GUYYYSSSS! I'm so excited! These reviews, follows, and favorites make me so ridiculously happy! I was posting about it on Facebook and my hubby is thinking I'm crazy because of how happy this has made me. I appreciate every single one of you! *heart* Also, I just now saw how short my chapters have been, so I'll work on making my updates longer! *smiles*

Anyyywhooo, I still don't own Merlin. Just so you know.

Kk, story time!

An eerie silence echoed through the room. Merlin held his breath as he looked at each and every one of his closest friends. Gwen, Elyan, and Leon looked troubled. Gwaine and Percival, who did not grow up in Camelot and under Uther's tyranny, held easy smiles on their faces. As if it was so believable. As if it was okay.

Arthur, however, looked betrayed, and that cut Merlin, like a dagger through the heart. His stomach was in knots and a lump was in his throat, making breathing a very difficult task. He couldn't take it if Arthur stayed mad.

"Remember what I said about no judging until you know everything. And know that it will take a very long time. We have so many memories to go through, so many stories that need to be told," Will said, pacing his hand on Merlin's shoulder. He pointed to memory Hunith, drawing everyone's attention to it. It was as if the memory had paused for the explanation.

Hunith's cries continued, even though baby Merlin was perfectly safe.

"My baby," she cried. The agony in her voice was so clear. Tears streaked down Gwen's face. All the knights looked troubled. Even Arthur looked disturbed at Hunith's pain; knowing how strong of a woman she was.

"My baby. They're gunna kill my baby. My sweet, precious Merlin."

She held baby Merlin so tight, he started to wiggle, obviously uncomfortable.

"NO! No, I can't lose you. You're all I have. Oh, please, goddess, do something. Take him away."

Her grip tightened and Merlin started to cry.

"Hunith! Let go, you're gunna kill him," cried Gwen.

The real Hunith started crying at the memory, ashamed. Merlin held her in his arms, giving her a kiss on the head.

Guais placed his hand on Hunith's shoulder.

"Please," memory Hunith pleaded with no one, "Please, take him away from this world, I can't bear it."

Shaking and crying, she slowly released her grip on Merlin.

He placed his tiny hand against her cheek and looked into her teary eyes. Shame filled Hunith and she cried.

"No. I'll protect you, Merlin, I swear it. I will do anything to protect you. I'll teach to to not trust anyone, to be anti-social. I'll teach you to fear those in power. I'll do anything I can to make sure you are never, ever found out. Please, Merlin, listen to mummy. Don't ever do magic again. Okay? Never!"

Everything fades to black and they are in a normal room again. There is now a large table and chairs and rows of mattresses and blankets.

"Anyone hungry?" asked Will.

Everyone agreed that stopping for food would be good.

They ate and talked amongst themselves. Well, the knights did at least. Arthur glared at Merlin, obviously still upset, Merlin looked at Arthur, hoping with every glance, he'd be more accepting, and Hunith and Guias held a whispered conversation.

"Is everyone ready for another memory?" asked Will.

Everyone nodded.

"Well, let's get to it."

They were still in Hunith's hut, but time had obviously passed. Part of the roof was coming apart, Hunith looked years older, and Merlin was now a toddler.

It was storming outside. Rain was pooling on the floor. Hunith bustled around, putting the few bowls she had under the bigger leaks, trying to keep the water out. Blankets were on the floor.

"I wish I could get this fixed," she said, muttering to herself.

Baby Merlin looked from his mother to the roof. His eyes turned gold and the leaks stopped. Hunith looked from the roof to Merlin.

Merlin smile at his mother.

"Water goes bye bye," he said, giggling and clapping his hands.

Everyone smiled at the small Merlin. Even Arthur. It was a very Merlin thing to do.

Memory Hunith looked torn. Grateful for the roof being fixed, but horrified that Merlin was doing magic.

"Merlin, baby, remember what we talked about?"

Merlin's smile faded and his expression turned somber. He held his finger up to his lips.

Hunith nodded and mimicked his movements.

"We never tell. We never trust," they said together.

A/N:

Sorry, this is still short. I wanted to make it longer, but this seemed like a good break. Plus also, I haven't updated yet.

Speaking of updating, my updates might get a little sporadic. I have two kids, I just got a full time position at my work (I'm a librarian!), and I'm about to start grad school. So yes, all good things, but it also means my time will start to get limited. I promise I'll keep this up, but I'm just saying, I might not be posting daily! I hope that's okay with everyone.

*Adri