The three horses plodded through the forest taking their riders further west into Essetir. The underbrush was thick with green leaves and tiny red berries. Clumps of white and purple blooms scented the warm air and the horses' tails swished constantly at the clouds of whining mosquitoes and buzzing flies.
They were traveling discreetly. Mithian, whom most people in Camelot believed had taken her children to visit Nemeth, was carrying Niniane. Merlin rode beside her and Gwaine rode behind them with Erec. Despite the knight's insistence that they needed an escort, Merlin suspected Gwaine was merely anxious to spend playtime with Erec far from the mocking grins of his fellow knights about his paternal instincts. Merlin glanced back and smiled to see Gwaine entertaining the little boy by making the noise of every bird and animal, small and large, they caught a glimpse of.
"How much further?" Mithian asked.
"We should be there by midday." Merlin looked over at her. "Do you want me to take Niniane?"
Mithian smiled in appreciation as she halted her mount's placid walk to hand the child to her father. He took the opportunity to give Mithian a quick kiss before he cooed to the baby who fluttered her lashes and whimpered. She had more hair than her older brother had had at the same age and it was darker, almost black, making her skin seem paler in comparison.
"We're almost there," he crooned, tearing his attention away from the baby in his arms to guide his horse forward.
"In a hurry?" Gwaine asked teasingly.
Merlin ignored the knight's amused grin and Mithian's knowing look. Merlin had not seen his mother in many years, as it had been years before the last brief visit which was cut short by a battalion of enemy troops. He was also guiltily aware that he had told his mother nothing about Mithian in his infrequent letters, unwilling to be so indiscreet when getting any information at all from Camelot across the border into Lot's kingdom was chancy at best. Few had reason to go into Essetir and fewer yet had any wish to. Merlin could only hope his mother's anticipated delight at seeing her grandchildren would forestall any reprimands she might otherwise level at him for his lack of communication.
They headed down a steady incline toward the village framed by wooded slopes and backed by a rocky outcropping threaded through with tunnels. The heat of the noon-day sun pressed harder after they left the shelter of the trees for the wide grassy area of the village. A breeze brought the smells of sun-warmed thatch, human sweat, and cook fires toward them. A duck called to her ducklings and chickens argued over a handful of grain spilled in the dirt.
The sight of three people on horseback was enough of an unusual event to attract attention the moment they were in sight of the village. Men paused in the field to stare, leaning on shovels and crude wooden rakes. Women stopped work in the communal garden or halted in the act of hanging washing on the lines strung the length of the tiny group of slope-roofed dwellings.
As they drew rein beside the outermost hut, Merlin was not surprised to see his mother running to meet them, scattering a few chickens which protested the interruption to their hunt for food.
Hunith stopped in her tracks and her welcoming smile turned to blank surprise when she saw he was carrying a baby. He dismounted and gave her the sleeping infant without saying a word, then moved to assist Mithian from her horse.
His mother stared in shock from the unexpected bundle in her arms to the loving expressions on Merlin and Mithian as she put her hands on his shoulders and he lifted her to the ground. He led Mithian by the hand to where Hunith stood transfixed.
"Mother, this is Mithian."
They had decided that none of them would use her title. Hunith would be justifiably concerned at his entanglement with someone of such rank, at least until Merlin could explain things to her.
Leaving Mithian and Hunith to exchange greetings, Merlin went to take Erec from Gwaine and bring the little boy to his grandmother. Hunith's eyes grew even wider as she took in the third surprise her son had brought. Merlin gave his mother his most ingratiating smile while he waited anxiously for her response.
Finally, she gave him a stern 'we will talk later' look before bestowing her most welcoming smile on Mithian.
"Please, come into my home." Hunith indicated her tiny cottage, then sent an inquiring glance at the dark-haired man who was holding the reins of all three horses.
"My friend, Gwaine."
The knight was dressed like any traveling man, armed but without chainmail or cape that would have marked him as a Camelot knight.
"Please join us," Hunith said.
"I'll see to the horses and catch up with you all shortly," Gwaine said, giving Merlin a wink.
Merlin gratefully acknowledged his friend's offer to let their family get acquainted before he joined them. He followed his mother and Mithian toward the cottage.
After they ducked through the cloth hung over the opening, Hunith handed the baby back to her mother.
"Niniane," Mithian answered the older woman's unspoken question.
"This is Erec," Merlin added, bringing the little boy to Hunith so she could have a close look at him.
"Hello," she said.
"Good day," the toddler pronounced clearly.
Hunith's eyes slid to her son and back to the boy. "Well spoken," she said. "You all must be hungry."
Seeing his mother's worried glance at the pot on the hearth, Merlin leaned closer. "There's food in our saddlebags."
Hunith gave him a relieved look. "I can add what you have to the stew. Mithian, would you give me a hand? If the infant is asleep, you can put her down over there."
There was a spark of panic in Mithian's eyes. Merlin could not imagine she had ever assisted in preparing a meal. "Mithian is tired, Mother. Let me help you."
Hunith thankfully accepted her son's help, although she flicked an appraising glance toward Mithian.
Once he brought in their packs, Merlin took over his mother's chores so she could spend time with the children.
Gwaine joined them for the evening meal, all four adults seated on the single bench at the rough-hewn wooden table with Erec on his mother's lap. Daylight slanted in through the small, high windows sparing the need to deplete Hunith's supply of candles.
The little boy was quieter than usual. Merlin watched his son take in each detail of his unfamiliar surroundings, hanging on every word the adults spoke, trying to hide his yawns and heavy-lidded eyes. Yet he did not protest being sent to sleep after supper.
Cloths hung from the rafters separated the sleeping area from where they prepared and ate meals. Merlin smiled to himself at how wide Erec's eyes were when he saw the dirt floor he would sleep on. He laid the little boy down on the blankets they had brought and returned to the main room.
Gwaine announced his intention to go outside to properly tend to his weapons. Mithian was nursing Niniane, seated on an upturned barrel they had brought in to use as a stool, leaving Hunith and Merlin in relative privacy.
They sat side by side on the only bench which had been moved from the table to the hearth in the centre of the room. Hunith unwrapped the green scarf she used to cover her head when she worked and long strands of dark brown hair escaped their bun to hang limply around her face. She took one of Merlin's hands in both her own.
"Is everything all right with you?" Hunith asked. "Some wild tales have reached our ears these past few years."
He squeezed her fingers. "Everything is fine."
"Is it true, then, that it's safe for you in Camelot? That Arthur knows about your gift?"
"Yes."
The relief on her face made him feel guilty again for not having put her mind to rest sooner.
"I told you that in time the truth would be known." Hunith smiled.
Then her smile dimmed and Merlin berated himself for letting any of his unease show in his face.
"It isn't entirely peace and tranquillity, is it?" she asked.
Knowing he could not hide his doubts from his mother, Merlin patted her hand. "Not everyone is entirely accepting of magic."
"They never have been," Hunith said softly. "I take it some of those tales about you are being repeated in Camelot itself."
Merlin nodded.
"It doesn't matter what strangers say about you," his mother said. "It matters what those who know you best believe."
Smiling, Merlin looked at her. "I know."
Mithian watched Merlin and Hunith talking quietly beside the hearth. The sunlight was growing dimmer and embers from the brazier in the centre of the room cast a faint glow on their faces. It was clear to her where Merlin had learned kindness and generosity. Despite receiving her son with no forewarning along with two unexpected guests and two small children, his mother had shown both qualities in abundance. Mithian had been concerned the woman might resent her, but she seemed genuinely pleased her son was happy and had politely refrained from asking all the questions she must have.
It had been an enjoyable visit except for that moment of mortification when Hunith had asked for her help preparing a meal and Mithian abruptly faced the fact that she had never in her life performed such a simple task. For an instant she had experienced a self-doubt she had never felt before – there had never been a skill expected of her which she had not mastered – along with a humiliated insight that every peasant woman in this village and every serving maid Merlin had ever known could doubtless cook food.
Niniane finished nursing and promptly grew sleepy. When Mithian laid the baby girl on a blanket next to her brother and drew aside the hanging cloth to return to the main room, she found Merlin's and Hunith's eyes on her.
"Come sit with us," Hunith said.
Mithian sat beside Merlin on the crude bench and leaned into him when he put an arm around her.
"That was a good meal," Mithian said politely.
"It was Merlin's efforts more than mine," Hunith said truthfully.
"I make an excellent stew," Merlin boasted.
"He does, I can vouch for that," Gwaine said as he entered the modest dwelling from outside. "As long as someone else provides the meat."
Merlin pretended offence.
"Fortunately I have my crossbow," Mithian said.
Merlin smiled at her indulgently. "I concede you are by far a better hunter than I am."
"It would help if you didn't purposely make enough noise to frighten away any potential prey," she said.
Gwaine chuckled.
"But it would be far less entertaining without the look of consternation on Arthur's face when his target bounds off unharmed."
Gwaine laughed harder.
"Merlin," his mother admonished without raising her voice.
Mithian was amused by how quickly his mother's stern tone banished the grin from Merlin's face. The king of Camelot rarely had that effect when he was shouting in a rage.
"I know how tired you all must be having travelled these past two and half days," Hunith said. "I assume you'd like to sleep now."
Gratefully, Mithian rose to her feet.
"If there's anything you need," Hunith offered.
"We have everything, thank you." Merlin gave his mother a kiss on her forehead. He held aside the hanging cloth for Mithian and showed Gwaine where their bedrolls had been laid out beside the sleeping children.
Mithian watched through the curtain as Hunith bustled around, banking the fire before seeking her own bed.
Merlin caught her eye and winked. "She's happiest when she's doing something for other people," he whispered.
"Yes," Mithian said softly. "I'm happy to have met your mother." Impulsively, she gave him a quick kiss. "Thank you for bringing me."
"Even though you have to sleep on a dirt floor?"
"I've spent two nights in the open sleeping on hard ground, I think I can manage," she answered tartly as she stretched out on the blankets next to Erec and Niniane. "Good night."
"Good night." He lay beside her and blew out the single candle before he wrapped one arm around her middle.
The next day, Merlin and Gwaine took charge of as many of Hunith's tasks as they could as well as assisting the village men. They had been gone since breakfast. Mithian finally convinced Erec to come in for his usual morning nap rather than remain outside staring in fascination at everything going on in the village.
Hunith sat cradling Niniane in her arms. "I'm not used to having a moment to myself," the older woman said as Mithian left Erec on his blankets and took a seat on the bench beside her.
"It isn't exactly to yourself," Mithian said.
Niniane fussed and smacked her lips.
"She's going to want her mother soon." Hunith stared down at the small face holding one tiny hand in hers. "Would you like to take her now?"
"Certainly." Mithian reached out only to have Hunith grasp her hand and turn it over to examine her palm. Her eyes jumped to Hunith's face.
The other woman sighed and released Mithian's hand so she could take the baby.
"You're not a cook or serving girl, and you're no lady's maid, either, are you?"
Mithian shook her head.
"A noblewoman?" Hunith asked gravely.
"Yes." Mithian hesitated but Merlin's mother did not ask any further questions, merely waited quietly. "My father was King Rodor of Nemeth."
Hunith gasped. "A king's daughter?" She sat back to examine Mithian. "Your father acknowledged you, then?"
Mithian realized what conclusion Hunith had naturally drawn. "My mother was the queen," she elaborated.
"But then you would be of the royal family of Nemeth?" Hunith breathed, a shocked expression on her face.
Mithian nodded mutely, wondering if anyone in this village had even heard of the kingdom so far to the southwest. "Don't worry. I'm respectably married to an appropriate lord of Camelot's nobility who is as happy with our arrangement as I am."
The older woman gave her a searching look before patting her hand kindly. Then Hunith's expression grew solemn. "How is it truly for my son in Camelot? Has he finally found a safe place to belong?"
Mithian laid a hand over one of Hunith's, noting its tremble. "There are still those who believe magic is evil and Merlin's influence over Arthur is a danger to us all, but those voices grow weaker. And certainly there are some who fear him, but he has friends – the king and queen and Sir Gwaine foremost among them. However, there are also those who would use him if they could." Mithian hesitated and looked at Hunith, wondering if she would understand the intricacies of royal government and the subtle uses of authority by those surrounding a monarch.
A knowing light in the older woman's eyes told Mithian that while the peasant woman may never have experienced court life, she was well aware how one's power could be manipulated by others for their own uses.
"Arthur has enemies who believe they are more deserving of sovereignty than he is, who think Merlin would better serve them." She shook her head. "Some will never understand how he can wield the power he does and not wish to use it for himself."
Hunith glanced at the curtain behind which Erec was napping and then at the baby in Mithian's arms. "They could threaten you to control him."
"That would be a grave error on their part," Mithian said with a smile. "Besides, those who would do so see him as a tool, not a person. They do not attribute human emotions to a powerful sorcerer, and since there's no outward connection between us, well, it's inconceivable to many that a peasant who is also a sorcerer would have any involvement with a noblewoman."
At the reminder of the original subject of their discussion, Hunith sighed with equal parts frustration and indulgence. "How does my son manage to find himself in these situations?"
"He is special," Mithian said softly.
At that moment the subject of their discussion walked into the hut, stopping short as they both looked at him.
"What did I do?" he asked, his eyes darting between them.
"Princess Mithian and I were discussing your uncanny ability to find yourself in the most extraordinary situations," Hunith said.
"I was going to tell you, Mother, I promise."
"You say that a lot," Gwaine said from behind him.
Merlin's mother gave him a look of mild incredulity. "Gaius is a better guardian than I even hoped if he kept Merlin from telling anyone who would listen about his magic. As a child he put me in fear for our lives more than once. I think 'magic' was his first word."
Mithian saw Merlin's cheeks redden. "Why did you send him to Camelot, right under Uther's nose?" she asked curiously.
Hunith sighed. "I trusted Gaius, and he was the only person I knew who could teach my son how to use his gifts. I was certain there must be a purpose for them but he would never discover it here."
"So you sent him to the birthplace of the Great Purge?" Gwaine said wonderingly.
"Where Gaius promptly gave me a book of spells," Merlin said. "Until then I had never learned incantations."
"You went to Uther's court to learn magic," Gwaine summed up.
"To keep Arthur alive long enough to inherit the throne, come to his senses, and unite the land," Merlin added.
Gwaine looked at him speculatively. "Now what?"
For a moment, Merlin looked taken aback. "I don't know."
"You could take care of Erec," Mithian said as Niniane fussed in her arms at the same time that the little boy let out a sleepy cry at waking up from his nap in a strange place.
"A fitting job for a man of your talents." Gwaine grinned.
"I would be happy to," Merlin said. "Come to think of it, taking care of a little boy is much like being Arthur's manservant."
Gwaine laughed aloud, Mithian hid her smile by bending over the baby, and Hunith shook her head at the disrespectful reference to the king.
The morning they were to leave, Hunith entertained Erec with a clapping game in the dusty path outside her door while Merlin and Gwaine packed their things and readied the horses.
Mithian came out of the tiny dwelling with Niniane in her arms. For a moment she watched Hunith and the little boy crouched on the ground, playing.
"Hunith, you don't have magic, do you?" Mithian asked quietly.
The other woman looked up in surprise. "No."
"Yet you managed to raise Merlin. How did you … I mean, what if they …" Mithian's gaze moved from Erec to Niniane.
Smiling, Hunith rose to her feet and laid her hand on Mithian's shoulder. "You'll be fine, I promise," she assured the younger woman.