Thanks to CuttlefishShiz for reviewing. Let's get up to 50 reviews by 13th Feb, that's my target

"Arthur"

The prince threw out an elbow to deter Merlin from waking him.

"Arthur"

He lashed out again and gained a yelp from Merlin

"Arthur!" His servant's voice had become even more insistent, forcing the prince to jerk upright

"What is it Merlin?" Arthur couldn't help that he sounded cross and fed up, because he was

"Your Father wants to see you..."

"What!!! Oh God, if guards have spoken to him..." seeing Merlin's frown he changed tack "Are the others there? The others I had on night duty?"

"Yes Sire"

Arthur was out of bed and dressing himself as though Satan's hounds were baying at his heels. Merlin could only grin as his master vanished in a whirlwind of clothes, boots and jacket.

It was an uneasy group of knights that had gathered before the king in the council chambers;

Lancelot and Pellinore were wondering if he had discovered that they had broken the rules of night patrol and left the proper route

Owain was whey faced and exhausted, he had spent the whole night either awake thinking about the Black Knight's home or tossing in a half sleep, dreaming the man chased after him on a fine black horse and called apologies.

Arthur fretted that the horse seller had double crossed and told the king about his buying the horse and smuggling it away from Camelot in a group of collaborators, he had to class the other three as that.

"I hope you all know why I called you here?" All the knights shook their heads "I have chosen you four along with Sir Leon to go on a diplomatic envoy to King Olaf of East Anglia, offering him a chance to enter Camelot as an ally. Everything has been arranged and you will be leaving in three days... Dismissed" He flicked his head at Arthur with a motion that meant Stay here.

The other three clapped fists to breastbones and bowed before exiting.

"Arthur"

"Yes Father?" the Prince approached tentatively

"You know that the knights would be perfectly capable of carrying out this envoy on their own. So why am I sending you?" The king turned round to face his son "I'll tell you, King Olaf has a daughter who is of a suitable age to marry. Her name is Vivian" Arthur groaned inside "You must look her over as a prospective bride..."

"Father"

"Don't Father me Arthur. You'll be 28 years old come the summer, you must start looking for a bride"

Arthur took a step forward as he frowned "I always thought that you were hoping for a match between myself and Morgana"

The king looked at him "My opinion has changed. Morgana wouldn't fit in to Camelot like she used to. Besides Gorlois sees Prince Maleagant of Mercia as possible match." He rolled his eyes "God help his judgment"

Arthur chuckled; Prince Maleagant of Mercia was renowned over all Alboin, even in his own kingdom, as a cowardly wimp. His joy didn't last, Uther fixed him with one of those definite stares

"You will go to East Anglia but be careful with your advances to Vivian, Olaf has been known to kill men who are too amorous"

Arthur marched out, using all his self control not to mutter insults but storing his feelings in his head

Great father, great. You send me off to a kingdom with intentions of wooing its princess but her father might kill me if I try

Without paying much attention he found himself walking into his mother's room.

"Hello Arthur" Igraine turned round from where she was plumping the pillows of Ruth's bed out of habit. Her son only mumbled in response. She smiled and walked over to where he'd sat down on the four poster bed. "Now what's wrong?" She put a hand on his shoulder "You can tell me"

Finally Arthur muttered it "East Anglia"

Igraine bit her lip "He told you then? I wasn't thrilled when he broached it with me you know. There are plenty of women in Camelot who would be a fine wife for you"

Her confiding and kind tone made Arthur consider a solution to the one pressing problem that had been on his mind since his father announced the trip.

"Mother, if there was something important... specially important so that had to be a secret from everyone, including father... would you keep the secret?"

Igraine nodded "Yes, I would. Even if it risked my life"

Arthur took a deep breath "You know the gold mare, the one only Ruth could ride?" Igraine nodded "I bought her... well, Owain, Pellinore and Lancelot all put up some money too. But we're all leaving in three days, would you be able to look after her? I'll tell you where we keep her."

Sadly Igraine shook her head "No Arthur I can't, I'll keep the secret but your father won't let me out without an escort anymore" as her son started to walk out an idea struck "You could ask Tor though... he's more than trustworthy"

Arthur nodded, he knew that young groom well.

The first thing he knew about it was rustles of straw and discreet "my lord"s running down the aisle. Then there was a step behind him and the prince's voice asked quietly "Are you Tor?"

"Yes Sire" he breathed back understanding that secrecy had to be maintained

"TOR" Arthur bellowed loudly "Leave that horse and muck out my bay courser instead"

"Yes Sire" the frightened boy ran up the building to obey. Part way through the job he found Arthur behind him again

"Sorry I had to do that Tor, we needed to be able to talk without suspicion... I have an important job for you"

"Sire?"

Arthur moved up to his horse's leg and stroked down it as though he was about to pick it up.

"There is a horse of mine, a gold mare. She needs caring for but I had to hide her"

"He's a fine one sire, I do my best caring for him" Tor half looked up with a wink.

Arthur understood and picked up the bay's hoof, Tor would help them.

"You know the big log by the jousting green, go behind it; there's a track leading off diagonally on your left. Follow it until you see a tree that looks a bit like a diplayed eagle and turn past that. An old road leads down to a manor house. She's in the stables there."

Tor nodded "My Mother bought some donkeys last week, I will take them hay once a week and let them out in a running pen"

"I wish you well" Arthur patted his horse and left.

"Psst, Arthur" He glanced round and came face to face with the other three of his conspirators waiting in an alcove. He edged in quickly, they all slipped back out of sight.

"What's up?"

"What are we going to do about the mare Arthur?" Owain's pale face was inches from his own. He took a deep breath

"It's taken care of, you know Tor?"

"Yes" that was Pellinore

"He'll look after her... swore a vow to keep it secret"

"alright" Owain's grip suddenly relaxed and Arthur found himself shoved out the alcove again.

Tor was a Knight of the Round Table and King Pellinore's son in the legends but his name fitted this part as well.

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