Title: Down to the Stream
Prompt: The Voices Unheard (Choose any MINOR character on the show and write a drabble from their perspective.)
Rating/Warnings: K+
Word Count: 350
Summary: "Where are you going child?"
Disclaimer: IDOM
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"Where are you going child?" Will turned sharply, but his eyes softened when he spotted Hunith walking towards him, balancing a basket of soiled clothing on her hip.
"Just down to the stream, mam. I'll be back soon."
Hunith pursed her lips in worry, a shadow descending on her face. "There's more fish in the river, Will."
"Yeah, but I prefer the stream."
Hunith sighed. "Will..."
He grinned at her, but his eyes betrayed him. "It's okay mam. Don't worry."
"You know I do."
Will's eyes grin softened to a fond smile, and he dropped a kiss on her forehead, then walked away. "I'll be back by dinner!"
Hunith's voice floated back towards him. "And what am I supposed to do with all of you 'lil ones, young man?!" Will laughed.
During that cold winter, when Will's drunkard of a father had finally left his children to starve, Hunith had taken in Will and his younger siblings, despite barely being able to feed her own son. Will and Merlin worked hard all winter to try and provide for themselves, Hunith, two young boys and a baby girl. When Spring finally came Will may have moved his family back to their home but the two families had become one. And now that Merlin was . . . gone . . . Will visited Hunith every day, working her garden, hunting, and helping out around the house.
Will reached the stream and immediately wished that he hadn't come. Memories of Merlin were everywhere—the poles they had carved four summers ago, the rock that Merlin had split open with his mind to see if jewels lay inside, the tree Merlin had dared Will to climb (the branch at the top and snapped and Will should have died... That was the day he had found out about Merlin's gift). Everywhere there were happy, painful memories of a friend who had packed up and left without saying goodbye.
Tears prickled behind Will's eyes, and a terrible sadness clawed at his chest as hurt and love and betrayal tore him apart.
His voice was a whisper. "Why aren't you back yet?"
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