Disclaimer- I own only my own imagination.
ali of redwall- well, you bring up some very interesting points. Well, first of all, even if she was three, Nat still was a wizard even then, so that could have helped disguise her. As for her family, like I said before, Allen cast a memory charm on all of them, and third, Nat still remembered her family, after all, she wasn't really a baby anymore.
Chapter 4. The change of heart
Allen tried not to let his behavior be affected by the sudden discovery, but it is hard after you had become so accustomed to a certain fact. Natalia too, tried not to be affected, but that is hard to do when you suddenly find out that a person had not only kidnapped you, he had lied so that he could keep you, and made an error with a very severe consequence. They succeeded for a little more than one year.
"Nat, wake up! Sunup was a long time ago, and today is the anniversary of your birth, have you forgotten?" Charles yelled to her through the door.
"I've been up, waiting for you! And how could I forget? I'm now thirteen years old!" Natalia said as she came out.
"Here, I got this for you in town." Charles handed Nat a beautifully carved dirk, suitable for young lad in those times.
"Thank you. I'm glad to see you know me well enough not to try giving me an embroidery cloth or something," She said as she tucked the dirk into its sheath and put that in an old wooden box.
"Well, come on, Uncle is most likely waiting for us outside."
"You know, I detest wearing these gowns. Too bad Allen insists, now that you two know I'm a girl." The two walked down to the stable, where the horses were kept. Natalia's blue roan gelding, Ned was eagerly awaiting her, along with Allen.
"I've fed them all, but I haven't cleaned out the stable yet. Charles, would you mind attending to that? Meanwhile, Natalia, I must have a word with you." She led her to the little grove of maples across the field from the cottage and the stable.
"Well, I'll waste no words. Natalia, you are a young lady now. I know I am a poor peasant, really, but your parents were well above my station though they weren't of course one of the high lords and ladies. I know you wish to continue your training with me, but the truth is, you've learned all that I can teach you very, very quickly. I hadn't mastered half these skills when I was grown, even. But you cannot carry on as a peasant wizard's apprentice. Therefore, I am sending you to be educated in the ladylike arts at the Greenleaf Abbey."
Nat was too shocked to even utter a single sound. She just stared at Allen. Finally, she regained her ability to speak.
"Allen, have you caught some sort of an illness?"
"Now is not the time to joke around, Natalia. I've allowed you free reign for too long. Pack your things. You leave tomorrow." Allen walked away.
How could he do this to me? Nat thought. The man who went so far as to kidnap me, and even when he found I was not the one he intended for, kept me anyway, he one who trained me and treated me as his own nephew, or even son, then afterwards, his daughter. And what on earth would she do without Charles? The two had shared a roof for many years, and had been like siblings. They had become each others' dearest friend, and now Allen, the one who had raised both, now suddenly decided to separate them.
