As for the King's son, to whom the folk had of late done homage asking, he was at first seen about a corner of the High House with his nurses;and then in a while it was said, and the tale noted, but not much, that hemust needs go for his health's sake, and because he was puny, to somestead amongst the fields, and folk heard say that he was gone to the stronghouse of a knight somewhat stricken in years, who was called LordRichard the Lean. The said house was some twelve miles fromOakenham, not far from the northern edge of the wild-wood. But in awhile, scarce more than a year, Lord Richard brake up house at the saidcastle, and went southward through the forest. Of this departure waslittle said, for he was not a man amongst the foremost. As for the King'slittle son, if any remembered that he was in the hands of the said LordRichard, none said aught about it; for if any thought of the little babe at all,they said to themselves, Never will he come to be king.
Now as for Lord Richard the Lean, he went far through the wood, anduntil he was come to another house of his, that stood in a clearingsomewhat near to where Oakenrealm marched on another country, whichhight Meadham; though the said wild-wood ended not where Oakenrealmended, but stretched a good way into Meadham; and betwixt one and theother much rough country there was.
It is to be said that amongst those who went to this stronghold of thewoods was the little King Christopher, no longer puny, but a stout babeenough: so he was borne amongst the serving men and thralls to thecastle of the Outer March; and he was in no wise treated as a great man'sson; but there was more than one woman who was kind to him, and as hewaxed in strength and beauty month by month, both carle and quean fell tonoting him, and, for as little as he was, he began to be well-beloved.