Broken Crown - Merlin

Truth Be Told

It wasn't until they began talking that Arthur knew this was another magic trick. Of course, it was, if what Merlin said was true – about Arthur killing Freya, there could only be magic involved. Somehow Arthur hadn't done anything else than yelling at his servant about it; something that didn't do much difference to their usual days back in the castle.

Arthur cringed at their attempt at embrace, although it seemed to Merlin it didn't matter how awkward it looked. He was at home, Arthur thought.

"Freya..." Merlin finally said. The icy lake water was tingling on his skin, but he didn't mind, because the warmth that was shared between them was so much livelier.

"Merlin" his name came out as a dry whisper from the steam of Freya's mouth. The mist surrounding her almost lay as a beautiful white gown, blending in perfectly with her pale, wet skin. Her hair was hanging heavy from her head, dripping ice cold water onto Merlin's hands.

Merlin was usually the pale one, but in Freya's company, he was standing out with brightly colored skin and an even brighter neckerchief around his otherwise exposed neck.

"I wanted to see you one last time... And you're here" Merlin said softly and watched as Freya's expression grow gentle.

"You brought him," she said, her voice hoarse from laying in the water. Merlin couldn't help but look back at his king and friend, standing agitatedly at the shore, staring at them as if he was watching a murder.

Merlin turned to face her again, surprised her hands hadn't slipped out of his own yet, "he knows... About us," he said, "he knows what he did to you"

Freya stirred in the water, her voice echoing in his head, her words limited by the rare situation of life and death meeting, "our secret is yet not known" she said. Merlin frowned lightly, not understanding what she was talking about. Merlin had told Arthur about their relationship, about how she was the only person he had ever loved, and yet the fabric of their secret was never revealed.

It was the magic part. The why's and the how's of their bond, the part where Merlin would explain his entire life to Arthur. A reveal of pure magic and pure love mixed together in a wide lake of ice cold water.

"No" Merlin muttered, "he wouldn't understand"

Freya put a gentle, cool hand on his cheek, and Merlin couldn't help but lean into it, "he must know" she said, "only then will you defeat the Saxons" she finished her sentence, and her eyes shifted between Merlin's, unable to rest. Only then did Merlin notice the shining object through the clear water at her feet. Excalibur.

The warlock shook his head lightly, "no... Please no, only bad things happen with that sword is around. Big things happen, and I usually don't like them" he said with a childish frown and felt Freya's gentle hand slide off his. Freya let out a friendly chuckle and recognized the fear in his eyes and ran her wet hand through his hair in comfort, "you have grown up" she said suddenly, her eyes smiling. Merlin forced a smile and looked at her in awe.

A moment like this was rare, Merlin thought. He wanted it to last forever, just the two of them surrounded by all beauty the world had to offer.

"I must see him" she suddenly said, "that is why you brought him here," Freya said, and with a tug, Merlin looked back at Arthur. He did a good job staying away, Merlin thought.

The warlock managed to catch his eyes, "he did want to meet you," he turned his head back to Freya, "I don't have to tell him... Do I? He wouldn't understand, do I have to suffer that experience?" the warlock asked sadly, as he once again locked eyes with hers, "No. You do not" was all she said before she let go of his hand suddenly. She wore an unexplainable expression, as Merlin's hand hit the surface of the water quite unexpected.