Title: Five Times Merlin Got The Look And One Time He Didn't.
Category: BBC Merlin, (Canon) Gen
Characters/Pairings: Merlin, Hunith, Will
Rating/Warnings: K
Summary: Five times Merlin got the look of disapproval off of Hunith, and one time he didn't.

Thanks to Sarajm for the idea, and to Vaugntronic for beta'ing.

MM

The first time Merlin could remember ever receiving the look was when he was 3 years old. Winter had been particularly hard that year. Ealdor, being the small village that it was didn't have many provisions, and neither did they have the means to trade with any other village for more.

Because of this, the whole village was suffering a food shortage. Hunith being the single parent she was, was suffering the famine worse than most, and as a consequence so was Merlin.

Now of course being three at the time, Merlin had basically no concept of famine or conserving food. All he really knew was that his stomach hurt, he was sleepy, and the apples stacked neatly away on the top of the shelf looked really delicious. He pouted thinking about how his mum had told him he wasn't allowed any more to eat until dinner time.

Merlin chewed the bottom of his lip, eyes wide as he looked around the room. Seeing no one, he quickly decided that his mum was far enough away out in the garden as he could no longer hear her moving about.

Stepping closer to the shelves, Merlin twisted his hands in the baggy fabric of his top, almost pulling the loose fabric down one bony shoulder. He continued to bite his lower lip thinking about the countless times his mum had warned him against using his magic. He exhaled sharply, having already found he was alone, what harm could he do?

Focusing back on the apple, Merlin concentrated on the warm within himself. The apple wobbled before rolling off of the shelf, and floating gently down to Merlin's outstretched hand. He grinned at the fruit, rubbing at it to remove any dirt. Merlin took a large bite, juice escaping at the edges of his mouth.

Merlin had munched noisily through about half of the apple, when Hunith entered their home through the back, having finished her work.

She didn't spot her son at first, instead going to clean off her hands. Across the room Merlin froze, blue eyes wide. He spun around on his heels, both arms flying behind his back.

"Hi, mum." Merlin's voice betrayed his nerves. Hunith paused looking down at her son, quickly spotting the trail of juice at the edge of his mouth.

"Merlin."

"Yes." He shuffled backwards, eyes avoiding his mum.

Hunith watched Merlin for a few seconds, before she lifted her eyes to scan the shelves lining the walls behind him. It didn't take her long to note the absence of one of the last apples she had been saving.

"Merlin," she repeated, her voice heavy with disapproval. Two large blue eyes stared straight back at her, a slight sheen appearing as tears gathered along the bottom of his eyes. Hunith's face was blank, resolving not to give in to her son's tears. "You know you can't sneak food between meals Merlin."

"I- But… It, hurt." Merlin stuttered the words out. He brought his hands out from behind his back, the apple hanging loosely from his fingers.

Hunith's eyes softened. She knelt down in front of Merlin, gently prying the apple from his fingers before he dropped it. With his hands free, he threw them around his mother's neck. Hunith sighed, wrapping her own arms about Merlin's trembling body.

"Hey, it's ok." She ran her hand up and down Merlin's back. Pulling back after a while, Hunith took note of Merlin's red eyes, and lightly damp cheeks. She pressed the remains of the apple into Merlin's hand. "Finish it, ok."

Merlin nodded quickly, pulling the apple close to his chest.

"I know you're hungry Merlin, but you can't just take food." She exhaled loudly, thinking about how she could possibly make Merlin understand. "You remember how dry the summer was?"

Merlin nodded, and Hunith continued.

"Because of this, the crops didn't grow as big as they normally do, this means we have to eat smaller meals. It means we might be left feeling hungry, but we just have to deal with it."

Merlin nodded again, though this time a lot slower as his mind processed what he had been told. He stared down at the apple for a few seconds, before turning back with guilt-burdened eyes.

Hunith stood, patting Merlin gently on the head before leaving the child to his apple.