Well, here's the last part! I can't believe it's over! Thank you to all who have read this! I hope you have enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: IDOM

~MERLIN~

Arthur was furious. He had poured his heart out to a complete stranger, with his men around him, and it had gotten him nowhere. Merlin was still gone and they were still lost in the forest. Nothing good had come from his confession.

But at the same time, he felt different. More at ease, perhaps. More hopeful, though he didn't understand why. He glanced back at his knights and saw they too looked hopeful. They would go to the ends of the earth to find Merlin, they weren't going to stop now. Looking back towards where Evelyn had disappeared, Arthur was surprised to find a silvery path laid at his feet.

"Let's go," Arthur said, beginning to follow the path.

"But, Sire, how do we know where to go?" Leon asked.

Arthur glanced back at his men, and realized that they couldn't see the path. "I know how to find Merlin," Arthur said. His men shared a look, but soon they began following Arthur. Arthur smiled as he followed the silvery path on the floor. I'm coming, Merlin, Arthur thought.

~MERLIN~

For Arthur, the next five hours were spent following a winding silver path through the forest and fending off questions about how he knew where he was going. For the knights, it was spent following a determined king through the forest at random while trying to keep believing that Arthur knew where he was going.

And for Merlin, it was spent learning magic. It was amazing to him how much he could learn, could do. On top of learning how to vaporate, he learned how to manipulate the earth around him for what he needed, he learned how to scry, snickering as he watched Arthur and the knights argue about where they were going and what Arthur was following. He learned how to communicate with the animals, and how to use his animal senses while in human form. He learned how to spot a lie at a glance and how to tell when someone was being truthful. He learned about offensive spells that bound a person's arms and legs together. He learned how to create a powerful protective barrier, and finally, Evelyn taught him how to mask his emotions, magic, and thoughts from others with magic, and how to break through such protections.

Merlin had a hard time with this one, although he blamed it on the fact that he was trying to break through Evelyn's thought barrier.

Merlin focused harder and thoughts flooded his mind. Images of the village, peaceful and quiet. Reading to Florsala, healing a sick child, children laughing in the streets as the parents talked and laughed. Faster and faster the images flowed, until they were almost blurred together. Merlin caught more snatches of happy times, caught his face in a few of the scenes and his friends in a few others. Then he caught snatches of something that made his stomach drop. Buildings on fire, people screaming, and blood soaking into the ground and turning it red.

Merlin gasped and pulled away, breathing heavy.

"I'm sorry," Evelyn said, steadying Merlin as he staggered backwards. "I did not think you would get so far. I did not mean for you to see that."

"What was that?" Merlin breathed.

"The past, and the future." Merlin glanced up, but Evelyn wasn't looking at him, she was staring out at the lake, a sad expression on her face. "It is what I see every day. What I know has happened, what I know is happening, and what I know will come."

"You see all that?" Merlin asked. It seemed impossible anyone could deal with all that and stay sane.

Evelyn turned to Merlin with a sad smile, meeting his eyes. "We all have our burdens to bear," she said. "Yours is of Emrys, the immortal who will unite the kingdoms under a great ruler and allow magic back to the land. This is a great calling, one that no one but you could ever hope to accomplish and one that must but fulfilled for the future to continue. For the land to prosper. More challenges and hardships face you than you have yet to realize, hurtling towards you faster than a blink. The burden you carry is too great for one man, but you carry it well."

"Thanks," Merlin squeaked. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear all that.

"My burden is that of Elian. It is my burden to see the moments in time, every moment in time. This forest, Actynells, is a place outside of time, but you will know this one day."

"I don't understand," Merlin said, and he honestly didn't.

"I know," Evelyn said. "But there is nothing I can do about that. You will understand, one day."

Merlin nodded, he didn't know what else to say.

"Now, Arthur and the others shall be coming soon and I know you promised Florsala another story before you have to go."

"Right, I'd better go find her," Merlin grinned. He knew just what story to tell, that of Arthur and the roundtable.

~MERLIN~

Arthur came to a stop upon seeing the woman standing at the shore of a lake. Her green cloak shimmered in the light reflecting off the water. Arthur looked around, but didn't see Merlin. Didn't see anyone else, in fact.

"Welcome," Evelyn said, not turning towards the knights as they approached her. "I am happy to see you here." Now she did turn to face them. Arthur thought her eyes looked haunted, as though something was bothering her, though he had no idea what.

"Where's Merlin?" Arthur asked. He had wanted to be angry. Had wanted to shout and demand she give up. Instead, he found himself relaxed, unworried. Something told him that everything was going to be okay and he believed it.

"This way," Evelyn said. "I'm glad you finally found the path."

Arthur found himself smiling, which was out of character for him. He tried to turn it to a scowl but failed.

"Me too," he replied at last. The group followed Evelyn away from the lake and soon found themselves in a small village. Curious people peered at them as they walked by, in the various stages of completing different chores. Animals twined around feet and horses whickered a greeting as the knights' horses trotted by.

"There's people here," Gwaine exclaimed, surprised.

"Yes," Evelyn said, smiling. "They came here for protection, so they could live their lives in peace."

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.

"Everyone here has magic," Evelyn said simply.

Arthur stared at the people. If it weren't for the setting, he could have mistaken this scene as one he saw in Camelot everyday.

"It is beautiful," Leon said.

The others nodded, still looking around, wondering.

Laughter brought their heads up and all their eyes fell on the greatest scene any of them had ever seen. Merlin was sitting on a patch of grass, surrounded by children who were all clambering to show him one thing or another, jumping on his laugh and begging him to tell them 'another one.' Merlin laughed, tickling the kids, checking out what they were showing him, and fending off the children as they tried to tickle him back.

Arthur studied his friend, who seemed oblivious to the crowd that had gathered around. Merlin looked good. A true smile spread across his face as he laughed and joked. The dark bags that Arthur recalled having been under his friend's eyes were gone, and his skin shown with a healthy glow, instead of the sickly pale he had become lately. But the best part were his eyes, they shown with their usual sparkle and light and Arthur felt himself grinning at the sight.

"I always knew you were just a big kid," Arthur said.

Merlin jumped, falling backwards and causing the children to burst out in giggles. The knights joined in and soon everyone was laughing.

"I didn't see you there," Merlin stated.

"Obviously," Arthur said with a grin. It felt good to speak with his friend again.

"Is this King Prat?" one little girl asked, looking up at Arthur in fascination.

"King Prat?" Arthur asked, incredulous, turning to glare at Merlin.

"Yep," Merlin grinned. "Everyone, I want you to meet my best friend, Arthur Pendragon."

"Wow," the kids said, staring up at him in awe. Arthur shifted a little uncomfortably under the scrutiny.

"And is the knights of the wontable," a little boy, not more than three, said, pointing at the others.

"That's us," Gwaine said, grinning and squatting next to the children.

"Merlin's told us all bout you," another boy, perhaps seven years old, said.

"Mazing stories," a girl said, glancing at Merlin in adoration.

"Sounds like you've all been very busy," Leon said.

"Yep," the girl who had call Arthur 'King Prat' said proudly.

Arthur met Merlin's eyes and a silent communication passed between them, assuring each other that they were fine. Arthur held out his hand, and Merlin used it to pull himself up. Before Arthur realized what he was doing, he pulled Merlin into a hug. Merlin let out a startled yelp at first, but he relaxed and returned the hug before pulling away.

"What are you wearing?" Arthur asked after getting a good look at the blue robe Merlin had on. It fit him perfectly, and Arthur had to admit the fabric had been extremely soft when he had touched it. Had Arthur seen that on anyone else, he was sure it would have looked ridiculous, but Merlin seemed to wear it well.

"Just something I was given to help keep warm here," Merlin said.

"It looks as if it was made for you," Gwaine pointed out.

"Well, yeah, it was," Merlin said. "Although I think they used magic for it."

He looked at Arthur as he said this, but Arthur just grinned. "It makes you look like a girl."

"Thanks, Sire," Merlin said dryly, and everyone laughed once more.

"Dinner is ready," Evelyn interrupted, walking up to them again. Arthur hadn't been aware of her leaving, but she must have because she was coming back again.

"We really should be getting home," Arthur said.

"Pwease stay," one little girl tugged at Arthur's shirt.

"Pretty peas," another child asked.

Arthur looked to Merlin, who shrugged and grinned. "Okay," Arthur relented.

~MERLIN~

It was pitch black by the time they all had finished eating, and it had been quite a feast, with plenty of roasted meats, succulent fruits, and candied vegetables, and the group felt pleasantly full as they settled onto their bedrolls beside the lake. Evelyn had offered them rooming in the village, but they didn't want to burden any of the families, and had opted to stay out by the lake. Evelyn had smiled as if she had known this was the case.

Arthur settled down in his blankets next to Merlin, and glanced over at his friend. "You sure you're alright?" he asked.

"Arthur, I'm fine," Merlin said.

"You sure?" Gwaine asked, laying on the other side of Merlin.

"Yes," Merlin affirmed. "I had a wonderful time. The people there were wonderful and I learned a lot."

"I think we all did," Tristan said. The other knights murmured their agreement.

Soon they all drifted off to sleep, until only Merlin lay awake, staring up at the stars. After a while he crawled from between his friends, nearly tripped over Elyan, hopped over Percival's large bulk, and came to stand at the edge of the lake, staring out at the water.

"You will see her again," Evelyn said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere to stand next to Merlin.

"Do you know when?" Merlin asked.

"I'm not sure," Evelyn said truthfully. "It could be days, or years. But you will see her again. I promise you."

Merlin nodded. They stood there for a time, just staring out at the water, and Merlin wondered what Evelyn was waiting for. He got his answer as Arthur came to stand beside him.

"I guess I owe you an apology, Lady Evelyn," Arthur said.

"No apology is necessary," Evelyn said. "But it is appreciated. The two of you, you have such hard times ahead. I hope you are prepared."

"Hard times?" Arthur asked.

Evelyn turned towards him, meeting his eyes, and Arthur saw fire and pain and blood in her eyes. He blinked, and it was gone.

"It will seem overwhelming at times," Evelyn said. "But always remember what you have. You will get through it. You must."

Arthur wasn't sure he had heard that last part, or if it had just been implied, but Evelyn had vanished. Arthur looked at Merlin, who met his eyes.

"It's good to have you back," Arthur said as the sun began to break through the trees.

"It's good to be back," Merlin said. They grinned, and turned to look back at the lake, but it was gone. Instead they stood before the great city of Camelot, the rising sun painting it golden in the morning light.

They heard the knights stirring to consciousness behind them.

"How are we here?" Gwaine asked sleepily when he saw where they were.

"I thought we were by the lake?" Elyan asked, confused.

"We were," Leon said, but he too looked confused.

"Evelyn sent us home," Merlin said.

"How?" Arthur asked.

Merlin grinned. "Magic."

"But I didn't feel anything," Arthur said.

Merlin shrugged. He had felt the exact moment they had been transported, but he had let Evelyn's familiar magic slid around his, bending their surrounds to place them where they now were.

Arthur shook his head. He was confused as to how magic like that worked, but he wasn't worried about it. He had his best friend at his side, and his knights to watch his back. He was ready to return to his kingdom and rule it his way, the right way.

"Come on," he said, clambering on his horse, which was saddled and waiting for him. "Let's go home."

Merlin grinned, climbing onto his own horse and kicking it to a gallop. "Race you there!" Merlin called.

~MERLIN~

Gwen was waiting for them when they galloped into the courtyard, and she pulled her husband into a kiss, before breaking away to greet them all, pulling Merlin into a hug of his own.

"I thought you would be gone for longer," Gwen said. "You were only gone for one day, and you didn't even bring anything back."

"One day!" Arthur exclaimed. "We were gone for much longer."

"Merlin!" Merlin grinned as Gauis came hurrying down the steps to pull his ward into a hug.

"Longer?" Gwen asked, confused.

"It's a long story," Merlin said once he had pulled back from Gauis. That's what she meant by being out of time, Merlin thought to himself.

"You could say that," Arthur said, grinning at Merlin. Things seemed to be right with the world again, and Arthur and Merlin knew, that no matter what came their way, they would be ready to stand against it, together.