Author's Note: Hey! I've been having some brill reviews from you guys! And thanks for some of the CC (constructive criticism)! I hope you like this chapter, it's a bit of Arthur's POV, which I think a few of you have been waiting for ;D OK, so, enjoy! And remember to review!

Chapter Four

Disappointed

Arthur trudged back into the courtyard, his mood as dark as the night sky that stared down at them as he and his Knights made their way back into the castle. Yet another successful night. His men shuffled along behind him, their feet dragging on the cobbles. His father would be awaiting them, waiting for their report. He didn't know why his father even bothered with a report after every patrol. Arthur would have to tell him exactly the same thing every night. 'He got away again Sire.' These were the words that would constantly enrage his father. He would get so frustrated at the thought that a simple Thief could outwit even Arthur's finest men. He wasn't even old from what they could make out. That was another thing. They knew near to nothing about this mysterious Thief that ran around at night. All they knew was that he was young; probably in his late teenage years, he was male; he could tell that from his voice, his annoying, snide voice, and his name, of course, was Emrys. And then there was the fear that pierced Arthur even when Emrys' name was mentioned. He emanated a dreaded feeling of danger and fear. Arthur was secretly glad that he and his men hadn't caught Emrys. He was scared, no, terrified by him. It was stupid. He could take on huge, towering beasts, their jaws laden with fearsome teeth and their feet lined with razor-sharp talons, but he couldn't take on a simple Thief. Although, Emrys wasn't just a simple Thief. He had magic.

Before Arthur knew it, he was standing outside the vast doors that lead into the Council Chambers. The Night Guards at either side of the doors nodded at him quickly before pulling a door open each and allowing him through. Arthur strode into the room with his Knights following him. He stopped in front of the step up to the throne and nodded his head before looking up at his father. He heard armour clanking as the Knights bowed behind him. Uther was staring out of the window, into the night. He whipped round as soon as he noticed that they were standing there and jumped up from his chair.

"What news of the Thief?" Uther projected into the room, making all the Knights stand up to attention. Arthur decided to be positive and forced a hopeful smile onto his face.

"We were extremely close father. We had him surrounded." Arthur prayed that his father would accept this. But not to Arthur's surprise, Uther looked instantly disappointed. His face fell as well as him as he sank back into his chair with an heir of exasperation.

"Then what?" But Arthur could tell his father already knew the answer.

"He… he used magic father," Arthur sighed. Saying it out loud only added to the uselessness he felt. Uther sat back in his chair and pressed his fingers to his temple. "But, I think we shouldn't wear armour Sire, we would be much faster if we didn't have all that metal hanging off us. And faster is what we definitely need to be." Arthur hoped this ray of hope may lighten his father's mood. It seemed to work. Uther leaned forward in his chair and nodded, contemplating the suggestion.

"I suppose that could work. Yes, that is a good a idea. You're a good enough swordsman now to be able to protect yourself, so you shouldn't need armour. Yes, try that." Uther looked a little more cheerful.

"If that is all Sire, I shall retire." Arthur turned to leave but was stopped by his father's harsh voice.

"Arthur?" Arthur turned back to face his father. "You'd better catch that Thief soon, or I'm going to have to take drastic measures." Arthur nodded, taking his father's threat very seriously. He didn't know what he meant exactly, but he didn't want to find out.

He lead his Knights out of the room and allowed the Guards to shut the doors behind them. Just before the Knights slumped off in the opposite direction, Arthur stopped them and indicated a nearby empty chamber. Arthur lead them in and made sure the last one in closed the door behind them. Arthur confronted his Knights in the half light caused by only two flickering candles on the wall. The Knights looked puzzled and curious to why he had called them into a chamber. Arthur took a breath and started.

"Look, don't think I didn't notice that you were slower tonight. Much slower. Some of you more than others. And yes I am looking at you Percival, Braeden, Olwyn and Elyan. We need to be getting better, not weaker. If we're going to have any chance of bringing Em-… the Thief down we're going to have to be much, much better than we have been." He avoided using Emrys' name. He knew this would only unnerve the Knights and that would not add to his motive. "I'm expecting your performance to be much better after we take away the armour, and if it's not, I will have to consider your position in the Night Patrol. Oh, and by the way, Gwaine, as much as I hate saying it, you did well tonight. Keep that up and, well, let's just say you won't regret it. And you too Lancelot. Brilliant tonight. So keep that in mind everyone. I value you all for different reasons and I know everyone has a bad night every now and again. So don't get too depressed." And with that Arthur opened the door to the chamber and strode out. 'That went rather well' he thought to himself. He grinned in spite of himself. He hurried up to his chamber. He was definitely ready for his bed.