First Official Visit

By Montez

Disclaimer: see chapter one

Chapter 19

Sir Cador had accompanied his son, much the same way he knew his King was reluctant to leave Arthur's side, so too was Cador reluctant to leave Leon's. Warm water had already been placed in the young Knight's room, so he began the slow process of discarding the clothes he had worn for over a week and started to clean himself. He was not dissuaded by his father's presence but comforted by it. Food and drink had also been placed in the room and despite his exhaustion Leon was hungry.

"Leon," Sir Cador said softly still not believing he was there, that he was alive.

The younger man gave his father a tired smile, "I'm fine father, just glad to be home."

A soft knock at the door pulled their attention as Gaius came in, "Sir Leon, you cannot begin to understand the relief at seeing you safe and home."

"Thank you, Gaius. How is Arthur?" The young Knight sat back in his chair, his tired eyes meeting those of the older man.

"Exhausted, as to be expected, but he seems to be healing very well, tomorrow you must tell me how you were able to care for him so well, but now…" The Physician placed his bag on the table, "I insist on looking you over, though you are not showing any signs of injury, I know how stubborn you knights can be, and it would disperse some of the ache in this old man's heart to be reassured you are truly well."

The young Knight reluctantly nodded, finally beginning to realize not only what the last week had done to Arthur and himself, but those who knew and cared about them outside of their father's. "Of course."

As Leon stood to make his way to the bed, where Gaius had motioned for him to go, he again stumbled slightly, his father's quick reflexes steading his Son, "Leon?" the fear was back, was there something wrong with his Son that they had missed on their mad dash to return their Prince.

The young man also felt Gaius's hand's grab his arm, "It's just exhaustion Father, I promise."

"I'll be the judge of that," Gaius's calm, caring voice responded as both men led Leon to his bed.

Staying on the edge as the older man completed his exam, quietly answering Gaius's questions, Leon finally found himself being eased back against the headboard, a warm blanket was placed across him. "It does seem to appear our young Knight managed to escape any long-term issues; exhaustion appears to be the most pressing concern." Gaius patted the young man's leg as he stood, looking at Sir Cador, "Resting for a few days should help him greatly."

"Thank you, Gaius," Sir Cador replied as the older man collected his supplies to retire to his own chambers.

Once the physician had left Cador came back and sat on the edge of his son's bed, "Told you I was just tired, father." Another Exhausted smile crossed Leon's face.

"I cannot help but worry." The older Knight looking at his hands for a few moments before he saw his son's hand cover them.

"Father?"

Without looking up Cador took his son's hand in his own and gave it a gently squeeze. A shuttering breath escaped before he finally spoke, "I pray that you will never have to experience anything like what I have endured this last week." Cador looked up and Leon could see tears in his father's eye. "When the rider returned with news of the attack, it was bad enough finding out our King had been injured and some of our men lost," exhaling a deep breath he continued, "but when he said that you…that you and the Prince were missing, my heart nearly stopped."

"Father…" Leon's voice cracked at seeing the raw emotion coming from his Father.

Cador gave his Son a broken smile, gently laying his hand against the young man's face, "You are my only Son, Leon. Yes, I know you are a Knight, and you will no doubt face many dangers over your service to the crown, but to hear you were missing, not knowing if you were injured. Knowing you were alone with the Prince and the weight you undoubtedly felt. But you must understand that until I heard your voice responding to my call that night, I was beginning to lose hope that I would ever see you again." His hand dropped again to hold his Son's, "the night we found you both, that was to be our last night searching, we would have been returning home the next morning. It was going to be terrible enough to inform Uther that we had not found the Prince, but my world was collapsing upon itself as well."

"I'm safe Father, Arthur and I were planning on starting our way home the morning we left, so it was meant for you to find us that night. I worried about making it back to the Citadel, knowing we would be traveling on foot and that Arthur was still recovering." Leon squeezed his father's arm, "I'm home Father."

Tears had slipped free from both men as Cador leaned over and pulled his Son again into his arms, "You are home." Cador whispered.

Morning broke brightly across the Kingdom, relief was tangible in the air, the Castle, the upper, and lower town were a hive of activity. There would be a celebration today. A celebration of the safe return of their missing Prince and for the Knight who had kept him safe during the ordeal.

The King had awoken early, despite the late hour in which he had retired, he spent that time just watching his young son sleep. When he'd awoken, for just a moment he had feared as he had the night before, that it had been a cruel dream, but then he heard the soft breaths of his Son beside him, he knew his long, dark nightmare had truly ended; his boy was alive and home.

It was a few hours later that Arthur began to waken, it took him a minute to realize that he was actually in his own room and not still on the little pallet in Hunith's small home. He felt a gentle squeeze on his shoulder and looked up to meet the joyful eyes of his Father. "It wasn't a dream; I am really home." The young boy pushed himself up some, smiling at his Father.

"It is no dream, Arthur, you are finally home." Uther moved a bit to have a better look at his Son. "Now, we have a big day ahead, we have a celebration to prepare for. I'll send someone to bring you some breakfast and to help you dress, there is a Kingdom eagerly awaiting to see their returned Prince, we must not keep them waiting much longer." The King leaned down, placing a kiss on his Son's blond head. "When you are ready, come to the council chamber and our day will begin." Uther smiled brightly as he reluctantly left his Son's room.

The dark-haired King stood outside his Son's closed doors for just a moment, his head bowing as his hand lay against the cool wood. Taking a deep breath, he turned to head to his own chambers, himself needing to change for the day. He had taken only a few steps when he felt his step faulter, his hand shooting out to steady himself on the wall. The week had not been kind to him, and his body was reminding him of his own healing injury and his lack of sustenance while he had been lost in his grief.

Shaking his head slightly, Uther took another couple steps before he found himself leaning heavily against the wall. His legs barely supporting his weight, at that moment, as he feared he would not be able to move from the spot his truest friend and First Knight rounded the corner, "Uther…" The knight rushed forward, seeing his friend, his King near collapse. "What? Is Arthur okay, did something happen?" the man's mind going a million miles an hour with fear that they had just found their Prince and gotten him home, praying they hadn't missed something on their rush to get back and missed an unknown injury.

"Arthur is fine Cador," Uther placed his hand on his friend's shoulder in an attempt to support himself better, "It is my own foolishness that is catching up with me, if you will…" the King made another move to try and stand, but again nearly fell, Cador quickly getting his friend's arm over his shoulder, "help me to my chambers before Arthur hears any commotion. Then if you would so kindly have someone come to attend my son and send for Gaius for me."

It took another moment before Cador felt Uther had his feet under him enough to start the slow trek to the King's room. "like you needed to ask." The Knight huffed. A short distance away two guards rounded the corner and quickly made their way to their Sovereign and Knight.

"My Lord, Sir Cador what happened?" the young guard asked, worry clear in his face.

"I dare say I have not taken the best of care of myself as of late. Could you send a servant to my son's room to help him ready for the day? Do not mention what you are witnessing, I do not want Arthur to worry, then fetch Gaius." The King instructed before Cador had a chance to speak up. It did shock the Knight at how forthcoming the King was being with regards to how he was feeling, but with all that had happened it would take the Castle time to get back to its normal routine.

One of the guards bowed and headed down the hall as the other looked at Sir Cador, "Sir?"

"Help me get the King to his chamber" Sir Cador responded, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding, this guard was also to keep what he was seeing to himself.

Uther couldn't help but chuckle slightly as the young guard pulled the King's other arm over his shoulder, pausing as the King hissed, Cador sending the young man a hard glare. "Cador, stop scaring the poor boy. It's fine, my side is still tender." The King responded, he too realizing his guard was down and he was being more lenient and open than usual. The three men quietly and as quickly as the King could manage got their Sovereign to his room, Gaius arriving a short time later.