Wasn't originally going to continue this, but then realised I couldn't resist. More to come after this one as well, at least another two chapters! Hope you like this one!

All was quiet in the camp as Arthur tossed and turned irritably. He knew he should be tired, the hunt had been a long one, but the ten year old was too full of adrenaline. His father's tent was just across from where he was sleeping, and Arthur knew the King wouldn't have retired yet. Would the man be willing to spend some time with his only son and heir? Kicking off the blankets covering him, the prince climbed groggily to his feet. He had a tent of his own off to one side, yet refused to sleep in it. He wanted to be like the knights, sleeping under the stars by the fire. Not wanting to risk him resisting them, the men had given in, letting him stay by the fire.

It meant that his movement was seen as numerous knights and guards alike glanced up as the child stood up. Arthur lifted his head and walked slowly and deliberately, trying to make it look like he knew precisely what he was doing rather than letting on how uncomfortably hard his heart was beating. There wasn't many things that made Arthur Pendragon nervous, but facing his father was just one exception. What was wrong with a son wanting to visit his father? Arthur didn't notice a shadow detach itself from a tree, watching his movement closely. His most trusted knight had a feeling that this was not going to go well, but trying to tell Arthur that something was a bad idea was about as productive as trying to talk to a tree for the response he got.

Arthur nodded to the two guards on either side of the tent flap, but when they simply shared looks rather than allowing him to enter, the prince's head lifted royally. He may only be a child, but his education in becoming a king had started. The man on the left recognised the stance and rolled his eyes, but lifted back the flap all the same. Arthur did see the action, and if it was anyone else, he would have caused a fuss, but this man had helped him a lot over the years by covering for him with the king and letting someone else deal with the prince rather than informing Uther of Arthur's escapades.

Entering the tent with his head held high, Arthur cleared his throat slightly.

"Father?" To say the prince deflated as Uther turned to look at him was an understatement. His hands drifted behind his back, rubbing anxiously against each other and his head dropped, leaving him looking at the floor.

"Yes, Arthur?"

"I, um..."

"Do not mumble, boy. What is it?" Arthur opened his mouth a few times, shutting it just as quickly with an audible snap as he tried to work out what it was he had come in here to say. Did he really think they would just be able to sit by the fire like he had seen Sir Gareth and his son do? Talk into the night about nothing important before Arthur fell asleep? This was the King of Camelot he was talking about, the father who never seemed to have any time for his son.

"Nothing, Sire." He eventually settled for mumbling, staring at the ground and feeling his weight shift uncomfortably from foot to foot. He knew this had been a bad idea! But he had hoped the hunt would have lifted his father's spirits, and the fact he had been allowed to come had given Arthur a proud feeling. He had hoped that his father would be just as proud, but the king looked nothing short of annoyed.

"Then go to bed and don't get in the guards way." The man snapped, and Arthur all but fled. He barely even remembered to acknowledge his father on the way out, but simply sped from the tent. The guards on either side once more glanced at each other, this time with pity in their eyes. The one who had rolled his eyes before let his gaze roam around the campsite, looking for someone in particular. As if knowing, Leon emerged next to him.

"Greg?"

"That didn't go well, m'lord. I think he might..."

"Run? It has been a while, no doubt it is time for Arthur's next adventure." The Knight muttered fondly, nodding his gratitude at the man and starting to move slowly around the campsite, looking for the young prince. Greg knew to fetch Leon whenever Arthur tried something like this, it was the easiest way of getting Arthur back where he belonged without causing a fuss.

Arthur, however, was already gone. As soon as he left the tent, he had seen Greg looking around and knew it was no coincidence that Leon always managed to find him whenever Arthur slipped past this particular guard. Rather than heading back into the camp, the prince had taken to the shelter of the trees instead, blending into them almost silently. Waiting until he was sure that no one was looking in his direction, the ten year old took off, running through the trees without having a clue where he was going.

He felt like he had run for leagues upon leagues when he finally stopped, gasping for breath and staring around the dark forest with wide eyes, unsure of where he was. Little did Arthur know, he had literally just got himself out of ear-shot of the large camp the hunting party had created. He really hadn't gone very far at all, but it was enough for him. Sitting down in the roots of an old tree, the prince hugged his knees to his chest and glared at the ground in front of him.

Why did his father never want to spend any time with him? It wasn't fair, Arthur knew the knights were able to perform their duties as well as being fathers. Even Leon managed to make sure he had time for Arthur as well as his training. Gaius too, despite how busy the old man always was. It seemed the King was the only one who could never fit his son into his schedule, and Arthur was sick of it. If his father didn't want to spend time with him, Arthur was going to make his life easier by not being there. It meant the man wouldn't have to come up with any more excuses about why he wasn't available to discuss Arthur's training. His mind made up, Arthur nodded firmly to himself whilst his eyes burnt with unshed tears. He was doing everyone a favour by not being there.

His legs shaking from his sprint, Arthur used the tree to push himself upright again and set off at a slow walk. He was ages away from the camp, of that he was sure. They would never be able to find him here, meaning he didn't have to run. Arthur knew that apart from Leon, no one else would even notice if he wasn't there. It had happened often enough in the past, his presence being ignored. It wasn't as if the knights were used to having their prince with them either, this was only the third time it had happened. And the first didn't count as Arthur had spent the whole time with Gaius. With one hand drifting over the rough barks of the trees so he knew what direction he was walking in, Arthur stumbled on.

It was almost an hour later before he heard the soft footsteps. Immediately, he shrank into the nearest tree, eyes darting around in fear. Wondering whether he would have time to climb the tree without being noticed, Arthur grabbed hold of the lowest branch and tried to haul himself up on it. He just about managed it, and set about trying to go higher. He had only made it halfway when his foot slipped and he was left hanging. Feeling his fingers beginning to slip, Arthur gritted his teeth, desperate to hold on.

"Arthur?"

His name being called was enough to startle Arthur into letting go and he fell with a yelp. Expecting the cold ground (not to mention pain) come rushing to greet him, there was something that sounded suspiciously like a sob that escaped the ten year old as warm, strong arms caught him instead. For a moment, Arthur automatically sagged into the feeling of safety, a few tears from the scare leaking from his eyes. Then it was as if he realised what was going on, and lashed out furiously at his saviour.

To his relief, Arthur found himself put back on the ground, but a strong hand rested on his shoulder, turning him to face whoever had caught him. Arthur felt a flush rising up his neck, glaring at the ground. Leon. Why was it he could never escape from the man? But this time, there was an expression on the man's face Arthur wasn't used to seeing. The Knight was furious.

"What do you think you were doing, running off like that?"

"He doesn't care!" Arthur yelled, trying to walk off, but Leon's grip on his shoulder stayed firm, not letting him squirm away, despite Arthur's best efforts.

"Are you that selfish?" Leon snapped, blowing out a long breath as he tried to reign in his temper. Arthur's face completely clouded over, but Leon wasn't done yet. "I've been following you since you left, and you only now heard me. And then immediately put yourself in danger. What if it wasn't me, Arthur? We're not the only people in these woods, and there are many who would like to get their hands on the prince of Camelot."

"But... you never let anything happen to me." Arthur muttered, almost bitterly as he realised he couldn't even run away without Leon being there to take him back. Unfortunately, it came out in a more frightened tone than Arthur had intended, betraying the prince's age and his faith that, despite the fact Arthur had tried to run away, he still believed Leon would always be there to keep him safe.

"I might not always be there, Sire." Leon responded gently, his stance softening as he realised he had frightened the ten year old. Not that Arthur would ever admit it, but Leon knew him well enough to have seen the fear spring into life momentarily in the prince's eyes.

"You're always there." This time, there could be no mistaking the annoyance in Arthur's voice, and Leon smiled softly, releasing the pressure on Arthur's shoulder and giving him a fond look.

"Let's get you back to where you should be. You don't want your father finding out about this, do you?"

"No." Arthur shook his head, and Leon motioned for the prince to walk in front of him. But this time, Leon had misunderstood what Arthur was responding too. Rather than stepping forward, the prince instead took one back.

"No, I'm not going back. He doesn't need me there, none of you do."

"Arthur..."

"No!" The prince sprang away, intending to run again. He had just picked up his pace when Leon moved after him, grabbing Arthur by the elbow.

"You don't have a choice, Sire. Unless you want the entire guard out here looking for you and your father to think you have held us up."

"He thinks that anyway, let me go!"

"Stop fighting me, Arthur."

"No!" Arthur was pushing against Leon with all of his might, desperately trying to struggle out of the knight's grip. Knowing he couldn't simply hold on tighter or risk hurting the child, Leon gave a sharp tug, forcing Arthur to come stumbling towards him.

"I don't want to go back!" Ignoring the yells, Leon let his grip slackening, bending down slightly. Arthur realised what was about to happen and jumped back, but Leon was still holding on. Arthur could do nothing as the knight simply swung the ten year old up over his shoulder. Despite the kicking legs and the fists slamming into his back, Leon just shook his head sadly, beginning to walk back towards the camp. Regardless of what he had said to Arthur, he was in no rush to get back either.

"Put me down! Leon, please! I don't want too!" The yells continued, but Leon just shut his ears to them. He was used to Arthur's strops, and knew the child was over tired as it was. It had been a long day without Arthur going for a midnight run. But as time went on, Arthur fell quiet, and Leon could feel the tension draining from his body. The knight knew his young charge well enough in order to be confident that Arthur would be asleep before they reached the camp. It was another reason why he had taken a slow pace, he didn't want Arthur to still be kicking and screaming when he got back.

"Leon, stop..." The knight made to shake his head, adamant that this was just another of Arthur's protests, but then he too heard the noise. There was the sound of crying coming from just behind the trees they were walking past, another voice making soothing noises. Not putting Arthur down – something that wasn't lost on the prince if the annoyed huff was anything to go by – Leon rounded the tree. In front of him, a woman was crouched in front of a young boy in tears, looking to be a few years younger than Arthur.

"...don't want to, they mean to me. Says I differe't, say nasty things..." The boy hiccupped, tears running down his face as the woman stroked back his hair gently, sorrow in her face.

"Merlin, running away is not the answer, everyone was so worried. Please, love, just come back with me, we can...oh!" Whatever she was about to say was lost as the mother suddenly caught sight of the knight. Fear immediately leapt into her eyes and she glanced around even as she stood up, shielding her son from view.

"Please, m'lord, we mean no harm being here. My son, he...he didn't mean to cross the border, he was just upset, he ran..."

"It's fine, madam." Leon interrupted gently, making to say more when squirming caught his attention. "Arthur, stay still."

"Put me down!" Rolling his eyes, Leon tipped Arthur back onto his feet and immediately grabbed him by the collar.

"Don't even think about it." He said sternly, secretly relieved to have the ten year old off his shoulder. Arthur was getting too heavy to be able to do that now. Arthur took the one step forward that Leon allowed him too even as the other boy came out from behind his mother's legs.

"Go 'way." The younger child muttered, scowling at the prince and clutching his mother's skirt at the same time.

"You go away, I was here first." Arthur shot back, not used to not having the last word. Leon's grip tightened in warning, pulling the strong-headed youth back towards him.

"Was not! I founded this place all by myself, you weren't here!"

"Well...I..." Leon couldn't hide his snort of amusement. This was new for Arthur. Most people backed down to him, even at the tender age of ten. Although from what the mother had said, they weren't supposed to be past Camelot's borders, meaning they potentially had no idea who was in front of them. "I ran away first, so there!"

The Knight suddenly felt the urge to bang his head against a tree.

"You...you runded away too?" The black haired child came out more, his tears stopping as he glanced curiously at Arthur. The prince nodded, glaring at the floor before glaring at Leon.

"He won't let me." He sulked, but the other child just slipped his hand into his mother's.

"Neither will Mother. It's 'kay though, because it just means they care." The woman smiled, stroking his hair softly.

"Is it time to go home, Merlin?" The boy frowned for a moment, before nodding, his eyes almost sliding shut as he suddenly sagged against her legs.

"You should too...you got someone to come after you, means they want you back." He muttered sleepily to Arthur, clearly reciting something he had been told. Leon subtly loosened his grip on Arthur's collar, and smiled when the prince made no attempt to run again. The woman picked up her son, balancing him against her hip.

"Thank you." She said softly to Leon, and the knight just ruffled Arthur's hair when the prince glanced at him in confusion, not yet understanding the politics and possible implications of someone having crossed the border.

"You should turn east; there is a hunting party just a little further west from here." He muttered softly, ignoring Arthur's complaints about his previous action. The woman smiled again, a hand rubbing soothingly over her son's back as his eyes shut and his arms looped around her neck. She glanced at Arthur and back to Leon, slight confusion in her eyes before turning away, taking Merlin with her.

"He's sad." Arthur mumbled, staring after them. Leon crouched down in front of him.

"Not everyone is happy all the time, Arthur. But that doesn't mean they can just take off when they feel like it. You heard what she said about crossing the border. If it had been your father who had found them, he might not have let them go again. Actions have consequences. What if it hadn't been me following you, Arthur? What would have happened then?"

"I'm sorry." Arthur muttered, glancing at the floor, suddenly unable to look Leon in the eye. The act of submission made Leon realise that Arthur meant the apology. The prince wouldn't lower his gaze to Uther unless he thought he deserved it. There was no way he was faking what he had just said, not with the body language to accompany it.

"I'm just trying to look out for you, Sire. Not that you make that an easy job." The lightening of Leon's tone made Arthur smile, before he yawned.

"Can we go home now?" He muttered, clearly tired of his latest adventure. Leon smiled and offered out his hand. Arthur shook his head and held out his arms, causing the knight to roll his eyes. That didn't stop the fond smile on his face when he mirrored the mother's earlier actions and lifted Arthur onto his hip.

"You're getting too big for this." He grumbled slightly, resuming their walk back towards the camp. As Arthur's head came to a rest against his shoulder and the prince sighed sleepily, his smile only widened. They both knew that whilst it was still physically possible for Leon to carry Arthur, he would.

Despite it being late, there was still the normal activity that accompanied a campsite when Leon slipped back in. Arthur had made a point – no one had noticed that two members of their party had disappeared. Knowing he was too tired to protest, Leon took Arthur straight into the tent he had been refusing to sleep in earlier, laying him gently down and pulling one of the rugs over him. Arthur was practically asleep, but did open his eyes enough to pull the blanket up further.

"Did he mean it?" The prince murmured, his voice slurring slightly as he tried to battle against his exhaustion.

"What's that, Sire?"

"That you came after me because you wanted me back?"

Leon smiled, sitting down next to Arthur's and pulling him around until the prince's head was resting on his thigh.

"I'll always want you back here, Arthur. This is your home, where you belong. With me. With Gaius. With... your father. He loves you."

Arthur almost tried to sit up, making a noise of protest, but all it took was a hand on his shoulder and a soothing noise and he sagged again.

"He does, Sire. You'll understand when you are older, I promise." Arthur scowled, but was losing the battle to keep his eyes open in order to make a response. Leon let his fingers brush through Arthur's hair, calming him into sleeping.

"He's not who I came back for." Arthur mumbled, before finally giving in and falling asleep. For a stunned moment, Leon could only sit there, his hand still resting on Arthur's head before he gently smiled, tugging the blankets up protectively around the young prince.

"He's not the one I follow without question." He whispered gently, his fingers resuming their action as he watched his future king sleep.