"I know that what I have told you today is a lot to take in. I will leave you now to discuss what you have heard. This evening, after dusk, there is to be a feast in your honor in the ballroom. The Avatar people are eager to give you a proper welcome. Appropriate attire has been placed in each of your rooms."

"Wait a minute," Roxton said. "You just told us that a dear friend who has been missing for two years is alive. When can we see Summerlee."

"I was just about to ask Professor Challenger to accompany me on a visit to Professor Summerlee. It would be best if the rest of you would wait until tonight to see him. He will be invited to the feast, provided he is up to attending."

"Why do we have to wait?" Veronica asked, eager to see her friend.

Abby explained, "It is a difficult situation. You see, Professor Summerlee knows nothing about this quest, or even where he is. After we nursed him back to health, we put him in the cottage, with all of the comforts of home. We have stayed away since then, except to restock his supplies while he sleeps. The only visitors he has had are the Avatar children. They go to his cottage almost every day, and he teaches them about the plants and flowers in the gardens around his home. They do not know much of why he is here, and they are instructed not to tell him what little they do know. But, we needn't have worried. The Professor seems content with his situation, never questioning anything. I think he is just grateful to be alive."

"But why keep this from him?" Ned asked.

"We felt that this would be a great shock for him. And we were not even sure that the quest would happen at all. We thought it was best to wait until you were here. Then, he could be told by someone close to him. It will ease the shock."

Challenger finally spoke. "And that's what you want me to do—to explain to Summerlee that he is to be the next King Arthur."

"Are you up to the task, Professor?" Abby asked.

Challenger paused for a moment. "It seems as though there is no choice. It is Summerlee's destiny and therefore he must know about it. And you're correct—it should come from someone that he trusts."

"Then it's settled. Please follow me, Professor. I hope that I will see the rest of you at the feast tonight." Challenger followed Abby, who paused briefly behind Veronica to squeeze her shoulder reassuringly, then continued out of the palace.

The rest of the group sat in silence for awhile, each trying to put their thoughts together. Finally, Roxton decided to break the silence. "Well, Finn," he said to the youngest of the group, "it looks like you'll finally be able to meet Summerlee."

"I know!" Finn replied. "I've heard so much about him that I feel like I know him already."

"I can't believe he's really alive," Veronica said, wistfully.

"And we'll see him again tonight," Malone reminded.

The three of them continued to go on about Summerlee, with Malone and Veronica recounting stories, many of which Finn had heard numerous times before. Roxton, however, was concerned about the heiress. He reached over and brushed his hand over hers. "You ok?" he whispered.

Marguerite managed a small smile, but it faded fast. "I think so. I'm just a little shocked, that's all. I feel like I'm not myself. Like I'm this...this Morgaine. It's as if my entire life has been a lie."

Roxton squeezed her hand. "Now you know that's not true. I'm no expert on reincarnation, but I don't think it means that Morgaine is actually somewhere inside of you, forcing you to do things. You may have been reincarnated from Morgaine's soul, but you're the one in control—you're the one who gets to decide what to do in this lifetime. Your life has been and always will be your own."

Tears welled up in Marguerite's eyes—something that used to be a rare occasion, but had recently happened much more frequently than Marguerite would have liked. She was starting to get used to feeling. . . well, just feeling in general. But, she wasn't comfortable enough yet to let everyone see her during her weak moments. The only person that she could bear to see her cry was Roxton. It wasn't that she didn't trust the others, or that she was afraid of what they would think of her. But, there was just something so comforting and so special about having Roxton be the only person she completely bared her soul to. . . a soul that she had just learned was not completely her own. As if he could read her mind, Roxton rose, and pulled Marguerite up with him. He caught Ned's eye and nodded towards the stairs as he put his hand on the small of Marguerite's back, gently leading her out of the room.

Ned nodded back, indicating his understanding. He had noticed Marguerite's demeanor, and figured it was a good idea for Roxton to get her away from the crowd. She needed time to adjust to what she had just learned . . . what they had all learned about themselves and their journey. Actually, he had thought about taking Veronica away to talk alone for awhile, even though she wasn't in the kind of shock that Marguerite was. But, he had decided against it because he didn't want to leave Finn alone. There would be plenty of time to talk to Veronica later. In the meantime, he was intrigued by the plans for the evening—the feast in the ballroom. The Avitars were a fighting clan. Ever the journalist, he was very interested to see what kind of celebratory customs they have.

Challenger followed Abigail to the gate of the small cottage.

"Here we are, Professor Challenger."

"I have to admit I'm a little concerned about this. Summerlee is no spring chicken. Do you think his heart will be able to take the shock that he's about to receive?"

"I think Summerlee is open to believing just about anything now. He's not the same skeptic that he was when he left on the journey to the Amazon. Not only has he seen the Lost World and many of its secrets, but he survived a fall that he knows should have killed him. He knows something happened to him on his journey here. It's time for him to learn what that was—and what's in store for him."

"I suppose you're right," Challenger replied. "And I'd better get started. There's a lot to tell, and very little time if we want him to attend the feast tonight." Challenger knocked on the wooden door. They heard movement in the cottage, and moments later, Challenger found himself face to face with Arthur Summerlee for the first time in two years. Summerlee looked the same as he did on the day he went missing—perhaps he even looked a little younger.

"George?" Summerlee asked hopefully.

Challenger, overcome with emotion, managed to answer, "Yes, Arthur, it's me."

That was all Summerlee needed to hear, and the two friends embraced.

"I never thought I'd see any of the Challenger Expedition again," Summerlee said, as he pulled away to look at Challenger.

"We didn't think we'd see you again either. Not after that fall you took."

"Not that I'm not happy to see you," Summerlee began, "but how in the world did you get here?"

"That's what we're here to explain, among other things," Challenger answered.

"The others. . .how are they?" Summerlee asked.

"Everyone's just fine. They're not far from here, and they're hoping to see you tonight—if you're up to it. But first, we have much to talk about. I would like to introduce you to someone. Arthur Summerlee, this is Abigail Layton."

"Veronica's mother," Summerlee stated, a little amazed.

"Yes," Abby replied, taking his hand.

"Then she was right. Her parents are alive."

Challenger saw the pain that crossed over Abby's face, and felt the need to explain so that she would not have to. "Actually, Tom Layton was killed when Veronica was still a little girl, but she suppressed the memory. That's one of the things that we need to explain."

"I'm so sorry," Summerlee said to Abby.

"It's all right," Abby replied. "He will always be alive in my heart."

Summerlee realized that they were still standing in his doorway. "I'm so sorry. Where are my manners? Do come in."

Abby and Challenger settled onto a sofa and chair in Summerlee's sitting room, and Summerlee soon followed, bringing tea and cakes. The three spent the afternoon talking. Challenger began by telling Summerlee about everything that had happened since he left—about Finn, Ned's journey, and Veronica's recovered memories. Abigail joined into the storytelling as they recounted the events of the last few weeks. Then, Challenger let Abigail take over as she explained to Summerlee what had happened to him after he arrived in Avalon. Finally, they told Summerlee about the purpose of the journey, and his role in it.

"There must be some mistake," Summerlee said. "I'm not King Arthur."

"No," Abby said, "you're not King Arthur. But you are the one who is destined to wear his crown. And you are the one who is destined to rule Avalon. I know it sounds like some sort of legend or fairy tale, but if you search deep down, you'll know it's true—you'll feel it. It is a part of you. This is your destiny."

Later that evening, as dusk approached, the members of the Challenger Expedition were preparing for the feast. Challenger had returned from Summerlee's cottage, and Roxton had calmed Marguerite's fears.

Finally, Challenger, Malone, and Roxton, clad in suits, stood in the lavish hallway, waiting for the ladies to come out so that they could escort them downstairs. They could hear the hustle and bustle of the guests gathering below. It sounded like it was going to be quite a celebration. Roxton and Malone resisted the urge to ask Challenger what had happened with Summerlee. They knew it had been an emotional afternoon for Challenger, but the gleam in his eyes told them that their old friend had taken the news well, and would be joining them this evening.

The ladies had all gathered in Veronica's room to finish dressing. Marguerite had taken charge of the process, since neither Finn nor Veronica was accustomed to dressing for such occasions.

Finn was the first to emerge. She was wearing a simple, pale blue off-the-shoulder dress. Her hair was styled just as it always was, but somehow looked softer with a very thin crown of flowers on top of it. The men could hardly believe that this was the rebellious fighter that they knew. She looked like a lovely young debutante who was about to attend her first ball. Finn blushed as the compliments flew around. Then, Challenger took her arm, and descended the stairs to the ballroom.

Marguerite was next, dressed in a lavish deep purple dress with a fitted bodice and full skirt, and long black gloves. Her hair was pulled away from her face, with dark curls spilling down her back. She was gorgeous as always, but Roxton had another word in mind—majestic. She looked like royalty. Like she could be the wife of a nobleman. Roxton liked that thought. He leaned in to kiss her cheek, whispered sweetly into her ear, and escorted her downstairs.

Ned was left alone in the hall, waiting in anticipation for Veronica to emerge. In the meantime, Veronica was nervously taking a last glance in the mirror, wondering what her mother's people would think of her. A fleeting thought went through her mind—that these could be her people someday if she didn't succeed in this quest. But she pushed that thought out of her mind. "We're going to succeed in this," she said to herself. "I'm going to make sure of it—not only for Ned and me, but for all of these people—for the sake of this Plateau."

When she opened the door, she took Ned's breath away. She was wearing a beautiful, flowing mauve dress with a matching scarf, and her blonde tresses were swept up off of her neck. "You look stunning," Ned said. And, sensing her apprehension, he added, "They're going to love you." Veronica smiled at him, and they followed the others downstairs.