A/N: I DO NOT own Merlin...unfortunately...
It was spring. But the snows from the rather harsh winter still clung to the earth in blinding patches that glinted in the sun and the days still held a slight winter chill. It was the time nobles from all over the kingdom would be pouring into Camelot to renew their yearly pledges to the king. It was the time when she and her husband, a good friend of the king, would travel to also renew their pledge even though the king said they didn't have to: he had complete trust in his friend, her husband. But they went every year regardless to at least see a friend and so she could see her brother, the court physician. However this year she would be making the trip alone-her husband had fallen ill in the autumn and never recovered before the cold weather set in and died shortly after. Hunith knew that with no heir Balinor's land would return to king and she would be forced to return to her home village in a different kingdom. So this trip would be her last as a lady and she could say her good-byes to king and the infant prince who she almost thought of as a son. She would be able to keep in touch with her brother, Gaius but her letters would be irregular and she didn't want him to worry for her. With a sigh, she had the last of her personal items packed and placed on the carriage and began the journey to Camelot.
Young king Uther was standing by the window in his chambers looking out over his lands. He really did not want to go to the throne room and listen to all the whiney and stuffy nobles today, but there was one who he was looking forward to seeing. He had not been able to correspond with Balinor over the winter months mostly because the weather was too cold for animals to be out, let alone people. So Uther had to wait till the yearly renewals to see his good friend. Uther knew he owed the man a great deal for helping him through the death of the queen, his beloved Ygraine last year. He had nearly gone mad with grief after her death and when he found out what his court sorceress did…well, Balinor had stopped him before he made a terrible mistake. Instead of banning magic, Uther banished Nimueh from Camelot upon pain of death should she return. And this year he would make Balinor his new court sorcerer and invite him and his wife Hunith to live in the castle. Hunith. That woman intrigued Uther. She was a rather attractive woman for being a peasant married to a lord, but it wasn't her physical attractiveness that Uther was intrigued by, not that he had ever thought of her that way. No, it was her fearless personality and wisdom when she spoke; she was not afraid to speak her mind and did so often but not in a belligerent way. She always seemed to know the right way to say something and leave herself open to be reproached for it. Ygraine was like that and the two women had been close friends. Uther was brought out of his thoughts as a servant came and informed him that the first of the nobles had arrived and were waiting in the throne room. Uther nodded and dismissed the servant. As soon as the door was closed he heaved a sigh, put on his cape and crown and strode out of his room.
Hours passed and Uther had still not seen any sign of Balinor. He hoped he was going to arrive soon he needed someone to talk too besides these insufferable nobles. Someone who would actually listen to him and tell him needed to be said, not what he wanted to hear. Uther was just about to stop for the day and continue tomorrow when he finally saw the people he wanted to see. He had seen the banners of Balinor's house come riding into the courtyard and immediately went back to the throne room to wait for them. But as soon as the doors opened, he knew something was wrong.
He waited until Hunith reached him and called for everyone to leave the room except her. Once they left she gave a deep curtsey and handed him a scroll of parchment. She had yet to meet his eyes or say a word to him.
"What is this?" Uther asked worriedly as a knot of fear began to twist in his stomach as he unrolled the parchment and glanced over it.
"That, my lord, is the deed to Balinor's land. Without an heir, the land is to be returned to the king for him to do with as he sees fit. And as Balinor had no heir and I a mere peasant that land rightfully belongs to you sire" Hunith said her eyes going back to the floor.
"Hunith you know you can call me Uther. And why have you given this to me? Has something happened to Balinor? Is he unwell?"
"Balinor passed during the winter months. He had been ill in the autumn and had not recovered by the time the cold set in. I gave this to you for even though I was married to Balinor, I am still a peasant and hold no right to claim ownership over any of his property" Hunith responded quietly as she looked up at Uther.
Uther was stunned and his mind in a whirlwind. Balinor was dead…no heir…just a peasant. Hunith's words continued to echo in his head as he gathered his thoughts and began to speak to her.
"I am very sorry Hunith. Balinor was a close friend of mine and I regret that I was unable to contact you over the winter. I owe him a great deal for helping me through Ygraine's death. I had planned to make him my new court sorcerer today."
"I'm sure he would have been honored my lord. I know how hard the queen's death was for you and how close Balinor and yourself became. He would be proud to see how well you were doing a year after the incident. I only came to deliver that deed to you and to see my brother one last time before I return to my home village. If you'll excuse me my lord…" she let her voice trail off giving him a final look in the eye before turning to leave.
"Hunith wait!" Uther said with the tiniest hint of panic in his voice. He watched as she stopped halfway to the door and turned to face him again.
"What do you mean return to your home village? As his widow you are entitled to receive a pension to continue to live on his land."
Uther knew where she lived before she married Balinor; a village in Cenred's kingdom. And Cenred cared very little for anything outside his citadels walls. He could not, would not, let Hunith return to that despicable man's kingdom. But what she said next he knew was right and would be near impossible to change, but not completely impossible.
"Sire, you know that is not possible. Had I been born into a noble family that would be a possibility. But I was born a peasant and can hold no claim to anything that was his. Now if you will excuse me sire I wish to see my brother before I leave."
Uther just nodded his approval as she curtsied one more time and left the throne room and stood there his mind still churning. He could not let her go back to Ealdor. She did not deserve that. Just as Balinor helped him, Hunith had helped Ygraine through her pregnancy and even sat with the queen through her labor. No she would not be leaving this castle until he knew she would be taken well cared for. Then a thought hit him…why did he feel this way about Hunith? Yes, she was his best friend's wife but she was a peasant, but only by birth, a small voice in the back of his mind said. He had vowed that he would never love another the way he loved Ygraine. But whenever he saw Hunith a small flicker of something warm sparked to life in his chest. Could it…? No he shook his head, not possible…or was it?
Please R&R! I like writing about unusual pairings and AU's. Constructive criticism welcome!
