Merlin FanFic

Mother

Ealdor was home. Merlin loved Ealdor and how peaceful it was and wished he could stay there forever, but he knew it would be impossible. Arthur and the knights may come and look here for him, but he couldn't risk his mother's safety. Merlin rode through the village in a gentle trot and stopped in front of his old house. He dismounted his horse and was heading for the door when his mother stepped out. She froze for a second, broke out into a huge smile, ran to Merlin, and pulled him into her arms. Merlin was glad to see her and know that she was safe and well. Hunith was glad to see Merlin and squeezed him tight. Her son was home. She let go of Merlin and looked him up and down. He looked exhausted.
"Come inside, Merlin, you look tired" She saw Merlin nod, and he followed her inside the small hut. Hunith knew there was something wrong as Merlin had always written to her before he came to visit, but this time, he hadn't. She knew not to pester him as he would tell her when he was ready. She went over to the fire and set a pot of water over it and fetched some bread from the cupboard. Merlin watched his mother for a moment and then sat down. He watched her take plates from the cupboard and hustle around. He had definitely missed her, he then felt his heart drop as he knew that he couldn't stay for long and that he would have to say goodbye. Hunith then came and placed some food in front of Merlin, for which he was grateful. He said a quick thankful and began to eat. Hunith stood back and watched and frowned. She knew that Merlin was starving and wondered why he hadn't eaten.
"So what brings you, Ealdor?" Hunith asked as she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She had to know why he came. Merlin looked up at her and saw that she was eager to know. He felt sad all over again and wondered if he was ever going to be happy. He felt tears in his eyes as he looked at his mother.
"I had to leave Camelot." Merlin said quietly, looking down at his food, no longer hungry. He pushed the food aside and folded his hands on the table. Hunith was shocked. Merlin had left Camelot? She walked slowly over to the table, sat opposite her son, and took his hand. She saw that he looked heartbroken, and she knew that something terrible had gone wrong.
"What happened Merlin?" Merlin looked up at his mother.
"I had to use my magic in front of Arthur to save his life and he saw. I got injured and then knocked out, when I came round Arthur told me that I should pay for the crime but told me to run as he wouldn't kill me. He told Uther and now I am on the run. I came here to tell you goodbye as I know that I can't go back there as I will be killed." Hunith watched the few stray tears fall down Merlin's face. She was shocked. Merlin's secret had been revealed and now he was being hunted for it. She felt angry and sad and also betrayed by Arthur. Hunith thought that Arthur cared for Merlin but now knew she was wrong. She also knew that if Arthur Pendragon ever did come through Ealdor, she would surely give him a piece of her mind. Hunith got up from the table, moved around and held Merlin close to her as he needed her. Merlin held onto her and cried. He had never felt so heart broken and betrayed apart from when he had lost Freya, his beloved. Merlin let the tears flow and his mother held onto him and comforted him. Merlin finally fell asleep exhausted, and Hunith let go of him. She managed to get him to her bed and she tucked him in. She was so sad and she knew that he couldn't stay even though she wanted him to.

Merlin awoke early to the sun rays beating through the windows and onto him. He sat up slowly, aware of his injured shoulder, and looked around. He was still in his old home in Ealdor. He searched and finally found his mother in the bed he used to sleep in when he lived here. Merlin smiled sadly and got up. He stretched and winced from the pain in his shoulder. Merlin moved closer to the window and then pulled off his shirt. He craned his head back to look at his shoulder and noticed that the dressing needed to be changed. Merlin sighed, pulled his shirt back on, and went to his horse to find his bag. He dug deep and found the small bag he was looking for with the stuff he needed to change his dressing. Merlin turned and found his mother standing at the doorway, watching him.
"Morning, " she said, smiling, and Merlin gave her a small smile. Hunith watched her son and noticed that he was holding a small pouch.
"What's that?" She asked and Merlin shrugged. She then noticed him wince as if he were in pain.
"Are you alright, Merlin? " she asked, concerned. She hoped her son wasn't hurt. Merlin nodded and hurried into the house, not wanting to worry her. She followed and then stood in his way. Merlin looked down at her and sighed.
"It's nothing to worry about mother. Gaius has fixed it up. It just needs changing."
"What does?" Hunith demanded and then knew that Merlin hadn't told her everything that had happened. Merlin sighed, knowing he would have to tell her about being injured while saving Arthur.
"Mother, it's nothing. I just got hit in the fight while protecting Arthur and hurt my shoulder." Hunith frowned and moved towards him.
"Let me see Merlin." Merlin dodged out of the way, knowing she would freak out if she saw it.
"It is fine, mother," Merlin said, standing his ground and looking his mother in the eye. Hunith stared him down and then realized that she wasn't going to win and that she should have let it go. She sighed and poked him playfully.
"If it gets too bad, you come to me, and I will change it, alright?" Merlin smiled and nodded. Merlin then heard a group of horses and he frowned and knew that Ealdor never had groups of horses come through. He went over to the door, opened it a fraction and looked out. He froze at what he saw. Arthur and the knights were there and talking to the villagers. They were here, and Merlin presumed it was under Uther's order. Merlin shut the door and turned to his mother.
"They have come for me. I have to leave." Merlin said sadly and went over to his mother. He hugged her tight. Hunith hugged him back and knew she would miss Merlin so much.
"Be safe my boy." She whispered and then released him. He nodded and then headed to the back door to find his horse. Merlin found his horse and then mounted. He galloped towards the woods with Hunith watching. Hunith watched her boy go and let out a tear. Arthur had destroyed the last of her family and now she would make him pay. Hunith strode to the door and stomped out of it. Arthur and the knights were already heading towards her house, so they met in the middle. Arthur could tell that Hunith looked furious.
"How dare you Arthur Pendragon!" Hunith screamed and lunged for Arthur. One of the knights grabbed her and restrained her, but she kept on fighting in a blind rage. Hunith knew that she wasn't going to see her son ever again, and now she wanted Arthur to feel her pain.
"You have taken my son away from me." She screamed and Arthur stood still on the spot. He watched her fight with tears streaming down her face, and he felt awful. He had taken Merlin away from her and would never forgive himself. Hunith was still fighting and screaming and then Arthur nodded to the knights to pull her back and then took her inside of her home. Arthur followed, ignoring the horse galloping away from Ealdor and Camelot. He knew it would be Merlin. Arthur went inside and found Hunith still trying to get away. Arthur sighed and had enough. He went to her and then placed his strong hands on her shoulder to keep her still; he then looked her in the eye.
"I never wanted to do this but I had to. Merlin was my friend, and now he is gone, and I am going to miss him, but I have my duty to Camelot." He saw Hunith grow still and cry. Hunith felt the fight go from her as she looked at Arthur. She knew he didn't want to do it but had to.
"Will he ever be allowed to return?" Hunith whispered and Arthur looked down at her and sighed.
"I don't know. Merlin has magic, and that is forbidden in Camelot."
"But he is good. Merlin is good. He was trying to fulfil his destiny to protect you." Arthur seemed shocked by the words.
"Protect me?" Arthur didn't think that Merlin could ever protect him. He was the future king of Camelot and a knight. Hunith nodded.
"His destiny is to protect you from any harm that comes your way, and he has done more times than you could know. He has saved you from evil many times Arthur." Arthur sat down on the wooden bench and was still in shock. Merlin has been trying to protect him all this time, but now he has been turned away. Arthur then knew that he had to get him back somehow. Arthur got up in pure determination and faced the knights.
"Find him. I want him brought home. I am going to tell my father that what I saw was a mistake and that it was someone else who had the magic." Hunith looked up, shocked, and felt her heart fill with hope as Arthur had just proven himself to be the bravest prince. She got up and hugged Arthur. She knew he would make a powerful and kind king.
"Thank you, " she whispered. Stunned by the hug, Arthur patted her back and then let go.
"I have to go, but I will make sure that I bring him home." Arthur then turned and left the house, mounted his horse, and set off in Merlin's direction. He just hoped that he would be able to catch up with him in time and tell him he was sorry before it was too late.