A/N: Here us the next part of the last before the last chapter. Enjoy.
Leon opened the door and looked around; Arthur's guards were nowhere in sight. At least they listened orders, few years back Arthur had degreed, that if he was with one of the knights, they did not want to see any sight of his guards. He heard voiced from the guard room at the end of the corridor, he let out a breath and started to the room when he was saved from making the trip. One of the guards had heard opening the door and came to see.
"Sir Leon?"
The knight tried to find his name from the back of his memory, he had gone to a patrol with the guard, but what was his name, something starting with a B, used the first one that came to mind and hoped he was right. "Bearn," seeing the guard standing straighter, he was right with the name, "could you please find Merlin and tell her, that prince Arthur is with me."
"Of course, Sir Leon." The bowed his head in acceptance
"And find out if the new knights are back and are liking they rooms," Then Leon frowned, "I suspect she already knows about it, so just tell her I will ask her about it."
The guard repeated the words: "Of course, Sir Leon." like he did not know what else to say. "Much appreciated, thank you Bearn." Leon said stepped into his rooms again. He did not see the flabbergasted look the guard sent after him. The guards and the servants often forgot that Leon was one of the nobles who knew to be grateful for the service they provided.
In the chamber Arthur had sat on the chair before the desk again in his usual comfortable position and wishfully looked at the dagger in the ceiling. Leon moved to his own chair, and he was not going to get the dagger back down so Arthur could amuse himself.
"I have only the captain of the guard report to read thru, before I give it to you, if you wish to do something, you can read my report." Leon offered the parchment to the prince who only nodded, accepted it, and started reading.
Leon focused on the captain's report, as he read, all his suspicions were conformed, there were guards who had voluntarily gone to Morgana's side, some were manipulated, and some were threatened. Morgana had gotten what she wanted: protection force of Camelot.
When he reached the end of the report, he felt Arthur's eyes on himself, he pretended to read on and tried to figure out if he had written, about their escape just disguise or had he added the dress bit. But no, only way the dress thing would come out, was if Gwen told someone. And then Elyan would blubber out that he and Leon had once helped Gwen to train how to wear a long dress, with wearing dresses as well. Leon really hoped that that day would never come.
He raised his head and met Arthur's gaze, "what?"
"Guinevere told us what happened but reading this..." Arthur did not finish the sentence.
"Arthur do not worry, I am fine, I am here, I am not going anywhere. Gaius checked me over and said, that I needed little rest and then I will be well."
"I know, but it still hard." Arthur looked at him, concern written in his eyes, "I hope I can give you rest, but it seems impossible, at least we have now knights, who I can trust completely." Arthur shot a look at the dagger in the ceiling again and Leon waited, he knew there was more to come.
"You know when I knighted them, everything went somehow into place. When I knighted Lancelot, I was glad, finally I can give him what he deserves, he has wanted so long to be a knight and I could give it to him. With Percival was contentment, we had just met, and he gave his trust to me without any hesitation and only thing I could to was give mine back to him, give him place to stay to be, to show what he is worth." Arthur looked at Leon and saw the understanding in the older man's eyes, "Gwaine, there is something in him, that I cannot put my finger on," Leon almost smirked could Arthur really not see what was in front of him, "he agreed to become a knight only because of Merlin, I know that, but, seeing what Camelot is all about he will add me and you and the kingdom altogether into his loyalties. Elyan, I know him since I was a child, I never associate with him, but he was with you, even from afar I could see his sense of adventure, I was always little bit sad that he could not be a knight, that he had to bury himself into the smithy, although he created best swords in Camelot with his father, before he left. I was delighted when I knighted him, I could now offer him the world full of adventures and no one could stop me."
"You know when he has free time, he will go back to the smithy and make best swords in Camelot."
"Really?" Arthur perked up.
"Yes, I heard him, and Gwen discuss how they are going use the smithy now." Leon smiled, seeing Arthur mood recovering.
That moment the door opened, and Merlin strolled in with a big tray. Leon felt how his heart stopped, everything he ever had wish for in the love of his life, even her clumsiness. He shot up when Merlin stumbled on her own feet, but as she got her balance back and reached to the desk with the tray.
She looked smilingly at Leon. "Marleana send you some soup and added some chicken and bread too, if your stomach should be up to it."
"Why should not his stomach be up to it." Arthur looked her with confusion.
Merlin rolled her eyes. "Here is why you would never be a physician and shows that you did not listen when you had lessons with Gaius, you Prat."
"Merlin!" The way name was said, held in it a command to stop the gibberish and explain.
"Well while we had rats and everything we could find in the forest, Leon did not. He starved, right now, his stomach cannot hold solid food, he might get sick." Arthur looked at Leon, he had not considered that.
"I will recover, do not worry," Leon sent a smile to Arthur and turned to Merlin, "have you eaten?" before Merlin could answer, raised his hand to stop her, "and please do not lie."
Merlin raised annoyed eyebrow; he knew her too well. "Last time I ate was this morning."
"Well then, you can have my chicken and bread, because I am afraid, my stomach will protest, and I can only eat half that soup Marleana sent me."
He did not see the worried look Merlin and Arthur exchanged, he the foods he did not need in front of Merlin and started to eat. He did not see how Arthur raised his brow at Merlin, wanting to say something and Merlin shaking her head. Arthur huffed took few things from his plate and placed them on the one Leon had given to Merlin.
"You inquired about our friends," Merlin said before taking a bite, "they are back from the tavern." She closed her mouth for a moment when Leon's right hand came under the desk and took her left. She looked at Leon, who smirked and almost said: ambidexterity should be useful for more than swords play. But he held himself back, so not to get Arthur's attention, who had not seen that his usually right-handed second in command was eating with his left.
"Gwaine complained how, he could not drag Elyan into drinking game, because Lancelot had reasoned with him, and Percival had been a peacemaker." Leon and Arthur exchanged looks: teamwork.
"They are rooms are in the next corridor parallel to this one. They are next to each other."
"Good, that helps them a lot." Leon was pleased with the Steward; the man knew what he was doing.
"Did the messenger went out as we planned?" Arthur inquired.
"They went all out and the letter we sent bears your mother's seal as Gaius recommended, all lords know that you are the only one who knows where the seal was placed, after the troll incident. When the message reach to them, I hope the knight who went to hiding will know that Camelot is back in your hands." Leon answered, took another bite, and discovered, that is stomach was on a rebellious strike and really did not want more food.
"Yes, that should help, was one of the lords who got the message your brother?" when Leon nodded, Arthur continued voice full of curiosity, "Gwen told us that you had her send to you mother a message, what did you mean with it?"
Leon pushed the bowel from him and leaned back in his chair. "I forgot that you do not know something regarding your childhood." Arthur raised his eyebrow at those words. "My father was three years your fathers first knight, there was a plan. If Camelot was conquered your father captured or killed, my mother must get you and Morgana out of the citadel and the city and hide and raise you. And when the time was right, she would help you raise an army and get Camelot back. My mother was ready to do that, she has still all the contacts all the ways to help you. If I would not have sent her word in two weeks, she would have known that I was dead, and she would have done everything to find you and help you to get Camelot back and save your father." Leon saw how with every word Arthur's eyes grew larger.
Smirk formed on his lips. "Your mother is formidable woman; I should make her my spymaster."
If Leon would have drunk something, he would have spitted it out, but seeing laughter on the prince's face, he smiled as well. "Well, you can do that, if you want my mother know everything about you."
Arthur blanched. "Not everything," then his face fell more, "I have to learn so much, I do not even know who my father's spymaster is." Leon saw that there was so much more he needed to do, to get Arthur back to normal.
"Merlin," Leon squeezed Merlin's hand, the girl looked at him, "would you be so kind and bring two pitchers of wine."
"Two?" Merlin was surprised.
"Yes, two."
"Of course, if you ask so kindly." She smiled and Leon kissed her hand.
"Oh gods," Arthur groaned, "I have to get used to it."
Merlin took the dishes and as she went pass Arthur, she stuck out her tongue, Leon did everything so he would not laugh. "We must get used to you and Gwen."
"If you put it that way." Arthur recognized, but smile what Leon waited did not come. He looked his prince, his friend, his brother.
"What say you, about a game of chess?" Light lit in Arthur's eyes at the question.
"Chess, when was the last time we played?"
"It has been sometime. Come, let us play." Leon led the way to the chessboard in front of the fireplace, taking the red pieces, leaving the white ones to Arthur.
"Is this the one what I gifted you, after Bayard took your fathers."
"Yes." Leon looked at the board, his oldest brother had demanded that their fathers should be given him after Lionel had died. Few months later Arthur had given the board for his birthday. It was one of his cherished possessions, he was glad when Morgana ruled no one had broken into his rooms.
Instead of making the first move Arthur took the kings piece and looked it. "I will learn more secrets of this kingdom." He looked at Leon, "and so will you, when you will become my first knight."
"Your first knight?" Leon should have not been surprised; Arthur had promised as much to him in the Castle of Ancient King's.
"Yes, my second in command. I cannot be alone in the top. I need you do be my side."
Leon shook his head and took his queen piece, "we know this piece as a queen, but I have heard it call an advisor or minister, I will be your first knight and protect you, like the piece protects the king. I will help you as much I can."
"I knew that I could count on you." A small smile formed on Arthur's lips, "you need to find yourself a second in command."
At this Leon frowned, a second in command, where would he find someone who would fit, then he had an idea. "Do not worry about it. I have solution, I will have a four second in commands."
"You are going to make the Knights of the Round Table your seconds?" It was the first time that the name the Knights of the Round Table was used. Leon smiled; the name fitted.
"Yes, but first they must be trained."
"You do not even know if they can read and write."
Leon's smile grew larger. "Elyan can, my mother always thought that if Gwen and Elyan can play with me, they should sit in my studies too." Leon waves his hand to signal Arthur to make his move. "I do not know about Lancelot and Percival, but I think there will not be any problem to teach them, and I am quite sure Gwaine knows as well."
"How can you be sure of that?" Arthur moved his rook in front of his queen two places.
"As you said, there is something about him." How Arthur did not see what it was, baffled Leon. Nobleman recognizes another nobleman afar, even if one tries to hide his descendant behind commoner's mask. Leon was quite sure if he would go and trouble Sir Geoffrey, he would likely to find Gwaine's family from the almanac of Carleon. Gwaine's sword was definitely made in Carleon one thing Leon knew well were weapons and it was a knight's sword not a common soldier's.
"If you say so." They discussion was again interrupted by Merlin who came back with two pitchers. Leon pulled little table to the chessboard placed tree goblets on it and gestured Merlin to place the pitchers. He brought the chair what Arthur had occupied before by the table.
"Is there anything more you need?" She asked, not seeing the clues what were before her.
"Yes, fill the goblets, sit and have a drink with us." Arthur said never taking his eyes off the board.
"With you?" Merlin had drink with Leon and Arthur before, but in the tavern never in privet in one of their rooms.
"Yes, times have changed, pour the wine and have a seat."
"If you look at the table, there are three goblets and a chair I already assumed you will join us." Leon smiled and looked at the board making his next move.
Merlin smiled filled the goblets and handed to the men.
"What shall we drink to?" Leon asked.
Arthur considered for a moment. "To friendship and to changes." He raised his drink.
"To friendship and to changes." Merlin and Leon concurred.
Leon and Arthur continued to play, Merlin looked on and made snide comments. While Leon and Merlin kept drinking with small sips and started their second goblet Arthur was in the middle of his fifth and was getting very drunk.
Merlin decided to intervene. "Dollope-head, isn't it too much already, you are as bad as Gwaine."
"For that I could order you muck out the stables." Arthur slurred.
"What about change and equality, maybe you should go to the stables instead of me, physical work would do much good to you." Merlin smirked behind her wine goblet.
"Merlin!"
"What? It would be good to your waistline." As she said that, she rose and ducked quickly behind Leon's chair.
"You cannot always hide behind your knight in a shining armour." Arthur grumbled and placed the bishop with what he had indented to throw Merlin onto the board, like he had always indented to do so.
Leon raised his left eyebrow, it was getting to be too much for the prince, if he had been more sober, he would have seen the opening he gave to Leon's knight.
Twelve moves and sixth empty goblet later, Leon had won, it had been easy game. Too easy.
"Sire, I think it is time for you do go to bed, you have a full schedule tomorrow."
"You are right." Arthur rose, took his nightclothes Merlin had brought with the pitchers and went behind the screen.
Merlin was flabbergasted, "how did you do it?"
"It was the way I approached it." Leon did not explain more.
Leon looked at the screen and frown on his face deepened. "I know it was not perfect solution. But it was the only one, I could come up with."
"Your punishment will be sleeping in the same bed with him." Merlin smirked and emptied her goblet.
"Thankfully, I have a big bed and I know how he sleeps." At those words Arthur stepped out behind the screen, staggered to the bed, fell on his back, and slept as soon his head hit the pillow. Merlin and Leon looked at him, Merlin raised an amused eyebrow, which Leon decided to ignore.
Merlin chuckled, dug in her pocked and produced a vial. "Gaius' strongest hangover potion. We do not want a grumpy and hangover regent on our backs tomorrow."
Leon took the vial, placed it on the table, rose tugged Merlin up and kissed her. "What would I do without you?"
Merlin took a breath; the kiss had her knees weak and then laughed: "Suffer the grumpy regent."
"You are a gem among the women." Leon kissed her again.
"I would have never figured you a sweet-talking man." Merlin took a step back and pushed the lock of hair from his eyes.
"You are a gem and that is not a sweet talk."
Merlin smiled, but suddenly it faltered.
"What is it?" Leon pushed her hair, that had fallen to her face, behind her ear and lifted her chin.
"A maid and a first knight, that does not sound right." Her eyes were full of sadness and hesitation.
"To me it does, and you forget, there is no Law of Nobility anymore," he gave her a peck on the lips, "and you forget, Arthur promised to you the position of court physician. Maybe you will be court sorceress even sooner than the physician if everything goes as most of us hope for."
He kissed her brow and his eyes landed on Arthur, could the prince really do it all.
Merlin saw it and squeezed his hand. "Now you are doubting in him." Leon only nodded.
"Stop looking at this like Leon Leodegrance, chosen brother of Arthur Pendragon. Look at this as Sir Leon Leodegrance, knight of Camelot, first knight of prince regent Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. Does the latter believe that Arthur can do it."
Leon looked at her and then Arthur and nodded again. "Yes, I do believe that the young man will be everything I hoped for, and he will even exceed those expectations."
"He will, believe me, he will." Merlin smiled brightly up at him.
"I do." He engulfed her into a hug, oh if she only would keep smiling like that him forever. "I love you; I have not told you this today."
"No, you have not, and I love you too," she kissed his cheek and stepped back, "now our loyal knight, it is time we should part, we both need our rest."
"You are right, my fair lady, have good dreams."
"I will, and I hope you have a good sleep." saying that she looked at the bed, doubting her own hopes.
"I have slept in the same bed with him before. Do not worry I will manage."
"If, you are sure. Good night."
"Good night." He kissed her once more and she turned to leave. When she was closing the door, she saw how Leon looked at the dagger in his ceiling. She smirked, her eyes flashed gold and the dagger fell into Leon's hand. Last thing she saw before closing the door was Leon's surprised look.
Leon wanted laugh aloud, but he stopped himself, fearing waking Arthur. He looked the dagger and felt happiness, Merlin had used first time magic openly with him, she trusted him. His life was good.
At that moment Arthur snored loudly. Leon gazed at him, punishment indeed. He was quite sure that bed fitted six full grown men but somehow Arthur had occupied it all. Leon sighed, placed the dagger in it scabbard and he was going to do everything to get good night sleep.