A/N:

I am on a roll with this sticking to a posting schedule thing thing which only means I am about to stumble horribly. Oh well.

Enjoy!

Ilandrae

Disclaimer: I can eat an entire block of Cookie Dough KitKat in one sitting however I still don't own Merlin.

CHAPTER 33 – LIKE MASTER LIKE APPRENTICE

Camelot Council Chambers – Gwen POV

Woe be it for the Queen of Camelot to have a peaceful day.

It had started off so well. She'd risen early to go and watch Art and Mel train. She'd even gotten to reprimand Sir Kay after he'd rolled his eyes at Mel. Then, she'd breakfasted with Mithian and they'd been enjoying themselves so much that when Isolde came to collect her partner in crime they'd all stayed and had tea together. Tea that had been interrupted by a certain sorceress stepping out of the shadows and onto their plate of scones.

But seeing Maria's wide-eyed look and the way she'd leapt off the table shouting "Someone find that idiot warlock! We have work to do!" Gwen figured she didn't mean fixing the teapot that lay shattered on the floor.

And now Gwen was in the council chambers feeling as if the world had just dropped from under her feet.

"Elyon's been taken?" She whispered, begging that Maria was playing some awful joke.

Gwen had been trying not to think about it. Trying to remain stoic and impartial, as a queen should, about her brother coming back to her. Not that she could do anything about it. She hadn't known when he would appear, just that he was next.

"It appears so," was Maria's reply.

"How did this happen?" Merlin asked even as Tristen, Isolde, Leon, Percival and Lance looked like they'd been about to bolt out the door.

"I've been keeping an...ear out? I guess? A spiritual ear if you may. For all of your returned souls. But I was particularly worried about Sir Elyon's. The Dark Tower is not a place you want to visit twice. The second I sensed his return I rushed over. But I was too late. Not, as I had feared, had he been trapped within its walls once again, but it seems someone had beaten me to it."

The sorceress turned to Merlin. "I sensed her. Diara."

"The black sorcerer's apprentice?"

"I thought we didn't have any information on his apprentices?" Leon said.

Maria cast him a sideways glance. "Our people have been busy"

"He has three apprentices," Merlin explained. "Two are his nephews. We had the pleasure of meeting Ceador in Camelot, and he is said to be the weaker of the three. His brother Severn is said to be manipulative and cruel. He has the highest death count of the three and seems to have inherited his uncle's power. Then there is Diara."

"We haven't been able to find out much about her." Maria grimaced. "Except she has no relation to her Master and is acknowledged as the most powerful of the three. There are rumours that she is in fact, a witch."

Eyes widened all around the room.

"We have to go find Elyon." Percival slammed his chair back. "Witch or no, she's still a child."

"So is Art," Merlin said softly. "And he could kill nearly everyone in this room without lifting a finger if he so desired."

The room was quiet.

"Which is why you will be going to help find the lost knight Merlin." Maria broke the silence. "A warlock is very helpful if we have to confront a witch."

"Will you be taking over Art's studies then?" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "I can't leave him again."

Gwen agreed. Now that Art's magic was in the open, he was happier, yes. But in addition to everyone now expecting much more from him…he was also in more danger. He needed the lessons Merlin was giving him. Or else Gwen had a sneaking feeling her son would find his own.

But Maria shook her head. "No because I'm going too. With every moment that passes the newness of Sir Elyon's soul fades. We will both be needed to track him. I've called Isabel, she'll be here tomorrow."

Merlin considered the idea and nodded. "When do we go?"

"As soon as able." Maria seemed surprised he'd even asked.

But Percival spoke up again. "If Elyon's in trouble we're coming too."

Leon voiced his agreement. "We're not losing him again. He's the Queen's brother."

But Merlin looked at them strangely. "Why are you acting as if I was somehow going to forbid you? I assumed you were coming."

The knights all looked at their boots.

"Well chop chop," Merlin said waving his arms. "Go collect all the tin pieces and pointy objects you require. You heard Maria, every second counts."

The knights all leapt to their feet and ran out the door. Merlin smirked and called after them, "Meet us at the gates when you are ready!"

Only twenty minutes later Gwen stood at the gates ready to watch another quest go off. In either hand, she clutched a smaller one. Art on her right, Mel on her left. The girl had looked surprised when she'd taken it, but Gwen didn't put in past Mel to go running after the party about to depart.

Merlin had already talked with both her and Art about the fact that they were to remain. The children had not been happy but had seemed to accept the fact. Oddly enough Leon had looked vaguely disappointed that Mel wasn't being permitted to come.

The Queen looked around the party. Merlin and Maria were having a whispered conversation. Lancelot, Leon, Bedivere and Leon were double checking supplies and Tristan was twirling Isolde around pulling her in tight afterwards while she laughed.

Finally, Maria grumbled out, "Let's go. Unless we want to be travelling the darker hours which I'm told normal folk don't enjoy."

Gwen shifted and felt Art look up at when she gripped his and Mel's hands tighter. "Mother, it will be fine. Uncle Elyon will be found."

Merlin didn't miss the exchange. He came over and said solemnly, "We will find him Gwen."

"Of course you will," she whispered, feeling the telltale prick of tears behind her eyes. "Now go."

The Woods – Merlin POV

It was a weird feeling for Merlin. Going out on another quest. Surrounded by knights. Surrounded by the same knights.

But no Arthur.

Just his own, much heavier, soul.

Despite the fact that there now was a total of two sorcerers, four knights and two ex-smugglers in their party Bed still stuck by Merlin's side.

"Are you alright?"

"Just memories," Merlin sighed. "Never thought I'd miss being insulted every moment of a journey."

"I can try if that would help?"

Merlin laughed. "No need Bed. I'll be fine."

The weird feeling faded as they journeyed. Merlin wasn't sure if Bed had spoken to anyone, but they all seemed to be trying to lighten the mood even if Leon and Percival seemed to be feeling something similar. Tristan in particular was being as Tristan as possible. Picking flowers from the roadside and offering every bloom to Isolde. By the time they rested for lunch, she held enough to decorate the throne room and had started hiding them amongst everyone else's things. Lance and Bed were having debates and discussions about magic within earshot of Merlin, and he was unable to stop himself from interjecting and explaining things.

Maria had been quiet. Intent on her tracking. When she was unsure, she would consult Merlin's opinion. Psychal magic was one of Merlin's specialities, his warlock connection with magic making him particularly in tune with it. There was little difference between their skills, but Merlin was reserving his magic, in case he had to have a tousle with a witch. However, the contentment he felt as they sat around the campfire that night rapidly faded when Art and Mel rode into their camp.

"Hi!" Mel waved from atop Comet. No one answered. They all just stared as Art slid off Comet's back behind her. Mel followed him to the ground.

It was Maria's scoff that broke their shock. "Just like his Master. Never listens."

"I thought they both had for once!" Merlin snapped. "What are you two doing here!"

"We left a note with Marcus." Mel shrugged. "And I know Sir Leon wanted me to come. I can protect myself now and it will be a good learning experience. As he said."

Merlin looked to the knight who shrugged sheepishly. "I may have mentioned it to her, but I didn't tell her to follow us." He pointed a finger at Art. "And I definitely never said to bring him. Art, why did you do this again? Also, how did you do this again?"

Art also shrugged, that smug smile not leaving his face. "I couldn't let Mel go on her own, and I didn't want to miss out on more magic lessons. Isabel isn't Merlin. And how? I knew Merlin would probably send me back, so I masked my magic." He smiled wider. "Just like he taught me."

Merlin groaned.

Maria laughed softly again. "You've been beaten Merlin. By your own apprentice no less. We do not have the time or the magic to spare to send them back."

"I know Maria," Merlin grumbled. "I hope you two packed well. And while you're here, lessons don't stop. Let's go Lance, Leon, we have some teaching to do."

The children gulped.

It was safe to say Mel and Art slept well that night, exhausted as they were from the gruelling training session they'd had before bed.

But they rose without complaint the next morning and their journey continued. Merlin gave Art verbal lessons as they rode, testing him on theory and pronunciation. And when he saw the direction that Maria was leading them as she tracked Elyon, he taught his apprentice one spell he suspected they were going to need very soon.

And sure enough, just before lunch they reached the Tunnels of Andor.

A/N:

Bit of a filler but had some laughs in it. Also yay! I am actually about half a chapter off finishing this story (remembering that I'm usually writing at least five chapters ahead of when I'm posting). So soon I'll be writing part two!

Thanks

I ;)