A/N: Well, here's chapter two. I hope you enjoy. Sadly, I do not own Merlin. That belongs to the BBC. I'm simply playing a bit. The only characters I do own are Aveline, Edmond and Elred. Anyway... enjoy!

Chapter Two: Of Mother's Love and Bucking Horses

Hunith was awake before light streamed through the window. First came her trip to talk to Aveline, and hand off the letter, then she would speak to Kanen. If she were lucky, one would never have to intersect with the other.

Aveline lived just down the path, a path walked many times by William, Merlin and the two women alike. It had been Aveline who had helped Hunith the most, once the revelation of Merlin's true parentage had come to light. Once it was found Merlin's father had not been killed in service or mysteriously traveling across kingdoms, most of the women in the village had been forbidden by their men to even speak to Hunith and the "bastard boy". Aveline, bless her heart, had remained steadfast in her resolve to not turn Hunith away. And her Edmond had supported that decision until the day he died simply turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the chatter around him. It had been Edmond that had protected Merlin and Hunith from Kanen, welcoming the strange boy into his family and teaching both Merlin and William as brothers would have been.

It was this that had gotten Edmond killed. Kanen had brought a draft notice to their home. Every able man was to report to the front lines, and Edmond's place had been in the lead, the bloodletting section, for those men that put up a fight. No one would admit it of course, but the whole village knew that's what the front was for in Cenred's army.

Upon Edmond's death, Hunith was quick to return the generosity that Aveline and Edmond had shown, allowing William over to her home multiple days a week, sharing meals with Aveline and her son when she was able, even sending the boy home with a few carefully rationed treats.

Merlin had taken it all in stride, understanding immediately, and even did his own part snatching pocketfuls of that week's crop and dashing to his mate's home before Kanen had his pick of the lot. When he had been caught by Hunith, he had held out his hands willing and ready to take the rap to his knuckles, which Hunith had given. Once the reason was revealed, Hunith had felt herself well up with pride.

It was this relationship between their families that made Hunith think first of Aveline at the same moment she had thought of her brother. So lost in her thoughts was she, that she scarcely noticed when she wandered right up to Aveline's garden at the same moment Aveline exited with a basket to harvest that morning's store before Kanen made his rounds.

"My goodness, Hunith?" Aveline dropped the basket and ran over. "What are you doing out so early?"

"I…" Hunith glanced down rifling through the pocket of her cloak as she produced the letter. "I desperately need your help. Is there somewhere we can talk a moment, without William overhearing?"

The other woman nodded mutely, stunned at her friend's arrival and the anxiety in her tone. "Come, this way." Aveline gripped Hunith's wrist ushering her toward their barn. "William doesn't wake till the first crow. We shall be off before he even heads out of doors." She gave a smile before her face turned serious. "Now what's got you so nervous?"

Hunith twirled the scroll in her hands, not looking up, not meeting her friend's eyes. "It's Kanen. He's persisting and it's gotten worse."

Aveline's eyes shaded. "Hunith, don't tell me you are actually considering it."

"What choice do I have? Merlin's so much weaker. He works himself much too hard. I can't allow him to keep holding the burden." At that moment, Aveline noticed the strain the other woman was under: the bags under her eyes and the slouch in her posture. Her hands were trembling as she held the scroll. "The…" she held back a sob. "The only thing that I can do is to get Merlin somewhere safe, before…"

Aveline's eyes fell to the scroll as she held her friend's trembling wrists in her own. "Take a breath Dear, please. Just calm yourself."

"Sorry." Hunith inhaled, exhaled. "I need you to… that is… will you deliver this for me?" She handed her friend the scroll. "It's a letter… to Gaius."

"Gaius?" Aveline raised her eyebrows as the pieces fell into place. "Hunith… at least tell me you would go with him."

Hunith shook her head blinking back tears. "Kanen would kill me before we reached the border."

"And you think an ill ten year old, and an old man would fare better?"

"Kanen does not have a target on Gaius' back." was Hunith's simple answer.

Aveline sighed. " I will help you." That's what friends did after all. She reached for the scroll. "Give it here."

Hunith held the scroll by the tip. "Thank you. I don't know how I will ever repay you for this."

Aveline waved her off. "I've been meaning to pay a visit to the old fool anyhow. Camelot is lovely this time of year." As if it were a normal holiday. As if she wouldn't have to hide in the shadows to cross the border. "Now go on, before your boy gets up." She grasped Hunith's hand. "Good luck."

Hunith nodded replacing the hood on her head as she ran out of the barn, the sun just barely peeking over the trees. Now to seek out Kanen.

Merlin awoke breathing heavily. Well, struggling to breathe was more accurate. He coughed, his throat suddenly dry as he got to his feet. Perhaps, there was fresh water in the kitchen. His mother always went to the well in the mornings. As he walked around the slowly brightening house, he noticed something strange. His mother was nowhere to be found.

He walked the perimeter, noticing that her traveling cloak was missing as well. "Mum, where'd you go?" Merlin breathed. There was only one possibility, and it made his blood simmer, and his throat go even more dry.

Merlin grabbed his cloak and ran out the door. He knew the path. He had watched Kanen walk the very same route with the week's harvest every week since he could remember. It was difficult without a torch, fallen branches entangling Merlin's feet, but the rising sun helped things slightly. He ducked behind a stone as he saw his mother's cloak blowing in the distant breeze.

"Ah, Hunith my Dear." Kanen appeared from behind a tree stepping very close to where she stood. "What can I help you with?"

"I…" Hunith swallowed. "I've had time to consider, and…"

"And?" Merlin could see Hunith's black and yellow smile.

"And I accept. I will marry you." Hunith stood straight up looking Kanen dead in the eye, sober and unflinching.

It was all he could do not to cry out. He scrambled back and his eyes locked on to a nearby tree branch, as he tried desperately to look anywhere but where his mother and Kanen were locked in an awkward embrace. He heard a crack as the branch fell from the tree right where Kanen was leading his mother away. The man stumbled, falling to the ground with a groan. Hunith released his hand looking to the opposite side, right where Merlin was hidden. He stood gasping shallow breaths as he veered from his mother's sight. She shook her head and ran over to assist Kanen. As soon as her attention was elsewhere, Merlin ran for home.

"Gaius," The court physician looked up at a knock on his door to see a boy of about seventeen years old. "Do you have a moment?" The old man couldn't help noticing the guilty look on the boy's face.

"What has he gotten up to this time?" Gaius rolled his eyes as he placed down the vial he had been preparing for Lady Morgana's return.

"It's… nothing really...er…"

"Elred."

"Perhaps you should see for yourself Sir."

Gaius groaned inwardly as he followed the servant out to the training yards, past the courtyard and to the edge of the forest where Sir Leon was calming a spooked horse, and the prince of Camelot was holding his head and cursing everyone in sight.

"You're supposed to tell me when there's something in my path!" Even incapacitated as he was, Prince Arthur still managed to keep a good fight going, whether it was his doing or someone else's.

"My apologies Sire." Leon said. "I did not expect you to charge the creature head on."

"To be fair, I don't think the horse did either." Elred proceeded to pin the prince down. "Stop. Let Gaius-."

"Let...go. This was your bloody idea!"

Elred, seeing the unbridled anger in his master's eyes, stepped backwards nearly falling himself as Arthur smirked.

"Sire," Gaius sighed. "I would advise you to stop thrashing about. Open your eyes for me please. And will someone explain?"

"Elred managed to plant the idea that hunting a boar would be a fun way to spend an afternoon." A page piped up. "Got us all roped in."

"Beg pardon, I didn't know he'd be daft enough to catch it head on." Elred shook his head.

"You've only been on three months." Leon said. "But you should know by now."

"I already apologized!" Elred's brown eyes flashed.

"Sir Leon, a hand if you please." Gaius cut the squabbling off. "Elred, go fetch some water from the well."

The youth rolled his eyes, still seething, but nodded and left to do his job. Sometimes Gaius wondered who was more trouble, the prince or his servant.

"He's incorrigible." Leon shook his head.

"They both are." The page whispered.

"I'm right here!" Arthur hissed as he tried to sit up, suddenly finding that the world spun in front of his eyes as he fell back, out cold.

"I'll get what you need Gaius." The page, who had spoken earlier, a boy of no more than twelve years old jumped to his feet. He knew enough about the dangers of moving someone who had just had their brain rattled in their skull, especially one who'd been thrown from a skittish horse.

"Thank you." Gaius nodded to the boy telling him the supplies that were required before he ran toward the physician's chambers.

It was sometime later when Arthur found himself in Gaius' chambers, his ribs wrapped and a vial next to his bedside.

"Welcome back Sire." He saw Gaius look up from his reading.

Arthur groaned. "I feel like I've been hit with an axe."

"Getting thrown from a horse has been known to have that effect." Gaius grabbed the vial handing it to the prince. "Drink."

Arthur tipped back the vial sputtering. "Ugh! That's disgusting!"

"It's necessary I'm afraid, if you want to be well for your trip to Essetir."

Arthur groaned. He had forgotten… again. "Does my father know about this?"

"I had to notify him, yes. Sir Leon sent a messenger. He and Lady Morgana will be riding back this afternoon."

"Gaius!" Arthur fell back onto the bed in frustration.

"My apologies Sire. When you are king, I will keep your secrets from your father." Gaius said.

"I'd appreciate that." Arthur retorted.

Gaius chuckled.

Under the physician's watchful eye, there wasn't room to do much of anything. Elred hadn't come back since Leon had pulled him out by his ear, obviously planning on reprimanding him for carelessness as Arthur's servant, so even bossing him about was out of the question. Arthur was absolutely mad with boredom. It was unsurprising then, that he soon fell asleep.

A/N: Congratulations to Aarona and Luka Knight who guessed it was Gaius. Fun fact, and a bit of behind the name for you all. Aveline means desired, Edmond means prosperous protector and Elred means wise advisor... hmm wonder if it will come to fit Arthur's Elred? Next up, does Hunith know Merlin was out? Arthur meets with his father and vents a bit to Morgana, and Gaius receives the letter. Thanks to OUATLovr for letting me bounce ideas and brainstorming help! So, this is where you come in. Let me know what you think so far. I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts and predictions.