So I have gotten many requests and story alerts, so I am motivated to make this a three-shot. I know what I'm going to do more clearly so it should be better than the last one.

This chapter will fill in the missing gaps of the last one, such as Arthur's reaction to Merlin's magic, and the meeting between Merlin and Freya which was sorely lacking in the episode. ;)

Enjoy!

Arthur let out his breath as he walked back to the cave. He hadn't reacted much when he had been talking to Merlin, but now everything was rushing at him and he wanted to scream. Merlin, his friend, someone he had trusted, had been lying to him the day since they met.

As he entered the cave his face must have shown that he was upset for Lancelot and Gwaine, who were on guard, noticed at once.

"Arthur what's wrong? Where is Merlin?" Lancelot asked concern in his face.

Gwaine didn't say anything but watched Arthur who was struggling. Should he tell the two what he had learned?

Running his hand through his hair, Arthur looked at the two men who waited for an answer.

"I need to talk to you both. Now."

Gwaine would have retorted, but Arthur's face was so serious, that he decided against it.

The three ran into Giaus who Arthur asked to come along. Once Percival and Elyan were on watch Arthur turned to Lancelot, Gwaine, and Giaus.

"There is something that has happened, or rather something that I just found out, and I need you all to be honest to me no matter what I ask."

All three men nodded their heads in consent.

"Merlin... he has been deceiving us all. Now I am not questioning his loyalty... for now, but... did any of you know Merlin has magic?"

There was a stunned silence. Lancelot looked at Giaus who had a terrified expression. Gwaine just smirked and was going to laugh, but Arthur face stopped him.

Arthur saw Gwaine's expression.

"You knew?" He asked incredulously.

Gwaine shrugged. "It was sort of obvious. I mean he never told me, and who can blame him? I just shrugged it off as none of my business. And I never do that. And if you weren't such a princess you would have seen if I'm sure. What is it about nobles that make you all so unobservant?"

Arthur rolled his eyes and then turned to Lancelot and Giaus. "How about you two? And please don't lie to me, If someone tries to pull a fast one, so help me..." Arthur sighed to calm down. "I know my father is Uther, but for once could someone be honest?"

Lancelot stepped forward. "I did sire. But not because he told me. He was the one who killed that Griffin by enchanting my lance. I honestly can't believe that he didn't expect me to see it."

Lancelot slightly chuckled as Gwaine laughed out loud. "I know! What does he take us for? The prince of Camelot? No offense Arthur." Gwaine said stifling a laugh as Arthur sent him a death glare.

Giaus was less amused. "What are you going to do sire? Before you do anything rash, I want you to know that I love that boy like my own son, and I can promise that you will find no other as loyal to you as he is."

Arthur groaned. "You all keep saying that, but how can I really be sure? What has he done Giaus that should make me convinced. I promise I won't do anything, I just need to hear one instance. Please!"

Gaius sat down as did Gwaine and Lancelot. Arthur tensed for a moment and then sat down.

Giaus thought for a moment. "How about trading his life for yours? Is that loyal enough?"

Arthur froze. "I'm sorry what?"

"Trading his life for yours."

"What! When did this happen?"

Gaius thought for a moment. "It wasn't too long after he arrived. When you were bit by the Questing Beast and dying, Merlin went to the Isle of the Blessed and wanted to trade his life for yours. Unfortunately Nimueh was the one who was the the Priestess of the Old Religion, so she was very sly. Merlin traded his life, and once you were healed he thought he was going to die, but it turned out his mother was the one who was dying. He went back to the Isle and wanted to trade his life, but... well the long short of it sire, is that he killed Nimueh. So the balance of the world was restored."

Arthur was stunned. "But..."

"It is the truth sire."

Arthur stood up and paced for a minute. Then he turned to the three who were watching intently.

"When that idiot returns, he is going to tell me everything even if I have to drag it out of him." so saying he left.

Gwaine turned to Lancelot. "Should we be worried? Is the princess going to do something stupid?"

Lancelot shook his head. "I don't know. But I think it would be best to leave him alone."

Meanwhile Merlin was staring across the lake of Avalon. The haunting memory of laying Freya to rest here was fresh in his mind as if it had happened yesterday. He swallowed back some tears as the dragon spoke to him. He tried to pay attention, but he was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he only half-remembered promising the dragon to hide the sword when he was finished.

When the dragon left Merlin walked over to where a boat had appeared. Muttering a spell the boat it started slowly across the water. Memories of Freya came back into his mind and his heart ached. Why did she have to die? Was it his fate to slowly loose everyone and everything he cared about?

He looked across the water, when the tip of Excalibur showed slowly rising. Soon Freya's arm was visible and Merlin broke into a large smile as she in person rose from the water and slowly started to make her way towards him.

Once she got to him she handed the sword to him silently and with a large smile. He took it still in awe.

She was still wearing Morgana's old dress and she was dripping wet. She looked at him and took his hand. It was as cold as death.

"Freya." he breathed.

"I am glad to see you again." she said with a smile. He leaned in and the two shared a passionate kiss.

When broke off she started to leave.

"Please Freya. I don't want you to go."

She kissed his cheek. "I am truly sorry Merlin. But maybe one day I will see you again." A few tears ran down his cheek and she wiped them away. "You have to move on Merlin and forget me."

He took her hand. "I will never forget you Freya."

She shook her head. "You will only be miserable Merlin. I cannot come back but you need someone who will be there."

Merlin had a stubborn look on his face. He then looked at the sword and he held the hilt towards Freya.

"I promise that I will not rest and a I will never stop until I find a way to bring you back. You don't deserve this fate."

Freya face was radiant. "But Merlin. I'm dead. It's impossible."

"You seem to forget that I have magic. And that I love you."

Freya touched his face with her ice-cold hand.

"And I love you."

She sank back into the water. Merlin wiped some tears from his face. He made the promise over in his mind.

Once he got to the shore he heard Freya's voice in his head.

I will see you again.

Arthur turned and saw Merlin carrying a sword and determined look walk in the cave and hide the sword in a blanket.

"Merlin."

Merlin jumped and turned at Arthur's voice.

"Arthur! I was just..."

"Merlin if you try to make up a lie, so help me I will throw you in the dungeons for the remainder of your life."

Merlin shut up.

Arthur sat down next to Merlin. The young warlock's eyes were red, and he looked almost angry.

"What happened Merlin? At the lake."

Merlin looked at Arthur. "I'd rather not say."

"Fine. But you will tell me everything that has happened. How did you get to the lake and back so quickly?"

Merlin sighed. "Do you remember when we were looking for Balinor? Well before we left Giaus told me... Giaus told me that, that Balinor... Arthur he was my father."

Merlin looked away. Arthur was dumbstruck. "What? And you never thought to tell me? Merlin you must have been devastated! Wait... does that mean that you are a, a dragon lord?"

Arthur chocked out the last sentence as if it was impossible.

Merlin nodded keeping his head down.

"Merlin I was the one who killed the dragon right?"

Merlin looked at Arthur having a hard time keeping the amused expression off of his face.

"No you didn't."

"Then you did?"

"I didn't either. I sort of let it go."

"You what! Merlin after all that it did..."

Merlin stood up. "It was the last of its kind just like I am the last of my kind! I felt pity, but I told him not to ever attack Camelot again, and he has to obey, so he won't. Arthur don't you understand, killing is not always the option! If I hadn't shown him mercy I wouldn't be here today. He has saved my life several times since then."

Arthur stood up and looked at Merlin in the eyes. "Merlin, tell me. Who set the Dragon free?"

Merlin bowed his head and Arthur got his answer. "Innocent people died that day! What were you thinking?"

"I had to! Kiligarah knew how to save Camelot at another time and I had to promise to set him free. It was the only way! Don't you see?"

Arthur shook his head, the anger still in him.

"No I don't see! But tell me, did you know about Morgana? Where you with her?"

Merlin scoffed. "I was never with her! She chose her own path, and I would not betray you."

"How long."

Merlin frowned. "What?"

"How long has she been like this? Wanting to kill us?"

Merlin bowed her head. "Since before she disappeared."

Arthur was thoroughly angry now. "And you never told me?"

"If I had would you have believed me?"

There was silence. Then Merlin bent down and handed Arthur the sword. "If you find the cup of life and empty it with the blood within, the immortal army will be destroyed and Morgana will be powerless."

Arthur took the sword. He then looked at Merlin who then left silently. The two feeling like a piece of their friendship had been taken out, and could never be repaired.

I know this ended abruptly but please hear me out before you try to kill me! I will be posting a sequal! Never fear this shall continue! Thank you for your lovely reviews, story alerts, and story favs! The more you keep it up the more I shall be motivated to write! ;)

Review!