Prologue

It was the beginning of winter, the first snow flurries had already landed upon the ground. It was a time of year that Gwen had loved from when she was a very young child. While life under the snowy weather could be hard, there was also the excitement of the oncoming festivals which lay ahead. It reminded Gwen about the past, when she and her brother Elyan would count the days until the great winter solstice festival.

Being Queen gave Gwen few free days. Her calendar was full at this time of year, with visits to the poor and planning various pre-festival events. She enjoyed meeting the ordinary people, as it kept her grounded and it gave her permanent reminders of where she'd come from. She would corner Arthur for any information about whom was suffering any hardships. She would then get in touch and find out what exactly their needs were.

She had made countless friends and associates this way, who would keep in touch with her, over the years. She would then visit some of the surrounding villages making sure she kept in touch with people's needs and concerns. It also helped Arthur as they would hear first hand about any dangers to the Kingdom.

With all her visits and inquiries she was lucky if she could find more than a few hours to herself. If she ever had a brief chance for an afternoon off, she would take full advantage, knowing that she had earned it overall. Having managed to get through the letters that were piled up on her desk, Gwen realised that she actually finished, everything she needed too. She decided to put her feet up for a couple of hours, and indulge herself now that her son was fast asleep.

She was no sooner putting her feet up when there was a knock on the door. A maid entered the room, and gave Gwen a letter. Gwen recognised the handwriting immediately it was from Hunith. She smiled, as she always enjoyed reading Hunith's bright letters. They were full of little anecdotes about life in Ealdor.

Gwen herself had got to know the village quite well, when she had been briefly banished and had moved in with Hunith. Though a sad time for her, it had at least given her the chance to get to know Hunith properly. Having lost her mother as a young child, Hunith had almost taken her place. By the end of her stay there, she felt as if she could tell Merlin's mother anything at all.

Gwen remembered Ealdor itself being a very different place, to what she was use too. It was a very small village, where everyone knew everyone else's business. Not surprisingly when it became known that Gwen was staying there, many people had been naturally curious about her. Gwen remembered just how much of a challenge it was to her, to accept that to begin with. Where Gwen had grown up she knew she could always get away from people, but in Ealdor it was a very different set-up.

Hunith had played an important part in allowing Gwen to adapt to her changed circumstances. She would always be grateful to Hunith for that. Indeed in the end Gwen, had not only grown use to village life, but had also come to enjoy the sense of community that it brought. Pretty soon she got to know most of the people there, and by the end was sorry to leave. She made sure she stayed in touch with Hunith, and always asked her about everyone who was still there.

Gwen now understood that her exile in Ealdor had helped her to prepare for her role as Queen. She now appreciated the concerns that people had who lived in villages, and how they could be very different from the concerns that people had in Camelot.

It had reminded her of the world that was outside Camelot's borders, it was something she knew Arthur struggled with. Which is why she made it her concern instead.

She opened the letter hoping that she would not be disturbed. Not for the first time, she admired Hunith's beautiful handwriting, before going on and reading.

Dear Gwen,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and cheer. I have to say the medicine and gifts you sent here have been gratefully accepted. I know people would like to pass their thanks back to you and Arthur. It would appear that the epidemic has now passed, and thankfully the majority of cases have come through unscathed.

The first signs of winter have developed already. The nights are very cold and now snow has covered the mountains in the distance. I swear I am feeling the cold a lot more now, and I am indeed grateful for the garments you made me. It has certainly helped to keep me warmer through the nights.

Sian has had her baby, a lovely boy with blue eyes. He reminds me of a certain someone we both know, and he has bags of endless energy. I am sure that the toys will go down well with him.

As for myself I am well enough considering my coming years, although I recognise I am a lot slower. I don't feel as happy or secure in the dark now. It seems as if the nights are darker than ever here, although I suppose it's the same each year. I do still miss my boy though. I was so thrilled with his promotion to Court Sorcerer, I still remember that day with such pride.

I do so admire what he and Arthur have achieved together. You as well my dear, for you have been their eyes and ears and have done much good in the outlying villages. Dear Gaius too is a source of comfort for me, he writes as well and tells me of Merlin's latest misdemeanours! He has always been a great source of comfort and support for me.

It is in this vein that I come to the main point of this letter. I do not want to put you out in any way but I do wonder if I could visit Camelot. I just feel as though I want to spend some time with Merlin. I hear there is a lady in his life now, I am naturally curious to meet her. It feels me with delight that he is now courting, he has been on his own for too long, we both know that.

I could well understand if you are too busy at this time, but if you could somehow arrange it I would be so very happy. If you can please do not tell Merlin yet, as I would like it to be a surprise to him if possible.

My love and regards,

Hunith.

Gwen upon reading the letter folded it up and put it back in the envelope. The letter troubled her slightly as it seemed to lack Hunith's usual sparkle. She decided to make it her job to somehow bring Hunith to Camelot quietly, as she had requested. She decided to send for Leon as she most trusted him of all the Knights, and knew that he would act in confidence.

Within a couple of hours she had already arranged for Leon and a group of Knights to escort Hunith to Camelot within the week. Gwen busied herself making the arrangements for Hunith's visit, making sure only her husband was aware of it. Arthur was only too pleased to keep it a secret. Ever since Merlin's own secret had been confessed he was determined to get his own back on his Court Sorcerer.

"I'll show Merlin that other people can keep secrets!" Arthur muttered, to Gwen.

"Arthur it has nothing to do with getting your own back on him." Gwen replied, rolling her eyes.

"On the contrary Guinevere it has everything to do with it!" her husband assured her, giving her a smirk.

"Sometimes I wonder who the bigger child is Arthur Pendragon, you or our son?" Gwen replied, not quite believing she was having such a conversation with him.

She smiled as he left the room. Gwen was still questioning why Hunith's letter seemed to be so troubling to her. She was so use to Hunith's bright and interesting descriptions of life in Ealdor, that it really worried her. Hunith more than anyone she knew, was a woman who accepted the ebb and flow of life, as it happened. She had always accepted everything that happened with the utmost grace. To read about how she was lacking confidence, had shocked Gwen, and she knew Merlin too would be worried.

For a second she dithered about telling Merlin, but in the end she decided to respect Hunith's wishes and stay quiet for now. She was determined to get to the bottom of it when she arrived in Camelot. She felt she had a debt to repay Hunith, thanks to the time that Gwen had been down on her own luck. She realised now was the time she could reconcile that.

To Be Continued