�Summerlee!�
�You�re alive!�
Summerlee chuckled. �Yes, indeed I am. It�s so lovely to see you all again.� Hugs and many handshakes were exchanged while Finn was properly introduced to Summerlee.
�Now Summerlee,� Challenger began, �what the devil are you doing here?�
�How did you get here?�
�Why didn�t you let us know where you were?�
Summerlee held up his hands to try to stop them from all talking at once. �I�m sure you all have questions, so why don�t we all get comfortable and I�ll begin.�
They each took a seat while Arthur went to pick up his cup of tea. �Can I get any of you a cup of tea?� When they all politely declined, he walked over and claimed the seat next to Marguerite.
Summerlee took a small sip of his tea and placed the cup in its saucer. �I�m sure you all remember the last time you saw me. I had an arrow protruding from my midsection and took an unfortunate tumble over that cliff.� He paused to take another sip of tea and after seeing their nods, he continued.
�I briefly remembered landing in the river before I lost consciousness. I assume I went over the waterfall, but when I woke up, I was here in this wondrous city. Several of the people had found me and they nursed me back to health.�
�But how did you survive the fall Summerlee?� Malone asked. �When I fell over the edge of the waterfall last year, I never even saw the bottom. Although I did see you in what looked like a greenhouse. How is that possible?�
Summerlee sighed. �While these kind people did save my life, there is a catch. The effects only last as long as I�m in the city. If I were to leave the confines of the city, I would not be able to survive. But I wanted to find a way to let you all know that I was alive so you would not continue to worry about me. Obviously it did not work exactly as I intended it to. I certainly never meant for Malone to follow me over the waterfall.�
Veronica looked confused. �But why wouldn�t you be able to leave? Isn�t my mother here? I�m sure she�d let you leave if you wanted.�
Summerlee nodded his head. �Yes, Abigail would let me leave if she could but it is not possible. I was very near death when I was first brought here and I doubt that even if I were in London that modern medicine could have saved me. All I can say was that it was a miracle just short of magic.�
Challenger scoffed. �Magic? That�s preposterous, there�s no such thing.�
�Challenger, this is not a scientific debate. I�m simply telling you what I know.�
Marguerite saw that even though it had been years since the two friends had actually talked, they were getting ready to debate science like they used late into the nights back at the treehouse. She quickly interrupted. �What did you mean earlier when you said you were expecting us earlier?� Marguerite asked.
�I was wondering when that would come up.� Summerlee smiled and looked over at Challenger. �I assume you brought my namesake with you?�
Challenger looked baffled that Summerlee knew about �Arthur� but nodded. He reached for his bag and pulled it from inside and handed it over to Summerlee. His hand immediately went to the button on the back of the beetle and it opened into the map of the plateau.
Challenger�s jaw dropped. �How did you know to do that, Arthur? I found that depression by accident.�
They had never seen Summerlee grin before, but it seemed to be what he was doing now. It made him look several years younger. �Haven�t you figured it out, George? You didn�t think it was odd that you happened to come across a map that would lead you to Avalon in the form of a beetle that spun a cocoon?�
�What are you saying, Arthur?�
�I made �Arthur� as you call it and sent it to you knowing you would need a way to find Avalon. Of course, it took you a little longer than I expected for you to get here, but no matter.�
Challenger rose to his feet. �Well we would have been here sooner if your confounded contraption�s map was correct. I spent two days recalculating everything after the storm!�
�Oh?� Summerlee raised an eyebrow, �And I suppose that�s my fault?�
�Well it certainly wasn�t mine!�
�Really?� Summerlee placed down his cup of tea. �Interesting.�
�Well, I see you�ve wasted no time at all becoming reacquainted with your friends Arthur.�
Summerlee�s eyes sparkled with good humor as he stood from his seat as all of the heads in the room turned to the sound of the voice.
�Mother!�
Veronica jumped out of her chair and ran to Abigail. They hugged each other tightly as Veronica wept into her mother�s shoulder. �Oh how I�ve missed you dear heart.� Abigail wiped away her own tears as she pulled Veronica off her shoulder. �Come, let me have a look at you.�
Veronica smiled through her teary eyes. Abigail used her thumbs to wipe away Veronica�s tears. �You�ve grown into such a beautiful young woman, Veronica. I�m so proud of you.�
�I just can�t believe it�after so many years, I finally found you!� Veronica laughed tearfully and hugged her mother again. �I have so many questions��
Abigail nodded her head. �I know you do, dear, and I promise I�ll answer all of them. But right now you and your friends need to eat something and get some rest. You will be with me in my bedroom so we can talk as much as you want.� Abigail turned to everyone else who were watching the anticipated reunion with smiles on their faces. �Please follow me, we had a meal prepared when we heard you were nearby.�
Everyone rose from their chairs and started to follow Abigail down the hallway she appeared from. �So,� Finn started, �if you�ve been here this whole time, how come you�ve never contacted Vee?�
�Finn! Don�t be rude.� Marguerite chided.
�What? It�s a simple question.�
�Sometimes, Finn,� Abigail said, �things are not as simple as they seem.� Before anyone could ask her what she meant by her cryptic statement, she turned and again led the way down the hallway.
They were led into a large room that had a long dining table topped with enough food to feed an army. Abigail walked around to the head of the table and stood behind her chair. �Please, sit and eat, I know your journey must have been long and tiring. And while you eat, I�ll tell you a story.�