Chapter 10: In which Gaius must keep another secret

When Gaius knocked on Hunith's door, he knew that he didn't have much of a head's start. Agravaine was a smart man. He had only had to question a few of the older servants and to gather the facts and find out the location of the Four Elemental Stones. If he was any smarter, he would ride through the night with only a few men. And if Arthur was the perfect knight that Gaius hoped he was the prince would show up just moments after. Merlin would be with him of course; and then things could potentially go very wrong from there.

Hunith's face grew pale as she peered at him. "Gaius? What's wrong? Has something happened? Merlin…?"

"My dear child," Gaius said calmly, "I'm afraid an old story is on its way to haunt us. Lord Agravaine is coming to Ealdor in search of the Four Elemental Stones."

He watched as her face turned from worry to shock. "And Merlin?" she said as she closed the door behind him.

"Following Arthur like a shadow, as always," said the old man.

Hunith offered him a seat and a hot drink but Gaius said no to both. Although he was exhausted after the long ride, he felt too agitated to even sit. He expected that his appearance was a mess, but even that was of little importance compared to the urgency of the situation. Hunith seemed to understand and she went behind a curtain to tie her hair and put a shawl over her nightgown.

"Does Agravaine know that if he means to end all magic, he will be killing Merlin as well?"

"No," replied Gaius right away. "Merlin is still just a lowly servant to him. That is why I have come. Agravaine must not find you here or he will make the connection. You must stay hidden."

"I took an oath in the tradition of the Old Religion to protect the Stones at all costs," said Hunith, emerging from behind the curtain, a defiant look on her face.

For a moment, Gaius was forced to remember the woman that he had met in Camelot so many years ago; a young educated Lady who at her mother's death had been thrown into the arms of a father who didn't love her and who had plans to marry her to a brute old enough to be her grandfather. Ygraine had been her only confident then and at her death, Hunith had become remote and defensive, shutting out everyone and professing the love for the simple peasant's way of living without the grief of having a queen for a half-sister. Hunith had changed much: her face was older, her hands were worn, her clothes were thorn, but the fire in her eyes was the same it had been then when he had offered her the chance of a second life.

"Things have changed, Hunith," the old man said gravely. "Merlin is more important than we both imagined he would be. I can protect the Stones but you, My Lady, must stay away from your brother."

Gauis almost regretted saying these words. This was a woman who had suffered much in her life, and now he was bringing it al back to her.

"We mustn't bring Merlin into this," Hunith said in a whisper.

Gaius stepped closer to her. He wanted to comfort her as a parent would. She had lost so much in her life. The news of Balinor's death, which Gaius had brought to her after the events, had been yet another blow. If only she knew what a precious gift her son was to him, a chance for an old man guilty of many crimes to make amends, than perhaps she would not have such a disgusted look on her face now.

"Hannah," whispered Gaius. "That is your real name. You are the Lady Hannah. Agravaine is your brother. Ygraine was your half-sister. Prince Arthur is your nephew and your son has a claim on the throne."

"Why do you speak of this now?" she voiced out and Gaius could tell that it was difficult for her just to be reminded. "You know that I have renounced those things. I hated that life more than I can say. It is not who I am anymore."

"I know," said Gaius, his voice only a murmur. "When you left, it was to protect the Stones and gain a new life. If I'm here tonight, it is merely to help you protect that which you cherish."

She paced around him, looking anxious. Since she had ceased to be Lady Hannah to become Hunith, a simple peasant woman, there had been little signs of her true heritage in her appearance. Yet a sort of nobility remained in her demeanour and speech. It was the result of being brought up as a Lady, as was her ability to read and write. It was not a coincidence that Merlin possessed more skills than a normal servant: she had passed on some of what she had been taught to him.

"I know that you mean well, Gaius. It's just been so hard. If this is the life that I chose for myself, it is not the one I would pick for Merlin. When he was younger, everyday there were signs that he was meant for something greater. It was in his determination to salvage an injured animal, to settle conflicts without swords, to find a spot of sunlight when it was raining, to keep the fire going when the winter was cold and wet. He never had any inclinations to become a farmer but he always wanted to belong, as though in his heart he knew that he didn't. I taught him to read and write at a young age so that he may other choices or in case my inheritance came to haunt him. There is so much that I should tell him but I feel I would just be taking away that which he now loves. He loves Camelot; that much I know. If anyone finds out about him, about his being Prince Arthur's cousin, another heir to the throne, he would loose everything. His life would be in danger."

She had joined her hands together now and Gaius suspected that it might be because she was shaking.

"I know," said Gaius, pressing both his hands against hers. This time he tried to make his voice as comforting as possible. "This is why I am here to tell you to leave the Stones and Agravaine to me, no matter what happens."

She was gazing at him with pleading eyes. "Gaius, I've kept things from him about his father as well. He will never forgive me."

"Then you don't know your son," Gaius said calmly. "He does not know how to hold a grudge. He's the most selfless and kind-hearted person I know, but he is something more as well. You did the right thing by keeping his magic and the truth about his birth hidden. The likes of him, I have never seen or thought possible, but the truth is in his blood."

Hunith's eyes were tearful and she gasped at the word. "Blood?"

Gaius pulled out a small glass phial from his travel cloak pocket. It was transparent and filled with the dark red liquid.

"I tested it again and again," the old physician explained. "There is old magic in Merlin's blood, older than dragons, older perhaps than the Stones. If it comes to it…"

"No," Hunith sobbed quietly. "You mustn't speak of my son that way..."

"If it comes to it," repeated Gaius with more conviction, "I will use that blood to undo whatever evil Agravaine has done. Merlin's blood holds the key and no one will have to know it was him."

She came to stand before him and took his hands in hers. She was cold and shaking. Gaius suddenly wished he had come to trouble her. He could have gone to the Stones right away...

"You are a good friend," Hunith said softly. "I cannot thank you enough for what you did for Merlin, and most of all for keeping him secret."

Gaius pressed his hands on her shoulders, trying to be as comforting as he could.

"And I will continue to watch over him," he said, his voice full of emotion. "I must go now. Stay here. Stay hidden. Do not open to anyone."

And on that last recommendation, he turned towards the door and left, vaguely wondering if he should have come at all. He took the path across the village and pulled his horse along beside him, too tired to even try to get on it. The clearing, he knew, wasn't far. He would be able to find his way there even in the dark.

As he walked his thoughts started to dwell on the mysterious destiny of his young ward, and he wondered in spite of himself if he had the right to interfere at all. After all, who was he but an old man without family or title? His part in the story of Camelot was almost over. He felt increasingly old and weary and to see Merlin take on more of his duties was making him feel even more like his time was ending. His future as the young warlock's mentor seemed uncertain. His knowledge of magic was mostly related to herbs, healing potions, some notions about the balance of nature and a few enchantments. What was required of Merlin, what he was bond to face soon, would require a different skill altogether. To defeat Morgause and Morgana, to stop such forces of darkness, Merlin would have to learn to feel rather than touch, know rather than learn and act rather than watch. There was no doubt that Merlin already had these abilities in him, but he had yet to explore his full potential. Whether or not the old physician would be there to witness his pupil become the great warlock that he was destined to be, that was a different question altogether.

It is with those gloomy thoughts that he reached the clearing. And it was only when his torch was lit that he discovered, to his great dismay, that he was not the first to reach the Stones.

Author's note:

This was a boring chapter, I know, but useful to the plot. So hang on because the real action in coming up. It should take me a few days to post the next one. Sorry for the long wait…

Please review and tell me what you think of the story so far…

Thanks,