AN: This song comes from the Broadway version of 'Beauty and the Beast' and is sung by the Beast after Belle runs away following the West Wing argument as he laments his belief that the curse will never be broken. I love this song and this pairing is very rarely done- watch the opening scene to 5x04 and tell me you don't ship it.
As difficult as it may be to believe, Sir Leon regarded as the greatest, bravest and oftentimes handsomest knight in Camelot struggled with women. He always had done ever since his first kiss earned him a punch in the jaw from a certain blacksmith's daughter who shall remain nameless to his embarrassing attempts to woo girls during his adolescence. Instead Sir Leon devoted himself to his duties, training and weaponry. It was easier to deal with an army than an emotional woman. However that all changed with the arrival of one person.
Princess Mithian of Nemeth.
When she first arrived in Camelot to be Arthur's bride, Leon like the other Round Table members found themselves divided between their desire to see Arthur try and find happiness and the knowledge that exile or not Arthur and Gwen did belong together. as Mithian's visit progressed and she showed herself to be mature, charming, fun and a good archer, Leon suddenly found himself experiencing strange feelings. Feelings he attempted to suppress. However when Arthur announced the engagement was off due to his love for Gwen, Leon struggled between two more overpowering urges. The first being to track down his friend and bring her home to Camelot. The other was to embrace the princess.
That night Leon stood alone in his chambers thinking about Mithian and his feelings for her. It was crazy, he'd only known her for a few days and she barely knew him. Leon shook his head and began to sing to himself. "And in her beautiful face
There's not the slightest trace
Of anything that even hints of romance
I wish it could be so
Who would say no?
But I know I have no chance," He knew that Mithian couldn't possibly feel the way about him as he did about her. She had come expecting to marry Arthur and had herself claimed she believed it impossible to fall in love in such a short space of time.
"Hopeless
As my dream dies
As the time flies
Love a lost illusion, Helpless
Unforgiven
Cold and driven
To this sad conclusion." Leon continued as he thought about Mithian. He genuinely never felt this way about anyone before and yet he barely knew Mithian. Besides Leon highly doubted that Mithian would return to Camelot after what had happened. If he were her, he wouldn't want to return either.
After the battle had been won a few weeks later, Leon still found himself thinking about Mithian. He wasn't sure why, maybe it was due to Arthur and Gwen's reunion or Tristan losing Isolde but the knight found himself thinking more and more about Princess Mithian. Leon had attempted to put his feelings down to a fleeting crush but at the same time he was relieved to know she was safe. Aside from Nemeth being a quiet, peaceful kingdom; Leon knew that had Mithian married Arthur she would have been in great danger from Morgana. The last thing he wanted was for Mithian to be in any sort of danger. Leon's behaviour however hadn't gone unnoticed.
"So who is she?" Gwaine asked and Leon looked at them. No way was he letting them know his feelings for Mithian.
"Someone I knew but it cannot be between us." Leon replied and the others looked at him sympathetically.
"Why not?" Merlin asked wondering just who Leon's mystery woman was.
"It just can't." Leon replied and he walked away still singing to himself. "Her beauty had moved me
Her intellect impressed me
What would it mean, if I can't love her?
No passion could reach me
No lesson could teach me
How I could have love her and made her love me too
If I can't love her, then who?" This was crazy but at the same time it was completely sane. Sir Leon of Camelot was in love with Princess Mithian of Nemeth. The problem was that nothing could become of it. they were of different rank, lived in different kingdoms, she had been engaged to Arthur and they all knew dating a friend's ex was a definite no-no.
For the next few years Leon attempted to move on from his feelings for Mithian. One night however they all came flooding back as an exhausted, terrified Mithian arrived in Camelot and only managed to tell Leon that she was relieved to see him before passing out in his arms. As he stood in the chamber that he had carried Mithian to and watched as Gaius and Merlin tended to her whilst Arthur hovered awkwardly and Gwen was calmly absorbing the scene; Leon could only stare at the sleeping Mithian.
"Long ago I should have seen
All the things I could have been
Careless and unthinking, I moved onward
No pain could be deeper
No life could be cheaper
No point anymore, if I can't love her." Leon thought to himself as he hoped that Mithian would be alright. Reason claimed that she was merely exhausted and would be fine after some sleep but what if she wasn't? Leon began mentally kicking himself. He was supposed to be a knight for god's sake and yet he lacked the courage to tell this amazing woman how he felt about her? Leon couldn't lose her, not again. Leon vowed that whatever was wrong with Mithian, he would do whatever it took to ensure her safety, even if it meant laying down his own life for her.
It's strange to think what people do for love.
When it was all over, Morgana beaten once more and Mithian and Rodor recovered and ready to return to Nemeth, Leon was escorting Mithian and Gwen to the courtyard, preparing himself to tell Mithian how he felt before she left. Could he really do it though? Tell Mithian he was in love with her? even as he thought that, Leon knew the answer. Yes, yes he could and damn the consequences.
"Her spirit could win me
She inspires hope within me
Hope I could have loved her and that she'd set me free
But if it's not to be
And she can't love me
Let her heart then be free." Leon reasoned as they reached the courtyard and Mithian joined her father who was speaking to Arthur who was joined by Gwen.
"We're so grateful for all you've done," Rodor said as he hugged his daughter to him.
"It was nothing, Mithian is our friend as are you. We don't abandon our friends in Camelot." Arthur replied as he clasped the man's arm and Gwen and Mithian shook each other's hands before the Nemeth royals mounted their horses, promising to return to Camelot and took off. Leon watched Mithian ride off before he could say anything and felt a surge of disappointment and regret at his lack of actions. As Arthur went to return into the castle Gwen walked over to Leon and gave him that same smile she used to when they were younger and she'd caught him doing something naughty.
"Princess Mithian is a very nice young woman isn't she?" Gwen offered.
"She is more than kind, she is loyal to her friends and family as well as being one of the funniest and considerate, not to mention one of the best archers I've ever met." Leon replied, turning red as he realised how his confession had sounded.
"Yeah I know, believe me," Gwen replied. She still had that scar on her thigh from three years back. Gwen smiled at Leon and took his hand, pressing a piece of parchment into it. "Anyway I think she had something she wanted me to give you."
With that Gwen walked off and Leon opened the folded parchment and read the message written onto it.
Sir Leon, I am greatly thankful for your help and support for me over the past few days. I was genuinely so relieved when you met me on the stairs that night. I knew if I would be safe anywhere it would be in Camelot with you and your friends. I know that we barely know each other but I consider you a great friend and possibly even more than that. This is very unorthodox but I wish for us to write to another; I would like to get to know you a bit better as I have always thought highly of you ever since we met. If you wish to write to me, I would greatly appreciate them and respond in kind. Respectfully yours, Mithian.
Leon read and re-read the note. Mithian wanted to write to him and she didn't even think of him as a friend, she said she thought of him as more than that! Leon looked around the emptying courtyard, quickly punched the air and hurried inside to find some parchment and a quill.
AN: Aw I love Leon. Anyway next up it's time to make a stand. Stop insulting and start revolting!
