A New Year

[gilli-ann.livejournal.com]

Author: gilli_ann
Title: A New Year
Rating: G
Pairing: None
Character/s: Merlin, Hunith
Summary: Hunith makes a difficult decision
Warnings: None
Word Count: 300
Prompt: 453 Midnight
Author's Notes: Canon compliant triple drabble



A New Year

It was New Year's Eve.

Although it was cold outside, right before midnight Hunith did as custom demanded. She opened her cottage door to let the old year out and to welcome the new. Standing in the doorway, she was relieved to see Merlin approaching.

"Happy new year, mum!"

"And to you, Merlin mine. I expected you home sooner than this. Have you been outside with Will all the time?"

"Yes. We went up on the far hill by ourselves to see some proper fireworks."

"Fireworks?"

Merlin shrugged, suddenly looking sheepish. "Yes, well, you know...." For a moment his eyes turned golden. Shimmering sparks of red, blue, and gold leapt into the air from the palm of his hand.

"Merlin!" Hunith hurriedly pulled her son inside and closed the door. "Be more cautious! Will should be ashamed for encouraging you."

"It was just a bit of fun, mum. No one saw us," Merlin sulked.

Hunith sighed and let it go. She believed him. The night was dark and without stars. The people of Ealdor were in their homes by the warm hearths. Shouts of 'Happy New Year!' rang out from inside the nearby cottages. Some few villagers had even bought firecrackers, and set them off with loud pops.

Hunith quietly handed Merlin the spiced honey posset she had waiting for him. He grinned in delight, for a moment looking far younger than his years. But her son was not a mere boy anymore. Ealdor had become too small and too dangerous for him and his extraordinary abilities. However much it pinched her heart, Hunith admitted to herself that in order to protect him from his own recklessness, she would have to send Merlin away.

As soon as spring made the roads passable, she would write to Gaius about it.