AN: So there was some confusion with the "fleece pants" and some people wondering why Arthur would be wearing woolly underwear...*face palm* So...I haven't changed it yet, I still have some other edits to go back to on that last chapter, but I think between HoC chat and my beta, we have it finally worked out to the Brit equivalent of "Jogging bottoms". Other than that, review responses back at the bottom tonight. Let me know if you guys prefer them here or there.
"Truth is not a reward for good behaviour, nor a prize for passing some tests. It cannot be brought about. It is the primary, the unborn, the ancient source of all that is. You are eligible because you are. You need not merit truth. It is your own. Just stop running away by running after. Stand still, be quiet."
-Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
White mist swirled around them, in the abyss between dimensions.
"You are toeing the line, Lancelot." She said, coming up next to him.
He smiled and shrugged, "Perhaps...and what if I was to cross it?"
"You saw what happened to Daniel Jackson, when he went directly against Anubis."
"I don't plan on doing anything like that."
"...And what do you plan on...Wait. Don't tell me, Lancelot."
"They need to be stopped, they have already found the last one."
"It went to them of it's own free will. We cannot be held responsible."
"But it didn't know that it would be imprisoned by the Ori. Hasn't it suffered enough? Haven't they all?"
"It is not for us to decide." She sighed, feeling his determination. "If the opportunity arises, I will do what I can. It must be up to them to figure out how to save us all."
(*~*~*~*)
Greg and Randy took the news of the loss rather well, considering the circumstances and their ages. Greg insisted he wanted to see Pops, and Gwaine explained that he would be able to at the memorial service.
Elaine remained upstairs in the boys' room, wanting to stay until they fell asleep. Gwaine made his way back down to the kitchen, where Leon waited. The blond man was facing out the window, looking into the dark night. His light blue eyes that once conveyed his many emotions were now guarded.
"So..." Gwaine said, entering the room and heading straight for the upper cabinet, where his sister kept her stash of alcohol.
"Your sister is not quite the 'evil old toad,' I had once pictured her to be."
Gwaine poured three glasses. He smirked, taking one for himself and handing another to Leon. He left the third out for the 'toad.' "Yeah. Well, things look different, after some time apart, eh?" He held out his glass.
Leon nodded and clinked the rim of his own to Gwaine's in understanding. "Well, you certainly do, my old friend."
"Are you a recent arrival to this time, or have you taken the long road, like Merlin did?" The dark-eyed man asked, as he sat down.
Leon blinked and sipped at his drink. "I guess I've taken the long road, if you mean ' have I lived out every Earth year since then.' I was surprised to find out from your sister that Merlin was even around...Although, it still doesn't compare to the initial shock of finding you here, or there, as it were."
"What all did my sister tell you?"
"Not much. She is quite stubborn, and I did not wish to press overly much with her obvious distress due to your grandfather. Tell me, the virus...was it originated by a Prior?"
Gwaine licked his lips and nodded, "I guess classified stuff like that, really doesn't apply to you, since you probably know more about them, than I do. That virus...or whatever it is...is just a trick to get people to follow them. Come through...threaten death and doom, if they don't follow the Book of Origin..."
Leon understood all too well. He had witnessed what the Priors and their bid for control had done to a few planets."Then, they come back a few days later. Heal everyone. Raise the dead and proclaim that the Ori they serve, have the power over life and death. Even many of the more advanced cultures out there are falling into their trap, after they proved they could wipe out an entire planet."
The Major stared at the amber liquid in his glass. "There was a Jaffa who came through the Gate...who had become a Prior...but he changed his mind. I guess it was quite the spectacle in the infirmary, when he used his staff to basically send out a wave of healing energy. Just after that though, he was consumed in flames for his disobedience to the Ori. Thanks to him though, we now have a cure for the Virus." He began to feel the anger bubbling through his veins. "They're going to now have a fight on their hands, with us having a way to combat it, but they still killed my grandfather. I'm starting to feel the need for some serious payback coming."
Leon offered a half-smile. "I think I have a couple things that may help. Although, how we are supposed to go about this...I'm not entirely sure." The ageless knight moved over to the coat rack near the back door, and fumbled around through the trench coat that hung there. He pulled out a book and tossed it on the table, in front of Gwaine. "A copy of the Book of Origin."
Picking it up, Gwaine began to flip through the pages. "...In a language that makes no sense to me. Merlin might have a better idea about this."
With his friend's focus on the book, Leon took the opportunity to remove something hidden under his coat on the rack. He laughed at the look on Gwaine's face when he sat the gleaming sword on the table.
"That's..." Gwaine's mouth was as wide as his eyes. He looked over the sword in awe, rendered completely speechless.
"...Arthur's sword." Leon sat down at the table. "It has been in my charge, all these centuries. I was instructed to keep it safe and hidden, but I never knew the real reason why. I know it had something to do with the Ancient who was working with Lancelot...a woman called Ganos Lal...but she also took on the name 'Morgan Le Fey,' of all things."
"Oh that's just grand! Arthur's gonna go ape-shit when he finds out someone named herself after his sister."
"Arthur is alive?" Leon felt his breath catch. He began to mentally decipher Lancelot's cryptic phrasing.
Gwaine pursed his lips and looked at his watch. "One a.m. here is..."
"About nine a.m. in Wales." Laney said, coming into the kitchen and finding her drink waiting. "I was thinking..."
"That's dangerous."
"Shut up, Gwaine." The siblings shared a glance that spoke of the warmth behind their banter. "After Boyd's first heart-attack, I made sure he had everything in order. Where he wanted to be buried..."
"...Next to Grandma Cait, on the ranch."
"Yes, I know that now...but I didn't, back when I first came to take care of him." She leveled a threatening gaze at Gwaine. "So...about the only thing I might need help with, is getting the body to Wyoming, and dealing with all the guests at the actual service."
"It might be a few days, at least, until he's released for burial." Her brother commented.
"Riiiiight...and you've been fired for a few days anyway."
"I'm not fired! I can't just get 'fired' from the military."
"Sorry." She hooked her fingers and continued, "'Temporarily relieved of duty'. Anyway...have Captain Kirk here take you over to see Merlin and them for a couple days. I can hold down the fort."
"Captain Kirk?" Leon's brow rose in confusion.
"Yeah. Well, you have too much hair for Picard, and although pretty cute, you're not quite at Captain Reynolds level of stud-liness."
Leon, obviously, had no clue as to how to respond to the woman. Gwaine bit his lip to keep from laughing. As it was, a small snorting sound still escaped. "Laney...I doubt he understands any pop culture/sci-fi reference, judging by the look on his face."
"Oh..." She threw back the rest of the drink in her glass and took a breath, embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. She purposefully turned her back to them and began fiddling absentmindedly with something on the counter. "Anyway...have him space beam you over there, or something, for a couple of days. The boys and I will be fine."
His eyes sparkled with tears of laughter. He looked at Leon; a silent question in his eyes.
The blond man nodded, "It would be easy to get us there. I'm just worried about my ship being detected."
"If it hasn't been found yet..." Gwaine shrugged, "...then no one is looking for it. So, I'd assume it's safe. Earth's defenses aren't quite up to par yet."
"I can have us over to wherever he is, in less than ten minutes, then." He picked up the sword and slid it back into its scabbard.
Swallowing the last of his drink, Gwaine looked at his sister one last time for confirmation. "You call if you need me. Got it?"
She nodded.
"Alright, let me call Merlin and give him the heads up."
(*~*~*~*)
The cold fog bank had rolled in off the coast, and the hill on which the ruins of Caerleon once resided, loomed eerily above it. Two men pulled their coats tighter around them. Autumn was rolling in quickly, and the drop in temperature wasn't unexpected.
Percival marveled at the newer materials of the clothing he had acquired over the past several months. They were so much thinner and lighter than his old stuff, but offered much more protection against the elements. He pulled the hood of his raincoat tighter around his face.
The familiar beam of light brightened the hilltop, and when it receded, Percival gasped, "Sir Leon?"
"Hello, Percival." Leon's eyes took in the sight of the large man. The two were nearly matched in height, but standing next to the bulky man, Leon look nearly emaciated, even though he was still in prime physical condition. Other than the clothing, and unlike Gwaine, not much had changed in Percival's outward appearance in the fifteen centuries. "Gwaine told me you caught a ride here with him through the Stargate."
"I did, albeit a bit unwittingly." Percival clasped the outstretched arm in greeting. "Leon, this is Mickey Smith, a good friend."
Mickey smiled and shook Leon's hand. He turned to Gwaine. "I'm surprised you didn't call Merlin to meet you."
"I did, but there was no answer. I called Gwen too, and she had no idea where those guys were. She found Merlin's phone, a couple of cold cups of coffee, and no sign of them. Which is odd, because I thought his recovery time would have taken a bit longer."
The two men from Torchwood nodded their agreement. Mickey motioned to the waiting SUV and they began moving towards it. "Well, I got a text from him about six a.m. Something about his computer refusing to do what he wanted...or Arthur breaking it just by glaring at it. So, we might as well head on out there and see what's up."
(*~*~*~*)
Leon watched the world go by out the window, as they drove along. It was strange, but not surprising, to see how much the world had changed during his absence. If there was one thing he had learned from his travels, was that life was not stagnant. "You said Gwen is back as well?"
Gwaine nodded from his seat. "She's going to go nuts when she sees you, I think."
Leon was reluctant to ask, "What of her son?" He and Merlin had stepped in as father figures for the infant child, in Arthur's absence. He loved the child, almost as much as he had loved his own children. He pushed the thought out of his mind before it was fully formed.
"Aurie?" Percival responded from the front passenger seat. "He loves it when I make funny faces at him."
"...but I think he likes Merlin's bubbles even more than that." Gwaine laughed.
"I'd like Merlin's bubbles more than Percival's face, myself." Mickey said from the driver's seat and was promptly punched in the shoulder by his friend. "Oy! Driving here!"
"Speaking of driving..." Gwaine's voice held a hint of awe. "Is that what I think it is?" He pointed ahead on the road to a car coming towards them at a high speed.
"If you think it's a classic Jag, then, yes..." Grinning, Micky began flashing his headlights at the oncoming vehicle. "...and I only know of one person around these parts who has such a car."
"It's the street version of the old fifties racing Jag, right?"
"Yep." He slowed down the SUV, made sure there were no other cars on the road, and parked sideways across it, blocking both lanes. "Want to see something cool?"
Mickey climbed out of the driver's seat and stood in the road, directly in the path of the oncoming car.
The other three men glanced at each other nervously, as the Jag showed no sign of slowing. Just before it seemed like the collision would be eminent, the driver of the green car hit his brakes and cranked the wheel, bringing it to a perfectly executed sideways stop next to Mickey. They could vaguely make out two men in the car, as Mickey leaned down and began talking to the driver through the open top.
Gwaine clambered out, and began appraising the car. It was in pristine factory condition, which was surprising for the age of the vehicle. Although not an expert on British automobiles, he knew this one was something special. Pops had been a big fan of Steve McQueen, and had introduced Gwaine to the actor's movies and old racing videos, right after he had taken custody of his grandchildren. It was from that, that Gwaine knew this style of car. Only a handful of them existed and this one in front of him was a beauty. He didn't even glance at the car's occupants, until a voice called out to him.
"I swear Gwaine, if you actually drool on my car, I'm going to use your hide to clean it."
"Merlin?!" His jaw hit the pavement. "You gotta give me a ride in this...please? I'm grieving here. I need something to cheer me up, and I swear, my friend...this would do it."
Mickey stepped back as Merlin got out of the car. He took off the driving glasses and moved towards his friend. His face was somber. "What do mean 'grieving?'"
Gwaine offered him a sad smile. "Pops got sick from the Prior Virus."
"I'm so sorry to hear that." Merlin reached for his friend and pulled him into a tight embrace.
Biting back the tears that suddenly threatened, Gwaine cleared his throat and pulled back after a few moments. "So..."
"Well, if you want a ride, you may have to pry Arthur out of the car. I think his knuckles are permanently affixed to the the door handle." He leaned in, and said in a conspiratorial whisper. "You should have heard him squeal like a girl around some of the turns."
Gwaine smiled, but asked in a serious voice. "How's he doing? Are you sure driving was good for his injuries and stuff?"
"Well, I used my magic on him yesterday. Physically, he's fit as ever." Merlin glanced back at the passenger in his car. He seemed to rethink his choice of bringing Arthur for a ride that morning. "Perhaps, I should have had his second time in a vehicle be in something more...tame."
A thought seemed to strike Merlin suddenly. "What are you doing here? I doubt Landry would have approved the use of the Prometheus, just for you to come tell me about your grandfather."
"No...I hitched a ride with an old friend. Found myself in a bit of trouble at work...and with Pops, I...I just needed to get out of there for a couple days."
"Don't mean to be a stick in the mud, but we should probably get off of the road." Mickey commented.
(*~*)
"You don't want to get out?" Percival asked, turning around in his seat.
Leon was staring out the tinted window, thankful that those outside couldn't see him. He turned to Percival. "This all seems so odd, like some surreal dream. I think I could face Arthur, more than I could Merlin at this point. I remember how fanatically he searched for the two of you, when you went missing. I can't imagine what he might have done when I disappeared."
Percival nodded his understanding. He could sense the weight of guilt that the Senior Knight carried on his shoulders. He sat quietly in the SUV with Leon and watched the scene outside. Merlin, glanced at Mickey, then turned towards his car. He yelled something at the passenger.
A slightly shaken Arthur climbed out and held himself in a way that made Leon chuckle softly. "I don't think I can ever recall him looking so unnerved, but then again, it has been a long time since I've seen him."
They watched as Arthur seemed to set his nerves aside; a wide grin started blossoming, and a sparkle in the man's eyes made Leon realize that it wasn't just nerves, but also an excited rush of adrenaline. Merlin turned towards Arthur and laughed. Gwaine moved around to the passenger seat and climbed in. Following suit, the warlock sat down behind the wheel and the car roared back to life. With a squeal of tires on the damp asphalt, the green Jaguar sped off in the direction it had come from.
Mickey patted Arthur's shoulder and the two men began heading towards the SUV.
"You should probably get out and say 'hello' to him." Percival commented.
Leon glanced at him, reaching for the latch. "You're probably right."
(*~*)
Arthur's heart was still pounding from the exhilarating rush of fear and adrenaline, that he experienced during the car ride. He was partially thankful to be on his own two feet again, without the trees racing past at an obnoxious speed, but he was also already planning for the next time. "That was..."
Mickey laughed, "I know...Well, actually I don't, because he's never taken me out in that car, but he's a maniac driver in general. Although, he knows exactly how to handle the vehicles to make you feel like you're going to die any moment, but it's the greatest rush, almost as if he is out to prove that he is alive. His true passion is probably flying though."
"Flying?"
"Yeah, airplanes."
"I've heard of those, but I've yet to see one."
"They're like great evil beasts, that dominate the skies with their noise." Percival came forward to greet Arthur.
The king, still grinning from ear to ear, just laughed. He was surprised by the next voice he heard. A voice he knew as well as his own, from a man who had known him longer than anyone else.
"They're not that bad, I'm sure. Flying is actually quite a wonderful experience."
"Leon?" Arthur crowed in surprise. "How...? You know, I don't even care how or why!"
Over the centuries, Leon had learned to hide his true emotions behind a facade of bravado and apathy. Nothing, though, could stop the tears that began stinging the corners of his eyes at seeing Arthur alive and well.
(*~*)
"I never thought I'd see you again, Sire." Leon said softly, in the backseat.
"If you had asked me, after Camlann, I would have thought the same. Now, however, things seem to be falling into place."
"To what end, though?" It was strange how easily Leon fell back into the role of Arthur's second-in-command, when just a day previous, he was questioning his devotion to his apparent eternal quest. In one aspect, the fact that they were riding along in a motorized vehicle, made him feel the weight of the years upon him. Yet, at the same time, he knew this was what he had been waiting for, and the man he had been, came back to him easily.
"Of that, I am uncertain. Perhaps, with us all here together again, we might be able to figure that out." Arthur patted the knight's shoulder. "No matter. For now, I am just happy to be alive, with my family and close friends by my side, once again."
Leon nodded his agreement. He tried to think of what to say, but he found himself coming up short for conversation.
Arthur seemed to feel the awkwardness of the silence, just as strongly. "I can't thank you enough, you and Merlin, for taking care of Guinevere, after I...Well, I didn't quite die, but it was rather close to it."
Smiling, Leon nodded, "How did you return, or survive? Gwaine explained how he and Percival ended up here. He also said Merlin had lived every year of it, but he didn't tell me how you or Her Ladyship, came to be here."
"I'm still trying to understand it myself." Arthur answered truthfully. Then began recalling his last memories, followed by his brief bouts of semi-consciousness along the way, until he ultimately opened his eyes to see Gwaine after the surgery. Percival and Mickey listened intently from the front of the SUV, both hearing for the first time, Arthur's side of the tale.
"Gwaine, since he wasn't apart from me for as long, has been easier to...speak with...about this stuff. Although, his duties to his native country, have been keeping him rather preoccupied. I've not had much of a chance to speak with Sir Percival here, but I'm hoping that can be remedied, now that I'm back to health."
"I look forward to it, Sire." The large man smiled from the passenger seat.
"Mickey, right?"
"Yep" The dark skinned man in the driver's seat responded.
"I have to say, for my third experience in a...car...you seem much better at controlling one of these things, than that formerly useless servant of mine."
"Formerly useless, or formerly a servant?" Percival asked, with a grin.
"Both."
Percival nodded thoughtfully. "Gwaine mentioned the two of you had a bit of a rough start."
"We just needed a few days to find some common ground and get to know each other again." He cast a pointed glance at Leon. "I hope to be able to do the same with you, my friend."
(*~*~*~*)
"You alright?" Merlin asked, as he and Gwaine drove along.
Gwaine had his eyes closed. His elbow hung out the window and he was enjoying the purr of the motor, combined with the cool breeze rushing over his head. "Eh, been a rough week."
Merlin couldn't contain his curiosity. "How did you get over here?"
"As I said, a friend gave me a lift."
"What friend?"
"An old one."
Merlin was tempted to pull the car over and refuse to move it until Gwaine gave him an answer. "I could use magic to have you tell me."
"But you won't." Gwaine started smirking. "Let me drive and then I'll tell ya."
"No."
"Then, you'll never find out."
Glancing sideways at the roguish man, Merlin tried to determine if he was being serious. "I've never let anyone else drive this car...ever."
"Yeah, well..." Gwaine offered Merlin a tight-lipped smile and a shrug.
"No."
"C'mon, I know how to drive Merlin, and I understand how much this thing is worth."
"Do you really? The last one of these that went up for auction, had a nearly two-million dollar price tag on it...and this isn't one of those knock-off kit cars, that go for a couple hundred grand."
"So...what...this one would be about two and a quarter because it's completely original, no restoration?"
Merlin's lips tightened. He groaned and shook his head. "I can't believe I'm even considering it. Do you know who gave me this car?"
"It was a gift? Nice! Was she hot?" Gwaine asked.
The corner of Merlin lip lifted as he remembered the blond, German-born, bombshell. "Very."
"Who was it?"
"Her name was Marlene Déitreich."
Gwaine felt himself choking, "Okay, what do I need to do to drive this? Anything you want, it's yours."
Merlin sighed and muttered a curse, but at the same time, he pulled the car over to the shoulder. "One scratch...one single chip from a rock...a single fingerprint on the steering wheel..."
"...that'll be difficult, unless you want me to drive with my knees?"
Pausing, Merlin reconsidered his words. He stopped the car and set the brake. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this."
Gwaine hooted in triumph and leapt out of the car.
As he tapped his fingers across the steering wheel, third and fourth thoughts crossed his mind. He took the key out of the ignition and got out of the car. Dangling the keys in front of Gwaine's eyes, he asked, "Who?"
Like a cat following a string, Gwaine's eyes watched the keys. "Leon."
Merlin flipped the keys into the cup of his palm. "Bullocks! Who?" He didn't like the feeling that Gwaine was playing with him, with something like this.
"Seriously. Leon. He's got his own ship and has been flying around out in space for the last fifteen hundred years."
"Where is he, then?"
"He was in the SUV with Percival, when Mickey stopped you."
"Why didn't he get out?"
"I think he's afraid of what you're gonna think, like he stranded you here or something. I don't know!" Gwaine threw up his hands in frustration. "Can I have the keys now?"
Merlin bit his lip. His shoulders slumped in defeat, and very reluctantly, he held out the keys. Gwaine snatched them out of his friend's hand with a grin.
The leather of the seat was still supple and well cared for, with nary a crack in it. The light wood and chrome of the steering wheel shone with a beautiful polish. The black material of the dashboard barely had a speck of dust, and no sign of sun damage.
The drove along in silence for a while, before Merlin finally began to speak. "What happened with Pops? I know you said it was the Virus, but do you want to talk about it?"
Gwaine downshifted, as they entered a turn. "He caught it while getting gas at the station. These Ori and their Priors; they've been spreading this Virus, or whatever the hell it is, all over the galaxy. I've been a bit concerned, but now..."
"...Now, it's personal." Merlin finished for him. "We should probably head back to the house."
They had passed the turnoff to Merlin's driveway. When Merlin didn't argue, Gwaine took that as permission to keep going. He slowed the car down, and turned back towards the turnoff. "You haven't asked me any more about Leon."
"What's there to ask?" There was a sharp tone in Merlin's voice. He didn't know what to think yet, with the revelation about his erstwhile friend's situation. Gwaine and Percival didn't have much of a choice, when they were brought through the Stargate into the current century. Arthur, Gwen, and Aurie were in a similar situation. Merlin was at the same time, both thankful and annoyed, at finding out that Leon was still alive...not that he would have changed a thing about his extremely long life. Yet, knowing Leon was out there, also alive, might have made the darker times easier, and the wonderful times better. It would have given him someone to talk to, and to share the memories with. "I'm sure I'll get the answers when he's ready to give them."
"Fair enough."
"Can I tell you something?"
"Anything!"
"Martha and I have decided..."
"What?"
"Well...we're...gonna start trying to have kids."
Gwaine laughed loudly. "That's...wow, that's great!"
"You don't think...it's odd? I mean...I can't die, it seems like. I keep going back and forth in my mind on it. I want to be a father again, but is it really fair to bring kids into the picture when I'm like this?"
"Merlin, buddy, calm down. Any kid is going to be so lucky with the two of you for parents." Gwaine turned onto the driveway.
When Merlin first brought him and Percival here, they had entered from the far side of the property, through a hidden gate that was Merlin's personal shortcut.
Afterwards, they had soon learned about the actual paved driveway, the manor house, and all the outlying buildings. However, they had all been too busy getting ready for the wedding, for Gwaine to get a chance to find out much more about what Merlin had around the property.
He carefully drove the classic car up to the manor, noticing that in their detour, the Torchwood SUV had beaten them. Merlin held his breath, as Gwaine pulled the Jag into the garage. He released it when the engine was turned off, and brake set. "See, not a smudge!"
Gwaine helped Merlin store the car properly, while eyeing the other tarped vehicles.
"Maybe later, I'll show you what's under them."
Clucking his tongue in disappointment, he followed Merlin outside and towards the front of the manor, where the others had been standing around.
Merlin stopped and glared at Leon. He wasn't sure if he was upset that the knight disappeared in the first place, or that he had lived for centuries thinking that he was just another friend lost.
(*~*~*~*)
The long drive up from the road, wound through manicured lawn and hedges. The large greystone manor house loomed ahead.
"It is so hard to believe that the castle used to be here." Arthur commented, more to himself than any of the other men in the car.
Leon sat quietly. He had visited Earth a few times, in the course of his travels. Each time, it had been brief and he had avoided any of the lands around Camelot. It was heart-wrenching to see the area where he was born and raised, so changed over the years.
As if reading his thoughts, Percival commented, "Away from the house and gardens, much of the land actually appears much like it did in the sixth century. I mean it's obviously different, but..."
"I understand." The elder knight stated.
Pulling up in front of the house, they were greeted by Gwen and Cassie. Arthur had barely taken two steps from the vehicle, when his wife began to admonish him for not telling her that he was leaving...until she saw the other person step out of the back of the large, black SUV. Gasping, her hands flew to her mouth with a squeal of delight. She thought nothing of rushing forward and engulfing Leon in a hug.
Leon returned the gesture, somewhat hesitant at first, glancing at Arthur for permission.
The king nodded slightly. He had been told that Leon and Merlin had spent nearly two years with Gwen, after Camlann. So, it made sense that she considered them close friends. On top of that, Guinevere had already known Leon from a very young age.
"I knew you would return to us, somehow." The queen smiled through her tears.
From Cassie's arms, Aurie began writhing and struggling to be put down. She did, and the toddler, holding onto her fingers, made a few tentative steps towards the knight. "Yon, Yon!" He babbled out.
He stood frozen, watching the boy wobble and bounce. Aurie's hazel-blue eyes shone with familiarity upon Leon. The man swallowed, unaware of the eyes of the others upon him. Letting go of Cassie's fingers, the boy propelled himself forward. Instinct alone, caused Leon to sweep the child into his arms before he fell to the ground. "Look at you, my little Prince. Walking already." The knight's voice was filled with love and pride.
Arthur's smile, unseen by the others, faltered. He felt a stab of emotion course through him. It occurred to the former king, that Leon had been more of a father to the young prince, than he himself had been. His own feelings caught him by surprise. He knew he should be grateful that Leon and Merlin had been there for Gwen, when he was not able to be.
He was shaken from his thoughts as Merlin's car pulled up nearby, with Gwaine behind the wheel. His eyes narrowed at how comfortable the two of them appeared together. Glancing around at everyone, Arthur suddenly felt rather alone. Large fingers patted his shoulder, startling him.
Percival smiled down at him. "It'll take time to adjust, Sire. You just got back on your feet, and the reason we are all here, is for you. Don't forget that."
"When did you become wise, Sir Percival?"
The bigger man shrugged. The two of them looked back over at the gathering to see Merlin glaring daggers, and Leon putting on a front of sheer boredom.
Merlin appeared to come to some sort of decision. He walked forward, gave Leon a smile that did little to thaw the icy stare of his eyes. Politely, he said, "Glad to have you back with us, Sir Leon."
"Thank you, Lord Merlin." The blond knight replied with equal formality.
The warlock turned and walked up the stairs, leaving everyone else standing on the pavement below. Arthur suddenly didn't feel as guilty for his touch of jealousy. He knew, logically, that it had more to do with his own regret than anything...but he obviously wasn't the only one feeling a slight sting, from the knight's sudden return.
Thanks as always to Nance and IcarusLSU for proofing and beta reading!
Responses: Wow! 10 of you this time! YIPEE! I know I said the 200th reviewer would get a special treat...but it was one of my beta's so he can just deal. LOL
Solojoh: (on chap 1 and 3) Thanks!
AwanderdersHaven: I love that you're so impatient! thanks! And things will start coming together end of next chapter :)
TiP: Thanks! hehe yeah poor Arthur. Merlin seemed to get such a rush from flying on Kilgharrah, it gave me inspiration for his love of fast things.
IcarusLSU: Jag BMW :P
CarolynneRuth: You are going to go nuts next chapter I'm sure! LOL just wait til you read the lines I have in that one.
Tholey: Answered the Fleece Pants at the top, needless to say you had me scrambling wondering what the heck I was talking about LOL
Nance: hehe I love your reviews when you finally get to read the chapters put together, and you're not just seeing snippets for editing.
denique: Thank you so much! Hope you continue to enjoy it!
LinBates: This one and the next are a bit longer, so hopefully they won't fly by as fast as Merlin drives his car!
Flamie: Here ya go girl, I know you've been waiting for the next chapter!
Aeirst: Yes you must...when you get back from your cruise!...no she's not pregnant yet lol
Anyhoo, thank you all for reading it makes me so giddy to have you guys review!
Next chapter should be up by Saturday at the latest!