I'm sorry some of you were upset about Lupin, Elyan, and Mr. Weasley but that's just the way the cookie crumbled this time. Tonks and Fred lived though. Give me some credit for that? (hopeful smile) Even if it doesn't, thanks for reviewing all the same! :D I appreciate the feedback.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

25: Coming Home

The jubilation of victory had lasted for most of the day but now it was replaced with a reverent and grieving silence. The grounds were littered with the survivors of the battle, hundreds of witches and wizards gathered to pay their respects for the dead. Nearly two hundred people had been killed not including the fifty magical creatures that had been slain on both sides. Speeches had already been given by both Kingsley Shacklebolt and Arthur. Besides the graves of Dobby and Goggle (which Harry and Merlin had dug by hand earlier in the day) Merlin had volunteered himself to be the one to magically bury the dead around Dumbledore's tomb – now rebuilt from the damage it had sustained when Xenophilius Lovegood had been forced to break into it to steal the Elder Wand for Voldemort. With a wave of his hand, the warlock caused the coffins to descend into the ground as tombstones replaced them, each engraved with the name of the deceased they now guarded.

The crowd soon began to disperse. Those who had personally lost loved ones found their graves and continued in their own lamentations. Harry could be seen standing beside Dumbledore's grave though his eyes were gazing at the tombstone next to it: the one belonging to Severus Snape. A ways off the Weasleys were huddled around the resting place of the head of their family. Mrs. Weasley was sobbing uncontrollably into the arms of her second eldest son, Charlie, while the rest of her children clung to each other. Mr. Weasley had died protecting Ginny from a killing curse conjured by Bellatrix. It was after that that Molly had taken up the fight, ending the witch for good.

Merlin's saddened eyes witnessed the sorrow as he stood next to Arthur. The king had his hand clasped in his wife's while the knights stood beside them, all reflecting on their own loss. It had been decided that Elyan would not be buried here but in the past. Guinevere had been adamant that he be given the proper send off for a knight of Camelot. His body now lay in a coffin inside the castle, hidden away in the now restored Room of Requirement; Merlin had fixed it shortly after Harry had confessed to him of its demise. Morgana also lay there, placed under a spell that would keep her unconscious until they returned home.

Leaving Arthur's side, Merlin wandered over to Harry, who still hadn't moved from beside Dumbledore and Snape's tombs. He acknowledged Merlin after the warlock stopped at his side. "So many…" he whispered.

"Don't allow yourself to believe their deaths are on your hands, Harry," Merlin advised, holding his shoulder. "They fought for what they believed in."

"I know," Harry sighed, a stray tear escaping his cheek. "Dumbledore left me the Resurrection Stone. He hid it in the snitch he left to me in his will. I used it. I saw my parents, Merlin. I saw Sirius. I also saw Remus. He told me to look after his son, that it was an honor to die in the hopes of building a better future. I only hope I can help the future he envisioned come to pass. There are still Death Eaters out there. Voldemort may be gone but evil never sleeps. There is much to be done."

"And you will be able to face any obstacle that is placed before you," Merlin praised. "You are a great wizard, Harry. You will go on to accomplish many things."

Harry looked at him with a frown. "Why do I get the feeling that you're saying goodbye?"

Merlin smiled. "My time here is nearly done. I was tasked to help you defeat the Dark Lord and I have done so."

"But you can't leave!" Harry protested. "We need you here!"

Merlin shook his head. "No you don't. Camelot needs me. Arthur needs me. In the time I am from, he has just barely managed to restore magic to the land. We still have to unite the kingdoms and bring about the Golden Age of Albion. I must return to fulfill my destiny, Harry. But don't worry, you have plenty of people here who are willing to help you."

"When are you leaving?" he asked, dejected.

"There is one last thing I am supposed to do before I leave. Shortly after you left for the Forbidden Forest, a message was delivered to me. I was instructed to gather the Deathly Hallows and bring them to the Isle of the Blessed."

Harry blinked. "But… that would mean…"

"That you have to give me your father's invisibility cloak," Merlin finished, nodding.

Harry bit his lip. "Will I get it back?"

Merlin's heart clenched. He knew the importance of an object owned by one's father. Back in Camelot, he still had the sword his father used all those years ago when trying to protect him from a neighboring kingdom's patrol. It was one of his most prized possessions.

"I don't know if you will," he regretfully admitted. "The Deathly Hallows are articles of Old magic, Harry. They were never meant to be created. I may even be returning them to the Isle so they can be destroyed."

Harry stared. "But, the Invisibility Cloak and the Resurrection Stone aren't really evil. Only the Elder Wand is. If any of them have to be destroyed, it should be the wand not the other two."

"They're a set," Merlin sighed. "If one is to be destroyed, the other two must as well. I'm sorry, Harry. I really don't want to take away one of the only things you have left of your father but I'm afraid I have to."

Harry looked torn but after a shaky breath, his shoulders slumped in defeat. "The Hallows are powerful," he mumbled, "too powerful. You can take it, Merlin. If anyone else had asked me, I would have told them no. I trust you though. I know you won't use any of the Hallows for evil."

"Thank you, Harry. That means a lot."

"But, there's one problem," the young wizard muttered with a deep frown. "I dropped the Resurrection Stone somewhere in the Forbidden Forest. I don't know where it is anymore."

"I think I can find it," said Merlin confidently. "It is a piece of Old magic. I should be able to hone in on where it is without much difficulty."

Harry's eyes dropped down to the Elder Wand which he now held in his hand. "I was going to ask you to put it back in Dumbledore's tomb but if you need it." He held it out to Merlin.

Merlin shook his head. "Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to come to the Isle with me, Harry. As Master of the Hallows, I don't see a reason why you shouldn't be the one to bring them."

"You want me to come?" Harry wondered, stunned.

"Of course," Merlin smiled. "Unless you don't want to."

"No, I'd love that," Harry grinned.

"Good. We'll leave after I find the stone. Until then, rest a while."

"Do you want help finding it?"

"No, I'll manage. You go and be with Ginny. She looks like she could use a hug at the moment."

Harry's green eyes latched on to the mentioned redhead. Ginny's face was pink, her eyes puffy from crying. She stood a little away from the rest of her family but her gaze was directed at her father's grave the same as the others. Merlin gave Harry a little nudge and the boy immediately went off to comfort her. Merlin smiled before glancing at Tonks who was currently kneeling by the grave of her husband. Taking a deep breath, he made his way over to her.

"Merlin," the woman mumbled, wiping her eyes, "I didn't see you there."

Merlin knelt down beside her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace. "I'm sorry," he said.

"He died right next to me," Tonks gasped, her tears soaking into Merlin's jacket. "I saw the light leave his eyes and by the time I held him in my arms… he was already gone."

Merlin's hold on the woman tightened and he stroked her hair. Tears of his own stung his eyes as he mentally relived Freya dying in his embrace. Tonks had suffered similarly. Merlin pulled away from her only after Tonks's grip slackened.

"I too had to watch as the love of my life died in my arms," he confessed.

Tonks gasped. "Oh, Merlin, I'm so sorry."

Merlin took her hand. "Let me share my story with you. It may help knowing that I can relate to you in a way others may not be able to."

Tonks swallowed painfully, wiping her eyes. "I'd like that."

And so Merlin shared his tale of a young druid girl cursed as a bastet and a warlock who loved her for who she was instead of what she had become. Tonks was a good listener and by the time Merlin was done the woman had wrapped her arms around his shoulders and was openly crying into them again.

"You understand," she said. "You understand."

"I do," Merlin thickly replied. "Remus was a great man and I am glad that he found someone to love him unconditionally. Though your time together was short and was amidst the hardship of a war, I firmly believe that the time he spent with you was the best he had since the days of his youth. You brought love back into his life, Tonks, and I know the love you possess will be used to honorably raise your son to be a man just as great as his father."

A smile, the first the witch had displayed all day, climbed Tonks' cheeks all the way to her eyes. Her hair even changed from its dark gray to a light shade of pink. "Thank you, Merlin." Standing up, she held out her hand and helped pull him to his feet. "You gave me the words I needed to hear."

Merlin smiled before embracing her again. "I'm glad I could help."

Tonks smiled at him one last time before glancing down at her husband's grave. With a sad smile, she waved her wand. An image of a werewolf carved its way onto the tombstone just under Remus's name along with the words: "Love will restore and unite us forever." With one last look, Tonks smiled and walked away, her hair changing to an even more vibrant shade of pink with a hint of a bounce. It would take her heart a long time to fully heal but at least the process had started.

Merlin crouched down and touched the dirt over Remus's resting place. "Sleep well, my friend," he whispered. "Know that when the time comes, you will be united with her forever in Avalon."

Straightening, the warlock walked back over to where the knights and Guinevere were gathered. The king smiled at him. "Are you ready to go back to Camelot now?"

Merlin smiled but shook his head. "Not just yet. I still have to take the Deathly Hallows to the Isle of the Blessed, remember?"

"Right," Arthur muttered, "that's what Freya wanted you to do."

"I have to go into the Forbidden Forest. Harry dropped the Resurrection Stone somewhere in there and we need it before we can go to the Isle."

"Wait, since when did Harry have the Stone? And why did he drop it in the forest of all places?" Arthur wondered, confused.

As the group left the tombstones, Merlin explained how Dumbledore had left it to Harry in his will as well as the brief mentioning of seeing his deceased loved ones. "Archimedes and I felt the power of the Old Religion flow shortly before I passed out and received the message from Freya. I think that was when Harry used the Stone. I didn't know it at the time but what I was feeling was the spirits of his loved ones as they temporarily left Avalon to speak to him."

At this point they had entered the forest. Merlin produced a light to help guide them as the trees became too thick for the sun to reach the forest floor.

"What does this stone look like?" Gwaine asked as he nearly tripped over a hidden root. He grabbed Percival's arm to steady himself.

"I'm not entirely sure," Merlin confessed. "I've never seen it before."

"How can we manage to find something we've never seen?" Arthur asked, slightly annoyed.

"I should be able to recognize it," Merlin muttered, his eyes wandering across several roots, twigs, leaves, and rocks. "It's got to be around here somewhere…"

Arthur smacked Merlin upside the head. "Merlin!"

"Ouch! What was that for?" the warlock demanded, rubbing the smart.

"You don't even know what it looks like let alone if you'll be able to find it?!" the king voiced, frustrated. "We could be searching these woods for hours!"

"Not to mention the weather looks like it's going to take a turn for the worst," Leon muttered. "I noticed the clouds gathering before we entered. Though snow hasn't begun to fall, the chill in the air is sure to bring some soon."

Merlin frowned. "I can warm us up should the need arise. Voldemort and his followers wouldn't have retreated very far into the woods so we don't have to worry about Harry dropping the stone miles into the forest. It's got to be near the edge but far enough in that nobody would have been able to see him any longer."

"This could take hours," Arthur grumbled.

Merlin opened his mouth to insult the prat when someone cleared their throat from the branches over their heads. "Looking for this?" Archimedes asked, flying down and dropping the Stone.

Merlin deftly caught it, his mouth hanging open. "How –?"

Archimedes shrugged, looking rather smug. "I was hunting when I felt its presence calling out to me. When I picked it up I guessed what it was. Why the boy would drop it in the middle of the forest is beyond me. I was about to fly back to the castle when I heard the ruckus you all were making."

"Are you sure you didn't just pick up a random rock?" Arthur teased.

"I know Old magic when I see it, idiot king," Archimedes huffed, his feathers fluffing up. "It wasn't too hard to find. Though I imagine that if we left you to look for it, it would take years if not centuries."

"Oh, peace, both of you!" Guinevere reprimanded before Arthur could retort. "We have the Stone – thank you very much for finding it, Archimedes – and now we should focus on taking it and the other Hallows to the Isle."

"At least someone here is sensible," Archimedes muttered while Arthur scowled.

"Enough, Archimedes," Merlin chided, "Gwen is right. The sooner we get the Hallows to the Isle, the soon we can return to Camelot."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Gwaine called out cheerfully, already in the process of heading out of the woods. "I think I'm ready to go home. The battle was a good work out but I miss the taverns and the bandit-interrupting patrols of our daily lives."

"Taverns are only part of your daily life, Gwaine," said Percival.

"Yes but I think that all of us deserve to go to the tavern to celebrate when we get back," Gwaine continued. "After all, finding and bringing Merlin home was the task we set out to accomplish and I'm sure he's going to want to celebrate coming home with a nice large tankard of mead!"

Everyone knew that Merlin's idea of celebration rarely involved drinking so it came as a surprise when the warlock grinned and said, "You can have all the mead you'd like Gwaine. As for me, I'll take some firewhiskey."

Gwaine stared at him a moment before bursting into deep laughter. The others soon joined in as they made their way out of the woods.

The sun was setting in a slightly cloudy sky as a procession slowly made their way towards civilization. The Isle of the Blessed, though untouched even in the future, now stood surrounded by hills dotted with cottages and a paved road. Merlin had made sure to transport his company in the woods about a mile away from the Isle. Besides Arthur, Guinevere, an unconscious Morgana, and the Knights, the Order of the Phoenix, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione had decided to join them. Archimedes and Hedwig also tagged along. The decision had been a hard one for Harry but eventually he consented for his owl to go with Archimedes into the past.

The main reason Merlin had chosen to appear a mile away from the Isle instead of at the edge of the woods was so he could say goodbye to Aithusa and Altiore. The two dragons were already waiting in the clearing for them, Merlin having decided the place to meet before he and the others had left Hogwarts.

Merlin left the gathered group, stepping up to the dragons and looking upon them with a sad smile. "I know I'm going to see both of you again in the past but there's still a part of me that feels I am abandoning you."

"Nonsense Merlin," Aithusa gently chided. "The Old Religion has everything planned out. Trust in it and know that we are in good hands."

Merlin gave her a warm hug. "I'll miss this older version of you, Aithusa."

Aithusa chuckled. "Take care of yourself, Merlin."

"I will," he promised. "Goodbye Altiore. Look after your mother for me?"

"With my life, Emrys," the younger dragon promised.

Merlin smiled. "I look forward to hatching you."

"It will be a memorable experience," Aithusa grinned. "Now go on, you mustn't delay."

Merlin took one last look at both of them before waving and turning back to where the others stood waiting. Arthur smirked at him.

"You're not about to start crying like a girl, are you?"

"Not at all," Merlin responded, proud that his face was dry, "Come on, we've got a ways to go before we reach the Isle."

If any noticed the large group emerging from the trees, none commented on the oddity; backpacker groups sometimes liked to dot around the lake after all since it was a nice place to rest one's legs.

"This place," Hermione whispered as she looked over the lake. "Can you feel it?"

"Yeah," Ron answered, his hand securely in hers. "What is it?"

"That is the power of the Old Religion, Ron," Merlin answered. "This is one of the two places left in the modern age that thrives with it still. The other is the birthplace of magic, the Crystal Cave."

"Well, we didn't come all this way just to stand around and admire the scenery," said Arthur. "How do we reach the Isle?"

"Patience, Your Royal Pratness," Merlin grinned, "we'll get there by boat." He pointed to several boats that had somehow magically appeared at the water's edge. Old ferrymen stood near each one, their hands outstretching as the group approached.

"Um, what do they want?" Harry asked.

"You can't expect them to haul all of us to the Isle without pay, do you?" Merlin grinned, stepping forward and pulling several solid gold coins from his pocket. After distributing the money, everyone got in and secured themselves.

The ride to the lake's center was eerie, the magic in the air so thick you could practically breathe it in. Merlin's skin was tingling with anticipation. He was unsure of what was to come but he had a feeling that it was important. Swallowing the lump that had suddenly grown in his throat, Merlin hopped out of the boat once they reached the Isle. The second his feet touched on the solid ground he felt his magic sing within his veins. Though they possessed the New magic, the witches and wizards in the company also felt the connection and small gasps followed by smiles climbed each of their faces.

"What's with the goofy grins?" Gwaine asked as he grunted under the strain of lifting Elyan's coffin from the boat he and Leon were in. The former shrugged as Percival, who had been carrying the unconscious Morgana, set her down to help them with their burden.

"It's the feel of this place," Kingsley answered. "It's as if the magic I possess is singing in contentment."

Merlin nodded when Arthur sent him a quizzical brow. "Think of it as every time you return to Camelot, Arthur. For us with magic, this is like being embraced by all the love you feel when the people cheer your return."

Satisfied with that explanation, Arthur allowed Merlin to lead the way up the grassy slope towards the crumbled tower. None were prepared for the being sitting in the middle of the altar of stone. Clad in a white robe, her skin as pale as the surface of the moon with blue eyes that twinkled like the stars in the sky, was a woman. Her blonde hair trailed loose down her back, coiling around her side, the ends just barely brushing against the surface of the grass. Her gaze was fixed on Merlin who, transfixed, walked away from the others before kneeling at her feet.

The woman smiled down at him, slipping off the altar with such grace that those observing nearly wanted to cry. "Emrys, rise."

Merlin did so but kept his eyes averted. Arthur had never seen the man so subservient. It would have struck him as wrong if he hadn't suspected that this woman was someone of high importance in the magical world.

The woman raised Merlin's chin with one delicate finger and the warlock's gaze met hers. "Such sadness," she whispered, "but it is combated with the bonds of loyalty, sacrifice, and companionship. I am pleased with what you have become, my Emrys."

"The message you sent through Freya," said Merlin, "I've done as you asked. But what do you want with them? Surely the Triple Goddess doesn't need the power of the Deathly Hallows."

"The Triple Goddess?!" Guinevere gasped somewhere behind him. "She's the Triple Goddess?"

The woman glanced over at the gathered men and women before turning her attention back to Merlin. "I do not desire their power, Emrys. I am merely here to right a grave mistake."

There was suddenly a burst of wind as well as an angry screech as the Cailleach appeared beside the Triple Goddess, her form bound by white glowing cords.

"What is going on?" Merlin asked.

"The Cailleach has abused the power given to her, creating objects she was never meant to and placing them in the hands of men. The Deathly Hallows are an extension of the Cailleach, created because she became corrupted by greed. The rights and privilege of the Cailleach are to welcome the dead and be the Gatekeeper to the World of Spirits. The powers given to the Cailleach are not meant to gather the dead before their time," the Triple Goddess explained, her eyes burning with anger as she turned to the Gatekeeper. "The moment you produced them, you sealed your doom, and now it is time for your replacement to take up the mantle that was once yours."

Merlin's eyebrows furrowed. "Replacement? What do you mean?"

"You cannot replace me!" the Cailleach interrupted before the Goddess could answer. "I am immortal!"

"Under my power and privilege," the Goddess reminded before turning to Merlin. "Yes, Emrys, her replacement. I have been waiting many years for this moment. I allowed the Hallows to remain for I knew the part they would play in young Harry Potter's destiny, but now the magic they possess is to be returned and placed upon the new Gatekeeper."

"And who have you decided should hold that title?" Merlin asked, terrified of what the answer would be. His brain flitted through every person present, horrified that one of them was about to be chosen to embrace immortality and watch over Death's Gate.

The Goddess smiled. "He has been by your side for many years, Emrys, a companion in your solitude and a friend when all hope seemed lost."

Merlin's eyes began to widen, realization dawning.

There was a flutter of wings as Archimedes landed on the altar between Merlin and the Goddess, leaving his previous perch which had been Harry's shoulder.

"No!" Merlin cried. "You can't!"

"Merlin," Archimedes called, "this is how things are meant to be."

A lump formed in Merlin's throat as his eyes began to water. "But… you were supposed to stay with me."

The owl looked upon his owner with fondness. "My time of being at your side is over. We both know that place has always truly been meant for the Once and Future King. You gave me magic because you missed him."

"And I allowed it because the power transferred from you to him changed him into a creature of Old Magic, enabling him to eventually become the Gatekeeper," the Goddess revealed.

Merlin's chest heaved as he looked at his owl. "Did you know? Did you know that this would happen?"

Archimedes shook his head. "I didn't until we set foot on the Isle but I confess that I've been feeling drawn towards the Hallows since they were all brought to Hogwarts."

Merlin let out a quiet sob as he pulled the owl into his chest, holding him tightly in his arms. "I don't know if I can let you go," he whispered. "You've been my friend for so long."

"And I will always be your friend, Merlin," Archimedes reminded, wrapping his wings around the man's torso. "But you and I both know that our connection has been drifting since that idiot king appeared a few months ago."

Merlin wished he could deny it but Archimedes spoke the truth. Since Arthur appeared in the forest the night of Dumbledore's death, his relationship with his owl had changed. He loved Archimedes just as much but he had stopped seeking him when in need of support and companionship. He'd naturally gravitated to Arthur's side. Arthur was the other side of his coin, after all, not Archimedes.

Merlin pulled the bird away so he could look down at him. "I'm going to miss you," he confessed.

"I expect I'll see you again," the bird seemed to smile though his eyes looked mysteriously wet. "If I'm really going to become immortal instead of staying alive through your magic then I'm bound to run into you again someday."

During their exchange, the others had come closer. As Merlin set Archimedes down on the altar, Arthur couldn't help but insult the bird one last time. "It hasn't been a pleasure, fickle feathers. But I'm grateful for the companionship you brought to Merlin in my absence."

Archimedes ruffled his feathers but he playfully returned, "I'm leaving him in your care, Arthur Pendragon – which terrifies me given what an ignorant cabbage head you are."

Arthur smiled before rubbing the bird's head. "Take care of yourself, Archimedes."

"What about Hedwig?" Hermione voiced and everyone looked to the snowy owl who appeared to be quite sad. "She was going to stay with him."

Merlin glanced at the Goddess before hesitantly asking, "Could you do something about that?"

The Goddess raised a questioning brow before turning to Archimedes. "Would you like a companion? You would hold all the power of the Cailleach but I could grant her immortality as well. She has been a wonderful companion for the Chosen One after all. She's earned the reward."

The goddess's willingness to comply was quite surprising to Merlin but Archimedes took it in stride. He looked at Hedwig and tilted his head a little. "What do you want?"

The snowy owl looked upon him, her amber eyes unflinching, before she nibbled Harry's ear and hooted softly to him. The young wizard smiled at her, tears forming in his eyes. He removed her from his shoulder, hugging her tight. "Go on then," he muttered. Hedwig nuzzled him affectionately before leaving his arms, flying over to join Archimedes.

"That settles that," the Goddess smiled. "Harry Potter, please place the Deathly Hallows on the altar."

Jumping a little at being addressed by a goddess, Harry pulled out the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand from one pocket before retrieving the Invisibility Cloak from the other. He set down all three as instructed, his hand holding onto the Cloak a moment longer than the other two. With a sigh, he stepped back.

"Hedwig, you can remain with the Chosen One until the ritual is complete," said the Triple Goddess before turning to Archimedes. Hedwig flew back onto Harry's shoulder. "Please stand amidst the Hallows, young one."

Merlin motioned for the others to step back several paces before rubbing his owl's head one last time. Archimedes nipped his finger affectionately before walking over to where the Hallows lay. Merlin nodded to the Triple Goddess before backing away to stand at Arthur's side. Next to the altar, the Cailleach squirmed, her sad eyes full of rage. She silently screamed but it appeared as if the Triple Goddess had taken her voice.

"Fear not, little one," the Triple Goddess whispered as she lifted her hands towards Archimedes.

The owl stood proud. A sudden white light began to emit from the Hallows which shivered for a moment before dissolving into pure balls of energy. The three balls then flew up into the air, spiraling around each other. Next to the altar, the Cailleach thrashed uncontrollably as the white cords binding her tightened further and further until the woman exploded in a burst of blue light. The particles then drew together as if being sucked in by a black hole until a fourth ball of light appeared. Unlike those of the Hallows, this bundle of raw energy was blue and even from this distance Merlin could feel that the bitterness the Cailleach seemed to always carry had been wiped away, leaving behind nothing but pure power.

The blue ball shot up and intertwined itself with the three other balls, all four now dancing around each other, spinning faster and faster with each passing movement. And then the balls were gone, replaced with a pillar of energy that flew downward, slamming seconds later into Archimedes. Several cried out as all shielded their faces, the blinding white and blue light too much for them to take with their natural eyes. And then the flash was gone, raw magic tingling in the air, and Merlin lowered his arm.

Sitting on the altar, clad in a brown tattered cloak with a crooked wooden staff lying across his lap, was a young man. His brown hair was short, his frame skinny, and his nose sharp like a beak. His eyes, the deepest color of amber, blinked a couple times as Merlin stared. He'd recognize those eyes anywhere.

"Archimedes?" he gasped.

The young man looked over at him, tilting his head a little. "All those times you threatened to turn me into a human, Merlin… I guess you finally got your wish to see what I look like."

A huge grin lit up Merlin's face as the now human Archimedes slowly pushed himself off the altar, clearly unstable in his new form.

"It will take some time for you to get used to the changes," the Triple Goddess smiled, "but I must say you have a handsome soul. I'm sure your companion feels the same."

Everyone turned only to find that Hedwig was no longer on Harry's shoulder. Instead a young woman with flowing white hair and yellow eyes stood beside him, her body clothed in a white dress speckled with hints of black on the sleeves and neckline.

"Hedwig?" Harry gasped, his mouth touching the floor.

The woman's sharp features studied him a moment before she folded her arms. "Really, Harry, there's no need to appear dumbfounded," she said in a tone that was similar to Professor McGonagall.

"Oh, Hedwig, you look wonderful," Hermione commented.

Hedwig smiled. "Thank you, Hermione."

Kingsley rubbed his face tiredly. "Owls turning into humans… now I've seen it all…"

"You and me both," Leon muttered next to him.

Hedwig caught Archimedes eye and blushed a little. He was staring at her with his mouth practically on the ground.

Arthur chuckled. "Are you planning on gawking at her from now on?"

Archimedes gathered himself, sending Arthur a glare. "Shut up, Arthur!"

Arthur continued to smirk while Merlin chuckled, clapping Archimedes on the shoulder. "You look good," he complimented.

"Thank you, Merlin," Archimedes muttered, his cheeks flushing a bit.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I have immense power flowing through my veins," he answered honestly.

"That is because you do, little one," the Triple Goddess interrupted. "I'm afraid your time in the land of the living is at an end. You must go to the gate, my Gatekeeper."

Archimedes nodded solemnly, picking up his staff. "Being human feels weird," he muttered so only Merlin could hear.

The warlock smiled, "You'll get used to it."

"Indeed," Archimedes sighed. He studied Merlin for a moment and a curious light seemed to brighten his eyes. "Hmmm… interesting…" he whispered.

"What?" Merlin prompted, confused by the man's scrutiny.

Archimedes opened his mouth to reply but the Triple Goddess took his shoulder and shook her head. Something seemed to pass between them and Archimedes nodded before turning back to Merlin and grinning. "Take care of yourself, Merlin. Our paths will cross again."

"I should hope so," Merlin replied, silently disappointed that he wasn't going to learn whatever it was Archimedes was about to tell him.

The owl-turned-man surprised him by offering one last hug before stepping away. Hedwig took a moment to hug Harry as well.

"Bye Hedwig," Harry muttered, rubbing his eyes. "You were the first friend I had in the magical world. I'll never forget you."

"Nor I you, Harry," she smiled, her own tears filling her eyes. She then turned to Ginny. "Take care of him for me."

Ginny nodded, surprised but determined by the request. "I will," she promised.

Hedwig then left the gathered group to wander over to Archimedes. He took her hand and with one last look at Merlin, both of them started walking east, their bodies disappearing until they faded away from sight.

"Goodbye, old friend," Merlin whispered.

The Triple Goddess looked at him. "Emrys, the Old Religion now calls you home."

"Are you going to send us there?" Arthur asked, stepping forward slightly.

"In a way, yes," the Goddess answered. "Emrys, before he died Severus Snape gave you a device he'd created under the former Cailleach's guidance."

Merlin reached into his pocket and pulled the object out. "We're going to use it to return home?"

The goddess nodded. "I will be the one to send you back using its power. After you have returned to your time, I will destroy it."

"But that's a time turner!" Kingsley protested. "There's hardly any left in existence and they're really hard to make."

"You are mistaken, wizard," said the goddess. "It is not a time turner but a Time Summoner. It pulls people from different times to whichever time it currently dwells. Manipulating time is not something to be taken lightly and this object is too powerful to remain in the realm of men. After I send Emrys and his companions back to their own time, I will remove it from the world."

Nobody felt the need to argue and even if they did they weren't stupid enough to argue with a deity. The Triple Goddess motioned for Merlin, Arthur, Guinevere, and the knights to come forward. Gathering Elyan's coffin in their hands, Gwaine and Leon followed after Merlin, the king, and the queen, each heading to where the goddess stood waiting by the altar. Percival heaved Morgana into his arms, joining them as well. The Triple Goddess spared the High Priestess a look of sorrow, sadly shaking her head but refusing to speak her thoughts. Instead she looked to Merlin.

"Are you ready to return home?" she asked.

Merlin shared a glance with Arthur before turning to face the Order of the Phoenix and the Golden Trio. All of them silently watched with slightly tear-filled eyes. Merlin smiled at them, his gaze lingering on the latter three who returned the gesture. Harry nodded to him, the words stuck in his throat spoken through his eyes. Merlin opened a brief mind link.

"Thank you, Harry. Because of you, I can go home. I will never forget you."

The young wizard blinked a moment before his smile widened further. "Nor I you. Thank you, Merlin, for everything."

Merlin looked into the eyes of the Triple Goddess. "I'm ready."

The goddess nodded, gently taking the Time Summoner from the warlock. "Each of you take hold of Emrys."

Merlin felt his friends rest their hands on his shoulders and forearms. His heart began to race as the deity turned the dials on the side of the Time Summoner. Flipping the object slowly once, the goddess softly spoke the words of the Old Religion, her voice like the gentle soothing of a mother to her child.

"Cume eft to Camelot," she whispered.

A shockwave of warmth spread from Merlin's head all the way down to his toes like he was being bathed in sunshine. Closing his eyes, he let out a sigh as his feet lifted from the ground upon which he stood, the others traveling with him in the golden light that called them home.

A moment later Merlin's feet touched ground. Unlike all the other times when his friends traveled by magic, none were weak or losing the contents of their stomachs. Blinking around, Arthur was the first to recognize where they were.

"This is..."

"Merlin!"

The warlock barely had time to register that they were in the courtyard inside the citadel of Camelot before an old man was embracing him; an old man he'd never thought he'd ever get to see again.

"Gaius?" Merlin gasped, pulling away to see the face of his beloved mentor.

"Merlin, where on earth have all of you been? It's nearly been a week that you've been gone!"

A week. One week. He'd only been missing from the past for seven days?!

Merlin couldn't help it; he started to laugh and cry at the same time. Tightening his hold, he buried his face into Gaius's shoulder, laughing and crying, his body shaking from the pent up emotions he'd carried on his shoulders for centuries.

Gaius, though bewildered, patted his ward lovingly while sending his famous eyebrow towards the king.

Arthur stepped forward and pried Merlin from the man's body but instead of reprimanding him for acting like a girl, the king observed his Court Sorcerer with brotherly affection. "Welcome home, Merlin," he grinned.

Merlin's smile was wider than it had ever been. Wiping his eyes, he looked around at the familiar citadel with it's white stone and red banners. His heart swelled within his breast. Finally his eyes rested on that of his friend, his brother, his king. Clasping Arthur's shoulders, Merlin couldn't help but laugh. He was back where he belonged.

"Thank you, Arthur. It's good to be home."

This story has been such so much fun to write and I'm really grateful to all of you who have reviewed, favorited, and followed it. I hope to see you all back for the sequel! It will be posted soon. But for now, please enjoy the epilogue. It sets the tone for what's to come next! :)

leave a review, if you'd be so kind! :D

Triple Goddess's spell: Come again to Camelot