Chapter 5 - Finding Nathan

"You're right, Lady Morgana. Arthur is looking for his son," said Agravaine, "I found this letter in Gaius chambers." Morgana literally tore the letter out of his hand.

My dear Gaius,

I am addressing you because you are the only one who still knows the truth about my son, Nathan. If you read this letter, I'll be dead.

I made him travel all the way to Camelot, hoping that one day he could learn more about his royal origins. I can't ask you to give him a home or even take care of him, but Nathan has a right to know that Arthur is his father. In order to be believed, I never spent the 100 coins. They are still in the pocket with the royal seal.

Your loving Catherine

"Look, I'm an aunt now," Morgana laughed sarcastically, "Too bad he'll never know the truth. He's so small and innocent."

"Arthur, we have to take a break," Leon said promptly. The horses are exhausted and should have taken a break hours ago. Meanwhile the sun was going to set. They no longer recognized much. They didn't even know if they were riding in the right direction. Merlin was said to have found a trace, but none followed.

"We have to cancel the search for today," Gwaine agreed.

"If our suspicions are confirmed and Nathan is kidnapped, we can't afford a break," said Arthur.

"What does it bring you to face the enemy exhausted? You need to rest, Arthur. We all do," Merlin said.

"We continue riding."

"Sire, the boy ran away. It was his decision to leave Camelot," Leon said.

Arthur sighed and looked into the helpless and tired faces of his men. Admittedly, he's also very exhausted, "Tomorrow morning at sunrise we'll keep looking."

"You're still awake, Arthur?" Merlin wondered and straightened up into a sitting position.

"I keep watch."

"You've never kept watch," Merlin grinned. When Arthur looked at him with a serious expression, Merlin quickly became serious, "Why Nathan?" Merlin asked.

"I would do it for everyone from Camelot."

"I just mean. You gave Nathan your old knight toys, which he proudly wears." Merlin realizes that Arthur doesn't answer him, "You have special feelings for him, right?"

"As I said, Merlin, I would do it for everyone."

"Really for everyone?" Merlin questioned.

"I would make an exception for you," the king smiled.

Merlin sighed and joined Arthur around the campfire. He can't really get used to the idea of running away, "Kind of strange. Nathan only lives in Camelot for a month."

"Nathan messed with Audrey the cook. Maybe Agravaine is right and he ran away," Arthur thought, "Then at least he would be safe."

"I mean, of course, he makes a lot of nonsense, but running away doesn't look like him at all. Unless he wants to go back to his parents. He probably misses them terribly."

"His mother is dead, Merlin."

"He has an father," Merlin poked around in the flames with a small branch. Arthur looked at his servant in amazement. Did Gaius chat? Does Merlin know the truth?

"An unknown father," Arthur corrected the fact.

"Who knows, maybe you're. The way you stand up for him," Merlin grinned, "Poor boy."

Arthur looked at him indescribably.

"Oh" Merlin surprised, looking at his friend and king, "Nathan is..."

"If you tell anyone about it, I'll have you killed," Arthur said before Merlin could finish his sentence.

"Who knows about him?"

"We and Gaius."

"That's why we're nonstop looking for him," Merlin said.

"A robbery must have taken place here," Sir Leon stated with horror. They rode on and reached a devastated camp. The campfire was still glowing slightly, meaning that those were only a few hours ahead. Plates and cutlery lay on the ground, as well as two dead people.

"The dead look like they were smugglers," Gwaine, swinging off his horse. In any case, they didn't look like knights. But he discovered small footprints and that of a horse. Gwaine followed the trail for a few steps, "Arthur!" he called, picking up a wooden sword. It can only belong to Nathan. With this sword he had practiced with them several times.

"They're heading east," said Arthur, startled. This is where the Kingdom of Camelots ended - in the middle of the Essetir forest. Just a few steps further and they were in enemy territory. After Cenred's death, Lot took over the kingdom and has been tyrannizing the ordinary people with excessive tax revenues. Strangers doesn't like Lot either and doesn't shy away from cruel acts of violence.

"My lord, we can't go on. It's too dangerous," Leon said, "King Lot will never voluntarily let go the boy if Nathan is still alive."

"Then we have to get him out of it," Arthur swallowed hard.

"You don't understand Arthur. We'll start a war if we're get caught! This boy isn't worth that risk!"

"Nathan is worth a lot more than you think, Sir Leon."

"Sire, I think Leon is right," Percival said.

Arthur took a deep breath. His knights looked at him promptly, "It's a long story. It's enough for you to know that Nathan is a Pendragon - my son." At that moment the king looked at the astonished and surprising expressions of his men. Truly none of his closest knights knew what to say. Even Merlin looked at him in horror for a second time.

Sir Leon stepped out of the small group of knights out, "Then let's not waste time."

"We will keep your secret well," Percival said.

"I've always wanted to be a guest at Lot," Gwaine grinned.

A slight smile crept into Arthur's face, "We'll leave all clothing with the Camelot emblem here," he explained, "Lot won't know where we come from and who we are. We go through a tunnel, free Nathan and ride back to Camelot."