Chapter 9
The pale sun began to creep over the distant hills, casting a dull glow on Camelot. A gentle fog hung in the air, hugging the procession's clothes. All was silent apart from the bustle of people and the occasional nickering of horses. Many of the knights that were accompanying the Pendragons were yawning because of the earliness of the day. Arthur himself was having trouble keeping himself awake because he had not had a moment's sleep the previous night.
Merlin, despite the prospect of Uther and Arthur possibly finally finding him out, was excited to be returning back to Ealdor. He missed his mother terribly and he was incredibly glad that he was going to see her after all of the time away from home. He knew that she would be pleased to see Gaius; and he hoped she would like Freya. She would also be happy to see Arthur and Gwen.
However, he could already guess at how she would react to him finding out about his father, Balinor, dying, and the discovery that he had been Uther and Aurelius' brother. The warlock was pretty certain that she would be upset about Balinor dying.
When Merlin had first woken up, he had found Gaius at his side, looking concerned. The old man had explained that he had been acting oddly with the rock Aurelius had given them, and Merlin had immediately given it to him. The feeling that the rock had given him had gone, much to Gaius' relief, though he had insisted on checking Merlin over. It had apparently been unnecessary; Merlin was as fit as he had ever been. Gaius had then said that he would take the rock with him to look it over. The pair hadn't been able to come to a conclusion as to why Merlin had reacted to the rock as he had, but they continued to speculate to themselves as they waited to leave.
Soon, the small procession was ready and Uther gave the word for them to depart. He led, with Aurelius and Arthur behind him, and Merlin, Gwen and Freya behind those two. The selected knights followed.
Night had fallen and the group had camped, not daring to carry on in the dark. A few tents had been erected- one for Uther, one for Aurelius and one for Freya and Gwen. Arthur had insisted that he sleep with the rest of the knights and had lent the final tent to Gaius. The only person that was awake was Merlin, who had been put on watch for the entire night.
"Great," he thought, as he began to shiver because of the cold, drawing the rug Elyan had lent him around his body. "Why do I always have to end up doing this job? I'm only human."
He stoked the fire with a stray stick and looked around at the sleeping forms around him. Off to his right were Arthur, Gwaine and Geraint. Somewhere to his left was Elyan, Percival, Leon and at least five other knights. Lancelot was across from the fire, still some distance away.
Sighing, Merlin leant his arms on his knees and used them as a rest for his head. He may not be able to sleep, but that didn't mean that he couldn't stay comfortable.
The warlock suddenly felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and span around, sword at the ready. He was relieved to see that it was Freya.
"I thought you could do with some company," she whispered, casting her gaze around at the sleeping knights.
Merlin patted the space next to him on the log he was sitting on. "Thank you."
"Why do you have to be the only one on guard duty?"
"So that the knights have enough energy if we're attacked, or some other reason like that."
"That not's fair. You'd be even more vulnerable in a fight."
"I'd have to manage."
Freya shivered delicately, at which Merlin threw the rug around her as well. They huddled together, their teeth chattering because of the cold.
"You should have stayed in bed," Merlin muttered, his breath rising in torrents of steam.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Did you wake Gwen?"
"No, she's sleeping like a log, bless her... Speaking of Gwen, she was worried about you earlier."
"Sorry?"
"She went to visit Arthur the morning after you were poisoned, and she said that you were outside his room, looking as if you were distraught by something. Gwen was concerned that something had happened; and she actually said that something did cross her mind- that you blamed yourself for Balinor's death and you blame yourself even more now that you know he was Arthur's uncle. You don't blame yourself, do you?"
"I guess I do... I should have done a better job of protecting myself, and I should have saved him."
"Merlin, never say that. Please don't ever blame yourself. Has that been bothering you for the last two years?"
"I wish it had been. My remorse seems to have taken a back seat in my life."
"You should still have enough time to grieve, even if you do have such a busy time."
"I know, but I don't think it would help if I failed everybody else."
"Is this why you were acting like that when Gwen saw you?"
Merlin looked at her, and shook his head. "No... I found out something... I was planning to tell you, but I was just to trying to understand it myself."
"Merlin, whatever it is, I understand if you didn't tell me straight away. It's not as if you have to tell me everything, though I will ask if I think something is wrong."
"I know, but I don't plan on keeping anything from you..." He stared around at the knights, making sure that none of them were stirring. "Aurelius told Uther, Arthur and Gaius that his and Uther's mother had an affair with another man, and she had his child." Freya gave him a puzzled, so he continued. "The man was a Dragonlord and the child was named Balinor."
A look of understanding dawned upon Freya's face and she clapped her hand to her mouth.
"Oh my God," she whispered, she to making sure that none of the knights were awake. "But that makes you..."
"Arthur's cousin."
"Is this why they're going to Ealdor? To find Balinor's child? To find you?"
Merlin nodded in reply. "Aurelius guessed as much as a Dragonlord's power is passed on through blood. The three of them deduced that because my father's powers weren't passed on to any of them then he must have had a child. They know that he only spent time in other people's company whilst he was hiding in Ealdor."
"Merlin, you really need to be careful. If Uther or Arthur find out... I don't want to see you die... The law against magic... Arthur could realise because he knows you're from Ealdor."
"I know; which is why Gaius and my mother created a false story to tell everyone. Gaius told Arthur that my father was a merchant from Mercia and he died of a fever before I was born."
"You still may have a few problems. Some people may have some difficulty convincing."
"I'll be fine. If the worst comes to the worst, I can always wipe someone's memory."
"Do you even know how to do that?"
"No, but there has to be a spell somewhere. I'm not going to be stopped, even if someone finds out either of my secrets; and if they even think of hurting you to get at me... I won't let that happen."
"Just as long as nothing happens to you. You once said that you don't want to lose me; well, I don't want to lose you, either. We've only just found each other again."
Merlin allowed himself to smile, as he hugged Freya closer to keep her warm and planted a gentle kiss in her forehead.
Gwaine, who had been snoring loudly, suddenly shifted in his sleep. The two froze, praying that he would remain asleep, and they were thankful that he did.
"I'd better go back to bed," Freya mumbled.
"You don't have to."
"It's nearly dawn as it is. They'll all be waking up in a while and Gwen will be wondering where I am. Heaven forbid if she raised the alarm. Uther would probably flog you for allowing me to distract you from watch duty."
"Alright, I see your point. I'll see you in a bit."
Freya gave him a chaste kiss, and smiled at him as she disappeared back into her tent. Merlin continued to peer at the tent for quite a while, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He was glad that he had told Freya the truth.
Unbeknownst to him, Lancelot was lying on his side, facing away from them, his eyes open and alert. He was doing his best to stay still but relaxed, and to keep breathing heavily. He knew he shouldn't have listened in, but now he knew what had been on Merlin's mind for the last few days- he and Gwaine had sensed it, but were reluctant to press their friend for information in case it upset him.
Lancelot knew that he couldn't tell anybody, not even Gwaine, that Merlin was related to Uther and Arthur. The repercussions could be catastrophic if he did.
The procession made their way over a last hilltop and saw the small village laid out before them. They continued until they reached a small clearing surrounded by a number of trees and began to pitch camp.
Arthur soon went up to his father. "I think I will tour the village, just to gain ground of what is where."
Uther had thought that it was a practical idea and had ordered Gwaine, Lancelot and Elyan to go with him. Freya decided to join them, as did Gwen. As for Merlin, he was delighted that Arthur had given him an excuse to go and see his mother.
The seven of them made their way towards the village, and when they came into view, they could already see people beginning to mill around in the dirty track that was the street, clearly wanting to know who the strangers were. There were a number if cheers as they recognised Merlin, Arthur and Gwen.
"Somebody get Hunith," someone called. A small child ran off down the road, giggling loudly.
"Hunith?" Elyan asked Gwen.
"Merlin's mother."
"Ah."
They were then swallowed up by the small crowd of people. Every villager was delighted to see Merlin after such a long time, and they were very excited that Arthur and Gwen were there also. They were all very welcoming to Gwaine, Freya, Lancelot and Elyan.
Soon, Merlin could see the small child running back, closely followed by a raven haired woman. Breaking through the crowd, he jogged over to his mother and gave her an almost bear-like hug.
"I've missed you," he muttered.
"I have to," she said. "It's so good to see you; Arthur and Gwen as well. Who are the others?"
"You may want to wait a minute for the others to let them go."
"Well, we could be here for a while. How have you been?"
Merlin broke away from the hug and smiled at her. "The same really- protecting Camelot and Arthur. Nothing really changes there. Are you alright?"
"Nothing really changes here. We help each other and at the moment we're preparing for the Summer Solstice. I must say, I wasn't expecting a visit from so many of you."
"I'll explain later. All I can say now that the king is here as well."
Hunith's eyes widened slightly, but decided to not pursue the subject. Merlin would tell her when he was ready.
"Where's the Lady Morgana?" she asked, offhandedly.
The warlock froze at the unexpected question. "She... She's like me... but she decided to use her gifts for evil. She ran last month with her sister after we saved the kingdom."
"Oh... that's terrible. How is it affecting Arthur and the king?"
"Not very well, they took it very badly, mainly because it turns out that Morgana is Uther's daughter."
"No."
Merlin nodded.
"Oh my goodness."
There was a slight pause as Hunith took this in. Merlin knew that she had liked Morgana- she had shouted down Morgana and Gwen's protests of them not having the bed on their last visit.
"Mother, I heard that Cenred died."
"He did- killed by a sorceress."
"But that means..."
"I know... Oh yes, and I have a surprise for you."
"So have I; Gaius came as well."
Hunith grinned, obviously excited to see her old friend.
At that moment, the crowd dispersed and the other six made their way over to where Merlin and Hunith were standing.
"It's nice to see you again Hunith," Arthur said, nodding.
"Likewise." Gwen went to hug her and she returned it. "And who are your friends?"
Merlin turned to the knights and Freya.
"This is Sir Gwaine." Gwaine gave Hunith a grin.
"Sir Lancelot." Lancelot nodded and smiled, his hand leaving the hilt of his sword in a waving fashion.
"Sir Elyan."
"Nice to meet you," Elyan said.
"And this is Freya." Freya beamed, holding out her hand for Hunith to shake.
Hunith laughed, but couldn't help notice how Merlin was watching Freya. It was protective but was also layered with deeper emotion. At that moment, Hunith was positive that her son had found someone for which he could care for, something that didn't have to tie in with his destiny.
"It's nice to see that Merlin hasn't become some sort of recluse," she joked, at which Merlin raised his eyebrows. Arthur and Gwaine snorted with laughter.
"If he had, I'd have gone straight to Camelot and sorted him out for you, Hunith," a voice said behind them.
They turned around to see a young woman perched on the rickety wooden fence. She wore dark brown trousers instead of a skirt or dress, which, oddly, went with her long sleeved white shirt and black over-shirt, both of which were square necked. Her eyes were a pale blue and her long hair hung straight down her back, a mousy light brown. She was incredibly pale but beautiful; and, to Arthur, she was skinnier than his servant, if that was even possible.
Merlin's eyes widened, but his mouth broke into a wide grin.
"Elayne?"
"No need to sound surprised, Merlin, I'm allowed to come back home if I want to, aren't I?"
The girl jumped off of the fence and the pair went into a hug, the girl having to stand on the tip of her toes to be able to wrap her arms around the warlock's shoulders.
"Goodness, you're skinny," Elayne said, chuckling, breaking out of the hug. "You're going to be nothing more than a bag of bones in next to no time."
"The same could be said for you. Have you just been training since you left?"
Elayne gave a gentle laugh. "Almost."
"Who is this?" Lancelot asked Merlin.
"I'm Elayne." The girl held out her hand for Lancelot to shake, but to her surprise, Lancelot took it in both of his and kissed it. Elayne blushed slightly.
"Lancelot," the knight muttered.
"Please don't tell me we'll have to do that as well," Gwaine moaned in an audible undertone.
"Don't worry, I can settle for shaking your hand," Elayne said, laughing.
Gwaine did. "So I take it that you're Merlin's friend who drank sixteen tankards of mead in one go."
The others ogled her, though Merlin shut his eyes and a hand went to his forehead, and Hunith bit her lip as to not laugh.
"Thanks, Merlin," Elayne muttered. "What a brilliant first impression to give people." She chuckled. "If you lot think I'm a drunk then permit me to correct your assumption- I've only been drunk at least three times, the sixteen tankard thing being one of them... So... I know you lot are knights and that your friend is called Freya- nice to meet you by the way. Are you two nobles or something?" The question was directed at Gwen and Arthur.
Merlin froze as did Hunith. They shared a look in which Hunith conveyed to her son that Elayne was all too aware of how Will had died.
"No, I'm not," Gwen said, laughing. "I'm just Gwen; it's short for Guinevere."
"Nice to meet you just Gwen. So who does that make you friend?"
"Arthur Pendragon," Arthur said, holding out his hand for Elayne to shake.
To everyone's surprise, apart from Hunith and Merlin's, the girl blanched and looked as if she had to force herself to shake the prince's hand.
"Hello," Elayne gasped.
They were suddenly distracted by a yell from the camp in the trees, which was followed by a lot of raucous noise. The knights, Merlin, Freya, Gwen, Hunith and Freya began towards the camp, the rest of the villagers staring after them from their gardens.
When they reached the camp, they saw that the knights were staring around at the ground and the trees. Aurelius and Gaius were not there, however Uther was. Everyone's swords were drawn.
"What is it?" Arthur asked Leon, he to staring around the clearing.
"Some sort of... I don't know... a hairy demon. It came out of nowhere and started to ruin the camp and throw things around."
"Was it small with a tail?" Elayne asked unexpectedly.
"I think so," Leon replied. "Sorry, but who are-"
"Please excuse me." Elayne began to put her fingers towards her mouth.
"Elayne, what are you doing?" Merlin asked.
"Sorting this out before they run him through with a sword."
"Who's 'him'?" Gwaine asked.
Elayne shook her head and placed her forefinger and thumb in her mouth a let loose a shrill whistle that rang around the clearing. Everybody looked.
They then heard some sort of hooting noise and looked around to see what was causing it.
"There, he's in the tree," Hunith called, pointing.
Everyone looked up to see a small golden monkey hanging from a branch in the tree that Hunith had pointed out. They all looked at the girl. The only time any of them had seen a monkey was when a trader had visited Camelot from overseas.
Elayne crept up to the tree, holding up her arm. "Ajax, come here." Her voice was gentle as she held the monkey's gaze.
The monkey hesitated but seemed to retreat further back against the tree.
"Oh great."
"Why isn't he coming down?" Merlin asked.
"They've all got their swords out. Would you excuse me?"
To everyone's surprise, Elayne took a run at the tree and jumped onto one of the lowermost branches, managing to balance herself. She then began to scale the tree as if she was only crawling on the floor, weaving around the branches as if they were barely there. The warlock wondered at how she had been able to accomplish this.
"Wow," was all Gwaine could say. Lancelot, Arthur and Gwen nodded in agreement.
The girl soon reached the branch where the monkey was perched and she motioned for him to come to her. Ajax made slow movements, until he was finally perched on her shoulder.
Merlin thought that it would be impossible for her to climb back down the tree with a monkey clutching her, but he was wrong. His friend made the process look effortless as she made her way back down, again, as if she was crawling on flat ground. In fact, Ajax seemed to be making it easier for her as they worked in perfect synchronisation to make sure that their descent was safe.
"Gods," Elyan muttered.
"I've never seen anything like that," Leon said in agreement.
"You can say that again," Arthur alleged, staring at the girl in fascination.
"Sorry, I think he was just curious," Elayne said, not having heard the knights' comments and apparently not seeing the impressed expressions on everybody else's faces. "He didn't break anything valuable, did he?"
Uther made his way over towards her. She looked at him almost defiantly.
"What manner of monkey is this?" Uther asked, half curious, half angry.
"He doesn't mean any harm," Elayne replied, coolly. "As I said, he's curious. Monkeys generally are. Did he break anything?"
"He startled the horses, but that's all. Could you please keep this animal under control- we thought it was some sort of magical creature."
"I'm sorry, I can't promise that, Sire. He's not a dog that can be kept on a leash. If any compensation needs to be paid then I will gladly do it, but I cannot imprison a free natured animal- he was born into the wild and not for captivity."
Uther gave her a stony look, but she didn't even flinch. He dismissed it and went off back towards his tent. Elayne turned around and walked away, now looking flushed. The others stared after her.
"I'll go after her," Hunith offered, nodding at the knights, Freya, Gwen and Arthur.
"What was that about?" Arthur demanded of Merlin. "Not just about now, but also when I told her my name."
"I guess she feels that she doesn't owe your family anything," Merlin replied.
"Meaning?"
"Well... Elayne... Will, my friend who took the arrow for you four years ago... was Elayne's older brother."
Lancelot walked into the small house and saw the young woman sitting on a large bed, playing with a sword. Ajax, the monkey, was currently clambering up her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Lancelot asked.
"How did you know where I live?"
"Merlin asked me to find you. He needs to explain something to you and his mother."
Elayne sighed and stood up, groaning softly as her crouched back straightened.
"Are you alright?" the knight repeated.
"I guess not," Elayne replied. "Have you ever lost someone you loved and you couldn't do anything to stop it?"
Lancelot nodded. "I was orphaned when I was a boy. My entire village was raised to the ground and I couldn't do anything to prevent it."
"Oh God... I'm so so sorry... I need to get things into perspective."
"No you don't. It's never a nice feeling when you lose someone close to you. Merlin told us about what happened."
"I bet you think I'm being silly compared to what happened with your family."
"Not at all."
Elayne gave him a slight smile. "It's Lancelot, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Sounds very noble, which I take it you are."
The pair chuckled.
"Oh right, sorry, Merlin calls." Elayne made her way towards the door with Ajax clinging to her, which Lancelot held open for her. "Thank you."
The pair walked out into the cold night air and continued down the dusty road.
"What are you doing up so late, anyway?" Elayne asked, letting Ajax climb onto her other arm. "I thought all of the knights would be back at the camp."
"Merlin told me that you know about him," Lancelot whispered.
"What his-" she mouthed the word magic. The knight nodded.
"Why did he tell a knight? No offence, but you may have told Uther about him."
"He didn't actually tell me. He killed a griffin and made it look like I had done it. I heard him use a spell; and I have no intention on turning him in. I wasn't a knight to begin with. I've only been one for a month or so. I tried once before but I was rejected because of my lack of noble blood. In truth, Merlin is the one that should have been knighted."
"You've never met anyone like him, have you?"
"No; I find that his is persistently noble in nature. You?"
"Never, and I've travelled through many countries. It just goes to show how unique he is in times like this."
Lancelot had to agree with this. They were all in dark times and Merlin was the ever-growing light to this darkness.
"What you did earlier with the tree-"
Elayne cut him off with a laugh. "I bet you think I was showing off."
"No. Honestly, you looked very serious, though I've never seen anyone do something like that before in living memory. How is it possible for a human being to do that without struggling?"
"It did take quite a bit of practise. It's all about looking ahead and spotting where to put your hands and feet. Ajax being there helps as well. You should see some people in Persia. They are exceptionally good at it."
At this, the monkey suddenly hooked his tail around her arm, which she held level, and he hung off, upside-down. To Lancelot, he was giving them both a goofy smile.
That was when they reached Hunith's small house, and they opened the door to find Freya, Gaius and Hunith there as well as Merlin.
"Thanks Lancelot," Merlin said, gratefully.
"Merlin, I must ask, but are you going to be telling these two about what you were telling Freya last night?" Lancelot muttered, casting his gaze behind him, making sure that nobody was lurking in the street.
Merlin gulped. "You heard?"
"I didn't mean to listen, but if you're going to explain it properly now then is it alright if I stay to hear what you have to say?"
The warlock nodded, pushing the door fully open. Elayne gave them both a confused look.
"What's wrong?" she asked, looking around. "Please don't tell me that somebody else has died."
"Sort of," Merlin muttered, looking suddenly miserable. "I'll explain when we're inside."
After they had made sure that the door was shut firmly behind them, the three then went to check that the windows were fully covered, checking again that nobody was in the immediate vicinity. When this was done, the six of them sat around a lone candle in the middle of the floor, though Gaius was on a chair, the light dancing across their faces. Ajax disappeared into the rafters of the small house.
"What's been happening, Merlin?" Hunith asked, concerned for her son. Merlin turned to Gaius.
"I'd start with the Great Dragon," the old man advised, nodding in encouragement
"About two years ago," the warlock began, "I released the Great Dragon from the cave underneath the castle after swearing that I would, and he immediately began to attack Camelot. Gaius told us that the only way to defeat him would be to ask help from a Dragonlord."
Hunith's face became drawn and horrified at the word.
"I told him," Gaius confessed at Hunith's pointed glance at him.
"You could have said something to me," Merlin continued.
"I know I should have," Hunith said, "but it would have been far more dangerous for you than necessary. You had so much to deal with and I didn't want to make it harder for you."
"I know you didn't, and I realise it would have been hard for you if you had."
"Who exactly are we talking about?" Elayne asked, clearly confused as she looked from one to the other.
"Merlin's father, Balinor, was the last Dragonlord, Elayne," Gaius explained.
Elayne turned to her friend, her eyes wide with amazement and something close to reverence. "That's... a Dragonlord? I thought they were all dead."
"Neither of us had been conceived yet," Merlin said, feeling uncomfortable as it once again hit him that he was the last of his kind, "so by the time we were born he had been chased away by Uther's men."
"Is he alright?" Hunith asked, breathlessly. "Did you find him?"
"He was in a cave in Faeorei Mountain. He took some persuading because of what Uther had done to him, but in the end he agreed after being reminded that there were still people in Camelot worth protecting. I told him who as was... and the next morning... Cenred's men found us... He took a blow for me and I couldn't save him..."
He gazed ashamedly at his mother, who was beginning to shake as tears welled in her eyes. Merlin immediately went over to her and held her as she cried for her lost love. Elayne was kneeling next to her, looking as if she had no idea what to do. Gaius had also stood up and had a hand on her shoulder. Freya and Lancelot lingered around them, not knowing if they should become involved or not- this was a family moment and they didn't want to intrude.
It was a while before Hunith managed to stop crying, wiping her eyes and trying to smile despite how she was feeling.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't be," Elayne said, softly. "Hunith, how many times have you told me you shouldn't be ashamed to cry over someone you love?"
Merlin's mother chuckled and blinked back more tears.
"I'm alright," she sighed. Merlin let her go but still looked worried.
"Mother-"
"It's just shocked me. I'll be alright, hopefully... What did he say when you told him?"
"He was fine with it. At first he thought that you'd married, but... well, you didn't, did you. He was... happy at the idea of being a father."
Hunith sniffed, and tried to smile. Gaius still had his hand on her shoulder and didn't look as if he would move it any time soon, obviously worried for his friend's state of mind.
"That isn't all though, is it Merlin?" Elayne asked, noting Merlin's suddenly uncomfortable expression. She knew she was right when the warlock exchanged a look with Freya, Lancelot and Gaius.
"Something recently came up," Lancelot said. "Though, I think Merlin and Gaius are more in the know than me and Freya are."
"What's happened?" Hunith asked, looking from her son to Gaius.
"You know the story of Aurelius Ambrosius going to Gaul to look for his and Uther's mother, don't you, Hunith?" Gaius queried, at which she nodded. "Well, quite recently, I think, Aurelius found a young woman who their mother had cared for, though Aurelius and Uther's mother had died several years ago. This woman showed Aurelius his mother's memoires that she left, and he discovered that she had had an illegitimate child through a Dragonlord... the child was Balinor."
Hunith's eyes widened and a hand went to her mouth, and Elayne stared at Merlin in shock.
"That makes Merlin... wait... second in line for the throne of Camelot, or something like that," Elayne muttered. "Oh dear God. The Pendragons don't know about this, do they?"
"If they did then Merlin would probably be dead by now," Freya explained. "They guessed that he had had a child because none of them had received his powers."
"And they know that Balinor's child was born here," Merlin continued, "which is why we're here now."
Hunith turned back to her son. "What do you plan to do?"
"Lie low," he replied. "Gaius has used the story that the pair of you made up, about my father being a merchant from Mercia, otherwise Arthur would have become suspicious."
"Uther didn't remember, did he?"
"No, I don't think so. He would have mentioned something to Gaius if he had."
"Thank God for accursed short memory then," Elayne said. "Do any of your other friends know about this?"
"Not that I know of; it depends if anybody else, apart from Lancelot, was awake."
"Sorry about that," Lancelot muttered, looking politely embarrassed.
"It was lucky that you already know about Merlin," Gaius added.
They all sat or stood there, not knowing what to say next, but also soaking in the stories that Merlin and Gaius had just told them. During this time, Ajax clambered back down to the floor and lumbered over to perch on Elayne's knee. However, this wasn't enough to break the unnatural silence that had fallen. The candle flickered against the black shadows that surrounded them, sputtering as the wax slowly melted, leaving a small puddle on the earth floor of the house. It seemed to be the centre of everyone's eye focus for the moment, even the monkey, who had still and silent, seemingly aware of the atmosphere surrounding him.
Everyone was broken out of their trance by a sudden noise from outside, which told them that a stray animal was wandering around outside.
"Arthur and the others will be wondering where we are," Lancelot muttered to Freya, Merlin and Gaius, standing as he said this. The others followed.
"How long do you reckon you'll all be here?" Elayne asked.
"Until the Pendragons find something probably," Freya replied.
"So that means you'll be here for a while... Listen, my house is far too big for one person. If the king, his son or anyone else need quarters then I'm only too happy to let them stay. It'll save people from catching their death of cold, heaven forbid."
"Thank you for the offer," Lancelot said, nodding his head in an almost bow, "but where would you sleep?"
"I'll manage... Well, if it's alright, I think I need to turn in. I'll see you all tomorrow then." She went to hug Hunith and Merlin, gripping them in a supportive fashion. She hugged Gaius, saying that it was lovely to see him again. She then shook Lancelot and Freya's hand, smiling broadly at the pair of them. The young woman then left, Ajax now clinging to her shoulder.
"We should probably be getting back," Merlin said to Gaius and the others. "Mother, are you alright staying here?" The warlock was still concerned about how much the news of his father's death had affected her.
"Aren't I always?" she replied, smiling. "Go, I should be fine for the one night. Likewise, if anyone wants to stay here, they can always have the bed."
They all thanked, saying their goodbyes and taking their leave.
"She took that incredibly well," Lancelot commented, looking Merlin in the eye. "She's an incredibly strong woman."
"Hiding Balinor from Uther in the first place proves this," Freya included. "It's not every day you stand up against a king."
Merlin smiled at how the two were complimenting his mother- he could tell that they were already very fond of her and that they felt very sympathetic towards her, as well as Merlin.
Once the four had arrived back at the camp, Freya bade them goodnight and departed for her tent. Gaius also retired, mumbling to them about an early start. The other knights and Arthur were already asleep, so the two crept over to where they were sleeping, doing their best to not awaken anyone.
The warlock stared around and saw that there were a number of soldiers circling the perimeter, so he knew that he was spared from guard duty, for that evening at least.
Turning over onto his side and curling up against the log that he had sat on the previous evening and settled for a decent night's sleep.
What he was not aware of was Aurelius staring out of his tent, pondering something as he watched the boy gradually relax as sleep overcame him. Taking him away would be so easy at this precise moment- he could always call Deryn and put the boy under some sleeping spell. However, he knew that Deryn would want to stick her plan, whatever it was, so he decided against it.
He felt a lurch of guilt, as he knew that he would more than likely be exposed to his family by the sorceress' strategy, and that was something he was loathe doing. He knew that Uther's judgements about magic were iniquitous and contradictory, but he could not bring himself to confuse his brother and his grief- for that was what had probably started it all. He did not want to guess what Uther would feel when he found out that he was in league with a sorceress.
Warning- things are about to go seriously downhill and all I will say about the next chapter is that Aurelius gets on the wrong side of Elayne. Big time. PLEASE REVIEW. I won't be able to post any more for a while now, so apologies.
MerlinStar