Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Merlin was thrown to the ground with a hard thud by 2 other guards. He was at Uther's and.. Arthur's feet with the boot's on that Merlin had just polished the night before. With no time to admire his work he was slapped across the back of the head. Hard. He blinked a few times, dazed, but he was okay. "For the crime of sorcery there is but one sentence I can pass. You are to be executed publicly at dawn as punishment for the use of spells and enchantments." Uther said, emotionless. He had the same look on his face. All high and mighty on his throne. Untouchable. "Father.. Please. He saved my life remember? I'm sure he hasn't done any harm. Perhaps the witness was only mistaken." Arthur didn't want to believe it. He hadn't seen him do it himself, but he did see the spear flying directly towards him slightly curve and hit the tree behind him, that he had no doubt about. "It turned away from me. If he did it he saved my life again." "He was just manipulating you, that's what sorcerers do. They wait for the right time to strike when you're not looking. He is to be executed. My decision will not be changed." With that, Uther ordered the guards to take Merlin back to the dungeons and Uther went back to his chambers. Arthur got up quickly seeing merlin getting basically dragged forgetting that he couldn't do anything about it. His eyes were almost tearing up. He had to retreat to his own chambers before anyone saw him like this. He'd get to the bottom of it later.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

Merlin was thrown back onto the floor of that terrible cold stone floor he'd known so many times before from his stupidity. Usually he was only there for a night then put in the stocks for a few days before he saw his own bed again. He knew he wouldn't be seeing that room again in the little time he had left. He only prayed everyone he loved would be safe. Oh.. That's right.. Freya was still in Ealdor with Hunith. He was planning to go back and visit her to celebrate a year of her being free of her curse. It no longer controlled her. She controlled the Bastet form whenever she wanted. Merlin had spent what felt like a month looking for a counter curse before finding something to at least help her use it as a secret last resort for self defense. He had stayed in the forest with her a week with a shield around him at night so she wouldn't accidentally hurt him. Gaius told Arthur that Merlin went looking for a herb that only existed far from Camelot and Arthur totally bought it ..after he checked the tavern to find no Merlin and asking regulars (Including Gwaine) who had never seen him there of course. With Freya finally feeling somewhat at peace he brought her to Ealdor just to lay low for a while. He sent her letters and created a stone miniature well in Ealdor (which he would access through Avalon) for them to communicate face to face. He visited her as often as possible. Now he would never see her again. He almost spoke to her through his mind to tell her what was happening but he knew she'd tell Hunith and Balinor or try to rescue him herself risking her own life in the process. He couldn't do that to her. Merlin's story ends tomorrow. He'd already accepted it.

Gaius rushed down the stairs into the dungeons going straight Merlin's cell. "Merlin!" He was whispering as loud as possible. "Gaius! Wha- How did you get down here?" "Arthur helped me in. He can only buy so much time, Merlin my boy I'm so sorry. Ill figure something out and be back as soon as possible-" Merlin cut him off. "No. Its alright. I deserve this." Gaius was dumbfounded. "What? No Merlin you're not thinking straight right now. Ill help you out of here. I know you were planning to go see her again soon." Merlin went silent and his eyes widened a bit before they narrowed once again and he walked to the back wall and sat down. "Its better for everyone if I just let this happen. Please.. just.. tell her that I love her. I'll always be with you all. But don't.. don't forget me okay? Please?" "No, no Merlin you're going to see her again. I'll make sure of it." Gaius stayed at the bars for only another second before letting out a long breath he didn't realize he was holding and rushing back up the stairs just as he had done minutes before to get down there.

Chapter Text

"Oh! Freya love, would get that for me please?" Hunith was holding a basket of clothes when a shirt fell out. She would have gotten it herself, if only she hadn't tripped outside and gotten a bruise that traversed nearly her entire back. If she'd tried to grab the shirt it would have been painful, as the skin on her back would've tightened. Freya was sitting at the table writing something (likely a letter to Merlin), and nearly jumped at the opportunity to help. "Of course!" 

Hunith and Balinor tried to let her know she didn't need to do so much. After all, she was already making all their meals, she could only make a few basic dishes, but considering the fact Merlin was only just beginning to teach her how to cook they were all quite impressed with how quickly she was learning. Hunith helped her learn some of the recipes she'd made Merlin when he was a child. His favorite was her apple pie that she'd make on his birthday every year. Of course, Freya asked to learn that one first.

“Thank you dear. Say, have you heard from Merlin?” 

“No, it is quite odd. He also didn't show up at Avalon. It is Saturday today, no?” 

“It is. I understand he gets caught up with work pretty often with Arthur. I hope he’s just having a busy day.” She and Freya were already worried, they could never deny it. 

“Me too. Well.. Maybe I could.. Maybe..” Freya tried to end her trail of thought. 

“Yes?” Hunith put down her basket and sat across the table from Freya.

“Perhaps I could call him through the, uhm.. I forgot what it's called. But basically I could try to talk to him through my mind. I can do it, it just feels weird. It's like he is speaking to me through my thoughts.”

“If you think you could try, go ahead. Let me know if he answers.”

Freya closed her eyes and spoke Merlin's name through her mind, attempting to reach him. There was no answer. She tried a second time, and she was just about to tell Hunith he hadn't said anything when she heard it. The faintest of whispers. Freya?

 Merlin? Are you alright? 

Yes, I'm fine.

Where were you today? Why didn't you show at Avalon?

Damn it. He didn't even know what day it was.

I'm sorry, Gaius had me find a rare herb one of the patients needed.

Why does your voice sound like that? Merlin, you don't sound fine.

I'm just tired. 

Promise?

…I promise.

“There's something wrong with Merlin. He doesn't sound right.” Freya was worried. The last time she heard Merlin sounding off was when he felt guilty for accidentally killing someone who charged at them and nearly grabbed Freya. They were only walking through the forest when the man appeared from behind a tree and tried to use Freya to force Merlin into giving him everything they had. 

Merlin was scared and acted on instinct. He tried to throw him but his emotions took over his power. He snapped the man's neck. He didn't mean to, he was just worried for Freya. After that incident Freya knew how much he cared for her, and she would make sure he was okay. 

“What do you want to do?” Hunith was ready for whatever decision Freya made. She knew Freya loved Merlin and that she would do what she thought would help him best.

“I think we should go to Camelot, but we'll need Merlin's father too.” Freya got up to go grab the bag Merlin gave her to get everything she needed packed.

“I’ll go pack. We can leave when Balinor gets back.”