Take Care of Merlin

Hunith found herself alone with Prince Arthur after Merlin left to go run an errand for her brother in the castle in another part of the wing. He had offered to stay with her to keep her company after her son had been summoned since he had nothing else he needed to do, but Hunith somehow doubted that.

"How's my son fairing as your manservant my lord?" Hunith asked, unable to handle the silence between them any longer. "I'm hoping your relationship is better after you helped our village."

Arthur gave her a smile and placed a hand on his chest. "Please Hunith, call me Arthur. You don't have to address me by my status. Merlin is doing a decent job as my manservant and truth be told he's one of the best servants I've ever had in my life. But don't tell him that, he'll get a swollen head over it."

"My lips are sealed. But I think he'd like to hear a few words of praise from you every so-often." Hunith said with motherly affection. "He doesn't like to admit it but hearing words of praise or thanks gives him the motivation to keep moving forward. Even if it's the most simple compliment you can give him, he'll take it to heart and remember it until the day he dies."

The smile on Arthur's face grew wider as he nodded his head in agreement. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Arthur." Hunith said firmly, catching the young prince off guard. "Please take care of Merlin. He's the only son I have and it would mean the world to me to know that he can count on you as his friend."

They gazed into each other's eyes and Arthur realized who Merlin inherited his piercing blue eyes from. Arthur gave her a nod of his head when Merlin entered through the door, breathing heavily like he had ran through the halls to get back as soon as possible. "Sorry it took me a while-" Merlin started to say before he sensed the atmosphere between Arthur and his Mother. "Did I interrupt something?"

"No dear. We were just talking about how it's been awhile since we last saw each other." Hunith said, walking over to her son and wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "I'm going to go back to Gaius to talk with him for a while. I'll see you when you're done with the day."

Arthur watched Hunith give Merlin a kiss on the cheek and she left the room. Merlin turned to meet his eyes and give him a questioning look but Arthur played dumb. He wouldn't tell him what Hunith asked even if he used some sort of magic on him to make him talk.