This is my first ever FanFiction story. I'm in love with this show, and have always shipped Gwen/Leon. So, earlier this week, I got the writer's urge, and decided to give it a go! Please read and review, and most of all, enjoy!

Prologue

"Leon! Wait for me!" Guinevere struggled to keep up with her best friend as they raced to the river. It was early morning in Rhydlafar - the first fair morning in weeks - and the children of the village were tired of being confined to their houses. Many of them were playing in the bright sunshine; some tried their best to avoid the mud, while others made the most of the puddles.

That morning, when Gwen had accompanied her mother to work, Leon had immediately asked whether she wanted go exploring. I'm going to regret agreeing, Gwen thought, if he doesn't stop running very soon. After a few more agonizing steps, Gwen slowed to a walk and sat heavily on a fallen log, breathing hard. It wasn't long before Leon joined her, blue eyes flashing with mirth, a huge smile on his face.

"I thought you were a good runner," he said, playfully elbowing her in the ribs while she clutched a stitch in her side. "Last year you could almost beat me in a race!"

"I am a good runner; you're just taller than me," Gwen gasped, finally beginning to catch her breath. "It doesn't help than I'm wearing a dress and you're not," she finished. "Can we walk now, please?" Leon stood up, stooping low in a mock bow as he extended his arm in the direction of the river.

"Of course, my lady," he smiled briefly before stepping off into his long stride, once again leaving Gwen behind. She rolled her eyes at his back, and began picking her way among the green weeds and vines that were slowly taking over the beaten path.

An hour later, they sat together on a flat stone ledge that extended over the flowing water; it was their special spot that nobody else knew about. Peace was abundant in the woods; the only sounds came from the rushing river and birds in the thicket. Sunbeams danced on the leafy floor of the forest, and white clouds were just visible above the thick foliage of the ancient trees. A crisp breeze blew through the cool air. Leon sat with legs extended, leaning comfortably back against the riverbank. Gwen huddled down, hugging her legs to her body in effort to keep the chill away. Seeing her sporadic shivering, Leon rolled his eyes, but nonetheless, he took off his thick woolen cloak, and draped it across his best friend's shoulders.

"Gwen, do you remember when we met?"

"Of course; it was five years ago today, on my birthday. I was eight, and you were ten. My family came to this village so my parents could get work. It was lucky for us that your household was in need of a maid."

"I remember when your mother came to meet mine. You were with her, looking pathetic as always and I thought…"

"Leon! I did not look pathetic!" Gwen slapped his arm; instead of making him shut up, the blow just made him laugh.

"Okay, so maybe you don't look pathetic now, but you sure did then. Anyway, remember how you used to come to work sometimes with your mother, and I used to tease you so much?"

"Of course, and I couldn't do anything about it because you were the son of a nobleman and I was a servant's daughter."

"But somehow, I befriended this annoying little girl," Leon grinned as Gwen tried to get in another blow, and continued after easily dodging it, "and now we're best buddies. How d'you suppose that happened?"

"Your father wasn't very happy you were hanging around with me," Gwen said, growing quiet as she recalled the things, some very nasty, that Leon's father had said about her.

"Yeah, but as soon as he saw how good we got along, he changed his mind. You're the best friend I ever had." He dipped his head in acknowledgment, and Gwen smiled.

"Anyway, Guinevere, happy birthday – I hope it's a good one."

"Thanks, Leon." Gwen sighed with contentment and happiness as she leaned back against the riverbank and closed her eyes, safe in the knowledge that her truest friend was sitting beside her.

The following afternoon

Guinevere rushed towards the small thatch-roofed hut that was her home. It was on fire, burning with a fierce intensity. Her father and brother stood outside, looking on in disbelief as the walls quickly gave way to the immense heat.

"Where's Mother?!" Gwen shrieked as she realized there was one missing from her family. Please, please, let her be working. Keep her safe, God. As she looked from father to brother and saw their tear-streaked faces, Gwen began to sob, sinking to the ground to pound the earth with her fists in distress. Her mother had been inside the house; one glance at her father had confirmed her worst fear. Unaware of what she was doing, Gwen rolled onto her back and screamed at the sky, nearly choking on her tears. Elyan sat down beside her; he grasped his head in shaking hands as his shoulder began to heave with dry sobs. Tom simply stood and gazed in shocked disbelief at the house, which was now nothing a charred foundation. As Gwen shrieked and wailed, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her quaking figure and pulled her close. It was Leon.

"Come on, Gwen, let's go." When it became apparent to him that she was unable to stand, Leon lifted her easily and began walking away from the scene of the fire. Other friends of Gwen's family were guiding Tom and Elyan away from the smoldering remains. No one wanted them to see what must be removed from the wreck.

Leon felt his own eyes begin to well up as he looked down at his friend. Her hands were clenched in fists, her mouth open in a soundless scream as she buried her face into his chest. He only wished that he could take the grief from her shoulders; just yesterday they'd been laughing and joking by the river, and now her life had changed forever in the blink of an eye. "I'm so sorry, Guinevere," he whispered, his voice breaking as her anguish washed over him like water.

When they arrived at his house, Leon kicked open the front door and gently set Gwen down on his parent's empty bed.

"Is there nothing we can do for her, mother?" Leon whispered as they stood looking sadly at the small, prone figure on the woolen blanket. Gwen had eventually fallen asleep, exhausted from crying. Elyan and Tom had arrived soon after Leon; they now sat wordlessly at the kitchen table, staring down at food they could not see.

"I'm afraid not, dear one. Until it happens to us, there is no way of knowing the pain of losing a spouse or parent. The best thing we can do is make them comfortable for as long as they need be here," his mother whispered to him in a weak voice. Gwen's mother had been her maid, but they'd also been good friends, and Leon knew she must be hurting.

That night was a long one. Leon lay in his bedroom, unable to sleep. The muffled sound of Gwen's renewed sobs cut through him like a knife. Tom and Elyan had opted to sleep in the stables; Leon's parents had let them go, knowing they wished to grieve in private. He wished he could comfort his friend, but, knowing it would inappropriate to go to her, Leon stayed where he was.

No one knows what will happen to them now, he thought, although he was doubtful that the family would stay in Rhydlafar now that so much sorrow had befallen them there. His mind jumbled with troubling thoughts, it was a long while before Leon found rest.

"Leon? Can I tell you something?" Gwen's quiet voice jolted him out of thought. He was sitting on their ledge by the river, staring into its depths. He hadn't heard her approach, but quickly moved to make room for her. She sat close, and leaned her head on his shoulder, voice thick with emotion and weariness.

"My father wanted me to wait until the last minute to tell you this," she said, sniffling quietly as she went on. "It's hard for me to say it…" Leon waited in silence, toying with the clasp of his cloak while Gwen gathered her thoughts.

"We're moving to Camelot. Father can get a job there, and I'll have to find one, as well. Elyan isn't going with us, but he won't stay here, either. We don't know what he will do." Her tears were falling freely now; her voice caught as she continued. "Leon, I don't want to leave you." Once again burying her face in his chest, Gwen began to sob in earnest; Leon knew she was seeking his comfort, and so he put both arms around her shaking frame and pulled her close.

"Gwen," he started, his own voice shaking, "I want you to know, right now, that I will never, ever, forget you and the friendship that we have shared. You're so precious to me. I wish you all the luck in the world, in whatever you do, and wherever you go. I pray that our paths will cross again, someday."

Hope y'all enjoyed this first chapter. I'm planning to update this story once about every four days. Thanks to all who read! :D