Once they were on their way Leon moved up to ride next to Arthur and he told him what Sir William had told him. "He is going to meet up with us later once we are far enough away not to be spotted. Sir I believe we have to do something or Sir Kendrick will undermine the security of the Kingdom."

"I agree Leon, we will see if this Sir William has anything to suggest, but if what he believes is true we have to act and quickly" Arthur knew that the border area was too important to take chances and he would have to take action without consulting his father.

It was when they stopped at noon to rest the horses that Sir William caught up with them. Arthur and Merlin sat by the fire with the knight and Leon as they went through everything. As they spoke William kept looking at Merlin until in the end Merlin asked "Is something bothering you Sir William, you keep looking at me?"

"Forgive me Princess, but I understand your mother came from my home village Ealdor. My mother and father often spoke of her and how she captured the heart of a visiting Prince." Sir William said honestly. My mother and yours were friends before she left to get married"

Merlin smiled, pleased to know someone from his mother's home village "My mother speaks fondly of those times. Why did you leave Sir William and are your mother and father well?"

"My father died fighting for Cenred and with no help from the King my mother fell on hard times. She died one hard winter. So I left Essetir and came to Camelot" the Knight said bitterly.

Merlin's face fell, he felt bad to have brought back such bad memories. "I am sorry for your loss, and I know my mother will be as well. Although she loves her new home she has a fondness for the people she knew" he looked up at Arthur "Could you give Sir William a place Arthur? He has after all risked much to bring you this information"

Arthur looked at Merlin, it was so seldom his husband asked to anything he saw no reason not to agree with the request "We can certainly consider it, as long as he passes the test and lasts a minute fighting me. That is of course if he wants to move"

Sir William looked at Arthur with surprise "I would Sire, but that is not the reason I said anything"

"I realise that or I would not have agreed" Arthur smirked "But before we can do anything we need to sort out this mess. The best way would be to actually catch Sir Kendrick and the bandits together, or find us a bandit who will sing"

"Our patrols won't be out for a couple of weeks in the far villages so that's most likely when the bandits will strike" William told the Prince.

"Well we will go there now then. Sir William do you wish to ride with us? If you do I will send back word that I have requested you as guide." Arthur offered.

"Better Sire that it looks like I have deserted, if Sir Kendrick thinks I am a guide he might send word to the bandits" William suggested "We just might have a better chance that way."

Arthur nodded "If that is your choice, I will of course make sure your name is cleared after this, whether we are successful or not. Ride with Sir Leon and let him know anything that may be of use."

The group broke camp and started the ride the villages that William identified as being at risk. The Knight found the experience enlightening. Unlike with both with King Cenred and Sir Kendrick he found riding with Prince Arthur a different experience. Not only were the knights far more professional he was surprised to find all the knights, as well as the Prince, did their turn on guard duty. He found the presence of Merlin and Freya strange at first but after speaking to Leon leant that the Gangani women were used to such trips and they also seemed to take their fair share of duties. It didn't take him long to find out that Freya had an admirer in Sir Percival one of Merlin's Knights. After hoping to talk the young woman into walking out with him once they were back at Camelot he was soon put in his place but the tall knight.

Merlin soon earnt Sir William's respect and loyalty for the way the youngster coped with the trip and always had a smile for everyone. When he saw Merlin take down a hare with a dagger and gut and cook it he decided that not all noble woman where for decoration only. Like everyone he didn't see through Merlin's disguise, seeing just what Merlin wanted him to see.

Once the group reached the villages it didn't take long to find the bandits at work, the first group they found attacking a village were soon routed and several men captured, with the help of some very discrete magical help by Merlin. This group apparently was a small part of a larger set up. They were all under a bandit by the name of Kanen. By carefully hiding themselves at the next village they thought he would raid Arthur and his men were able to capture the leader and decimate his men.

Kanen was a brutal man whose preferred weapon was a double headed axe, which he liked to behead the defenceless villagers with. But like all bullies he was all bluster to start with but when faced with the choice of hanging or talking he decided to talk. The told Arthur all he needed to know. The prince then headed back with his captive to Lord Anstey's castle. As they rode up to the castle once more Sir Kendrick was waiting on the steps and on seeing William immediate called for his arrest. Arthur put up his hand "I think not Sir Kendrick, Sir William is with me"

"But he deserted his post Sire" came the smarmy reply "Leaving without informing me, you must realise the need to discipline"

Arthur smirked "I do, in fact that is something I wish to speak to your father about" Arthur dismounted and went to Merlin and helped him dismount. "Oh and I need one of your cells to hold a prisoner in"

"Of course" Kendrick called a couple of his knights over "My men will look after your prisoner"

"No mine will, I just need access to your cells" Arthur waved two of his knights forward and as Kendrick saw Kenan he blanched "You Sir Kendrick will come with me to speak to your father, I wonder if he knows what you have been doing? Kay and Pellinore take the prisoner to the cells and stay with him"

Leon and Owain stepped forward and Kendrick then realised he had no choice but to go with Arthur to see his father. One in the Lord's chambers Arthur looked at Lord Anstey "I realise Sir as you get older there is a need to delegate to your sons, but were you aware of the way your son had been raising money?"

Lord Anstey looked from Arthur to his son and realised that the game was up, but that didn't mean he would go down without a fight. He hadn't agreed with his son's actions but couldn't claim ignorance, but he was getting old and his son had a cruel nature and was difficult to handle, but he was his son no matter what.

"To what are you referring Prince Arthur you will need to be clearer I'm afraid" the older man tried to bluff it out.

"The cut your estate is getting from the bandits for allowing them free rein to raid the villagers" Arthur wasn't prepared to pull punches. "We have a confession from Kanen, the bandit leader to confirm everything."

"You would take a bandits word in such things against that of a loyal subject" came the protest.

"I would especially as it conforms intelligence already gathered." Arthur was calm but clearly not in the mood for any lies.

Sir Kendrick butted in "Has that deserter William of Essetir been spinning you lies. He has already left on master to come here does he want to get a post in Camelot? That scum would say anything to get what he wants. You know as well as we do what the people of Essetir are like all liars and thieves. I know like us you have had to deal with them on more than one occasion"

Merlin, who until now had remained at Arthur's side but silent spoke up "Sir I feel your remarks are uncalled for, whatever difficulties you may have had with King Cenred, to decide the morals of all the citizens from that Kingdom to be dubious, is clearly not based on any facts"

"Princess might I suggest, with respect, that you do not bother your pretty little head with the business of men" Sir Kendrick said condescendingly.

He had hardly finished speaking when Merlin, who was clearly not happy at being spoken to in such a manner, stepped forward. What Merlin was intending to do would be was never known as Arthur put his hand out and stopped Merlin's forward. In a voice that showed his displeasure to the full Arthur continued "You Sir have no right to speak to a Princess of Camelot in such a manner. Also my spouse prefers her title of Emrys or The Pure One, as my consort, is my advisor in many matters. Also to insult all the citizens of Essetir is to insult my spouse, whose mother was born in that Kingdom and is the Queen of Gangani." Arthur let his comments sink in. "Added to that Emrys is trained in the use of weapons and I would hate for her to call you out, for I have no doubt that you would not win."

Kendrick realising his mistake attempted to save face "I assure you I did not intend to insult your wife Sire. But I am unused to females mixing in the business of men" he smiled at Merlin "But rather content themselves in running a home and looking after the children, she is clearly an exception to the rule"

He finished speaking as Merlin's dagger flew through the air and hit the wooden panelling behind the surprised man. Looking at where it was sticking out of the wood he blanched. The blade had flown between his legs and had nicked his inner thigh in passing.

Merlin smirked at the stunned man "I hit where I aimed for, the small scar will remind you what you could have lost. I would thank you to return my dagger to me, I have no wish to fetch it"

With a raised eyebrow Arthur added "I would do as Emrys asked Sir, the Gangani are not to be trifled with."

Kendrick pulled the dagger from the wood and handed it back to Merlin "Be careful Emrys not to cut yourself"

"I only cut what I intend to Sir" With that the dagger disappeared into Merlin's clothing.

"Now to get back to the business at hand. I demand an explanation for your conduct, behaviour that has put the security of the Kingdom in danger" Arthur said now all business "Unless of course you wish me to have your lands forfeit"

Kendrick moved forward without warning, he was clearly not going to give up easily. But he hadn't taken into account Percival and Lancelot who were in the room. The two knights move forward as one and Percival soon had the man held tightly.

"You must face the penalties of your actions Kendrick. You must have known it wouldn't last forever." Arthur then looked back at the father. Lord Anstey paled at the threat to his lands, one he realised was all too real. He knew he was staring his families ruin in the face. All his bombast gone he knew he had to sacrifice his eldest son for the good of the family "I fear Sire I let my eldest have more responsibility than he was capable of dealing with. I throw myself on your mercy. My family has for generations been loyal to yours. Please forgive this one mistake, the mistake of an old man"

Arthur however also realised that Anstey was an ally of his father's, so he needed an outcome that all would be happy with, but would secure the border. He waited to let it appear he was considering the options. Then he let out a sigh. "I can see only one possible solution, clearly the man responsible cannot continue to be in charge, and by default nor can you. You admit that you are not able to control things anymore. You do however have a younger son. If you abdicate your title to your younger son. I am sure he would not wish to see you out of your home. With a period of more regular patrols, and supervision from my knights, I'm sure he will be up for the job. I he isn't then we will remove him as well. This will be your family's last chance"

Anstey nodded "But my eldest?"

Arthur looked both men clearly in the eyes before saying "Kendrick has endangered the Kingdom for greed with no thought to what he was doing, or for the safety of the people. His actions have been treasonous, therefor he will be tried for his crimes. He has no children I understand?"

"No Sire, but he has a wife, what will happen to her?"

"She will come with us to Camelot. After her husband's trial we will ensure she is housed. I believe she is from a good family?" Arthur like Merlin felt sorry for the woman and he knew if she stayed here she would be seen as a burden.

"She is Sire, they may take her back" Lord Anstey saw a way of saving money if her family took her back.

Arthur smirked "You misunderstand I expect your other son to treat her as Kendrick's widow, he will send her an allowance."

Arthur then turned to the younger son Sir Ethan "You will be under review to see that you can do the job needed. Make no mistake we expect you to work for the benefit of the King and your people and not yourself. Are you up to it?"

"I will do my utmost Sir"

Kendrick snarled "If you were a man you would fight me, and let me have an honourable death"

"Why? What you have done is not honourable, however if that is what you want it would be better for all if this sad business was not dragged out. A fight to the death with swords in one hour" Kendrick had played into Arthur's hands. Now the matter would be finished without wondering how his father would react to a trial.

Arthur indicated to the Knights "Put him in the cells until we are ready. We will go to our chambers and then meet up in one hour at your training grounds"

Percival smiled and dragged the perpetrator away leaving Lancelot with Merlin, happy he would be safe. Merlin was not amused and when they got to their chamber he turned on Arthur. "Why? You would risk your life for a man who should be hung"

"There is no risk Merlin, the man is a braggart. This way it ends today and now. If we take him back to Camelot I have no idea what the King will do. Yes the actions were treasonous but Lord Anstey has helped my father in his crusade against magic. Also his wife's family has many relatives at court. But what I am doing is legal and cannot be questioned, after all he wanted the challenge." Arthur took Merlin into his arms "Don't worry my love, I have been fighting this sort of man all my life I WILL win"

Merlin held onto his love, he had a bad feeling about this, but he knew Arthur would not change his mind. So it would be up to him to make sure nothing untoward happened. And he would regardless of any cost to him.