I'm back with my computer and should be posting regularly again, thank you for your support
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The next morning Arthur told George he wanted to see the seamstress who made the servants clothes. George looked at Arthur but didn't query his orders. A bit later there was a knock on the door and a young girl came in after Arthur shouted for her to do so. She curtsied and in a very timid and nervous voice said "You sent for me my Lord, I am the seamstress for the servants."
"Come in and close the door. Now what is your name, I can't call you seamstress" Arthur asked her.
"It's Gwen Sire"
"Well then Gwen my father has deemed it for that I should have a sorcerer with me, now his clothing is ragged beyond belief and he disgraces me. I need his to have a couple of sets of something more suitable. Nothing fancy but something that at least covers him properly" Arthur gestured to Merlin who was sitting on his blanket wearing his now dry clothes.
Gwen turned round and saw Merlin for the first time, then she say how he was chained to the wall. "Oh poor you" she went to move towards Merlin "Hello I am Gwen what's your name" Then she remembered the Prince and turned back "Sorry my Lord, I am new to this job, not that I can't sew I can"
"The sorcerers name is Merlin, not that you need to know that, he just needs some clothes, a simple shirt and trousers and a jacket if there is one, oh and some boots I suppose his old ones seem to be falling apart. Whatever befits his station"
Gwen looked shocked "The sorcerers usually get the most wore out clothes Sire not new ones"
"Well the others don't have to live in my chambers do they! Just sort him something out and by tonight"
Gwen looked at Merlin, he was about her age but much thinner. She had off course seen him about and heard how he had saved the princes life. She felt very sorry for him. She had lost her mother but at least she still had her father. She might have needed to start work at twelve, as most peasants, did but as she understood the young sorcerer had already been captive for years. "I will do my best Sire" she curtsied and backed out of the door.
Arthur looked at Merlin "Some new clothes for you Merlin make sure you try to look after them. I am sorry I have to speak of you as I do, but if I don't the King may remove you from my care"
Merlin gave Arthur a small grin "I don't mind at least you don't kick me" he was beginning to feel more comfortable around the Prince, who at least seemed to be kinder than the rest of the people he came into contact with.
Arthur shook his head "You mean you don't kick me my Lord"
Merlin looked at Arthur and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like prat to Arthur but he decided not to ask, at least the boy still have some spirit.
Arthur called George and got his servant to help him with his mail then took Merlin down to the knights training. Arthur trained with a select group of knights that were considered the best Camelot had to offer. Some like Leon were loyal to him, even at his young age, others he knew reported back to his father. So he knew he would have to take care. He called the knights together "I have been given permission by the King to train you with the sorcerer, if we are to fight magic we need to know how to protect ourselves best from it. So from now on Merlin will train with us, he is young yet but hopefully we can learn as he does"
The knights looked at Arthur in surprise, this was unheard of. Leon backed Arthur up "That makes sense Sire"
Owain and Pallinore nodded their agreement. Whereas Cador and Caridoc looked less than enthusiastic. The others didn't seem to worry one way or the other. Cador turned to Arthur "He's a sorcerer, filth he shouldn't be here."
Arthur looked at the Knight "Are you saying my father is wrong?"
Cador said no more but it was clear he wasn't happy. Arthur continued "Merlin will watch today then tomorrow when we train we will spend some of the time attacking him."
Cador looked at Merlin and sneered "That shouldn't take much"
"Cador you were on patrol, you saw how Edwin and Merlin helped us, if they had been on the other side we wouldn't have won" Arthur looked at the knight. "Now they might be fighting for us because they have no choice but that doesn't make their contribution any less valid. Now normal training regime and I will assess how best to use the sorcerer"
After training had finished Arthur was going back to his chambers with Leon "Sire will the boy help us willingly?"
"He will either way, we need to learn how to fight against magic, the attacks are getting stronger not weaker. The King has killed most of the weak ones it's the strong magic users who we are increasingly against"
"Arthur I don't know what you are planning but take care" Leon warned his friend.
"I will don't worry" Arthur turned to Merlin "Come on boy we have some talking to do"
When they were back in the Princes chambers Arthur looked at Merlin "I order to keep you away from Aredian I have told the king that you will help us train. Will you?"
"Do I have a choice?" Merlin demanded trying his best to look fierce.
"Yes, if we can't make it convincing you go back to Aredian, so suggestions, can you help us to plan how to defend ourselves from say a weak sorcerer, what spells they use and how to counter them?"
"Maybe" came the sullen reply
"Look Merlin, one day I want to free you, but until then I need to try to keep you alive, you have to help me" Arthur glared at Merlin in frustration as there was a knock on the door and Gwen returned
"Sire I found some clothing that should fit. As its second hand it will pass the rules for the sorcerers but they are nicer than usual." She handed Merlin some clothes.
Arthur nodded to the changing screen "Change there, I'm sure this you lady doesn't want to see you"
Merlin got behind the screen and when he came out he had on brown trousers that actually fit and a blue shirt with brown boots. She held out a red scarf "I noticed Sire that his neck is sore from the collar this might help" Gwen went towards Merlin and put the scarf round his neck. Just under the collar
"Make sure the collar shows or my father won't be happy" Arthur warned her. The scarf was tucked under the collar to protect Merlin's skin. "Thank you, he looks better"
Gwen handed Merlin a small pile of clothes "If you leave the dirty ones by the door I will wash them for you" She smiled at Merlin who beamed at her
"Thank you Miss" he said looking at the best clothes he had ever had.
"Call me Gwen please" the servant turned to Arthur "Will that be all Sire?"
"Thank you yes" Arthur dismissed her. After she had gone Arthur smiled at Merlin "You should be warmed now, just make sure the collar shows, especially if my father is about"