Merlin
In a land of Myth & Magic
The Last Dragon Lord
Loyal Servant to the King
Posts: 81
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Post by Merlin on Mar 21, 2013 0:39:17 GMT -5
Timeline: Season 5, after The Disir The warlock stepped towards the large expanse of water ahead, pausing only when he reached the edge of the grassy banks surrounding the lake of Avalon. He watched the moonlight glimmer on its silently still surface, wondering what had brought him here to this familiar place. The mixture of frustration, anger and sorrow, still plagued him. He couldn't concentrate on anything except the heart wrenching mistake he had just made. He was causing Camelot's downfall, just like he had caused Morgana to play out the vision he had foreseen in the crystal cave. If the future was not set in stone then why did it continue unfolding each time he tried to stop it? The urge to sit back and do nothing was too great, but this too would no doubt cause events to happen. Merlin collapsed to the ground, his knees sinking into the wet grass beneath and his hands raised above his head, fingers clenching his hair tightly as he let out a half cry, half sob. There appeared to be no way to prevent the impending death being brought upon Arthur, moving closer to him by the day. But it was too soon. It was far too soon. There had to be a way to stop it, there just had to be. Merlin would not let his king die and certainly not at the hands of the druid, Mordred. The warlock rocked back and forth slowly, helplessly, letting his arms fall to his sides as he lifted his face to the light of the moon, tears glistening in his eyes. He just wanted some sort of sign. Something to give him hope. Anything.... Please.... help me. |
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Freya
Traveller
Guardian of Avalon
the Lady of the Lake
Posts: 9
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Post by Freya on Mar 21, 2013 14:43:05 GMT -5
Someone had come to the shore.
Freya's consciousness snapped awake as the words echoed in her mind. It was unusually late for someone to visit, but it was her duty to watch over the pilgrims that came and went regardless. Through the murky water lit faintly by the moon, she saw the outline of a figure kneeling down in the grass. Their head hung, as if an invisible weight was dragging them under. A painful cry seemed to rip from the silhouette, and it sounded so awful that she wanted to cry along with them. But the voice somehow sounded familiar, from something long ago. Was that the voice that had spoken far softer in dark tunnels, or the one struggling to speak on the very same shore in daylight? But it couldn't be.
Merlin?
"Merlin?" She cried again, panicked now. A shaft of moonlight illuminated his uplifted face, streaked with tears and frustration. It was him. A small wave rippled towards the shore, carrying her with it. Just as the water was getting shallow the rest of her, not just her arm, emerged from the lake. Liquid chains seemed to fall from her wrists, and lightness took over. It was letting her go. For a moment she stood ankle deep in water, awash with wonder and relief. She could leave for the first time in all the years she'd been trapped there, cold but resolute.
The thought of what brought her out dragged Freya back to the situation at hand, looking down at the young man still on his knees. Dropping down beside Merlin, she took hold of his shoulders gently, her cool hands shaking him. "Merlin, what's the matter?"
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Merlin
In a land of Myth & Magic
The Last Dragon Lord
Loyal Servant to the King
Posts: 81
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Post by Merlin on Mar 21, 2013 23:11:32 GMT -5
He sensed her presence as clearly as he could sense the life flowing vibrantly through every element all around him, every tree, every insect, every blade of crumpled grass beneath his knees... Every ripple within the icy depths of the lake. A sudden coldness enveloped him in that moment, making him shudder visibly. Time itself seemed to slow down as he became more aware of everything. His senses were suddenly heightened, ignited by the magic surging freely within him. The whole area seemed to spark up with the most vibrant glowing energy in that small moment and it caught his attention, distracting his mind from the destruction he had so foolishly brought upon the kingdom.
It was then, within that short moment of realising just how much he needed her to be here, that he began to feel the warmth and comfort she had brought to him. He could hear her voice echoing into his mind...he could feel her hands grasping his shoulders, pulling him back from the deep despair he'd fallen into. His eyes snapped open, blinking away tears in the hopes that he wasn't dreaming.
"Freya..." he whispered, afraid that his mind might be playing tricks on him as he slowly lifted his bleary eyed gaze to find her there, kneeling right before him, as real as anyone could be. She was here, the only girl he had ever loved and then lost so long ago, and she was every bit as beautiful as ever. His fingers reached upwards, resting gently upon her hand to assure himself that she was really here. "How....?" he began, his gaze unmoving, not leaving her face for a single moment for fear that she might disappear into the darkness. |
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Freya
Traveller
Guardian of Avalon
the Lady of the Lake
Posts: 9
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Post by Freya on Mar 22, 2013 23:52:27 GMT -5
"Merlin," Freya breathed with immense relief, examining his face. But what had gone wrong? What brought him here of all places in such a state as he was? She lightly massaged his shoulders in an attempt to relax them. How tense he was! Twisting her legs to the side, she sat more comfortably in front of him, feeling as though it was up to her to keep him sitting upright. "I...I don't know. I'm just glad it happened."
Whispering seemed almost too loud despite the beach being theirs and the moon's. Talking didn't really matter, since all she wanted to do was look at him to prove to herself that he was there. And she was outside. Intense worry began to constrict her throat as she wiped off his tears, a few of her own threatening the corners of her eyes. The weight of his hand kept her anchored in the moment - even she was afraid that the lake would yank her back at any second. Now that she knew who Merlin really was, the defender of Camelot and the king himself, maybe he'd be enough to keep them together. She was barely aware of a tingling in her hand, right where his touched it. How long she'd hoped for that feeling of Merlin by her side again.
Taking his face in her hands, she leaned her forehead on his, just for a few moments. Her eyes still burned, but everything seemed to calm around them. For a little while. Freya sighed and tried to tilt his face so that she could look straight at him. The look in his eyes broke her - whoever had made him look so broken would pay through the nose. Ignoring her own tears, she tried to get rid of the rest of his. "What.....what's happening?"
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Merlin
In a land of Myth & Magic
The Last Dragon Lord
Loyal Servant to the King
Posts: 81
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Post by Merlin on Mar 24, 2013 14:18:59 GMT -5
The warmth of his fingers had curled around her hand, holding onto her as though his life depended on it, his tear-filled gaze watching her every move. He let his eyelids drift closed for a short moment as the coolness of her forehead pressed against his. He returned the gesture, leaning into her, silently letting her wipe away his tears before his gaze settled upon hers once more. Her mere presence alone had already brought immense comfort to him.
"It doesn't matter now... you're here." he replied reassuringly, the reason for his upset instantly forgotten. Everything else seemed so insignificant now that she was here, real or not, she was here before him, his Freya, and it was more than he could ever have dreamt or hoped for.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you again...Not like this.... Not so...." his words faded into a warm smile as he took in her familiar features, gently pushing his fingertips through the long dark strands of her hair whilst his thumb traced circles against her cheek, brushing away a single tear as it fell.
"So real..." he finally breathed, still half convinced that he must be dreaming. She was so cold...so much a part of the lake from which she had risen. He knew she shouldn't be here, but he was too lost in the moment to allow himself to believe in anything other than what was right infront of him.
Without another word, the young warlock slowly leaned in, closing the short distance between them and placing the most gentle kiss upon her lips... knowing it may be the only chance he would ever have.
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Freya
Traveller
Guardian of Avalon
the Lady of the Lake
Posts: 9
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Post by Freya on Mar 25, 2013 23:52:39 GMT -5
There was very little distance left between the two, but every centimeter felt like a mile until Merlin's lips met Freya's. She felt like a puzzle that had just located its last missing piece; she felt complete. Every cell tingled and jolted awake, like half of her had been dormant until now - sleeping until the right time came. She absently curled her fingers around his jacket, pulling him even closer.
This wasn't earth they were a part of anymore: this was the stars, far beyond the green and blue and brown that made up the earth. Glittering shards of light surrounded them, magic swirling at its own pleasure with nothing to hold it back, its warm golden light surrounding them. This wasn't even the sky anymore, this was heaven.
The moment Freya had to break for air was the moment she wished she didn't have to rely on oxygen. True, life would be impossible without it, but there was another - a very different part of life that would die without something else. Someone to hold onto. That someone's jacket was still tangled in her fingers, and by now her knees had dug into the grass which was now starting to irritate them. But all of it seemed ridiculously mundane compared to what she'd found all over again. The only person left in the world that knew her and understood.
They were beautiful creatures, not monsters.
Biting her lip, Freya contemplated adding, "Well, I think we've established that this is all real," but thought instead that silence fit the occasion better. At least for the time being. Now all she could do was smile.
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Merlin
In a land of Myth & Magic
The Last Dragon Lord
Loyal Servant to the King
Posts: 81
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Post by Merlin on Mar 29, 2013 8:21:58 GMT -5
Long moments passed after she had drawn back from his lips before Merlin's eyelids finally flickered open, his gaze instantly meeting Freya's with a warm smile. Be it a dream or not, she was still here, and he still couldn't quite believe this was real. "You don't know why you're here?" He asked, assuming from what she'd just said that she was as confused as he was. He caressed the side of her cheek with soft fingertips, feeling a little of the warmth return to her skin...the warmth she'd once glowed with so long ago. The warlock's smile faded then, knowing he must be imagining it, for no magic could bring back those he'd lost, he knew that.
He shivered visibly as a sudden coldness enveloped him, chilling him to the very core and reminding him all too soon of the reason why he'd come here, to the lake, a place of solitude, somewhere he could be alone, to think. Except he hadn't wanted to be alone, nor had he wanted to think about what he'd done. He had needed something... someone.... he'd needed saving from the terrible burden he had placed upon himself and the rest of the kingdom. He'd needed Freya, and she had found him.
His gaze fell from her eyes as he found himself trying to push all other thoughts to the back of his mind. He wanted to think of nothing but Freya, wanted to keep her here with him for as long as possible, still he couldn't stop a part of himself from wanting to confide in her, but that didn't mean he would let it happen. He couldn't ruin this precious moment with her. The comfort she had brought to him was more than words could even express, but there was nothing she would be able to do for the situation the warlock had so foolishly created. There was nothing anyone could do.
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Freya
Traveller
Guardian of Avalon
the Lady of the Lake
Posts: 9
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Post by Freya on Mar 29, 2013 19:27:40 GMT -5
"I'm here because I saw you and could bear to see you like this," Freya answered softly. She shivered at his hand on her cheek - he was so cold now. It was as though they'd traded places, her warmer now and him on the verge of freezing. Turning to sit beside him, she ran her hand up and down his back, trying to warm him up. It brought back memories of a far less hopeful time, where two younger versions of themselves were sitting together the same way, except the roles were reversed there as well. It was Freya's turn to take care of Merlin now.
The want to ask him what on earth was troubling him nearly passed her lips several times, but his silence deterred her words. At the same time, if he needed something she wouldn't know what it was. But maybe just sitting and trying to get him warm, carding her fingers through his hair and lending him her ears was good enough.
Laying her head on Merlin's shoulder, Freya looked out towards the water; her home. If she pretended hard enough, it felt like her and Merlin were simply on a late night visit to someplace peaceful. No one running after them or making them do things they didn't want. Imagination wasn't quite enough to remove the uneasiness to the silence, but that was alright. They would consider it later. As long as he knew she was there for him if he needed anything, she wasn't anxious.
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Merlin
In a land of Myth & Magic
The Last Dragon Lord
Loyal Servant to the King
Posts: 81
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Post by Merlin on Apr 3, 2013 10:08:35 GMT -5
"You found me..." the warlock whispered after long moments of silence, his cold breath misting the night air. He was cold. So cold. And Freya was so warm...so comforting. The warlock leaned into her, resting his head upon hers where she lay upon his shoulder. Their surroundings were so peaceful, so dreamlike. The lake seemed so much more appealing as the light of the moon cast down onto it's still waters, reflecting the vastness of the night sky.
It would have been such a beautiful, perfect moment... But Merlin couldn't stop shivering.
"I'm so...so cold" he stuttered, wrapping his arms around himself despite his reluctancy to withdraw from Freya. The chill had claimed him within it's icy grasp and there seemed to be no escape from it. His very bones were starting to feel frozen to the core. What was happening to him?! Was this some sort of punishment for his foolish mistake? He pushed his body further against Freya's as she held him, relishing the warmth that was emanating all around her and barely noticing that it only seemed to chill him more.
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Freya
Traveller
Guardian of Avalon
the Lady of the Lake
Posts: 9
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Post by Freya on Apr 5, 2013 19:10:58 GMT -5
Confusion was mounting as Freya felt Merlin slowly become colder and colder. This wasn't just because of the air, which was admittedly sharp enough to induce shivering after a while, but this was alarming and unnatural. Panic threaded its way back between her rapidly increasing thoughts and she clutched him closer. With some effort - as she was not a very tall or strong person - she re-positioned Merlin so she could hold onto him as though he was a little child. And it almost looked like he was; gathering himself until he looked half his size, no doubt trying to keep himself warm. Therefore, she held him like he was one.
Bending over him, she tried to calm herself down, but that ability had really ended the moment Merlin stepped on shore. Quick breaths soon turned into soft sobs, mingled with bits and pieces of repeated "I'm sorry's". She'd brought this on him. That was her fate: to always bring pain to those she loved. "I'm so sorry," she cried again as a wave of anger rode in. Whoever else was doing this to him would pay. "I won't let them take you from me, they can't do that now." She had no idea who "they" were, or what was even happening, none of it made sense, but this couldn't go on. Freya didn't get Merlin back just to lose him again, not this time. "I won't let them take you! I promise, I'll take care of you this time, I will." Too late did she realize that her leaning position was beginning to feel like the reverse of years ago. Same lake, same two people. But Merlin was going nowhere, she was determined to make it so, no matter what.
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Merlin
In a land of Myth & Magic
The Last Dragon Lord
Loyal Servant to the King
Posts: 81
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Post by Merlin on Apr 9, 2013 13:46:12 GMT -5
"No..." he said, shuddering violently and resting his cheek against the warmth of her shoulder, managing a warm smile as he gazed up at her. He could barely get his words out between cold, shaky breaths "It doesn't matter.....Freya... It gave me a chance...to see you again..."
The realisation had slowly began to dawn upon Merlin that perhaps this was the terrible consequence of not only his actions, but of his unknowingly summoning Freya from the lake. There had to be a price to pay for this special moment which never should have been possible. Had he inadvertently used magic to be with her? Merlin was only making assumptions as he lay shivering in her arms but the more he thought about it, the more sense it made to him, and the one thing he knew was that he would have gladly given his own life to save hers back on that fateful day. And he would gladly do so again now.
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