A huge thank you to everyone who has given this tale some form of love whether you've simply read it, favorited it, followed it, and/or reviewed! I appreciate it all.

Disclaimer: BBC Merlin isn't mine but I'm eternally grateful it was created!

04: Mended

"Arthur!"

Arthur twisted around to find Gwaine and Leon rushing towards him.

"Where have you been?" Gwaine demanded. "The last we saw of you, you were wandering off with Iseldir."

"Merlin's been frantic," Leon put in.

Arthur tried not to smirk. "I just took a quick trip to the Isle of the Blessed."

"What were you doing there?" Leon wondered.

"Oh… just meeting with the Triple Goddess to ask for a favor," Arthur replied evasively.

The two knights looked at each other before looking back at their king with surprised expressions. "And… did you meet with her?" Gwaine asked, lowering his voice.

Arthur looked back and forth, checking to make sure a certain sorcerer was nowhere in sight. "I did," he whispered. "In a way, she granted my request. I won't say more for now but what I need you all to do is help me come up with a plan to keep Merlin distracted for an hour. And we have to come up with a way to get him into the catacombs at that time."

Both knights frowned. "Well… have you had dinner yet?" Gwaine asked.

Arthur suddenly realized just how hungry he was. "No," he confessed.

"That should keep him busy for a while," Leon muttered, agreeing with Gwaine's suggestion. "Then we can storm in and say there's been a report of something suspicious lurking in the catacombs."

"Excellent!" Arthur praised. "Make sure Percival, Elyan, and Gaius are in on the plan. Have them stationed just outside the catacombs. The four of us will go in first and then they can follow behind. Remember, Merlin can't suspect a thing!"

"Yes, Sire," Gwaine replied grinning while Leon nodded.

"Get going," Arthur hissed and as soon as the two men were about to whip around the corner Arthur filled his lungs with air. "MERLIN!" he shouted as loud as he could, trying to put as much annoyance in his tone as possible.

Twenty seconds later, he had to keep himself from laughing as Merlin came tumbling around the corner, breathing heavily as he bent over holding his knees. He obviously had run up several flights of stairs. Fixing his face into an irritated expression, Arthur folded his arms. "Just where on earth have you been?" he demanded.

Merlin looked at him in annoyance as well as bewilderment. "Where on earth… have I been?" he asked, winded. "I have to ask you the same! I haven't seen you in over two hours! Nobody knew where you were! Do you know I searched the castle up and down three times, ran out to the lower town, and even checked the surrounding woods looking for you? I was on my way to ask Kilgarrah and Aithusa to join in searching for you when you screamed for me. Where have you been Arthur?"

Touched that his manservant had gone to such lengths to look for him, Arthur tried not to show it as he replied, "It isn't any business of yours when I decide that I want to get away from everyone for a while, Merlin."

Anger filled the warlock's eyes. "On the contrary, it is my business!" he snapped back.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I'm the king, Merlin. If I want a moment to myself then I'll have it alone."

Merlin sighed, clearly trying to come to grips with his emotions. "Yes, Sire," he grumbled.

Feeling just a tad bit guilty, Arthur clapped Merlin on the shoulder. "Merlin, I appreciate your dedication to making my safety your first priority. I'm sorry I ran off without telling you where I was going."

Merlin considered him for a moment before allowing his tense shoulders to relax. "I just worry about you," he confessed. "Every time you run off alone, something happens. I've had to watch your back since the moment we met. Just, the next time you decide you need a moment, at least tell me where it is you're going? For my peace of mind at least?"

Arthur smirked. "I think I can do that. Now, since you're so eager to take care of me, fetch me some dinner won't you?"

Merlin stared at him. "But didn't you already eat at the festival?"

"I was entertaining our people, Merlin. I didn't have the luxury to stuff my face like you."

Merlin's mouth dropped open. "I wasn't stuffing my face! If anyone was doing the entertaining tonight it was me!"

"Not everyone considers magic entertaining, Merlin," Arthur teased.

"Oh yes I forgot," Merlin replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes, "they prefer to see brainless knights bash each other to death with swords."

"Merlin?"

"Yes, Sire?"

"Shut up."

Arthur hid his grin as he turned on his heel but not before he caught the happy smirk on Merlin's face; the two did enjoy the familiar banter. Walking down the hall towards the dining room, Arthur called over his shoulder, "I'll be in the dining room. And don't you dare keep me waiting or else I'll have you mucking up the stables for a week without magic!"

"Yes, Sire," Merlin called before rushing down the hall towards the kitchen.

Arthur patted himself on the back. Merlin didn't suspect a thing. Grinning, he walked into the dining room and settled himself in his chair, pleased beyond reason that in just under an hour Merlin was going to get the surprise of his life. It took every ounce of will power to pull the grin from his face when the warlock reappeared ten minutes later with a tray full of food.

"That has to be a record for you," Arthur commented as Merlin set the table before him.

"Well, I'm not entirely thrilled with mucking out stables," Merlin replied, filling Arthur's cup.

Arthur considered him a moment before offering the chair next to him. It had become regular practice for Merlin to join him at the table when he dined. Merlin was more than happy to stand the whole time but Arthur liked it when Merlin sat with him as a friend and confidant.

"Is there anything else you need, Sire?"

"Merlin, sit down," Arthur ordered, smirking. Merlin grinned as he did as requested. Arthur offered him some cheese but he politely declined. Helping himself to the handsome amount of pork on his plate, Arthur asked Merlin how things were going with the druids now that the festival had officially started.

"They're being civil," Merlin replied. "But I think it's more out of respect for me than anything else."

"Surely they can't be that hostile?"

"Well, it's more the leaders than the people themselves," Merlin admitted. "Some of those old chieftains have been on edge with each other for over twenty years."

"What quarrels do they have with each other? I thought they'd be peaceful."

Merlin sighed. "Well, like I said days ago, the rift is coming from the groups from the neighboring kingdoms. From what I've gathered, there's a relic that is supposed to be passed between the groups every five years for protection purposes but one of the leaders decided to keep the relic longer than his appointed time because he believed the leader he was supposed to pass it to was incapable of handling the responsibility."

"What is the relic?"

Merlin scowled. "It's a traveling cloak that supposedly belonged to Taliesin, a great seer to the kings of old during the time of the Old Religion before the Great Purge."

Arthur stared. "You mean to tell me… the druids aren't getting along because they're fighting over a piece of cloth?"

Merlin nodded, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "I know; it's completely ludicrous to me too but to them it's a huge deal."

"Why?" Arthur wondered incredulously. "Does the cloak possess some kind of special powers?"

"No!" Merlin groaned. "That's what's so ridiculous over this whole affair! It's simply an heirloom! There is nothing magical about it. I'm not even sure if it really belonged to Taliesin in the first place. To me, it looks like any other old cloak."

"Is there a way you can find out if it is or not?" Arthur asked, trying to help his friend solve this frankly idiotic dispute.

Merlin pondered for a moment. "Well, I suppose I can make a trip to the Crystal Cave and look for clues. Something might turn up."

"Hypothetically speaking, if you were to find the cloak didn't belong to the seer, would the druid leaders believe your word and dismiss the matter?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Merlin answered truthfully. "They respect me since I'm Emrys but I don't know if my word will be enough to stop the grudges they're holding against each other."

"Only one way to find out I suppose," Arthur said, shrugging. "We can go to the Crystal Cave after the Peace Festival. Unless you don't think the druids will be civil for the rest of the week."

"I think they'll behave," Merlin replied. "They may be upset about past grudges but they're desirous for peace."

"That's good," Arthur cheered. "We wouldn't want them to be at each other's throats for the next five days now would we?"

"Definitely not," Merlin agreed.

The two passed the time talking of other things until – right on cue – Gwaine threw the doors open and stormed into the room with Leon right behind, both looking winded. Arthur, playing the act perfectly, stood up immediately and demanded, "Gwaine, Leon, what's wrong?"

"Sire, there have been reports of something suspicious in the catacombs," Gwaine said, running a hand through his long hair to remove it from his sweaty face.

"Did anyone see what it might be?" Arthur demanded.

"No, Sire," Leon answered gravely. "It was moving too fast to make out a definite shape."

"What do you think, Merlin?" Arthur asked, turning to the Court Sorcerer.

"It could be a magical creature if it was hard for the human eye to make out a shape," Merlin replied.

Arthur frowned. "Alright. Merlin, you and I will go and investigate. Leon, Gwaine come with us. Let's hope this won't be too serious of a situation. I'd rather not distress the people concerning the matter."

The three men nodded before following Arthur out of the room. It took every ounce of self control for the king not to snicker. The plan was progressing perfectly. His heart hammered in his chest and he tried desperately not to glance at Merlin for fear of giving anything away. They reached the catacombs ten minutes later, Arthur and the two knights keeping up appearances by drawing their swords. Merlin whispered a spell, lighting a flame within his palm that brilliantly illuminated the tunnel.

Walking into the silent stone structure, Arthur took a chance to glance at Merlin. The warlock was staring straight ahead. Feeling the need to tease him a little, Arthur smirked, "Don't look so scared, Merlin. I'm sure that whatever it is, it isn't something to be afraid of."

"I'm not scared," Merlin bantered, "I'm just being cautious."

They came to a fork in the tunnel and Arthur noticed a light at the end of the one on the left. Figuring that was where Guinevere had placed Freya, Arthur ordered for them to head towards the light. "Merlin, why don't you go first?"

It was Merlin's turn to smirk. "What's the matter Arthur? Afraid it might be something you can't handle?"

Arthur snorted. "Not really. I just figure that if it is a magical creature you might have a better time disarming it in order for us to move in and do the real work."

Merlin scowled at him slightly before rolling his eyes and walking down the hall at a brisk pace. Arthur glanced back at Leon and Gwaine who both were sporting huge grins like he was.

As the young warlock approached the end of the tunnel, he wondered over what creature could move so fast that it was a blur to the human eye. Perhaps one of the druid children had brought a magical creature to the Peace Festival? Merlin glanced over his shoulder and Arthur nodded to him in encouragement, displaying silently that they would be right behind him. Taking a deep breath, Merlin turned the corner.

His breath caught in his throat and his heart stopped beating. Standing before him in a dress the color of deep scarlet, her eyes full of tears was…

"Freya," he breathed, his mouth falling open.

Her loose dark hair swayed a little as she took a couple hesitant steps towards him and took his hands with a sheepish smile on her face. Glancing through her eyelashes, she found his gaze. "Merlin," she muttered, her smile deepening, "I have missed you."

If he had been paying more attention, Merlin would have noticed they had an audience but at the moment he only had eyes on the woman before him. He was having the greatest difficulty finding anything to say in reply for he was too shocked to think. So he allowed instinct to rule him: pulling Freya into his arms, he lowered his head and kissed her, going so far as to lift her off the ground.

Arthur caught Guinevere's eye on the other side of the room and found she was mirroring a similar smile to his own. The two turned their attention back to Merlin who was at the moment kissing the Lady of the Lake with such love that Arthur began to think that maybe they should be left alone. He glanced to his left and saw Gwaine and Leon sporting huge grins, their eyebrows raised in amusement. Across the room, Elyan, Percival, and Gaius stood beside Guinevere, also elated to see their friend reunited with the love of his heart.

Merlin pulled away from Freya to stare into her eyes. "You're really here," he muttered, stroking her cheek.

Freya smiled, taking his hand. "I am."

"How is this possible?"

Freya looked passed Merlin at Arthur and the Court Sorcerer turned around. Their eyes met and Arthur stepped forward, suddenly feeling sheepish. "Don't look so shocked, Merlin. I couldn't stand you moping around any longer so I decided to try and do something about it."

"But… how?" Merlin wondered.

"I sought an audience with the Triple Goddess."

"You did WHAT?!" Merlin yelped. "Arthur, do you have any idea how dangerous that was?! She could have done something terrible to you!"

"On the contrary, I think she is rather fond of me," Arthur replied, smirking. "And before you throw an even bigger fit, she gave me her word as a goddess that she wouldn't punish anyone in any way in order to grant my request – well, somewhat grant it."

"And what request was that?" Merlin asked.

"That she would allow you to have happiness like the rest of us," Arthur answered. "After all these years it hasn't escaped my attention of how lonely you seem to be, Merlin. After you told us your story a few days ago I felt the need to remedy what was broken. I went to the goddess and she granted my wish of allowing you to be with Freya. However, there are conditions. Since Freya is the Lady of the Lake, Gatekeeper of Avalon, the goddess couldn't allow her to live by your side constantly from here on out. But she has granted that every four months, Freya can come and live with you for thirty days before having to return to the lake of Avalon from now until the day you die. The other condition is that in order for this pattern to remain, you have to put me first, protecting and serving me according to my needs. If you do not do this, the privilege of having Freya visit every four months will be taken away from you." Arthur shifted, frowning at his friend guiltily. "I'm sorry, Merlin. I did not ask the goddess to make that part of the deal."

Merlin stared at him silently for a few seconds and everyone waited to see what the young warlock would do. Releasing Freya, Merlin walked over to Arthur and considered him before pulling him into a brotherly embrace. Arthur stiffened in surprise, completely shocked by his manservant's reaction. Normally he would have considered this to be inappropriate behavior but Arthur felt brotherly affection spur him to return Merlin's embrace. He patted him on the back a couple of times with great force before Merlin pulled away.

"Thank you," Merlin whispered, his eyes brimming with tears. "You didn't have to risk so much for me."

Arthur raised an eyebrow while an amused grin plagued his kingly features. "Of course I did, Merlin. If anyone deserves to have happiness, it's you."

"Hear hear!" several of the knights cheered.

Merlin's entire countenance brightened as he glanced at all his friends and then back to the king. "Thank you, Arthur. I've never had a truer friend."

Freya stepped forward, taking Merlin's hand. The warlock looked upon her with adoration. "We both are indebted to you, Arthur," she said. "Perhaps, to help keep the condition the Triple Goddess has set, I could offer to work as the Queen's handmaiden? That way both Merlin and I can be occupied in serving until relieved of our duties."

"And you'll both be able to see each other throughout the day," Guinevere said, stepping away from the wall. "It would be an honor to have you, Freya."

Arthur's grin matched that of Merlin's as he looked upon the two of them like they were the younger siblings he'd always longed for. "If my queen approves, so do I. Welcome to Camelot Freya."

Freya laughed lightly as Merlin wrapped his arm around her, squeezing her against his side. Guinevere's hand slipped into Arthur's and he glanced down to find her eyes brimming with pride. The king looked up in time to see Merlin staring at him once more in gratitude and a surge of happiness jolted through him. In that moment, Arthur felt all was as it should be for the remedy to Merlin's broken heart had finally been found.

I hope you enjoyed this little short story! I wrote it simply because I'm a hopeless Freylin fan and always wanted a happy ending for the two. Click that little box below if you feel so inclined to share your thoughts! -pumpkinmoose22