Finding the cure seemed nearly impossible. It had gotten to the point that Gaius had read every book on aging in the library, but they still didn't have an answer.

When they finally got an answer, no one had expected it to come from where it did. It was inconceivable.

To keep Gwaine away from Merlin, Arthur had given Gwaine the job to help Gaius. Arthur then spent some quality time with his manservant, but that's not the point.

Knowing of Gwaine's reputation, Gaius told him to grab a random book and just read. This was mainly to keep him out of the way. Somehow Gaius felt like he was babysitting. Which he probably was.

Gaius nearly scoffed when he saw the book Gwaine grabbed. 'Magical myths'. Neither had any idea how that could help, but neither cared.

Luckily for both of them, Gwaine fell asleep shortly after he began reading, leaving Gaius to his research. That was what he did. Gaius read for hours.

Someone rushed into the library, startling Gwaine awake, and just shocking Gaius with shouts. The boy shouted that he needed Gaius to come for a medical emergency.

Stumbling out, Gaius left Gwaine awake and aware.

Gwaine being Gwaine, he didn't want to read. Nor did he want to be bored. So it was the option of being bored, or reading. In the end he picked reading.

There were sections on selkies, werewolves, and centaurs. Krakens, talking lions, and flying brooms. This was one of the more interesting books he'd read. Perhaps he'd read more books like this to get away from Arthur, and help Gaius 'research'.

After a while, Gwaine got to the last section. The title was 'Nicholas Flamel'. This one spoke of a stone. The philosopher's stone to be exact. There were mentions of It turning other substances to gold. It also spoke of the man who achieved immortality through it. Apparently he was rumoured to still be alive to this day.

This interested Gwaine and all, but there was a certain point that he grew tired of reading. He didn't know how those people loved reading (I know this is probably all of us:) ), because he couldn't last ten minutes without a headache. So Gwaine lay his book on the one that Gaius had previously been reading, and left to find ale, or apples. One of the two. Perhaps both.

.......

"But this may be the way to restore Merlin to his former age!" The first voice reasoned.

A second voice spoke up, "you know the laws. We can't seek help from a sorcerer! The kingdom would be outraged if they found out!"

"Then don't let them find out!" The first voice again. "Its truly that simple! Do you wish Merlin to stay this much younger than us? Missing crucial years of his life?"

"No Gaius, of course that's not what I want, but there must be another way. Nicholas Flammel hates the Pendragons!"

"Not that I know of! You'll have to deal with it! For Merlin's sake. The boy has been through too much as it is!"

A deep sigh came, anf then there were footsteps from the side of the door with the voices. Merlin scurried away to avoid being caught.

.......

Merlin had been left in the dark for too long. Not yet entering his clumsy stage, Merlin could run swiftly, and quietly. So he'd began to find things out for himself.

They'd taken away his only distraction. Gwaine. Now his thoughts were left to wander, and this seemed more and more like a trick to keep him here. A trap, in otherwords. The only one he truly trusted was his mother. With her no longer in the picture, Merlin didn't know what to do.

Knowing how dangerous traps could be, he wanted to get out and find this Nicholas Flammel himself. First he had to find out more information about him, while watching to make sure nothing suspicious was going on.

At the same time, his mother had spoken of Gaius a couple times, and it seemed safe so far. Maybe staying would be what his mother recommended? There was no asking at this point.

Merlin knew it hadn't fully hit him yet. Earlier he'd had a breakdown in his cave about being in the situation he was in. The idea that his mother was dead definitely added to the breakdown, but he didn't believe it yet. Perhaps it was best like this. Then he could focus on escaping without sadness clouding his judgement.

So for now his plan was to gain information, and figure out what he wanted to do.

......

Two weeks later.

"Sire! Merlin's missing!" Gwaine shouted at Arthur.

......

Merlin found Nicholas Flammel with the information he gained from eavesdropping. He'd found him, and he agreed to turn him back to his actual age. There wasn't a guarantee that he would regain his memory, but there was a large chance.

In the end, Merlin decided he'd take the chance. Nicholas had told him that if he didn't regain his memory, he'd turn him back to thirteen and take care of him. That is if he wanted of course. Merlin would become the alchemist's apprentice if he chose that path.

Waiting for the boiling hot potion to cool, Merlin had so many questions, hopes, and fears. What if this didn't work? What would life be like with Flammel? If the Arthur guy was truly his old boss, then would he be missed?

His questions were interrupted by Nicholas' presence returning through the door. Then more footsteps followed.

.....

It had taken Arthur, Gwaine, Leon, Percival, and Elyan a full month to find Merlin. Somehow the idiot had heard about where Nicholas was located, and left to find him himself.

So now, outside Nicholas's house now, Arthur hesitated remembering the history between him and the Pendragons. Then he remembered why he was here, and forced himself to knock.
Thud, thud, thud.

Then they waited. It felt like a long time. When it opened, a man that seemed to be around forty stood there.

"Hello," the man spoke in a friendly tone before asking, "who are you?"

Gwaine stepped forward. "Well I'm Gwaine, this is Leon, Elyan, over there with the muscles is Percival, and golden hair over there is Arthur. We're looking for a friend. Merlin? Ever met him?"

The man nodded. "I have, yes. Why are you looking for him?"

"We like to look after the poor fella, he's been through a lot, and he's in a bit of a predicament. If you're Nicholas Flammel, you probably know because we thought he was coming to you for help. Are you Nicholas Flammel?" Gwaine asked.

"Indeed. Come in," Nicholas welcomed them in. "Sit down. I wish to ask you some things before I tell you anything else."

The group listened. They were all wearing peasants clothing. They had decided that it would be easiest to speak with him, without the Pendragon influence.

Flammel sat in a spot where he could see everyone. "Who here is closest to the boy?"

"That would be Arthur. He seriously needs the boy to survive. When he's older he works for Arthur, and the two have the weirdest relationship I've ever seen." That was Gwaine saying the first thing that came to his mind again. Which as usual, was not necessarily thought through.

"Oh? Sounds unique. So Arthur. It sounds like you two are close. What's your relationship like?"

"Umm..." Arthur sounded quite unsure of himself. "I've never actually been asked this question, nor have I thought about it... but I guess we tend to tease each other a lot, and he's usually right about everything." He looked down. "I know I have a tendency to not appreciate him enough, but I always remember when he leaves, how important he is to me."

Nicholas nodded with a smile. "And what do you hope to achieve by coming here?"

"Well I think that's fairly obvious, we-" Gwaine started before he was interrupted by Nicholas.

"No not you, the Pendragon."

They were all astounded. "You know I'm a Pendragon?" Arthur asked sounding shocked.

"Yes. I'm not an idiot. Pendragons all share common facial traits, and you exhibit them all. I used to be quite good friends with your family line. That's until your father came along of course."

"May I ask what happened?" Leon asked politely.

Nicholas nodded. Then placed his hands together on his lap. "Uther began to hunt all people with magic. He considered Alchemy magic. So he began hunting me. I predicted this and tried to reason with him. Unfortunately it didn't work." He sighed deeply. Before springing back to his usual wise demeanour. "Now back to the question. What do you hope to achieve in coming here Arthur Pendragon?"

Fiddling with his fingers, Arthur spoke, "we hope to take our friend home. Go back to how things were."

"And what if he doesn't want to go home?" Nicholas asked.

The group was dumbfounded. They hadn't thought of such an option.

Nicholas continued, "there's a possibility that he won't remember when I give him the aging potion I'm going to give him in a couple minutes. I've given him the option to stay with me I he doesn't remember. So what will you do if he wants to stay here with me?"

Looking at each other, they each didn't have an answer.

"Well?"

In the end it was Percival who spoke up. "Well then I guess if thats what he wanted. He's a young man. He should start making decisions for himself, so we'd give him the option of coming home."

Nicholas seemed extremely calm and uncaring compared to the rest of the group. Perhaps that was an effect of living so long. "That's the smart action. Give him the option. I'll let one of you go in while Merlin takes the potion, but after he takes it, it's his option on what he wants. Respect the young man's choice. It reassures them when they feel lost." After looking at all the people sitting around, he asked, "so who will come in?"

The whole group looked at Arthur.

"Well it's settled young Pendragon." Nicholas exclaimed. "You're coming. Follow me."

.......

"Whys he here?" Merlin asked the second he saw Arthur.

"He was worried about you," Nicholas responded.

Merlin scrunched up his eyebrows. "But I thought you didn't like his family?"

"Oh I do, just not his father. Haven't decided about him yet though." Walking around fiddling with a couple things, Nicholas came back with a cup and dipped it in the cauldron. "Ready?"

Seeming shocked, his facial expression showed his panic. His fear, and uncertainty showed on his face. Merlin looked around wildly, before saying, "no. I don't want to take the potion. I'll stay as your apprentice."

"As you wish. I'll lead the Pendragon out."

......

Today marked the one year anniversary of Merlin not taking the potion.

Arthur cried more on this one year anniversary than the day that marked his father being dead for a year. Somehow it was worse that Merlin was lost, yet still alive.

After another half an hour of crying, and Arthur forced himself to stop. Then he went to training.

That day, he was being particularly harsh on George. Deja vu struck when he started throwing knives at a moving target with his servant behind it.

When George fell, someone stepped on the shield.

"You've had your fun my friend."

Arthur's voice cracked "Merlin?"

.