Once more, Arthur decided to approach Leon. Fortunately, the knight took Arthur's request in stride and agreed to keep an eye and ear on anything concerning Sir Lucan, promising to report anything unusual to the Prince.

Sure enough, not two days later, Leon took Arthur aside after a council meeting they had both been asked to attend. "Sire, do you know Gareth?" he asked, voice low as he leaned all the way in.

"Gareth…" Arthur took a moment to think before recognising the name. "Gareth of Nemhain? Sir Lucan's squire?"

"The very same," Leon replied. "It seems he's in some sort of trouble."

This had Arthur immediately go on high-alert. Another young man in trouble, again with a possible connection to Sir Lucan? "Trouble how?" he asked.

"I overheard him talking to another squire near the training fields. Gareth seems to be under the impression that he might soon lose his position with Sir Lucan and be sent away from Camelot."

Arthur frowned. Surely, if a squire had done something to warrant losing his position at King Uther's court, Arthur would have heard about it. It would, after all, bring dishonour on the squire's family. "Did he say why?"

Leon shook his head. "No, and he seemed to regret mentioning anything of the sort immediately after having it let slip. He swore the other squire to absolute secrecy and when he left the fields, he looked quite pale."

Arthur mulled this over for a moment. "I need to question him," said Arthur. "This can't be a coincidence."

Leon seemed to take in Arthur's face, perhaps looking for clues. "Coincidence, sire?" he asked.

Arthur paused. Leon had been doing Arthur's dirty work for several days now, without actually knowing what was going on. Didn't he deserve to be trusted with this? Arthur glanced around. The council chamber was empty now, safe for two lords speaking in the far corner. Still, Arthur pulled Leon even further away and turned their backs on the lords.

"A week and a half ago, I walked into my chambers to find Merlin with his fingers in my coffer," he started. Leon looked positively shocked at this revelation, and Arthur was quick to continue, "He didn't take anything. Stopped himself just in time. But it was clear he needed money and when I started to pay more attention and ask around, I found out that Merlin has been taking on odd jobs and selling his possessions. Which is why I had you make enquiries, see what sorts of trouble he might be in to need money."

"I see," said Leon. "And Sir Lucan?"

"A few nights ago I followed Merlin into the lower town where I overheard a man threaten him over gold. I didn't see his face, but I have reason to believe that man to be Sir Lucan, and that Sir Lucan might spend his nights gambling. You remember noting down that he was thrown from a tavern over a game of dice?"

Leon nodded.

"It might very well be that he frequents a gambling den in the lower town. If so, he's spent at least one complete night there, from what I could gather so far."

To Leon's credit, it only took him a moment to school his features after hearing all of this. When he spoke, his voice was calm and considering. "You believe Sir Lucan is threatening both Merlin and the squire, and that it has to do with the gambling."

"I haven't got any definite proof," Arthur admitted. "But I know Merlin isn't a thief. Whatever is going on has him properly scared, scared enough to consider stealing from me. Now that squire appears frightened, too, if what you have heard is anything to go by."

Leon nodded thoughtfully. "If you wish to question Gareth, it can be arranged. In a manner that wouldn't draw attention, of course."

"Good. Let's not bring him to my chambers, then. Let's not go to Gareth's room, either. We can't have people gossip and Sir Lucan find out about this if he is indeed threatening the squire."

Leon looked thoughtful for a moment. "Are you free tonight, sire? I will approach Gareth and have him follow me to the armoury on some guise."

"Yes, I'll wait there by nightfall." Arthur placed a firm hand on Leon's forearm. "Leon, I really appreciate your help in all of this."

"Anything for you, sire," said Leon and bowed respectfully.

Arthur smiled, though he felt just a tad humbled. For all intents and purposes, the knights of Camelot were bound to Uther first, but he had an inkling at least some of them might be Arthur's men all the same.

That night, Arthur lingered at the armoury, sending everyone else he encountered off under the pretence of doing an impromptu inspection. Before long, he could hear a voice in the hallway.

"… so sorry, Sir Leon, I was sure I had taken proper care of Sir Lucan's battle axe," said a young voice that had to belong to Gareth. He sounded chastened.

"I will keep you until you have removed every spot of rust, is that clear?" Leon replied authoritatively – the First Knight disciplining a wayward squire.

Arthur turned to see Leon push the squire into the armoury. Gareth was perhaps fifteen summers old. With his unruly dark hair and slim statue, he immediately reminded Arthur of Merlin. The boy's eyes widened when he recognised Arthur. Promptly, he bowed, fumbling his way through a Your Royal Highness. When he straightened again, Leon had barred the door behind them. Gareth took one long look at the locked door, then threw a panicked glance at Leon.

Arthur could tell the exact moment Gareth realised this was not about a rusty weapon. He paled, chanced another wide-eyed look at Arthur, then lowered his eyes to the floor.

"Gareth," said Arthur. "We need to talk."

The squire started worrying at his left wrist in a nervous gesture. Gareth really was a boy yet where it counted, not a hair on his chin and just starting to gain some muscle. Arthur and Leon exchanged a look, then Arthur jerked his head towards a bench in the corner. Leon took a firm hold of Gareth's shoulder, guided the squire through the room and pushed him onto the bench. The boy didn't even glance up, let alone put up a fight, seemingly accepting his fate.

It wasn't like a young nobleman, especially one training to become a knight, to be so easily intimidated. If Sir Lucan was indeed threatening Gareth, it had been enough to cow him.

Leon went to position himself by the door, arms crossed, which left Arthur staring at Gareth's bowed head. The squire was sitting with hunched shoulders and fidgeting legs. On a whim, Arthur settled down next to him on the bench. He placed his forearms on his legs, leaning forward. From this angle, he could see that Gareth was sporting a rather alarming pallor and was biting down on his lower lip so hard, Arthur was surprised he hadn't drawn blood yet.

"It has come to my attention that you find yourself in some sort of trouble," Arthur spoke up, aiming for a soothing tone. "I'd like to find out what is going on, Gareth."

Gareth snuck Arthur a side-way glance but when he saw Arthur was looking right at him, his eyes snapped back to his knees. "Sire?" he said weakly.

"Is it true that you think you might be sent away from Camelot?"

Gareth squeezed his eyes shut and said nothing.

"You have nothing to fear from me," promised Arthur, softening his voice. "In fact, I'd be glad to offer my help if somebody is threatening you."

Still, Gareth didn't say anything, but from the way he was curling his fingers against the bench, knuckles going white, Arthur could tell he was on the right track.

"Is it Sir Lucan?" Arthur prodded.

Gareth took in a sharp breath, but then he nodded jerkily.

"What kinds of threats is he making?"

This time, Gareth shook his head.

"You can tell me," Arthur assured him. "Nothing you say will leave this room."

"I can't," Gareth said miserably.

"Look, Gareth," said Arthur. "I'm the Prince. Whatever it is that is going on, I far outrank Sir Lucan. I can protect you from him if need be."

Gareth threw Arthur another side-way glance. "You would do that, sire?" he asked quietly.

"Of course." Arthur aimed for a reassuring smile. "I swear it on my honour."

Gareth swallowed audibly. For a moment, it looked like Arthur hadn't got through to him. Then, abruptly, he straightened up on the bench and drew back his shoulders, as if suddenly infused with some knightly bravery.

"Sir Lucan has been taking all of my money," he revealed.

Arthur exchanged a meaningful look with Leon, then said, "Go on."

"At first, he said it was in exchange for my training, my equipment, my armour and so forth, and I believed him," Gareth continued, voice gaining confidence with every word. "But then the other squires said that they didn't have to pay for that, so I realised he was lying to me. When I confronted him about it, he said I should call myself lucky to be his squire and if I didn't hand over every coin my parents sent me, he would tell the King that I was a liar and a coward, a thief, too. That I wasn't fit to be a knight and should be sent home in disgrace." Gareth threw Arthur a desperate look. "I'm not anything of the sort, Your Highness, you must believe me. I try to live up to the Knight's Code, best as I can."

"I believe you," Arthur was quick to tell him.

"Sir Lucan, he keeps pushing for more coin," Gareth went on, clearly bolstered now. "But I haven't got any more. I already gave him all I had. He wants me to write to my parents to ask for more…" He shook his head and fell quiet.

"Thank you for your trust," said Arthur and clapped an encouraging hand on Gareth's shoulder. "You did the right thing, telling me this. Be assured, you will not lose your place at court over any of this."

Gareth let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Highness," he said and looked so grateful it momentarily made Arthur's heart ache a little. The poor boy had been nearly crushed by the weight of this and hadn't dared to tell anybody in authority who might help. Much like Merlin.

"Now, Gareth. Do you have any idea why Sir Lucan might be in need of money?" Arthur asked.

Gareth shook his head. "Sorry, sire."

"Did you happen to notice that Sir Lucan left the castle at night?"

Gareth seemed to think this over. "Yes, sire," he said. "He does leave the castle at night sometimes, I believe."

"Have you any idea where he might be going?"

"No, sire. I assumed the tavern. I know some of the knights…" He trailed off, clearly unwilling to tattle.

Arthur nodded. He exchanged another look with Leon, still a quiet observer at the barred door. He was frowning at Gareth, clearly troubled by what had been revealed about a fellow knight.

"One more thing," said Arthur. "Do you know my manservant?"

Gareth smiled a little. "Merlin? Yes, I know him, sire. All the squires do. Merlin's doing a squire's work, most of the time."

That coaxed a smile out of Arthur, too. "I suppose that's true." He sobered again. "Did you ever see Sir Lucan talk to him?"

"Ah, yes, sire, I did, a couple of times," replied Gareth, looking thoughtful. "But I didn't hear what they were talking about."

"How did Merlin seem to you when you saw him talking to Sir Lucan?"

Gareth frowned. "Intimidated, maybe? But he's a servant, so…" He trailed off.

"I see."

Gareth's frown deepened. "Is he being threatened by Sir Lucan, too?"

"You don't need to concern yourself with that," Arthur told him. He stood and Gareth hurried to follow. "You've done well, Gareth. You can be certain that none of what has been said here will come back to Sir Lucan, not unless there will be consequences. If you have reason to believe he is about to go to my father with some made-up tale, come to me and I will speak up on your behalf and defend your character."

"Thank you, sire," said Gareth and bowed low.

"And not a word about our conversation here to anyone, is that understood?" Arthur added firmly.

"Of course not, sire."

Leon unbarred the door and sent Gareth off with another warning and a firm clap on the back, then closed the door again and leaned against it, arms crossed. "That was certainly enlightening," he said.

Arthur started pacing about the armoury, stringing the pieces together. "Here is what we have. Lucan is a gambler, enough of one to be thrown from The Red Oxen over a game of dice. He blackmails his squire to get money from him, likely to do more gambling. Chances are, he is blackmailing Merlin, too, for much the same reason. The question is, what is he blackmailing Merlin with?"

Leon made an all-encompassing motion with his hand. "Could be anything, sire," he said. "Lucan is a knight, Merlin just a servant. One word to the king or to you, about Merlin being a thief or even just showing disrespect…"

"You're right," said Arthur and stopped pacing to look at him. "Still, wouldn't Merlin come to me if he was threatened with something like that? Why turn into an actual thief by stealing from me instead of telling me about Lucan's threats?"

Leon tilted his head. "You believe it must be something serious. Something Merlin wouldn't tell you about."

"Something with some substance to it, too," replied Arthur. "Lucan must have stumbled upon a piece of information, something that could actually get Merlin into trouble if I knew about it. I refuse to believe Merlin wouldn't tell me if some knight threatened him over something so harmless as mouthing off."

Leon rubbed a hand over his chin, scratching at his beard in thought. "Proof of a significant crime, then." He hesitated, clearly unwilling to put voice to what sorts of criminal acts Merlin might have committed.

Arthur only nodded grimly. He didn't like the list of possibilities, either: assault, treason, murder… He shuddered. He couldn't imagine Merlin doing any of that.

"What's the next step, then?" asked Leon. "Confront Lucan? Charge him?"

"On what grounds? All I've got is tales. If this were to be brought before the King, Lucan outranks Gareth, and even if I get Merlin to talk, what's the word of a servant worth?" Arthur shook his head. "There's no action I can take here. Not without reliable evidence."

Leon hummed his agreement. "So we need actual proof," he added.

"That we do. I want to see this man stripped of his knighthood," Arthur replied firmly. "Gambling is one thing, but blackmailing? Threatening those that should be under his protection? Lucan is going against everything the Knight's Code stands for. I don't want a man like that in our ranks."

Leon seemed to agree, if his grim nod was anything to go by. "We need to catch him in the act," he said.

"Yes, with either you or I as a witness, for it to have any standing before the court," Arthur agreed. "We should gather evidence for his gambling. My father isn't likely to disgrace a knight in good standing on words alone, even on mine."

"We need to catch him at the gambling den," said Leon. "Intercept him when he's there. Perhaps the owner is keeping records, too, so we've got something on parchment."

"We could raid the house on a night we knew him to be there," Arthur suggested. "I will ask my father for permission, but I'm sure he'll agree such an unregulated establishment has no place in Camelot and should be closed down."

Leon nodded. "We'd need an informant, someone to watch the house so we'd know when Lucan is there. Must be somebody Lucan doesn't recognise so he doesn't get suspicious."

Arthur smirked. "I think I know somebody we could ask." He would have to go back to the lower town sometime soon.

"And the blackmail, sire?" Leon added. "We should catch him in the act there, too."

"Agreed," said Arthur. "But I think I've got a solution for that as well." At Leon's questioning look he added, "I think it's time I finally talked to Merlin."