A new servant girl named Freya is all that Merlin can think of since he saw her. Hopeing for getting some help with his problem he decides to go to the knights and the prince expecting the older men to give Merlin an advice or two about how to get attention of the girl he likes.
Yes, there will be mistakes, grammar or others, Sorry for that :)
Also I do not own Merlin or any of the characters there, this amazing piece of art belongs to BBC ;)
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Merlin is truly lost and had no idea how to approach that. A new servant girl with a lovely name Freya is something that's on Merlin's mind since the moment he saw her. Not only she is very pretty, but also very kind to everyone and her smile makes Merlin smile without even realizing it. The only problem is that Merlin doesn't know how to show Freya that he likes her and gets very nervous when he is in her presence.
His attempt of telling her that he likes her didn't go very well. While trying to make a sense making sentence Freya smiled at him, and he completely forgot what he was about to say and started to babble something about the tapestry that was hanging on the wall where they were standing. Realizing that he can't stop babbling he quickly made up some excuse and literally ran away, leaving very confused Freya standing in the middle of the hallway.
Merlin was never good at talking to girls, and therefore he decided that he needs help with it. Someone to give him an advice or two and point him the right direction for successful confession of his feelings he has for Freya.
He decided that his best choice would be the knights or the prince. They all are experienced men, at least when comes down to talking to girls. He saw them flirt with the ladies on the banquets without any problems. Of course that being a knight of Camelot or even better the prince might be factor that helps them, but Merlin has no luxury of any of these titles, so he has to hope that the men are actually his friends and that they will help him with his little hopeless crush.
"Merlin! I've been looking for you everywhere" Arthur's voice interrupted his thoughts. The boy looked at his prince and smiled at him, happy to find one of the men he was going to.
"Arthur, good, I was just going to..." Merlin started
"Yes Merlin I am sure you have very good excuse for you being late as always" Arthur interrupted him
"Late?" Merlin repeated and then realized that he is supposed to be on the training field with Arthur and the knights helping them.
"Oh..." he said
"Oh in deed" Arthur nodded and gestured him to follow him outside
"Arthur" Merlin started when he caught up with the prince and was walking beside him
"If you would want to... if there was a ehm.... how would you..." Merlin was trying to ask, but wasn't quite sure how to put the question. Arthur stopped and looked at his servant
"Merlin are you going to finish any of those sentences anytime soon" Arthur asked and risen one eyebrow
"It's not that easy" Merlin muttered
"I am sure it is, just you're making a big deal out of it" Arthur disagreed. And ok, Arthur maybe was not entirely wrong here.
"If you'd like someone, how... would you... you know... let her know that you do" Merlin asked with an expression full of innocent and inexperience.
Arthur chuckled little bit and shook his head
"A girl... of course you will make a big deal out of a girl Merlin" Arthur said and looked at his friend, who kept the same expression eagerly waiting for the prince's advice. And with the look on Merlin's face Arthur realized something
"Merlin... have you ever... had anything with anyone?" Arthur asked carefully and Merlin shook his head.
"Alright, that explains a lot here" Arthur mumbled, but smiled at his friend
"It's alright Merlin" Arthur assured him and wanted to tell Merlin to meet him in Arthur's chamber after the training to have a private talk about the strategy, but Gwaine walked out from behind the corner
"Princess? Where the hell are you two?" he asked
"We were just..." Arthur started
"I like a girl and don't know what to do to show it to her" Merlin interrupted him
"Ok..." Arthur thought
"Troubles with girls Merls huh?" Gwaine asked and chuckled and Merlin nodded
"Ok... go to the meeting room and wait there ok? You too princess" Gwaine ordered them and quickly walked away
"What the...?" Arthur said when he legitimately just received an order... from Gwaine on top of that.
"W-what is he...?" Merlin started
"No idea Merlin. That's what you get when you're asking Gwaine for an advice" Arthur shrugged his shoulders, and they both went to the meeting room. Arthur sat down on his usual seat at the table. Merlin was standing next to his chair
"I don't have a good feeling about this" Arthur said while waiting for the next step in Gwaine's plan and Merlin nodded.
The door in the room swung open, and all the best knights walked in and sat down on their usual spots.
"Gentlemen, we have a problem that we have to solve here" Gwaine started seriously
"Gwaine are you insane! If my father will hear that you... I not you, you don't have the authority for that, that I am having a meeting with my knights instead of training because of this he will... I don't know what he will but it will not be pretty" Arthur almost shouted when he realized what is going on. There is literally emergency meeting going on with his best knights because of... Merlin's love interest.
"Relax princess, this is very important and you know it" Gwaine said without worries
"My lord? What is going on?" Leon asked concerned
"Gwaine you really shouldn't have..." Merlin started to reason with the knight
"Is someone going to tell us what's going on?" Percival said what all the knights were thinking
"We have to help Merlin my friends" Gwaine said
"Merlin?"
"What's going on?
"Is someone threatening you Merlin?"
The knights started to talk over each other so the room was actually starting to look like a typical meeting where everyone talks louder than the man sitting next to them.
"Gentlemen!!" Arthur shouted to make the knights shut up. If this is actually a meeting, which it obviously is, then he will be in the head of it and have the control in the room. The knights of course went quiet when the prince told them to and all looked at him.
"Would you like to share your problem Merlin?" Arthur asked and blindly reached for the boy who stood more behind him now than he was a few minutes ago. He pulled Merlin closer and made him sit on the chair next to him. Merlin looked at the prince, then at the knights who were waiting for what the problem is. Merlin nervously swallowed.
"I... there is someone I like and... " Merlin started
"And you don't know how to express it, right?" Lancelot finished with a smile and Merlin nodded
The knights smiled little bit and did Leon really just made a quiet "Aww" noise Arthur thought when he wasn't sure he actually saw it.
"That's amazing Merlin" Elyan said and Merlin smiled at him
"Yes, truly a thing worthy of having a council meeting about" Arthur mumbled quietly
"Who is it Merlin?" Gwaine wanted to know
"Freya" Merlin said and smiled because when he said her name he remembered her lovely smile.
The knights nodded
"It's a pretty girl Merlin, no wonder you like her" Lancelot said
"She is not just pretty you see... I mean of course she is... a lot, but she is also really nice to everyone" Merlin began to babble and the knights were watching it and couldn't help themselves but smile while seeing their young friend at that state.
"Yes, it's a very lovely and pretty girl" Arthur nodded, getting Merlin's and the other men's attention
"That's why we have to came up with a very good plan for Merlin to get her attention" he finished. And the knights nodded, Arthur noticed that their expressions were definitely more focused than they are during the "normal, save the kingdom" meetings.
"So firstly... what do girls like?" Arthur started
"Flowers?" Merlin tried and Arthur looked at him
"Merlin... trust me... you better just listen for now" he ruffled his hair
"So... no flowers?" Merlin asked quietly
"In the history of my... meetings with the ladies, I never had to use flowers" Arthur said
"B-but you're the prince so... they are probably... you know. But I am not the prince so..." Merlin wanted to disagree
"How about he slays something for her?" Leon suggested
"A trophy from a hunt might be a right token of your love" he added and looked at Merlin
"Ah, now we're talking" Arthur nodded with a smile and pointed at his oldest friend
"You wanna let Merlin bring her a dead animal?" Lancelot asked
"Not a dead animal" Arthur rolled his eyes
"Just its head of course" he added
"I can't... I can't kill an animal for that Arthur" Merlin said horrified just by that idea
"And I definitely can't just... chop off its head" he added even more horrified just by saying that
"Hate to ruin your plan fellas, but Merlin and a hunting is not the way to go" Gwaine said, and Lancelot with Elyan nodded
Arthur thought about it and then had to admit that they are right
"You're right Gwaine, Merlin would not catch a cold on the hunt, let alone an animal" Arthur said and the knights couldn't help themselves and chuckled
"A dress...a girl might like a dress right?" Elyan suggested
"That's true I've seen girls spend hours at the market stalls with the dresses" Percival nodded
"Not a bad thinking" Arthur said
"Do you know her favorite color?" he asked and looked at Merlin
"Whose?" Merlin asked and Arthur started to doubt whether Merlin doesn't suffer with some brain damage
"How about Freya's? Or is there more girls you fancy right now?" Arthur said and Merlin blushed little bit. Of course, he was talking about Freya, who else, He thought.
"N-no there is no one else" Merlin shook his head
"And, and I do not know her favorite color" he added
"Then I would not dare to go for the dress if I were you mate" Gwaine said
"Wrong color can make a girl mad like you would no believe it" he added with "you all know what I am talking about, right?" look address to his friends knights, and they all nodded
"What? Why?" Merlin asked and the men shortly laughed
"There is always that one color that supposedly makes her look bad or makes her look fatter or something like that and if you manage to pick a dress of that color... well... you might have a bigger chance to fight off the whole army alone and survive that than presenting her with the wrong dress" Gwaine said seriously as if this was some "public secret" all men should know.
"What?" Merlin asked quietly, clearly not knowing whether his friends are making this up or not, but they seemed to believe that.
"What does Freya like Merlin?" Lancelot asked to see it they could use any information as a clue to what would be a good present
Merlin was just looking at Lancelot and the other men without saying anything
"Merlin have you actually talked to her?" Arthur asked
"I... I say hello to her when I see her" Merlin said
"And...?"
"And what?" Merlin asked didn't understand. Just saying "hello" takes a lot of courage for Merlin.
"So, you don't know anything about her then?" Arthur made it clear
"Like at all?" Gwaine asked
"She likes strawberries" Merlin remembered and smiled at the men proudly about being able to offer some information about Freya.
"She was talking about it in the kitchen" he added as an explanation when the men for whatever reason didn't look really impressed by what Merlin shared with them.
"Ok... strawberries... at least something" Arthur nodded and looked at his men waiting what they will came up with
"Alright, how about we left the potential gift for now and move on to what Merlin should be saying or doing?" Arthur suggested when he doubted that they will came up with something right now anyway. The men nodded
"Play it cool"
"Be really nice to her"
the men ended up having very different advises. Lancelot, Leon and Percival were on the "be nice" team and Elyan, Arthur and Gwaine on the "Be cool"
"If you will be friendly and nice..." Lancelot started
"Nonsense Merlin, you have to play it cool" Gwaine interrupted him
"Yes, Gwaine is absolutely right. Girls like that Merlin" Arthur agreed with his fellow knight and Elyan supported them with a nod
"Cool? But I am... not cool" Merlin said slightly desperate
"That's... true" Arthur admitted quietly
"It doesn't matter Merlin, just pretend" Elyan said
"How?" Merlin asked
"My lord if I may... you are wrong" Leon said
"Are you questioning my tactic?" Arthur asked and raised eyebrows
"In this? Yes" Leon nodded
"He should show her that he cares about her by helping her and being friendly towards her" Lancelot backed up Leon and Percy nodded as well
"Sure, and she will think that he wants to be just friends" Gwaine said and Elyan with Arthur nodded in agreement
Merlin was becoming more and more desperate by every passing minute, because he was still nowhere near to knowing how to impress Freya.
"And... you forgot about something" Elyan started and the "be nice" team was looking at him waiting for what they might have forgot
"This is Merlin we are talking about" Elyan said and pointed at Merlin who was looking down wondering if he should just gave up, but when he heard his name he looked up.
"Meaning?" Percival asked not sure what Elyan's point is here
"He is nice and friendly to everyone" the knight explained
"That's true!" Arthur snapped his fingers and pointed at Elyan
"So how would Freya know that he has feelings for her?" the prince added
"Yeah... so back to our plan" Gwaine nodded
"What? That's not..." Lancelot wanted to protest
"So you have to be cool" Gwaine continued as if Lancelot wasn't talking at all
"But I don't know how to be cool" Merlin said nervously
"Let her to try to get your attention... you see? Just ignore her and let her come to you" Elyan said and Arthur with Gwaine nodded
"Ignore her? B-but I like her, why would I want to ignore her?" Merlin asked shocked
"Because if she'll think that you're not interested in her at all, she would want to change that and will pay attention to you" Gwaine explained
"What?" Merlin asked and tilted his head to the side, clearly very confused by that logic
"Don't listen to them Merlin" Lancelot started
"Be nice to her, and she'll see that you are worth of her time" Leon continued
"That make more se..." Merlin wanted to say
"Merlin... who you gonna believe here? Come on" Gwaine said with a cheeky "you know how lucky I am with the ladies" grin
Merlin was looking from knight to knight obviously very desperate and confused
"If the girl will think you're desperate for her attention she will not give it to you, that's how women work Merlin" Arthur said
"If she will think he doesn't care about her, why should she want to try to interact with him?" Lancelot asked Arthur
"Exactly" Percival agreed with him and Leon nodded in as well
"Because that's how girls work ok?" Elyan said
"No they..." Leon started
"Yes they do Leon" Arthur interrupted him with "I am the prince of Camelot so shut up" look. Leon clearly wanted to say something more, but he went quiet.
"Good... so as we told you Merlin. Be cool, don't pay much of attention to her, and she'll come to you" Arthur looked at his young friend, whose expression just reached the top of confusion and desperation.
The door to the room opened and Uther walked in, he stopped when he saw his son and the knights there
"Arthur? What is this?" He asked and pointed at him and the men
"We..." Arthur started
"Aren't you suppose to be training? All of you?" Uther interrupted him
"Yes... we were just..." Arthur tried to come up with something
"It's my fault sir" Merlin stood up
"Merlin sit down!" Arthur said quickly and pulled him back on the chair
"Yours? How?" Uther looked at Merlin and slowly walked towards him
"No father, none of that, he's just..."
"Arthur" Uther stopped his son and then pointed at Merlin
"I was asking Merlin" he said and looked at Merlin who realized that maybe being quiet would be smarter, but he was worried that the prince and the knights will get in trouble if he will not say something.
"I... I just... they were helping with a problem I have" Merlin confessed.
"What problem?" Uther asked and stopped at Merlin's seat so Merlin had to look up to meet the King's eyes
Arthur was already thinking of a replace for his manservant, not that he would want anyone else, but there is no way this is going to end up well for Merlin.
"He's in love my lord" Gwaine said
"In love?" Uther repeated and Merlin quickly nodded
Uther was looking at him without saying anything for a moment and then did something the knights, Merlin or the prince didn't expect. Uther laughed
"Is this why all of you are not on the training field?" He asked still very amused, and the knights nodded.
"I am sorry sir I shouldn't..." Merlin began, but Uther just waved his hand and silenced him
"If I am correct these men are a friends of yours, right?" Uther said and pointed at the men sitting at the table. Merlin and the knights along with the prince all confirmed it.
"It's natural then, that they want to offer their help to you boy." Uther said and ruffled Merlin's hair, Merlin was shocked by Uther's reaction that he didn't even react to it.
"Did they at least come up with some solid plan for you?" the King asked, and Merlin quickly nodded
"Very well" Uther nodded
"I need this room for the meeting with the council now" Uther added, clearly saying them to leave the room. Merlin quickly jumped up and left the room, the knights got up as well and followed him.
"I expected you to..." Arthur who stayed behind his men and manservant started
"To get mad?" Uther finished and Arthur nodded
"I was young too Arthur." Uther smiled at his son and the prince returned the smile
"Now go, the council will be here any minute, and I think that you and your knights should get on with the training anyway"
"Of course father" Arthur nodded and left the room
After the training the knights went on to fulfill their usual duties and Merlin followed Arthur back to prince's chamber
While they were walking back in the castle Merlin saw Freya talking to Gwen on the courtyard. He immediately began to wave at her. Arthur when noticed that he hit the back on Merlin's head little bit.
"Merlin, what are you doing?!" Arthur asked
"Ouch..." Merlin mumbled and rubbed the spot Arthur hit
"Merlin?" Arthur asked again
"I was just waving at her" me said
"Yes, exactly. And what did we told you to do?" Arthur reminded him
"Be cool and pretend I don't care" Merlin mumbled
"Exactly. So no more happy waving ok?" Arthur said and pushed the boy in the direction of the castle, so they start to move again.
"But... I always wave at her, when I see her" Merlin said quietly.
"Merlin"
"Sorry..."
-
"What was that about?" Freya asked confused when she and Gwen watched Arthur and Merlin on the other side of the courtyard
"I have no idea" Gwen said also confused
"Anyway, as I was saying I am more than sure that Merlin likes you" Gwen continued at their conversation
"You think?" Freya asked with badly hidden hope in her voice, she liked Merlin since they first met but wasn't sure if he feels the same way
"Absolutely. Trust me" Gwen assured her and smiled at her new friend
-
Arthur entered his chamber followed by Merlin as usual
"But if I don't greet her she will think that I am being rude" Merlin continued his complaining about Arthur forbidding him to wave at Freya and greet her
"Merlin for the last time..." Arthur started
"How would you like it huh? If I just walked pass you and looked away?" Merlin interrupted him
"I... this is not about me Merlin, but about you not acting like a little girl when seeing someone she has crush on"
"But I do have crush on someone" Merlin mumbled totally ignoring the fact that Arthur once again called him a girl
"Yes, and by doing as I and the knights are telling you, you will win your crush over"
"By being rude to her you mean" Merlin specified
"By... Merlin come on, just trust us alright? Have you seen that any of the girl the knights showed their interests in would turn them down? Like ever?" Arthur tried to reason with the younger boy. Merlin couldn't remember that any of the girls would do that, but he also wanted to pointed out that they are the knights, and knights are not getting turn down, but chose not to say anything.
"Ok..." he mumbled
"Do you want me to get your lunch now?" he asked
"If you managed it before that meal turns into a dinner" Arthur said with a smirk Merlin rolled his eyes but couldn't help and chuckled little bit
While walking towards the kitchen he saw Morgana walking in the opposite direction, probably to her own chamber to have lunch as well.
"Hello Merlin" she smiled at him
"Hi" he waved at her and smiled as well, he is allowed to wave at other people, Arthur didn't say anything about that, so he is allowed to do that.
"How are you?" Morgana asked and stopped, Merlin of course stopped as well
"I am alright, what about you... my lady?"
"Merlin please... how many times do I have to tell you to drop the formalities" Morgana reminded him friendly
"Oh right... well then, how are you Morgana?" Merlin corrected himself and Morgana nodded in approval.
"I am good, thank you" she smiled
Freya walked from behind the corner and when she saw Merlin immediately smiled at him. Merlin almost wanted to smile back, but he remembered that he has a strategy to follow, so he turned towards the window and pretended to look out of it. Freya's expression became very confused of course.
"Lady Morgana... Hello Merlin" she said while passing by them Merlin instead of the looking out of the window decided to look at very interesting floor now, leaving poor Freya even more confused, but unfortunately without the time to talk to him more, because she had work that had to be done.
Morgana was watching it with raised eyebrow. Of course she knew that Merlin fancy Freya as well as Freya likes Merlin. It's always adorable to watch Merlin trying to have a conversation with Freya while they both blush and shyly smile at each others, so seeing Merlin acting like he tries to ignore her is very unusual
When Freya was gone, Merlin deeply exhaled because he unknowingly held his breath while constraining on his task of "being cool"
"Merlin?" Morgana asked wanted to know what the hell was that about
"Y-yes?" Merlin asked and looked at her
"What was that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Merlin, you were just ignoring Freya, why?"
Merlin was almost sure that sharing the plan he now has to follow with Morgana might not be smart thing to do, but lying to her was not a good idea eider, firstly Morgana scares him and secondly Morgana knows when people are lying to her. So he chose to silently look at the woman hoping she will change her mind or get really hungry and will go have lunch.
"Merlin?!" Morgana asked with more emphasis in her voice, so Merlin knew he has to tell her.
"I was... I was just... I like her" he stuttered out
"I am aware of that" she nodded
"I am asking why were you not looking at her at all and not replied to her greeting" she added
"Arthur said that..." was all Merlin managed to say
"Arthur? Let me guess. He told you that you should pay no attention to Freya and that will make her want to talk to you more, right?" She interrupted him and Merlin nodded with "how do you know that" cute puppy look on his face
Morgana rolled her eyes, and mumbled some insult addressed to the prince
"But the knights were saying that too" Merlin added quickly
"I am sure of it Merlin" Morgana nodded, took Merlin's hand in hers and began to walk
"Come with me" she said
"But... Arthur... lunch" Merlin tried to explain while walking not knowing where
"Merlin, don't worry yourself with Arthur's stomach right now, we have more important things to do" Morgana smiled at him without stopping their walk
"What? Where are we going?" Merlin asked confused but knowing that no matter where Morgana decided to go he will go as well, because that woman doesn't take a no for an answer
"Garden" Morgana told him
"We are going to pick up some pretty flowers for you to give to Freya"
"But Arthur said that..."
"Merlin... sweetheart, one more word about any of the nonsense Arthur told you and I will let you put in the stock for the whole year, alright?" Morgana threaten him and finished it with a smile
Merlin quickly nodded
When they were standing in the garden Morgana let go of Merlin's hand.
"Alright Merlin, now go and pick up some pretty flowers for Freya" She told him and Merlin began to look around the garden
"Are you sure? I mean these are the royal gardens and..." Merlin started to with some doubts
"Merlin... please... just pick some nice looking flowers and don't trouble yourself with where we are right now" Morgana smiled at him
Merlin nodded and began to look for some pretty flowers
"How about some purple ones Merlin? Freya likes purple color" Morgana who was watching Merlin running all over the garden suggested
"Does she? How do you know that?" Merlin asked surprised as if Morgana just revealed some life changing secret
"We talked about it of course" she laughed
"I envy you. That you can just talk with her like that... I always get so nervous whenever she is around" Merlin confessed and Morgana laughed little bit again
"It just means that you actually care about her a big deal" she told him and the boy smiled
"Morgana? Where are you the lunch will be cold" Gwen walked in the garden happy that she finally did find her. Morgana didn't even had to explain what caused her delay, Gwen just looked at Merlin who was choosing between two flowers not sure which one would be better to pick and she knew exactly what is going on.
Gwen smiled while watching Merlin and walked over to Morgana
"Please tell me that it's for Freya" she said quietly
"Who else?" Morgana smiled
The women sat down on the grass while watching Merlin creating the perfect bouquet and occasionally helping Merlin pick between flowers. Gwen began to pick up some flowers that were in the reach as well
"Who are you going to present with flowers Gwen?" Morgana asked when she noticed it
"You my lady. Your chamber lacks little bit of nature in it" Gwen smiled at her and Morgana couldn't help herself and smiled at her friend as well
Few minutes later Merlin came back to them and sat down on the grass as well
"What do you think?" he asked and showed them the flowers he chose to pick up
"I think that they are very beautiful, Freya is going to like them, I am sure of it" Morgana said
"Agree" Gwen nodded
Merlin literally beamed with joy when he heard it
"Do you want me to tie them together for you?" Gwen asked because Merlin just pick up the flowers, but they didn't hold together.
"Yes please" Merlin nodded and handed her the flowers. Gwen began to wrapping up the flowers with some other flower, so they stay together
Merlin as if he just realized something jumped up and ran off to one of the flower-beds.
Before Morgana or Gwen could ask what's going on he was back with two flowers in his hand and sat down back down.
"Did you forget these? Do you want to add them?" Gwen asked, but Merlin shook his head
"No, these are for you" He said and gave one flower to Morgana and one to Gwen
"Aww... that's sweet" Morgana smiled just like Gwen did
"You didn't have to Merlin" Gwen said with a smile and got back to tying the flower together
"No I had. You are helping me so... I... wanted to thank you" Merlin explained
"Please... it's nothing, really" Morgana assured him and Gwen nodded
"All done, there you go" Gwen said and handed him the bouquet
"Thank you, it's really amazing" Merlin said happily while proudly admiring his and Gwen's creations
"What should I do after I give them to Freya?" Merlin asked
"Ask her if she would want to go on a stroll with you" a male voice from behind them suggested
Morgana and Gwen looked over to see who is it, Merlin had to only lean to the side to see Lancelot, Leon and Percival
"Gentlemen, what can we do for you?" Morgana asked
The men walked over to them and sat down on the grass as well
"We were looking for Merlin" Leon said
"To tell him to forget about what Gwaine, Elyan and Arthur told him" Lancelot continued and Percival nodded
"What were you suggesting him to do?" Morgana asked and risen one eyebrow
"They were saying to be friendly to her and helping her if I get the chance" Merlin said and the knights nodded
"I am so glad that not all of our knights have their heads just for putting helmets on them" Morgana said with a slightly theatrical relief and the knights laughed
"Nice flowers Merlin" Lancelot smiled and his young friend
"She's going to like them" Leon added and Merlin smiled at them
"Stroll is a very good idea by the way" Gwen said
"Yes, well done gentlemen" Morgana agreed
"You know... just some place nice" Percival said
"There is a very nice place near the lake where I..." Merlin began
"Merlin! That's perfect!" Gwen almost shouted and everyone looked at her with surprise
"Freya said that she used to live by a lake with her family and that she used to love it there" Gwen explained
"Really? Then she might really like that special place of yours Merlin" Morgana smiled
"Maybe you could take some food with you and... I don't know, have lunch there with her?" Percival suggested
"Very good idea" Lancelot agreed and the others nodded in agreement as well
"It sounds great" Merlin nodded with a big smile
"Freya was suppose to bring lunch to sir Pillinor and then not have other duties after that, so I am guessing that now she should be totally free" Gwen said
"That's great, that means you can go to her right now Merlin" Leon smiled
"R-right now?" Merlin repeated already starting to panic
"Calm down Merlin" Gwen said and placed her hand on his
"You will just go to her and ask her if she would be interested in seeing the lake with you" Morgana said and the knights nodded
"But... that means talking to her" Merlin said with "do you see the problem in the plan?" look on his face, which made Morgana and the knights laugh little bit
"What if I told you that Freya likes you too Merlin, would that calm you down at least little bit?" Gwen asked, trying to help her friend
"She does? She likes me? Like like me or like like me? Are you sure she was talking about me? Maybe there is someone else named Merlin... " Merlin began to ramble and it took Gwen a few tries to stop him
"Merlin please... yes I am absolutely sure she was talking about you. And I am more than sure that really, really likes you" Gwen assured him when she managed to shut Merlin up
"Yes Merlin" Morgana nodded with a smile
"Alright... alright" Merlin nodded
"Should I... I should go after her right?" he made sure and when everyone nodded he stood up
"Good luck Merlin" Morgana wished him
"Good luck my friend" Lancelot smiled at his young friend
Merlin thanked them and smiled at them as well and wanted to leave the garden, but then he realized something
"Arthur... his lunch I was supposed to..." he began
"Merlin go, I'll take care of that" Gwen laughed and gestured him to go already
Merlin smiled at her and the others and then quickly ran to Freya
He had to ask few of his friends he has among the servants where Freya is, and after he had the right information that she should be at home he ran there. Gwen offered Freya that she can live with her so Merlin had no problem with finding that house.
He stopped at the door and knocked
"Come in" Freya called out from the inside
Merlin smiled and before entering he hide the flower behind his back
"Freya?" Merlin called out when he didn't see her
"Just a minute" she called out from the part of the house where the beds were, which was separate from the rest of the house.
"No problem" Merlin smiled
"Merlin?" Freya asked still hidden
"Yes" he confirmed
"I am sorry about... I didnt mean to... I just wanted to" Merlin tried to apologize for his attempt of pretending he doesn't care
"It's alright Merlin, I was just little bit..." Freya was assuring him that it's alright. Of course she was surprised by that, but she didn't think that Merlin would want to be mean or anything
"No, it was rude from me, and I am really sorry, because I just... oh... wow" Merlin continued explaining, but stopped when Freya walked out dressed in a red dress that were clearly made for her and no one else, because of how Beautifully she looked in them.
Freya shyly smiled at him
"Gwen gave me these and said that I can keep them if I want" she said
"Y-you should" Merlin nodded
"Keep them I mean, because... because you look very beautiful" he added and Freya blushed little bit
"Not that you don't look beautiful without them, you do... I haven't seen you in anything that would not look amazing on you" Merlin began to babble and Freya flattered laughed and was happy that Merlin thinks that, because Merlin's opinion is something that matters for Freya little bit more than the others in Camelot
"Thank you, Merlin" she said and made a few steps closer to him
"I... did flowers" Merlin said still struggling to talk properly
"What?" Freya asked confused but with a smile
"Picked flowers" Merlin corrected himself
"I picked these for you" Merlin said and offered Freya the flowers he was until now hiding behind his back
"Aww... Merlin, thank you" Freya's smile grew even wider while taking the flowers
"No one brought me a flower until now" she said and went to put them in the vase with water
"What? I don't believe it... it's not possible" Merlin began to disagree and Freya laughed again
"I assure you that you're the first person that ever brought me a flower" she said
Merlin beamed up and was secretly happy that no one did this before him.
"Gwen said that... you liked the lake at your old house" Merlin began
"Yes, that's true" Freya nodded
"We have a lake in here as well. I sometimes go there... usually for the herbs Gaius needs, but sometimes it is a nice place to go to without any reason... just to sit on the shore and... you know... watch the nature." Merlin told her
"Really?" Freya asked, because no one told her about this yet. Merlin is actually among the few that knows where the lake is, because it's little bit hidden, and he only knows about it because Gaius told him where to find certain type of flower that grows only by that lake.
"Really" Merlin nodded
"So I was wondering if you would be interested in... visiting it with me... or, or I can just tell you had to get there if you don't want to go with me, that's fine too" Merlin suggested
"Merlin, Of course I want to go there with you" Freya assured him
"Would you want to go right now?" Merlin asked and Freya nodded
"Actually... could you meet outside the gate to the city? I need to go get something before we go"
"Sure, what do you need to get?" Freya nodded and curiously asked
"It's a surprise" Merlin smiled at her and ran out of the house
Freya happily laughed and went to wait for Merlin at the gate.
Merlin ran all the way to his and Gaius's room
"Merlin! You are going to give me a heart attack!" Gaius scolded him when Merlin bursted in the room and scared the man that was reading one of the books
"Sorry Gaius" Merlin apologized quickly and began to put all the things he needs in the creel
"Merlin, what are you doing?" the old physician asked while he watched Merlin run from one place to another and back
Merlin stopped and looked at the man with a big smiled on his face
"I asked Freya to go with me to the lake" Merlin grinned
"My boy... that's great" Gaius smiled at him and went to friendly pet his shoulder
"I know right? I so thought she's gonna tell me no, but then Gwen said that she might like me too, so I thought maybe she will not, so I went to her and asked her and... oh wait, I brought her flowers, and she liked them and told me that no one gave her flowers yet, would you believe that? How could no one give her flowers before, someone like her should be getting flowers every day, so I gave her the flowers and then told her about the lake, because she used to live somewhere near the lake and really liked it there, so I told her about the lake and asked if she would want to go there with me, and she said yes and then..." Merlin was summing up while putting the things in the creel and when he was done with packing he jumped up and sat on the table.
"Merlin..." Gaius managed to stop him
"Y-yes? Do you want me to repeat some part? It's the part about the flowers isn't? Because how could she never..." Merlin began again
"Merlin!" Gaius stopped him again
This time Merlin was just looking at his tutor
"Merlin, firstly what did I told you about sitting on the table..." Gaius started and the young boy immediately slid down from the table
"And secondly... I will happily listen about all of that my boy, but shouldn't you be somewhere else by now... if I am not mistaken certain young lady is wanting for you" Gaius reminded him with a smile, Merlin made "Oh right!" face and ran out from the room. Gaius chuckled and called for Merlin to came back
Merlin ran back in the room, grabbed the creel and with last happy smile at Gaius ran out from the room again. Gaius chuckled and shook his head in amusement
Merlin arrived at the gate to the city and saw Freya waiting for him
When she noticed him she immediately smiled at him
"I am sorry, I hope you were not waiting too long" Merlin said
"Not at all. What's in it?" Freya asked and looked at the creel
"It's... just... you'll see at the lake" Merlin decided that it's gonna stay a secret for a little bit longer.
"Alright then" Freya nodded
"Which direction are we going?" she asked, because Merlin was the one who knew which way to go.
"This way" Merlin said and together began to walk towards the promised lake.
"It's really beautiful" Freya said when she stood on the shore of the lake, Merlin was watching her with a smile and took the opportunity and used Freya's distraction to place the blanket he had packed on the ground and put the other things from the creel on it.
Freya turned back to Merlin and when she saw him sitting on the blanket with a lunch in front of him she could not hide her surprise
"How did you manage it so quickly?" she asked and went to sit on the blanket as well
"The lake helped me distract you" Merlin smiled and Freya laughed
"You should tell me, I would help you with this" she said and pointed at the food on the blanket
"It was no problem" Merlin assured her
They began to eat and talk little bit, but more just silently enjoying the lake and its surroundings
When they returned to Camelot Merlin escorted Freya to her doors
"Thank you, Merlin, this was really great afternoon" Freya told him
"I thank you" Merlin smiled
Freya nervously bit her lower lip and kissed Merlin on his cheek. They both blushed. Freya smiled at still shocked Merlin last time before she disappeared in her house.
Still blushing Merlin was standing outside of her doors for a moment wondering if he didn't just imagine it, but when he touched his cheek and felt how warm it felt he was almost sure he didn't imagine it.
"Merlin?" Gwen who was just returning to her and now Freya's as well home asked when she saw Merlin standing there.
Merlin looked at his friend and happily pulled her in the hug
"Everything went well I guess" Gwen laughed happily in the hug and Merlin nodded
"I knew it will" Gwen said.
When Merlin ended the hug he wished Gwen goodnight and with realization that he forgot to wish goodnight to Freya he asked Gwen to tell her that he does.
When Merlin entered his and Gaius's room he was surprised when he didn't see the physician but the prince with Gwaine and Elyan in the room
"Arthur?" Merlin asked hoping that Arthur is not mad because of the lunch thing
"Merlin, you're back. Good" Arthur nodded
"Everything went well?" he asked
Merlin nodded, still not sure about the reason of their visit
"We... talked to Morgana" the prince started
"Oh..." Merlin replied, guessing that the prince and the two knights know that Merlin didn't follow their plan
"And... we think that apology is in order" the prince continued and Gwaine with Elyan nodded
"Ok... I am sorry, but I just didn't want to pretend like I don't see her when..." Merlin began to apologize
"Not... Merlin, not your apology" Arthur stopped him when he saw that Merlin got it all wrong
"Ours mate" Gwaine said
"Yeah... our advice was... stupid" Elyan said and the prince with the other knight nodded. Stupid was not the word Morgana used when she was talking with them, but for the sake of Merlin's innocence they didn't use her exact words
"No it was just..." Merlin began
"Not for you and you tried to tell us, but we were not listening to you" Gwaine said
"Exactly" Arthur nodded
"I am still glad you wanted to help me" Merlin assured them
"But we should have listen to you while trying to help you Merlin" Elyan said
"I am glad that you met someone who was more helpful then us" Arthur smiled at his young servant friend
"Yes, someone that didn't tell you to not act like yourself at all. It was stupid, you are a sweet and nice lad Merlin, of course Freya would prefer that over some prat that doesn't even look at her" Gwaine agreed
Merlin smiled at them
"But I can still come to you when I will need some advice, right?" Merlin asked
"Of course Merlin, and next time we will try to provide better help than we did this time" Arthur assured him and the knights agreed with their prince.
Merlin happily smiled at his friends
Gwaine and Elayn were leaving and on their way out each got a hug from Merlin.
When they left Arthur was still in the room
"How it went?" Arthur asked
"It was amazing we were..." Merlin told Arthur everything since the moment he left the garden and Arthur was listening his friend with a smile
"And then... she kissed me on the cheek" Merlin finished his story and actually made a little happy jump on the stop and Arthur had to smile even more while seeing how happy Merlin is.
"That's great Merlin, It's a good thing you were not following our advice then" he said
"You wanted to help me, that counts" Merlin said and the prince surprisingly didn't argue with him.
"Alright, well I'll go Merlin, I think that after day like this you must be pretty tired am I right?" Arthur smiled at his friend
"Yes and no... I don't really know to be honest" Merlin said little bit confused and Arthur chuckled at all the emotions running thought Merlin's mind
When the prince was leaving Merlin didn't let him leave without hug, something Arthur happily got used to since the young boy became his manservant because apparently it's a normal thing they do in Ealdor so Merlin brought this little tradition in the Camelot with him.
"Night Arthur" Merlin waved at the prince when the prince was leaving the room
"Night Merlin.... oh and I almost forgot, mucking up the horses is waiting for you tomorrow" the prince remembered
"What? Why?" Merlin whined, because even though this is technically his duty, he doesn't have to do it unless he did something
"The lunch Merlin, or do you really think that running around the garden and picking up flowers is an excuse to leave your prince to starve?" Arthur raised one eyebrow, he was clearly trying to hide his amusement
"Oh... sorry" Merlin almost forgot about that.
"What if I bring you flowers as well?" Merlin started to negotiate.
"You can, of course" Arthur nodded
"After you will be done with the stables" he added and chuckled at Merlin's expression and without another word the prince left
"Oh great..." Merlin mumbled not happy about it but still fully aware that if any other master had to wait for a lunch as long as Arthur did and then heard that the servant that was suppose to bring the lunch went to picking up some flowers he would not just let the servant clean up the stables, but something way worst and maybe even painful, so Merlin was grateful for being Arthur's manservant.
His least favorite duty was for the rest of the evening forgotten when he remembered his day with Freya and with the thoughts about the lake and about Freya Merlin went to bed and was still smiling while he was falling asleep.
