Title: It's Like Magic
Author: Kiki1770
Rating: T for Language
Setting: AU
Summary: Three times Merlin had to choose between Arthur and Freya. Three times he chose...
A/N: So this was supposed to be an Angst drabble, but it was WAY too long. Then I thought about making it a one-shot, but it was written like a drabble. Therefore...more Short Story drabbles! This short story is a combination of Freylin and Angst. You will cry, trust me.
Short Story 6: Choices Part I
From the moment Mordred had called Merlin, Emrys, he knew just how tightly bound he was to the game of fate. His entire future was planned and the strings pulled by a power higher than Merlin. He used to think that he choose his destiny to remain by Arthur's side but now when he looked back on the event that had triggered the wheels of destiny, Merlin realized he never had much of a choice at all. Protecting Arthur was Merlin's gut instinct, a command instilled in the very depths of his soul.
It never bothered Merlin that his fate was tied to Arthur Pendragon. Arthur was the best friend Merlin could ever ask for, he deserved the title of the Once and Future King like no other. Merlin knew from the beginning that Arthur was destined for greatness; not because of the prophecies, but because of who Arthur was. He was fair, kind, and just. Arthur cared about his people and the equality of his subjects in a way no King had ever before. For that, Merlin respected and would follow Arthur into the pits of hell.
But that all changed when Merlin met Freya. Merlin had fallen in love with her, fallen hard and fast. She made him feel normal, like he deserved love like any other man. He wanted her so much. He wanted to run away with her but then he'd have to leave Arthur. Three times Merlin had to choose between Arthur and Freya. And three times he had chosen…
*Flash Back*
Freya's heart beat painfully in her chest as the footsteps (two sets of them) approached her rapidly. She bit her hand to keep her sobs from escaping her, and to cover up her erratic breathing. She resigned herself to her death; her only regret was not seeing the man she loved one more time before her death.
"Freya?" Her lover whispered. Freya opened her eyes and found her Merlin staring at her with stormy-blue, bewildered eyes. Without thinking, she threw herself at the manservant and sobbed against his chest. It was only then, that she noticed the blond haired man behind him. She gasped and hid behind Merlin, shooting him questioning looks all the while.
"It's okay," Merlin soothed, patting her hand. "Arthur knows everything, about the curse, the magic, everything. He's not going to hurt us." Freya stared at the blonde haired prince with open skepticism. Could she trust Uther Pendragon's son? Arthur merely put his hands up in caution, showing he meant no harm.
"Merlin told me everything Freya. I'm sorry for what those bounty hunters did to you, and I'm sorry that I cannot offer you any protection in Camelot." Arthur explained slowly. "I've managed to throw them off your trail for now, there is a horse waiting near the gates with my man Leon, you can trust him."
"We must go." Merlin whispered urgently, piling his supplies into her arms. Freya's eye widened at the implications.
"No!" she almost shouted. Arthur and Merlin both froze at the girl's sudden outburst. "No Merlin, you cannot. Your destiny is here with Arthur. You cannot come with me."
"B-but I want to…Freya we were meant to run away together." Merlin replied in shock. Freya's eyes flickered to the prince's. He didn't look too happy. And Freya hadn't missed the fact that Arthur had only prepared ONE horse. Arthur never meant for Merlin to leave.
"I'm sorry Merlin." Freya whispered. "But….I will never make you choose between me and Arthur." Her eyes flashed gold and her lover fell into an enchanted sleep. Before Arthur could get a word out, she quickly explained to the prince that Merlin was only asleep, that he would wake in the morning.
Arthur dropped the sleeping manservant off at the Guinevere's house and escorted Freya to the gates. She was growing frantic as it was nearly sunset. Arthur helped her onto the horse and held her girth with sad, guarded eyes.
"I'm sorry Freya. I promise that when I am King, Camelot will be a place that you can call home. I hope you find the cure for your curse out there." Arthur whispered apologetically. Freya managed to smile at the prince.
"Thank you my lord, please take care of Merlin for me." She replied, and took off into the orange-yellow sky.
*End Flash Back*
So far you've seen the first time Merlin choose Arthur. What will happen next?
There will be three parts to this short story. I've already finished writing it so the more reviews means the faster the update!
Review, review, review!
Kiki1770