a/n: The Cedric in this chapter is my original character from "Mountain Pass" and "Black Opal." He is not the show's character from 2.1.

Chapter Ten

"Where's Merlin, Sire?" Sir Leon asked. He and the knights had ridden up moments earlier.

Arthur did not answer immediately, looking to make sure Elyan was with them. He was. Good. "I took him to his mother's," the prince replied, his tone indicating the topic was not open for discussion. Several of the knights exchanged looks.

"I succeeded in slaying the serpent," Arthur said, tired of talking about it. "If you'll attend my meeting with my father, you'll receive a more detailed accounting."

The knight did not look happy about being put off, but he nodded his head in acquiescence. "Yes, Sire."

"Casualty report?" Arthur asked, moving on.

"Nothing that won't heal," Leon said. "Sir Fletcher has a broken ankle which Gaius set, and Sir Kellon sprained his wrist and wrenched his shoulder. The rest of the injuries were relatively minor - scrapes, bruises, contusions."

The knights in turn looked the prince over. His chain mail was gone, and he was wearing a shirt which they were fairly sure wasn't his. The biggest surprise was the cream-colored stallion he was riding which Leon could have sworn was in the stables when they left Camelot.

"Uh, Sire, if I may - your horse, Asterion. How did you get him?" Leon asked.

"A friend brought him to me." The knights all waited for him to explain further, but the prince did not elaborate. "Elyan!" The blonde turned in his saddle to look over his shoulder. "Ride beside me."

Moments later, Elyan was riding next to Arthur. "Do you still keep in contact with Cedric?" the prince asked.

"No, but I can find him for you, Sire."

"How long?"

"Two, maybe three days," Elyan replied.

"Good. Find him. Arrange a meeting. Somewhere away from the citadel. My father doesn't need to know about this yet."

"Any preferences as to location, Sire?"

"Hmm, Tarquin, I think. Yes, the village of Tarquin," Arthur decided.

"Gwaine still staying there?" Elyan asked, with a little smile.

"Yes."

Three nights later in Tarquin

Arthur and Gwaine were seated at the same out-of-the-way table as before. The former was not dressed as a prince, but the stable owner frequently came in for drinks, so the tavern owner certainly knew who he was at this point. A rosy-cheeked barmaid had brought the two young men tankards of ale earlier, and they were kicked back idly watching the noise and commotion around them.

The outside door opened, and a large, powerfully built man with the beginnings of a scruffy beard entered. His eyes scoured the crowded room for them. Spotting them, he walked over and stood by their table. "Your highness," the man said, with a nod.

"Arthur. Just Arthur," the blonde said hastily, with a quick glance around. "Sit down."

"What can I do for you - Arthur?"

"First I need to fill in some background." The blonde told him of he and Merlin finding themselves in the middle of the smugglers' camp and the events following. He told him about the two of them narrowly escaping death because a man named Brinley disobeyed orders and let them go.

Cedric leaned back in his chair, studying the prince. He knew where this was going and what the blonde wanted.

"Their leader - you can find out this man's identity for me?" Arthur asked.

"I don't need to," Cedric said.

Gwaine looked up at that. "'Cause you already know."

"Yeah."

"Well?" the prince said, impatiently.

"His name is Aydric," Cedric said. "And he's the second son of - "

" - the Duke of Atherton," Arthur finished for him.