Onto another chapter! A little action in this one! Also Hunith and Merlin interaction of which I love both of them. I hope the cheesy factor on this is not too high...

It had been about two and a half weeks since Merlin was found by Uther. Merlin was still getting used to things around the Pendragon mansion. Uther also managed to get him a personal tutor so he could catch up on the years of school he had missed and to teach him how to better control his magic. Merlin was beginning to think that this new life was too good to be true.

Merlin got up as usual and walked down stairs in his pajamas as his new usual routine. He went into the kitchen to see Hunith cooking some eggs and bacon. She turned and greeted him and told him to go sit in the dining room as she finished up cooking the meal. He did as she commanded and walked into the posh and grand dining hall. For once, he saw Uther sitting at the end of the table reading a newspaper. He never saw him because, as Merlin soon learned Uther was a very busy man and usually left early for work.

Uther glanced up from his newspaper to stare at Merlin. Merlin looked less presentable and out of place in this nice mansion. He was still wearing Arthur's baggy old clothes and they still looked like he was swimming in them. He also still wore his black sunglasses. He was still nervous walking around without them. Even though he hadn't left the mansion since he arrived.

Uther then decided to start up a conversation with Merlin. "Good morning Merlin"

"Morning Sir." Merlin said nervously.

"Now Merlin there's no need to call me Sir."

"Sorry Si-" Merlin caught himself.

"So Merlin, doing anything exciting today?"

"Not to my knowledge?"

"Well, I think Hunith and you should go to the shopping center. It looks like you could use some new clothing. I mean you can't wear Arthur's old clothing for the rest of your life, can you?" Uther offered.

"Oh no I'm fine. I do-" Merlin started.

"No, I insist Merlin. You are now a part of this family, and you deserve decent clothes at the least." Uther interrupted.

"Thank you Uther. That means a lot to me" Merlin said gratefully.

"No problem son. Now finish your eggs. You still look like a twig." Uther joked.

After Merlin finished his eggs, Uther had already gone. He decided to take the plates to the kitchen and wash up. He had to be useful in some way. He entered, the kitchen and it was empty. Hunith must have been getting ready to take him to the shopping center. Merlin saw a few plates on the side and decided to clean them up too. Merlin decided it would be a good idea to use his magic to try and clean up the dishes. He could finally use it openly, and he had enough strength to do so. He smiled as he watched the final plate hover into the cabinet.

He then decided it would be a good idea to get cleaned up and changed to go to the shopping center, so he climbed the many stairs that lead to his room and chose some clothes to wear. He also had a shower, a luxury he has been taking advantage of since he came to the mansion. Then Hunith called him downstairs to go.

Hunith went to go get a car from the garage while he stood out in the cold waiting. He didn't mind it. He was still used to living in the streets so a slight breeze was nothing. Hunith pulled up in a nice car. It was one of Uther's many cars. Merlin hopped in the front of the car and buckled in. Hunith was looking at him as soon as he was situated. She had a sad smile on her face. It made Merlin feel awkward. She finally started moving when she said "You really need new clothes," and they drove off.

It was about a fifteen minute drive to the center. They talked a little, but it was mostly small chat. Merlin then saw the familiar sign of the shopping center. He hated this place so much. It was the same place years ago that he was left by his father. He didn't dare go back after the show he put on for the people there.

As he got out the car, he secured his glasses on and made sure that they covered every ounce of gold that shone through. He walked with Hunith out of the parking center and into the mall part. As he saw the familiar crowds of hundreds of people, he did something no fifteen year old would ever do. He latched his hand onto Hunith's like he was a little kid trying to not lose sight of her. He did not want a repeat of his childhood trauma.

She guided him to a clothing store for all ages. It was pretty big. She quickly guided him to the teen section, and they picked out clothing. She gave him a few jeans and shirts to try on and guided him to the changing room. He tried them on, and they fit pretty well, a little big, but he knew he would grow in to them. His favorite outfit she picked out for him was some blue skinny jeans, a red shirt with a brown jacket. She even gave him a blue wool scarf to wear as an accessory. He felt well dressed for once. He looked in the mirror, he looked different, even to himself. He could see the way he looked frail and why Uther, and Hunith kept commenting on it. Also while putting on the jacket, he saw the scars that marred his pale skin. He never really looked at them before like this.

He was thrown out of his trance when he heard Hunith asking if he was okay. He replied saying he'll be out in a minute. Hunith in the meantime was talking with the cashier to see if he could buy the clothes now and wear them. "Sure he can, just let me ring them up and cut the tags off then he can change into them." The cashier said happily.

Hunith then went to go ask Merlin if he like the clothes, and he told her that he loved them. So he got undressed and handed her the clothes and stayed in the dressing room while she paid for them. As the cashier finished ringing the stuff up, she took Hunith's credit card. Then she gave the set of clothes that Merlin was going to wear to Hunith. Hunith quickly ran to the changing rooms and handed the clothes back to Merlin, telling him to come to the front tills when he's ready.

Hunith went back to the cashier to talk to her and get the clothes. The cashier decided to make small talk with Hunith. "This is a lot of clothes you gothim. Special occasion?"

"No, um my boss just adopted him, and he had nothing. He had nothing but the clothes on his back when he found him. Poor lad, he's been on the streets since he was seven. Abandoned by his parents apparently." Hunith said sadly.

"Oh. Poor kid. Must have been hard on him." The cashier said, feeling nervous.

"I mean what kind of parent leaves their child on the street, at seven none the less, because he was born differently?" Hunith said with some anger in her words.

"People these days…" The cashier nervously stuttered.

"Ah, here he comes now" Hunith said when she spotted the black mop of hair. Merlin was grinning nervously, he looked nice, but a little out of place with his sunglasses on. "How do I look" Merlin said while he posed for Hunith.

"You look lovely dear. I love the scarf." Hunith fixed the scarf around his neck. She then turned around to pick up the bags of clothes, and Merlin followed. Merlin stopped dead in his tracks when he set his sights on the cashier. He felt his heart stop.

He looked at the old cashier. She was in her late forties, her black hair had grey streaks in it, and her blue eyes the same shade that he used to have before he was seven. There was no doubt in his mind that the woman standing in front of him was his mother. The only thing he did was whisper "Mother?"

"What was that Merlin?" Hunith asked worriedly.

The cashier was looking nervous and scared. Then Merlin decided to actually say something to her. "Mother. It's you right, do you remember me? Merlin. Your son." Merlin said angrily, but nobody could see the tears welling up behind his eyes with his glasses on.

"I do-don't know who you're talking about. I don-" The cashier tried to deny.

"Yes you are. Your name tag, your name is Nimueh, not really a common name, and I remember your eyes, my eyes used to be that color too. Before I was seven… you abandoned me! Why?" Merlin was beginning to get hysterical.

"Son I think you have the wr-" She tried to start.

"No, don't deny it! I know it! You left me, all those years ago. You had Dad drop me off here. Near Christmas. I remember it all!" Merlin was shouting now.

"I'm sorry! We were stupid! Merlin just calm down. You don-" Nimueh admitted.

"Don't apologize! I don't need your stupid apologies! I just want you to know what you did to me was cruel. You left me nothing. I was alone. Do you know what they do to people with magic on the street? Cruel things." Merlin accused his mother.

"I understand what I did was wrong, but I was stupid." She tried to defend.

"Why did you leave me? Was it because you were scared of this?" Merlin yelled as he pulled off his sunglasses to reveal his glowing yellow eyes.

"We didn't know what to do! We couldn't care for you with powers! We were scared!" She started yelling at him.

"Afraid I'd do something like this?" Merlin said quietly as lights in the room shattered and racks started shaking. Then Merlin ran out of the store into the crowded shopping center. Hunith was awestruck at the whole conversation she just witnessed. She then composed herself and glared at Merlin's mum and grabbed the shopping bags and ran after Merlin.

It wasn't hard to find him. Hunith followed the wake of destruction Merlin left behind, shattered windows and shocked people. She found him at a table in the food court huddled over himself in a booth. She walked closer, slowing her pace. The effects of his magic didn't die down, so she had to calm him down. She sat next to him in the booth and put her hand on his back. "Merlin honey?" She whispered.

Merlin looked up at her. His glasses were forgotten on the floor of the shop, and she could see the tears falling from his golden orbs. He started sobbing even more, and Hunith pulled him into a hug. He nudged his head into her neck and started sobbing some more. Hunith pulled back and grabbed a napkin to wipe away the tears from his face. His magic started to calm down, but it didn't completely stop.

Hunith decided that Merlin needed a drink after that little outburst. "Merlin honey, I'm going to get us something to drink. Do you want anything?"

"I'll have some water." He mumbled.

"Okay. I'll only be a minute, just stay here."

Merlin returned to putting his head down. He started to sob again as soon as Hunith was gone. He could feel the table start rumbling. He tried to stop it, but when it came to his emotions his magic was usually out of control. He really didn't care after a while and just let it go.

After a while of sobbing, he heard a gruff manly voice. "Hey kid."

Merlin looked up to see the source of the voice. It was an old man about forty and he looked intimidating. "You're one of those freaks. Stop whatever stuff you're doing now. Or else." He threatened.

"I can't. I'm trying but I can't." Merlin sobbed back.

"Well if you don't I'm calling the cops. You freaks can't just do that stuff anywhere. You can be put in jail for that." The man stepped closer to Merlin's table. Merlin tried to get closer to the wall of the booth. "Get away from me!" He sobbed.

Hunith walked over to the table. She took a little longer than planned because she thought Merlin would like a Milkshake to cheer him up. She however walked upon the scene of Merlin cowering in the booth, while a huge man came closer to him. She dropped the milkshakes and ran to Merlin when she heard Merlin yell "Get away from me". She grabbed Merlin and the bags, and ran. However, the man wasn't done he yelled "Freak" as they were running away.

They didn't stop until they reached the car. She opened the door and put Merlin in. He buckled in and curled in towards the door with his feet drawn to his chest. Hunith got in on her side and started the engine. She looked at the boy who was just looking out the window aimlessly. As they left the shopping center, she thought she heard him whisper "I fucking hate this shopping center."

They drove in silence on the way home. Merlin just stared out the window. He was exhausted from the day's events. When they pulled into the mansion's gates, Merlin practically leaped out of the car and ran inside. Hunith had to open the door for him since it was locked, but as soon as he was in, he bolted up the stairs. Hunith heard the slam of a door.

So what yah guys think about it? I be you guys didn't think Nimueh was his mom, I bet you guys thought she was the Nurse that saved Arthur when he was a baby! Anyway I know this is so unlikely, but I imagine Merlin's parents were pretty low income so Nimueh works at the mall. Just roll with it. And this is not the last time we'll see her...