After eating breakfast Arthur began helping Rhea and Morgana pack up the salves for him to take to the village. As always, Morgana begged to go along but Rhea and Mother Ramus both disagreed with her going along. Just as Arthur was about to leave he heard something coming closer. Looking out to the path through the dense thicket he saw a robed man riding a horse coming towards them.

“Mother Ramus!” Arthur called as he. The old woman walked outside to look at what Arthur was worried about. She too saw the man riding towards them but rather than being scared she did her best to get down on one knee and lowered her head as the man entered the clearing.

“Lord Merlin, what brings you to our humble abode?” Mother Ramus asked. Arthur stood behind her unsure of why Mother Ramus was bowing. Rhea and Morgana both looked out through the door from the cottage. Getting off of the horse,Merlin walked up to Mother Ramus and took her hand before getting down on one knee himself.

“Mother Ramus, I thank you for your servitude to your King, Uther Pendragon. Please do not bow to me as you have been a servant worthy of true praise.” Merlin said. Mother Ramus stood up and extended her hand in which Merlin kissed.

“You flatter me but again, what may I ask brings you here?” Mother Ramus asked with a slightly embarrassed tone.

“Uther pendragon is dying and he wishes for his true son to be crowned as King upon his death.” Merlin stated as he stood up.

“I see, then I ask that he stays with us until then. Now, I must ask how you will prove that he is the true son of Uther?”

“The sword will prove that he is the son of Uther.” Merlin said.

“What is going on?” Arthur asked.

“You are the next Heir to the throne, young arthur. I am your humble servant, Merlin.”

“How? That doesn’t make sense. I am an orphan!” Arthur said.

“Arthur, The King and I had feelings for one another long ago and I gave birth to you. I felt that it was better to tell you that you were orphaned than to tell you that you were a bastard child. I’m very sorry that I lied to you, Arthur.” Mother Ramus said.

“...” Arthur stood there in shock. Everything that he knew about himself, which wasn’t much, was all a lie.

“I do apologise for intruding. Expect that I should return upon the King's death.” Merlin said before climbing back onto his horse and rode off. After a few minutes Arthur had collected himself and rather than trying to figure it all out he waved everyone off and headed to the village.

A small settlement to the west of the forest that was made up of a few small farms stood surrounded by wheat plains. Most of the homes were made of wood with thatch roofs. A few carts sat near a stable. Some of the carts were empty as could be but one looked to be full of many different items. Many of the towns folk were out toiling in the fields but the stables had a few people running around. One of which was dressed far better than the rest and was readying his horse to leave.

Arthur walked up to the head stablemen, a large man with barrels for arms that looked like he could split a tree in half with his bare hands. He was bald and had incredibly tanned skin from being outside all day everyday. The clothes he wore were a loose fitted white shirt and brown pants. Had Arthur not have known him to be an absolute kind hearted man then he would probably be terrified of him.

“Arthur, you’re a day late.” the man said as Arthur approached.

“We couldn’t find one of the ingredients so it took a little longer than usual. I’m very sorry, Gertrude.” Arthur said.

“Don’t worry about it. Just ask Rhea if she’ll consider courting me. Also if you have any extra, there’s a merchant that stayed with us for the night that I would consider talking with.” Gertrude said as he pointed at the well dressed man.

“Thank you, and if I ask her that she’ll probably put a curse on you.” Arthur said as he handed him a set of salves.

“She wouldn’t do that, she’s far too nice to do that… I think.” Gertrude before rubbing his chin and thinking about it. Arthur walked over to the merchant and extended his hand.

“I’m Arthur, I sell medicine if you would consider buying some.” Arthur said. The merchant eyed him up and down then looked over at Gertrude who was holding some jars of the salve.

“Does he buy from you often?” the merchant asked.

“He does, at least every two weeks.” Arthur responded.

“How about enough flour and cheese from Cheddar to last you a month for what you have in your sack?” the merchant offered.

“That would be perfect but why are you buying it so quickly?” Arthur said as he shook his hand.

“That man is very wise and obviously trusts what you have so I will do the same.” The merchant replied with a smile.