A/N: Sorry for the late chapter! It entirely slipped my mind to post on Sunday.

Thank you to Pohla for reviewing, and to anyone who put this story on their favorites or alerts list!

There is a time-skip of a few months between the last chapter and this one.

Chapter 9: Farewells and New Beginnings

Hunith had hardly slept a wink. When dawn came and the first rays of sunlight started spilling through her window, she gave up on trying to sleep entirely and rose from her bed. She took a long look around her room. It was the same room she had slept in since she was a young child. It was strange to think that she might never sleep in it again.

When she came back to visit home after her marriage, would she sleep in her old room, or would she be given guest quarters along with her new husband?

Her marriage… It had been nearly a year now since the messenger from Camelot had first arrived with Uther's proposal. After months of planning and negotiations, the day had finally come. Well, almost. The wedding itself wasn't for another several days, but today was the day she and her family would begin traveling to Camelot.

Hunith would not be returning to her home. At least not for some time.

Already her room looked different, emptier. Almost all of her personal belongings had already being packed away, ready to be loaded into the carriage by servants later today. Her jewelry was gone from the top of her dresser, and inside, all the drawers had been cleared out. Besides the furniture, the only things remaining in the room were the pitcher of water and cup on her bedside table, the hair brush laying on top of the dresser, and her traveling clothes, neatly folded and sitting on top of a chair, waiting for her to put them on. Hunith knew Seren wouldn't be around for a while yet, but the traveling clothes were less cumbersome than her ordinary dresses, and she could put them on without aid. She might as well get dressed now. No sense in sitting around in her night clothes, now that she had given up on sleep.

After she was dressed and had washed her face and ran the brush through her hair, there was nothing much for Hunith to occupy her mind with. Even her books had all been packed away.

Her eyes went to the door between her room and Merlin's. Spending time with her son was always a welcome relief from whatever was troubling her, but it would have been selfish to wake him up. Just because she couldn't sleep didn't mean Merlin shouldn't be allowed to. They had a long journey ahead of him, and he needed his rest.

She walked to the window and as she looked out at the palace gardens, the desire to take a walk in them, one last time, filled her. It was hours still before it would be time to leave. The rest of her family probably wasn't even awake yet.

She slipped out of her room and made her way through the halls. She passed a few other people, but just like on the day she had gone to tell her parents she would accept Uther's proposal, it was too early for many people to be about.

When she reached the gardens, they were completely empty. She found herself glad of the solitude. She could just relish the beauty of the gardens, without having to interact with others. As she walked along, memories filled her. The hours she had spent here as a girl, playing with her brother, or simply walking along. As she grew older, she had still enjoyed walking in the gardens, even though she may have outgrown the games of chase and hide-and-seek with her brother. She had even brought Balinor here once, careful to walk far enough apart from him that it didn't look like they were together when others were near, then drawing closer when they came to a stretch of garden where they were alone.

She had brought Merlin out here to play many times, teaching him the games she had played herself as a child. She smiled as she remembered him scampering away, then wandering back to her with flowers he had picked for her.

She was sure the castle in Camelot would have its own gardens. But they wouldn't be the same, they wouldn't be her gardens.

As Hunith wandered, both physically and mentally, she lost track of time. It was only when a giggling child ran past her that she realized that it was full morning now, the sun starting to rise high in the sky. She ought to be making sure Merlin was ready, and that they had both had breakfast before it was time to go.

She allowed herself one last wistful look around the gardens before turning and hurrying toward the nearest entrance to the castle. She knew there was a servant's entrance nearby, and using that would be quicker than making her way all the way back to the main doors.

As she neared the corridor where Merlin's room and hers were located, she almost collided with Seren, who was hurrying around the corner.

"My lady!" Seren exclaimed, "I was just coming to look for you. It's nearing time to begin our journey."

Hunith gave her a sheepish smile, "I know, I'm sorry. I was walking in the gardens and I lost track of time."

"Well, at least you're already dressed," Seren said briskly, as she turned to start walking with Hunith back toward her room, "I've packed away your night clothes and I've laid out breakfast for you in your room. Prince Merlin is already eating, and I've gotten him dressed as well."

Hunith gave her a grateful smile, "Thank you Seren, I don't know what I'd do without you." As she said the words, her heart squeezed. She'd have to find that out soon enough. Seren would be accompanying Hunith on the trip to Camelot, but she wouldn't be staying there with her. Once the wedding was over, she would be returning to Essetir with Hunith's family (except for Merlin.) As much as Hunith would have liked to have taken Seren with her- she was more than simply a maidservant, she was Hunith's friend, and it would have been nice to have someone else from home with her besides her small son- Seren had a family of her own here, and Hunith couldn't ask her to leave them.

Seren's thoughts must have turned in the same direction as Hunith's, because a look of sadness passed over her face. Then she schooled her expression back into a smile, "Oh, you'll do just fine, my lady. You'll get a new maidservant in Camelot and I'm sure she'll be just as capable as I am.

"Maybe," Hunith said quietly, "But she won't be you. I'm going to miss you Seren."

Seren's smile faltered, and her eyes seemed watery. She stopped walking for a moment, "And I will miss you too, my lady."

But she didn't allow herself to get caught up in the moment for long. "But it's not time to say goodbye yet," she said briskly as she started walking again, "And if we don't hurry along you'll have no time to eat before it's time to leave."

By the time they reached the room, Merlin was almost done with his own breakfast, but he still lingered at the table and kept Hunith company as she quickly bolted down hers.

As soon as she was done, Seren whisked her away from the table to give her hair another quick brushing.

"There's no time to take the dishes down to the kitchen," she said, glancing out the window as she tucked Hunith's brush into a bag, "I'll flag someone down as we walk and ask them to do it."

She turned to Hunith and Merlin, "Are you ready? I expect your family will be making their way down to the carriages by now."

Hunith took a deep breath, "Just… give me a moment." She let her gaze sweep once over her own room, then crossed the room to open the door that led into Merlin's. Standing in the doorway, she slowly took in the details of the room her son had slept in for nearly his whole life, save for the few months after he was born where he had slept in her room instead. It looked big and empty, no toys scattered across the floor or clothes peeking out of drawers.

She felt a small hand slip into hers and knew Merlin had joined her.

"What are you doing, Mama?" he asked

Hunith looked down at him, giving him a slightly sad smile, "Oh… I just wanted one last look before we left. To remember."

She wasn't sure if Merlin would understand, but he nodded seriously. "I'll miss my room," he said softly, then added quickly, "But I'm glad I'm going with you."

Hunith ran a hand through his hair, "I'm glad too, Merlin. And I'm sure our rooms in Camelot will be just as nice. We'll unpack all your favorite toys and it will feel just like home." She wondered if her words were as unconvincing to Merlin as they sounded to her own ears.

Behind them, Seren cleared her throat, "I'm sorry, my lady, but we really ought to be going now."

Hunith took a deep breath, "You're right. Come along, Merlin. Your grandparents and everyone else will be waiting."

Seren had picked up a couple of Hunith's bags. Hunith reached for another one, but Seren put a hand out to stop her, "I'll find someone to come back for those, my lady."

"There's no need, I can carry my own bags," Hunith protested but Seren shook her head stubbornly. "Someone will have to be sent for the prince's bags anyway," she pointed out, "They may as well take the rest of your things as well.

Hunith decided there was no sense in pushing the issue. And she supposed it would be a bit of a hassle to try and carry her remaining bags while holding Merlin's hand.

"Well, at least let me hold the door for you," she said, and walked over to open it before Seren could protest.

Seren gave her a look that was somewhere between amusement and gratitude, "Thank you, my lady."

She left the room and Hunith resisted the urge to take one last look around before stepping out herself. She had done her share of looking and memorizing already. Now it was time to say goodbye.

She let the door swing shut behind her, and with Merlin on one side and Seren on the other, she started walking down the hallway, away from her old life and toward her new one.

It took three days to make the journey from Essetir's capital city to Camelot's. They took three carriages. The first carried Hunith, her parents, Merlin, and Seren, the second held Hunith's brother, his wife, and Cenred, along with a couple of the knights who were accompanying them, and the remaining carriage was filled with everyone's luggage. In the front of each carriage sat the driver and a knight. The knights kept a look out for any threats. Royal carriages would make a tempting target for bandits. Three more knights rode on horseback, flanking the party on either side and behind.

Fortunately, they made it to Camelot without any incidents. When they woke up on what would be the final morning of their travels, for they were only a few hours from the city of Camelot now, one of the knights on horseback was sent ahead to announce their approach.

After a quick breakfast, the rest of the party was on their way, and before the sun had reached its highest point in the sky, the party was entering the city of Camelot. A second knight was dispatched to ride ahead and announce their arrival. As the carriages trundled down the streets, people came out of their houses to watch the procession with curious eyes. Merlin stuck his head out the window to wave happily to the people they passed, calling out hellos every few minutes.

The carriage slowed to a stop outside the castle gates and Merlin withdrew his head back inside the carriage, sitting back down by Hunith's side. His cheerful smile had turned into a more nervous expression, and he reached for his mother's hand.

Hunith heard the sound of the heavy gates being pulled open, and a trumpet blasted to announce their arrival. She squeezed Merlin's hand reassuringly.

The carriage moved slowly into the courtyard before coming to a halt again. A moment later, the door was pulled open by the driver. Hunith's father exited the carriage first, then turned to help her mother down.

Hunith and Merlin were next. Merlin jumped down to the ground, ignoring his grandfather's offered hand, then reached up to try to help Hunith. She smiled to herself as she took both his little hand and her father's. Seren exited last, following Hunith from the carriage.

Once everyone had exited the other two carriages as well, the group began to make their way across the courtyard, Hunith's father in the lead.

Uther was waiting for them on the steps, flanked by several knights. The scene mirrored that of the day Uther had arrived in Essetir, but this time, Hunith and her family were the approaching guests. Just behind Uther and to his left, Hunith recognized Sir Gorlois, who had been so kind to Merlin when he had visited Essetir. And to Uther's right… there stood a young boy who could only be Arthur. He was older and taller than Merlin, though smaller than Cenred. He stood straight and tall at his father's side, his posture stiff as though he were trying very hard to get it just right. His eyes moved over the approaching group and landed right on her. Hunith gave him a smile. The boy didn't smile back. His gaze remained locked on Hunith, even as his father began to speak next to him.

"King Esmond," Uther's voice carried clearly through the courtyard, "We are glad to welcome you and your family to Camelot." Despite his use of the word glad, Uther's tone was as formal and stoic as ever.

"Thank you, King Uther," Hunith's father replied, "And we are glad to be here."

"This is my son, Prince Arthur," Uther placed a hand on Arthur's back, and the boy took a small step forward. He finally tore his gaze from Hunith to focus on her father and give him a respectful nod.

Hunith's father gave him a warm smile in return, "it is good to meet you, Arthur."

Arthur cast a quick look back at his father, who gave him a slight nod. Arthur looked back at Hunith's father and seemed to take a deep breath before speaking, "Thank you, King Esmond, it is good to meet you too." It was obvious he was doing his very best to mimic Uther's formal tone, and Hunith found herself suppressing a smile.

Arthur took a step backward, to where he had been before, and Uther spoke again, "If you will all come inside, you will be escorted to your rooms so you may freshen up from your travels and get some rest before tonight."

At his words, a knight at either end of the row moved to throw open the castle doors, and the rest of the knights moved aside to allow the visiting party to climb the steps and enter the castle.

When Hunith reached Uther, she paused briefly in front of him, giving a small curtsy.

"It is good to see you again, my lord," she said politely.

Uther briefly took her hand, "the pleasure is mine, Princess Hunith," he responded courteously. Hunith allowed her gaze to move to Prince Arthur, still standing next to his father, "and I am happy to meet you at last, Prince Arthur." The smile she gave him came much more naturally than the one she had given his father.

Arthur stared up at her silently for a moment, until Uther nudged him.

"I'm happy to meet you too," Arthur blurted out hastily, and not entirely convincingly.

Hunith moved past Arthur and Uther, and entered the castle, taking her first look around. The entrance hall was much the same as the entrance hall of her own castle back in Essetir, save for being draped in Camelot's banners, rather than Essetir's, of course. Though she supposed she ought to start thinking of the castle in Essetir as her parents' castle now, this castle would be hers.

Servants hurried up to escort Hunith and her family, as well as the knights to their rooms. Seren had vanished right after they had exited the carriage, and Hunith expected she had gone to help with the unloading of the bags. Hunith knew her maidservant would find the way to her guest quarters later, though she would have liked to have had her friend with her now.

Hunith and her family were taken to one wing of the castle, while the knights were led down a nearby corridor. The royal guest quarters turned out to be a smaller subsection of the wing, rather than a single room, or separate rooms.

Hunith and her family were led into a kind of sitting room. On the far side of the room was a single door, while the walls to the left and right had two doors each. The single door turned out to lead to the most opulent of the bedchambers. Naturally, this room was given to Hunith's parents.

The servant who had led them to their quarters explained that the other four rooms were more-or-less the same, but the two closest to the largest bedroom were slightly bigger than the two closest to the outside. Then he told them he would bring them some food shortly and after making sure there was nothing else they needed, he left with a bow.

Hunith's brother and his wife took the larger bedroom on the right side, with Cenred taking the room next to them (he tried to choose the larger bedroom on the left instead, but his father sternly told him to leave that one for Hunith.)

Hunith took the larger bedroom on the left, leaving the last bedroom for Merlin. At this point however, Merlin was still attached to Hunith's hand, and instead of running to explore his own room, he seemed content to go with her into hers.

It was only once they had entered the bedroom that Merlin finally let go of Hunith's hand. They looked around the room together. It was nicely decorated, with a large bed in the center.

"Look," Hunith told Merlin, nodding to the left hand wall, "There's a door between your room and mine, just like at home."

Merlin nodded. A fleeting smile crossed his face at that, but he still looked contemplative.

"Will this be our home now?" he asked his mother tentatively.

"This castle will, yes," Hunith answered, "But these rooms are only the guest quarters. After the wedding, we'll be given different rooms."

"Will I still be next to you?" Merlin asked anxiously.

"I'll ask for you to be given a room close by," Hunith replied, which seemed to give Merlin some peace of mind. Hunith's mind however, was troubled by new questions. Would she have a room of her own, or would she simply be expected to share Uther's?

There were separate rooms set aside for the queen in Essetir, but they had gone unused since before Hunith was born. Her parents had always shared a room, but then… her parents were deeply in love. Hunith knew that she would have to share Uther's bed at times, she was well aware his main reason for this marriage was to produce a child, but she couldn't imagine falling asleep next to the man every night for the rest of her life.

She pushed the thoughts away. There was no use dwelling on it now, she would find out the answers soon and until then, there was nothing she could do about it.

"Come on, Merlin, let's have a look at your room," she said, making herself smile at her son.

Merlin seemed to have bounced back to his usual cheerful self, and he scampered across the room ahead of Hunith, tugging the door open.

Just as the servant had said, this room was virtually identical to Hunith's, just on a smaller scale. The bed in the middle was a bit smaller as well.

"There's no toy box," Merlin said, sounding slightly offended by that fact.

Hunith smiled, "Don't worry, my love, when our things are brought here, you'll have all of your own toys."

"When will that be?" Merlin asked.

"Very soon," Hunith assured him, and as she spoke there was a knock on the door outside.

"I expect that will be someone bringing our things right now," Hunith smiled at Merlin, who immediately brightened and raced for the door.

Thank you for reading! Any reviews would be greatly appreciated.