Thank you very much for reading. Sorry that I am a little late this week. It's a bank holiday in the UK, so I took the extra day to work on the chapter. Honestly as I work out the plan for the story, chapter to chapter then there might be a few other times when it takes me a little longer to update. I can promise that I will always aim to have a chapter up if not every week, then at least every two weeks.

selina: Thank you so much. I really loved them to. I never expected it become such deep relationship. I have always planed and sold this story as being Merlin/Morgana, and I have taken to so long to get to that point I don't want to have been baiting the readers that have stuck with the story all this time. That's not right, but You do have to go were the characters lead you. I hope that I can create a balance that will keep everyone happy. I hope you will still enjoy the rest of the story.

The sun was hanging low in the sky when the village of Ealdor became visible in the distance. As they drew nearer Merlin and Morgana saw a pair of young boys playing by the edge of the village. Merlin raised a hand to wave at them when the children noticed them approaching and stopped their game to see who they were. The slightly taller boy seemed to recognize the travelers and pulled on his friend or maybe brothers' arm, they had almost the same sandy blond hair, dragging him back to the village. It was hard to know who the boy had recognized. Normally Merlin would expect Morgana to be recognized rather than himself, but this was the village he had grown up in. As they drew closer still to the village, he tried to think who the young boys could be. They seemed too young to remember him, but you could never tell. As they reached the village the two boys came running back towards them.

"Are you Merlin. Son of Hunith." The older seeming boy yelled up at the two on horseback. They boy did his best to make his voice seem as mature, grown up as possible. Despite the gap caused by his missing front baby tooth. Earning a smile form Morgana that she hid by lowering her head. Not wanting to disappoint the boy.

"I am." Merlin answered trying to sound stern. Meeting the boys formal and mature tone. The slight twinkle in his eyes showed that he found the boys posturing just as heartening as Morgana did.

Both boy's faces widened into wide grins, that Merlin quickly returned. No longer having to hide it. The boys ran forward to meet the horses. A stream of words, as they talked hurriedly over each other. All that seemed to be clear was that they wanted them to dismount and carry on, on foot. Removing their packs from the saddles, the boys took hold of the reins and guided the horses to the village stables. As they walked away the horses following the boys almost fully disappeared from sight.

"Is that a good idea." Morgana asked in a whisper.

Merlin watched the horses and children walk further away then turned to Morgana. "They'll be fine."

Before Morgana could reply another voice, calling out Merlin's name pulled their attention. Turning round they watched Hunith make her way swiftly towards them. Merlin moved forward to meet her halfway. standing on the tips of her toes Hunith wrapped her arms around her son's neck and pulled him slightly down into a tight hug.

"You should have told me you were coming." The older women said into her son's neck.

"It's better as a surprise." Merlin said as he pulled back a little. Kissing his mother quickly on the check.

They were losing the light fast, so Merlin was not able to get a good look at his mother or her him. It was clear that she had developed a few more lines on her face in the couple of years that they had not seen each other. Her hair had a few more grey strands to it as well, but he didn't really notice any of that. Her eyes were still the same, exactly the same. The eyes that looked at him with unconditional love, a mother's love. Those eyes looked past him catching sight of Morgana. Who was staying a distance back, looking anywhere but at them. Hunith expected that the young women had never known that kind of love.

"Well, the only surprise for you two is going to be that I don't have enough food in to make a meal for three."

"You don't need to feed-"

"Lady Morgana, it's a pleasure to see you again." Hunith cut her off as with a pat to Merlin's shoulder she gently pushed him aside and walked over to the witch. Who was about to protest again but was cut off this time as she was pulled into a hug.

Looking with wide eyes asking for help towards Merlin, Morgana hesitated for a few seconds before she returned the hug lightly. Merlin just shrugged and grinned at Morgana's discomfort. Clearly enjoying seeing the normally calm and controlled Morgana on the back foot. Pulling back Hunith met Morgana's eyes and gave her a thin but genuine smile. With a gentle pat to Morgana's, she turned back to face her son.

"You can get some more carrots and leaks. We'll have to add extra vegetables to the stew to make it stretch." She said to her son before either he or Morgana protested anymore.

Knowing that there was no point in arguing when his mother had given him an exact task to do, Merlin left to go to the communal vegetable patch that the village shared to get the carrots and leaks for the stew. Hunith began to head back to her house, realizing that Morgana was not following her she turned back to face her.

"Why are you being nice to me." Morgana questioned.

Hunith smiled and walked back the few steps towards the younger women. "Because you are the only person that can understand what my son goes through." Sensing that Morgana was going to say something further she spoke again. "And you have kept his secret."

Morgana looked surprised. Of course, she knew that the mother and son must continue a regular correspondence of letters, but she hadn't expected Merlin to have so boldly written about his magic. Finding the letter Hunith had written to Giaus about Merlin moving to Camelot had been the key that unlocked his secret for her, but she had not expected them to write about it all these years later. Anyone could find the letters as she herself had. It was a risk, but she understood. The desire to talk to someone that knew, understood was a very powerful one.

"I don't know if that is a kindness." Morgana tried to brush off the supposed good turn she did, was doing for Merlin. "Living a lie is not an easy life."

Hunith sadly agreed with a nod. "That's why I knew he had to leave, to live with Giaus. Someone that understood better than I could."

"It was a brave and selfless choice." Morgana felt compelled to take back the hint of sadness that she had inflicted on the caring mother.

Like Morgana Hunith tried to brush off the complement. "He has you as well. Someone that truly understands."

Before Morgana could say anything to downplay the fact she was confronted with, Merlin carrying the vegetables in his arms walked back towards them. Making a cheeky comment about whether or not he was expected to cook the meal as well. His mother just rolled her eyes. No matter how old they got it seemed once around their parents everyone reverted back to being a child. Mother and son started heading back to their home an easy conversation flowing back and forth between them. Morgana walked a little behind them. Not for the first time feeling a pang of sadness and jealousy at the loss and absence of the kind of unconditional love of a parent.

Once inside the small cozy home Morgana took the extra vegetables and began chopping them in the far corner. Giving Merlin and Hunith the chance to catch up. When Merlin told her about the change in the law she smiled, if it was possible wider than she had done when she first caught sight of him.

"Oh Merlin, I'm so proud of you." She reached across the space between them to take his hand.

"All I did was keep Arthur alive long enough to change things."

He said automatically without thinking. Without realizing who was in the room as well. He felt so comfortable talking with his mother, in his childhood home that he forgot that Morgana was a few feet away chopping vegetables. There was a brief silence after Merlin spoke were he mentally kicked himself.

"And that was no easy task."

Morgana didn't look up from her task as she spoke. Merlin saw a grin pulling at the corners of her mouth and let out a laugh that his mother joined in with.

"I honestly had to stop him from tripping over his own cloak and falling down the stairs once." Merlin added.

As Morgana added the vegetable to the small pot of stew cooking over the fire in the far corner the conversation turned to why they were here. A topic that surprisingly hadn't come up yet. Hunith nodded and listened carefully as Merlin explained the fainting and the voice that called to them. Morgana then unloaded everything that they knew of Avalon, which was not very much, as she handed out the bowls of stew. Though worry was clear on the older woman's face she did her best to try and hide it. She didn't want to influence Merlin's choice. When he had been younger a few years before he eventually left for Camelot Merlin had brough up the idea himself. Her immediate reaction was fear for her son. Though she hid it as best as she could, he still saw it. So, he didn't push the idea any further. Until she brought it up a few years later. After that day she made a promise that she wouldn't stand in the way of her son living his life. knowing him as well as she did, she could tell that he was not as sure about their journey as Morgana was. From the brief looks he kept directing toward the young women, Hunith could see that he was letting her take the lead in this journey. It was also clear to her that the younger women had no real idea of the influence she was having on her son. Which she was grateful for in a way and sad about to. So, she wished them luck on the rest of their journey and told them to be careful before they focused on finishing their meal.

Once they had eaten their meal Morgana moved to collect the bowls to wash them. Hunith told her to sit back down and that she would do the washing up as they were her guests. Merlin pointed out that he could hardly be called a guest in his childhood home and stood up to help his mother with the washing up. Rather than sit back down Morgana excused herself saying she was going to check on the horses. Give them some food and water. Really, she just wanted to give the family the chance to have a private talk.

They talked in more detail about what was happening in Camelot. Plans for the wedding. How Giaus was doing. Hunith give him updates on the village. That a girl he had grown up with had married and moved away to another village. They chatted back and forth till Morgana returned and they made up a bed for Merlin by the fire. Morgana would sleep in his old bed that had to be cleared of the clutter form the sewing that covered it. A job Hunith did to earn a little money.

It was a quite night, but Merlin couldn't sleep. Being back in his old home confronted him with how much had changed in the years since he left here for a new life in Camelot. It also confronted him with how much hadn't changed at all. The law of the land had changed, would change but he was still hiding his magic. Unless something else dramatically changed he didn't think he would ever be able to stop hiding. In the back of his mind of course he knew that the only thing that was stopping himself was himself. Which could be the greatest immovable object.

Something else that has changed dramatically since he left for Camelot was his relationship and opinion of Arthur. The young king had been an arrogant prat when Merlin first met him. At times he still was. Though he knew it was done with more of a self-awareness now. Arthur had always known how his actions affected others, how people changed around him. He just seemed to be cautious of that now. Not using it to get his own way. Merlin had to his great surprise grown to respect the young king. If he hadn't then he was sure he wouldn't have gone to the lengths he had to protect Arthur and the future. To his even greater surprise he had also grown to care for the slightly older man and value his friendship. Being an only child a part of Merlin a had always wanted siblings and felt a loneliness at times growing up. Arthur had become the older brother he had never wanted but was secretly grateful for. Gwen was the sister that always looked out for him like a second mother. Gaius was like a wise grandfather that he didn't listen too as much as he should. Lancelot was also a brother to him. One that he trusted with his life and secret which were the same thing. for him. Morgana, he didn't know how she fit into this family he had created for himself. He just knew that she did. He had made another bigger family for himself. One he loved, but one he was mostly lying to.

When sleep continued to evade him, he got out of the makeshift bed and as silently as he could crept out of the house. Sitting on the bench by the door he staired up at the clear night sky. It seemed brighter and somehow bigger out here, away from the city. After a few minutes he heard a faint sound coming from inside the house. His Mother had always been a peaceful and quick sleeper. Once her head hit the pillow, she was normally asleep in a few minutes. So, he assumed it was Morgana having trouble sleeping. Maybe she would dream of Avalon and could give them any idea why they had been called there and just how they were actually going to get there. It went back to a calm silence, so he thought nothing more of it, till the door was suddenly pushed open, and he thought his heart was going to burst through his chest. It took a few seconds in the faint moonlight for Merlin to recognize who it was.

"Can't sleep."

He nodded as his mother sat down next to him. He felt her arm knock against his. They had had so many talks sitting here like this. Only two he could remember like this, in the cool night air. This was where she has sat him down and told him the little, she could about his father. Where they had talked about his magic. How special he was, but that not everyone would think of it that way. So, he had to hide the most special part of himself. Thye had also sat right there when they made the plans for Merlin to leave for Camelot. The night before he left, they had sat in silence just like they were now. There was so much to say and no words to say them with. All those times she would wrap her arm around his shoulder and if he felt like it, he would rest his head on her shoulder. He pretended he was doing it for his mother, but he enjoyed the reassurance of the closeness just as much as she did. He was too tall for that now, but her instinct had been the same.

Even in the poor light Hunith had noticed the slight look of disappointment in her son's eyes as he realized it was her that had come to join him, and it worried her.

"Excited for what you will find in Avalon." She tried to sound excited for him, but he could hear the worry in her voice.

Merlin let out a sigh. "I don't know what we're going to find."

Sometimes his mother had learned she had to be direct with Merlin or he would continue to avoid what was bothering him. "Is that why you're hesitant, what you may find." He nodded. "Why, are you going all that way."

Sometimes though she had to be careful not to push him to far because like now he might clam up and not talk to her at all. Fearing this was one of those times she didn't say anything further.

They sat in silence for a few minutes until Merlin broke it. "Maybe my father's there."

Hunith reached out and took her son's hand. "Then you can tell him all the amazing things you've done, and he will be just as proud of you as I am." Even in the dark she could see Merlin blush a little. He never took praise well.

"I'm sorry it's been so long."

"You have important things to do."

"Yes, Arthurs washing. Bringing him his meals-"

"The kings washing and the king's meals." Hunith corrected earning a small laugh from Merlin.

They fell into a silence again for a few minutes. Tiredness began to wash over them and when Merlin felt that he would be able to find some sleep he moved to stand up. His mother followed him back into the house. They moved as quietly as they could not wanting to wake Morgana, who seemed to be sound asleep. when they were halfway into the house Morgana shifted in her sleep as she took in a deep breath. Mother and son froze for a second as she settled again. Both wondering if she was having a dream about the future. If she was then it seemed it was at least not an upsetting one. Maybe it was the upcoming wedding or the changes that were to come. Settling back into their own beds they quickly fell asleep.

In the morning Hunith insisted on making a large breakfast for the two before they set off. They had argued that it was only a short journey, but she insisted. After eating as much they could stomach of the large meal presented to them Merlin and Morgana made to leave. Morgana went to retrieve the horse while Merlin said a final goodbye to his mother. They kept it short. Each time it seemed to get harder. Fear that good fortune would run out and this would be the last time they would see each other growing each time.

Merlin was silent as they left the village. Morgana felt she should say something. Say that he didn't need to come any further with her, that he could stay here. she didn't say any of that because she knew she needed him to come with her and she needed to go to Avalon. Feeling guilty for her selfishness she too kept quiet. After an hour or so riding they stopped to feed the horses. They themselves still full from the large breakfast they had eaten before setting out. Knowing that there was a small stream nearby Merlin took the horses to get some water while Morgana began to search the air for grass and roughage for them to eat.

She had picked up an armful of grass and plants and was about to meet back up with Merlin when she heard the faint sound of someone walking slowly towards her. Turning round she was met with an elderly old man with wild white hair holding up a crossbow that he pointed towards her. While such a sight would be cause for concern, normally she would have nothing to fear. The look in the old man's eye was what scared her. They darted around but always came back swiftly to her. He said nothing and she didn't either. Feeling sure that any sound she made or move that she made would result in his pulling back his trigger finger and sending an arow at her. Her use of magic to stop the arrow she was also sure would garner another violent response.

"You're the witch, the lady Morgana."

She didn't want to hurt the clearly confused and agitated man, so had to try and defuse the situation without magic or violence. If her hands had not been full, she would have lifted them to try and appease the man. As it was all she could do was shake her head in answer to his question.

"Yes you...don't try and trick me-"

"I'm-"

"Your all trying to trick me."

"No I-"

She was cut off by the sound of Merlin running towards them. The older man looked towards Merlin as he approached to his right and Morgana's left, but kept the crossbow aimed at Morgana.

"She is a witch." The man said to Merlin, like he expected Merlin to share in his hostility. When he didn't get the reaction that he was expecting he pressed on. "She's Morgana the witch."

Like Morgana, Merlin could end this whole confrontation swifty with his magic, but he didn't want to hurt the old man. He had seen that look in someone's eyes before. Growing up his neighbors had been an elderly couple. The wife took great pride in her herb and flower garden that grew around their house. One night the rain started to pour heavily. Creeping out of bed Merlin snuck to the small window to watch it falling. In the darkness he could just make out the silhouette of someone standing outside staring at his house in the rain. His heart raced but he stayed rooted to the spot as he saw clearer who it was. It was his neighbor. She looked so scared and confused. Like she couldn't understand anything about where she was or what she was doing. Her husband came out a few seconds later. Wrapping her in a blanket and took her back inside. She had a few more incidents like that. When she forgot where she was or what she had been doing. The people around her. A few months after that night the couple moved away to a farm nearby that their son owned. The last Merlin heard of them the wife had died, he assumed now the husband had too. This man had that same look in his eyes. He was more scared than either he or Morgana were.

"No, she's... she's not a witch." Merlin tried to calm the situation as best as he could.

Morgana continued not to make any moves or say anything. It would just startle him. Then he most likely would pull the trigger of the crossbow.

"You're just trying to trick me."

"No." Merlin lied, trying to make it seem genuine. "She's...she's..."

"She's what." The older man demanded.

All the words running around in his head mixed together and none of them made sense. He had to say something fast, but nothing would come out.

"She's what." This time the man's voice broke, and his hands began to shack. Growing more agitated he was more likely to pull the trigger.

"She's mine." Those were the words that finally came out of Merlin's mouth as she dared to take a step closer as he pointed to Morgana and back to himself. Trying to make the lie seem more believable with natural seeming gestures.

"Now I know your lying."

Before Merlin could protest any further the trigger was pulled and the arow shot forward.

The second it did Merlin shot forward too. Morgana clenched her eyes shut and waited for the impact. When it came it was not what she expected. It came from almost behind her and knocked her forward onto the ground while continuing to cover her.

Again, thank you for reading. I really hope that you are enjoying the story. I hope this wasn't too boring of a chapter. I feel at times that I focus the most on Morgana as a character, so I wanted to try and explore Merlin more. I hope that it's alright, that he's in character. Please let me know if I'm getting him or any of the other characters wrong. The part at the end I have to admit I used from the Musketeers BBC series. If you haven't watched it yet, then I highly recommend that you do. If you like Merlin, you'll like it.

As always, any feedback, comments and ideas for the story are very welcome. I really love hearing from you. It helps so much with writing. Learning what is really working and not and what you all enjoy and don't.