey I'll have you know that I can skin and cook plenty of animals."

"Really? Then why is Merlin always having to do it?"

"She won't have to anymore."

"What because she's going to be your wife?" Morgana asked innocently and I tried for my pride's sake to stop the blush on my cheeks but knew I was fighting a losing battle.

"Stop your little match making mind Freya, there is nothing between Merlin and I."

Morgana snorted and I worried something landed in the broth she was making. "Yes and absolutely positive that exactly nobody believes that apart from the pair of you. Just the other day Ambrosia was commenting on how wonderful Merlin would look in white..."

I think that I have a medical condition which causes my cheeks to be permanently red and from Morgana's grin I can tell she has no sympathy for my problem. Changing tack I smirked. "How about you and Leon? You seem to want to do nothing without eachother these days."

Morgana snorted again and I decided I'm definitely not eating anything she has cooked. "Now that's just friendship. Leon is more like an elder brother to me and any way he's too safe and cautious for me."

"You do need somebody to scheme with after all."

"Exactly and Leon's not the scheming type."

"That's true. It's why I call him loyal and you not."

"Hey I'm loyal to you!"

"For now but I never trust you not to plot behind my back." I smiled as I said so she knew not to take it seriously.

She pouted exaggeratedly. "Sibling love, eh? Counts for nothing nowadays!"

"Hey I can't help your scheming nature!"

"You've got it to!"

I pretended to be affronted. "I? How dare you insult my honour so!"

"What honour?" She suddenly went from teasing to serious. "Honourable or not treat Merlin properly Arthur."

"I told you there is nothing between us." I tried to dismiss her but she continued.

"Whatever just promise me you will treat her with the care she deserves!"

"I don't-"

But she cut across me. "Promise me Arthur!"

I gulped and saw the hopelessness my situation. "I promise never to hurt Merlin."

"Great!" She grinned. "I've been a good sister to her and now I'll have to be for you."

"What Morgana? What are you going to do?"

"Nothing bad Arthur stop worrying you'll get wrinkles! And stop calling me Morgana it's Freya." With that she stood and walked over to Merlin and Gwaine were still talking despite my many protests.

Percival's POV

When I got back to the camp I stood for a ,moment and observed the party. Balinor and Ambrosia's twins were whispering conspiratorially, Gwaine and Lancelot appeared to be swapping stories, Arthur was staring at some broth cautiously and Ambrosia was reading a book with the druid insignia on it. The whole group seemed so comfortable and I felt my separation from them life a stab in my stomach. I was unlike them-even Ambrosia- and I can never back the innocence that they have now, the bliss.

As I gazed at the camp I felt my senses tingling telling me of another presence also looking at the group. Our eyes met and my jaw fell as we looked at eachother. Balinor is alive.