Alaia Skyhawk: Here's the next bit :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Music:
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Chapter 11: Unity Through Vows ~Part 2~
It was with a feeling of both excitement and nostalgia, that Merlin commanded Friou and Scild to bank and descend towards the village where he'd been born. The place he'd spent the first nineteen years of his life, and which had played such an important role in shaping him into the person he'd become. Growing up as an often-scorned, bastard-born son had taught him to value the things that he did have, like his mother and his friend Will. Being labelled as a mischief-maker and nuisance, had taught him the value of giving people the chance to prove themselves. And while Will wasn't here to see him now, he knew he'd would be proud of him... And he'd be proud of what Merlin had done for Ealdor.
The village came into view, revealed as half as big again than it had used to be. The Druid road had been extended to join up with the trade roads both in Escetia and Camelot, turning it into a new direct and safe route through the Forest of Ascetir, instead of trade being forced to divert north around it. And Ealdor, placed just a stone's throw from the road, was fast becoming more than just a small farming village. There was now an inn, and the last letter he'd received mentioned word of a merchant wanting to set up a permanent trading outpost between the village and the road.
Placed on a new and important trade route, right between Camelot and Escetia and protected by both... The people living in the village would never have to fear being attacked by bandits ever again.
There were some initial shouts of alarm when the two wyverns came over the trees at the edge of the village, until one of people in the fields closest recognised the rider. The shouts turned to joy as everyone rushed to the village square, and Merlin smiled at the welcome when Friou landed and he stepped off. He was no longer the village annoyance. He was a powerful warlock, influential noble, and yet still held the greatest respect for the people here. That he'd never forgotten them, despite the rough time many of them had given him, was part of why they looked up to him so much now.
"Merlin!" Hunith dashed through the crowd of villagers and rushed up to her son, enveloping him in a hug. "It's been so long since you've visited. It's good to see you."
Another villager came over, Michael. He pointed towards the barn, his expression more than pleased.
"Did you know? King Fyrendir sent his Court Sorceress, Iunia, to put spells on our barn and storage! The pests can't get in there anymore, and the crops store for longer."
Merlin, arm still around his mother's shoulders, laughed and grinned.
"I know... I suggested it to him. All the farms in Escetia will be getting it done too, although I asked him to make sure Ealdor was first. I've been arranging for the same thing to be done across all of Camelot, too."
There were numerous gasps, and several cheers, as the villagers crowded close to express their thanks. But Merlin waved them back, still grinning, before waiting for them to quieten down and let him speak again.
"I've also an announcement to make, but which I want to speak to my mother about first. I'll tell you all as soon as I've talked with her."
Murmurs of speculation sprang up, even as the way was cleared to allow mother and son to walk to her house. Hunith kept glancing at him, and he kept smiling back with mischief in his eyes, until the two of them were inside the cottage and he'd closed the door.
Hunith then gave him a long look, eyebrows raised.
"And what has you acting so secretive?"
Merlin chuckled, deliberately waiting for several seconds before replying.
"I'm marrying Katryn at the end of the week, and you're going to be a grandmother."
Hunith's eyes widened in shock, which rapidly turned to elation and excitement as she threw herself at him to hug him.
"Married?! Oh, Merlin, that's wonderful!" She pulled back, starting to think. "I need to get my best dress and make sure there's nothing that needs to be mended. And a gift, for Katryn! And-"
She was interrupted by Merlin putting a finger to her lips, his expression amused.
"Don't worry about your dress. As being Court Sorcerer means I have to have a State wedding in front of the court, Gwen will have a dress made for you. As for gifts, trust me. You being there for the wedding is more than enough."
Hunith calmed a little, but her mind then turned to other practicalities.
"Well then, I still need to arrange for someone in the village to look after my fields while I'm in Camelo-"
"Mother." Merlin's expression became earnest, and hopeful. "I know you've said no before, at the time when I first was declared a noble, but... Will you move to Camelot? It doesn't have to be in the castle, or the city. I know that's why you didn't want to come before. But there's the farms on my lands south of the city, that are run by druid families. I could have a cottage built for you there, and you could have farm there just as you have here."
Hunith went quiet.
"But, Merlin..."
His tone became pleading.
"I've missed you so much, with how few times I've seen you over all these years. I want you to be part of your grandchild's life, more than just the rare times I'll be able to bring them to visit you. Will you, please?"
Hunith turned away uncertainly.
"Ealdor has always been my home... I was born here, my parents were born and lived here, and I returned here after my time as a servant in King Herwen's household. I've known little else."
Merlin smiled in reassurance.
"It was the same for me... Think of it this way. If you move to Camelot, then Jacob's oldest son and his wife will be able to have a home of their own. Instead of them having to scrape together the materials and money it will cost them to build and set up a cottage themselves. You'll be able to gift this house to someone who really needs it, and make a big difference to their life." He put is hands on her shoulders. "Moving on from the past doesn't mean you forget it, I never have. Ealdor will always have a special place in my heart, and I'll always look out for the people who live here."
Hunith faced him again, cupping the side of his face with a hand.
"You're really set on this, aren't you? It means a great deal to you, for me to be close by and able to see and be with the family you're beginning."
Merlin brushed back a loose strand of greying hair from her face.
"Call it a son's wish to see his mother looked after. You went through so much when you raised me, so many hardships and fears for my safety, and I wouldn't be the person I am if not for you... It's my turn to look after you, if you'll let me."
There was a long pause, terribly tense, before Hunith finally smiled. She had tears in her eyes, which she quickly wiped away.
"Then I will. I've a few things I must take with me, but most of this can stay for Ashton and his wife to use. When do you need us to leave?"
Merlin pulled her close, understanding very well how emotional it was for her to have made this decision.
"There's no rush, there's still the rest of the day. So long as we leave a couple of hours before sunset, we can be in Camelot by nightfall. There's time to say farewells to everyone."
Hunith wiped away yet more tears and nodded.
"Then could you go and start telling everyone, while I pack? I'm sure they'll want to hold a gathering before we go."
Merlin nodded and went outside. His happiness at his mother agreeing to move, in contrast to his own wistful sadness at her leaving Ealdor, and the memory of when he'd been the one to leave. Her living with the druids on the farms would mean she was close enough to attend gatherings and celebrations at the castle, but at the same time keep her clear of court politics. And in his mind, he was already making a note to ask Arthur to grant her the title of 'Lady Hunith of the House of Garrah', tomorrow.
Merlin went to Jacob's house first, to inform his son about Hunith gifting her cottage to him and his wife. He then went to other cottages after that, the word of Hunith's departure spearing fast, until everyone in the village banded together to prepare a modest but plentiful farewell feast in the central square of the village. That was when he announced the reason for her decision, and the atmosphere took on an additional festive air.
When Hunith eventually came out of her cottage, she was enveloped in hugs and well-wishes, and the tears she'd held back earlier now returned in full. The few individuals in the village who played instruments, struck up music on pipe and drum. Dancing began, with smiles and laughter... until it came to the second hour after midday, and afternoon chores and tasks began to beckon.
It was now that the final farewells were made, and the villagers watched as Merlin helped his mother astride Scild. He secured her to the wyvern's harness along with her small bag of possessions, double-checking everything before going to Friou. It was then that the few remaining gathered villagers waved the pair off as they take to the sky.
Hunith was quiet during the flight, and Merlin tactfully allowed her to think. Talking while flying would have meant shouting to each other over the wind, and across the distance between the two wyverns. Something he knew she wouldn't be up for in her current frame-of-mind. He kept their arrival at Camelot as low-key as he could, avoiding taking her through the castle by having the wyverns land on the battlements close to his chambers. He'd done it often enough in the past that few people below did more than give them the barest glance.
Hunith was starting to look a bit nervous now, yet she relaxed as soon as Merlin ushered her into his chamber. They were, in their own way, so much like Gaius' chambers that the familiarity reassured her. Warren was in there sweeping the floor, and he quickly set aside his broom as soon as the pair of them entered.
"Merlin. Do you need me for anything?"
The warlock gently brought Hunith forward and seated her in one of the nearby chairs.
"Could you look after my mother until I get back? I need to let Arthur and Gwen know she's here, and have a room arranged." When Hunith turned her head sharply at the mention of a room, Merlin smiled wryly at her reaction. "It's just until after the wedding, and I arrange a cottage for you on my land."
In the silence that followed, Warren went to the hearth to set a kettle of water to heat.
"I'll see to it's she's comfortable."
"Thanks."
Merlin gave his mother a gentle squeeze on the shoulder before walking out, at which point he switched from a casual pace to one that was a bit more brisk. Finding Gwen was easy, all he had to do was use his senses to locate the biggest concentration of dryad magic within the castle. Because wherever Gwen was, Katryn would be, and he found the two of them in the Queen's chambers, discussing wedding plans.
Gwen looked up as the door opened after a polite knock, and she was on her feet immediately upon seeing who it was.
"Merlin! How was it in Ealdor?"
Merlin smiled, taking a breath to steady himself that he hadn't realised he'd needed.
"Mother has agreed to move to Camelot, and will live at the druid farms after the wedding. She'll need a room until then, and she's needs a dress for the ceremony."
Gwen noticed the small wince he tagged on after that, but it was Katryn who interpreted it.
"She'll also need some day-to-day clothing to wear, or the more arrogant members of the nobility here, will look down on her." She headed over to her fiancé, taking hold of his hands in reassurance. "Don't worry, Gwen and I will take care of all of that. Hunith is in your chambers?" Merlin nodded. "Then I have a dress she can wear, and will go take it to her now. You can worry about tomorrow's magic lesson, and also about the matter of your mother being granted an official title of nobility."
Merlin blinked.
"Wait, how did you know I pla-"
Katryn put a finger over his lips to shush him. Her eyebrows were raised.
"I know castle politics as well as you do, remember. Until now I've been the Queen's Personal Maidservant."
Gwen chuckled at the expression on Merlin's face.
"And soon to be 'Head of the Castle Staff'." The queen's expression became wry. "I, and Arthur, have begun to grow rather tired of how presumptive our present one can be about the security of his job, and of how dismissive and brutal he can be towards the castle servants. He's a throwback to the years when Uther ruled and there was no queen, so now I've decided I want a firm but fairer hand at the helm."
There was a long pause, before Merlin's startled expression began to change to an amused smirk. He then chuckled.
"Oh I would so love to see the look on his face when you tell him that. He was one of the banes of my life when I was a servant. The castle staff will adore you forever, for getting rid of him."
Gwen chuckled and began to shoo the warlock towards the door.
"I know that. He was one of the banes of my life too, back when I was a servant. Now off with you! Go see Arthur, and your mother's title sorted out."
Moments later Merlin found himself outside the door, with it then being shut firmly and unceremoniously in his face. He then blinked in confusion, before some gut instinct told him he'd best start getting used to this. That now he was leaving his life as a bachelor behind, and stepping into married life, he was going to have Katryn and Gwen shooing him out of rooms and closing doors in his face... Rather often.
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Alaia Skyhawk: Hehehe, yep. Merlin, you're going to have a lot of things to get used to lol :D
