The two friends exited their shelter, and headed once more towards the Lake's edge. The sun was out and drying the dew although dampness still persisted on the grass within the shadows thrown by trees and buildings. Arthur watched silently as Merlin stopped on the small rise before the bank fell down to the water and removed his boots. Socks were peeled off, and his serviceable brown trousers were rolled up to his knees.
"I've never done this before. But it feels like I should be in contact with the Lake if I am to summon Freya." Merlin commented.
Arthur simply nodded: he had no knowledge at all about such things. If Merlin wanted to go barefoot that was fine with him. A thought struck him: "Wait. What do you mean you've never done this before? …show more content…
Ic I clipe forÞwíf, drotigen eac mec" (1) Merlin's voice began almost inaudibly, the strange words holding an intensity that raised the hair along Arthur's flesh. As the phrase was repeated: "Ic I clipe forÞwíf, iwan ùre sylfum. Ic I clipe forÞwíf, drotigen eac mec", the litany gained strength and, with a final repetition, Merlin was fairly roaring the syllables out over the water.
Arthur waited; he could almost see Merlin's authority radiating outwards. The warlock lifted his head and calmly scrutinised the surface of the Lake, waiting for his response.
Several feet away the glassy surface began to roil, as though a giant's campfire burned on the Lake's bed. Both men fixed their gaze on the commotion: Arthur with awe and tension, Merlin with a calm surety. A dark focus to the disturbance enlarged, and a black head appeared followed, slowly, by a serene face and a slender body clothed in amethyst robes with a deep red cloak floating to her feet.
Freya appeared very young, perhaps in her late teens or early twenties. She was pale of face with dark hair flowing past her shoulders. Her features were long but elegant, bestowing a delicate beauty. Her eyes were soft, of an indeterminate colour, and focused now on the sorcerer who had summoned her. The Lady extended her hands and stepped lightly across the surface of the water, approaching …show more content…
He settled himself on his haunches, squatting quietly at the top of the bank as he observed the pair.
Merlin spoke quietly "Thank you for responding. Thank you for showing yourself to me," and bowed his head.
"None of that, now, my love. I will always come when you call me, my Merlin." Her hand reached to the point of his chin, raising his face towards her. "It is a pleasure for me to see you once more."
Merlin was trembling, barely able to answer so overcome with joy was he. This was the first time he'd laid eyes on Freya properly since her death so many years ago. The past two times he'd seen her it had only been a hand, or a glimpse of her reflected face. And yet here she was in her entirety, and Merlin hardly knew what to say or how to react. He raised an arm, tenderly tracing a finger down the side of her face. Reaching her cheek, he cupped it gently before swiping the pad of his thumb across her lips. Delicately thin lips they were, yet so kissable, and Merlin was swept away in an avalanche of memories, reliving again the taste and the feel of his love. His first and only
"I've never done this before. But it feels like I should be in contact with the Lake if I am to summon Freya." Merlin commented.
Arthur simply nodded: he had no knowledge at all about such things. If Merlin wanted to go barefoot that was fine with him. A thought struck him: "Wait. What do you mean you've never done this before? …show more content…
Ic I clipe forÞwíf, drotigen eac mec" (1) Merlin's voice began almost inaudibly, the strange words holding an intensity that raised the hair along Arthur's flesh. As the phrase was repeated: "Ic I clipe forÞwíf, iwan ùre sylfum. Ic I clipe forÞwíf, drotigen eac mec", the litany gained strength and, with a final repetition, Merlin was fairly roaring the syllables out over the water.
Arthur waited; he could almost see Merlin's authority radiating outwards. The warlock lifted his head and calmly scrutinised the surface of the Lake, waiting for his response.
Several feet away the glassy surface began to roil, as though a giant's campfire burned on the Lake's bed. Both men fixed their gaze on the commotion: Arthur with awe and tension, Merlin with a calm surety. A dark focus to the disturbance enlarged, and a black head appeared followed, slowly, by a serene face and a slender body clothed in amethyst robes with a deep red cloak floating to her feet.
Freya appeared very young, perhaps in her late teens or early twenties. She was pale of face with dark hair flowing past her shoulders. Her features were long but elegant, bestowing a delicate beauty. Her eyes were soft, of an indeterminate colour, and focused now on the sorcerer who had summoned her. The Lady extended her hands and stepped lightly across the surface of the water, approaching …show more content…
He settled himself on his haunches, squatting quietly at the top of the bank as he observed the pair.
Merlin spoke quietly "Thank you for responding. Thank you for showing yourself to me," and bowed his head.
"None of that, now, my love. I will always come when you call me, my Merlin." Her hand reached to the point of his chin, raising his face towards her. "It is a pleasure for me to see you once more."
Merlin was trembling, barely able to answer so overcome with joy was he. This was the first time he'd laid eyes on Freya properly since her death so many years ago. The past two times he'd seen her it had only been a hand, or a glimpse of her reflected face. And yet here she was in her entirety, and Merlin hardly knew what to say or how to react. He raised an arm, tenderly tracing a finger down the side of her face. Reaching her cheek, he cupped it gently before swiping the pad of his thumb across her lips. Delicately thin lips they were, yet so kissable, and Merlin was swept away in an avalanche of memories, reliving again the taste and the feel of his love. His first and only