Meanwhile, Merlin and Ruby had split up back on the Isle. Merlin was still at his flat, trying to make up his mind about something. Ruby had already left to go to Gothel's shop to talk to Elene and get weapons just in case.
    He paced for a few minutes, muttering to himself before Kilgharrah spoke up. "She's good for you, y'know."
    "What?"
    "I assume you will go back to Storybrooke to be with the queen and who could blame you? You are both obviously in love with one another."
   "K, what have I told you about getting inside my head?!"
   "Don't have to, little one. Your face is very expressive for one. And you keep mumbling about her. It's as obvious to me as the fact that sheep are delicious." He licked his lips at those words.
   "I don't think she'll want anything more to do with me now. I hurt her too badly." Merlin felt guilty as he realized just how true those words were. "I told her she wasn't enough for me. And, even after she came back, I pushed her aside as if she didn't matter. I forced her to leave and that's why Mordred was able to take her. Because I didn't protect her." Merlin sat on the stairs, pulling his legs up so he could bury his face in them. "I failed her, Kilgharrah. Why would she want me back?"
    "Trust me, Merlin. Things aren't always how they seem. You may think what you like but the fact is, you two belong together. But that is up to you."
   "When did this become about me?" Merlin said. "I've been selfish my whole life because I always got what I wanted. Now I found something I can't have and--" he paused. "Y'know what? It doesn't matter. Mordred is gonna try to fight me and possibly kill me. I can't stay here anyway and this time, I'm not leaving you here. You're coming back to Storybrooke with me."
   Then, with that, he walked up the stairs to pack his things.
                          * * * * *
   Meanwhile, Ruby had rushed to Gothel's shop to find Elene. "El, I need some help!" She shouted.
   A few minutes later, the two women were rifling through a chest filled to the brim with weapons including swords, daggers, spears, wands, staffs, scythes, bows with quivers full of arrows, and even shruiken!
   "This will do just fine." Ruby said.
                          * * * * *
   Merlin entered his flat with a sigh. He was still confused about his situation but he knew what he had to do now, at least. He couldn't let anything happen to Rose, even if his feelings about her were conflicted and he could not remain here once this was all over.
   From the mirror, his mother said, "So, you've made your choice then?"
   Merlin took a deep breath. "Mom, please, I really don't need to hear about how love is weakness."
   "Merl, I'm worried about you." Regina said, sounding serious for the first time in awhile. "Years ago, I got in a fight with my sister and she almost killed me. If Mordred is anything like her, I'm scared of what he could and probably will do to you."
   "I can't let anything happen to her, mom. Even if our relationship is over, I can't let Rose get hurt because I didn't try. What would you have done if it had been Daniel? If you had the chance to save him, wouldn't you?"
   He half expected his mother to reprimand him for bringing up Daniel like she usually did but, this time, she sighed and he saw tears in her eyes. "I was weak, Merl." She whispered. "And I was so scared of my mother, I couldn't stop her or save him. But...you're different. You're so much stronger than I was and still am. You can save her. And you should."
   Merlin was taken aback. "You...you think I should?"
   "I haven't always been the best mother. Truth be told, I don't know how to love very well. My mom was the same way. But at least she had the excuse of not having a heart..... literally! I...I wanna do better by you. I wanna be a better mother and a better person. If you'd let me."
   "Thank you, mom. And, yea, I'd love that."
   With that, Regina disappeared out of his view and Merlin grabbed his bag as he headed out to see Mordred.
                           * * * * *
   "That was beautiful, my queen." Sydney said from inside the mirror. "Did you mean it?"
    "I've failed so much, Sydney. Maybe if I had been a better mother, Merlin wouldn't be in this mess. If it's not too late, I want to start over and be better now."
   Sydney opened his arms for a hug and, for once, Regina accepted it. "Trust me. It's never too late, my queen."
    With that, Regina looked up at him and did something she never thought she would do:
   She kissed Sydney.
                               * * * * *
   Merlin looked down at the meeting point from his spot on Kilgharrah's back. As he looked down, he knew they were in trouble. The group was using magic. How, he wasn't sure.
   That's when Mordred looked up at him and he swore, a huge evil grin spread over the younger boys face.