Forbidden Love - Merlyn [2]

Chapter Forty-Eight: Hiding Fugitives

Merlyn had lit a torch and began to lead the man through the tunnels to where she had hidden Freya. Merlyn was not sure what to make of the man, he seemed genuine, kind and concerned for his sister but was that just an act. Was Freya even his sister? Merlyn didn't know but she knew she couldn't take his word for it. She had to be extremely careful. A few turns before the alcove where Freya was, Merlyn stopped and demanded that the man stay there. He had tried to argue but after her quick words explaining that she needed to verify his story had him allowing her to go alone.

On her own, Merlyn finished the walk towards Freya's hiding place only to find the young brunette curled up in a foetal position beside the wall asleep. She looked so fragile, so scared. With a gentle smile, Merlyn moved forward and placed the torch down on the ground a little way from Freya before she silently moved over.

"Freya?" Merlyn called out gently not wanting to scare the young girl. After a couple of tries of her name, Merlyn realised that she was not going to wake the girl this way. Reaching out Merlyn shook Freya's shoulder, the movement moving the girl enough to reveal her once peaceful face from her shroud of hair. Within a second, her eyes shot open and Merlyn found herself locked eyes with a frightened creature. "Hey. It's all right. It's okay. It's me. It's Merlyn" Merlyn kept her voice soft and gentle. After a few moments of allowing Freya to gather herself Merlyn asked the important question. "Do you have a brother?" Immediately Freya's eyes widened and her gaze began scanning behind Merlyn, searching for the elusive brother.

"Percival?" Freya called out pushing herself up onto her feet. A spark of hope had gathered in her eyes. Hearing her voice, Percival (who had not done as he was told) came into the alcove and raced to his sister's side. The pair met half way, arms encasing one another. Merlyn finally had a name to the man.

"Freya" Percival spoke as he pulled back from the hug, his large hands cupping his sister's cheeks gently, pushing her knotted hair from her face. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes. Merlyn helped me escape at potentially great cost to herself" Freya admitted with a bright smile on her. Merlyn had yet to see the young girl smile, she was beautiful when she did. Hearing his sister's words, Percival turned to look at Merlyn, believing and understanding now what Merlyn had indeed done for his sister.

"Thank you" Percival spoke with great sincerity before his face became clouded with guilt. He had after all immediately attacked the young witch who had down nothing but help and protect his sister.

"I understand" Merlyn assured the man, she understood why he had attacked her. She knew Percival was trying to apology. With a smile, Merlyn turned her attention to her bag. Loosening the bag's strings, she was able to reach inside, feeling around for the smooth cloth that contained the much needed food Merlyn had stolen. "I come baring gifts other than your brother." Merlyn placed the napkin upon the floor and began unravelling it to reveal the food inside. Freya's eyes widened at the sight of the bread, meat and cheese. People very rarely ate so well for a meal. Hearing a chuckle of disbelief, Merlyn lifted her gaze to Percival who wore the same look as his sister. Quickly, the two siblings dived into the meal, Freya passing her brother some of the bread as she chowed down on a slice of the meat. Merlyn couldn't help but frown out of the sight. Clearly, the pair of them hadn't eaten properly in a few days. Leaving them to it, Merlyn gathered the candles she had tucked into her bag as well. The three small candles would hopefully last the day.

"It's good" Freya mumbled as she chewed through the various pieces of food, enjoying every mouthful immensely.

"Believe me, it's fit for a prince" Merlyn smirked, her mind flickering back to Arthur whom she knew was throwing a hissy fit about his lack of breakfast this morning. However, Freya and Percival could only frown in confusion at her expression, not knowing just who Merlyn was. Merlyn grabbed each candle she had also brought and buried their ends into the sand that covered the floor of the alcove. Remembering her freedom, Merlyn lifted her hand and moved her hand across the wicks of the candles. With a flash of golden irises her magic flourished from her fingertips and to the tips of the wicks where a small flame appeared, dancing up the string. Merlyn couldn't help but smile slightly at the chance to use her magic openly. With a happy sigh, Merlyn sat back upon the floor beside Percival, facing Freya.