A Warrior At Heart (Arthur Pendragon x oc)

2

In desperation, Hunith makes her way to Camelot to find Merlin; she finds him in the courtyard. At first, he is ecstatic to see her but then he sees the sorrow in her eyes and demands to know what happened that caused her to feel like that. He wouldn't allow anyone to get away with hurting his family.

After Hunith explains the situation, leaving out some details about Kanen attacking Adira because she didn't want him to worry, merlin manages to get her an audience with the king, Uther.

Hunith stood before the king, chin up, everyone in the room couldn't help but admire the determination that shone in her eyes.

"The winters are harsh in Ealdor, and there are many children. Some of them just won't be strong enough to survive. We barely have enough food as it is and if Kanen takes our harvest, our children won't live to see another summer. Please we need your help"

"Ealdor is in Cenred's kingdom. Your safety is his responsibility." That's the first clue that this is a hopeless request. Uther is a hard man to convince unless there's something greatly benefiting him.

"We've appealed to our king, but he cares little for the outlying regions. You're our only hope." She pleaded still holding out hope. Uther sits in silence while he contemplates his decision.

"I have the deepest sympathy for you and would have this barbarian wiped off the face of the earth." Uther said, which shocked everyone in the room, who thought that was him agreeing to help.

"You'll help us?" Hunith asked in incredulity.

"I wish I could." There it is, of course he wouldn't help.

"Surely we can spare a few men?" the prince, Arthur suggested.

"Resources are not the problem."

"Then what is?" asked Morgana, wanting to help as much as she could.

"Ealdor lies beyond the ridge of Aesctir. For an army of Camelot to enter it would be an act of war." Uther explained, dampening the mood of everyone in the room because they knew it was a good reason. But Hunith still didn't give up. She got on her knees, kneeling in front of the king, ready to beg for the sake of her village.

"I know you're a good king, a caring man. I'm begging you. Help us, please." She pleaded, voice shaking, tears shining in her eyes.

"The accord we've struck with Cenred was years in the making. I cannot risk hundreds of lives for the sake of one village. I'm afraid Camelot cannot help."

Everyone knew it was a logical reason, they couldn't fault his morals in this situation but that didn't make them any happier about the decision.

Morgana gave him a heart-breaking look, and moved to help Hunith off the floor, knowing she would still do what she can to help her, and predicting that Gwen probably felt the same way, especially as this was Merlin's mother and they would do anything to help their friend, just as they know he would for them.

Merlin knew he didn't have a choice, he was going back to Ealdor, even if it was forever, he wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't do everything in his power to help his family when they were suffering.

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Merlin found Arthur looking over Camelot from one of the balconies of the citadel. Merlin didn't even need to start the conversation; Arthur already knew there were things he needed to say to Merlin.

"I'm sorry. If it were up to me, we'd be on our way there now"

Merlin was clearly disappointed with the outcome of the meeting, but he didn't blame Arthur at all.

"You tried. Thank you for getting an audience with the king." He said earnestly.

"I wish that Camelot was able to help people regardless of how far away they lived." Arthur said dejected.

Merlin decided that now was as good a time as any to tell Arthur what he plans to do, taking a deep breath

"I'm going back to Ealdor"

"Of course,"

"It's been an honour serving you." Merlin said genuinely.

Arthur turned to him confused, not wanting to believe what he thought merlin meant.

"You'll be coming back." He said, sure in himself.

"She's my mother. Her and my sister are the most important people in the world to me. I have to look after them before anyone else."

"Since when do you have a sister?" Arthur swears he's never heard merlin mention having a sister. Maybe he doesn't know his manservant as well as he thought he did.

"uh, since birth, she's my twin."

"Why didn't she come with you when you came to Camelot?"

"Adira didn't want to leave our mother alone despite wanting more adventure in her life, especially when there's people like Kanen that make the village unsafe. She'd do anything to protect her family, and she's exceptionally stubborn so there's no hope of convincing her when her hearts set on something. I can't help but admire her selflessness in times like this. I just hope she's not gotten herself in trouble yet"

"in what way?" Arthur asked interested.

"she has a very fiery spirit and will go to extreme lengths to protect those she loves. I know my mother was hiding something when she told me what's happening back in Ealdor, I can only hope it's not about Adira."

"she sounds brave, id do the same for my loved ones." Arthur said impressed.

"yeah she is. If I end up coming back to Camelot ill be trying again to convince her to come with me. Maybe if we can get the village out of trouble with men like Kanen then she'll be more willing to leave" he said with a small hopeful smile on his face

"I understand, you have to do your best when it comes to helping family." Arthur replied knowing he'd miss merlin but not about to admit it. "well, you've been terrible. Really, I mean it, the worse servant I've ever had."

Merlin's small smile grew, and he couldn't help but laugh, knowing he's going to miss his conversations with Arthur.

"Thank you, sire" he said turning to walk away, stopping as Arthur called after him,

"Merlin, good luck"

Merlin gave another small smile and nodded his head in thanks as he knew he needed as much luck as he could get for this endeavour.