Thanks, you helped me lot, got some ideas. Keeps it going, please. About Aurelius, we go there, slowly. I know that some of you don't know about him, only what Gwaine said that he was one of the greatest king. But I have a plan to write more about him.

"Hunith is my daughter."

Arthur placed his palms over the table and leaned forward. Did he wanted to know this?

"So that makes Merlin being my grandson."

Arthur closed his eyes and still he could see them before him. Annis, calm and high like always. Andrew, standing behind his sister Hunith, likes overprotecting big brother. Tristan, who created wary, glances to his aunt.

"Ywain is my cousin, my father was Owain Pasgen."

And Ywain, who looked like the heaven was fall over his neck. No, he didn't wanted to know that part.

That was just too much. Arthur slumped to his chair and buried his head on his arms.

"I hadn't seen my mother for almost thirty years. Maybe this was a fate. To meet here. Now."

Only that Merlin didn't know anything before. Somehow it made Arthur feel better. What now? After the tournament this all was going to be public knowledge. Merlin was already advisor. Now he was noble. More than that. He was a prince. Prince of Pasgen. And Cornwall's. Arthur groaned. Bloody hell, Merlin's great uncle was King Mark! Whose bride Tristan was stolen! What a hell was wrong with that family? Running away with everyone who they fall in love?

"Arthur?"

Arthur raised his head and looked his beautiful wife.

"You knew about this."

Guinevere nodded.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't my story to tell. I gave my word to Annis. And this was their private matter. They never have to tell you anything at all. "Guinevere reminded him.

"And you would have kept all of this secret from me?"

"Of course. I will not tell you all the very least, Arthur. "Guinevere sounded offended.

"Will this change anything, Arthur? Merlin is still your friend and ..."

"Politically, this changes many things, Guinevere. Merlin's veins flows the blood that is older than even the Pendragon's. His position may not be a strong among his families, but no one denies that what he is. He has descendant of two very old families and he is my manservant! His position... "

Guinevere pressed her hand on the Arthur's lips and shook her head reproachfully.

"Arthur, why do not you asking him what he want? The two of you will be able to think out something. "

Arthur gave up and Guinevere kissed him.

"I swear that if there is a still more surprises coming I do something really stupid." Arthur murmured when he kissed again his wife with more passion this time.

Little did he know what he was talking about.

#

Andrew drank the toast for Ywain's honour, like many others at that time. Ywain had been the winner of the day, and they celebrated in the tavern. Andrew drank the cup empty at one draft. Not that he would be thirsty, but he felt really badly that he needed some strengthening. Tristan, who slouched beside of Andrew, seemed mostly gloomy. His encounter with Annis did not have proceeded in a friendly atmosphere, but Hunith had patiently held all the strings in her hands and somehow calmed the situation that no one had threaded anyone. At least not directly. Andrew was for the first moment liked his sister. This was something reassuring. She was a sensible, practical person who, despite all what happened, was a twinkle in her eye. She was a warrior in spirit and blood. She seemed to gain more strength to the more something put against. Andrew wondered whether Merlin was similar.

He looked at Ywain who laughed and celebrated. He had been speechless for a long time after becoming aware of his uncle and cousin. When he had recovered, he had hurried to send a letter to his father, and laughed that he was at last some good news to bring home. Andrew rolled the cup in his hand thoughtfully. Although he was a same age as his nephew, he still felt compelled need to protect his sister. When he had heard the story from his mother, he had been a perhaps a little shocked, but then something had fallen into place. He had an older sister. A sister, whom he had longed for all his life. Now he felt a duty to take care of that Hunith would be safe. That would be his job to do. Whatever would happen, he would defend his sister. And he lifted up a new toast, this time for his sister.

#

Merlin became gradually aware of his surroundings. The pain in his head was eased away.

"Easy. You have again been unconscious for the whole day." Gwaine hilarious voice reached him. Merlin grinned.

"Hopefully, something miraculous hasn't happened."

Gwaine laughed. "I wouldn't say. Arthur knows now. So, your mother's family. They yet decided to be quiet about your dad."

Merlin groaned and peered at Gwaine. "Could you turn on more light? It is so dark."

Gwaine looked around and frowned. "Merlin, every single candle is lit and the fire in the fireplace shines even if it is warm and the sun is not yet completely set."

Merlin did not know what to say. He opened his eyes fully open and looking the room. He wiped his eyes and looked again.

"Damn." He closed his eyes.

"What is it Merlin?" Gwaine had risen from his chair and walked beside his friend. Merlin could not answer. "Is Gaius here, or Aeron?"

"They come soon." Gwaine answered. Merlin turned his gaze at Gwaine and could still notice how Gwaine startled. Merlin guessed that his friend saw something in his eyes.

"I Hope that they have some good news." Merlin whispered.

#

Gwaine found Tristan, Ywain and Andrew in the tavern and without saying anything, took the pint and drank it empty. Andrew looked him worriedly.

"Is Merlin alrigh?" He whispered when Gwaine sat beside of him. Gwaine shook his head, took Tristan's pint, and drank it.

"Isn't it your fight tomorrow?" Tristan asked. Gwaine laughed, but his laugh wasn't any way hilarious like usually. "Yes yes."

"Then I think you should go bed Gwaine." Deep voice said behind them.

"Percival, how nice to see you." Gwaine looked up his friend. "I have a favour to ask from you."

"So?"

Gwaine was about to answer when he shut his mouth. That made Percival worry.

"Gwaine, what is wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." Gwaine drank Ywain's cup empty and rose. "Thank you, gentlemen. Now I'm off to the bed, as my dear friend here suggested. Tristan, it's your turn."

Tristan rose. Andrew was about to rose but his cousin glanced a warning at him.

"Then I walk with you." Tristan spoke at Gwaine and they headed back in the night.

"What it is Gwaine?"

Gwaine's voice was impassive when he spoke. "Not so good news. There is no medicine. No antidote to the poison. And Merlin is getting worse. His eyesight got bad."

They walked toward the castle with silence. Gwaine didn't wanted to talk and Tristan could see that he was angry. But to whom? Whether he was angry with himself or to Merlin? Tristan knew that it was stupid, but that amount of time what he was spent with Gwaine, he knew that the knight was more emotional than others. Behind that smile Tristan could see the hard way what he had walked in his life. It was too familiar to Tristan. And Merlin was saved Gwaine and Camelot was become a home what Gwaine was missed so long. New friend, new family. And now one member of his new family was in danger. And Gwaine couldn't do anything about that. Before their way parted Gwaine said softly.

"Please."

And Tristan just nodded.

When he was walking up to Gaius' chambers he bumped into the physician who looked tired.

"Tristan, glad that you are here."

"What is happened?"

"Merlin, he, he wanted to be alone and… I think he went to the north wall. It's a quiet place, no guards there to watch. Can you go there? Give him this, its ease the pain. He needs this soon." Gaius offered the tiny bottle to Tristan.

"Go sleep Gaius. I take care of him."

"Thank you. And Tristan…"

Tristan turned to see the physician again but the old man shook his head. "Never mind. Just, go."

Merlin was easy to find. He sat there, leaning against the wall, watching the stars.

"Heard what happened. Is it bad?" Tristan sat beside of him.

"Your turn to guard?" Merlin asked and grinned when he got the medicine.

"How you feel?"

"Not bad, just, I can't see properly. I have always enjoyed the night time. Watching the stars, now I can't see any." Merlin sounded sad.

Tristan looked up. The sky was full of stars. It was a clear weather, no clouds, no wind, no moon.

"I'm sorry."

"Why?" Merlin sounded genuinely surprised and Tristan laughed. "You really don't want anyone's sympathy, don't you?"

"Why?" Merlin asked again and looked the man beside of him. "I chose this path myself. I knew the risk. Protecting Arthur isn't easy when you have to act like you are a fool. And I'm fool. Not so clumsy anymore luckily. And I have done so much mistakes and pay from them. I can't blame any other about my situation. It is just frustrating when someone just pities me. I know that everyone wants to help me. And it's hard to accept that there may not be anything what to do. Hard to myself too. But I can't just stand and do nothing. I have to think what to do next. Although, right now I don't know what."

Tristan nodded and he could see how alike the mother and son were.

"I see why Arthur trusts you. And you really are wise. You see the world so differently. And you know yourself so well."

Merlin laughed and turned his gaze back in the sky.

"Not so sure about that. And I'm afraid that if I survive, what happens when the tournament end."

"You really have lot to think about."

"But now I have more people to share my though. Years I have been in hide. I just wish that Freya could be here." Merlin sighed. "Back then I was ready to abandon all of this to be with her."

Tristan swallowed. "What happened?"

"She died." Merlin said simple. "Arthur killed her."

Tristan froze but Merlin didn't noticed it. "It was hard time and I often though was it because I was so selfish. Because I turned my back to my destiny, to my responsibility. And then my father died, protecting me. And Lancelot. And I always think, why? What do they see at me? Why to sacrifice your life because of someone?"

"You really don't get it, don't you?" Tristan was hard to believe what he heard. "You are so much more ready to sacrifice yourself than any other. I saw that myself back then when we met first time. Remember? You killed Agravaine, don't you?"

Merlin startled. "Yes."

"What I have heard, you have so much power that it is ridiculous. But you don't think yourself. You don't think like Morgana who is so selfish. You hate when you have to turn you power against anyone, even if that someone is your enemy. And then you are asking why, why everyone is ready to do anything for you."

"Not anyone."

"You know what I mean." Tristan snapped.

"Yes, I know. But do you know how hard it is to bear when you know that everyone wants to protect you? Because of you, everyone is ready to die? And I have to watch them to die? And continue to live after that when you know that…"

"Stop it Merlin. You go too far now. You are too kind. I have come too hard to yourself. If you continue like this, someday you broke." Tristan yelled. Merlin stared him.

"Oh."

"Please Merlin, you have gone through a lot. But you don't have to face it all by yourself." Tristan sighed. Merlin nodded and they felt how the wind rose.

"Then help me up so we can go." Merlin said.

"Go where?"

"To meet Kilgharrah."