A/N: So, clearly it's not Halloween. :/ But I am back with an extra-long chapter!

This chapter expands on the last chapter in talking about the relationship between Arthur and Merlin, as well as addressing Miles's side of the story. This is also where we start to diverge from the original Sorcerer's Apprentice into AU as (drum roll please) Balthazar and Merlin finally come face to face! I know a lot of you have been waiting for that :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, Sorcerer's Apprentice, or Avalon High. I especially don't own any of Merlin's anecdotes, the dialogue from Miles's flashback, or Balthazar's conversation about Veronica.

Part 9: Story Time

When the last echoes of footsteps faded, Miles and Merlin crept out from their hiding place.

"I feel bad not going with them," Merlin muttered.

Miles gave him a half-lidded glare. "Did you want to explain to your apprentice how it is you came back from the dead?" he drawled.

Merlin squirmed. "...No."

"Well, there you go then."

So slowly they made their way down the catwalk towards the staircase, getting a good look at the underground lab for the first time. It was a cavernous space, framed by tall archways of parchment-colored brick. The three poles wrapped in copper wire that stood between the archways popped out immediately – Miles, open-mouthed, recognized them as tesla coils. Other bits of Dave's work were strewn along the peripheries of the room, in machine parts, a generator, a wire plate, loose papers, crates, half-melted candles, and mismatched chairs. But the center of the room was completely clear, revealing a set of tracks that ran through the middle of the room, remnants of its past as a subway turnaround.

"You wouldn't know this place was flooded hours ago," Miles commented, though upon sniffing the air he caught a hint of lemon cleaning fluid.

Merlin stretched his arms as they reached the landing, feeling his body, his mind, and even his magic unwind. He felt comfortable here, more than he had in the apartment. He supposed it was because they stood underground now, rooted in the earth, and the space buzzed with multiple energies that hummed in tune with his own. His magic still felt on edge, but the little relief was not unappreciated.

Miles smiled, rolling his shoulders as he took in the same vibe. "Yeah, it's good to relax after all we just went through. Were you overwhelmed out there?" Though Miles and Dave had shuddered at the thought of bringing the medieval warlock through Manhattan, Merlin had insisted on coming with them. And he was quite persuasive.

"This eyewear helped," Merlin replied, unclipping the sunglasses from the front of his shirt and handing them to Miles. "But, I did not like riding in that sticky, lurching contraption."

"You mean the taxi?" Miles asked, suppressing a laugh. He hadn't loved the ride either, but at least he'd known what to expect.

Merlin pinched the bridge of his nose, his stomach churning at the memory of the ride. "All that noise and light, how does anyone sleep in this city?"

"Pills." Miles wrinkled his nose as he pocketed the glasses. "I was more stunned by the smells!"

"Really? I didn't notice anything."

Miles recalled a lesson on the sewage system in Camelot from his European History class. He shuddered. "Yeah, I guess you wouldn't."

As Merlin stepped towards the center, he felt something under his feet. But not a physical something. He looked down to see the pattern carved in the stone floor – a large circle encasing six smaller circles, each inscribed with a symbol. "Hullo," he murmured, bending down. "What have we here?" As his fingers grazed the circle, his magic suddenly flowed out of him – not an uncontrolled surge, as before, but gentle and easy flowing, like water. He almost didn't notice the circle itself burst into flames.

But Miles did. Even as he felt the shift of magic moments before, the flames caused him to jump back, grabbing the pen in his pocket. But after the initial shock wore off, he pocketed it again, staring in awe. "Whoa."

"You said it," Merlin said softly, drawing himself upright. He stepped into the circle, deftly moving between the smaller circles into the center before turning towards Miles. "I think it's some kind of focus for magic."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He stared down at his hands. "My magic doesn't feel so unstable anymore."

Miles tilted his head. "Huh." An already curious person (it was why he was such a good student), the added inkling that he should know what the circle did made his urge to do research even stronger. Glancing around, Miles spotted a large book set haphazardly on the worktable, its brown leather embossed with gold. 'The book from my vision!' he realized. He darted towards it and pulled it open, a waft of a sweet, musty smell emitting from the yellowed pages. "Tell me there's an index in this thing," he muttered, handling the pages carefully as he flipped towards the back.

"What are you doing?" Merlin called as he tentatively touched a smaller circle with his foot. It promptly lit with unnaturally yellow flames.

Miles glanced over his shoulder. "I want to find out what it is. This seems to be their magic compendium, so if the information is anywhere, it's in here."

Merlin smiled as he tapped another circle with his foot, which burned a rich magenta. "Amazing how often it comes down to having the right books." Watching another circle blaze deep red, he continued, "I can't begin to tell you how many times saving Camelot just meant a whole lot of reading. I've woken up with books plastered to my face."

Miles scoffed. "That sounds like a typical night for me. But you're right. If it wasn't for a book, I wouldn't know anything about magic." He sighed. "That, and a few people I know would be hurting pretty badly right now."

Merlin promptly turned from the circle of purple flames. "What do you mean?"

Miles paused. Somehow, it had slipped his mind just who he'd been talking to. "It's nothing," he mumbled, hunching over the book.

Now Merlin scoffed. "Come on, I've aired my tragic past." More seriously, he said, "I'm guessing there's not a whole lot of people you can talk to about this, either. I know I can't. Nor can Dave. Venting might do you some good."

The honors student bit his lip, ignoring the anxiety coursing through his veins. "Let me find this first."

Merlin's perception drifted back to the circle, tapping into the magic he was sensing. "Whatever it is, the charm to make it is immensely intricate, but quite brilliant. I wonder who came up with this?"

Miles paused, finally resting on a page. "Actually... you did."

Merlin stared up at him, mouth agape. "You're joking."

Cradling the book in his arms, Miles turned to him. "No, seriously!" he said. "It says right here, it's called the Merlin Circle! Helps fledgling sorcerers learn to harness magic."

Merlin sped towards him, the flames dissipating as he exited the circle. Peering over Miles's shoulder, his eyes widened. "That's my name! In a book!"

"Your name's in a lot more books than this," Miles replied. "Believe me."

"Well, it's the first time I've ever seen it," Merlin countered. He reached over and turned a few pages. "I'd never even seen a real book before I came to Camelot." He sighed. "Boy, when Dave said I founded a whole order of magic, he wasn't exaggerating."

"Which you wouldn't expect from him," Miles added.

"I wonder..." Merlin murmured, as he flipped a few more pages. Then he stopped, and stared.

A full-body, watercolor portrait of his Dragoon persona had a page all to itself. However, instead of Gaius's hand-me-downs, the figure wore majestic dark blue robes with white trim, a staff raised above his head as lightning pierced the sky behind him. The caption beneath read, "Merlin Emrys: Founder of the Merlinean Order, Court Sorcerer of Camelot."

"Nice portrait," Miles remarked. He peered at Merlin out the corner of his eye. "You okay?"

Merlin took a deep breath, hands pressed to the table. "Yes, fine, just... it's one thing to hear about a great destiny; it's another thing to see it in front of you."

Miles nodded, staring at the picture again. "Yeah. I get that."

Merlin traced his finger over the caption, a smile on the edge of his lips. "I was starting to believe I would never see these words."

"Why?" Miles asked. "I thought it was your destiny to bring magic back to Camelot?"

"Easier said than done," Merlin scoffed. "Even if the laws against magic are lifted, I figured I would be better off staying in the shadows. That way, Arthur would never know that I..." Merlin swallowed, and looked away from the image of the familiar stranger. "Well, clearly I was mistaken," he mumbled. "Not that I'll remember once I'm back in my own time."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

He exhaled. "I honestly don't know."

A question burned on the tip of the student's tongue, but he hesitated. Now that the Once and Future King had been brought up again, it seemed appropriate, but... it was a particularly sensitive question. Then again, when else would he have the opportunity? "So, I was wondering," he began, leaning against the table. "You and Arthur..."

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "What about me and Arthur?"

"Well how much does he know about... about you? How much have you told him?"

Merlin feigned a thoughtful look. "Oh let's see, I think it went something like this: 'Hey Arthur, what would you say if I told you I've been doing magic behind your back since the day we met?' 'Well, Merlin, I would probably turn you over to my father and watch you burn to death. Now polish my armor and stop talking nonsense.'" Merlin rolled his eyes.

Miles cringed. Boy, did that sound like something Miles himself would say. "Does he really agree with his father that much?" he asked softly.

Suddenly, the warlock looked much older than his years, his eyes distant. No, not distant – they were tired.

He paused, then shut the book and looked straight at Miles. "I wouldn't have stood by him this long if he did." He placed the book back on the table. "But as I said, it has not been easy." He drummed his fingers on the table. "I've seen him consider that his father could be wrong. That magic could be good, or at least not always harmful."

"But?"

Merlin stopped drumming. How could he possibly explain the years of secret plots, maniacal sorcerers, and overall complications that played a part in his friendship with Arthur (not to mention everyone else he knew)?

Then, it came to him.

Merlin gave a long exhale, then began: "A little over a year ago, a sorceress told Arthur she could summon the spirit of his mother."

Miles's eyes widened as he remembered what Merlin had told them earlier. "Who died giving birth to him, which started the Purge."

Merlin nodded. "He actually started to believe that magic could be used for good. I think that's what she wanted. But it wasn't all she wanted." Merlin lowered his head. "To this day, I don't know if that really was Arthur's mother, or if Morgause manipulated it somehow. But the woman conjured before us told Arthur that his mother's death was his father's fault. That he willingly sacrificed her in order to get a son by magic. Arthur was so enraged, I found him with his sword pointed at his father's throat." Merlin's knuckles, gripping the edge of the table, had turned white.

After a long moment, Miles had to ask: "But Uther, he didn't. Did he?"

Merlin gazed at the ceiling. "Arthur was born of magic and Igraine's life was taken in order to keep the balance in check, that is true enough. But..." He pursed his lips. "Uther Pendragon may be a lot of things, but he loved his wife. Maybe too much." Shifting, he cleared his throat. "The only way I could convince Arthur not to murder his own father was to tell him it was all a lie. Even the fact that he was born of magic. In doing so, I made it his enemy once again." He looked at Miles. "And that is only one of a thousand reasons why I haven't told Arthur yet."

Miles paused, lowering his eyes. "You must have wondered what it would be like, though. If he knew."

"Of course I have, hundreds of times. I've even dropped hints. But it's not the right time."

Miles fixed him with a steady look. "You really think he'd tell his father?"

"I... don't know."

He thought of Allie. "But he's your friend, right?" he said in a low voice.

Merlin shook his head. "That only makes it worse. Arthur values loyalty and honesty in his friends. If he knew about my magic, let alone everything else I've been keeping from him, he'd feel betrayed. Look what he almost did to Uther."

"Yeah, but with you it's different," Miles argued. "You've been protecting him ever since the day you met. Even if he reacts badly at first, he'll come around. I mean, he'll have to if this," he gestured to the book, "is any indication."

Merlin squirmed at the thought. "Maybe. Truth is, I'm not so concerned with what happens to me anymore. I don't want to, but I'll deal with it when the time comes. I'm more afraid of what will happen to him – to us – when he finds out."

Miles crossed his arms. "What do you mean?"

Merlin paused, then turned to reopen the book to his portrait. "This man?" he said, pointing at the picture. "You wouldn't call him an idiotic servant. This is a man with the power to bend wills, to twist the very laws of nature." He looked back at Miles. "But that's not how Arthur sees me." He shuffled his feet, hunching his shoulders. "It's not... a lie, exactly. I play up any foolishness because that's what Arthur's comfortable with. He takes himself so seriously, he needs someone to lighten his load. Someone who can mock him when he deserves it, but who will stand by him no matter what." He sat down on the floor, curling his knees into his chest. "Once I tell him, that will change. He'll have a terrible choice – his friend or his father. And he'll never trust me the same way again." As Miles sat on the floor beside him, his mind drifted back to his encounter with Cornelius Sigan. "A sorcerer once tempted me with promises of greatness and respect. That with him, I wouldn't have to hide my magic, and Arthur would know me for who I am. But he would also fear me." Merlin's eyes darkened. "I don't want that. I'd rather clean his armor for the rest of my life than see him afraid of me."

"Yeah... I definitely get that," Miles said, solemn. "But, maybe you could make him less afraid."

Merlin let his head rest against the edge of the table. "Believe me, I'd love to. But it's like..." He trailed off, trying to think how to describe it. Then, he had a better idea.

The warlock whispered an incantation into the palm of his hand, then unfurled his fingers to show the flames crackling on his palm. Miles gasped, then closed his mouth, flushing red. Merlin, eyes fading from gold to blue, chuckled gently, then glanced at the fire. "Fire, like magic, isn't always something to be feared. It can give life as much as take it, inspire awe as much as fear. But when you know something can hurt you, you'll always worry that it will." He glanced at Miles. "Even you and Dave do that, and you're sorcerers yourselves."

Miles shrank from the warlock's gaze. "Sorry."

Merlin gave a tremulous smile. "I don't blame you. But it proves my point." With a rueful look, he closed his fist to extinguish the flame. "As much as I wish things were different between Arthur and me, I'm too afraid to risk losing what we have. Arthur will one day accept magic in his kingdom. If I didn't know it before, I know it now." He clenched his eyes shut. "But I'm not sure he'll ever truly accept mine, no matter what that book says."

Miles sighed. He didn't know how to properly gestate all of that. So much of it made sense. He just wished it didn't.

Trying to diffuse the somber mood, Merlin wryly said, "Any particular reason you're asking me all these personal questions?"

Miles tensed. Still, he supposed he could tell him something. After all, Merlin was right – who else did he have to tell? "I guess the best way to put it is, I want to understand."

"Understand?"

Miles shrugged. "Understand why the Arthur you know is so different from the one I know... from the legends, that is. And also..." He trailed off, feeling a lump in his throat. But he curled his fingers into fists. If Merlin and Dave could do this, so could he. "You said you wanted my story. Really, it's not so different from yours," he began in a low voice, lacing his fingers together. "I was born with a gift that I had to hide for as long as I could remember. My mom had to raise me mostly on her own, though her parents and my dad's parents did what they could, and she was so afraid that I would be taken away from her if too many people knew. Between that and my intelligence, I thought it was better to keep to myself. I committed myself fully to schoolwork, and read anything I could get my hands on."

"Like Harry Potter?"

A big smile lit up his face. "Exactly! Books like that were pretty much my best friends. In books, it's okay to be smart. It's okay to be different." Then, Merlin watched the smile falter. "But, I didn't have any real friends. I made enough acquaintances to get by, avoided the bullies as best I could. But I never let anyone in."

Merlin hummed. His own childhood had been rather lonesome, though at least he'd had Will.

"When I got to high school," Miles continued, "things got harder."

"Why?"

Miles fixed him with a look. "Let me put it this way: you think your time is a period of ignorance, suffering, and humiliation? High school is basically the same thing, only with moody 14- to 18-year-olds crammed with overworked teachers in a single building."

Merlin grimaced. "That sounds... kind of awful."

The honors student sighed. "You have no idea." He leaned back on his hands. "Still, I worked hard and dreamed of the day I could leave for college. And I was determined to do it alone." A small smile tugged at the edge of his lips. "Then, about a month ago, Allie Pennington showed up and insisted on being my friend. We were assigned for a project together, so I couldn't stay away from her completely." He shook his head, amused. "The harder I tried to push her away, the more she sought me out. She saw my tactics for what they were – weak defenses, insecurities. She even got me to go to a jock party, which I swore I would never do!"

"Jock party?"

"Jocks are basically like knights, only without the chainmail."

Merlin wrinkled his nose. "Ah." Then, he grinned. "Still, I like this girl. Reminds me a bit of me with Arthur."

Miles blinked. "That's...ironic. Actually, I see Allie as similar to Arthur in a lot of ways. She can be stubborn, proud, overbearing when she thinks she's right," he drawled, rolling his eyes. Then he sobered. "But in the end, she's incredibly brave, and loyal, and fair. And a really good friend."

Merlin smiled. It did sound a lot like Arthur.

"Anyway," Miles continued, "as much as I grew to like her company, there was a problem. The more she hung around me, the more she noticed when I had visions around her, or when I knew something I shouldn't." He ran a hand through his hair. "Aaaand it didn't help that I was really bad at covering it up." He cleared his throat. "But, I clung to my secret nonetheless. So one night, I went over to her house because I had a vision that she was going to need my help. And this time, she didn't accept my excuse..."

*.*.*.*.*.*

"You need help." That was all he said as he parked his bike and unclipped his helmet. He was usually more prepared, but this vision hadn't been as trivial as a loose shoelace or a stubbed toe. And something deep in his bones told him she needed to know tonight, so he'd hopped on his bike without another thought.

He regretted that now as Allie rose from the deck chair. "How do you know I need help?" she asked coolly.

"I just know, okay?" he replied as he placed his helmet on the chair. "Isn't that enough?"

She set her jaw. "No."

He jolted upright.

"Actually, it's not enough."

Miles stared at her, feeling as though his insides had shrivelled up. She couldn't have caught on... could she? She wasn't nearly clever enough to put it together.

But, oh, she had. She ticked off every single time he'd had a vision around her, each causing the knot in his stomach to tighten. She had even noticed the one at the football game! Jaw clenched, he glanced away to hide the tension that spread like prickles of heat across his skin.

And then came the moment Miles had been dreading: Allie shrugged and said, almost teasing, "What are you, psychic or something?"

Miles felt as though he'd been hit by a bodybind hex. He even wanted to hit the floor, but somehow he stood. It seemed like such a silly little word, that denoted overdramatic ladies in shawls looking into crystal balls. But to Miles, "psychic" made him different. "Psychic" made him a freak. He should have called the idea ridiculous, but what slipped out was: "Don'tsaythatword,Allie."

She blinked, head tilted to the side. Then her eyes flared wide as she drew in a small breath, as if to say, "Oh." Miles held his breath, waiting for her to light into him. But, instead, she regained her composure and leaned towards him. "It's okay, Miles," she said softly, looking him straight in the eyes. "You can tell me."

He should be panicking, but all he felt was dull, aching numbness. "No, I can't. I can't tell anyone."

"I'm not just anyone!" Allie replied, stepping towards him. "I am your friend. If you tell me something, no matter what it is, I'm going to be there for you." She sent him half a smile. "Because that's what friends do."

Her voice exuded a gentle kindness. He wanted to believe her. But once he told her, he could never go back. In essence, he would be putting his life in the hands of a girl he'd known for a week. Yet the way he'd eased into a friendship with her, it felt as though they'd known each other for years already. And she was willing to take on his secret. "It's just..." He took a deep breath. "I'm already enough of a nerd, Allie, the last thing I need is something else making me different." 'Are you sure you can handle that?'

She pursed her lips, trying to think of how to respond. Then she smiled wider. "Sometimes being different is what makes us great."

A weight like a boulder lifted from his chest.

After a moment, he finally returned her smile. "Okay."

*.*.*.*.*.*.*

"So, she accepted it?" Merlin wondered. "Just like that?"

Miles grinned. "Yeah. Even after magic was added to my weirdness, she was supportive. And she wasn't the only one. Will, Allie's boyfriend – beloved, that is – and his stepbrother, Marco, both found out, in... slightly more complicated ways, about what I can do. And they all took it in stride. It's..." His expression softened. "It's more than I could have hoped for."

Merlin narrowed his eyes. "But?"

The smile faded. "I don't know. I mean, it's only been a month since all this happened, maybe I'm expecting too much of myself." He rested his head in hands. "These guys have proven they accept me and my magic. I trust them with my life, but..." He swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. "I can't help holding back from them, even now." He thought of Allie's reprimand on the phone. "I know they've noticed. And it probably hurts more than they let on." Miles looked down at the floor. "That's what I wanted to understand. I couldn't explain, to them or myself, how I can trust them and not trust them at the same time." He nodded to Merlin. "And it worked, because you hit the nail on the head. When you know something can hurt you, you'll always worry that it will. It works both ways."

Merlin thought of all the people he'd almost told his secret to: Arthur, Gwen, that Gwaine fellow, even Morgana back when she was firmly on the side of good. Lancelot had found out by accident, and had kindly accepted him even though Merlin got him in trouble. The few times he was around, he appreciated Lancelot as someone in the know. But if Lancelot were around long term, what would that be like? "Do you ever wish they'd never found out?"

Miles shook his head. "God, no! Not so far, anyway." He leaned towards Merlin. "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that people can surprise you. Sometimes for worse, yeah. But mostly for the better." He gave Merlin a look that reminded him eerily of Gaius. "All changes take time, Merlin. But you can't stop believing they're possible. I know how easy it is to get sucked into that mindset, but don't. The only certainty in life is that things will change. And that's not always a bad thing."

Merlin leaned back, pensive. He couldn't think of how to respond to that. But he did think of something Miles had neglected to mention. "Hold on," he said. "That vision you had to tell Allie, what was it about? And what about the book you mentioned earlier?"

.

Before Miles could respond, a door slammed somewhere above them. Miles stared at Merlin. "They're back!"

"We have to hide." So they scrambled to their feet and hid behind the huge stone column next to the stairs.

Moments later, they heard Balthazar and Dave trudge down the metal staircase into the lab. Merlin muttered a spell under his breath, eyes glowing, and suddenly they were able to see straight through the column.

Miles glanced at Merlin. "Very nice!" he whispered.

Merlin blushed and said, "Thanks." Then, they concentrated on the scene before them. The master and apprentice looked despondent as the entered the lab, Tank the dog tottling behind them. It took a moment for Miles and Merlin to realize: They didn't have the Grimhold.

Dave drew a hand down his face, a wave of fatigue sweeping over him as he reached the bottom of the stairs. It had been a long night. From flooding the lab, to encountering Becky, teleporting with Merlin and Miles to his apartment, then racing back to the lab to save Balthazar and getting into a harrowing magical car chase. After all that, they'd still lost the doll to the Morganians.

But for once, it wasn't his fault.

"Okay. Balthazar?" Dave began. "Enough with the silent treatment. You have to tell me what happened back there."

"What more is there to say?" Balthazar grumbled as he tossed his hat onto the table, his back turned on Dave. "I got distracted. We lost the Grimhold. Case closed."

Dave wagged his finger. "No, but Horvath purposely changed that woman to look like Merlin's third apprentice because he knew it would distract you!" He had glimpsed the illusion for only a moment himself: a woman with striking features, dark eyes, and a curtain of jet black hair. "Balthazar, I have to know."

For long moments, the master and apprentice stood as still as statues, Dave's eyes boring into the back of Balthazar's head.

Then, just as if it seemed the silence would last all night... "Veronica."

Dave jolted. Whatever he had been expecting to hear, it hadn't been that. "Sorry?"

Balthazar turned to face Dave, his eyes shining. "Her name was Veronica." Galvanized, Balthazar threw off his trenchcoat, crossed to the other side of the room and picked up the Incantus, then seated himself on a set of stone steps. He motioned to the spot next to him, and Dave hustled over and sat down next to him. Balthazar opened the book across their laps, and began, in a low voice, "For centuries, Veronica, Horvath, and I were the only things standing between Morgana and humankind's destruction." Balthazar turned a page and continued, "Our friendship and our magic were what Veronica and I depended on." He traced a finger over the page, which must have pictured the woman in question.

Dave nodded, then said softly, "You fell for her, didn't you."

Balthazar swallowed, unable to speak for a moment. Then he nodded. "I fell for her."

He unfolded Veronica's life for Dave (and, unknowingly, for Miles and Merlin as well). He spoke reverently of her power as a sorceress, her wish, like Dave, to be normal. "I fell for her..." Then, he glanced at Dave, "...and so did Horvath."

Dave's mouth hung open, but not in the comical way it normally did. He seemed genuinely affected by this, folding his hand over his mouth.

"That's why Horvath betrayed us."

Miles jolted. "Oh. Oh! He was the older sorcerer!" he whispered.

Merlin sighed. Of course one of his own apprentices had turned against him. 'Figures.' Still, it made sense. He had seen love drive people to do drastic things. He thought of Uther's rage in the wake of his wife's death. Of Gaius risking everything to save Alice, not once but twice. And he swallowed, remembering Freya. He'd almost left Camelot for her. From Dave's expression, he was in love with someone himself. He understood Balthazar's pain.

Dave gulped. "So... so what happened to Veronica? Is she...?"

Balthazar sighed, then looked him in the eye. "Remember the fusion spell? The one sorcerer who'd successfully pulled it off?"

Dave stared at him, puzzled. Then he gasped. "No."

Balthazar nodded, solemn. "When Horvath betrayed us and Morgana attacked, Veronica knew one of us had to survive to find the Prime Merlinean. So she sealed Morgana inside her own body, weakening her. And I... I locked them both in the last doll of the Grimhold."

Dave shook his head, his voice cracking as he said, "For a thousand years, you've been carrying her around with you, in the Grimhold."

Balthazar took out a handkerchief from his pocket. Unwrapping it, he pulled out a long, jeweled necklace, lacing it between his fingers. "I was going to give this to her that night."

Tears came to Merlin's eyes. He had to clench his fist in his mouth to stop a sob bursting out of him. It had been two years since losing Freya, but as he thought of Balthazar's lost love, the pain of his own suddenly came roaring back. Miles drew back in surprise, but remembered Merlin's loss. He clasped a hand over his shoulder.

But Merlin wasn't the only one. Dave stared at the necklace, then down at the book, more solemn than he'd ever been in his life. He'd been treating this whole thing as a game, and then as a punishment. He'd been thinking only of how it affected his life, not realizing just how many had sacrificed for the sake of his destiny.

Balthazar.

Veronica.

Even Merlin himself.

As Balthazar stood up and moved away from Dave, Dave stared after him. "I'm sorry," he whispered, not sure what else to say. It felt hollow, not nearly enough compensation for what his master had gone through.

Then, just like before, he felt something inside him steel itself. He glanced at the ring on his finger, the gift passed from Kilgharrah and Merlin, to Balthazar, to him, and nodded to himself. He knew what he had to do. "Okay, Balthazar."

Balthazar stopped in his tracks, turning towards him.

"We are going to get Veronica out. And destroy Morgana. Whatever it takes, I swear I'll make this right."

Balthazar stared at him, impressed. Then his eyes narrowed. "What's happened to you?"

Dave's eyes widened as he remembered his uninvited guests were still in the lab. "Nothing!"

"You're still a bad liar," his master drawled.

Dave looked offended, then sighed. Time to own up. "Okay, yeah, you're right. Something did happen – "

He smirked. "Other than Becky?"

Dave scowled. How could he have known about that? "Yes." He rubbed his hands together. Balthazar deserved to know Merlin was here, but that didn't make him any less nervous. "Just... don't freak out, okay?" Dave put the book down, pressed up onto his feet, and called, "Uh, guys? I know you're still here so, uh, come out, come out, wherever you are!"

Miles and Merlin exchanged nervous glances, Merlin wiping the remaining tears from his eyes. Then, slowly, they came out from behind the column and walked into the light.

Balthazar took one look at Merlin and froze, the former master and apprentice standing face-to-face for the first time in centuries. Dave watched with his fingers crossed behind his back, silently pleading for a positive outcome. For moments that felt like hours, the only sound in the room was the distant buzz of the lights. Then finally, the sorcerer stalked across the room towards the time-displaced young man.

Merlin forced himself to stay still. He reminded himself that although Balthazar was a stranger to him, the man had dedicated himself to a thousand-year mission in his name. So he held his breath, waiting for the old sorcerer to make the first move.

Which he did, by clapping his hands over Merlin's cheeks and proceeding to squish his face.

Merlin muttered, "Er, what are you – ?"

"Sssssshhhh!" Balthazar hissed. He pressed his fingertips against the cheekbones as though he was searching for something. Then suddenly, he grinned. "It is you. HA!" He slapped Merlin on the shoulders, making everyone jump. "Look at you! I knew you and Dave were related, but only now do I see the resemblance." He reached up and rumpled Merlin's dark hair.

Merlin gave a tentative smile, glad the sorcerer wasn't upset with Dave. The apprentice in question sighed in relief, and caught Miles sending him two thumbs up.

Balthazar winced as his eyes landed on the side of Merlin's head. "Woo, those ears. I can see why you grew your hair out. Even I'm having a hard time taking you seriously."

Merlin covered his ears. "Hey!" They weren't that big.

Balthazar smirked. "No, your ears are fine." His expression softened. "It's funny. I was about your age when I met you – older you, that is." He glanced down at his ring. "It's all come full circle." He was contemplative for a moment, but then, as if someone flipped a switch, he turned and rounded on Dave. "Happy as I am to see you, however, you are not supposed to be here." He folded his arms, eyes boring into Dave. "So, care to tell me how that happened?"

Dave flinched. "Okay, well, according to the ring, he actually is supposed to be here! So, no harm no foul, right?"

Balthazar, stoic, raised an eyebrow. "Your ring told you?"

Dave glared, open-mouthed. "You brought the eagle on the Chrysler Building to life, but you doubt a talking ring?"

But Balthazar remained stern. "I suppose Kilgharrah also told you I was going to need rescuing?" he asked sarcastically.

"Actually, that was me," Miles said, raising his hand. "Though I think he knew too."

Balthazar swivelled around to face the boy, a bemused expression crossing his face. "Ah, well, thanks for that. I'll get to you in a second."

"Hold on," Merlin interrupted, pointing at Balthazar. "You called the ring 'Kilgharrah.'"

Dave glanced between Merlin and Balthazar, confused. Then it sunk in. He let out a groan. "Oh my God! You knew, didn't you!"

Balthazar grinned. "Sorry, Dave, couldn't help myself."

Dave felt himself starting to get angry, but then he thought of Veronica, of the pain in Balthazar's eyes as he stared at that necklace. So, resigned, he said, "You really couldn't have given me a heads up? A little one?"

"Well, I didn't know it would be tonight, so that was a pleasant surprise," Balthazar said with a nonchalant shrug. "My master only told me I would see him again, and it would be after I found the Prime Merlinean. Kilgharrah, I carried him around for a thousand years. I couldn't not know. Although," he said, finally turning his attention to the high school student, "I wasn't aware of a third party involved. Who are you exactly?"

Miles blinked owlishly at the imposing sorcerer. "M-Miles, I'm – Miles," the boy stuttered.

Miles saw something in the man's eyes glitter, bringing to mind Albus Dumbledore (book version, not movie version). Balthazar's face, however, remained impassive. "Ah," he said in a crisp tone. "And what is it you're doing here?"

"He's a sorcerer too," Dave said. "And sees the future, apparently. He arrived with Merlin."

"Really?" Balthazar remarked, drawing closer to Miles. "A spell meant to summon Merlin also happened to summon you?"

Miles shrugged, avoiding the penetrating gaze.

Balthazar's eyes narrowed, but still, he smiled. "Well, in any case, glad to have you aboard. We need all the help we can get." Balthazar alighted the stone stairs and stood looking down at them, the light from the archway framing him from behind. "Now that our enemies have gotten the Grimhold, the balance has tipped in their favor. However, Horvath will need some extra power to break through the last layers, so we have some time to get it back. But we cannot waste it. We need to retrieve it by tomorrow night if we want our best chance to stop The Rising from happening." He glanced at Dave. "Put your...'old man shoes' back on. We have work to do."

Ah Balthazar, always has a trick up his sleeve XD

I have set up a tumblr page for this story! Check out for character bios, gif sets, and other fun extra content :) (full link in profile)

We're getting pretty close to the end now, but there's plenty more surprises in store! My goal is to have this finished before Avalon High turns 5 in November. Next up, our band of heroes go to get the Grimhold back from the Morganians. But what will the Morganians have in store for them?

Please make sure to review, so I know you guys are still out there and hanging on! Thanks to FateofChaos and NightsAnger for reviewing last chapter, to Merlyn Pyndragon for beta reading, and for muzicdreamz for continued support.

~*Astraea*