Hunith

"I do love you, my boy."

- Hunith to Merlin

Hunith is the mother of Merlin. She lives in the village of Ealdor in Cenred's Kingdom.

Early life
"It is every mother's fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlin were not so."

- Hunith to Gaius in her letter

Gaius, Hunith’s older brother, once hid a Dragonlord named Balinor with her because Uther Pendragon of Camelot sought to destroy all forms of magic. During this time, Hunith became close to Balinor and had unknowingly conceived Merlin, living happily in Ealdor for a time. However, when word reached Balinor that Uther had discovered he was in Ealdor and had sent knights after him, Balinor was forced to leave Hunith. Hunith, in turn, ceased talking about him, and refused to tell Merlin about Balinor out of fear for her son's safety.

When Merlin was a young man, Hunith sent him to Gaius because she hoped, as a former practitioner of magic, Gaius would be able to help Merlin with his developing powers, which had become too conspicuous for him to continue living among the people in Ealdor (The Dragon's Call).

Merlin's return
Later, Hunith traveled to Camelot to ask Uther Pendragon to aid the village of Ealdor when it was attacked by bandits led by a man named Kanen. While Uther sympathized with her, he could not do anything to help because her village was in another kingdom, and intervention from Camelot would constitute an act of war. Merlin, therefore, returned to the village to help accompanied by Gwen, Morgana, and later Arthur. Hunith was shown to be a bold fighter when she participated in the Battle of Ealdor fighting with a broom and a cane (The Moment of Truth).

When Merlin went to the Isle of the Blessed to offer his life for Arthur’s, the sorceress Nimueh took Hunith’s life instead of Merlin’s. When Hunith came to Camelot for Gaius’ help, Merlin decided to try again at offering his life to save his mother’s. Gaius, however, left ahead of Merlin and offered his own life in Hunith's stead. As a result, both Hunith and Gaius survived as Merlin, in a rage, killed Nimueh and used her death to revive Gaius (Le Morte d'Arthur).

When Merlin released the Great Dragon, Merlin learned of his father's identity. Balinor told him that he had loved Hunith very much and he was very sad to leave her (The Last Dragonlord).

After Morgana conquered Camelot with the help of Agravaine and Helios, Merlin decided to take Arthur to Ealdor where he would be safe. Merlin reunited with Hunith who told him how much she worried about him. Hunith spoke briefly to Merlin of how Gwen, who had been staying in Ealdor after her exile, was coping. However, Agravaine soon tracked Arthur to Ealdor and they were forced to flee once again (The Sword in the Stone).

Personality
Hunith is a loving and caring mother and her son is the most important thing in her life. Wanting the best for him, she sent him to Camelot to live with her friend Gaius, hoping that he would be able to help Merlin learn to control his magic and knowing that he was destined for great things. Hunith is a very maternal figure, constantly worrying about how her only son is faring while he lives away from her. She also serves as a mother figure to others beside Merlin, showing concern about Morgana accompanying them in the trip to Ealdor and making breakfast for Arthur. Hunith was very protective of her friends in Ealdor and also determined and decisive, shown by her willingness to face Kanen and her journey to Camelot to seek help for her people. She, like Merlin, cannot stand to see a loved one in danger and will always stand up for what's right. Hunith's good character even earned Uther Pendragon's sympathy and his regret that he could not help.

Merlin
Hunith loves her only child and son, Merlin, very much and is always worried about him, even when she knows he is safe in Camelot. She tells him that he and Arthur are like two sides of the same coin and welcomes him warmly home when he, Arthur, as well as their new friends, Tristan and Isolde, need a place to hide during Morgana's second reign.

Guinevere
As a friend of Merlin, Guinevere is always welcomed by Hunith. When Gwen was banished from Camelot by Arthur after she committed 'adultery' with Lancelot, Hunith welcomed her into her home with open arms. She also told Merlin when he and Arthur went into hiding that Gwen's heart was still broken after everything that had happened.

Arthur
"I'll follow you. If I'm to die, then I want to go out fighting."

- Hunith to Arthur

When Arthur came to Ealdor with Merlin, Gwen, and Morgana to help aid the village against Kanen and his men, Hunith treated Arthur like she did Morgana and Gwen. While Arthur was thankful for her kindness, he was uneasy with the idea of living in a small village as opposed to the castle back in Camelot. When Arthur returned to Ealdor for the second time while he and Merlin were on the run from Morgana's men during her second reign, Hunith welcomed them back and helped tend to Arthur's wounds.

Gaius
"My dear Gaius, I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don't know who to trust."

- Hunith in her letter to Gaius

Hunith is good friends with Gaius, who is her brother and Camelot's Court Physician; she entrusted him with helping Merlin control his magic. Gaius had helped Hunith's lover, a Dragonlord named Balinor, escape from Uther's men during The Great Purge. Because of their shared history of hiding and caring for/loving those who had Magic, she knew that she could trust Gaius with her only son's dangerous secret.

Balinor
"I had a life there. A woman. A good woman."

- Balinor on Hunith During The Great Purge, Hunith hid Balinor, the last Dragonlord and a fugitive due to his inherited gift, in her home in Ealdor. While she housed him in her home, the two fell in love. Hunith became pregnant, but before she could share the happy news with Balinor, Uther's men began to close in. Balinor left without knowing that the woman he loved was with-child and believing that leaving her in Ealdor, in a place of relative safety and stability, was what was best for her. They never spoke to or saw each other again. Balinor often thought about her, believing that her life would be better without him, and he never stopped loving her. Hunith gave birth to Balinor's son, Merlin, who would inherit his father's gift. She never entered another relationship and never stopped loving Balinor.

Appearances

 * Series 1
 * The Dragon's Call
 * The Moment of Truth
 * Le Morte d'Arthur


 * Series 2
 * The Fires of Idirsholas
 * The Last Dragonlord


 * Series 4
 * The Sword in the Stone: Part One