"What's going on?" April asked as they watched a group of soldiers riding in. They were going at a brisk walk, one of them, Hunith noted with a sinking heart held a rope, while he led a man, with his hands bound, behind his horse. It saddened her sometimes that she couldn't intervene. There were times she could, and others where Cenred would just not tolerate it. She tired to press an influence onto him, but it could be futile. Hunith however glanced at Michaneck, one of her regular guards. He was older, no use to Cenred in the field but he trusted him with Hunith, and Merlin.

"I'll see what I can do, My Lady."

Hunith took Merlin's hand. Even he understood the reality. At least he knew it made his mother sad, and he didn't like it when she was sad. The one remaining guard and April headed back towards the castle with Hunith, Merlin holding her hand as they moved through the crowds. People greeted them politely, and Hunith smiled at all of them as they moved through the crowd. Merlin looked around in interest, his face serious, glancing up at Hunith on occasion as he felt the tension in her hand. Something about the soldiers had upset her.

On entering the castle Michaneck intercepted her, giving her a sweeping, formal bow as he always did, treating her with respect. Hunith wished he'd stop now, he had been part of their circle for almost a year. He was more a friend now than a guard.

"What is it?"

"Captain Cyranus would like to speak to you, in the throne room."

Hunith frowned in mild confusion, and prepared to pass Merlin's hand to April. However, Michaneck added.

"He said Merlin should be in attendance."

Hunith clenched her jaw tightly. Eyes flashing with anger. Michaneck looked apologetic, but his hand was resting on the hilt of his sword in a hint that he would do what might be required to protect her. Hunith didn't like Cyranus. There were people in Cenred's army, that captain one of them, who thrived on the strict laws that they enforced. Hunith knew she had been something of an influence on Cenred, but there were others around him that preferred the crueller routes he could take. Cyranus was one of those men. Hunith also had the feeling he was lying in wait, for Cenred to get bored of her. Ignoring the flutter in her chest Hunith straightened up. It would probably come as a shock to most people in the castle if Cenred suddenly rejected her. He seemed to be entirely inclined to keep her, even though it was Merlin who was his main interest.

None of them spoke as they walked through to the formal room. Merlin pressed tighter to Hunith as they entered and she paused at the foot of the dais. There was still only one throne in the room. She had no power, and she wouldn't dare to take the seat. Cenred would most certainly not appreciate the assumption. Cyranus gave a bow that intended to mock. Hunith kept her expression calm.

"You wished to see me Captain Cyranus?" she said calmly, aware of Michaneck lingering close to her. Merlin watched warily from his position, staring at the man with untrusting eyes. Cyranus regarded Merlin in much the same way, then he looked back up at Hunith and indicated to the two of his men holding their prisoner. Without warning they gave him a hard shove. The man fell forward, crashing to the floor, wincing as he landed. He had been beaten somewhere along the way, dried blood on his face, and his clothes were stained. As he sat up a little he flinched, glancing up to briefly meet Hunith's gaze, and then look at Merlin. She watched him frown, just briefly before her attention was drawn back to Cyranus.

"A present for you," Cyranus said.

"You call this a present?" Hunith asked.

"The King does," Cyranus said. Hunith felt the flutter in her torso again, no doubt Cenred will also get a very in depth run down of this conversation, hearing it from Cyranus first. Cyranus indicated to the man on the floor.

"He's a Druid. Cenred wants him to teach the boy."

Hunith glanced down at Merlin. Merlin's gaze was fixed on the prisoner, and, Hunith realised, despite the fact the man had his head down, the angle told her that the Druid was looking back at Merlin.

"Thank the King for his gift," Hunith said, her mind working. She had mentioned it to Cenred as a concern, and Cenred wanted to make use of Merlin. Druids, what she knew of them, were peaceful and used their magic carefully. The man could be more of an ally than a worry. Cyranus smirked but it faded as the Druid's bonds suddenly snapped, the ropes falling away from his wrists. He shifted again, wincing in pain, rubbing his wrists as they throbbed. Lifting his head he met Merlin's gaze more directly.

"Thank you."

Merlin peered around from the folds of his mother's dress, but there was a trace of a smile on his face. Michaneck stepped forward and helped the Druid up. He took the man's upper arm and hoisted him up. He wasn't exactly gentle, but he did so without causing the man any more pain.

"We'll take it from here then," Michaneck said, blocking out Cyranus and his group from having any more involvement. It made the Captain's expression darken.

"I can have some men stay. If you are concerned for the boy's safety," Cyranus said, staring at her intently. Michaneck glared at him and so did Hunith, she felt Merlin's hand tense in hers.

"That will not be necessary, I am sure if Cenred was unsure of his gift he would not have sent it."

Cyranus looked fairly displeased by Hunith so easily putting him off, but it made sense to her. If Cenred had any concerns over Merlin's, or indeed her, safety he would probably had not sent the man in the first place.

"I'm sure the King is more than happy with my abilities to protect Merlin," Michaneck added.

Cyranus straightened up, hand drifting to the hilt of his sword. Michaneck pulled the Druid towards the small group, yanking him a little, but most of them knew it was more show than threat. The prisoner moved without any complaint. Cyranus looked very directly at Hunith and bowed again.

"My Lady."

Hunith blinked, and turned as Horiace came in carrying several documents, his gaze fixed on Cyranus. He paused as he saw Hunith and the group around her, looking confused. Cyranus stepped forward.

"The Lady Hunith was just leaving."

Horiace looked confused but Hunith knew better than to make an issue of it. Instead it was best to beat a retreat. She turned Merlin, and had to physically force him, because her son was glaring at Cyranus. Hunith literally moved his head, and he went so far, until his eyes met the Druid's. After a second, Merlin seemed to relax and happily trotted along as Hunith led him. April went behind the pair of them and Michaneck dragged the Druid along with him, at least he was making it look like dragging, he was actually holding the man up. They got as far as the corridor that led to Hunith's rooms when she turned and stared at the Druid.

"Cenred captured you?"

"He caught us crossing the boarder from Camelot, My Lady."

Hunith guessed he used the address because Cyranus had. However, this man used it far more respectfully than the Captain did.

"My name is Hunith. You said us?"

"They escaped, with my help. He said he would not kill me, or chase them if I followed whatever command he gave me. My name is Iseldir. I will do what you command of me, and your son is in no danger from me."

Hunith paused and looked at him. His hair was matted and filthy and she could smell him, even though he was stood almost six feet away from her. Very carefully she looked him in the eye, over the last two years, while she and Merlin had been with Cenred, she had become good at reading people, at seeing the subtle hints behind their eyes as they spoke. She didn't think she was wrong, something had passed between her son and this man, and in response Merlin had seen fit to snap the ropes holding him. For some reason, he had come willingly, even though that had probably been hidden from Cenred's men, and Cenred himself. Iseldir looked just a little older than herself, she turned and looked down at Merlin. He looked perfectly calm, and even gave her a slight smile.

"Very well, perhaps you are better coming back when you have bathed and eaten," Hunith mused, she turned and glanced at Michaneck.

"I can get someone to see to it."

"My Lady, I will help," April said. Hunith nodded and then tugged her son's hand, pulling him away. April and Michaneck hustled Iseldir away, and he went with them without complaint. Hunith took Merlin into the morning room. The sun had faded away, but she knew no one expected her to be in there this late on. She wanted a moment with Merlin, in complete privacy. Sitting down on the window seat she lifted him gently and settled him next to her.

"Merlin, was that you, who untied him?"

Her little son nodded, his face solemn. "He said he wouldn't hurt me."

"I know he said that, but you sometimes have to be careful."

Merlin nodded again. "He said I was special."

"When?"

"When we talked, in my head," he told her, his voice still very serious. Hunith frowned.

"What do you mean Merlin?"

"I could hear him, but no one else could," Merlin said, his little voice bright, sounding pleased about the whole thing. Hunith took his hand, looking at him seriously.

"Merlin, you have to be careful, showing people your magic."

"But he can do magic too," Merlin said, sounding confused. Hunith looked pained and hugged her son close to her. Merlin gave a little murmur of confusion, but he snuggled against her, enjoying the hugging, as he always did.

"You're too young to understand now, you just have to remember, I love you, and I don't want anything to happen to you."

She was, Hunith thought, going to have to make very sure of that.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Iseldir returned to the apartments with Michaneck behind him, and April leading. He had put up no resistance to any of the orders. He had been bathed, given decent clothes and fed. The guard was a lingering, slightly threatening, presence but again it was simply something to accept. There had been nothing he could have done about his capture and he had been intrigued by his meeting with the little boy.

However, when they returned to the rooms, Merlin was not present. Instead Hunith sat calmly sewing and with one glance April and Michaneck left the room. It surprised the Druid but he sat down in the chair as Hunith nodded it at. She continued to sew for a moment, hardly even registering his presence.

"Merlin said he could hear you talking, in his mind."

"It is a talent we have, to communicate in such a way, but only through practice, as well as some talent."

"But you could to Merlin."

Hunith carried on sewing, not looking up but Iseldir got the feeling that she was watching very carefully.

"Yes, his talent is… extraordinary."

"Cenred believes so," Hunith said, her eyes drifted up for a moment.

"I cannot argue with that. I do not believe that Merlin will need much training to develop the control he needs. It appears to come as naturally as his magic."

"I don't believe Cenred has simply control in mind," Hunith said, sounding to Iseldir very honest about her opinion.

"He plans to use the boy as a weapon?" It wasn't really much of a question, although Iseldir made it so.

Hunith's sewing paused, she pushed the needle into the fabric and left it there, lowering the material to her lap.

"I would think so, however, he seems fond of Merlin."

Iseldir raised his eyebrows, but he did not comment. He possibly couldn't on such a thing. There were things he could have said, so many things, but considering the nature of the interview, he did not think that too many revelations were a good idea.

The things he could say, he did.

"That may be true. However, I will do no harm to your son, and will attempt to show him how to use his magic, as a gift like that should be treated, with care. Powers such like that are not bestowed lightly, I will do my best to make sure he understands such a thing."

Hunith's eyes stayed on him the entire time he spoke. He certainly meant what he said, and he tried to convey that. She regarded him for a while before she eventually spoke.

"We'll see."

Two years later they certainly did.