Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Merlin

Later that evening, Merlin led them outside to the patio and motioned for Elizabeth to sit at the table there. While Merlin and Arthur had been running through the garden and then locked up in the basement attending to the potion, Elia and Elizabeth had been sitting in the kitchen, slowly working through a bottle of whiskey.

Even though Elizabeth didn't seem completely convinced they were telling the truth, she certainly had a lot of questions for Elia, starting with the truth behind the legends. Elia had calmly explained Arthur's history to her, then told her about the prophecy. After being stunned a few moments over how far off the stories were from what she grew up hearing, she then turned to asking Elia about various historical events, fascinated by the idea that she had been around for over 1,500 years. It was in the middle of a spirited re-telling of Henry Tudor and the real story behind his six wives that Merlin and Arthur dashed into the kitchen, proclaiming that they were ready and needed to do the spell now while it was dark.

Elizabeth looked over at a small bottle filled with a dark blue liquid sitting after sitting down, her eyes widening. Though she was a fair bit tipsy at this point, she worried what was in that bottle.

Partially what it would do to her and partially how it would taste.

"Don't worry. It's just a little elixir of sorts to help with the process," Merlin said. "Just… make yourself comfortable." She took a deep breath and slowly let it out as Merlin moved to look at the book again. Elia stood nearby watching him closely, while Arthur watched Elizabeth, his brow furrowed. Elizabeth rolled her head around, trying to loosen up and relax despite the fact she was about to drink some unknown concoction and take part in some sort of magic ritual.

"And you're sure this won't hurt her," Arthur asked, glancing at Merlin. The warlock looked up at the sky and then back down at the book.

"If I follow all the instructions, it should be fine. Says I'm supposed to perform it while the moon is out, which it is. Outside, since nature contains its own brand of magic. And yea. Just drink this, say the words, and her memories should return," he said lightly.

"I thought the elves didn't do magic like warlocks," Arthur said, turning his gaze to Elia.

"We can't. Faeranduil got this from a sorceress," Elia said. He then turned his attention back to Merlin.

"Merlin… how long has it been since you've performed something this large?" Arthur asked, a frown on his face.

"I know what I'm doing," Merlin said, smiling. Arthur just raised an eyebrow at him. "Seriously, Arthur. It'll be fine."

"Why don't I believe you?" Arthur asked.

"Maybe we shouldn't do this," Elizabeth said, some of her liquid courage starting to wear off. She began to stand, but Elia placed her hands on her shoulders and firmly sat her back down.

"It'll be fine. Do you, or do you not want her to get her memories back?" Elia asked, looking to Arthur. He stared at her for a moment and then nodded. "Merlin knows what he's doing. He's the greatest warlock on earth. Let him do this." She looked down at Elizabeth. "You'll be fine, I assure you."

"Then let's get this over with before I change my mind," the woman said quickly. Merlin held the bottle out to her.

"Bottom's up," he said brightly. Elizabeth took it, smelling it cautiously. "Doesn't smell so great. Or taste great. Best to do it in one go." She held it up to him in a sort of salute and then quickly drank it, grimacing at the taste. "Right… now… just relax."

He stepped back and held his hand towards her, taking a deep breath. He then began chanting in another language, his eyes changing color. Elizabeth's eyes widened in fear as she felt something come over her. Her head flew back as she gripped the arms of the chair, gasping loudly. Arthur quickly began moving towards her.

"Don't! You'll interrupt the spell," Elia said, fixing him in a stern look. "It's almost over."

Merlin finished the incantation and then lowered his hand, watching as Elizabeth fell forward, her head in her hands as she breathed heavily.

"Give it a minute. She's likely to be disoriented," he said, watching her and then Arthur out of the corner of his eye. "She'll keep all her memories as Elizabeth, so her mind needs some time to settle as the old ones come back."

The three stood silently, all praying that this worked and they hadn't made a mistake.

Elizabeth's breathing started to even out as she glanced up. Elia moved around, standing next to Merlin.

"Elizabeth?" she asked softly. The woman stared at her, seeming confused for a few moments. She looked down at her hands and then back up at the group. Her eyes widened as realization came over her face.

"Lia?" she whispered. "Is that really you?" Elia began to smile as she nodded.

"Yes," she replied softly. The woman then looked to Merlin, a smile breaking out.

"Merlin…"

"Welcome back, Gwen," he replied. Her eyes then fell on Arthur. Tears started forming as she pushed herself up out of the chair.

"Arthur… is it… is it really you?" she asked breathlessly. Arthur took a hesitant step towards her. "Are you really here?"

"I am," he said, barely able to speak. A bright grin broke across her face as she started towards him. But her legs started to give out. Arthur was at her side immediately, catching her before she could hit the ground.

"Like I said, she'll be a bit disoriented. Wobbly," Merlin replied. "But over the next hour or so, all her memories as Gwen should come back fully."

"I can't believe it's you," Gwen said, looking up at Arthur as she touched his face, tears now streaming down her cheeks.

"We should get her inside. Let her lie down," Elia offered. Arthur nodded as he easily picked Gwen up and carried her inside.

"Well… glad that worked out," Merlin said. Elia looked over at him.

"Was there a chance it wouldn't?" she asked.

"If it wasn't really Gwen, well… she would have likely ended up with amnesia according to the text," Merlin said. Elia's eyes widened.

"Merlin! Why didn't you say anything?" Elia replied, smacking him in the back of the head. Merlin winced, frowning at her as he rubbed his head.

"Obviously I knew it was going to work," he retorted. "We knew it was Gwen."

"That's not the point!" Elia said. "You should be upfront with side effects!"

"And do you honestly think she would have let us do this if she heard that?" he asked. Elia just rolled her eyes and started walking back inside.

They walked into the den, which was infinitely cozier than the front sitting room, finding that Arthur had put Gwen down on the large sofa there and was busy making her comfortable by plumping a pillow behind her before moving to put another under her feet.

"Really, you don't need to do this, Arthur," she said, laughing slightly.

"Do you need anything?" he asked, looking over at her.

"Aspirin and some water would do," Gwen said.

"Right," Arthur said, straightening up. He started towards the archway, then stopped, looking back at her. "What's aspirin?"

"I'll get it," Elia said, turning to walk out of the room.

"How do you feel?" Merlin asked, walking over to her.

"Strange," Gwen said, looking over at him. "I mean… I know I'm Gwen and I can remember most of that life, but at the same time Elizabeth is still in there… it's like… I'm two people at once… and my head is too full… it's a bit foggy..."

"Should get better once you've adjusted," Merlin said. He then grinned. "It's good to have you back."

"Good to be back," she said, looking over at Arthur, who had dropped down to his knees next to her. She reached out and gently touched his face. "I've missed you so much…"

"Same here," he replied. "I thought I would never see you again."

"And here we are," Gwen added, tears still sneaking down her cheeks. Elia walked back in, a glass in one hand and two tiny tablets in another. She walked over as Gwen sat up.

"Thanks, Lia," she said, taking the pills and popping them in her mouth before swallowing some of the water.

"Don't mention it," Elia said, smiling at her. She walked back over and stood next to Merlin, who wrapped an arm around her waist.

"You two look exactly the same," Gwen said. Elia smiled as she looked up at Merlin.

"Suppose we can thank magic for that," Merlin replied.

"You've been in London this whole time?" Gwen asked.

"Some of the time. We have a place near the lake of Avalon where we stay mostly," Elia replied. "Came here with Arthur to show him some things."

"We had children," Arthur said, as Gwen looked over at him. She nodded.

"Before we get into all that… is there… someone that we should contact? I mean, you've spent the last 20-so years as Elizabeth. Does anyone know you came here?" Elia interjected, earning a scowl from Arthur.

"Ehm… no. I live alone, like I told you. And I don't have to be in to work until Monday," she said. "Did have plans with Maggie tomorrow, but she cancelled earlier." Arthur looked back at her; a bit perplexed. He had forgotten for a moment that she had been living a completely different life before this. Her eyes suddenly widened again as she looked at Merlin.

"If Arthur's back, that means something is about to happen," she said, worry starting to enter her voice. "What is it?"

"We're not sure, to be honest," Merlin said. "Arthur hasn't been back that long. We've been looking into it, but still haven't figured it out. Though, we're already seeing signs that the elves are likely to return soon." Gwen nodded.

"Do you think there are others out there?" she asked. "You found me - perhaps others have been reborn in this time…"

Elia and Merlin looked at each other, their eyebrows raised. They had wonder that exact thing just before bringing her memories back.

"We should look for them," Arthur said. "On the… internet." Merlin, Gwen and Elia all whipped their heads to look at him. Merlin and Elia were a bit surprised to see that he was finally picking up some things.

"Not sure the internet will help there," Elia said. "Especially if they are all going by different names and have no memories of their previous lives until they meet us."

"But then… how will we find them?" Arthur asked.

"We found Gwen by chance… though the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced it was more fate than coincidence," Merlin said. "My guess, if there are others out there, then perhaps we will find them in the same way." Gwen and Arthur nodded, seeming to take this in stride. Gwen then looked at Arthur, starting to smile again.

"Ehm, well… you lot must be hungry. Merlin and I will just… see about some supper," Elia said, grinning as she started pulling Merlin out of the room.

"She just got her memories back! We have a lot to talk about!" Merlin exclaimed.

"I know," Elia said through gritted teeth, nodding her head towards the couple and giving him a look.

"Ah, right. Supper it is," Merlin said, smiling over at the two before rushing out with Elia.

"Seems they are giving us some space," Gwen said, making herself comfortable on the sofa. She reached out and took Arthur's hand, holding on to it tightly. Arthur didn't say anything, just drank in the sight of her face. "I had always hoped that you would come back during my lifetime… where were you?"

"I was… nowhere, I suppose. I don't really remember anything. One moment I was dying, then dead, the next I woke up on a lakeshore. And Merlin and Elia came rushing out of the underbrush dressed in the most ridiculous clothing," he said. Gwen chuckled.

"I see there's a lot for you to get used to in this time," she replied. He nodded.

"But it doesn't seem so daunting now," he said. "I can't help but thank God or whoever for another chance to be with you."

"There's so much to tell you," Gwen said.

"I read your journals. Not all of them yet, but I had been reading them. Learning about Ariana and Arturos," he said.

"I wish you could have met them," she said. "I fear words and drawings are not enough to completely capture their spirits."

"Perhaps… if you were reborn, they were too," Arthur said. Gwen sighed and reached up, touching his cheek.

"Perhaps… or perhaps not," she said. "But… we're reunited. We should be grateful for that much. And see what Fate brings us next." Arthur nodded and smiled. "I think part of me knew, when I was Elizabeth. When I met you… about all this."

"How so?" Arthur asked. Gwen just shook her head.

"I was drawn to you. I couldn't understand why, but there was this growing attraction to you. Even if you sometimes said things that made no sense or were out of place," she replied.

"I promise you. Nothing will part us again," Arthur vowed.

"Please don't start making promises you can't keep," Gwen said softly, a sheen of tears in her eyes. "We don't know how long this will last."

"Then we should make the best of it for however long we are together," Arthur said. Gwen smiled.

"I love you, Arthur," she said.

"I love you too," Arthur replied, brushing his lips across hers. A spark flew between the two. It had been a long time.

"I still can't believe that… well… all of this, really," Gwen said. "It's so strange…"

"I find everything strange nowadays," Arthur said with a sigh. "Television. Cars. Trains. History." Gwen chuckled.

"Well, hopefully I can help you out with that a bit. Though seems Merlin and Elia have been doing a decent job of it so far," she said.

"They do the best they can. Seems Merlin is the more patient of the two, which surprises me. Always thought the elves were incredibly patient," he said. "To be honest, I still can't seem to understand everything that they have seen and experienced."

"I know. I remember the conversation I had with Lia just before the spell. She and Merlin were at court while Anne Boleyn was there. Said they left rather quickly after she was executed for witchcraft," Gwen said. "There were many times throughout history that they had to hide away for fear of being discovered or accused."

"Seems my father wasn't the only who was afraid of magic," Arthur said with a sigh. He looked around the den. "And now it's all but gone."

"Not completely," Gwen said. "I wouldn't be here if it was. Dare say none of us would be." Arthur looked down at her and smiled.

"This is true," he replied.

"It is good to see that you've finally embraced it," she said.

"Not completely, but doing my best," Arthur said.

"I think you'll come to find it's actually rather wonderful," she said, sitting up and kissing him again. As she was leaning back, he pulled her towards him, kissing her more passionately. While in his memory, it had only been a matter of weeks since he last saw her, he had thought that she was gone forever for a bit of time.

The kiss deepened, though before either could go any further, there was a large growl. Arthur immediately looked around the room, on high alert.

"What was that?" he asked, scanning all the windows and corners for some foul beast. Gwen only chuckled. He looked down at her, confused.

"My stomach," she said. "I'm a bit hungry."

"Ah… well then… suppose I'll go see how things are going with dinner…"

"I can't believe she's back," Merlin said. He had said it several times since he and Elia stepped into the kitchen and continued up a steady stream of conversation as they worked to reheat leftovers. He hadn't even noticed that Elia remained quiet, her brow furrowed. "You have to admit; it makes it so much easier not to hide things from her anymore. And I'm sure Arthur is relieved. Likely ecstatic." He stopped, turning to look at Elia, who was staring down at a pan on the stove. "Lia?" She turned to look at him.

"Hmm?" she asked.

"Have you heard nothing? Why aren't you excited? Gwen is back! And there could be others," he said.

"That's exactly what I'm worried about," she said, meeting his eyes.

"Mordred and Morgana," Merlin replied. She nodded, turning back to the stove.

"It would make sense. If they've been reborn and somehow gotten hold of their memories, they could be trying to pick up where they left off," she said. "And in today's world… I don't want to think about what they could be capable of." Merlin went silent, thinking it over.

It was true. While the world was much bigger, there were also many more opportunities for either of them to inflict a lot of damage.

"Have you seen anything?" he asked.

"No. But I also didn't seen Gwen returning," she said. "You know how it is. We can't control it. It just comes when it comes. And I haven't gotten them as often lately…"

"I think the best thing is to… cross that bridge when or if we get there," Merlin said, stepping up to her side and putting his arm around her waist. "If Morgana is back - or Mordred - we'll run into them eventually."

"And hopefully not too late," Elia interjected.

"And that. But for now, we should be happy. Gwen is back. Arthur is back. More of our friends could be out there," he said before kissing her cheek. "Tonight should definitely be about celebrating." Elia couldn't help but smile as she looked up at him.

"It is awfully nice to have her back. I'm no longer outnumbered in the house," she said.

"You think she'll want to stay here?" Merlin asked. "Or will Arthur go with her?"

"She does have a life as Elizabeth that she has to take care of. I'm assuming for at least tonight she'll stay. What tomorrow brings, who knows," Elia replied. Merlin nodded as the two refocused on getting dinner ready, though not too quickly so that Arthur and Gwen could have time together.

"I hope that Gwaine comes back," Merlin said after a while. "And perhaps Lancelot…"

"Isn't that the bloke that broke up Gwen and Arthur the first time?" Elia asked, looking over at him.

"Right… well… I think we sorted that out back then…"

"Wouldn't mind having Percival," Elia continued. "Could need more muscle with whatever is coming. And I do miss Gwaine…"

"And then soon the elves will come back," Merlin said. Elia sighed happily, finally settling into enjoying the moment. They could worry about what was coming tomorrow.

"It's all starting to come together…"

So sorry that it's been so long! I was wrapped in getting the magazine ready for print and then got distracted by a story about Medici: The Magnificent which ended up being not so much a fanfiction and now I don't know what to do with it... But I'm back at work on this one and plan to get back into the habit of posting more regularly. I'm working on finishing up chapter 25, so I have enough done that I can do a chapter every few days without worrying about catching up to myself.

But yes, finally Gwen is back. I'm sure some folks are happy about that. ^_^

Fullshadow – Haha, I know. I have a tendency to get hooked on an idea and I don't stop until the story is finished. And the ideas come incredibly randomly – hence the large number of stories and the variety. What I haven't posted yet is a nearly completed Pacific Rim story, another completed Oliver Wood fic (completely unrelated to any of the others I've written that I may not post), a maybe halfway finished LOTR fic and then I've got a few others in various stages of completion. And I know fans of the Wood Universe I created are eager for another short or oneshots about Daisy and Wills, but I can't seem to settle on an idea that I'm in love with. I did start a Father of the Bride – Part 2 story, but 6 chapters in and I don't like it anymore, so been sitting on it and will probably end up tossing it and going in a different direction. And this is just the fanfic. I've got a completed novel that I'm editing (with work started on book 2 and 3 in that series); half a plot outlined for a mystery-thriller that I want to complete this year; 20 pages on another Greek mythology-related fantasy and about 20-40 other stories in various stages that I sometimes revisit from time to time. I think I've got too much going on in my brain… But yea, Gwen is back! And more old friends are set to make appearances…

OechsnerC – Glad that you like it!

Thanks for reading and following everyone!