A little over four months had passed and everything went back to the way it was in the months prior. Merlin had noticed quite a bit of maturity in Arthur. Physically and emotionally. He was smarter, more confident, less gawky, and certainly less scrawny. He had turned thirteen and was now almost the same age as Hazel. 'Hazel' he thought. He just couldn't get the name off his mind. Nor how broken she looked when she left. He sat in the large throne as if it were a lounge chair as he held the red necklace he had forgotten to give back to her. That and a lot of other things he didn't get to say cause he was too embarrassed. Well, that was over and done with and there was only one thing anybody could do: Move on. But he wouldn't.

"Say my boy," Merlin said as he entered the large room. "What's with your long faces for the last few months?"

"Huh? Oh…nothing I guess." he lied quite poorly.

"Oh come now, you can't lie to me. You can tell me."

"It's nothing, I'm just a bit tired." he assured.

"You miss your little girl squirrel, don't you?"

"I wouldn't exactly put it that way." the boy muttered. It was embarrassing but true.

"All in all you miss her don't you?"

"Yeah," he said very quietly. "I thought for once I wouldn't have to go through life alone. I thought I would have somebody to face the unknown with me, but I guess not." Kinda ironic. He had been so irritated with Hazel following him around all the time, now he kinda wanted her back.

"Face the unknown you say? Well, I'm not much of a philosopher but the unknown is something everybody fears of going through alone. Now, you know uh as they say: It is unknown to fear the natural but it is natural to fear the unknown."

"Huh?"

"Was I not clear on that?"

"Oh no you were. I was just a bit confused."

"I see," he said plainly. "Well I know what will cheer you up 110%."

"What?"

"This," Merlin said as he handed the boy a scroll. "It's a little something I got you as a late thirteenth birthday present. Read it." And he did so.

Dear King Arthur, it is Astella. Gwenny was crowned a few days after we returned. And I'll let you know that nearly everyone is overjoyed about Cameron's end. However Gwenny herself said that he was not best for Pictland, and neither is she…yet. I can see the sadness and loneliness in her face everyday. She really misses England, and you most of all. She loves you..do you know that? Which is why your friend Merlin and I have decided (with Onyx's approval of course) to send her back to England to be educated with you, until she has come of age. Onyx and I will take charge of the kingdom until the time has come.

Thank you, Astella

Arthur lowered the letter.

"I don't get it," he said, completely oblivious for the minute until it hit him. "Hang on….you really mean it?" the boy asked, his heart pounding more and more by the second.

"I don't think I've been more serious," he said as he walked towards the door and pushed it open to reveal none other than the redheaded Duchess herself. "Happy thirteenth."

"Hazel?" Arthur asked as he looked at the short little figure. She was wearing a mustard yellow tunic, very similar if not identical to his red one, just mitch-matched colors, as well a golden tiara aligned with diamonds and encrusted with ruby flower crystals. It fell over her eyes, much like his did although not as much. Around her neck was the Eye of Leodegrance, fastened on a royal red ribbon. All her splints and bandages were gone and it looked like she could walk again. But what stood out the most was that she was smiling.

"Last time I checked that was my name." she answered.

'Mission Accomplished' Merlin thought as he saw them run and hug each other. His pet owl flew in and landed on his shoulder.

"Must we really spectate this?" he said, quite disgusted. "Maybe we should actually. I don't think leaving them alone is a good idea. But can't we go forward in time or something?"

"I already did last weak."

"Oh yes, another thing I meant to ask you: Where did you go and what were you doing then?"

"About fifteen years from now."

"Why?"

"It's a little hard to explain but let's just say these two won't have to worry about anybody who's name starts with an L and ends in an ancelot."

"I don't get it," They continued to spectate the two children for a while. "Are they done yet? It's only been two months. They act as if its been two years!"

"Well Archimedes, it's like I always say: Love is the greatest force on earth."

When the golden hour had arrived, Arthur and Hazel sat on a cliff side, watching the sun fall into the ocean. The sight was breathtaking to behold. As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, the sky transformed into a stunning array of shades of red, yellow, orange and pink - from soft pastel tones to vibrant hues. The clouds took on a delicate pink color, forming a backdrop for the sun's fiery orange and yellow rays that reflect on the water, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Anybody who wasn't able to witness it was truly unlucky. It was undoubtedly the most beautiful scene they had witnessed all year.

Hazel…" Arthur squeaked as he looked behind them, where the sword from the stone and they Eye of Leodegrance rested in the grass behind them.

"Yeah?" the girl responded, still looking at the golden hour sky.

"Be honest with me…did you want to come back? I mean…you didn't have to stay here because of me." Hazel sighed and then slowly turned to face him.

"What makes you think that?"

"Well…it's just…that place is where you were born. It's your home. Your family is there."

"Yeah, my family is there, but you're here."

"I know but..people aren't always the kindest around here. I should know. They made fun of me quite a bit."

"Everybody can make fun of you Arthur," she said. "And everybody will. But the way that I look at it... great people are always the first to be made fun of or doubted because they're making a change by not trying to be like everybody else. And if anybody ever doubts you, the greatest thing you can do is prove them wrong."

"But what if I can't?"

"You only can't if you say you can't. Believe me."

"How do you always manage to just erase worries from your mind? I wish I could do that."

"I think it has something to do with where you are, especially if you're looking at the sun or listening to the wind. If you look closely and just block out the rest of the world and forget the dream of life's dreaded worries, you can see the secrets of life..and wonders beyond imagination."

"I see," he said as he said as he looked at the sun like he'd never seen it before. "But nobody really likes anybody who's…..different or…puny. Like me." he said slowly as he shed a teeny tear. Hazel instinctively leaned over and hugged his shoulders.

"Arthur I was a squirrel before this. I'm different. And I like you." He smiled.

"I know Hazel. I like you too," he said as he leaned his head on top of hers and hugged her back. "I was too scared and embarrassed to say it at first, but when you had that concussion I thought you were gone. I guess you have to almost lose someone to realize how much you love them. And you also have to lose hope before you know you have it. Even though you can't see it, you can still believe in it. Like I said. It's just like magic."

"Like you said: Sometimes we just have to believe in something. Sometimes we just have to believe in magic."

When dusk arrived, Merlin walked outside with a candle in his hand, searching for the two children. He found them both lying against a tree, asleep as the warm summer air served as a blanket for them both. Hazel was cuddled into Arthur's side, hugging his middle much like how she had done when she was a squirrel and discovered he was a human. While Arthur was leaning against a tree, in a similar position. Merlin smiled as the girl's fluffy main of hair blew around the boy's neck, as if it were keeping him warm. However they seemed to be keeping each other warm.

In front of them was Arthur's sword and entwined on its handle, was Hazel's Eye of Leodegrance stone necklace. The Sword and the Stone. They were two special artifacts, belonging to two special children who were very special to each other. It warmed his heart to see them together, knowing the long life they would share together. Through childhood, adolescents and adult hood. The many highs and few lows they would have. However, that is the definition of coming times. The future was another place for another time.

Merlin turned to leave, until he heard something from behind him and turned back around.

"Merlin," the faint voice of Arthur squeaked. His eyes were closed, but he appeared to be smiling. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight lad." Merlin responded as he blew out the candle and began to walk away. However he continuously turned back to look at them calmly cuddling with each other. They had stayed like that all afternoon and they would be like that when they woke up in the morning.

THE END

AN: Ok, I am sooooo sorry this one took so long to make (I started in January now it's April) and that the chapter itself is pretty long…..all of them were and I'm sorry for that. But anyways I hope you liked this story and please add a review if you can, they are much appreciated. Thank you. :)