The feast was held in honour of Queen Annis, her son Andrew, and was the starting point for the tournament.
On Arthur's left side sat Annis and on Gwen's right sat Andrew. Annis gazed over the table to the other side of the hall. She watched Hunith and her son, Lord Merlin.
"Is something wrong?" Arthur asked suddenly. Annis turned to look at her host.
"Oh no, nothing at all. I'm just little bit tired. It has been a long day. But, I'm glad to be here, and, I see that your fool isn't so foolish anymore." Annis nodded toward Merlin and Arthur laughed.
"Everyone know that he is a fool. But, he is a wise fool."
"And, on his left side?"
Arthur looked to his friend's left and frowned.
"Do you like Hunith's dress, Arthur?" Gwen asked, and Arthur glanced at his wife in amazement.
"Hunith? That woman is Merlin's mother?"
"Yes."
Arthur couldn't believe it. That noblewoman was Hunith? She was shining.
"Dear, you can close your mouth now," Gwen giggled.
"She, looks different," was all Arthur could say.
"A person's clothing can make a world of difference. Or haven't you noticed anything about Merlin? "Gwen asked with interest.
"When I look them, I can't believe that they were originally just peasants," Annis pointed out.
Arthur observed Merlin. And really, for the first time he noticed that Merlin didn't looked like a servant anymore. He looked like he had always been at feasts to eat at the table and not to serve.
"How…"
"Merlin has been close to you for so long that you don't really notice him anymore, right?" Gwen smiled benevolently. "To you, he is self-evident, Arthur. I don't believe that even he himself understands how much he has changed, especially over the past year. But the rest of us watch you two from afar."
"I think that I'm still little bit blind to some things," Arthur sighed.
"You'll learn, Arthur," Annis said. "You are young and only at the beginning your reign. We all make mistakes. We can't always see what is right under our noses."
Arthur looked at the Queen thoughtfully. He wondered how much their relationship had changed after the battle, that the queen Annis could say those words.
"Thank you," Arthur said, when he really didn't know what else to say.
"You know, Arthur Pendragon, you and your counsellor aren't so different. You have lot in common," Annis observed.
Arthur's eyes moved toward Gaius, who sat beside Hunith.
"Someone said that to me before. He said that I don't really know anything about Merlin. But, he has always been a bit of a riddle to me. I just can't figure out what is going on with him."
Annis couldn't say anything more. If she did, she would betray Hunith; and for that she wasn't ready. But Annis couldn't help but think that something was wrong with Merlin, but whether that thing was good or not, she didn't know.
"Oh Hunith, what you have done now?" Annis whispered to herself.
#
It felt strange. Like having an annoying itch. It took some time before Merlin realised what was the matter.
"I have to go, mother," he whispered.
Hunith watched him worriedly. "Is everything alright?"
Merlin hesitated. "No, I don't think so. I have to check."
"Then don't go by yourself, Merlin," Hunith asked.
Merlin's eyes reached Gaius and he remembered what his mentor had said. He had been giving the subject extensive thought during his recovery.
"I won't. I promise."
Hunith smiled and nodded. "Then do your best."
Merlin stared his mother. "You look so different today, mother. Like a real lady," he said suddenly.
Hunith blushed and turned away. "You should look the mirror, my son," she said quietly.
Merlin rose and grasped his mother's shoulder affectionately. "I'll ask Percival to escort you to your room."
Hunith watched how Merlin stopped behind the two knights, and leaned over to speak. The bigger man nodded and glanced in Hunith's direction. The other got up and followed Merlin.
"Gwaine," Gaius said, and Hunith glanced at her friend. "The knight who left with Merlin."
"Does he know?" Hunith asked.
"Not everything. But I think he is going to know soon."
Hunith shifted the food around her plate and looked at the other side of the hall where Annis was speaking to Arthur. Gaius saw how uneasy Hunith was about the situation.
"Will you be all right, Hunith?"
"Yes. I asked that she did not interfere in the matter. That she let me explain Merlin's case first. And right now Merlin has enough to think about with Balinor's family."
"You knew?" Gaius sounded a little surprised.
"I saw the ring. And between Balinor and me, there weren't any secrets, Gaius." Hunith sighed heavily.
"So he knew ..."
"Yes. I always hoped that this was not going to happen; that Merlin would create his own future. "
"Times are changing, Hunith, and Merlin has already created something of his own," Gaius tried to console.
"Yes, yes he has. This way, this all may be easier to solve. But Merlin's ability…"
"Someday, Hunith. Someday he will be free." Gaius patted Hunith's hand comfortingly.
"Free," Hunith muttered, and seemed to drift in her memories.
Gaius sighed heavily. The wheels were running faster than he had predicted.
#
"What is the matter, Merlin?" Gwaine asked when they got out of the hall and were walking through the corridors. To Gwaine, Merlin acted like a sniffer dog following the trail. He walked quickly, his gaze distant, his head slightly tilted as listening to some faint sound.
Merlin shook his head. "Something is wrong. I can sense it. It's itching. It's so annoying, and I can't find the source." Merlin sounded odd. More like a hunting dog, really, Gwaine thought. Merlin stopped when the hallway branched out.
"So, where now?"
Merlin didn't answer, he seemed to be thinking hard. Then he stretched out his hand and touched the stones of the castle wall and closed his eyes.
"Merlin?"
"Shut up, Gwaine," Merlin snapped, and opened his eyes again. Gwaine watched as Merlin's eyes flashed golden.