AN: Kept my promise. ;) I really wish I could write this one full-length *ponders*
Prompt: "The Young Pendragon": Write about a character meeting Arthur for the first time
Characters: Arthur, Merlin, Hunith, Gaius
Ratings/Warnings: Missing scene from 1x10.
Word Count: 410
Someone to Call Home
After Hunith had told Merlin, his usually carefree blue eyes trained on her with mature attentiveness and steadfastness, about Ealdor's plight, he nodded once, took her by the hand, and announced that he was taking her to Gaius' chambers to appeal to Arthur.
Her little rush of eager anticipation to meet the man, Prince, and master that her son so fondly complained about in his letters was eclipsed by her desperation and confusion as Merlin tugged her speedily along.
"Why Gaius' chambers?"
With a cheeky grin, Merlin responded cheerfully, "I'm late for work. He'll be waiting there with a hideous scowl on his face, ready to lay it on me. You'll see."
"You sound as if you enjoy the prospect, Merlin," Hunith chided lightly, smiling knowingly.
His broadening grin was her only response.
Sure enough, when Merlin barged into the physician's chambers, Hunith was greeted by the sight of Gaius, who sat calmly reading amongst the mess of herbs, potions, and books, and a very irritable Arthur Pendragon, who was the very picture of intolerance and impatience with his folded arms, narrowed eyes, and tapping foot.
To Hunith, he was everything and nothing like she had imagined. She could easily see the arrogance that Merlin so often ranted about, but it was clear that there was something more. Something of a boy who grew up too fast and who had too much responsibility to bear. Something of a young man pure of heart and of one worth following.
But most striking of all—beyond all that and behind the irritation in his eyes, there was no mistaking the spark of humor and fondness as he looked upon her tardy, gangly son.
"Merlin, you had better—!"
Stopping almost as abruptly as he started, Arthur blinked at Hunith and skipped his gaze between her face and Merlin's. "You two look awfully alike," he blurted.
Amused, her son said, "That's because she's my mother."
"Your…mother," the Prince repeated, looking a little overwhelmed and sheepish.
Never one for propriety, Merlin immediately launched into Ealdor's tale in a low, wavering voice that betrayed his own pain at the situation, and Hunith watched with swooping, hopeful heart as the relentless sapphire eyes softened with compassion at every word.
In that moment, Hunith not only knew that everything in Ealdor would be alright, but, seeing the two conversing side-by-side, she also knew that Merlin had finally found his purpose and something, someplace, someone to call home.
