A/N: Here is the next chapter, read and enjoy

The castle was abandoned like Leon had known, perfect hiding place for them, because no one would suspect that Prince of Camelot would hide himself somewhere like this. Well, no one would have suspected that he would hide in a cave.

He looked around has Arthur had ordered, he had made few steps out of the room and to his surprise he found a box of dried meat and a sword, now they had something to eat, they had taken left over fish from lunch, but that would not be enough. He brought them to the main hall when Arthur ordered them to the roundtable he had found.

Leon sat beside Merlin, it was unconscious move, even if she did not love him, she was his friend. He took his gloves off and placed his hands on the table and his fingers found patterns on it, they started to trace them, and Leon discovered that it was not ornaments for decorate the table, but it was words. Arthur saw what he was doing and looked the table. "Gaius, I do not know the language, is it the old language?"

"Yes, my lord, it is." Gaius looked the words before him.

"Can you read it?" Leon smirked, how could Arthur ask such a question, of course Gaius could read it.

"Of course, my lord." Gaius rose again, stepped to Gwen's seat, and read: "Friendship/love," then he stepped to Arthur: "Courage," to Merlin, "Magic," Leon's back stiffened, he saw a fear flicker on Merlin's face and then disappeared.

"Loyalty," Gaius continued, seemed that the words seemed all to be consistent with the person who was sitting on the place. "Strength," was Gwaine's word, "Duty," Elyan blinked his eyes, he had never thought it a word to represent him. "Honour," chuckles came from persons, who knew Lancelot well. "Bravery," Percival eyes grew huge. "And finally, wisdom." Gaius said as he sat again.

"Seems, like we all have taken the right seats," Arthur smirked at Merlin, "except Merlin, because I think in ancient times there was not a person who would represent cowardice."

"Prat." Merlin mumble knowing well that Arthur was joking and thankfully he did not suspect what secret she held.

Leon listened with interest Arthur's speak, he smiled proudly, Arthur had come far, the boy who once though himself to be better than everyone else. Was grown into a man who believed in equality.

The knight was proud to be the man's second in command, to serve him and protect him, he would follow Arthur to his death. And so, he said when he answered to Arthur question, the man was his brother, would anyone ever doubt that he would join the prince in his plan getting Camelot back.

He smiled at the exchange of Merlin and Arthur. It was the same with Merlin as with Leon, there was never going to be doubt that she would join them.

"I will do now what my father would not approve of." This time Leon's eyes grew, he knew exactly Arthur was planning, in two years the prince had really grown up. When he had suggested it at the even when Cenred was coming to besiege Camelot, Arthur had annoyingly pushed it aside.

Arthur looked at Leon, he looked like he was searching for approval, he knew well he did not need it, but asked anyway. Leon nodded and smiled; it was all Arthur needed.

Arthur turned to the other men. "Come and kneel."

Leon heart wanted to burst out his chest from pride, he could imagine what Camelot future would bring when Arthur was the king.

When Arthur had done is duty he turned to the others.

"Gwen, to you, as soon as I can, I will give the world, my love, my everything." Arthur brushed a hand over her cheek.

"Gaius."

"Sire, I do not need anything." Gaius shook his head.

"No, Gaius, you need all our thanks, you have been like a father to me. And I think I am not the only one who can say that. You will have a peaceful retirement, as soon as Merlin is competent enough, if she is ever, and can take over your job, but you will not lose your position as an advisor, you will be the most important advisor that I will ever have."

First time in all his years Leon saw Gaius lost for words.

"Merlin, you already heard, what you will get," Arthur looked at her, "if you will be competent, but I am afraid, that will take years, because you are not even competent as a servant." Leon shook his head, only Arthur could praise and then insult. But the same power was in Merlin as well, they made a pair.

"I will accept it, if you have not worked me to my death, with your foolish commands." It came out as a huff, but all saw the laughter in the girl's eyes.

"Leon," now Arthur turned to him, Leon straightened his back, "you have been my brother, you took me under your care when no one tared, you are one of who is responsible for the man I have become. To you, when I am king, will be the position of the first knight and prime adviser, even when we sit around the roundtable, your advice will be the one I will most consider, with Gaius' of course."

"I will accept it with gratitude." Leon bowed.

"Alright, now. Let's make this place liveable and I will plan out the watch rotation." As Arthur said that the tension left the room and Leon saw how Merlin hugged Lancelot in congratulation, and his world crumbled. He was right Merlin loved Lancelot.

Leon leaned his head back to the column, one leg outstretched other bent to his chest, his right arm resting on the knees. He was playing with his dagger; he held the dagger in his left hand and turned it tip on his right hands index finger.

They could die tomorrow when they did try to get back the kingdom, to banish Morgana from the throne and from the kingdom. He did not have anything against dying, he accepted it long ago. Now when he knew that he did not have anything to expect from his personal future, he would gladly welcome his last breath.

"What thoughts are making their rounds in your head, Leon?" Gaius came and sat on a chair, looking the knight with a quizzical brow.

"Everything and nothing." Leon really did not want to fall into discussion with Gaius.

"I never thought that I would say this to you, but you are a fool. You could die tomorrow." Leon knew exactly what Gaius was talking about.

"I am a knight of this realm; it is expected from me." Leon shrugged his shoulders.

"Talk to her!" Gaius kept his voice quiet, but all his frustration shown through his order. "Did you not see what happened? Arthur nullified The Law of Nobility by knighting commoners, now no one can turn it back." That Leon had not considered, Gaius was right, there was no law anymore, even if the kingdom did not know it yet. But he did not have any hope from Merlin either.

"Gaius, she does not love me." Leon turned where Merlin was talking with Lancelot.

"You, really are a fool and I thought you to be the smartest of all the knights," Gaius thought a little, "and that does not lift my confident in the armed force of Camelot." Gaius shook his head and followed Leon's gaze. "Lancelot is a friend, a dear one. She does not love him. And he is only one beside me and you, who knows her secret." the last part was a whisper.

"How?" Leon could not fathom Merlin to just telling someone, something so big.

"Try to remember how to kill a griffin."

Leon frowned, it was a strange question to ask, but his eyes lit up, "with magic."

"Yes, Merlin helped Lancelot in killing the griffin and so he learned who she was. And there is another matter, Lancelot loves another."

Lancelot's eyes were not fixed on Merlin while she was talking, but at Gwen, who was few paces away talking to Elyan.

"Oh." was the only sound that came out of Leon.

"Yes, oh." Gaius muttered, everything in him tried to hold him back to keep him throttling the knight. "Go talk to her."

As Gaius as said those words, Leon saw Percival entering to the castle. "I cannot, not yet my watch has started."

"Do not evade it."

"I am not, will talk to her, soon as I can." Leon walked out of the great hall. Gaius shook his head in frustration.

He made his round about the castle; the night was quiet and hope that Morgana and her men thought it was occupied with bandits was their only cover. In that hope they had lit the fire in the hearth and little fire at outside for the ones who were on the watch.

He sat by the fire and adding wood to it. He placed his back against the wall and enjoyed the night. Gaius was right, he knew, he needed to talk Merlin and soon.

Soft steppes approached, he knew them well, he had heard them calm, sneaking and running, and they grew closer. Had Gaius had a talk with her too? That could not be, the older man would have not betrayed his confidence. Leon shook his head, Gaius had kept his secret for this long, he would not betray him thus.

He took a deep breath and looked at the fire, he did not turn nor acknowledge her, his courage had left him. Fear of getting rejected, was growing in him.

He stiffened when Merlin sat right beside him, so close that he had to keep his thought at bay otherwise he would do something stupid.

"Leon, I think we should talk." She said quietly.

He could only nod, he second in command of Prince of Camelot was so scared that he was afraid he would lose his mind.

"Almost a year ago, you said you loved me." the words were quieter more hesitant than before.

Leon gulped and got his voice back, he was the knight of Camelot, he had faced more scarier things than this slip of a girl. "I loved you, I love you and will love you forever." He could say it, but he could not look at her.

There was silence, Leon felt how his world was crumbling, he had again handed her his heart, but she did not say anything.

"I started to think," suddenly she spoke, "when was the first time I knew that I was in love with you."

Leon head shot up, had he heard right, was he dreaming, he could not look at her not just yet.

"It was right after the dragon attack; I was the one who found you. You laid there one foot under the horse, you did not move, I did not see you breathe, I was so afraid," her hand slipped to his hand, what laid on his tight, her fingers started prying of his glove, finger by finger, "something inside me broke, I could not imagine my life without you. You not beside me, with your calm presence, dry humour. The feeling that everything will be all right when you are there, even if you are miles away. The knowledge what you could and would do for Arthur and Camelot." The glove was halfway of his hand, he looked how her fingers worked, mesmerised.

"It hurt that I would not see how your blue eyes would shine in mirth and your annoyance over that lock of hair that was always falling into your eyes, it had been my constant amusement watching your battle with it, waiting when you finally get so annoyed that you cut it off.

I was kneeling there beside you, tears running down my face and suddenly understanding what I felt. I did not care for you as a friend, but I was in love with you." The glove came of his hand, she took it and placed her hand in his. "Then I saw you take a breath and the pain started to diminish, you were alive, you had not died, but you were not out of the woods yet. When we discovered that you were blind, I felt your loss and my own, knowing that if it were permanent you would leave, and I would never see you again. Thankfully, all was well, and you stayed one constant in my life. I fell in love with you more every day after that. I do not know how many times I wanted to say the words to you, but I could not. When you confessed your feelings to me at the tower, I was so in shock that I had to run, I was a fool. Will you forgive me for hurting you and myself."

For the first time Leon could look at her, her hesitant and hopeful eyes.

"You love me?" was the only thing he could get out off.

"With all my heart."

Leon smiled, "A I said before I fell in love with you the moment, I first saw you."

She smiled, but then frowned and with sudden movement she was up. She walked on the other side of the fire. "I know what we could be would never be, because of the Law of the Nobility."

Leon looked at his arm left hanging after her, it felt so empty he wanted to curse. But thru the silence her words reached to him and only thing he could to was laugh.

"Why are you laughing at me?" there was anger in the words.

But Leon could not stop, he rose and went to her. "I am not laughing at you," Merlin raised her brow, "all right, I am laughing at you a little. But I am laughing at the situation. You are as blind as I was. Gaius had to point it out to me," he took her face between his hands, "there is no Law of Nobility no more. Arthur nullified it when he knighted, Percival, Gwaine, Lancelot and Elyan. He made commoners knights, there is nothing that could stop us right now." She gasped and Leon nodded, "I love you Merlin, more than you can imagine, I have never loved no one like you nor I never will." Then he kissed her, at the beginning it was hesitant, just a little peck, but her lips were so soft, that he could not take his lips from her.

Finally, he took a step back, and smiled at the dreamy look on her face. He took a breath, first he was on a watch, and he could not let himself be distracted and he had to make a final confession, that might make her turn around and leave.

"What?" Merlin looked confused.

"I have to confess something, otherwise this will not work."

"You have a wife and several children up at North?" Merlin tried to lighten the mood.

"I know your secret." He had to be blunt, beating around the bush would not help.

"What are you talking about?" Merlin was going to play stupid.

"I know you have..." Leon looked around seeing no one, "... magic."

Seeing Leon's honest face, Merlin understood, that there was no reason deny it. "How?"

Leon told her about the tournament and what he had seen. "And you did not report me? You dislike magic!"

That Leon had not expected, he took a step back and then another, he felt like Merlin had just punched him in the gut. "I thought you knew me. You forget I was born five years before the Great Purge; I grew up surrounded by magic."

"Leon..." Merlin tried to step closer.

"No, please," he stepped back and turned, edge of the cliff was few paced from him, and he walked there, "my nanny was a magic user, she showed how much good magic can do. She told me the old lore, about the old gods. I do not dislike magic; you know why I have done what I have," He stepped closer to the edge, forever there would be regrets, "I am knight of Camelot, I must do what I am ordered, King Uther will not change his ways. You heard what I said to Arthur when I came back, I needed and still need to show my support to the king, otherwise I will be sent away, and I cannot help Arthur."

Leon turned to Merlin; she had stepped closer. "Continuing as I have, always prim and proper following the rules and order, I can disappear behind the scenes. Doing that I can play with rules and orders, you have seen it."

"Leon, I am sorry, I did not think, the words left my mouth before I caught them. I know you and I love you. And I have seen what you could do and how, you had helped so many, risking your life, your reputation, your title and now I have insulted you. I am an idiot as Gaius loves to say, I hurt you and I did not mean do. Can you forgive me?" Merlin took, his hand and placed it on her cheek.

Leon saw the regret in her eyes, he sighed and stepped closer placing his hand over hers, understanding hit him, it was so simple. "Of course, I forgive you, I love you and I know you love me and trust your heart to me, but you do not trust your secret and that is understandable. Before you have shared your secret, always maybe not so willingly, but I discovered it and you have had only minutes to digest the knowledge. I have kept it for three years and I will keep it until my dying breath, you just must come to terms with it."

"I will try, and I know I accept it soon, but until that time let's not discuss it with each other." Merlin smiled sadly.

"Of course, as you wish," he kissed Merlin gently, "but now you most go and find your rest, we have a long day tomorrow and we do not know when we can sleep again." he kissed Merlin's forehead and added to himself: if we ever will again.

"You are right, when will you watch end?" She did not want to leave him.

"Lancelot will soon replace me," he bulled her into his arms, smell of herbs and magic engulfed him, "go to sleep Merlin, I will come and place my bed near you, when I am finished here."

"I will, good night, Leon and do not be too long." She stepped out of his arms and kissed his cheek and returned to the castle, only when she had disappeared behind the walls Leon discovered that she had not returned his glove.

The plan had been set last evening, in the morning they had confirmed it and Leon frowned, he looked at Merlin and knew something was up. As soon he could he cornered her.

"What are you planning?" Leon stepped closer and tracked her cheek with his thumb.

"I am going to stop the warning bells with Lancelot." She smiled innocently taking his hand in hers.

"I know you, my darling," it was the first time he called her thus with intention, "You are not going to the warning bells, you are going after the cup."

She blushed hearing the name but sighed at his accusation, "Yes, you know me well." She said nothing else.

"Do not do anything stupid, I cannot be there to protect you." He pulled her little bit closer.

"Lancelot will be with me, he will protect me," She pushed the annoying lock out of his eyes.

Leon held back his curse word that wanted to come over his lips. "I cannot talk you out of it?"

"No, you cannot, we both need to do what we must," tender smile played on her lips, "Please be careful yourself, I cannot lose you."

"I will to everything in my power to come back to you." he answered her smile and kissed her.

"Oy, Leon what are you doing with my servant?" Arthur irritated question interrupted them, Leon groaned aloud, Merlin tried to step back but Leon held her close. "The same thing what you are doing with Gwen." He shot challenging look at Arthur, "and I have her guardian's permission." Leon nodded at Gaius. He saw that they had gotten everyone's attention, he had not wanted it to come out so quickly, but now he did not have a chance to deny or cover anything.

Arthur sputtered but did not get any words out before Leon continued, "the reason I am doing it is because of you. You made it happened."

"What? Me? How?" Arthur was confused.

Leon held his laughter back, Arthur did not know what he had done, the knight looked at Gaius, to let the older man explain.

"Sire," the physician turned to the prince, "when you knighted Sir Lancelot, Sir Percival, Sir Gwaine and Sir Elyan, the Law of Nobility ceased to exist, it is now null and void. You can court and marry Guinevere and the same is valid to Sir Leon and Merlin."

Arthur looked shocked, he looked at everyone and the said. "Well, I did not consider that there would be consequences like that," a smile grew on his face, "but that law should have been nullified years ago," he smiled at Leon and Merlin, "I allow it, everyone need some happiness in his or her life." He pulled Gwen close to him and kissed her brow. Leon sighed in relief, they did no need Arthur's permission, but having it made things much simpler.

Then Arthur groaned, "I have so much explained to do when we get Camelot back."

"First we must get Camelot back, Princess." Gwaine exclaimed cheerfully.

"Yes," Arthur shot annoyed look at Gwaine, "let us move out."

Merlin stepped out from Leon's arms, "Be careful."

"You do." Leon kissed her, knowing that he may not do it ever again.

"I have this for good luck." She waved his glove at him and dashed out of the castle. He shook his head, laughed and followed her, at least life was not boring.