First Official Visit

By Montez

Disclaimer: see chapter one

Chapter 13

It was near dark, but Cador was not giving up, this had been the first sign of hope they had over this terrible week. Making their way upriver they heard cows in the distance, so they knew a village was nearby, but they also knew they needed to be careful, they had crossed the border into Essitir a while back. The men came to a halt as they spotted a worn path from the river through the woods.

Dismounting Sir Cador looked over at Sir Richard, "we need to leave our stuff here. Leon removed their chainmail to not arouse suspicion, if they are in this village, we need to do the same. The possibility of four strangers within a week showing up could cause a panic, especially if we go in dressed as Knights of a neighboring kingdom. The rest of you pull back downriver a bit but stay close enough in case there is an issue."

Quiet "yes Sir's" were heard as Cador and Richard removed that own chainmail shirts and cloaks, though unlike his son who he could only assume removed his weaponry to appear less threatening (though he did admit when his son is not in his armor he did look much younger than his twenty years), Cador would keep his sword belt on him. With a final look at the men that were moving back downriver and Sir Richard next to him, he mounted his horse and slowly made his way along the well-worn path.

Leon and Hunith were sitting outside the quiet house, Merlin and Arthur could be heard trying to continue their pebble tossing game in the weaning light. Leon had always liked watching as the stars appeared in the night sky. Though his mind had been racing with what might be waiting for them once they reached the Castle, he still tried to find peace in the appearance of all the tiny, twinkling lights. They would be heading in soon, he wanted to start out at first light, not exactly sure just how far they were from the Citadel, he wanted to cover as much ground as Arthur could handle, though insisting he was better Leon could still see the wince when the boy moved his shoulder funny and the slowly fading colors on the side his face were still gave him some problems when he forgot and reached up to rub his face.

The sound of a horse's whinny caused Leon to stand quickly, according to Hunith it was very rare for anyone to enter the village and even rarer for someone mounted. The young Knight heard the sound again and could just make out movement on the trail to the river, though the approaching darkness and shadows of the forest would not allow a clear view. "Arthur…" Leon whispered, just loud enough for the boy to hear. The blond quickly rounded the corner of the house with Merlin close behind. "Hunith take the boys inside."

"Leon?" Arthur began to speak when another noise caused them all to look.

"Now Arthur, no questions remember, you listen to me with no hesitation, now inside." Leon wished for the first time in a week that he had his sword. He knew the chances of the approaching horses bring trouble was relatively low, but with the Prince with him and the kind woman who had given them shelter, he would not let his guard down until he knew there was no threat. Looking around the older boy spied the ax he had used several times throughout the week, so he reached over grabbing it, it wasn't nearly as heavy as a battle-ax but it would do. Once he knew Hunith had the boys inside, the door closed behind him Leon turned toward the potential threat and waited.

Cador and Richard were nearing the edge of the woods, the path leading to an open field and a small house a short distance away. The men could make out movement ahead but were unable to tell who or how many. Twilight was upon them casting shadows, both Knights knowing chances were they were just coming upon one of the peasant farmers who was both curious and weary of men approaching on horseback from the woods at night.

Nearing the house, still unable to make out the features of the person standing in front of the door Sir Cador called out, "Hello, we don't mean any harm, we are just passing through looking for friends of ours." The Knight watched as the figure suddenly drop the ax he held and take a few stumbling steps forward, but it was the voice that had the man off his horse racing forward.

Leon couldn't believe his ears, it couldn't be. He was sure that Knight's had been searching for them, but once he realized they were over the border in a neighboring kingdom, he never dreamed any would be nearby, let alone, "Father!" He saw the man dismount and quickly make his way forward before he stopped just a few feet in front of him. A relieved sob escaped the older boy as he recognized the man before him, "father…" he whispered rushing forward.

Cador stopped just feet from the figure, praying his mind and hearing had not been playing a cruel trick on him that he had really heard his son call back to him. Emotions that had been waring inside of him for the last week spilled forth as he saw his son's face, "Leon", stepping forward he grabbed ahold of the boy before him and held on for dear life, pulling back slightly, his hand reaching for his son's face, one he never thought he'd see again, he quickly pulled the boy back to him, "God, Leon it's really you." For just those few moments the world disappeared around the father and son as they held one another, both afraid to move for fear it was a cruel joke their minds might be playing. Stepping back again but keeping his hand on his son's face Cador gave a small chuckle of relief. "I never…" another deep breath escaped the older man, "Arthur? Is he…"

His question was stopped by a quiet voice from the now opened door behind them, the little light inside seemed to flood the space before it, "Leon?" Arthur said quietly.

Leon had stepped back and turned when he heard Arthur call his name giving his father his first look at the Prince in nearly a month. Sir Cador stepped forward, "Arthur…"

A huge smile broke over the younger boy's face as he raced forward and jumped into Cador's arms, the older man hugging him nearly as tight as he had his own son. He heard the boy in his arms take in a sharp breath and quickly sat him back on the ground, kneeling in front of him, "Your hurt" the Knight's hand coming to gently cup the young Prince's face just making out the discoloration.

Tears running down his face Arthur stepped back a bit, "I'm getting better, only hurts a little. Hunith took care of me". The blond turned toward the woman who was now standing in the doorway Merlin perched on her hip.

Sir Cador stood keeping a hand on his Prince's shoulder, taking a step toward the woman. "I'm Cador, Leon's father, thank you for taking care of them when I, we", the older night motioning to the man behind him who Leon recognized as Sir Richard, holding the reigns to both horses. "could not, we are forever in your debt. I cannot even begin to repay you for what you did."

"It was nothing anyone else wouldn't have done," Hunith spoke quietly, "Your son has graciously chopped enough wood this week for the next several winters," She laughed as Leon chuckled, pride showing in Cador's face.

The Knight, no Leon's father again turned toward his son, still not believing he was standing there, alive and uninjured. Then glancing down at his young Prince though injured, was on the mend, but more importantly alive, it was more than he could have ever hoped for after the despair of the past week. "Leon" he again pulled his son to him, glancing down "Arthur" also pulling the young boy to his side. This was truly a day he and their kingdom would not forget.

"My father?" Arthur choked out, even at the joy of seeing his father's dearest friend and the first Knight of Camelot, fear filled the young boys voice as he looked at Sir Cador.

Cador remembered the Knights relaying how their young Prince was desperately trying to reach his father's side when he saw him wounded, the Knight knelt before his best friend's son, took his face gently into his hands, minding the still visible bruising, "Arthur, your father is fine. He was injured but he is recovering and desperately missing you." More relieved tears spilled from the blond's eyes and he felt himself again being pulled into a tight embrace.

"Sir," Richard had been standing back, watching the reunion, unimaginable relief overcoming him as he saw his friend and fellow Knight and his Prince both alive and safe. "we need to think about going." The knight knew the rest of their group was down the river some waiting, he worried with as on edge everyone's emotions had been that they may take their prolonged absence as a bad sign, they were in a hostile neighboring kingdom after all.

"Please" Hunith stepped forward looking at the relieved but tired boys before her and the equally weary expression of Leon's father. "it is too late to be safely traveling in the woods. Stay here for the night, Please."

Cador took in the relieved but tired expressions of the two boys before him and knowing how exhausted he was, he looked over at Sir Richard, "Make your way back to camp, let them know that we found Leon and Arthur. I will stay here with them tonight you can meet me back here at first light."

"Yes Sir." Sir Richard replied before walking up to Leon roughly pulling his friend into a tight hug. "Don't ever do that again." Richard spoke softly into Leon's ear. Both men broke apart giving each other a relieved smile and quick pat on the shoulder. "and you…" Richard made his way to the Prince kneeling in front of the smiling boy, "you owe me a rematch remember." Richard was shocked a second until he realized Arthur had thrown himself into the Knight's arms, it took a moment before Richard wrapped his arms around the boy.

"Thank you for keeping my father safe." Arthur mumbled into the young Knight's ear before stepping back.

"My pleasure Sire," the Knight said quietly, not knowing if the woman they had been staying with was aware of who they were. "I will see you in the morning." Sir Richard stepped back, mounted his horse and disappeared into the darkness of the woods.