A/N

FINALLY a new chapter is up! I'm so sorry it's been so long! A lot has been going on, and I haven't been able to upload!
But it's here now! :p
I reeeeally hope you like it, because this is kinda important to the story :-)

Revealing on its way! :-)
Hope you enjoy! :-))

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin :b

Chapter 11 - Her secret

The sun shone brightly in contrast to the long night, they had just had. Everyone was tired. After finding each other, they had set a small camp, but a few hours later the sun came out, so no one had slept at all – except Gwaine who could sleep anywhere, anytime. Merlin nearly cried out of relieve, when they had reunited. Aya was overwhelmed by her welcome. She couldn't help but feel happy, by the sight of the knights and Merlin. The knights were so tired, they didn't notice the silhouette of the White Mountains grow bigger. They rode in silence – well, except for Gwaine.

"The moon will be full in a few days' time. I wonder how the Keeper will look. It was a woman, no? Collecting souls, she mustn't be too pretty. I mean, imagine how lonesome it must be… Oh, look! Mountains!" Gwaine rambled. Arthur looked up at Gwaine's last word.

"The White Mountains" Arthur said. "We're close". The rest looked up. Before them were large mountains on either side of a narrow road. Aya turned her head and looked down at the road. Mordred noticed and raised an eyebrow. He didn't want to pry, though. They walked further along the road, traveling closer and closer to the Valley of the Fallen Kings. It would soon be full moon. Aya was in her own thoughts for the whole day not uttering a single word. Mordred worried more and more, for every minute she did not speak. When it turned night, they set up a camp between the tall mountains. The mountains shadowed the moons light, concealing their camp. They heard faint screams in the distance, but not close enough for them to worry. They took shifts. Aya had the last one – just before dawn. She sat with her arms wrapped around herself. The cold wind swayed through their camp, making her shiver. Suddenly a warm piece of cloth was wrapped around her shoulders. At first, her instincts told her to stand up and draw her sword at the person, but then she realized, she wasn't in that environment anymore. She looked up into a pair of blue eyes. Merlin sat down next to her, and she looked away from him. He kept staring at her. She felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She kept staring forward, ignoring him. He continued to stare at her, and they sat like that for a little while.

"What's wrong?" he finally asked. He had studied her face, trying to figure out, why she wouldn't speak to him. She continued to gaze forward, ignoring him. His face fell a bit, sad that she ignored him. Just two days ago they had talked so much and were such great friends, but since yesterday, she hadn't spoken to him or even looked at him once. He knew, that she wouldn't do it for no reason, so something had to be wrong. He wanted her to trust him and tell him her worries. He sighed.

"Did I do something? I'm really sorry if I did, but I wouldn't know, if you won't tell me" he said. She peeked at him and saw his pleading eyes. Her eyes softened. She just couldn't resist.

"No, you didn't do anything" she said but still continued to stare forward. Surprised by hearing her voice he lifted his head from his knees.

"Then what is it?" he asked and scooted closer to her. She bit her lip, discussing with herself whether she should tell him or not. She wanted him to know but on the other hand, he could get in trouble…

"It's just… We're soon there. The Valley of the Fallen Kings, and… I'm just… not ready yet" she said so quietly that Merlin had to lean in to hear her words. He smiled reassuring.

"Worried about Arthur? Don't worry. We won't let him sacrifice himself" he said truthfully.

"No, I know. I won't either. But I don't want to lose you" she said and gazed upon the stars, not wanting to meet Merlin's eyes. He looked down.

"You know. I suppose I can't fool you. It's nothing really. What is a servant's life compared to a king's anyway?" he said and faked a laugh, trying to brighten up the mood.

"But you're not just a servant" she said, still looking at the sky. At this, Merlin jolted his head in her direction.

"How – I mean… What are you talking about?" he said, trying to cover up.

"Don't play a fool. You know what I'm talking about – Emrys" she said. He felt his heartbeat quicken.

"How… How do you know?" he said, still taken by surprise that she knew.

"I grew up with druids, remember?" she said quietly, still looking at the sky. He noticed a slight pain in her eyes, when she spoke. He furrowed his eyebrows. What was it about her that was still such a mystery?

"Who were your real parents?" he asked. He remembered her telling, that she was taken from her mother. She continued to look at the sky discussing with herself if she should tell him. I don't have much time left with him… I really want to tell him… she thought. She took a deep sigh and shifted her gaze on to the ground.

"I've never met my father. But I've seen him once. He was on the run from Uther. He didn't know that I existed. I don't really remember my mother, since I was taking in by the druids as little. I only remember the name of the village, and my brother" she said, tears forming in her eyes. She didn't want him to know what she was, but she wanted to tell him that. She wanted him to remember her.

"What village was it?" he asked softly. She fiddled with her fingers trying to find the courage to tell him the rest. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She mumbled something so quietly that Merlin couldn't hear.

"What?" he asked, leaning in to catch the word. She tried again, and this time he heard her.

"Ealdor" Merlin felt his heart jump to his throat. She lived in Ealdor?

"W-what –" he stuttered not managing to say a whole sentence. She continued to look down.

"I don't blame you for not remembering. You were just a baby too after all" she said. Several thoughts and questions ran in his mind.

"Your mother… is she…?" he asked not able to say what he wanted to. She understood him, though.

"She is Hunith. My father was the Dragon lord, Balinor. My brother is said to be the greatest warlock there is. He's known between Druids as Emrys" at this point Aya was crying. She had finally told him! Merlin couldn't believe it. Teardrops left his eyes as well. He had a sister? How come his mother never told him? He couldn't stop the wide smile spread on his face. That's why she looked so familiar! He thought. He chuckled happily. It was like when he met his father, who he didn't know was alive. He felt so happy that no words could describe it. He put his arms around his sister pulling her in for a hug. They sat like that for a while, crying and smiling as they had finally reunited.

Not far away a figure leaned up against a tree. He had heard everything.

"So she decided to tell him, huh?" Mordred whispered to himself.

"That can't be a good sign…"