Callum shuddered as Percival helped him up onto the back of a gallant stallion. The black animal was calm and still under him… but he still couldn't help but tremble. One spook, and the horse could bolt, throw him…
"Easy." Percival soothed, patting his back. Callum winced. The man sure had some strength behind those arms. "Spartan's a good old boy. The perfect horse to learn on."
"Yeah…" Callum swallowed, his legs gripping hard to the horse's side. "But what if he… you know, decides he don't want to be gentle anymore."
"Doesn't." A voice scolded. "You're to be a knight. Don't speak like a commoner."
Callum glanced up as a man walked out to the field to join them. He winced. The man was William. He was one of the two knights Arthur had decided were to teach his young pupil.
"Sorry." Callum murmured. Willam's eyes gleamed with hate…a hate Callum simply did not understand.
"Sorry what?"
"Sir?" Callum said timidly. He wasn't certain how to address a knight. His father had always liked that honorific though… he figured it was a good try.
"Sir William!" William snapped, tapping the flat of his sword against the boy's thigh. It wasn't a hard blow, but Callum still flinched.
"Erm…" Percival seemed uncomfortable. "Yes… Well, Callum? Are you ready to take him for a walk?"
"Do I…Do I have to learn how to ride?" Callum breathed, his heart thundering.
"Yes-." Percival started.
"Of course you do!" William roared, tapping him again. "You expect to make a decent knight without being able to ride your stead?"
Callum lowered his head.
"No, sir. Sorry." He whispered. Shaking, Callum lifted the reins and tapped them against Spartan's slick neck. The horse jolted forward, his old bones creaking.
"Sit up straight!" William demanded. "And keep your heels down!"
You have to do this right! Callum told himself, trying his best to do as William commanded. If you mess this up… Arthur will send you away! He'll…He'll leave you.
And so, ignoring his fear. Callum walked that stallion around the field. Percival was right about the horse. Nothing phased him. Not the knights training nearby, not people shouting off in the distance. Spartan didn't even twitch an ear as a warrior missed his target and an ax flew past his face.
"Sorry!" The young knight winced, coming to get his weapon from where it had dug into the ground. "You ok, kid?"
"I…" Callum shook his head, trying not to show his terror. Spartan hadn't thrown him… "I'm ok. Sorry I got in the way."
"You're…" the knight blinked. "Oh… yes…well, don't worry about it."
Callum's mouth shifted into a small smile, and he patted Spartan's neck.
"Good boy." The child whispered. "You're a good horse, aren't you?"
Spartan shook his mane and started forward once more. Callum glanced over his shoulder, back at Percival and William. Percival was smiling, nodding his approval… William's eyes were narrowed and unfriendly, and Callum couldn't hold his smile under the man's hard gaze.
"That." The knight sneered as he rode back over to them. "Was nothing to be proud of."
"He did well!" Percivil protested. The huge man suddenly growled. "And you'd best think about who you're speaking to. In many ways, he's the king's ward."
The king's ward? Callum's eyes widened. But isn't… isn't a ward like… well, wouldn't that make me like a son?
Callum had been training under the knights for a solid week now. Odin had long since left Camelot, and the boy was feeling more and more like this was something that was going to last. He ate supper with Arthur and Merlin every night, and he knew Arthur was being kept in the loop about his training, because the king was always giving him tips on how to do better. Arthur made it clear he had a long way to go… but unlike Sir William, he did it in a way that made Callum want to do better.
"The king's ward?" Sir William gawfed, disgusted. "Not likely. He's a mere orphan. The king took him in out of pity."
Callum flinched, turning away. Not because the words hurt…
But because he was so afraid of the truth behind them.
Arthur stood up from his desk, cursing as he tripped over a pile of his own clothes.
I need to get a new servant, the king thought, freeing his foot from where an old shirt had wrapped around it.
"Come in!" He called as a knock sounded from the other side of the door. He grimaced as Merlin poked his head in.
"What is it, Merlin?" He asked, not meeting his old friend's eyes. He and Merlin hadn't had a civil conversation since Callum had come to live in the castle.
"Gwen." Merlin said, an unreadable tone to his voice. "She sent word. She's planning to start back in a few days… thought you'd want to know."
Arthur nodded.
"Alright." He said. "Thank you."
Merlin chewed his lip, before turning and starting back out the door. He paused, his back to the king.
"I don't want to see you get hurt, Arthur." He whispered. "All I've ever done, I did for you."
Arthur finally looked up, a bitter smile crossing his face.
"I know." He said. "And I am… grateful for all you've done. I know I don't say it much… but you must know I am. Merlin, that doesn't change that that boy is a part of my life now. I wish you'd give him a chance."
"What if that chance costs you your life!" Merlin protested, spinning around.
"What if it does!" Arthur snapped. He drew in a breath. "I can't spend my whole life worrying about what might kill me, and neither can you."
"But I-." Merlin cut himself off with a sigh. "You know what? Fine."
"Umm?"
"I'll give the boy a chance." Merlin agreed. He narrowed his eyes. "But don't expect me to trust him."
Arthur walked over, placing a hand on his old friend's shoulder.
"Wouldn't dream of that Merlin." He pulled away. "Now…" the king waved a hand at his mess of a room. "Mumble some of your rubbish and make this place liveable again!"
"See?" Merlin snorted. "You can't make do without me."
"Shut up, Merlin."