I wasn't so sure do I write this chapter or not. But then I though that what a hell, this is my story. You like or not. Actually, nothing happens again, but I hope that next time we go little bit more forward.

Hunith was too late to stop her. When she entered the Hall and heard her frightened cry, Hunith just knew that some of Merlin's secrets will come out that day. Before Annis could do any more damage, Hunith run after her.

"Mother, please." She whispered and pulled Annis away Gwaine's way. She noticed her brother's puzzled gaze.

"What is wrong with him?" Annis asked and started to follow Gwaine and Merlin when they headed toward Gaius' chambers. When Hunith was gone beyond the worry and was just accepted happened, Annis didn't know.

Hunith felt how her eyes wet. "Hunith?" Annis stopped and watched her daughter, but Hunith shook her head.

"Not here."

So the odd group walked through the castle attracting eyes like flies.

When they finally reached Gaius' room they met one of the druids waiting them.

"It is bad." Gwaine said and lowered Merlin on the bed. The druid nodded, but before he could do anything Annis stopped him.

"Wait. Who are you?"

The druid smiled politically.

"Aeron Price. I'm a healer. Gaius has to watch over the tournament so I promised to take care of him." The healer pointed Merlin.

"Hunith?" Annis turned to see her daughter again who stood there eyes full of sorrow. Hunith nodded to Aeron. "Go, check him, please."

"Hunith…" Annis stepped closer.

"Your son is here." Hunith reminded her and Annis noticed Andrew who stood there not knowing what was going on.

"Andrew, come here. Can we speak privately somewhere?" Annis glanced over the healer and Gwaine who hovered over his friend.

"They know everything." Hunith said.

"Know what?" Andrew asked and Hunith looked her brother and smiled.

"Maybe we should sit so I can tell you too."

It was strange, being with her mother, and younger brother.

Since her childhood she had feeling like being out of place. His foster parents were told who she really was, but Hunith never been drawn to look for her mother. When the only parents she knew, died, she was alone. Soon after, Annis had found her, but she was not able to go with her. Something within her had whispered that she should remain in the small village which she had grown. So she had learned to cope alone. And then she had met Balinor and she had known. If she had gone with Annis, she had never seen that young man, fell in love and gave birth Merlin. Merlin. Her son. Merlin, who so many had been waited for to come.

When Annis had told her own story, Hunith hesitated, but then she told the Druid's prophecy. In a quiet voice she told Merlin's childhood and the magic that surrounds him. She told them what the situation was. She told how Merlin was poisoned which apparently was originally directed toward Arthur. She told who all were aware of Merlin in both his origins and abilities.

"And what about Merlin's father?" Annis asked.

"He is dead. He wasn't originally man either. Some things Merlin inherited from him." Hunith sighed. "Balinor was Aurelius' son. And some of his followers are here. They have taken oath to Merlin. Mother, I don't know much about politics, but this situation is something what can chance so much. The whole Albion's future is at stake. And Merlin is right middle of everything. And now… now he is…" Hunith's voice broke and she started to sob. But it wasn't Annis, it was Andrew who put his arms around Hunith and hugged her.

"Sis, please, I and mother are here. We help you and Merlin. Mother, what we do? Your action in the Hall revealed that you have something to do with Merlin. We can't ignore that."

"Hunith." Annis steeled herself. "I think that we have to tell about you, to Arthur. Actually, Guinevere already knows."

"How?" Hunith gasped.

"She heard our argument yesterday." Annis' smile was fry.

"Oh. And Merlin?"

"We ask if they can keep this in secret until the tournament is over. I recall that you don't want to reveal that Merlin is poisoned." Annis wanted to be sure.

"No. Not if we can avoid it. Merlin has too many enemies to fight and to let them to know his situation can be fatal." Gwaine intervened. "And if Arthur know, he can do something what can ruin everything. He is usually too overprotective over Merlin."

"Really?" Annis' eyebrow rose.

"Really. Merlin is his best and most loyal friend. Their bond is deep. Deeper what any eyes can ever see." Gwaine smiled. "And that's why Arthur, who actually doesn't know anything about Merlin's true identity, can do very bad choices."

Annis nodded and rose. She walked beside Merlin.

"How is he?"

"Not good. I hope that they found the cure soon. But I have given him something what ease the pain, although I can't say when he wake up." Aeron answered.

"Do your best. I think I have to go to see the tournament. Sir Gwaine, I haven't congratulated you yet. And, thank you." Annis turned to leave but then she looked the knight again. "You seem familiar. Have we met before?"

"No, Your Majesty." Gwaine avoided her gaze and Annis nodded. "I see. Andrew, come. Hunith, if you can come too, your cousin is fighting today. We have to speak with him too."

Hunith stirred and then she remembered.

"Mother, you should know that Tristan is here too."

"Is he alive?" Annis gasped.

"Yes."

"Who is Tristan?" Andrew asked.

"Your cousin, your aunt Isbel's son. You are too young to really remember him and after what happened, we haven't spoken about him, not after he run away with that girl."

"That girl, Isolde, is hero. She saved the king Arthur and lost her own life." Gwaine said to warn the queen. Hunith walked beside the bed and kissed Merlin's cheek.

"I really want to be here when you wake up, but I can't. Now that things are going like this, I have to take some actions to protect you. But you are not alone." Hunith watched Gwaine who smiled.

"I'll be here."

"Thank you. Bye my son." Hunith pressed Merlin's hand and tried to smile. "Wake soon."

I'm curious to know if there is some person who you want to be there, or if you want someone else's point of view to this whole situation. Let me know, I need some kicks to keep my mind running.