Merlin Knows Best

Bridget stood at the small table in their shared room at the inn, looking over Gwen's shoulder at the map they had laid out. She was in the middle of circling all the villages within a short distance of the ruins of Camelot as they plotted out a course to visit them all in the hopes that Trevor was either there or had passed through. They would set out in the morning.

"See? We still have some places to look," Gwen said, smiling up at her. "Just because he's not here doesn't mean we won't find him." Bridget nodded, studying the map closely as Gwen explained the roads that they would take. She still felt a small sense of failure at not finding him in the first village, but she reminded herself that she had no way to know which place he would have gone. He had just mentioned that he was going to Camelot, after all.

"I hope that it does not take too long," Bridget said.

"We'll find him," Gwen said again.

A knock at the door interrupted their planning session.

"Could you get that? It's likely the owner with more towels," Gwen said, turning back to the map. Bridget walked over and opened the door, unable to speak as she saw who stood there. It wasn't the innkeeper, but rather Mordred. Or whatever name he currently went by.

"You're here," she said, her eyes going wide. He fidgeted slightly and nodded.

"Could I come in?" he asked. Bridget nodded and stepped back, letting him in. Gwen looked up from the table, a frown immediately on her face as the man began pacing. Bridget shut the door.

"What are you doing here?" Gwen asked, standing.

"I got your room number from Mrs. Martin. She's friends with my mum," he said, not looking at her. He then stopped pacing and looked at Bridget. "What did you do to me?"

"I did nothing," Bridget said.

"You did! You, you… dosed me with something, didn't you? I keep having these, these hallucinations. And they're intense. I had to leave work early today because of them," he said, stepping closer to her. "What did you do?"

Bridget looked over at Gwen, who shook her head no.

"What you wish does not matter anymore," Bridget said. "He is remembering whether you want him to or not."

"Remembering?" the man shouted. He then laughed haggardly. "Just what am I remembering?"

"Don't Bridget," Gwen said. Bridget looked at the man and stepped up to him, taking his face in her hands.

"They are not hallucinations. We did not give you anything. You are remembering your past life. Over time, all your memories will return to you and you will fully know who you are," she said gently, but firmly.

"And who am I exactly?" he asked softly.

"You are Mordred," Bridget said. "And we were… friends."

"That's not my name. It's Lucas," he said quickly, still not wanting to believe her.

"You are Lucas… and Mordred," Bridget said again. "We first met over 1,500 years ago, as I said."

"But… that's impossible. I don't believe in reincarnation or past lives," he said.

"Whatever you believe does not matter. It is the truth," Bridget said. Mordred stared at her a few moments, unable to speak.

"Are you a reincarnation as well?" he asked finally. Bridget smiled warmly and shook her head.

"I am an elf. We are immortal," she said. Mordred just blinked, not sure what to make of it. Part of him felt like he was losing his mind. The other part thought that this woman had certainly lost hers. He wasn't even sure why he had come here, only that he wanted an explanation and felt like these two women were the only ones who could give him one.

"What do you remember?" Gwen asked from the other side of the room. Bridget let go of Mordred as he looked over at the queen.

"I see… I see some sort of castle. And… I'm a knight, I think. I mean, I've got a sword and such," he said. "There's a king. Arthur." He looked back at Bridget. "And I see you… you're telling me about… growing up somewhere where it's always winter."

"My home, Geimhreadh. I told you of it when we were traveling together towards Ismere," Bridget said.

"Were you my prisoner? I see you tied up," Mordred asked, the look on his face clearly showing that he was not comfortable with the idea that he - whether it was in a past life or not - had willingly taken someone prisoner.

"I, well, I was for a time. The men you were with - they took me prisoner. But you helped me. Protected me. Or tried to, anyways," Bridget said. Mordred continued to stare at her.

"That's why, then," he said.

"Why what?" Bridget asked.

"Every time I see you, I feel… it's…" he fumbled with his words, looking down at his feet as his cheeks turned a shade of red. Bridget's eyebrows rose.

"We were friends and fond of each other, yes," she said, taking a step back from him. Gwen sighed as she sat back down and began rubbing her temples.

"I guess we have no choice then," she said. "We have to take him back to the others. There's no way we can leave him here now."

"What others?" Mordred asked, looking over at her. "There's more of you?"

"Yes," Gwen said, though she didn't offer an explanation for who they were.

"Yes, we must," Bridget said, now smiling. "It is the only way for you to truly understand who you are." Mordred appeared to be thinking it over. He looked over at Gwen, who was obviously frustrated with the turn of events. He then looked at Bridget, who was smiling hopefully.

"And these others… can they tell me more about what's happening to me?" he asked.

"Yes, they can," Bridget said. He looked to the ground a few moments before meeting her eyes.

"Alright. When do we leave?" he asked. Bridget looked over at Gwen and back at him.

"Tomorrow morn, if possible," she said. He nodded.

"I can do that," he said.

"We'll set out around 9," Gwen added. "We have to make a stop on the way back."

"I'll meet you two downstairs at 9, then," he said. He then walked past Bridget and left.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Gwen said. Bridget looked over at her, frowning slightly. The mortal queen was glaring at her. "That is the man who killed my husband."

"I know," Bridget said. "I was there in battle. I tried to stop him."

"You obviously failed," Gwen snapped. Bridget looked to the ground.

"I know… I tried to get there in time… but I was too late," she said, the old guilt rising up again. Even though he was back and it was over a thousand years ago, she still struggled with it. Not only that for Arthur, but the fact that she could not save Mordred as well. Gwen sighed.

"Sorry… I know you tried. As did everyone else," Gwen replied. "It's just… I can't forget what Mordred did." Bridget looked over at her.

"I know," she said. "But… this could be a chance to save him. And I cannot ignore that." Gwen studied her a few moments. "He once had a kind and good heart. I must believe that it's still there. That he is not completely lost to darkness." Gwen sighed heavily.

"I suppose if this is a second chance for one of us, it's a second chance for all of us," she said. "But if this goes bad, I am holding you fully responsible."

"It is no trap. I sensed honesty in his words," Bridget said.

"Very well. Let's get some sleep. We'll stop by one of the other villages on the way back to ask about Trevor," she said. Bridget nodded as she set about to getting ready for bed. She couldn't help as a small smile graced her lips. This was another chance and one that she wasn't going to squander.

Elia moved quickly towards the door when she heard the chime go off, knowing who it would be. The one thing she wondered was how much of his memories he had regained since yesterday.

"Hey, Roger," she said brightly, smiling as she saw him standing on the front step after opening the door. He smiled and held the tupperware out to her.

"Just wanted to return this," he said. Elia accepted it.

"Thanks," she said. She could sense he wanted to say something more as he shifted slightly on his feet. "Is there anything else I could help you with?"

"Ehm, actually, yes. I was wondering… is Leo home? I wanted to ask him something," he said, nervously. "I mean… Clara said that he was in finance, and I've got some questions…" Elia nodded, expecting this though she was sure that he didn't want to ask about finance. She stepped back and motioned him in.

"Sure, he's in the dining room," she said. He stepped in and stopped in the foyer, waiting as she shut the door. Elia then stepped in front of him and led him back. "Roger's here!" she called out as they got nearer. Roger stepped into the room and stopped, his eyes falling on Arthur and Merlin, who were seated at the end of the large table covered in books and scrolls. The color drained from his face as silence reigned. Even Gwaine was quiet. Elia glanced nervously a Roger, er, Lancelot. Even in her thoughts, she wasn't sure what to call him.

"Arthur," he finally said. "And… Merlin?"

Elia's eyes widened as she looked over at Merlin, a smile starting to appear. He had remembered more than she thought. Merlin slowly stood from the table as Lancelot walked around and threw his arms around the smaller man. Merlin started smiling as he met Elia's eyes. Even Gwaine and Percival were grinning as they looked at each other.

Lancelot let go of the warlock and stepped back, looking at him.

"I don't understand any of this, but it is good to see you again," he said. "At least I think so, right?"

"Do you remember everything?" Merlin asked. Lancelot shook his head.

"No, not everything. After I left yesterday, I just had a feeling I knew you. So, I asked Clara for more information," he said. "She couldn't tell me much but… dunno… over the night and morning, it started trickling in…" Merlin grinned.

"There's something we can do to help with that," Merlin said. "We have to wait until tonight to do it." Lancelot just smiled.

"Of course," he said. He then turned to face Arthur, who slowly rose from his chair. The two men stared at each other as everyone tensed around them, wondering what would happen. It hadn't been clear if Lancelot had known about the shade, though a look at the smile on his face made Elia think he probably didn't.

An incredibly long time had passed and so much had happened between the last time they saw each other. And Arthur knew that it wasn't the real Lancelot nor were Gwen's affections towards him real. But they weren't exactly sure how he would react though he knew all this. Arthur then smiled and put his hand out.

"It is good to see you again, Lancelot," he said. Lancelot smiled and accepted his hand as Arthur pulled him in for a hug. Almost immediately, Gwaine was up on his feet, walking over to the newest addition, pulling him into a bear hug as soon as Arthur had let him go.

"He's back!" he shouted as Lancelot laughed. He then turned and started out of the room. "We need alcohol!" Elia rolled her eyes as he walked past her. Not again. Lancelot looked around the room, taking in the new faces - Elia, Elidren, Cameron and Fianna.

"Does he seek alcohol for every occasion?" Elidren asked dryly as he looked back down at the book in front of him.

"That's just Gwaine for you," Elia replied. Lancelot looked over at Merlin, confused.

"You got married?" he asked. "When?" Merlin nodded as he smiled at Elia.

"May I introduce my wife, Elia, queen of the elves," he said grandly. "And these are her kin - her cousin Elidren, and then Fianna and Cameron. We, ah, got married a rather long time ago..." Elidren glanced up at Lancelot and nodded, while Fianna and Cameron gave him warm smiles. Lancelot just blinked as he looked back at Merlin.

"Elves?" he asked.

"Yes, they are real," Merlin said. Elidren snorted.

"Course we are," he replied. Elia just rolled her eyes.

"So… are you…"

"I've been waiting… for over 1,500 years. With Elia. For Arthur's return," Merlin said. Lancelot frowned. "There's a lot we need to fill you in on…"

"But first, wine!" Gwaine proclaimed as he walked back into the room, a bottle in each hand. Merlin just sighed as he smiled.

"You get started with this. I have a potion to prepare," he said, walking out of the room. Elia turned to Lancelot.

"So… you're the famous Lancelot…"

Bridget looked in the rearview mirror, watching Mordred as he stared out of the window at the passing countryside. She then glanced over at Gwen, who was tense as she drove. There had been silence ever since they set out, with Mordred, or Lucas, not bothering to ask questions when they stopped in a town for a few hours to go around speaking to shop owners and such about Trevor. He opted to stay in the car reading. And they had hit another dead end, but at least there were still more on the list.

While Bridget was used to silence, this was unnerving her slightly. She longed to speak with Mordred, but he did not seem to want to say anything just yet. She sighed softly and looked out the window.

"So… we were friends?" Mordred said, finally breaking the silence. Bridget met his eyes in the rearview mirror.

"Yes, we were," she answered. "You were once friends with Gwen as well." She glanced at the queen, who bristled slightly, but didn't say anything.

"And I was a knight?" he asked.

"You were. For King Arthur," Bridget said. Mordred sat up slightly, the realization hitting him.

"Do you mean, the King Arthur?" he asked. "That's who we're going to see?"

"Yes, and Merlin," Bridget replied. Mordred looked over at Gwen.

"You… you're Guinevere, then?" he asked, his eyes widening.

"I am," Gwen said curtly. Mordred was silent a few moments, taking it in.

"Was I friends with him as well?" he asked suddenly. "Arthur? I remember him, though vaguely. And… I think we were friends…"

"You were," Bridget said, seeing Gwen tense out of the corner of her eye. She was waiting for him to bring up something about Morgana or killing Arthur. Or magic. She was incredibly surprised that he had yet to mention anything about that. He was a druid and sorcerer after all.

"How long was I knight?" he asked.

"Not very long," Gwen said. Mordred went quiet.

"Would you like to hear the story of how we met?" Bridget said, locking eyes with Mordred again. He nodded. "I was on my way north to… I was searching for someone. The men you were with, they attempted to catch me, but I got away. And then I ran into you."

"Why was I traveling with them?" Mordred asked.

"I am not sure," Bridget said. "You never told me… They were Saxons catching men to be sold into slavery. But you weren't like that. You wanted to help me. And you protected me from them. I wasn't the only person you helped while you were with the Saxons." She turned in her seat to look back at him, noticing that he was staring down at his hands in his lap.

"Was I a good person?" he asked, glancing up at her.

"You were," she replied. "You were very kind to me… and others." Mordred glanced at her and then looked back out the window. He didn't say anything for a long time, so she turned around to face the front again. She looked over at Gwen, who still had her eyes fixed on the road, seeming to be in deep contemplation. She glanced up at the rearview mirror, watching Mordred a few moments before looking back at the road.

Sighing, Bridget leaned against the window.

This was going to be a long ride.

Elia stood next to Merlin in the dark garden. Everyone was there, eager to have all of Lancelot's memories back. While he remembered a decent amount in such a short time, there were still various holes that he and everyone were eager to fill.

He had spent the afternoon drinking with Gwaine and Percival while Merlin prepared the potion. Elia had spoken with him as well, filling him in on her life with Merlin. They had yet to broach the topic of the prophecy and what happened to Arthur after Lancelot had died. They figured that was best left for until after he had all of his memories.

Merlin stepped up and held out the bottle. Lancelot took it, staring at it a moment before looking up at the warlock.

"Doesn't taste that great but does the trick," Gwaine said from where he stood next to Percival, wine glass in hand. Lancelot took a deep breath and then pulled out the stopper.

"Bottoms up," he said. He held up the bottle in a salute and was about to bring it to his lips.

"Arthur!? Where are you?"

He stopped as the group turned to look towards the open patio door. They waited until Gwen stepped out. Her eyes widened as she saw Lancelot standing there.

"Oh god," she said.

"Gwen," he said, smiling. She continued to stare at him, seemingly frozen.

"You're back," she said finally.

"I am, though… just about to get the rest of my memories," he said, holding up the bottle.

"He was next door," Arthur said. Gwen looked over at him and then walked over to his side. "The neighbor's cousin."

"What luck," she said awkwardly, looking back to Lancelot. Elia looked at Gwen and then back to the door.

"Where's Trevor?" she asked, a smile starting to form as she walked towards it, thinking that he would walk through at any moment.

"Ehm… we didn't find him," she said. "We found someone else." Elia stopped and looked over at her, frowning.

"Who?" she asked. She looked over to the patio door, seeing Bridget appear. There was someone just behind her. The elf stepped out and to the side, looking back to the man. There was a collective gasp as Mordred stepped out and looked around the group. Only Lancelot - having died before Mordred became a knight - was confused rather than tense.

Arthur clenched his fist as a scowl came over his face.

"You brought him here?" he said, his voice low.

"He means no harm," Bridget said, quickly moving to stand in front of Mordred should he need the protection. Arthur looked as though he were ready to kill him with his bare hands.

"I can't believe you brought him here," Gwaine shouted, frowning. He started towards the confused young man, but Percival stopped him, holding him back. Mordred looked at the two and then back at Arthur, confused.

"You're Arthur," he said. "I… I was told that we used to be friends. And… I think I remember you." There was silence in the garden. Elia looked back and forth between Arthur and Mordred, wondering just what was going to happen.

"He only remembers being a knight," Bridget said. The group glanced around at each other, taking the news in. He didn't remember killing Arthur or wanting revenge. "He does not know who he truly is."

"I only came here because I want answers," Mordred said. He glanced at Bridget. "And I was told that you could help me." Elia looked at Merlin, who glanced down at her. She reached over and squeezed his hand. He sighed.

"Bridget, why don't you take him inside to get something to eat. We'll be there in just a moment," he said. Bridget nodded and walked back inside, taking Mordred with her. Once the druid was gone, Merlin let out the breath he had been holding.

"That was unexpected," Merlin said. He looked over at Arthur, who was still scowling at where Mordred had just been standing. He then looked down at Gwen.

"Why would you bring him here?" he asked.

"Because… it was better than leaving him out there. Where Morgana could potentially find him," she said. "He doesn't remember that he's a sorcerer. Or that he killed you."

"And what happens when he finally remembers?" Arthur nearly shouted. "When he tries to kill me again!"

"We don't know that he will," Gwen said. Arthur furrowed his brow.

"What makes you think that?" he asked.

"He seems… he's like he was before all that," she said. "I'll admit, I was against it in the beginning, but… perhaps this is a second chance… a chance to save him from himself. And from Morgana."

Arthur was silent as he looked down at her. He glanced towards the house and then back down at her.

"Do you really think that?" he asked. She shrugged.

"Bridget seems to think so," she said. Arthur took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He looked over at Merlin who just shrugged.

"It's worth a shot," he said. A throat cleared, getting all of their attention. They looked back at Lancelot, who held up a bottle.

"Ehm, I don't mean to interrupt, but…"

Merlin shook his head.

"Right. Okay. One thing at a time… let's get this done and then we can deal with the Mordred problem…"

Finally pushed through with editing and then added another chapter because I felt like I was rushing the ending. Started on the second to last chapter, leaving that and then one more and the epilogue to write. Trying to finish this up so I can focus more on other others I've got going. Realized I wrote myself into a timeline issue with another story, so need to overhaul a few chapters before I can post more of that.

Gaylelbf – Yep! So much coming…

AndreKl – Yep! She could be shooting herself in the foot or not, but that's coming, haha! I actually added more about her in upcoming chapters because I realized that I hadn't really explained her character or motivations or how she's been dealing with everything. And well, I always felt there was more to her than just being the bad guy. But we'll see more soon.

OechsnerC – Haha, yep! There's a lot more coming in the next few chapters.

Thanks for reading and following!