Merlin waited anxiously for Baba Yaga’s arrival. Kellie had given him some parting advise before he left for his meeting. “Bring flowers and compliment her shoes,” she said. Merlin frowned, although he had brought a bouquet of flowers this wasn’t a date, or was it? As he now spotted Baba, he gave the old witch a small smile beckoning her towards the table at the far end of the restaurant.
“Thank you for seeing me,” Baba said kindly.
Merlin smiled, handing her the flowers. Baba seemed genuinely surprised by Merlin’s gift as she pulled up a chair. “It’s no trouble at all,” he said. “By the way, nice shoes.”
Baba raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the simple shoes she now wore under her flowing and conservative dress. “I think you’ve been hanging around the mortal daughter of yours for too long Merlin,” she laughed. Merlin blushed slightly, looking somewhat flummoxed at the awkward meeting the two were now sharing.
“So what do you wish to discuss,” Merlin said quickly, trying to change the subject. Baba sighed as she picked up her menu and began browsing. “Lilith and Circe mostly,” she whispered. “Circe and her kingdom may be safe but Liliths actions have rattled her. The two have been argueing non stop since the peace deal with the Kitsune. It has gotten so bad I told Jack to spend sometime at a friends until these two cool down.”
“I hadn’t realized it had gotten so bad,” Merlin stated.
“It is bad,” she sighed. “We are talking about two immensely powerful beings. If they were to fight we could be dealing with a world ending scenario. Lilith and Circe combined have enough power between them to not only end this world but countless others.”
“All because they fight like children on a playground.” Baba nodded before pausing, Merlin’s statement had given her an idea. “I think you might be onto something,” she said with a smile.
Merlin gave the ancient witch a curious look as she straightened herself. “You are correct they are argueing like children,” she said, “Circe is angry that Lilith would make a move against her, even if it was in another timeline. Lilith is angry because she feels Circe does not respect her and has heard her opinion on her intelligence. The two of them now fight like petulant children. Children that have enough power between them to spdestyo the world.”
“What are you thinking Baba,” Merlin asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Right now their power is immense,” she said. “Their power has grown through the ages, but what if we could decrease that power, if only for a little while.”
Merlin’s eyes went wide as he began to grasp what Baba was proposing. “You can not be serious,” he exclaimed. “Baba that type of magic could be quite dangerous.”
“It would only be until they can settle their differences,” Bab replied defensively. “All I am saying is if they are going to act like children, why not make them children.”
Merlin could only shake his head. Yes what Baba was saying was true. If Circe and Lilith were younger their power would not be as strong as it currently was. Their was a danger though, transforming beings such as them was difficult, Lilith and Circe were nearly immortal beings with limitless power, to decrease that power and physically make the two of them younger would be a Herculean effort. “You do realize how much power that would require right,” he said. “Regressing Circe and Lilith would take much more magical energy than is usually used when giving someone their youth back. Also you understand the risk involved.”
“Yes I know,” Baba frowned. “The spell turning Circe and Lilith into children could also leave me a child as well. But it is a chance I am willing to take. Merlin, I would rather deal with two grumpy 6 year olds with decreased magical powers than two adult witches that could end all of reality.”
“Even if it means you could possibly join them,” Merlin asked raising an eyebrow.
“Well you do have a teenage daughter,” Baba smirked. “I’m sure she would make an excellent babysitter.”
Merlin sighed as he looked at Baba Yaga, taking the ancient witches hand in his own he could only give her a pleading look. “I don’t know about this,” he said sadly. “It is a chaotic spell at best. Baba, this spell could go wrong in so many ways. What if Lilith and Circe return to infancy? What if they forget their adult memories? What if all three of you are trapped as children?”
Baba could only give Merlin a warm smile as she kissed the wizards hand, squeezing tightly. “Its a chance I am willing to take,” she smiled. “I do appreciate your concern though, always had a feeling you still cared about me.”
Merlin could only blush, lowering his eyes as he squeezed Babas hand. The ancient witch seemed determined to keep Lilith and Circe from destroying everything. If Baba was serious about this he would offer her support and hope for the best. Hopefully with his assistance they could find a way to end the rivalry between Circe and Lilith.