The Great Purge of Camelot had started nearly six years previously, when Uther's first wife Ygraine had died in childbirth. Not only had she died, but left a daughter, Morgana, instead of the promised son. After years of childlessness Uther had asked the High Priestess Nimueh to help his wife conceive. Uther had been warned a life would be taken, in exchange for the child, he hadn't listened. The revenge on the magical community had been swift and harsh. Since then Uther had killed anyone, man, woman or child that showed any sign of having magical powers. Even the magical beasts had been hunted down and killed.

Now Gaius, the former King of Camelot's neighbour, and his daughter Hunith were being escorted to Camelot. Gaius was getting old, and had not been able to hold on to his Kingdom, he had no sons and only one daughter, who he loved with all his heart. His nephew Balinor had disappeared years before, and couldn't be traced despite extensive searching. So in order to secure Hunith's future Gaius had agreed to hand over his kingdom to Uther Pendragon, who would marry Hunith thus protecting her. Gaius wasn't happy about it, but had no choice it was either that or a war they couldn't win. His kingdom had always been very tolerant to magic users, and Uther was well known for his persecution of anything magical. Gaius had given the magic users in his kingdom warning, so they could escape before Camelot's knights descended.

Gaius rode up beside his daughter as they neared Camelot "I hope you will be happy my child."

Hunith looked at her father and smiled. The Princess wasn't a classically beautiful woman, but had a great deal of charm and a very kind disposition. "I will be fine father, please don't worry, I realise you did the best for our people."

As they turned the corner they got their first view of their new home. It was a beautiful site and the white towers glowed in the sunshine. Today was the start of a new life for both of them, as well as their old kingdom. Hunith vowed to make the best of her marriage, and to look after the young princess and try to become a mother to her. It can't have been easy for Morgana having no mother, as well as coping with her father's disappointment in not having a male heir. King Uther was well known for his stern ways. Hunith had heard Uther was a good looking man but had always hoped to marry for love not politics, but she was a Princess and if she could help her people it was her duty to do so. At least her father would be staying with her. The official line was Gaius was a guest but she knew he was really a hostage for his people's cooperation with the handover.

Uther Pendragon was waiting for the news that his new bride was approaching. He wasn't about to stand around waiting. After all he was doing the woman a favour marrying her. He could just as easily took the country in war and not landed himself with a wife. But his council wanted him to remarry and provide a male heir. He loved Ygraine and hadn't wanted to remarry, and had no intention of using his new wife as anything but a broodmare. If she managed to provide him with a son all well and good, if not, well he could get rid of her.

The guard arrived to inform Uther that his bride was entering the citadel. So he stood and walked down to the steps to greet her. As he did he passed his daughters nursery.

"Morgana come with me and meet your new mother." He shouted through the door.

"No I don't want to, she's not my mother and I don't like her." Answered the small girl from within the nursery, Uther gave a rare smile; his daughter had spirit, such a pity she wasn't a boy.

"You will do as you're told child. You haven't met her yet you might well like her." He had always been indulgent of his daughter's spirit, but he would need to clamp down soon or he would have trouble. Never mind that would be his new wife's job.

"Come here now! I will not tolerate disobedience."

A small girl with long dark hair and green eyes walked reluctantly to her father's side. Saying no more she walked with her father to meet his bride. Gaius and Hunith were already in the courtyard by the time Uther arrived; Gaius was upset for his daughter. The least the man could do was be on time to meet his future wife. As soon as he saw Camelot's king he helped his daughter dismount her favourite horse and walked with her to greet the man who, by the morning, would be her husband.

Uther looked at Hunith and held out his hand. "Welcome to Camelot I trust your journey was uneventful."

"Thank you your majesty it was." Hunith said curtsying.

Uther turned to Gaius "Lord Gaius" Gaius bowed his head, he was no longer of equal rank but it rankled that he had to bow to such a man.

Turning once more to Hunith he turned towards his daughter "May I present my daughter Morgana."

Hunith smiled at the sullen child. She thought the poor girl was probably concerned that she would take her place in her father's heart. Hunith was determined to make the child her friend. "Hello Princess Morgana it's nice to meet you and I hope we can be friends." Hunith held out her hand to the small girl.

Morgana looked up at her father "Can I go and play now." She demanded.

"That is no way to greet our guests Morgana." Uther roared, embarrassed that his child should show such bad manners.

"Your majesty, please I don't mind, we can get to know one another better in time. These occasions are a trial on children" Hunith smiled trying not to show how the child's actions had affected her.

Hunith and her father were shown their new quarters. Hunith's would only be for the one night as tomorrow she would move to the Queens chambers. Gaius however was shown to his permanent rooms and was surprised. He had been given one of the lesser noble's rooms consisting of a small antechamber and a bedroom of moderate size, not at all what he was used to. It seemed King Uther was determined to show the ex king his new position in life, even though he would be the Queens father. Gaius was beginning to wonder if war might have been the better option after all.

After a rest from their travels Gaius and his daughter joined the king for a meal. It was just them on this occasion and was an informal affair. Uther made no effort to get to know his bride or to put her at ease. But she refused to let him see the hurt she felt. Tomorrow she would be his wife and there was nothing she could do about it. But she would make the most of her new life and hoped she would soon make friends among the court ladies.

The next morning Hunith was helped into her bridal gown by her new maidservant, a quiet girl called Sefa. Hunith had not been permitted to bring her previous maid, as Uther didn't want undue influence on his court by outsiders from a kingdom that had tolerated magic. Sefa was very timid and Hunith was trying to get the poor girl to relax. Hunith was nervous enough without any extra stress on her. Her mother Alice had died when she was ten and she wished more than ever that she could have her mother by her side on such a day. She also wished she could have got to know her future husband better before their wedding day. By the treaty terms had included an early union.

An hour later Hunith was proclaimed Queen Hunith of Camelot, she couldn't remember the ceremony, her nerves had been such that she went through the whole thing on autopilot. As her husband kissed her she realised there was no going back. This was her new life for better or worse. After greeting the crowds from the balcony she was led into the feast by her husband.

Her new husband drank enough wine at the table that by the time they retired he was too drunk to do anything but fall asleep, leaving his bride a virgin on her wedding night. The next morning Uther got up and went hunting and didn't see his new bride until that evening when he took her virginity without thought or tenderness. They shared the wedding bed for the next five nights as was custom, before Hunith moved into the attached rooms. After that her husband would join her only when he wanted to exercise his rights as a husband. Theirs was to be a loveless marriage that gave little comfort to either party.

During the day Hunith tried her best to get to know her step daughter and gradually broke down the wall the child had built around her. Although they never had the sort of relationship Hunith had hoped for. The ladies of the court for most part took their lead from the King so Hunith made few friends. She was popular with the servants who found her a kind and considerate mistress who treated them well. In turn they looked after her well and would do anything for her. This at least made her life tolerable.

The thing that upset Hunith the most was the burnings, Uther would make her attend the executions of any sorcerers even the children. The smell of the pyres and the screams of the victims gave her nightmares. She hoped that the citizens of her old kingdom were coping with their new lives.

This state of affairs went on for the first nine months of her marriage. Her father found solace in the castle library and spent much of his time with Geoffrey of Monmouth. It kept him away from Uther and he loved books so was in his element at least that eased Hunith mind as she had been worried how her father would cope with his changed circumstances.

On the ninth month of her marriage Hunith fell pregnant and then at least her husband's attitude towards he thawed. He was overjoyed at the prospect of a son and wouldn't listen to anyone who dared to suggest that another daughter might be born. Whilst Uther was now being the attentive husband Morgana became bitter, she was the king's only child and now all this fuss was being made. She was old enough to realise that if she had a brother she would be pushed to the sidelines. Already her father was beginning to ignore her and she hated it. Uther would have even forgotten her seven birthday, if it hadn't been for Hunith, as all he could think about was the new baby. One benefit of the pregnancy was that Uther no longer made her attend the executions as he didn't want her to be in danger.

After nine months Queen Hunith went into labour, it was a long and arduous birth but as she heard her child cry for the first time it had all been worth it. Then as her husband entered the room she heard the words that would change her life once more.

"Your majesty you have a son."

Uther was over the moon, he had a healthy son at last. He even let his wife name the child, at the moment she could do no wrong in his eyes.

"Merlin, can we call him Merlin Sire. I saw one the day I knew I was pregnant."

"Merlin….a good name a strong and fierce bird, yes I like it Prince Merlin Pendragon it is." He picked up his son "Welcome to Camelot my son."