Chapter 2: The Test Of Direction

Regina placed the book in front of the heroes before placing her finger over the handwriting,

"These notes were written by Merlin's apprentice….. We find her then we're one step closer to freeing him" she explained but Hook looked confused,

"I thought the old man from Storybrooke was Merlin's apprentice" he pointed out causing Regina to look at him unimpressed,

"Yes well I think it's safe to assume that he had another because Arthur referred to this apprentice as a 'she' guyliner" she said with firm sarcasm causing him to raise his hand and hook in defence.


Mary Margret rocked Baby Neal in her arms gently,

"Onto the more important matter. How do we find this apprentice?" she asked and Regina smiled,

"By using a locater potion of cause" she said simply but Mary Margret looked confused,

"But we don't have an item that belonged to her" she pointed out but Regina's bright smile didn't fade as she held up a small vile of transparent liquid,

"We have her handwriting" she said mischievously,

"Which fortunately for us is written in squid ink….. Which will enable me… to do this" she said picking up the book before blowing on the writing causing in to lift from the pages and form into an inky cloud and Regina quickly uncorked the vile before pouring the contents over the cloud and it began to shimmer as it floated left and then right as if deciding the appropriate direction before finally moving slowly towards the tower door and the heroes smiled brightly. Regina opened the tower door, allowing the cloud to begin its decent down the stairs,

"Let's go find that apprentice" she whispered.


They followed the cloud through the vast forest that bordered Camelot. They had been riding for at least half a day when Regina sighed with impatience,

"If we don't find this apprentice very soon then I'm going to use ink thinner on that bloody cloud!" she said firmly hopping her threat would make the cloud go faster but unfortunately it didn't have the ability to hear her. Charming held up his hand making them pause in their tracks,

"Should the cloud be doing that?" he asked concerned and they all looked to find that the cloud had completely stopped and was beginning to swirl and they all jumped back in shock when it simply vanished and this made Regina glare angrily,

"That's impossible! Locator spells don't just break!" she said with frustration as she approached the spot where it had vanished. Charming sighed,

"Well this is Merlin's apprentice we're talking about. If she doesn't want to be found then she will have made sure that she wouldn't be found" he said simply causing Regina's glare to fall upon him,

"Thank you prince obvious" she said sarcastically before looking at the two paths available to them,

"Why would the cloud lead us to a crossroad?" she asked more to herself before falling silent as she analysed the paths. Henry stepped forward with a curious expression,

"I think….. I think it's a test" he said suddenly causing Regina to look at him curiously before looking back towards the two paths and she smiled,

"Henry you're a genius!" she proclaimed and he looked confused,

"I am?" he asked and she nodded before placing both her hands on his young shoulders,

"You were chosen to be the next author. Chosen specifically by Merlin's quill… You can find his other apprentice" she said gently and Henry looked at the two paths as Regina gave him a smile of encouragement,

"Trust yourself….. You can do this" she assured and Henry nodded hesitantly before taking a step forward and looked at the two paths available and he suddenly closed his eyes and allowed himself to listen for a moment before allowing himself to open his eyes,

"These paths aren't real" he said suddenly and Regina looked confused as Henry continued,

"They're an illusion to lead people away from the true path" he explained before turning to the thorn bush beside him and began walking towards it without hesitation. Regina's eyes widened,

"Henry don't!" she tried but as Henry reached the bush he vanished and the heroes all looked horrified,

"Henry?!" Emma called and it was silent for a moment,

"It's ok! I'm ok" Henry answered them but his voice came from all around,

"I think I've found the apprentices' house" he called,

"The thorn bush is just an invisible barrier. It's safe to come through" he told them and they all followed.


When they saw the apprentice's home they all couldn't help but feel peaceful. It was a quaint cottage rested beside a gentle spring. Charming took in the magical sight,

"Well… Not a bad place to settle down" he said gently,

"What do we do now?" he asked and Henry looked at Regina who took a deep breath,

"We knock" she said simply as they began to approach the cottage.


It was Henry who walked up the three wooden steps before knocking on the door gently. The heroes remained cautious when they heard movement coming from the inside when the door slowly opened. A girl with long flowing brunette hair that came to her waist answered. The heroes couldn't help but look surprised. This girl was no older than 18 years old. Henry took a step forward,

"Sorry to bother you but…. Are you….. Paige?... Merlin's apprentice" he asked cautiously causing the girl to sight as she took in the sight of unexpected visitors,

"Former apprentice….." she corrected before opening the door and stepped to the side,

"You better come in" she said gently and they all followed Henry as he took the first step inside.


The young girl prepared a pot of tea over the fireplace before beginning to pour the herbal liquid into a cup. Regina couldn't hold herself back,

"I'm the saviour and we need your help" she explained but they all looked confused when the girl giggled,

"I may be many things Miss Mills but I am no fool" she said gently with maturity far beyond her age,

"I am well aware that you are not the saviour" she said before looking towards Emma with a gentle smile,

"She is" she said simply and Emma looked surprised,

"How did you…..?" she began but Paige simply smiled,

"I can sense it… I can also sense that your power has been corrupted by darkness" she explained gently and Emma stepped towards her with a look of desperation,

"Can you help me?" she asked and Paige frowned,

"I'm so sorry but that is beyond even my own power… I think you already know of the person who can help" she said gently before taking a seat. The heroes shared glances with each other. Mary Margret was the first to speak,

"Merlin" she said simply and Paige nodded but Regina stepped towards her,

"Merlin is the reason why we have come to you… He's…" she tried but Paige looked at her awkwardly,

"Trapped inside a tree" she confirmed as she nodded,

"I am well aware" she explained before standing,

"I am truly sorry but… I cannot help you" she said with a quiet voice that was mixed with sadness. The heroes were all silent and Emma rested her head on Hook's shoulder as he held her. Charming took a step towards her before kneeling down so he was eye level with her and she looked at him confused but he smiled gently,

"How old are you Paige?" he asked gently and all the heroes were puzzled by his sudden question but they saw the apprentice smile softly as she became slightly bashful,

"I just turned 18 last week" she told him gently causing him to smile brightly,

"Congratulations" he said gently before looking around the cottage,

"Do you live here by yourself? Where are your parents?" He asked and Paige soon became sad,

"I…. I don't know" she whispered,

"Merlin raised me since I was a baby" she explained and Charming nodded in understanding,

"So young with the burden of trying to live up to the world's greatest sorcerer but… I think you're even more powerful" he whispered causing her to look at him confused,

"You do?" she asked and Charming smiled before nodding and stood before helping her to stand,

"I know you have the power to free Merlin from that tree" he assured her,

"I am begging you… Will you help us?" he asked and Paige looked around them before nodding slowly,

"I will try my best" she whispered and Charming smiled brightly.


I hope you all enjoyed chapter 2 :) Please review and let me know what you think :)

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996