FO3

Polishing boots and armour, cleaning Arthur's chambers, sharpening swords, washing his shirts, mucking out the stables, delivering the king's food in time, listening to his constant shouting at him for not doing his chores right, was enough to keep Merlin distracted one whole day. Distracted from the horrible memories that happened like today some years ago.

Freya's death. Every time this year Merlin would try and distract himself from remembering that night, from visualizing again that boat that carried his loved one's body and then disappearing into his magic flames. How he wished he was with her... by her side at Avalon...

Arthur of course couldn't help but notice his manservant's strange behaviour. He didn't really fancy the "Obedient Merlin", nor did he like the "sire" and "my lord" at the end of his sentences, but what really annoyed him was him being so quiet, which was truly so not Merlin. He tried insulting him but with no response. He gave him more workload but he never complained, he actually seemed to want it. By night, when it was time for everyone to rest and the king retired to his chambers, he found Merlin polishing his boots. He was holding the brush tightly in his hand and rubbed it against the boot so hard that it was a miracle he didn't cause a hole to it.

"Are you going to tell me what it is or will I have to force it out of you?" the king said with his prattish-like tone.

Merlin looked up at him "I don't know what you mean." And then he continued with the boot.

Force it out of you then. He sat beside him on the floor. "Is it something I did?"

He placed the boot next to its pair and stood up. "If you don't need anything else Sire I shall let you for the evening."

"Merlin" he said calm. He just wanted to know what made him had such a sad face and such empty eyes, but Merlin really didn't want to talk, he couldn't, he just wanted to drown in his own sorrow. He turned away and left as he heard from behind him a louder "Merlin!" but he just ignored it.

Arthur was unable to sleep. He was wounded from the training session that day but forgot to mention it to anyone, so the pain got bigger and his shoulder now had a swollen pink redish colour. He tried to change his position but it was pointless, it still hurt. Not being happy to admit it he decided to find Gaius. He dressed up quickly and hurried down the corridor and down to the stairs. As he was reaching the court physician's room he stopped when he saw Merlin sneaking out through the night holding a brown bag around his shoulder. This could solve the mystery. Arthur followed him out of Camelot and into the forest only to reach a magnificent lake, he thought he saw before. He hid behind the tree and watched his servant carefully as he opened his back and let some unlit candles flow in the lake. What's the idiot doing, letting candles flow unlit on a lake, in the middle of nowhere?

And then it happened. Arthur did not believe his eyes as Merlin outstretched his arm, eyes glowing gold and whispering "Forbærne" the candles lit and made the lake's surface brighter. Then, he waited silently and very still, for what? The lake went from calm to waves as a feminin figure arose from the depths of the lake. A broad smile painted Merlin's face and tears of joys and pain as well run down his cheekbones. "Freya" he whispered.

The beautiful girl reached Merlin and he cupped her face in his palms. She smiled back at him and enjoyed the warmth of his touch. He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to hers. "I missed you my love."

"I missed you too. I miss you so much; I want to be with you."

"No, Merlin. Your purpose here is not yet fulfilled." She paused as he took her hands in his and squeezed them lightly. "Our time will come when we shall be together." They touched their foreheads and remained silence trying to catch the sweetness of the moment. "I cannot stay for long." She said sadly.

He didn't try to stop her from leaving, for she did not belong to this world. Staying here was painful for her and he really didn't want her to suffer. They let their hands go and she once again sunk into the lake of immortality. Merlin could not stop his tears nor did he want them to. She was once again gone.

Arthur stood silently with guilt and wonder altogether. He didn't know what to do. He froze there, against the tree. How was he supposed to make his friend trust him enough to tell him about his magic when he was the one who killed the woman he loved...

I know it took me ages to update but please R&R :)