As soon as Merlin had gotten back to his room at the guest palace, he began pacing anxiously, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.
   Why was everything so difficult for him?! He thought that he was supposed to be living happily ever after but it didn't feel like it.
   He looked down at the ring Rose had given him and knew what he had to do. There was nothing left for him here. He had to leave. Taking off the ring, he placed it on the bed.
   Quickly, he packed his things into a suitcase, pulled on a cloak, and rushed to the gate. Pulling out his spellbook, he chanted a spell and ran across the gate until he reached the other side.
   He pulled his hood over his head and began walking down the streets. The Isle looked a lot more sinister than he remembered but that might just be because he had gotten used to the light, bustling streets of Storybrooke which looked like a small town in some parts and like a garden in others. The Isle just looked like a ghetto city, full of alleyways covered in graffiti.
   Luckily, no one bothered Merlin as he made his way to his flat which was on one side of the city. He rushed up the stairs and pulled out a skeleton key that his mother had given him years ago. Fitting it in the lock, he opened the door and walked into the building.
   It was just as he'd left it.
   The flat wasn't much, just like a sort of sorry looking tree house. It had a living room which was really just a room with a couch, table, and a TV that mostly played static. The kitchen wasn't much better, just an old fridge and scuffed up cabinets. There wasn't even a bedroom or bathroom in the place.
   He looked over at the four walls where he had spray painted several pictures of people he loved. His favorite was on the far wall: a picture of him and his friends standing together, hugging.
   Merlin found himself saddened by the memory.
   Quickly, he tossed his suitcase onto the couch and turned over his bag onto the table. His mother's mirror fell out but he ignored it as he went to the kitchen to find something to eat.
   He heard his mother's voice from the living room, laughing. "Hahaha! I was right, wasn't I?"
   Merlin walked back over to the table and grabbed the mirror, glaring at his mother. "What are you talking about?" He asked, annoyed.
   "Love is weakness, Merlin. And there's nothing that will change that. You see...I knew eventually she'd get tired of you. Please! What you had.... that's just puppy love! An act of rebellion because your parents were against it."
   "Is that what Daniel was?" Merlin asked, annoyed. Regina's face hardened. "Let's just accept we both lost someone we love. But don't you dare say I had this coming, mother!"
   He shoved the mirror back into his bag.
   In the mirror, Regina growled. "He's right, y'know?" Sydney said.
   "What is that supposed to mean?" Regina asked Sydney, angrily.
   "Love is a funny thing. It can be a weakness but that doesn't mean it isn't worth having. Merlin will find Rose again because what they have is like what Snow and Charming had. And you, my queen, don't you owe it to yourself to find love again?"
   Regina was silent after that, thinking.
                           * * * * *
   Merlin got bored lying around his flat and decided to go see someone he missed terribly. Quickly, he made his way over to another part of the city where a lone shop rested, nestled in an alleyway.
   The sign on the door said "Gothel's Lost Treasure's Antique Shop". A large golden flower was painted on the sign and covered the red door.
   Rolling his eyes at the sign, Merlin pushed open the door. It creaked when it opened but he didn't even wince.
   "Hello? Elene? Mother Gothel?" He shouted as he entered.
   All of a sudden, a girl came running out the back with a broom in hand, swinging it and yelling, "Who dares enter the shop without knocking?" That's when she noticed who was standing in her doorway. "Merlin!"
   With that, she ran into his arms. Merlin smiled at the girl. Last time he'd seen her, she'd still looked like a young girl. Now she was a young lady with long dark hair dressed in red.
   He chuckled. "I missed you too, Elene."
   She broke the hug. "What are you doing back here? Ooh! Did you come to start scouting for more of us to take to Storybrooke cuz, if you did, I'm totally available!"
   She was practically jumping and Merlin couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. "Oh. No. I just...was feeling a little homesick so I'm here to visit."
   Elene deflated a bit before brightening again. "Oh! Well that's ok! You came at a good time too because we've got a major problem that only you can solve."
   "What's happened? Anything to do with the welcome wagon I got coming in here?"
   "Sort of."
   Before Elene could elaborate, they were interrupted as the door opened and a familiar figure entered. He'd recognize that leather trenchcoat and hook anywhere.
   "Talia, what are you doing here?"
   "Well look what lil fishy I caught on my hook!" Talia answered, waving her hook around like a ridiculous lunatic.
   Talia was the daughter of Captain Hook and she looked up to her father as if he was a god or something. She wanted to be just like him but didn't have the guts to cut off her hand so she just bought a hook and held it in her left hand. She was one of eight children the pirate had had with multiple women and his only daughter, making her the favorite. She had an on-again-off-again relationship with Merlin's cousin and was the second in his crew, as she lovingly referred to as he was the captain and she the first mate.
    "You look like an idiot." Merlin replied bluntly.
   Talia shrugged, a smile on her face. "That so?" She turned to Elene. "Cough it up, small fry."
    Elene reluctantly handed Talia something but Merlin caught her hand. She was handing over her share of the money she made from the store!
   "That doesn't belong to you, fish bait! Go jump off a plank!"
    "Fine. The little imp can keep it if it's so important! Mommy dearest will be so proud!" She turned and started back toward the door before adding, "Oh! And, by the way, your cousin says hi!"
   Then she left.
   Merlin turned his attention to Elene who looked embarrassed. "Elene, what's going on?"
   "Well after you and the other VKs left, things changed. Once your mom left to get the wand, the Wicked Witch showed up. She took over her castle and Mordred took over your crew. We've had to make precautions. That's why I have to pay them."
   "Why doesn't your mother do anything?"
   "She's friends with Zelena. She won't do anything to protect me."
   "Well I'm gonna stop this! This is disgraceful!" As Merlin walked out the shop, he caught glimpses of shadows down the street. "He shouted in their direction, "Go tell baby cousin Mordred that I'm back and he's picked a fight with the wrong sorcerer!"
   With that, they disappeared...into thin air.