The Two Princes (Merlin Fic)

The fall of Maelidor (Prologue)

"Merlin! Ackeley! Has anyone seen my sons!?" Hunith shouted above all the chaos, her eyes darting between the scurrying servants that tried to escape the growing flame engulfing the western wing of the castle.
"Ackeley got out safe with Sir Roderick, Merlin was with Sir Mirrad, on the training grounds, my lady," a maid said pulling the queen with her.
Hunith relaxed slightly, knowing her sons were in safe hands. "We need to get to Merlin before Barric's men do. I can't lose him too."
"Of course, my lady," the maid said turning in a different direction than everyone else.
The two stopped short when a couple mercenaries stood in their way.
"Well that was easy. We didn't have to look hard. Your highness," one bowed mockingly. "This ain't nothin personal, but Barric is payin us a pretty penny to make sure you and your sons die."
"Not today, you don't," the maid stated before uttering an incantation. Her voice strong and unwavering as each word slid gracefully from her lips. The walls began to shift and morph into hands that reached for the men, pulling them into a stone prison. Their swords doing nothing against the attack.
In this brief moment Hunith looked intently at the maid only to realize she wasn't a servant but a beautiful woman simply dressed as one. Gold faded from her eyes, leaving them a striking blue like the ocean and her raven hair was pulled back enough to be out of her face. Hunith began to distrust this woman, not for her use of magic, but the fact that she was a stranger.
"Come on my lady, we must hurry," the woman said trying to pull Hunith along.
The queen wasn't having it, ripping her hand away from the woman's.
"Who are you?" She demanded.
"I'm an ally, a friend of Giaus. Please trust me, we don't have much time,"
"Giaus?"
"Yes Giaus, now please," with those words Hunith followed the sorceress through the corridors to the grass fields used for training.
The sorceress stopped short once they were outside.
"What's wrong?" Hunith asked, confused.
"I can't go any further, but you must go. Get to your son, the Druids are just West of here, they promised to take the two of you as far as Essetir."
"What about Ackeley?"
It's best that you remain separate for the safety of you three. When Barric realizes you and your sons escaped his men will be looking for a group of three."
"How will I know he's alright?"
"I promise you I will keep an eye on him," the sorceress said.
"So your not coming with us," it wasn't a question.
"My path lies different from yours, Hunith, now go. I will make sure no one follows you."
"Can I get your name at least?"
The woman smiled, "nimueh," she statted before her eyes flashed gold and she was gone.
"Thank you,nimueh. Please keep my Ackeley safe,"Hunith mumbled.
She turned and ran where she saw Sir Mirrad and Merlin fighting a small group of men. They worked quickly, cutting Barric's men down before Merlin noticed his mother running towards them.
"Mum," he hollered.
"Lady Hunith, are you alright?" Mirrad asked.
"Yes I'm fine Sir Mirrad. We have to leave, now!"
"Where's Ackeley?" Merlin asked concerned for his younger brother.
"He'll be fine, he's in safe hands."
"The castle-"
"Is overrun," Hunith interrupted. "Now let's go."
"We can't just leave!" Merlin protested.
"We must! There is nothing we can do here, Merlin,"
"But-"
"Sir Mirrad, would you please," she said gesturing to her son.
"Forgive me, my Lord," Mirrad said before using the pommel of his sword to knock the young prince out.
Hunith quickly caught her son.
"We have to get out of here,"
"Where will we go my lady?" Mirrad took Merlin from the struggling queen.
"West, to the druids."
"The druids,my Lady?"
"Yes, they can help," the queen replied and with one last look to the burning castle, Hunith ushered the knight forward to the forest where the Druids would be waiting.