Hey again! Another chapter is up and ready to read!

Don't get your hopes up, tho. It's not much of a chapter. Sorry.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank Lady Isla for inspiring me to continue this story with her wonderful reviews and wonderful art. I can honestly say I don't think I'd have been able to keep this story going the way I have if not for her.

Thanks Isla.

(I still own nothing.)

---

It was a few days later that Merlin sat in the Tower's study, looking through some old books. He needed the distraction to take his mind off of everything.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Archimedes asked, as Merlin sorted through several books.

"I'm trying to find out more about the Light." Merlin replied. "The wars all across the world have been getting worse and I can feel a definite imbalance. Something bad is going on." Merlin looked through a book, put it down, and opened another.

"Are you sure you're not just feeling on edge about that creep in the armor?"

Merlin sighed and put down the book he was reading. "It's almost been a week Archimedes… but we've all been so on edge. What if he tries again?"

"I wouldn't worry so much." Archimedes spoke reassuringly. "Master Yen Sid is more than a match for him."

"Maybe… but what about Millicent? She's barely been out of her room in days. I'm worried about her."

Merlin sighed again and picked up another book.

Archimedes wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything helpful, so he just remained quiet.

It was then that Flora slowly entered. She walked in so quietly that Merlin didn't notice her at first, but he smiled warmly at her when he did. "Hey, what brings you here?" He asked.

"Oh, just boredom." She replied. "Yen Sid hasn't had us train for awhile now. Truth be told, I think even he was shaken up."

Merlin nodded. "I think so too."

Flora took a seat near Merlin and looked at him. "So… how's Millicent?"

"I'm not sure. She's barely even spoken to me. I try talking to her… but its not easy."

"I see… Do you think…? No, never mind. It's a bad idea."

Merlin leaned forward a little. "What?"

"I was just thinking… maybe I could talk to her? I know we don't see eye to eye, but everyone else has already tried, why not me?"

Merlin pondered this a moment, before he finally nodded. "Maybe you're right. Want me to go with you?"

Flora shook her head, as she stood up. "No, I'll be alright. Wish me luck."

Flora walked out of the room with a smile, despite the fact she was feeling very nervous about now.

---

Flora reached Millicent's room and slowly opened the door, peering inside to see her sitting alone on her bed in the dim light. Diablo resting on her hand.

"Um… Millicent?" Flora said, as she cautiously entered the room. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

Millicent looked up at her. Flora expected to see hate, or resentment, as usual… but oddly enough, she saw what seemed to be a sad smile on her face, as though Millicent were glad to see here. "Yes, please come in." Millicent said, her voice soft and almost too quiet to hear.

Flora slowly neared Millicent's bed and sat down next to her. "Look…" She began. "I know you don't want to talk to me… but everyone is worried for you. Flora, Master Yen Sid, Merlin… even Jafar and Meriwether have been worried. I know you've been through something awful… but maybe you should come out of your room and let everyone know you're okay?"

Millicent sighed and placed a hand over her ring, rubbing it affectionately. "I know… But how can I face anyone after what I've done?"

"What happened was years ago." Flora replied. "And it wasn't your entire fault. You can't keep blaming yourself."

"Why not? And why would you care anyway?"

Flora was about to respond, but stopped herself. How could she respond to that, when she honestly didn't know if she cared or not?

"Anyway," Millicent continued. "Even if my mother's death wasn't my fault, what happened to all of you was. If it hadn't been for me, that maniac would never have come here."

"But what would have happened then?" Flora argued. "If you'd never come here you might have died by now. Is that honestly what you want? Because nobody here wants that."

Millicent turned to Flora with a quizzical look. "Not even you?"

"Of course not. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And… I know we have our differences, but you're still a person. A person that is cared about by people close to me. That makes you close to me, too… in a way."

Millicent nodded her head. "I suppose you're right."

"So…" Flora stood up and moved closer to the door. "Will you come out now? Everyone's been waiting."

Millicent hesitated a moment more, but finally stood up and walked to the door. "Then let's not keep them waiting any longer." She said, before walking out into the hallway.

Flora smiled and let a heavy sigh of relief escape from her chest before following. In the hall, the two girls walked side-by-side. They didn't say anything, or really even look at each other again, and yet there seemed to be an unspoken pact of peace between them.

I'm not sure… Millicent thought to herself. But perhaps Flora isn't so bad after all. Maybe there's hope for a friendship between us after all.

---

In the common room, Merlin, Fauna and Meriwether sat quietly, each reading a different book on magic in order to study.

Merlin heard the door open and looked up to see Flora and Millicent enter, and smiled. Putting down his book, he stood up from his chair and walked over to Millicent.

"I'm sorry for worrying you." She said to him. She then turned to the other fairies. "All of you. I'm better now."

"I'm glad." Said Merlin. "I really was worried."

Millicent returned his smile, and put her arms around him and held him close. Merlin gladly did the same.

Flora couldn't help but look away with a sad look on her face. She knew this was the right thing, that Merlin wasn't meant for her… but it still hurt.

Fauna and Meriwether, possibly sensing their sister's discomfort, got up and walked over to Millicent, interrupting her moment with Merlin.

"We're glad you're okay, too." Said Fauna. "We've all been concerned."

Millicent managed a smile for Fauna, but frowned after taking a look around the room. "Where's Jafar?" She asked.

"We don't know." Meriwether replied. "Probably getting himself into trouble, I'd bet."

---

Jafar snuck through the winding hallways of the tower, going through door after door, trying to find his way back to Yen Sid's loft.

"Why won't these blasted doors work?" He asked himself. But then, he opened another door and found himself at his destination.

"Finally," He said, as he walked over to the desk. "I've been waiting a long time to read you. What kind of magical secrets do you hold…?"

He opened the book and read the first words. "The Beginning."

Intrigued, he continued to read it to himself. "Each journey gives rise to chance encounters, and each encounter brings forth a farewell. When a farewell leads to a journey, the worlds open their hearts. Those chosen by the light, or ensnared by darkness. Friends who share the same bonds, though their paths may differ. When you doubt the path trod thus far, when the hand you held is lost to you, gaze anew at the heart that once was...for all the answers are within…"

"Hmm, whatever the blazes that is supposed to mean."

"That is not for you to read…" Jafar jumped when he heard Yen Sid's voice, and turned to see the sorcerer glaring at him.

---

Down in the study, Millicent was filled in on occurrences that had happened while she had confined herself to her room, and smiled happily. Things seemed to be returning to normal.

But then, everyone turned and saw Yen Sid enter, Jafar walking in front of him like a prisoner.

"What's going on?" Merlin asked.

"Jafar has broken my trust." Yen Sid replied. "He snuck into a room he was not meant to enter, and was trying to steal magic."

"I swear, I had no idea where I was!" Jafar argued. "Please Master, you must understand…"

"I understand that you merely wish for power. Such an attitude will only lead to your destruction." Yen Sid turned to the door. "Come with me Jafar."

Yen Sid led Jafar out the door, and out of the tower, and the others followed.

"I am sorry Jafar." Yen Sid said in a mournful voice. "But I cannot teach you any more."

"You're throwing me out for one mistake?" Jafar asked.

"It's not just that Jafar. There is no more I can do for you, if pursuit of power is the path you've chosen. Goodbye." Yen Sid turned without another word and walked back into the tower.

Merlin watched the sorcerer enter and turned to Jafar, who glared hatefully at the now empty doorway.

"Jafar…" He said, sounding truly sorry for him. "I…"

"Save it." Jafar snapped back. "I don't need nor want pity. I've learned all I need from him, and have no further use for this place."

Merlin sighed sadly. "Very well… if that's your choice. Then, I guess this is goodbye?"

Jafar turned to Merlin and offered one of his snake-like smiles. "Who knows? Perhaps our paths will cross again. Until that day… it's been an interesting experience knowing all of you. Who knows? Perhaps now I can find myself a talking bird, like yours Merlin."

"I feel sorry for that poor bird…" Archimedes muttered, as he sat on Merlin's shoulder.

Merlin, Flora, Fauna, and Meriwether each took their turn to bid Jafar farewell, and then went back inside, leaving just Millicent and Jafar alone.

"I can't believe you're leaving." Said Millicent.

"You must be so relieved." Jafar replied with a chuckle.

"No… I'm not. Somehow… I'm sad that you're going. Like it may be the last time we'll see each other, at least as we are now."

Jafar seemed surprised for a moment, but smiled. "You know what Millicent? I still say we're a lot alike. I hope one day you and I can meet again. I have a feeling we could really do anything we wanted, if we worked together. In a way… I'm almost jealous of old Merl." Millicent blushed slightly, but then glared, a little bit angered by Jafar's cocky attitude. "But then, perhaps you won't like the chivalrous hero forever."

"Will you be alright?" The question seemed to come from curiosity, more than caring.

"Ah, so you're showing concern for me? That's so touching. But yes, I'll be fine. As I've said, I come from a long line of viziers, and can easily find a job in Agrabah. And besides… after doing a little bit of study I came across a legend about certain wondrous cave. If the legends are true, and I can find it, I'll have everything I could wish for." Jafar turned and began to walk away. "Farewell Millicent!"

Millicent watched as Jafar walked away, and oddly enough she smiled. It wasn't a smile of happiness, or any other emotion she knew… but somehow she knew she would see Jafar again someday.

---

There it is! We're getting close to the end now, but there's still more to come!

And by the way, for those who don't know, that book Jafar read is the same one Sora read in KH2.

Thanks for readin'!