There were too many. There was only one of him and there were twelve of the bandits. It reminded him of the time Emrys had faced the twelve witches alone.
Except that he was all-powerful and had no trouble at all with the odds.
He, on the other hand, ...
Just as the men charged, eleven branches suddenly cracked and shot down.
When he looked again, there was only one bandit left, who looked confused at the simultaneous fall of all his friends, and horrified by the sudden prospect of standing alone against the prince.
Arthur overpowered him easily. Kicking the last bandit to the ground, he looked around the small clearing and spotted his hooded friend lying lazily on a high branch, eating an apple.
Arthur smiled.
"Thank you. I-"
"That was a first."
"What?"
"King Arthur saying 'thank you'"
"Oh. Well...have you found him yet?"
"I didn't look for him"
"What? You told me that-"
"I didn't look for him because I know exactly where he is."
"I..see. Is it time? Is he ready?"
"Perhaps. Tell me, Arthur, how..."
"Yes?"
From his position on the branch, he looked at him for the first time. The smile appeared again.
"Just how did you manage to survive before I came?"
Before Arthur could answer he disappeared again.