Man, I am on fire today!
Picture is Merlin rushing to save Rose.
Summary: Merlin saves Rose's life and her kingdom, proving he is indeed a true hero.

     Merlin rushed back to see Rose but by the time he got there, it was too late. She had already died. He began to cry when a sudden thought struck him.
     "Hades will pay for this!"
     He set off for the Underworld.
                            * * * * *
     "WE WERE SO CLOSE!!!" Hades yelled as he starting setting things on fire. "We tripped at the finish line because Rose, our little flower, has to decide to go all noble."
     At that moment, Merlin appeared. "HADES!!"
     Hades chuckled evilly. "Hey, Merlin! How's it goin?"
     "I want her back!"
     "Oh! Would you like to see her?" Hades led Merlin over to a pit. They leaned over to see a river that souls were swimming in. "There she is." Merlin tried to reach inside to grab Rose. Something burned his hands. "Ah ah! Mustn't touch."
    Merlin thought a moment. "You like making deals. How about one between us? My life for hers."
     "Hmm...the eternal soul of my most hated rival trapped forever in a river of death. Deal!" They shook on it. Merlin jumped in the river, missing Hades' words, "Ya know what slipped my mind? You'll be dead before you can reach her! That's not gonna be a problem, is it?!"
     To everyone's surprise, Merlin made it. He grabbed ahold of Rose and came out the river. He wasn't even wet or touched in any way. Magic suddenly flowed from every part of him.
     "No! That's not possible! You can't be alive! You'd have to be an Eternal!"
     Merlin looked at himself and said, "Guess that's what I am now."
     He tossed Hades into the river himself then transported to where Arthur, Rose, and Kilgharrah were waiting for him.
     He returned Rose's spirit into her body. She slowly woke up.
     "Merlin? What're you-?"
     "I had to save you. I promised." He leaned down and kissed her for the second time.
     Suddenly, they were lifted into the air with Kilgharrah and Arthur following behind. They all landed at the gates of Paradise where all the Eternals were waiting.
     There was Greg, tossing flowers in the air. The other Eternals were applauding in the background, smiling and cheering. And at the front of it all was Merlin's parents, Emrys and Regina.
     Regina raced forward and hugged her son. "Merlin! Welcome home!"
     Emrys patted Merlin on the back. "Fine work, my boy! You've done it! You're a true hero!"
     "You were willing to risk your life to save this young woman."
     "The measure of a true hero isn't judged by his strength, magic, mind, or fighting ability. It's based on the measure of his heart." Emrys gestured to the gates which suddenly opened to a view of golden sunlight and beautiful flower-filled meadows. "Now, my son, you can come home."
     Rose turned away from Merlin. "Congratulations, Wonder Boy. You'll make one heck of an Eternal." She started to walk away.
     Merlin saw her leaving and raced to her side. "Thanks for the offer but...I don't want to leave Rose. A life without her isn't one I wish to live. I wish to stay with her. I finally know where I belong."
     Emrys and Regina looked at one another and nodded. "You have our blessing."
                          * * * * *
     Before sending them back to Auradon, Rose sought an audience with Emrys to discuss the unfair situation her kingdom was in.
     Finally, her story came out and it was one that caused all parties to cry.
     Rose was born during the harshest winter in over 200 years. Everyone remarked she'd be a tough girl. For 13 years, Rose knew true happiness. Then, everything went to hell.
     Rose's mother was a beautiful woman and she knew it. On the morning of Rose's 13th birthday, her mother came to get Rose ready for her birthday ball. As she was brushing her daughter's hair, she remarked that Rose was growing so beautiful. Just like her.
     What started as simple praise grew to full-on vanity. Her mother remarked that both of them together outmatched everyone in beauty, even the Eternals. Despite Rose's warning to her mother to be cautious of her words, her mother continued to praise herself and her daughter, all while putting down the Eternals.
     Clearly, Emrys heard her words and decided to punish her. Yet, rather than punishing just the vain queen, he punished all of Auradon to every disaster that ever existed.
     Auradon was plagued with disasters, death, famine, disease, and everything else bad. Eventually, Emrys' fury reached the queen and she died.
     Rather than this be the end of it, though, the trouble raged on. Rose feared it may take her father as well since he was old, weak, and blind. She plead to the Eternals but the disasters continued.
     Finally, she was visited by Hades. He warned he couldn't stop the disasters but he could protect her father from further harm. She made a deal with him.
     She'd been in his servitude for 5 years when she met Merlin. She did as he asked but she had no choice. She needed to keep her father safe and free herself from Hades' rule.  
      Then she fell in love with Merlin and couldn't bring herself to hurt him. Unfortunately, she was his weakness which was what led to this mess.
     Everyone listened to her story and by the end of it, there was not a dry eye in the whole of Paradise.
     Emrys came forward and hugged Rose. "I apologize. I was so angry at your mother, I did not stop to think you and your kingdom had nothing to do with it. I will lift the disasters and reverse the damage I have done. I only hope I can gain your forgiveness."
     "I forgive you."
     Emrys reversed his magic and Rose and Merlin returned to Auradon, amidst cheers and applause.
To be continued...