The Unknown Son

Just A Normal Day?

Just a normal day like any other in Camelot. First, Nathan helped Gaius to collect new herbs. The 8-year-old was allowed to listen to endless stories about herbs and where to find it.

"Daisies can be used as a cure for headaches, dizziness and insomnia," Gaius said, picking several flowers.

"Interesting," Nathan muttered. Basically, he doesn't care about it. He has no intention of taking over Gaius work. Then he would much rather become a knight.

"They are also one of the first harbingers of spring in the year. It is said that if you eat three daisies in spring, you are spared the toothache and fever for the rest of the year."

"Have you tried it?"

"Yes, it didn't work," Gaius admitted, honestly.

"Can I go play now? Please Gaius, "Nathan asked, looking at the old man with wide pleading eyes. Gaius sighed and finally nodded.

Nathan grinned and immediately ran back to Camelot. He quickly dashed into the rooms to get his wooden sword and to throw on the chain mail..

On the way to the lower town, he made a short detour into the kitchen and stole a piece of cake. The cook saw the crime in the corner of her eye and immediately threatened with the large wooden spoon.

Nathan just smiled cheekily and ran out as fast as possible. He ran straight into the arms of the knights. He was in such a hurry to finally be able to play with his new friends (and because he wanted to run away from the kitchen dragon before she knocks him down with a spoon) that he bumps into Sir Leon.

"What's your hurry?" Sir Leon asked curiously. He was in the middle of the conversation with the king when Nathan bumped into his armor. Arthur smiled. Nathan seems to like his old knight toys and the chain mail looked extremely good on the boy.

"Um, I'm just saving Camelot."

"I didn't know Camelot was in danger," Sir Leon said.

"There you can see how good I am," Nathan grinned.

"He ruined all my cake. His pockets are full of food. He is a thief, my lord," the cook grumbled.

"Is that true?" Arthur asked with a certain undertone. Obviously, the boy lacks manners, the fact of which Arthur urgently needs to change. It is time for the boy to learn to read and write. Geoffrey, the librarian, will surely teach Nathan the knowledge.

"Yes. No. It's not what it looks like. No, but yes," Nathan stuttered overwhelmed

"Speak decently if you speak to the king," she hissed as she played angrily with a kitchen knife (which she probably exchanged for the spoon) in her hand.

"Please forgive me, my lord. The cake looked delicious and I couldn't resist the temptation. "

"If I see you again in the kitchen I'll make mincemeat out of you," she whispered and walk back into her kitchen.

"I am sorry. I thought nobody noticed. There is so much food and my friends in the lower town have almost nothing," Nathan tried to justify himself to the king. From his pocket, Nathan pulled out several large chunks of the already crumbled cake, "It wasn't right for me to take something that wasn't mine," and handed it to the king.

Arthur opened his mouth briefly, but then quickly closed it again. He just didn't know what to say to the boy. He openly admitted his deed and was ready to face the consequences.

"Thank you for your honesty. Take the cake and share it with your friends," Arthur would not have had the heart to punish Nathan just for bringing special food to his friends, "I hope this won't become a habit. Otherwise, a few hours in the pillory would be appropriate for you," Arthur added.

"Thank you very much, my lord. I promise it will never happen again."

Sir Leon grinned as Nathan ran to the exit, "He reminds me a little bit of you, Sire."

Arthur stopped and looked at him in surprise with his mouth half open. Didn't he reveal the secret, did he?

"He is very good-natured and confident of himself," Sir Leon said.

Gaius sat wistfully on his stool. Plates and cutlery lay in front of him. Neither Merlin nor Nathan were there. Quite unusual, actually. The rest was pleasant, since the two only lead mischief up, but he can't imagine it completely without them.

The old man waited a long time. The stew was already cold, the sun was setting, and yet Nathan didn't come home.

Slowly he started to worry. He has not seen such behavior from the boy in the past few weeks. On the contrary. Nathan helped him a lot with his work and was always on time.

"I am sorry to disturb you, my lord."

Arthur looked up from his meal. The young king knew that Merlin burst into the rooms and that knocking is a foreign word for him. The fact that Gaius burst in was new to him.

"It's okay Gaius," said Arthur, "I'm sure you have an urgent matter."

"I'm looking for something," Gaius said calmly, trying to cover up his inner panic. Admitting to the king, even if it's just Arthur, that he 'lost' his son, he doesn't trust.

"What are you looking for?" Merlin asked curiously.

"Nathan," it flitted out of his mouth, "We're playing hide and seek. Maybe he's here somewhere?" He emphasized certain words for Merlin and looked at him for help.

"Oh," Merlin looked at him in surprise and tried to count one and one together, "Wait! He's gone?" Merlin came to the realization, completely forgetting that Arthur was still eating dinner.

Arthur dropped his food back on the plate, "I guess you didn't play hide and seek."

"No, Sire."

"He is gone? Really gone? "Merlin asked horrified.

Meanwhile Arthur clenched his hand into a fist. A quick look out of the window tells him that it is already dark outside. Someone must have figured it out. There was no longer any doubt for him.

All the knights and important people were gathered in the council chamber in no time. Arthur initiated his men into the latest events.

Lord Agravaine then took a step forward, "Arthur, a search party won't be needed," he said, "I saw the boy run away from Camelot. I don't want to guess, but I think he didn't like it here. We should respect his wish. "

"He is still a child, uncle. Danger lurks in the forest - bandits and wild animals - it is our duty to bring back Nathan safely to Camelot."

"Such a big effort for a simple child?" Agravaine questioned the king's decision.

"Nathan is Gaius ward if you forget it." Arthur looked around. Many agree with his decision. Only a few people seem to be wondering why he wants to bring back a runaway child, "We are riding at sunrise."