Healing

Aithusa's speech progressed rapidly after her first spoken words. Indeed, within the first week she was using simple sentences, and in only a few more she spoke as easily as Merlin. Though she had only spoken for a brief period, she had years of listening to lend to her skills. With this came also a love of stories. This had surprised Merlin at first, but it soon became common place for the two to be curled up under a tree, Merlin reading aloud to the young dragon.

Merlin also was beginning to worry. Aithusa was still growing, and was now nearly the size of a small house. It was harder and harder to keep her hidden from curious eyes. She was also still disfigured, with a hunched back and weak wings, which though she didn't say so, Merlin knew plagued her immensely.

"There was at one time a tribe of Druid healers," Gaius said, when Merlin brought this concern to his old master. "They lived far north of Camelot, in the woods at the foot of the mountains. Their curative powers are legendary. Perhaps they would know what to do."

"That's a long journey," Merlin said worriedly. "Will you be able to manage without me?" The young warlock looked at his mentor, biting his lip. Gaius seemed to have shrunk more, and he had begun to use a cane. He barely left his chambers anymore, saying that stairs troubled him too much.

"Now then Merlin, I think I can manage on my own for a little while. Remember, there was a time before I had you to order around," he said with a kindly smile, putting a hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "Go on, attend to her. Our favorite girl has suffered long enough."

"If you think you'll be alright, we'll leave right away. I'll talk it over with Aithusa, and we'll leave as soon as possible."

"Shall I tell everyone you're at the tavern?" Gaius asked with a grin. Merlin snorted, throwing a few things he might need for a trip in his leather bag. In moments he was ready to go, bag over his shoulder and a clean red kerchief around his neck.

"I'm off," he said with a smile. Gaius smiled back, glad to see that bright, cheerful smile one last time.

"Take care of yourself, and our favorite girl," Gaius said, and gave Merlin a hug of fatherly affection. Merlin hugged him back.

"We'll be fine. I'll see you in a few days!" Merlin promised cheerily, then left through the door of Gaius' chambers. Gaius listened to the sound of Merlin's footsteps disappearing down the hallway.

"Goodbye Merlin," Gaius said gravely, then turned back to his work, feeling very old and tired.

It didn't take long to convince young Aithusa to take Gaius' advice, and they were soon on their way, Aithusa speeding their journey along with short, though painful, flights. It took only three days travel before they found the tribe, which had come out of hiding since Queen Guinevere's lift of the ban of magic. They were settled outside of the ruins of a temple of the old religion. Upon spotting it, Aithusa came down in a clumsy landing. A lone druid stood waiting to greet them, unruffled by the dragon's landing.

"Emmrys," She greeted, nodding her head. "And Aithusa, she who lets in the light of the sun. I am honored. We know why you have come."

"You do?" Merlin asked, slightly taken aback. It had been a long time since he had been addressed by that name, and it was strange to hear Aithusa addressed in such a way.

"I do. You seek healing for the dragoness. We will help you, if you'll follow me."

Merlin looked to Aithusa, who nodded, so they followed the druid through the camp to the temple, up the stairs, and into the heart of the temple. Inside was a huge pool of water, where a lone woman stood in the middle.

"Who is she?" Merlin asked, turning to his guid only to find that he and Aithusa were alone.

"Hello Merlin," said a soft voice, and Merlin felt as though his heart stopped. The woman in the water turned, and walked slowly towards the edge of the pool. Her skin was pale as moonlight, and her hair hung in perfect ringlets around her shoulders. Her gown seemed to grow out of the water, rippling as she moved. Merlin felt a tear slip down his cheek as he met her deep brown eyes.

"Freya," he choked out.

"Merlin," she answered softly, and hesitantly held out a slender hand towards him. He couldn't move, couldn't breathe.

"Go to her," came a low, warm voice from beside him. Aithusa. He reached over, putting a hand on her shoulder and together they walked to the edge of the pool. Slowly, Merlin reached out for Freya's hand, as though afraid if he touched her, she would disappear like a puff of smoke. She looked him gently and took his hand in two of her own, tears streaming down her face.

"It's alright," she murrmered softly, and then squeaked in surprise as Merlin abruptly stepped forward and pulled her into a strong hug. She held him back as soon as the surprise was past, and they stood their, weeping.

"This is a dream," Merlin whispered into her neck.

"Perhaps," she whispered back, pulling away so she could see him, his arms comfortably around her waist. "I am here to heal Aithusa. Once this task is done, I must return home." She looked over at the white dragon and smiled.

"I am grateful," Aithusa's rich voice rumbled, and she dipped her head in respect of the Lady of the Lake.

"Come into the water Aithusa," she said, slipping from Merlin's arms and taking his hand. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles gently, making her smile, as Aithusa waded into the pool. Then Freya closed her eyes, and the water began to glow a soft blue. Aithusa hummed with delight, and curled up in the water. She rested her head on the rim of the pool, and fell asleep, the waters soothing her pain. Merlin and Freya watched in silence until the gentle hum of Aithusa's snores filled the temple.

"This may take a few days," Freya murmured to Merlin. "She is badly hurt. You will both need to stay here at least a few days, maybe even a few weeks."

"That is all I have with you?"

"Yes. Then I must return to the depths of the lake. There is much that needs my attention."

"So be it," Merlin whispered back, pulling Freya to his chest and kissing the top of her head gently. "I will spend all of my days loving you, even if this is all we have."

"Such is our lot in life," Freya answered, looking up to cup his jaw in her hand gently, looking into his sad blue eyes. "Great responsibility brings great pain. With your destiny, the pain must be great, but so too is the joy." With that, her lips met his, and for a little while, everything was right in the world.