Nearer and Nearer the End

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The road to Camelot was long, the winds were harsh though the sun shone brightly down. Though she had taken a horse, the ride seemed far longer than it ever had before, possibly due to her exhaustion. It was a mark of how unwell she felt that Hunith had even allowed her villlage to send her off here; as though she were a slave for packing. No, no she knew that was not it - she knew they cared for her, and were looking out for her. But even so, she still begudged them their descision. Merlin had enough to worry about, he did not need her too.

It was almost a day later when the cart eventually drew to a stop outside the Castle. Hunith pulled herself from atop the animal, murmuring a request for her son's location to a nearby guard, who pointed her in the way of the Castle. Hesitantly, Hunith looked up at the building, suddenly realising just how much of an impact on her son's life this might make. Surely it would be kinder on Merlin if... no, no she had to tell him, didn't she? He had to know the little there was to know.

So it was with a wary heart that Hunith drew herself up, and made her way to Gaius' chambers, for although the guard had told her that her son would be working for Arthur right now, she could not just walk in on him and the Prince! It was not her place. A sudden rush of dizziness pulsed through the woman and she wavered, stumbling over to a set of steps, sitting down, burying her head in her hands, just wanting this nightmare to end.

Tagged: Merlin
Setting: Camelot
Timeline: Somewhere between Season 3 and 4
Notes: Hunith's iminent end!

[em]

Do this Merlin! Do That Merlin! Merlin! Merliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!

He was glad to have escaped Arthur's company for a while. He'd spent the morning polishng armour and swords and anything that needed shining. Boots Included, and now it was time to head off and prepare some lunch for the Prince.

Merlin headed off down the hallways and to the kitchens, a list of what else he needed to do running through his mind. Washing, sweeping, scrubbing the floor, rearranging Arthur's socks?! Then later on when he returned to Gauis he would have to do even more washing and scrubbing before falling into bed. Sometimes he just wished he could have a few moments to himself without being called an idiot or being asked to scrub a leech tank. Before fetching Arthur's lunch he would need to go and change and at least grab something small to tide him over until he ate that evening.

So lost in his thoughts that it was only the figure sitting on the steps that caught his attention as he passed. At first he was surprised to see the person sat there, and then resorted to being very concerned at their state of being. "Mother?!" he crouched down, "Mother? is that you?" he asked, putting a hand around her, "What are you doing here? What's wrong?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

The day had been incredibly busy! With Uther's weakening health, Arthur was acting king. He had taken the responsibilities otherwise appointed to the king of Camelot and the young prince was feeling overwhelmed in such things. Of course, he masked any insecurities and uncertainty he had. The only other time had been acting king was when they were on the verge of battle with Cenred. He had been so unsure of everything then. Now, he took up his duties with less hesitation. Embracing them, for while he hoped and prayed with all his heart that his father would recover . . . everyone seemed to believe he was getting worse. Including Gaius. Which was not reassuring to the prince at all. Never the less, his father was alive and so long as he drew breath, Arthur would keep hoping and praying. His uncle had come to assist him and quite frankly, Arthur would be lost without him. So bearing all that in mind, Arthur rushed through the halls in attempt to find his servant. He had sent him on a bunch of errands, but needed him to do something else of the utmost importance.

Arthur had completely forgotten of the feast tonight, and needed Merlin to polish his armor, boots, and crown as quickly as possible. He had checked every possible place that his servant could be, having no success in finding him. There was only one obvious location left, and that was that he was in his quarters. He best not be sleeping on the job! Arthur would definitely have a thing or do to say -- or throw -- at him for that! He made his way down there, he saw in the distance Merli crouching on the stairs. So he wasn't sleeping on the job then, he was just hiding in a corner. "Merlin! What the he--" Arthur abruptly stopped talking when he got close enough to see that there was a woman there. It only took him a second or two to realize who it was. "Hunith?" He questioned a bit surprised to see her. Arthur would have scolded Merlin for not telling him that his mother arrived today. But, judging from the expression on his servant's face, it seemed Merlin was just as surprised by her presence. "Is everything alright?" He asked, this time concern filling his tone. From the way she sat, and the worry on Merlin's face . . . it did not look like everything was alright.

[Deleted]

The moment she heard Merlin's panicked voice, she knew she had made the wrong decision. Better to die alone than to worry her only son about such a thing as this. He had so much more to be concerned for; he was servant to the Prince! That was a greater thing indeed than anything to do with her. But she could not deny that his presence made her feel... well, safe. "Merlin," she croaked quietly, her voice shuddering in its tiredness.

As he asked his questions her head pounded, and she simply buried into him, needing his strength. His questions were valid ones, but how could she answer them? How could she tell him when she could barely admit the truth to herself? How could she be so selfish. "I..." she trailed off, unsure what to say.

But her thoughts were quickly tumbled in confusion as the familiar voice of the Prince came into view. No! He could not be concerned about her, for what was she to someone like him? Alright, he had saved her village, but that was because of Merlin, wasn't it? Because of their friendship? She wanted to protest, wanted to pretend that she was fine, but ... tiredness pulled at her, and all Hunith could do was to bury further into Merlin's embrace, shivering silently, unable to answer the Prince.

[em]

Merlin embraced his mother tightly as she buried her head into him. He was worried now, very worried indeed. "Mother?" he replied, it almost sounding like a plea. "Tell me...please..." She didn't sound well, nor did she look it now that he had seen her face. He was just about to ask the question on that matter when he was interrupted.

"Merlin! What the he--"

Great. That was all he needed right now - Arthur coming to hunt him down to get him to do more washing, polishing or scrubbing. He looked up at Arthur, who almost looked as shocked as Merlin had to find Hunith there. "Is everything alright?"

Merlin shook his head sliently before speaking. "She's too upset to talk. I need to get her to Gauis, will you help me? Please?" Merlin had never had to ask anything of Arthur since becoming his servant. Well nothing that he could remember anyway - besides as he waited on him day and night, he hoped that he would be granted this one favour.

"Can you stand?" he asked softly