Prompt: The Hearts of Camelot Challenge: Leon

Characters: Leon, Arthur, Percival, Merlin, Isolde

Ratings/Warnings: Taken from 4x13; lol, I thought this might be cheating, considering that I've studied this episode relentlessly for Only Friend, but I was assured it wasn't... P

Word Count: 644

To the Mouth of Hell

In the span of a single second, everything had changed.

The man Leon saw stepping into the grove of trees to approach the golden sword, stuck fast in stone, was cautious, doubtful, and unsure of himself. The Knight had known Arthur long enough to immediately notice the hesitance in his eyes as he looked up at his audience and the way in which the King threw a slightly panicked and desperate look back to Merlin, and it made his heart falter to see…

Arthur was by no means weak, but even Leon could see that his spirit was floundering in self-doubt. The evidence was in his gait, in his eyes…

But, after the sword slipped free from its sheath and the sun's rays hit the blade and Arthur's golden hair in an arc of light, Leon saw the shadows lift. He saw the determination, the purpose, the unwavering and loyal and courageous King that he loved and respected above all men. The King he would serve with pride and honor until breath did leave his body.

Awed, inspired, and hopeful at the miraculous and beautiful event and transformation he had just witnessed, he thanked Merlin for his part (because there was no doubt who had kept the King from drowning) in the back of his mind, and he was the first to take up the cry of "Long live the King!"

It wasn't until later that he realized just how much he had Merlin to thank for.

"And we have, what? A few hundred?" Arthur asked.

Percival nodded. "And they still outnumber us."

"Yeah, but only three to one," Arthur said dismissively, his sapphire eyes sparkling with humor and gleaming with confidence—in them.

Feeling a burst of warmth in his chest, Leon chuckled and exchanged a look with Percival, who smiled in understanding as the message passed between the pair of them.

It was an incredible sound—to hear their King's humor and faith, despite the severity of the situation—and to Leon, it felt as though he were home again.

They would win this.

The King's tone even affected the newest members of their group, and Leon noticed that a warm smile had graced Isolde's face.

"And you think they'll fight?" she asked from beside Leon.

Without hesitation, Leon answered, "Well, they fight for Arthur."

"It's not me they fight for," Arthur denied immediately, causing Leon to whip his head around in slight shock.

"It's for Camelot."

For a fraction of a heartbeat—less even—Leon was stunned. Did he not see? Did Arthur not see the love in the people's gazes? Did he not realize that he, that Percival, that his knights and soldiers, would die happy under his rule? Did he not notice the way that he inspired everyone—from the peasants, to the nobles… even Merlin—

It was then that Leon flickered his gaze to Merlin, whose stormy eyes shimmered with pride, whose insolent retorts and cheeky smiles drove their King mad, who wasn't afraid to challenge him, to rile him, or to question him, who had never stopped insulting him, but who had always been there…every step of the way…

It was then that Leon's breath was taken away. He remembered. He remembered a Prince arrogant, cocky, and unkind. He remembered a time when servants were tormented and when mocking jeers were a common thing across the training grounds…

Was that really the same man who stood before him now?

"No, Arthur," Leon said strongly. "It is you that people love, and you that they will lay down their lives for. Know that I would ride into the mouth of hell for you."

It did not surprise him that Percival and Merlin agreed.

Looking at the three of them with gratitude and warmth, Arthur drew his sword, smiled, and said, "Then to the mouth of hell it is."

AN: Only two more characters to go! I've had Merlin's scene picked from the moment I started this challenge, but Arthur... you might get two from me about him. ;) For those waiting for prompts to be done, you haven't been forgotten! :)