The woman walked through the city gates, she hoped with all her heart that she was able to receive the aid she so desperately sought. "Hunith"? she heard the call of a young man she hadn't seen since he was a boy. Will ran up to the woman that had cared for him most of his childhood and enveloped her in an embrace. He first bought to the only family she had in Camelot, Gaius, the bruise on her face was still fresh and her brother was trying his best to reduce the swelling. It was in the midst this very process that Merlin serendipitously entered the physician's chamber "Gaius would you - " he stopped short at the sight of his savior, the woman he failed.

"Hunith"?

She smiled at the man she thought of as another son, "Hello Merlin". Gaius moved back as the prince came forward and embraced her. Pulling back, he finally noticed the discoloration around her right eye, running his fingers gently over the bruise, he couldn't ignore the heat of anger that rose within him and in a cold voice demanded "Who did this to you"?

It was not long after; Hunith found herself exactly where she had hoped to be, before King Uther pleading her petition. Arthur, Morgana, and Merlin were present as well the later standing closest to Hunith, yet still maintaining a respectable distance. "Ealdor is in Cendrid's lands correct? Why not petition your own King"? Merlin knew where his father was going with this, sending Camelot Knights, even if on a peacekeeping mission, would be looked on suspiciously and treated as an act of war; An opportunity, the King of Essetir had long-awaited. Merlin was dragged from his musings by Hunith pleading voice. On her knees, she begged, "Sire please, you are a just and merciful King and our only hope".

Morgana ran to comfort the woman and Merlin clenched his fists "Father, I'll go. I can call for ally's from our commoner regiment; no one will suspect Camelot's involvement".

Arthur spoke in his brothers support "I'll go with him". Uther was about to issue a command forbidding his sons' plan of action when he caught Merlin's eyes. His younger had made it explicitly clear that his interference in Arthur and his decisions in circumstances such as these, would not be tolerated.

"Do as you will". He said instead, "however it is your responsibility that Camelot not be implicated in any form".

"Yes, father" both princes stated, in union, as they bowed and left the room followed by Hunith with Morgana's assistance.

"You shouldn't have done this My Lords," Hunith said as Will and Moras helped both princes pack for their journey. Merlin stopped packing his chainmail and handed the bag to Will to continue his travel preparations. Arthur watched, as his twin took a wooden stool and sat down facing the woman. The young prince took her hands in his and spoke, melancholy enveloping his words, "I failed you once. Now, I refuse to stand idly by when you are in need of my help again. I am in your debt Hunith and its Merlin to you". the corner of his mouth curving into a small smile at the end. Hunith let her maternal instincts guide her, as she raised her right hand to come to rest on the young man's cheek, gently stroking it with her thumb. Arthur couldn't help but long for the same type of attention his brother was currently receiving from this caring woman. Merlin had said that Hunith had become an adoptive mother to him and now he understood how true that was.

"You never failed me and there is no debt that you are required to repay". Before Merlin could debate, the door to the room swang open and in walked Morgana and Gwen, both dressed for battle. Merlin stood to say something but Arthur beat him to it. "What do the both of you think you are doing"? Morgana adjusted the vambrace on her left arm and replied, "What does it look like. We are coming with you".

Hunith was the next to immediately intervene. "I can't have this! It is bad enough that both the Princes are putting their lives in danger for us; I could not bear it if you and Gwen were to come to any harm, my Lady". Morgana walked up to Hunith and Merlin "You look at Merlin as a son, am I correct"? She asked the older woman who just nodded in response "Well then, as Merlin's betrothed, it is my duty to support him in all that he does, especially if what he is doing is ensuring the safety of the only mother he has", she turned her determined eyes to Merlin then, yet continued her speech to Hunith "and if he is going to ride into battle, for such a noble endeavor, I will be honored to ride by his side".

Everyone in the room looked at Morgana in shock, this was the first time she had publicly acknowledged her relationship with Merlin, and the man himself seemed awestruck by her declaration. He simply smiled and shook his head before bringing her in close, for a soft yet passionate kiss. They broke apart at a short cough from Gaius, "Well does everyone have all that they need"? continued the old man.

"Yes, I think we are ready" It was Arthur who, ignoring his brother's actions completely, responded, he turned to his servant "Moras get four horses ready" The servant hesitated "Is something the matter"?

The man looked at Arthur and said: "I think we will require five horses, My Lord, as I fully intend to join you on this quest". Arthur just looked at his servant in surprise, would wonders never cease. Arthur gave a curt nod of approval, clutching his servant's shoulder "Go on then" he inclined his head and gestured to the door. Moras did not need to be told twice, bowing he left the room in a hurry, a large grin on his face.

Arthur was the first to take watch when they camped for the night while the rest of the party rested. Hunith at the moment was the only one awake and sat beside him "Sire"? He turned to her "I wanted to thank you, for coming to our assistance, Merlin..." she stopped to smile at the younger prince, who was currently resting in a light doze against a nearby tree "he feels he owes it to me, you, on the other hand, have no such bond, yet you readily came to our aid".

Arthur turned to watch the fire, perceptibly deep in thought before he chose to respond, "You are wrong, you know" he shifted his gaze toward her and continued "Merlin, as he, himself stated before, isn't helping you because of some debt that needs repaying. He is helping you because he loves you as a son, and as such, he feels a responsibility towards you, the same as Will".

"As for me. You cared for my brother when he was almost dying, you made him feel loved when he was alone". He paused to take a breath and compose himself, "I spoke to Gaius, about Merlin's scars, he told me that had they not been cared for the way they had, he would have been partially disabled. I love my brother and it hurts me that I was unable to protect and support him when he required me the most and that now he does a better job of protecting me". He paused again to make sure he had her full attention "It is I who am grateful to you Hunith, for being there for him when his own family couldn't be".

"He is special" she replied, fondness reflected in her tone, "when I was tending to him, he kept calling me mother. I'm sure he was thinking of your own mother but his call touched something in me. In another life, I would have been proud to have given birth to son's like him and Will". Arthur smiled at her, he wondered, had their own mother lived would she have been similar in demeanor to Hunith?

"You should rest, we have a long day ahead". She nodded in agreement and laid a gentle, supportive hand on Arthur's shoulder before moving to lay down near Gwen. It was already quite late and he would need to rouse Merlin soon to take the next watch. "I told you before, it was my decision to leave and whatever happened to me should not make you feel any guilt". His brother's voice was soft, yet it reached him clearly through the silence of the night. He looked up to see Merlin wide awake and gazing back at him. He twin then got up and moved to sit by his side.

"I'm the older brother, it's my job".

Merlin snorted "Only by a couple of minutes and I know you cheated just so you could get out first". Both of them laughed at that.

"How many men does Kanen have"?

"Forty, maybe more, according to Hunith. Moras won't fail us, he will come back in time with support from Tensen, they should reach Ealdor by late noon tomorrow. Go rest, Arthur. I will take watch". Arthur nodded at him and went over to his brother's previously occupied sleeping space and laid down. He did not fall asleep immediately, he kept watch over Merlin with half-lidded eyes as his brother picked up a glowing piece of firewood and blew on it. "Apstraga Draga" was the last thing Arthur heard before his eyes shut completely to the vision of a flaming dragon circling the fire.