Chapter 3 - His New Life In Camelot

Nathan was sitting on the stone steps in front of the castle's main gates. He had been living here in Camelot with Gaius and Merlin for two weeks. Both are concerned about his well-being. He would never have believed he could live in the castle of Camelot. He really lacks nothing. He was given appropriate clothing, plenty of food and drink (at least more than he had before), and a bed.

"Well, you have to collect herbs again," grinned Merlin. Since Gaius accepted the boy, he has been diligently helping the court physician. Merlin teases Nathan like the boy is his little brother. It was a mystery to him why Gaius is the child's guardian.

Nathan jumped up from his seat. Merlin stood a few steps below him so that they were at eye level. Nathan quickly took the small bottle from Merlin's hand and ran playfully away from him.

"Hey, I catch you!" Merlin said and hurried after him.

The fountain in the square made it difficult to hunt the boy. Nathan carefully watches every movement. Merlin was on the other side of the fountain. Every time he takes a step in the direction of the boy, the boy moves away. They have run around the fountain countless times.

"Catch me if you can!" Nathan giggled.

Arthur stood at his window and looked down on the courtyard. Merlin and Nathan are obviously having fun. Every now and then he catches himself watching the boy from a distance. He would like to frolic with the boy. After all, he has already missed 8 years of Nathan's life. Even if he still doubts he can ever be a good father. It was the right decision to let Nathan live with Gaius, so the boy was at least close to him.

Later in the day, Arthur stood with the knights and Merlin on the training ground. Sword fighting is on the training schedule today and Merlin can be the target - as usual. Little by little, each of the knights emerged and struck the shield with his sword. Merlin was struggling to keep up. After all, they were among the best knights of Camelot.

"Didn't you just say you were much better than the dollopheads the other day?"

Arthur listened. He has not heard the voice so often and yet it has become a familiar voice. He saw Nathan sitting on the fence grinning at Merlin.

"Shut up!" Merlin yelled. How long has the boy been back? And is he suddenly on the side of the knights? He should stick to him!

"But you said yourself that..." before Nathan could finish his sentence, Merlin threw his helmet and shield aside. He pulled the boy by the sleeve straight into the tall grass, where they frolic like brothers. Nathan laughed happily.

"Not a word about it, okay?" Merlin said. Of course, he didn't tell the boy about his magic, but every now and then the boy hears the conversations between him and Gaius. And there Merlin has often reported about Arthur, the dollophead, and how often he saved the life of the royal ass.

Nathan nodded quickly and got up slowly. King Arthur, Sir Leon, Gwaine, Parcival and Elyon stared at them.

"Do you want to join in, Nathan?" Arthur finally asked. He would love to see his son's sword skills. Maybe he can give him a few more tips.

"No, Sire," Nathan replied, "I've never fought before. I would disturb you during training."

"You can't start early enough," Arthur put his hand on the boy's shoulder and led him into one of the castle rooms.

"I held a sword in my hand very early in my life," said Arthur, finding the chest he was looking for. He took out a small wooden sword and a chain mail. Both were made especially for a child. "It was once mine. I want you to get it." Arthur handed sword and chain mail to Nathan.

"Sire, I can't accept that."

"It's yours, Nathan. And I hope you do me the honor of teaching you the basics of sword fighting."

Nathan almost nodded speechless while admiring the sword. Why did the king do all this for him? He let him spared, although he had stolen from him. And now he was teaching him to fight. He had the honor of training with King Arthur. Other boys his age would be jealous of him if they knew he could train with real knights.

Merlin helped him put on the chain mail. Looking at himself in the mirror, Nathan found that he truly looked like a real knight. It is probably only because of the chain mail. His otherwise delicate stature is not exactly knightly, nor did he possess the strength of a knight.

Arthur was training hard again on the training ground, but when he saw the boy in the corner of his eye, he stopped abruptly and received a strong slap from Sir Leon on the back because he did not realize the king's inattention. The young king quickly got up again.

"Alright, try to attack me," Arthur said. First of all, he wants to get to know Nathan's skills. If he sees his martial arts in action, then he knows what they need to train the most.

"Should I hit you with a wooden sword?" Nathan asked unbelievably.

"Come on," Arthur also held a dull sword in defense. He will only fend off Nathan's blows, but will not strike. At first, Nathan's blows felt timid and reserved. Even Merlin would survive this fight without a problem.

"Always keep moving, quick and precise punches," Little by little he felt the blows get stronger and the boy tried something of a tactic to hit him.

"You're better than Merlin now," Arthur grinned. Nathan accepted it as a compliment and continued to fight Arthur. He showed no mercy with the king and even managed to knock the sword out of Arthur's hand, since he aimed the wooden sword directly at Arthur's finger.

"You're pretty good for someone who's never had a sword in hand," Arthur said, stunned.

"Maybe I was chatting a bit, Sire. I've never fought against a knight."

"You are very welcome to train with us often."

"I will gladly do that and thank you for training today, Sire." He had taken off his chain mail and handed the sword back to the king.

"I give it to you, Nathan," said Arthur again. Didn't the boy believe his words? How many times should he emphasize that Nathan can keep it.

"Thank you, Sire," Nathan said uncertainly.

"Please stop calling me Sire."

"Yes, my lord," slipped out of his mouth.

Arthur rolled his eyes. Merlin's behavior clearly rubs off on the boy.

It makes Arthur a little sad that the boy is open and relaxed with Merlin, but appears reserved in his presence. If only Nathan knew he was more than just his king. Nathan is actually a Pendragon. An image of himself at a young age. There was no doubt about it.

Lord Agravaine watched the game from a safe distance. It does not suit him at all that the boy got away without punishment and is obviously under royal protection. Rather, there must be something behind it.

At dusk he rode quickly into the forest to the cottage, where Morgana was.

"Are you really sure?"

"He is very concerned about his well-being. He even gave him his old armor," Lord Agravaine said.

"You think the boy has a connection to Arthur?"

"Yes, my lady," Agravaine grinned. He finally found a way to make her happy.

"Well. If your guesses prove to be true and it is really a Pendragon, we have to get rid of the problem," Morgana grinned slyly.

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