Leon packed, wondering what in the world could be so important to Arthur right now given all that had happened. He knew it must be important; Arthur wasn't a fool. Camelot needed time and guidance to calm after the Doracha, but for some unknown reason, Arthur had sent word to pack for a three or four day trip. The messenger hadn't even told them where they were going, only that they were.
In the end, it didn't really matter. Leon knew Arthur. Trusted him. Would ride into the mouth of hell for him. He smiled slightly as he checked that he had the necessary gear before swinging the pack up onto his shoulder. Would this be another mouth of hell? He hoped not. Perhaps the Prince Regent merely needed some time away after everything that happened. He hadn't really had time to mourn yet and Leon knew he needed to mourn. They all did.
He'd made sure that Lancelot took a night off just the other day and it seemed, from Gwaine's veiled admissions, that the two of them had sorted out some of their feelings surrounding Merlin's sacrifice. He had seen Elyan comforting his sister on more than one occasion, but with all the work that required Arthur's attention and his alone, he wasn't sure the Prince had had a moment to fully accept the loss.
He was already aware the Arthur had gone through TWO new servants in the FOUR days since their return. He wasn't sure why, but it likely had nothing to do with their ability to serve. Arthur had always complained about Merlin's inability to do even the simplest of servant tasks correctly or silently, which was by far the bigger problem.
Leon sighed. He knew the real problem. The problem was that the prince had just lost his closest friend. Not that he didn't consider the knights to be his friends, but there was an element of duty to their relationship that was different from what the Prince shared with his servant. Merlin wasn't a slave. He could have left at any time had he truly wanted to, but the young man had stayed. He had stayed despite the long hours and demands and complaining of his master. But it was more than even that.
Until Merlin came along, the knights would have scoffed at taking a servant on patrol, but somehow, with Merlin, it had always seemed like the right thing. Before Merlin, if a servant had come on a hunt, they would have ridden silently at the back of the line, performing their tasks without being asked. But Merlin was always right by Arthur, bit like a tall, gangly shadow, or a kid brother (to which Leon could personally attest having a younger brother himself who was roughly 10 years his junior).
Perhaps that was why Leon had come to feel rather protective of the young man over time. There was something about Merlin's enthusiasm that reminded Leon of Eadric, his brother. Perhaps it was the honesty in him. Or that he always spoke his mind, much like a child. Leon wasn't sure. He also wasn't sure when he had come to think of Merlin like a little brother to be protected and teased, but sometime over their years of acquaintance, it had happened.
"Do you know where we're going?" Gwaine's voice interrupted Leon's thoughts. "All I got was a "Be ready to ride" order."
Leon suppressed a smile at the mocking tone of the rogue knight's voice. "No," he replied simply.
Gwaine groaned. "I had plans tonight," Gwaine complained.
"They didn't involve the new serving girl at the Barrel's Bottom, did they?" Percival asked.
"As a matter of fact they did. A particularly buxom blonde named Griselda," Gwaine agreed with a grin. The other knights chuckled.
"Then perhaps it's for the best that you're coming with me," Arthur's voice came from just behind the group. Leon bowed to the Prince Regent, and several of the others followed suit.
Gwaine rolled his eyes. "Well, that depends on where we're going and if there will be any other opportunities for fun along the way."
Arthur shook his head in exasperation as Gwen arrived with Elyan, both carrying packs. Leon had been wondering who the remaining horses would be for. Now he knew. He didn't even question Merlin's mare among the group, though some part of his mind knew the horse would be without a rider. Leon waited until they were underway to approach Arthur.
"Sire," he murmured, catching Arthur's attention. "Where are we going?" he asked, "Your message was vague."
"Ealdor," Arthur answered simply.
Leon frowned. "Ealdor," he mouthed, trying to make sense of it. He knew he recognized the name, but he wasn't sure why. Wasn't Ealdor in Essetir? Cenrid was dead and the kingdom had dissolved into warring factions fighting over the throne. What would they be doing in Ealdor?
"Merlin's mother is there," Arthur stated and Leon immediately understood.
"You want to tell her in person," Leon guessed.
Arthur nodded. "Among other things," he admitted.
"Other things?" Leon questioned. What other things?
"I'm planning a ceremony for Merlin," Arthur admitted softly. "To honor him for what he did. I would like Hunith to be there."
"Ah," Leon sighed. That did make sense. That explained why they were taking Merlin's mare with them. Hunith would need a mount if she was to accompany them back to Camelot. It would also explain why Arthur had been holed up in his room when not actively attending council meetings or assisting personally with rebuilding the city or training the knights. It might even explain why Leon had very nearly run Geoffrey down as the older man was leaving Arthur's chambers the other day. They were planning something. Leon was naturally curious, but chose not to ask. He didn't want to embarrass the Prince with his questions and they all knew that Arthur was not a sentimental person.
Perhaps that was why Merlin had seemed such a perfect fit with the young ruler. Merlin wore his heart on his sleeve. Another child-like trait Leon had come to appreciate.
The trip itself was uneventful. No bandits attacked, no mercenaries, no magical beasts or men to interrupt the riders. They slept only one night on the road, reaching Ealdor about noon that next day.
Leon was initially anxious. A small village like Ealdor was likely unused to such a large entourage of knights riding into town, but his fears were quickly squashed as the people called out to Arthur, greeting him by name. They knew him here. And clearly their impression of the Prince was favourable.
"They know him?" Gwaine muttered by Leon's left, clearly confused. "I thought he didn't leave the borders of Camelot."
"He came a few years ago when they were being harassed by bandits," Gwen informed the knight from Leon's other side. Leon caught her smile. "He killed the leader and saved the village."
"All by himself?" Gwaine asked, genuinely surprised.
"Well, no, not exactly," Gwen admitted. "He spent a few days teaching the people how to defend themselves and then we all fought together."
"You were there?"
Gwen nodded. "We came to help Merlin," she explained. "His mother came to Uther for aid, but he couldn't send soldiers into Cenrid's kingdom without starting a war, so it was just us. Merlin, Arthur, myself," she paused and swallowed, "And Morgana."
"Huh," was Gwaine's response to that as he focused on the Prince a few paces ahead of them.
Arthur was forced to dismount as the villagers swarmed him. There were more than a few handclasps and pats on the back as he was welcomed back.
"Where's Hunith?" he asked when he got a chance.
"Prince Arthur?" a woman's voice called over the crowd and the people parted to allow the brown-haired woman to approach. She smiled as she came closer. "What brings you to Ealdor?" she asked curious even as her eyes scanned the crowd behind him.
Arthur knew what she was looking for, or rather who.
Arthur thought he was ready for this, thought he had known what to say, but all his pretty speeches fled at the sincere excitement in Hunith's eyes as she searched for her son.
It took her a moment to realize that Arthur was staring at her, clearly at a loss of what to say. Arthur could read the question in her eyes and could practically feel the chill rolling off her as she realized her son wasn't there. No matter what proper decorum said, Merlin would have been right there beside Arthur to say hello, not hiding at the back. She met Arthur's gaze and smiled. This was going to hard for him to say.
"Why don't you come inside and sit?" she suggested. "I'm sure you've had a long trip." Arthur opened his mouth to interrupt her, but she pressed on softly. "And then you can tell me why Merlin didn't come here with you."
Arthur nodded. Perhaps that would be best. While Leon and the other knights took care of the horses, Arthur went with Gwen into the small home. But even once seated, Arthur didn't know how to start.
"Where is Merlin?" Hunith asked softly. "Where is my son?"
"I'm sorry, Hunith," Arthur said at last. "He..." he sighed and started over. "On the night of Samhain, the Doracha, the Spirits of the Dead, were released through a blood sacrifice, so I took some knights and Merlin and went to repair the tear between worlds, but when we arrived, the Calileach demanded another sacrifice to close the rip, so I tried to... I don't know what happened exactly, I was knocked unconscious, but Merlin offered himself in my place." Arthur stopped. Even he knew that he sounded like a rambling idiot. "I'm so sorry," he said again as the tears in Hunith's eyes over-flowed down her cheeks. "He shouldn't have even been there," Arthur rambled on again. "But he's stubborn, you know, I'm sure, and he insisted on coming even after... after everything."
"He only ever wanted to protect you," Hunith said, even as the tears continued to pour down her cheeks. "And that's what he did." She was trying to be strong, but there was only so much she could manage as she gasped slightly and covered her mouth in an attempt to silence her sobs. She lowered her head and was only momentarily surprised when dark arms surrounded her, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Arthur could only watch as Gwen comforted the sobbing woman. He really had thought himself prepared to tell what had happened almost a fortnight ago. Apparently, he'd been wrong. That speech he was working on would definitely require practice.
"Hunith," Arthur murmured when the tears had finally subsided. "I want to honour Merlin for what he did. There will be a ceremony and I would very much like for you to be there."
Hunith's eyes glowed with pride, though Arthur wasn't entirely sure why. Surely she would prefer to have her son. "It would be my honour to be there, sire."