Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or this song, I never have/will! All rights go to their respective owners!!!

Back again with another songfic! When I listened to this song, my brain went into 'Merlin Mode' and I started thinking up possible stories for it. When I looked at its cover, the story slapped me in the face, and I couldn't have been more excited!!! I hope you guys enjoy and have a wonderful day/night!

CHALLENGE: BEFORE YOU READ THE STORY, LISTEN TO THE SONG AND TRY TO GUESS WHAT WILL HAPPEN/WHAT'S HAPPENING DURING THE SONG AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS CHAPTER. I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS WILL THINK UP, THANKS!!!! (Hint: look at the cover of the song)

Life, for Mordred, was pretty good. He was knighted, made a trusted member of King Arthur's council, and he made friends with the knights. Not to mention he was ecstatic when Arthur declared peace with the druids, his kin. He was happy, really, except...

Well, except for the fact that Emrys still distrusts him (probably hates him too).  He holds grudges against the warlock too, you know, after almost getting killed as a child because of him. Even so...he just wished he knew why. Emrys had a glowing heart of gold inside-out, yet he looked at Mordred like he was a sworn enemy in the body of a living disease. Yet, he also looked at him with such deep regret, such tired eyes.

He made up his mind. He'll do whatever it takes to learn why Emrys hates him.

"Arthur," Mordred asked tentatively when he finally got the rare chance to be alone with the king. His highness looked up at him and stopped his paperwork. "Do you know why Merlin hates me?"

Arthur was taken back. Merlin? Hating someone? Arthur didn't even know if the servent could hate. "What makes you think that, Mordred? Heck, I don't even think he hates Morgana! Rather......just feels....almost sorrowful for her, I guess. And anyone else he'll forgive in a heartbeat."

Mordred shifted uncomfortably. He didn't know how to explain it to Arthur, especially when he sees Merlin as his brother (not like the royal would ever say it out loud).

"But surely you've seen that he's...uncomfortable around me, have you not?"

Arthur leaned back in his chair and thought. Now that Mordred mentioned it...there have been times were Merlin seemed somewhat stiff and guarded when they're with Mordred at some points. Not to mention the fact that the first time they met Mordred, (A/N: As an adult at that snowy fortress, not as a kid) Merlin practically spat at him saying that he should've killed him. Keep in mind that this is the same man who cries over animals and random dragonlords.

"...Now that you mention it, there have been times when he seemed off around you." Arthur pushed the thoughts from his head and assured Mordred. "However, I'm sure there were perfectly reasonable explanations for them. Just talk to him, he'll probably apologize profusely for making you think that."

Mordred smiled and bowed, but internally sighed. Arthur, just like to Emrys' magic, is oblivious to any suspicious activity from the great warlock. 

"Thank you, your majesty. It's probably a silly thought. I'm sorry for wasting your time, sir."

Arthur simply waved it off. "Nah, you're fine Mordred. If that's all you needed, then you're free to go."

Mordred bowed once more and went to the door. Before he left, however, he stopped.

"Arthur?"

"Hm?"

"Don't tell Merlin about this, please."

"Huh, why?"

Mordred hesitated. He couldn't let Merlin know, or he'd get suspicious.

"Just- you're right, it really is a silly thought. I know you would probably jump at the chance to embarrass him sire, but quite frankly he'd probably swarm me until heaven-knows-when until he thinks I know he wouldn't harm a butterfly for hate."

Arthur soaked it in and nodded. "Very well, I'll keep quiet, but just know that  I now have nice blackmail against both of you~"

Mordred only bowed and left. 

So, Arthur didn't know, which meant Queen Guinevere is also crossed off the list because she thinks the same way about Merlin. He couldn't go to Gaius for obvious reasons, so he decided a different approach: Sir Leon.

And so Mordred made his way down to the training grounds.

(Time skip)

Mordred groaned loudly to himself and lazily tossed his sword across his bedroom. Sir Leon had the same answer as Arthur: "There's probably a perfectly reasonable explanation for it, he couldn't hate you - he can't hate anything!" He couldn't ask the other knights because then it would be too suspicious, and it wasn't like he could waltz up to Merlin and say "Oh hey Emrys just stopping by hey by the way why do you stare at me like I killed your dog?"

He concluded that he would wait for the perfect chance to ask Merlin.

Apparently, he didn't even have to wait that long.

(The next morning)

The Knights of the Round Table were rounded up at dawn to meet in the training grounds. One look at Arthur's beaming face and Merlin's rather agitated one, all of the men knew that they were going hunting again.

Mordred was secretly both excited and terrified as the group made their way deeper and deeper into the forests of Camalot. It would be the perfect time to catch Merlin alone and finally ask him the question that's been haunting him all these years. For the terrified part...well it's just the fact that it's EMRYS, LORD OF THE DRUIDS/LAST DRAGONLORD/PROBABLY A THOUSAND OTHER TITLES that he'll be questioning. 

"Alright, we'll set camp here for the night," Arthur said, pulling Mordred from his thoughts. Everyone got off their horses and began setting up (or rather, the knights gathered around joking while Merlin set up). He looked slightly sad for whatever reason, but at least it was better than eyes piercing into Mordred's soul wherever he was. As Merlin called out saying he ould get wood, Leon suddenly pipped up.

"Hey, Merlin! You should take Mordred with you to help. There's a lake nearby, and I think I remember Mordred complaining about forgetting to fill his flask up."

Anxiety swelled in Mordred's chest. 'No! I haven't built up enough courage to ask him!' He thought frantically.

Merlin also seemed to be trying to deny having Mordred's help, saying how he was fine. It was probably the young druid's imagination, but he could've sworn he saw Merlin's eyes look almost as if he was mourning something, but it was quickly covered up by Merlin's inner walls. Before he could dwell on it, King Arthur also joined in.

"Sure, I think Mordred would love to company him. He wouldn't mind, would you, Merlin?"

Merlin was silent, his eyes calculating. For anyone but Mordred, they would've been confused, thinking that Merlin couldn't possibly wear such a face for this. But Mordred knew better. Mordred knew Merlin was considering the pros and cons of having Mordred with him. He almost seemed angry, as if he was he really wanted to go collect those branches alone but then the nights just HAD to throw Mordred into the equation.

As if it never really happened, Merlin only threw a snarky reply at Arthur and motioned Mordred to follow him. Mordred could only pray that the knights couldn't see the slight fear in his eyes as they left for the forest together.

"Spill," Merlin blurted out once they were out of ear-shot. Mordred actually tumbled slightly when he said that; he was too wrapped up in his thoughts.

"What do you mean, Em-Merlin?"

"I mean, tell me why acting weird around me. Weird-er, I should say."

Mordred opened and closed his mouth several times like a fish out of water. He stopped walking and stared directly at Merlin, who only stared back with an intense gaze.

"Why do you hate me, Emrys?"

Merlin's eyes widened. Whatever he expected the druid to say, it wasn't that. Now it was Merlin's turn to be the fish out of the water.

To Mordred's complete astonishment, the Great Warlock almost seemed as if he was going to cry. He appeared to have some sort of raging battle in his head, fighting for what Merlin was to say next. 

"I don't hate you, Mordred, I..."

Whatever he was going to say, as battle cries were heard in the distance. Not even a second later, an arrow flew from the trees and was heading straight for Mordred's head. Merlin's hand raced up and his eyes glowed a bright gold, and instead of the arrow going through Mordred, it changed direction and lodged itself right below Merlin's heart. Merlin stumbled back and fell to the ground, and dark crimson quickly started to envelop his shirt.

Mordred didn't think, he only scooped Merlin into his arms and ran as fast as he could. The knights could hold off the bandits, Mordred assured himself. He was only concerned about the man in his arms that was too close to death for the druid's comfort.

"The lake............"

"Emrys?" Mordred asked as he ran faster than he ever had before.

"Take me to the lake...........she'll be there..."

Mordred could only trust in Emrys' word. Merlin wouldn't make it to Camalot, and it's too dangerous to go back to the camp. Pushing himself even harder, he raced towards the lake. An arrow whizzed by them, but he paid it no mind. He'll use magic to defend Emrys and himself once he gets to the lake. Emrys' words kept spinning in his head. "I don't hate you, Mordred, I-" what was he going to say? He was so close to knowing the truth, but it was ripped away just before he had it in his grasp. He did know one thing, though. Emrys did not hate him, but there was something that kept him from trusting Mordred.

When Mordred reached the lake, he gently set Merlin down and turned around to see if they were being followed. When he shifted back around to Merlin, he almost jumped back from shock. The lake was glowing, and a young, beautiful woman was slowly stepping out. 

"Hello, Mordred," The woman said kindly. If he was shocked before, then he was blown away now. The woman knows his name. Suddenly, it clicked for him. When he was still a young boy in his druid camp, there were tales of the Lady of the Lake. She was the one who guards Avalon, and she is also the love that Emrys will forever cherish, yet never have. She held up her hand to prevent him from talking. "I will save Merlin. He has done so much for me, it is time I start to repay him. When I am done, I will answer your question about Merlin." At this point, he didn't even ask how she knew what he'd asked Merlin only minutes before.

The Lady of the Lake scooped Emrys gently into her arms and stepped back into the lake. When the water was at her waist, she slowly put him into the water. Mordred watched transfixed as he watched the lake begin to glow faintly, illuminating the twilight sky. The water around Emrys and the lady started swirling as she enchanted in the Old Religion.

"No me de dio

 Hamare-o.

 No de me yo, 

 Se ya noeh. 

 No mo de yo, 

 Hamare-o, 

 Ovamieh, 

 Seyah noeh."

The swirling stopped, and she pulled Merlin back up. The arrow was gone, along with the blood, and his wound was completely healed, leaving only a faint scar under his shirt. He was barely half-awake, yet he still managed to weakly kiss her. She smiled and whispered something into his ear, and he just scarcely nodded before falling asleep.

When she handed Merlin back to Mordred, he was at a loss for words. The Lady of the Lake only smiled.

"He doesn't hate you. Everyone tells him that he needs to despise you and kill you, but he doesn't."

Mordred barely whispered. "What...?"

Freya only sighed. "Many people - especially a certain dragon - continue telling him that it is your destiny to kill Arthur."

Mordred felt sick. He respected Arthur with his all. The king was the sole reason he was still alive! Yet...it seems that Mordred is going to betray all of that and kill him...no wonder Merlin acts so strange around him.

Freya wore an almost annoyed expression. "Uh uh, I know that face. Merlin wears it all the time. He wears it every time someone says he's destined to kill Morgana. He only wishes to have his old friend back. I'm going to tell you what I just told my love: Destiny is rarely ever 100% correct. In fact, you can change your fate. He doesn't hate you, he just doesn't know what to do with you. Which is why I want you to promise me you'll hear his side of the story. I hate seeing my love in such pain...he's all alone in this world. Be the person he can open up to. Change destiny and become his friend. Whatever happens in the future, it could be changed by a single talk, a single word."

Mordred was still for a while until he nodded. "I promise, Lady of the Lake."

Freya smiled widely. "Thank you, Mordred. I have to go now but thank you so much. The knights are fine, and I'm sure you can make a good excuse for you both." And with that, she disappeared.

As Mordred walked back to the camp with a sleeping Emrys in his arms, he couldn't help but smile. He finally had his answer, and he knew what to do. It would be rocky and awkward at first, but he could already see a newer, clearer road laid out in front of him. One where he and Emrys are good friends. And Modred couldn't be any happier.