Kathleen was too mad to even scream. How dare that jeweler come back, she thought, and just as things were starting to clear up!

Merlin and Morgan had both moved towards the door, simultaneously reaching for their wands, when the jeweler threw down the poison dart and put up her hands in surrender.

"Stop!" She cried loudly, though she still held the jade colored necklace. "I am not going to harm any of you. I only beg for your mercy...and assistance"

Merlin motioned to Morgan, and the two slowly lowered their wands, all while moving closer to the jeweler Kathleen then noticed that Teddy had positioned himself in front of her, separating her from the jeweler. She figured it was probably a wise move on his part, she was tempted to claw the lady's eyes out, as it was.

"Explain yourself." Merlin commanded the jeweler. "I want to know the entire story."

Morgan leveled a look at the jeweler, apparently in agreement, and with a sigh, the cloaked woman began her tale.

"I am renowned amongst dark sorcerers and criminals for my poisons and curses, so I considered it about time when I received received orders to kill Merlin from a mysterious hooded wizard." The jeweler paused and gave Merlin and Morgan both a very sly, suspicious smile. "I came to the area, did my research, and planted the perfect trap. Merlin's apprentices would get sick first, he would investigate and invariably become ill as well, all because of my accursed necklace here." She stopped again, but instead of smiling creepily, she looked rather scared. The jeweler gulped and continued, "Morgan Le Fay was my contact. She made sure that I didn't give up the necklace too easily, it was my most valuable asset after all."

"Again, I was undercover." Morgan quickly added. "I was trying to discover her employer. I had to play the part."

Kathleen couldn't hold her tongue any longer. "But you could have warned Teddy and I! His life was in danger, and you knew!"

Morgan looked pained. "Kathleen, I understand your anger, but what could I have done without ruining my own mission?"

"You could have done something." This time it was Teddy who spoke. "We would have done anything to try to save you."

Morgan's hand trembled slightly, but she turned away and didn't respond to Teddy. She motioned to the jeweler instead. "Continue your tale."

"I came back for the necklace, fought off the apprentices and escaped, plotting how I could finish my job elsewhere. They found me, however, I didn't make a cure easy for them to obtain. That little witch," the jeweler pointed at Kathleen with a sneer, "was smarter than I expected, and she mixed up my potions in a nasty trick for me. She found the cure alright, but I stumbled into my own poison and now the cure is used up. My head is already spinning, and I have not the resources to brew another cure myself." She carefully placed the necklace on the ground, the malice in her dark eyes once more shifting to fear. "Take pity on me, in exchange for this necklace. I have stripped it of the curse and I do believe your apprentice," she addressed Merlin, "your apprentice used much of his earnings to buy it for the other apprentice."

Merlin firmed his jaw and did not reply for a long moment. Then, he asked, "who was your employer?"

The jeweler bowed her head. "I cannot say."

"If you wish for us to cure you, I expect cooperation."

"I do not know!" The jeweler's head snapped back up in desperation. "He, or she, was tall, with a long black cloak. The wizard did not speak, but only communicated through writing. Please, believe me!" The jeweler began to tremble and moan, rubbing her hands against her temples. Teddy stepped away from Kathleen. "Please, Merlin, sir? Can we help her? I know how painful that poison is and I know she is an enemy, but..."

Merlin was already nodding and setting to work.

Kathleen though, felt numb. How could Teddy forgive the lady that quickly? She had almost killed him! At the same time, however, Kathleen noted Teddy's compassion and something moved inside her, a deeper respect and admiration for her orange-haired friend. He was not an expert at spells, but he was kind and his heart was purer than her own. Suddenly, she wanted to be more like him, she wanted him to like her, she wanted his love and respect, just as he had hers.

"Kathleen." Merlin's voice stole her from her thoughts. "I believe you know as much about the cure as I do. May I request your assistance?"

"Of course, sir." Kathleen said. She crossed the room and quickly told Merlin all she knew about the cure. Meanwhile, she watched Teddy check the necklace, to see if what the jeweler had said was true. Morgan and the woman in question stood nearby in an angry whispered discussion. That reminded Kathleen of another question.

"Sir, why were you gone for so long? We were afraid something terrible had befallen you."

Merlin rubbed his beard with a free hand. "I did run into some trouble. Morgan attacked me before she realized that I was, well, me." Merlin gave a small chuckle. "Of course, that led to a long complex conversation about her suspicious behavior, but no worries," Merlin seemed to be talking to himself as much as he was to Kathleen. "She has been my friend for ages. I believe her undercover story. Why would she want to hurt me?"

"And she is helping us now, right? She gave up her investigation?" Kathleen queried.

"Yes. After apologizing to me she decided it was no longer worth it, evidently," said Merlin. He jotted down several notes on a piece of paper which to Kathleen's surprise, he then handed to Morgan.

"I believe that these are the instructions for the cure. See to it that it is administered immediately. You may then detain her for further investigation, but not until she is healed."

"Of course. Thank you, my old friend." Morgan smiled politely at everyone and then headed out the door, one hand holding the paper, the other hand steadying the dizzy-looking jeweler.

Kathleen glanced at her mentor in surprise. "'Tis all over?"

Merlin shook his head slightly. "It shall not be entirely over until the employer is found. Morgan's mission was interrupted, however, so it may be years before the real culprit is discovered. I think we are safe for now, though." He put a hand on Kathleen's shoulder and smiled a tired, but confident grin.

Kathleen still felt uneasy about the entire situation, but she trusted Merlin. If they came into conflict with the mysterious dak wizard again, next time she would be more prepared. She looked at Teddy and smiled weakly. They all would.

Epilogue

Kathleen tucked her hair to the side as she reached into the soapy water. Even though it was her party, she had been happy to assist her mother in washing the dishes. They had several things to discuss- things that she didn't want the rest of her family, or Teddy and Merlin, to overhear.

Ever since Morgan had left with the jeweler, Kathleen had felt so guilty for her suspicion and hatred. Though the entire ordeal hadn't scared her physically, it had emotionally and she figured it would take time to get over. At least she still had Teddy. All symptoms of the poison had faded and he was as good as ever, happily experimenting with spells and then cleaning Merlin's library to erase all evidence of his mistakes. Though Merlin was constantly busy investigating the circumstances surrounding the "Dark Wizard," Kathleen figured that her mentor's earlier prediction would be right. Whoever the culprit was, was probably lying low and it could be another few years at least, before any other nefarious attempt was made. Kathleen certainly didn't mind.

The jeweler had been treated and further interrogated by Morgan, and then put into King Arthur's dungeon for the time being. Her other jewelry articles had been de-cursed by Teddy and Merlin and then given to the poor. Kathleen had thought that was very kind. After all, the necklace had been gorgeous...just dangerous.

"So, have you been thinking about what we discussed last time you visited?" Kathleen's mother asked delicately, drawing Kathleen back to her reason for the secret kitchen conversation.

"Aye. I've given it plenty of thought."

"Well, your father and I have, too, and we decided we don't want you to have to give up the opportunity that you have now."

"Wait," Kathleen felt her heart lighten. "So you're not planning to betroth me?"

"No, dear, you will still be betrothed, but we don't want you to have to give up your position as a sorceress."

Kathleen was frustrated. "I can't very well work with Merlin if you marry me off to some old fisherman here in Avalon."

"So, we are not going to betroth you to anyone in Avalon, then." Her mother had tears in her eyes. "I'll miss my wee girl so much, but we only want the best for you."

Kathleen took a shaky breath. "How do you plan to betroth me to someone in Camelot? You don't know anyone there. I don't know anyone there besides Morgan, Merlin and Teddy, and well, the occasional villager I meet when-" Kathleen broke off noting her mother's amused smile. In the silence she heard her father's laughter from the other room, brought on by one of Teddy's jokes. That was when it hit Kathleen.

"You want to betroth me to Teddy?"

Her mother sighed slightly. "I understand how close you are, and given this, your father and I both agreed to put off your engagement for another year or so, to get accustomed to the idea. You two will make the perfect couple, whether you realize it or not."

Kathleen was stunned, but not upset, just surprised. She opened her mouth to respond, but then, who else but Teddy, walked into the kitchen.

"Kathleen, this was in my pocket. I almost forgot about it." He handed her a small package and smiled genuinely at her mother. "Happy Birthday."

Kathleen dried her hands on her apron and unwrapped the gift. A green piece of jewelry shone brightly inside its packaging.

"'Tis the necklace! But, 'tis different.?"

"Aye, some of the stones got rearranged when Merlin and I were disenchanting it. I thought 'tis for the better. No bad memories, but still the same old stones."

She was touched by his thoughtfulness and quickly embraced him, not caring that her mother was still watching with that knowing smile.

Kathleen was glad that she didn't have to get engaged yet, but in another years time, to Teddy, her best friend...She smiled over his shoulder. Even with evil forces still against them, her future wasn't looking so scary anymore. She was content.