Leon had won his battle, which meant Arthur and Leon would be in the finale together. A Camelot win, no matter the outcome. Of course, Arthur was still going to try as hard as he could to best Leon, even if he were pleased Leon had won. In fact, Arthur planned on trying even harder. He would beat Leon, and he would do it with ease and not because Leon would let him. Leon had never done so before... or at least that's what Arthur thought.

The feast tonight was better than most, maybe because Arthur's spirits were high due to the up coming day's fight, or maybe it was because the Lady Vivian had decided not to attend and Gwen and Merlin switched assignments tonight, so Merlin served Arthur rather than Gwen. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time, even Morgana looked as if she were having fun, as she giggled with Gwen about whatever girls giggle about. The only one who didn't look like they were having any fun was King Alined. He looked very put out and honestly, that only made Arthur all the happier. They would be signing the treaty tomorrow morning.

The feast ended after a show of swordsmanship from King Olaf's Knights, and Arthur fixed himself to leave. He was about to tell Merlin to grab a jug of wine and meet him in his chambers, as tonight they were to celebrate and get even more drunk than they had previously. However, Uther seemed to have different plans.

"May I speak to you in the hall, Arthur?" he said, covertly into Arthur's ear. Arthur nodded and they left together. Once they escaped to the hall, Uther closed the door on the chattering of the feast guests and turned to Arthur with a smirk. "So... You're gay now?" Arthur's eyes widened, he was almost confused by the King's words. Uther only smirked harder and shook his head. "A Father does have his suspicions..."

"Suspicions?" Arthur retorted then, not only being confused, but irritated now. His struggles with this were internal and he hardly needed his Father to start with his normal rubbish.

"Well, the fact that you have openly bedded your male servant for the last year... That might have said something." said Uther casually, just announcing it for the world to hear. "Yet you refuse to tell him you love him... It continues to baffle me. I do suppose however that there were signs before, as well."

Arthur swore out loud, and here he had been having such a good evening. "How did you know this? Who told you anything was said? Morgana!?"

"King Olaf," smirked Uther, and Arthur wanted to die yet again. "It seems his daughter, Vivian, has grown quite...interested in you and apparently you told her you were gay...-"

"I never actually said I was! She only assumed."

Uther laughed and continued, "Even so, she was devastated and asked her Father if she could leave early. He refused of course. He seems to think this to be a good lesson for her."

"And what?" retorted Arthur now, feeling annoyed, for obvious reasons. "Is he angry? Will he not sign the treaty?"

"No... He is quite amused," said Uther, happily. "He says he could see it about you."

"For the love of God..." Arthur let out a deep sigh, and tried to will away feelings of dread. He hardly needed the idea that he was gay to spread throughout the entire five kingdoms. It was enough that most people in Camelot already thought he was. But they knew him. People who only heard talk of Arthur would not understand surely. Being gay was looked down upon and people would start assuming Arthur was less of a man because of it.

"There is no need to feel ashamed," said Uther then, and Arthur appreciated it, he really did, but Uther really didn't understand how he felt.

"I'm not ashamed..."

"It makes you no less of a warrior," said Uther. "You will still fight more bravely and more true than any normal man."

"Tell that to them." Arthur grumbled.

"Arthur," said Uther, and Arthur knew he was trying to use his best Fatherly voice, but this was never Uther's strong point. Being a Father was not where Uther was best. Being a strong wary King was much more his thing. "This is not like Sorcery, not like wielding a sword, you did not choose this. You did not make the choice to be gay...I understand this. This is why I ignore the Counselors when they tell me the rumors of Knights sharing rooms. I look the other way, it is not my place to condemn them..."

"That is noble of you, Father, I do not fear your judgment," said Arthur, and he shook his head and wished he were asleep all of a sudden. "I fear everyone else. No one else may know because one day, when I am king, they will not respect me as they do you."

"I know this to be true." said Uther.

"And yet you allow me to be it?"

"It is not something I can control." said Uther, calmly. "It is who you are..."

Arthur didn't want to talk about this anymore, or ever again for that matter. He looked away from his Father. "I wish to retire now. I do not wish to rejoin the feast." he said. Uther nodded. "Ask Merlin to meet me in my chambers."

In spite of his smirk, Uther only nodded and turned back, heading back inside the feast. Arthur walked away then, not bothering to wait for Merlin, he wasn't sure if he wanted to tell Merlin any of this. Probably not, he didn't want to know Merlin's opinion on it, because honestly the thought terrified him. If he was alright with the idea of Arthur being gay, did that mean he was too? What if he wasn't alright with it? The idea almost made the delicious pig Arthur had eaten for dinner come back up.

Arthur pretended to be asleep when Merlin walked into his chambers and Merlin...hopefully unaware of this, only tutted softly at Arthur, tucked him into his blankets, blew out the remaining candles, bid Arthur a whispered goodnight, and left.

Arthur barely slept and in the morning he listlessly bore witness to the signing of the peace treaty whose signatories looked rather pleased apart from King Alined, who sported a sour look since the day before. When they had left the council chambers, Arthur returned to his chambers to get ready for the final battle between him and Leon while the Kings took their seats to watch. Alined had whispered good luck to Arthur as they left, conveying his sure belief that Arthur would win no matter what happened. "All the luck, My Lord," he had said. "If you even need it." he added with a wink, his little pet Trickler giggling behind as they walked off and Arthur wanted to forgo the treaty to choke him right then and there.

By the time Arthur had gotten back to his chambers he was fuming. He had enough to deal with, enough internal struggles to be focused on rather than a half-assed accusation that the Knights of Camelot continuously allowed Arthur to win simply because of who he was. It was infuriating.

"Why are you so angry?" asked Merlin, as he helped Arthur into his armor. He hadn't said anything to him about it, but Arthur assumed just by looking at him, the way his shoulders tensed and his hands clamped into fists, that it was obvious he was angry. "Did the peace treaty not go well?"

"No, it went well..." Arthur trailed off, but said nothing else and Merlin only pouted at this, but pushed no more. They left then, together. Heading down to where the tournament was held. Arthur went to his tent without even addressing anyone, as he would normally at least wave to his Father or Morgana, in the stands. He understood he was brooding and he shouldn't allow King Alined to get to him like this. It was what the King wanted after all, but Arthur couldn't help it.

Suddenly, the flap to his tent was pushed open and for half a second Arthur was fearful it might have been Lady Vivian. The horror's of the day before began to play back in Arthur's mind, but luckily, it was only Leon, smiling ear to ear.

"I came to wish you good luck, Sire," said Leon, as he smiled at Merlin in greeting. Arthur stood up then and took Leon's offered arm, clasping forearms in a firm shake. "Whatever the outcome may be, it is an honor to participate in the finale at your side your highness."

Arthur nodded, but he just couldn't help it, if he did not say anything, it would eat him away otherwise. "Whatever you do, do not allow me to win."

Leon stared at him for a second then, confused. "Why would I do that?"

"I have no idea, I have never taught my Knights to do such a thing, but I have been told that some Knights like to see me differently just because of my title." Arthur explained and Leon frowned then.

"I fight in the name of my brother." explained Leon. "He loved the tournaments every year." Arthur had to stop and think. This would be the first year Leon's brother missed… because he was dead. "It would be a dishonor to Leroy's name should I give my win away... No offence, My Lord!"

"I agree," Arthur said and Leon nodded, with a sad nod now.

"I have fought for him this tournament, as I shall do in every single one after." Leon continued and it seemed that Arthur had offended him without meaning to. "I can feel him with me as I fight and if I should win, it will be my gift to him, a parting gift, as we never had the opportunity to bid each other fairwell."

"That is beautiful, Leon," said Merlin, who still stood a ways behind Arthur. Leon smiled at him kindly, nodded at Arthur, and then rushed from the tent. Arthur sighed. Merlin was next to him in the next moment, glaring at him. "Why did you say that to him?"

"Because... King Alined put the idea in my head that the Knights allow me to win." said Arthur peering at the entrance to his tent, as if worried someone else might enter.

"I hope Leon does win." said Merlin then and Arthur turned his head in a snap to glare at him. "He's doing it for his brother. He's lost him and the whole rest of his family… If anyone deserves the glory, it's Leon."

Arthur stare at him then, eyes narrowing. "You think I should let him win...?"

"I didn't say that." retorted Merlin quickly, but Arthur could see the tail end of a smirk forming on his lips.

"No," said Arthur, as he pointed a finger in Merlin's face and Merlin did not look very phased by it. "but I know you well enough to know that's exactly what you want me to do."

"I do not!" Merlin shot back, staring at Arthur with near dislike in his eyes. "I know you are much too big of a prat to do that."

"I have won this tournament every year since I was sixteen!" argued Arthur and Merlin openly rolled his eyes. "I have to... I haven't got a choice."

"Why not?" retorted Merlin.

Arthur sighed, "Because, Merlin. If I do not win, what will that make me? How will my people see me? They already think..." Arthur rolled his eyes at the thoughts in his head. "I must show that I am fit to rule them; that I am strong enough. It is not that I want to win. It is that I have to... Now, more than ever."

"You can also show you are fit to rule them by showing compassion, empathy, and love." said Merlin, pushing Arthur's pointing finger away and instead placed both of his hands on Arthur's shoulders and smiled at him. "You do not always have to show them your strength in battle. You can show them the strength of your heart… It is one of the nicer things about you."

Merlin grinned at him then, batting his annoyingly long eyelashes, Arthur refused the smile that was tugging at the ends of his lips. "I don't know..." he admitted. "I cannot look weak, Merlin."

Merlin sighed then and took a few steps back, allowing his hands to fall to his sides. "Do whatever you feel is right, Arthur."

"And you will support me either way?"

"I didn't say that..."

"You don't have a choice." retorted Arthur and Merlin shrugged.

"Then alright… I suppose."

They headed out of the tent then, and Merlin stopped following him after awhile. Instead, going to find Gaius and sitting next to him, to watch. Arthur walked to the middle of the ring, where he would do battle, and met Leon there. Leon, who looked fine after their conversation, only grinned at Arthur and offered his arm again. They clasped arms once more and nodded, a que for the fighting to begin. The good thing about fighting an opponent you know well, is that you can calculate their moves. Leon went for a blow. Arthur dodged it and then Leon turned too quickly to aim another attack, but Arthur knew this. He knew Leon did this and instead of standing straight to get his barring's back, he leaned down on his knee, allowing Leon's blade to pass over his head. Of course, this also meant that Leon had the same advantage. He knew Arthur's fighting style just the same. Arthur shoved him back to put leverage between them, dealing a heavy blow, but Leon was able to block it, not startled by the sudden shove.

This went on for sometime, back and forth. Arthur thought it might go on for hours if one of them didn't make a move. So he did, well... They both did. Arthur went for a knee and missed while Leon went for a shoulder and hit. He distracted Arthur with a pin and then when Arthur was trying to retreat, his blade slid right across Arthur's left shoulder. Obviously, the blades were dulled as these fights were meant to show skill, but it still left a rather large scratch that bled through his chainmail.

They broke apart then to take a moment to breathe. Leon jogged over to dab his face with a cloth, provided by a servant, and Arthur was meant to do the same, but he spotted Merlin come down to the fence and instead walked over to him. Merlin looked at Arthur with a mixture of worry and amusement.

"You're losing."

"I am not!" retorted Arthur. "I have just yet to get the upper hand… I will!" Merlin smirked at him and Arthur glared. "Shut up."

"I didn't say anything." said Merlin, as he once again batted his eyelashes at him. Why did he do this? What was the point? Did he realize he was doing it? He must know that it was insufferable either way. Arthur went to walk away then, annoyed and sort of flustered for no reason, but Merlin stopped him and reached over the fence to pull him back. "Wait!" Arthur turned back to see Merlin taking off his neckerchief. "Here..."

"What is this, a favor?" Arthur asked, not at all annoyed now, it was funny...and cute. Merlin looked up at him, with a face as if he had smelled something foul. He tied it around the cut on Arthur's arm.

"You are bleeding, Clotpole," said Merlin. "But alright... Yes, it's a favor. Whatever makes you happy."

Arthur grinned at him. "You know Merlin, a princess normally gives the handsome Knight a favor as a token of her affections."

Merlin had the gall to look flustered for just a moment before shaking his head. "I'll let Vivian know you're waiting then."

A bell rang somewhere and Merlin smiled at Arthur as he returned to face Leon. His eyes landed on the red thing on Arthur's arm as soon as they were face to face once more and Arthur didn't miss the pleased smile Leon sported. He ignored it though, instead he braced himself.

It was over pretty quickly after that. Arthur had decided pretty much as soon as he had left Merlin, the first time, if he were being honest, what the outcome of this battle would be. He still put on a good show though. He allowed Leon to overtake him, to knock his sword out of his hand and knock him over. He pointed his sword at Arthur and counted the beats... One, Arthur didn't move. Two, Arthur thought for a second, that he could change his mind. It would be easy to reach above his head and pick up his sword once more, but he didn't move. Three... and then there were cheers all around.

Leon helped him up, yelling and shouting as he embraced Arthur, but not as a knight would. Instead, Leon wrapped his arms around Arthur and hugged him as tightly as one could with armor on. Arthur wasn't sure how he felt about that. He didn't really want the Knight's to hug him, but he didn't have time to think on this though as now most of Camelot's finest were running out onto the battlefield, patting Leon on the back, lifting him into the air, and genuinely acting like buffoons. Arthur thought he would feel badly after his loss to Leon, but with how pleased Leon looked, to the point where his face was shining with a little more than just sweat. Arthur knew he had made the right choice. He grinned to himself as he made the walk back to his tent. There would be one more feast tonight and then, thank God, the company would all leave on the morrow. Arthur couldn't help but long for a Vivian free Camelot once more.

He heard rustling around behind him and felt more than heard him come in. It was Merlin who entered the tent. Arthur didn't turn around to acknowledge him and Merlin didn't say anything at first. After a long time however, Arthur turned back and found Merlin there, staring at him with this look... Arthur didn't know exactly what it was, but it made his stomach do a flip, whatever it may be.

"You let him win." announced Merlin, his mouth didn't close on his words, because he was grinning far too big. Arthur only shook his head.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Merlin." said Arthur. "Leon won fairly. He bested me..."

"Mhm…" said Merlin, still looking at him, in the same way as before, and Arthur didn't think he could take it much longer.

"Stop looking at me like that!"

"Like what?"

"Like that!" retorted Arthur. "It's unpleasant."

"Sorry." said Merlin, though he didn't sound it at all. "How's this?" Merlin attempted a frown but failed miserably and went right back to smiling like a fool. "Better?"

"You're an idiot..."

(A/N: Hello everyone! I meant to update yesterday but I ended up not having time last night. I had to get up early to get a tattoo...you know, like the rebel that I am, (that was a joke btw,) and let me tell you, I wish I had updated yesterday. Because leaning the way I am to type hurts...LOL, it is the price I pay for beauty. Anyway. Enjoy this chapter. Once again, thank you to my wonderful editor who edited this chapter for me.)