Pinterest Inspired. I personally don't like it, but I thought I'd share anyway. It's semi sad. You have been warned.

Today is Merlin's day off. He rarely has those anymore. There was only one place he wanted to go, and he was going there one way or another. Lake Avalon. He visited Freya as much as he could.

Before he went, he would always grab a flower from the castle's gardens. He'd never been caught before. So usually he had no problems. Unfortunately, today it seemed he had bad luck. Somebody both saw and followed.

Unaware of the person following, Merlin went on foot and walked on silently for a while.  He was getting rather suspicious of all the branches cracking behind him. He'd passed it off as animals for a while, but soon he'd realized someone was following. If he hadn't been listening, he wouldn't have noticed.

Walking on a little further to make sure he wasn't just going crazy. He wasn't. Someone was unquestionably, unequivocally, following him.

By now lots of people had attempted to follow him a few times. He was the prince's servant. Assassins wanted information from him, and Morgana wanted him dead so he'd no longer be able to stop her plans. So now he was rather cautious. In fact he had a protocol for situations like these that he used more often then he should.

Suddenly breaking into a sprint, he ran as fast as he could in an attempt to lose them. Then he hid behind a tree and waited for them to pass.

When the man ran by, he had expected a stranger, or perhaps Morgana. Instead it had been Arthur.

"Arthur? Why are you following me?"

Obviously surprised, Arthur had jumped and pulled out his sword. When he saw it was just Merlin leaning against a tree, he immediately relaxed and put his sword away.

"I saw you take a flower from the castle gardens and wanted to make sure the girl deserves you. So I'm coming with you." Arthur held his shoulders squarely like he did when he was about to get defensive. Blue eyes showing his stubbornness, and the insecurities he was trying so hard to hide.

Merlin could see through his posture by now. There were little differences he'd learned to notice. Arthur didn't mean any harm, in fact he seemed rather unsure of himself.

"Okay."

Immediately after saying this he began to walk away.

Arthur was rather startled that Merlin didn't fight, or tease like usual. "You're not going to resist my company for privacy?"

"No I'm not."

That ended the conversation for a while. Normally it was  up to Merlin to joke and make conversations. Now with Merlin in such a solemn mood, it was rather strange. No arguing, no jokes, and no teasing. Just complete silence as Merlin contemplated telling Arthur he was bringing a flower to someone who no longer walked among the living, and Arthur was trying to think up reassuring advice for Merlin. Somehow he couldn't think of any advice, try as he might. So they stayed in silence.

They neared Lake Avalon. He was still debating telling Arthur when Arthur finally spoke up. "What's she like?"

"She was kind, accepting, and she went  through way too much. Despite that, she's still very giving and doesn't expect anything in return. Her hair was long and flowed down her shoulders. Her eyes shimmered with hope. She's perfect."

It was rather strange how he was speaking as if she wasn't around anymore. Perhaps she had moved away? "I'm glad you've found someone like that Merlin."

They walked the rest of the way in silence. When they came upon the lake, Arthur assumed they had to pass it. When Merlin sat down in front of the water, Arthur was baffled. What was he doing?

"Hi Freya, I hope you don't mind, I brought a friend today. Things are still hard without you."

That was when it clicked. Some days Arthur truly felt stupid. Today was one of them. The solemn attitude, speaking in past tense, and being in the middle of no where. Arthur was so dense.

Merlin was always so goofy, he made the it seem like everything would be okay. Maybe it was his way of hiding his pain.

Sitting next to his servant, he wrapped his arm around Merlin's shoulders before whispering, "I'm sorry Merlin. I didn't know."

Merlin didn't respond. He just stared ahead with a resigned look. It must have happened a while ago.

"May I ask what happened?"

"She was... different. She was hunted for something she couldn't control, and in the end she was killed for it."

"I'm sorry Merlin."

They stayed there for a bit. Arthur holding Merlin comfortingly. After a while they got up and left. Silently they made their way back to Camelot. The whole way was silent. There was just nothing to be said.

When Camelot was in sight, Merlin decided to break the silence.

"Not quite what you were expecting huh?" Arthur nodded. "Guess I'm just full of surprises," this was spoken in an attempted humorous tone, but it just came out sad.

This was quite an eye opener for Arthur. Merlin had a habit of always helping other, or making others happy, while never helping himself.

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