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Ealdor was a poor little village, the people here where not rich, the people who called this village home where the type that grow their own food and saved every penny. This also happens to be the very village where, a warlock comes from.

Hunith sat at the table, the table was full of bags with a few coins in, it was not enough. She needed money. Getting up from her seat she turned to her cabinet and pulled open the door. She emptied it on the floor and searched, even one more coin will make the difference between her having a roof over her head, and staying alive to being out in the cold, without food.

For Hunith did not own this house, it belonged to a man from down the road, she and him did not see eye to eye, for his man did not trust anyone who was in connection with magic and Hunith who had made a boy with a dragonlord, making the boy with an odd power, was the very low of lows in his eyes. The man had put the rent up lately, so much, far too much. Hunith could not afford to live, could not afford the smallest bits of food.

Looking for more money to pay her taxes for this house Hunith's hand came to rest on a small piece of parchment. She was ashamed of this little piece of paper. No. She would not do it, she can't do it, a picture formed in her eyes, an unbidden picture of her son. No. She would not do it. But she needed the money so bad. And he could escape, if the worst came, Merlin, her own son, can escape.

****

"Merlin, you will be late" Gaius' voice made the first noise of the day. Merlin rolled over, time to get up, Prince Prat was waiting for him. "look at this room, boy, what have you done" Merlin sat up, Gaius had entered his room, and all of Merlins belongings, clothes, books and candles where all over the floor "sorry, it happens sometimes, when I dream" Merlin tried to explain, Gaius shot him a dark look of course it was not Gaius' fault, he didn't truly understand Merlin dreaming about moving objects to moving them for real.

Merlin went down the three small steps, pulling his scarf on as he went. Gaius had made him breakfast, Merlin quickly ate his food and hurried up to Arthur Pendragon's chambers. He was still asleep. Merlin looked over at him, Arthurs arm was lying over his chest and he was slowly moving up and down. Merlin crept over to him, moved his arm over him to grab a unused pillow and hit Arthur in the face with it

"I'll have your head for that" said the prince in a sleepy but moody voice. "Good morning you too sire" Merlin loved annoying Arthur; he knew Arthur would not behead him, both were good friends now, more than just Servant and Master. Arthur had come to think of Merlin as a friend, an equal. Arthur got slowly up, he watched as his manservant laid his breakfast down on his table and went over to open the curtains to bright sunlight.

It took Arthur ten minutes until he got up, and walked to his dresser, picking out clothes, he dressed himself today while Merlin cleaned his room. "My father has asked me to have a run down to the market to have a look at what is on offer, you coming Merlin" it was not a question for Merlin to answer, it was Arthurs nice way of telling Merlin he was coming, like it or not.

Half an hour later Merlin and Arthur where in the market. Arthur looking at the stalls and what the traders had for sale. He stopped at an animal feed store and made a remark to Merlin about how he should stock up on food for himself. Merlin just smiled, he knew Arthur. Insult him, get time in stocks. So unfair thought Merlin.

Not too far from the market was the stairway to a corridor, here was some stairs and these let to where Gaius lived. A cloaked person walked quickly up here, and knocked on the court physician's door. Gaius answered it. Shock on his face. The cloaked person walked in

Arthur told Merlin he can finish early today so Merlin left Arthur in the market and made his way back home. He wanted to look thought the magic book, he wanted to learn a new spell, this one was interesting to Merlin. It allowed him to hide in dark places, great for sneaking around Camelot at night, he pushed the door open, to his surprise they were someone with Gaius. His mother. Merlin smiled at her and rushed over for a hug, Hunith put her arms around her son and held him, she tried to get herself together. "I've missed you mother" Merlin said. This made her eyes itch and a lump in the back of her mouth. "I've missed you to, hope you've been good for Gaius" Merlin grinned at her "He's been a horror" Gaius said with a wink to Merlin, though they was a look in his eyes, was he sad?

"Merlin, I know you have a job here, friends, and you really like it here, but I miss you, so much. I want you to come back with me, back to Ealdor, Merlin please, I beg of you, please come home" Merlin stared at her, was something wrong? "What's up?" he asked. Thinking of them people who had came to steal their food the last time he had to return home. "Oh no, Merlin deer, all is good, but I really miss you, I can't stand not being with you, seeing your smile...and your face...how it lights up like tha.." she broke off tears in her eyes, running down her face, she ripped them away. Merlin give her a friendly smile. He felt guilty. Should he go with her? What about Gaius? Who will save Arthur's royal ass? Merlin looked at his uncle, Gauis was standing behind her, his face was glum, but he nodded.

"ok" Merlin answed. Hunith beamed at him, "we shall leave now Merlin, before it gets dark" Merlin was taken back "I need to say goodbye to Arthur first, I can't just walk away from him, he will wonder where I have gone" she give Merlin a nod. Merlin quickly went out the door, he found Arthur in the market, this time looking at carved wood objects.

"Arthur, I'm leaving Camelot" Arthur looked "Why?" Merlin avoided his eyes, his own filing up with water. "I'm mother wishes I return to Ealdor to be with her" he blinked his eyes. Arthur give him a quick look "you will not be returning?" Merlin shuck his head, why did Arthur have to say that, he left heat in his checks. Arthur grabbed Merlin and held him in a hug "Arthur, I though you didn't do hugs" Merlin laughed, the young prince let go, his eyes oddly red "you are an idiot Merlin, and I won't find another servant who can mess up as much as you" he let out a watery smile.

"Arthur, what is it, what's up" came the voice of Uther Pendragon. Arthur tuned to his father, "nothing, just got sore eyes" Uther was walking near, looking from Merlin to Arthur. Arthur turned back to Merlin "I'll see you again wont I? You will come back sometime wont you, promise me please" Merlin nodded. So did Arthur. "Arthur, you not upset over a servant? Neither man nor servant is worth your tears" Arthur shoot his father a look. "I'll see you later" with a quick back look and a final half hearted smile at Merlin Arthur hurried off, half running, his hand up to his face. Uther give Merlin a swift look before going after his son.

Merlin returned to Gaius chambers. rubbing his eyes as he went. Back in the room Gaius had packed all of Merlin's stuff in to a bag and had it ready for Merlin to come back. When he entered the room, Hunith stood up and went over to Merlin "you ready to leave now?" Merlin nodded. He went up to Gaius and give him a hug"Thanks for everything Gauis, you've been like a father to me, thanks". He let go of the old man. Goodbyes were hard. Merlin picked up his bag, walked out to the door and took a last look at the room. Gaius walked them to the gate and waved them off. Merlin turned and waved as he and his mother set off on foot. Up on one of the higher ground a blonde haired person was watching them leave.

"Next stop, Ealdor Merlin" Hunith smiled at him. Trying to cover the guilt of what she was planning, for it gave her no pleasure