2. Two for joy
"Congratulations Hunith!" Merry said and hugged her friend. "Does Balinor know yet?"
"No," Hunith replied, her hands caressing her flat stomach and the child she already knows is growing up inside her. "I'm going to tell him tonight."
Hunith smiled at Merry. "What do you think I should make for dinner?"
Merry smiled. "It wouldn't matter! The gods are in your favor see?" She pointed out towards the fence, at the two birds that sat there, blinking at them.
"Two for joy…" Hunith whispered and her mouth curled in a small smile.
"Two for joy," Agreed Merry and took hold of Hunith's arm. "Now come on, let's get a dinner ready for that man of yours."
In Camelot
"Congratulations sire," Gaius said with a soft smile. King Uther smiled and nodded.
"Thank you Gaius, though, I must ask as to what happy occasion you are referring to?"
Gaius frowned. "Your marriage of course, sire, what else is there-"
"Only the fact that we have finally tracked down that traitor Balinor." Uther said calmly, his fingers drumming an even beat on the arm seat.
Gaius paled. "You found him?"
"Yes and not a moment too late. For two years he has been hiding but now…" The king's face hardened and Gaius flinched.
"Sire?"
"The last Dragon lord will be executed by the pyre Gaius, the moment the knights will return from Ealdor."
"Ealdor?" Gaius's face was even whiter.
"That's where he has been hiding for the last two years." The king said and stood up. "I assume you had no knowledge of that?"
"None sire." Gaius said while shaking his head.
The king nodded and rose from his seat, moving to the door. "Oh and Gaius?"
"Sire?"
"Thank you for the wishing regarding my new queen." Gaius nodded once and Uther left.
"Oh Hunith…" He mumbled and buried his head in his hands.
Ealdor
"Balinor!" Hunith stared at Balinor as he burst through the door to their house.
"Hunith," Balinor said, breathlessly, his eyes darting around the house.
"Balinor wha-"
"Uther, Camelot, they found me, I, I have to go."
Hunith stared at him, her eyes wide and her hands going involuntary to her stomach. "Go?" She echoed after him and Balinor stopped his packing and turned around.
"Hunith," He reached for her, his eyes soft. "I have to go my love, if they find me here they'll kill me, you, everyone in this village for hiding me, I, I have to go."
"Take me with you," Hunith begged. "Please."
"I can't my love, it's, it's not the life for you, I'm a wanted man, and Uther's man will kill me if they catch me."
"But…"
"I'm sorry." He whispered, his face buried in her neck. "I'm so sorry."
Hunith and Merry watched as Balinor's form slowly disappeared into the forest. "You haven't told him, haven't you?" Hunith shook her head.
Merry held her tightly and eyed the sky above them. "Oh…" She said softly.
Hunith's eyes followed her gaze and her face fell when she spotted the two flying Magpies above them. "Two for joy…" She whispered.