MERLIN - CONTACT

AN: Hey everyone! Happy new year, though it has been for a few weeks now :P Well, Merlin is over :'( That's it. And I've already pre-ordered the series 5 box set. Yaaaaay! I want to say sorry to anyone I might have let slip some spoilers to whoever hadn't watched the end before I put the last Authors Notes on. I honestly didn't mean to, but I warned beforehand it would contain spoilers.

Anyhoo, Here is the next update for the story. Sorry it's a bit shorter, but I have been really busy with college, plus since the next part of the story progresses on for a longer stretch, I thought it best to stop it where I did, and the next chapter is already in the making. So without further ado, enjoy :)

...~~C~~...

Arthur had patiently and respectably allowed the mother and daughter have their reunion that was clearly well overdue, though inside he was still ready to burst with all the questions he desperately wanted answers to.

It wasn't until twenty minutes later there was a chance he would get them.

They had got the hearth burning and were snugly sitting together around it with a hot bowl of broth each. As usual, the prince was less than enthusiastic about tucking in like the two in his company were. So he took the opportunity to start conversation. But Merlin jumped in first.

"So, mother, how are you? How is everyone?"

"Oh fine, fine. The village is standing again. Well adjusting, as you will see tonight for the fire feast."

"Fire feast?" Arthur asked.

"A fire feast is a sort of celebration we have the night before the main one, AberFest." Hunith replied.

Arthur looked at them both curiously, "Harber Fest?"

Hunith chuckled "ArrrberFest, sire. You really are a city boy, aren't you."

Merlin, who was sat in the middle, turned slightly to Arthur. "AberFest is a festival we celebrate every other year in spring time. Where we enjoy the company of our friends, family and neighbours. There is food, music, dancing, games... You like games. There are special rituals taken to make it official. And what could be more special than to hold a wedding at the same time. There's a big bonfire lit in the middle where the children gather the embers..."

Merlin spoke about this festival so joyfully and enthusiastically, a sparkle in her eyes. He'd known her for a good few years now and she had never mentioned this holiday before, let alone asked for time off to attend it. Maybe because she believed she would not have been given it anyway, because that was the impression he gave off. That he was a harsh master who didn't allow his servants rest from work or to run personal errands. Going by recent events, he couldn't blame anyone else.

"... and when I finally meet this man, it's sure to complete everything."

Arthur zoned back to reality at the mention of 'this man'.

"Man? Yes, Hunith. Merlin and I are curious. Though, I seem to know less than she does. You're getting married? No wait... Let me start again. You're...here...?" Merlin looks sideways at the prince, but mainly keeps her gaze on the cooling broth in her hands, she knew this would come up.

Hunith smiled sadly at the man sitting next to her daughter. "I am here. Sire- "

"Please, Hunith. It's Arthur."

"Arthur... I know you were only doing your job that day. Someone had betrayed us and alerted your King to the occupancy of a sorcerer in Ealdor. Thank goodness they were a few years behind in time, but if anyone knew of my connection to who Merlin's father was, she would have not been safe anymore. The soldiers set the house alight while your back was turned, I know you ordered them not to."

"You weren't there, Hunith. The house was just dust after the fire eventually went out. I had to go back to Camelot and report to my father that the 'enemy' had been taken care of. We risked so much crossing the borders. How come you are sitting here in front of me as if that was all just a bad dream?"

"It did happen, Arthur. I escaped, just barely. Out the back. I travelled for miles until I could go no further. A man discovered me and helped me back to his village nearby. I had lived there ever since, lying low and recovering. That is, until several weeks ago when Ealdor was rebuilt and it seemed the heat was off."

Arthur processed it all. He hadn't killed Hunith. The bones that had been gnawed at by his guilt were starting to grow back slowly. Only slightly. So did that mean his actions that day had been forgiven too?

"Hunith, I'm so sorry for everything. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have had to go through all that. You wouldn't have had to be cut off from your daughter for months, leaving her to believe you died..."

Hunith and Merlin shared an uneasy look unnoticed by the prince, before the woman spoke softly.

"It wasn't your fault, Arthur. You were following orders, I know that. I also know that if you could have stopped your men you would have. But if I understand it right, if your soldiers ignored even your own commands, they must had recieved orders from Uther previously that overruled yours for this very occasion."

Arthur sat and thought for a long moment. His father did take interest in him when it suited him. He knew his son would protest his methods so made sure Arthur had less power than he thought he had on that patrol. Uther had no intention of letting the supposed 'traitor' come quietly, either come at all.

"But you are not to worry," Hunith continued, "Because in some respects, I am glad it did happen." Both her daughter and Arthur frowned at this and looked at her. "If it didn't I would not have met Leofrick. He was the man that found me and took me in. He's the man that I am going to marry."

...~~C~~...

AN: Hope you liked this. Thank you to everyone so so much for favouriting, following and reviewing my story. Please keep reviewing and telling me what you think, what I could improve on or any questions you have about the characters or background of the story. Or even to gossip about your favourite Merlin episode and/or series :)

So until next time, thanks again, see you soon hopefully.

'Just a little bit on the side': Here's just a itsie bitsie mistake I noticed in the Merlin series when watching it a while ago (because I'm sad). See if you noticed it too:

In 'A servant of two masters' (if you haven't watched it yet, don't read on if you don't want spoilers), Merlin pours poison on Arthur's food and goes to deliver it to him. When he first walks through the door, Arthur and Gwen are on his right, on the right side of the big table. But when he says 'What's this?', Arthur and Gwen are suddenly on the other side. I know I know I'm sad, but I feel proud of myself when I spot things like that :P