Chapter 10 - Truth

They stared into each other's blue eyes. Nathan tried to process what the king was just revealing. It was impossible. It couldn't be true. He's not the king's son. Maybe Gaius painkillers are too strong?

"You are wrong. I am certainly not your son."

"Nathan," said Arthur in a soft voice, "I know I should have told you earlier, but the timing wasn't right. You are my son. There is no doubt about it," he put his hand on the narrow shoulder, but Nathan jumped up, "That's not true!" Nathan yelled, "I have no father!"

Now Arthur got up too, "Nathan, you have my word that I am not lying."

"But I don't want to be the son of a stupid king!" Nathan yelled and went away.

On the edge of the camp, encapsulated by the others, he found the peace he wanted. Leaning against a tree, he watched the events around.

Was it really true what the king revealed? So that's why did he grew up without a father? He still knows how he always asked his mother what happened to his father. She always said he had let her down.

Nathan sighed. He has no idea about the royal duties. He is a simple boy - not a prince. But it made sense. That's why Arthur spared him when he stole the food from the royal court kitchen? That's why he got the old wooden sword of the king?

"He told you, didn't he?" Merlin sat next to the boy.

"What if I don't want that?"

"What? Becoming a spoiled royal ass?" Merlin grinned briefly and became serious again when he realized that Nathan certainly wasn't joking, "Sometimes we have no choice. And I'm sure you'll be a good prince."

"Actually everyone knows about it, just I don't?"

"Oh, just Arthur's closest confidante," said Merlin, "just Gaius, Gwen, Sir Leon, Percival, Elyan, Gwaine," Merlin enumerated, "I thought you got on well with Arthur. You love training with him, learning new techniques ... what has changed your mind?"

"Why does he tell everyone but me," he wondered, "Why did he lie to me?"

"He did it out of love for you," stammered Merlin, "He wanted to protect you. There are many who want his death, who want to conquer Camelot for themselves. You have no scruples to kill a child. He didn't tell you because he wanted to keep you from it, I think."

"You mean Morgana?"

Merlin nodded slightly, "Honestly Nathan. Arthur may be a dollophead, but I am sure that he is a good father," he took a deep breath, "Be glad that you were able to spend so much time with him. When I met my father it was only for a very short time." Merlin patted him on the shoulder amicably and left.

Nathan silently watches the knights prepare for battle, Arthur raise his sword, and call for love for Camelot. The knights set out to take Camelot back.

What if he never sees Arthur again because he is killed in battle? But Nathan quickly rejected these thoughts, eagerly waiting for the fight to be over quickly and without great losses. So he can lead his normal life in Camelot.

"Gaius!" Nathan called cheerfully and ran into the arms of the old doctor, who was already eagerly waiting for his roommates.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked worried. The doctor looked so tired and broken.

Gaius nodded slightly and gave the little prince a smile, "We'll be busy for a few days," and looked around in the chaos what Morgana's men had done. Nothing was in its usual place. The table was even knocked over. The small medicine bottles were broken on the floor.

Together they set up the table and three stools. Gaius cooked a stew with the remaining ingredients so that they would have food in their stomach again when there was a knock on the door and Sir Leon entered.

"Prince Nathan," he smiled, "the king is waiting for you."

Gaius looked surprised at his ward, which sighed audibly. Arthur had told him. But Nathan made no move to get up and follow Leon.

"You shouldn't keep the king waiting so long," said Gaius.

Nathan shrugged, "There's still so much to do here. I can't leave you now."

"Merlin can help me tidy up when he comes," Gaius said, "but you Nathan should be with Arthur now."

Sir Leon once led the boy across the castle to the royal chambers. However, they did not enter Arthur's, but one that was still unknown to Nathan. There was a large bed, a table, a cupboard and a fireplace. The room was right next to that of the king.

"Your own room, Prince Nathan," Sir Leon grinned. Nathan turned to the knight and looked at him in amazement. His room? But he lives with Gaius!

"It's time for everyone to know who you really are," Nathan turned around in surprise. He hadn't noticed Arthur at all. The king stood in the middle of the room, "Even if you don't like itt, you are my son - always and forever."

Nathan stood rooted, not knowing how to react. How did a real prince behave?

"I'm sorry I called you stupid," said Nathan, not looking at the king, but fixing his eyes on the tapestry.

"It's okay. Your reaction was understandable."

He finally gathered up all his courage and looked at Arthur - his father and King of Camelot - "That's why you have been so generous to me all the time and spared me."

"No child should starve," was all Arthur commented. Somehow the mood between him and his son was pretty tense. It did not pass to the king that Nathan looked at him with difficulty and trouble, which made Arthur a little sad. They looked at each other more or less silently for a long time. Nathan stood uncertainty and playing with his hands in front of him, "I'll leave you alone then," said Arthur.

Hi! You're welcome to share your thoughts and ideas with me! And yes, I am German and I also write the story/publish in German. I also apologize for my grammar. My English is not the best.