A teenage boy, standing around 6'1" with blonde hair is in the middle of a sparring session, a hook comes as he dodges and counters by throwing a punch of his own thats blocked. His opponent throws a straight punch towards him and the teen responds by sidestepping out of the way and grabbing ahold of the persons arm and throwing them over his shoulder onto the ground. The boy looks at his opponent as a smirk grows on his face, this boy is none other than Arthur Pendragon.
Arthur: "I believe thats also another win of mine, brother."
Robin: "Shut it and help me up already."
Arthur laughs as he helps his older brother off the ground.
Robin: "How in the hells are you so good at fighting?"
Arthur: "Maybe I'm not good and you're just bad at it, brother."
Robin grabs ahold of Arthur and puts him in a headlock.
Robin: "You're a real bastard, you know that?"
Arthur: "Don't get mad at me because you don't know how to fight. I've seen children who fight better than you, maybe get them to teach you."
Robin now getting aggravated tightens his grip around his brother.
Robin: "Show some respect for ya older brother, yeah?"
As the two brothers are goofing off their mother comes out back getting their attention.
Marie: "Boys, enough of your nonsense and help me already."
Robin lets go of his younger brother as they both head in to help their mother.
Marie: "Art, I need you to deliver something for me."
Arthur: "Where to?"
Marie: "To the corner, we have extra so give it out as you see fit."
Arthur nods as he takes the left over bread and heads to the center of Winter Town. Located just outside of Winterfell it isn't too big of a town but it's big enough to be considered a "market-town." Arthur is well known throughout the town as his mother runs the best bakery in town and he's usually the one handing out food like he's going to do now.
Arthur is now handing out the bread to orphans and the homeless among others. As he's handing food out a young boy runs up to him calling out his name.
Child: "Arthur! I finally did what you told me!"
Arthur starts chuckling knowing exactly what he's talking about.
Arthur: "So you finally gave that little pest a nice slap to the face?"
The young boy nods his head repeatedly.
Child: "Exactly like you told me too! I opened my hand and spit in it then I wacked him in the face!"
Arthur starts laughing loudly especially considering he didn't expect the boy to actually go through with it. Arthur then places his hand on top of the boy's head as he ruffles his hair.
Arthur: "I'm glad you finally stood up for yourself. Don't let anyone mess with you anymore under any circumstances."
The boy nods at Arthur's words.
Arthur: "Now go on home, I'm sure your parents are worried about ya and I still have to work.
The boy takes off but not before waving back to Arthur. As Arthur is watching the boy leave another figure catches his eye. This person was dressed in a cloak that covered their face and their body. The cloaked figure stares at Arthur for another minute before finally turning and disappearing off into the crowd.
Arthur (Thinking): 'What an odd fellow.'
Arthur then shakes it off and goes back to handing out the left over bread till it was all gone.
———
The next day, Arthur was out back practicing his swordsmanship with a wooden sword. He doesn't know why but Arthur has always felt drawn to the sword even when his father was alive, he watched him train numerous times. From the moment he could hold a sword he's always tried to practice with it hoping to better himself with each session. In fact his first gift from his adoptive mother was the wooden sword he's currently practicing with.
As Arthur continues his practice his brother comes out back catching his attention.
Robin: "Did you hear?"
Arthur: "Hear about what?"
Robin: "King Robert is approaching Winterfell."
Arthur immediately stops his practice session and looks at his brother.
Arthur: "Are you serious?"
Robin: Serious, serious."
Arthur looks in deep thought about something, he doesn't necessarily feel anything towards the king if anything he hates him after all the king in a way is responsible for his father's death. Had he not called him to arms that day his father would still be alive.
Robin: "Art."
Arthur snaps out of his train of thought.
Arthur: "Yeah, what's wrong?"
Robin: "I should be asking you that, you were the one who suddenly stopped responding."
Arthur: "My bad, just... I'll be back later, tell mother for me."
Arthur drops his wooden sword and walks past his brother leaving him puzzled about what's going on with him.
———
Arthur was now standing near a large tree just outside of town. He was in deep thought about something. The king suddenly being mentioned brought back memories he thought he buried deep inside. As Arthur turns around to return home he sees the cloaked figured from yesterday standing behind him.
Arthur: "What the hell, mate? Are you following me around or something?"
The figure only stands there seemingly looking at Arthur. Before Arthur could say anything the cloaked figure finally speaks.
Cloaked Man: "You are Arthur, correct?"
Arthur: " You even know my name, thats just great."
Cloaked Man: "Arthur Pendragon, yes?"
Arthur's eyes widen as he hasn't used or heard that name since he was taken in by Marie. Arthur now on guard begins to question the cloaked man.
Arthur: "Who the hell are you? How do you know of my name!?"
Cloaked Man: "Its almost time."
Arthur: "Time for what exactly?"
Cloaked Man: "Your destiny."
Arthur doesn't say anything as he only looks at the cloaked man suspiciously.
Arthur: "I'm nothing but the son of a lovely bakery owner. I don't have a destiny so you must have the wrong Arthur."
Arthur goes to walk past the cloaked man but suddenly his wrist is grabbed by the man. Arthur then looks down at the man.
Cloaked Man: "You are destined for greatness, Arthur just like your ancestor. This place, your home is going to change and not for the good if you don't do anything."
Arthur yanks his arm from the man's grip.
Arthur: "Like I said before, you have the wrong guy."
Arthur continues his walk back home as the cloaked man only watches as his figure retreats into the distance.
Cloaked Man (Thinking): 'What a stubborn little fellow, he reminds me of him after all. He'll come to see what I say is the truth one day soon.'
The cloaked man turns as his body suddenly begins to disappear.
———
It's now been a few days since Arthur's encounter with the cloaked man. He hasn't seen the man since that day which in his eyes were a blessing. Currently Arthur and his brother Robin were on their way back home after a day's work, as they were they could hear the townsfolk speaking of King Robert who had just arrived earlier that day.
Robin: "Everyone seems to be only talking about the king's arrival."
Arthur: "Yeah, well thats how it usually is when someone important arrives."
Robin: "We should go and join his army."
Arthur: "I could probably join but as for you? You'd probably get knocked on your ass by some kid trying to join."
Robin shakes his head as he shoves his little brother forward.
Robin: "You're a real bastard, you know?"
Arthur only laughs as he walks inside of their home. As the two boys walk inside they see their mother sitting at a table talking with an old man who has long white hair and a long white beard. Their mother notices them and goes to welcome them home.
Robin: "Mother, who is this old man?"
Marie: "Be respectful, Robin."
The old man then stands up and heads straight for Arthur, as Arthur looks down at him the old man starts to speak.
Old Man: "Arthur Pendragon."
Arthur instantly recognizes the old man's voice.
Arthur: "You, You're the old man who's been following me! Now you're at my home?!"
Arthur goes to attack the old man but his mother quickly intervenes.
Marie: "Arthur, just hear him out."
Arthur: "There's nothing to hear him out about mother, he's just a crazy old man."
Marie only sighs as Arthur goes to open the front door telling the old man he needs to leave.
Old Man: "Sorry Arthur but time is of the essence, we're already running behind schedule."
With a simple wave of his hand the front door to the house closes on its own. Both Robin and Arthur looked at the old man wondering just how he did it.
Old Man: "Sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner Arthur but my name is Merlin, the Merlin who once helped your ancestor."
Arthur looks at Merlin still not quite believing him.
Merlin: "I understand you don't believe me right now but we have so much to do and little time. Your destiny is calling and it's time for me to put you on that path."
———