Notes

This chapter is just a nice interaction between Merlin and Leon

Chapter eight: Leon

Leon

Leon had been going through armour and weapons in the armoury when he had heard a familiar voice further down the corridor. He couldn't make out what exactly was being said or who to but he recognised the voice as Merlin's.

He rushed to put away the shield he had been holding, then quickly left to find the younger boy, he felt awful for upsetting him the other day and wanted to explain that he had meant it to be a nice thing and in no way did Merlin have to.

As he got closer, Merlin's words became clearer - yet still seemed to make no sense.

He faintly made out the words "Arthur ...shirt...go... talk...your wife" but that doesn't sound right. He was now just rounding the corner to Merlin's line of the corridor when Merlin spoke again. This time the words were much clearer.

"And you are an insufferable clotpoll!"

Merlin hadn't been looking towards Leon when he said these words, he instead was looking down to the other side of the empty hallway, yet Leon could hear Merlin's happy and contempt chuckle before he had turned to reveal the genuine smile lighting up his face.

Despite his concern Leon couldn't fight a smile of his own from spreading to his face too, it's been a long time since he's even seen Merlin half as happy as he looks right now.

"Merlin? Who were you talking to?"

Merlin seemed to jump at Leon's voice, clearly having been oblivious to his presence until he had spoken.

It seemed to take Merlin a couple seconds to catch up with his thoughts before he spoke again,

"Leon, hey! -sorry I didn't see you there- but you're actually the person I was looking for." Merlin responded, completely ignoring Leon's question but still looking and sounding so unbelievably happy.

"oh?" Although Leon wanted to know what just happened, he also didn't really want to pry if Merlin didn't want to answer, especially when whoever he had been talking to clearly made him happy ( maybe it's a girl he likes or something-he did say something about a wife didn't he?). And anyway what Merlin wanted to talk about seemed important.

"yeah, sorry for how I responded to your request yesterday, it just ... it caught me off guard, that's all , but I'd love to be your squire for the tournament- if you still need one that is ?"

"Hey Merlin, don't ever apologise for how you feel, especially when it comes to grief. However It would be an honour for you to be my squire for the tournament- as long as your sure you want to" Leon didn't know how it was even possible, but somehow Merlin's smile seemed to grow even bigger- yet still looked so genuine. It's only now that he became aware of the shirt Merlin's been holding... and wearing, Leon can't be sure for certain but he's pretty sure Merlin's clothes wasn't that big on him the last few days, or as strongly coloured ... however he does think Arthur use to wear a top like that all the time. The one in Merlin's hand, however, definitely looked like a nobles shirt- and a special one at that.

Before Leon could ask about it Merlin was holding the blue one out towards him. "I thought you could wear this when greeting the nobles later today"

That... was certainly not what Leon had been expecting. It's not often that the knight finds himself lost for words but this moment was certainly one of those. Was Merlin really being serious about this ?

"I_uh isn't that the kings- I mean Arthur's - Merlin ?" Oh he hopes he hasn't just upset Merlin with saying this, but he just couldn't think of any other words to say. Luckily it doesn't look like Merlin was too hurt by his choice of words, that's good Leon would hate to ruin Merlin's happy state, he deserves to feel happy again.

"it is, but Arthur only got to wear it once, so it would be a shame for so many materials and money to go to waste, besides you have always been his most trusted knight, and oldest friend, he'd want you to wear it, just as he'd want me to squire you for this tournament." Once again Merlin was holding out the shirt to the knight, insisting that he take it.

Hesitantly, Leon accepted the tunic, still uncertain about wearing it, but knowing that this was both a big step for Merlin in the healing process and also a massive honour to him.

"Thank you Merlin, this means a lot"

Merlin responded with a a genuine beaming smile, making Leon feel glad he accepted the gesture.

"I will make a start on preparing your armour and equipment ready for the tournament, then I'll check in with Gaius to ensure everything from a physician's standpoint is ready, and help out with any other preparations, then I'll be by your side ready for when the tournament starts"

Despite what Arthur would say, Merlin truly never did stop from working did he ?

"Thank you Merlin, but you really do not need to worry about setting up my armour now, focus on your other tasks- your role as my squire will only start 10 minutes before the tournament starts, don't over push yourself"

" can I hug you my lord?". Leon had noticed that when it came to Gwaine and Gwen (and Lancelot) Merlin would hug them without hesitation, for himself Elyan and Percival he would always ask nervously first, and with Arthur, as far as Leon's aware, he only let Arthur initiate any type of hug. He hopes one day Merlin will feel comfortable enough with him to one day be able to just hug and not ask first.

"of course Merlin"

After the hug Merlin spoke again " that's very kind of you Leon, but I'm more than happy to clean and prepare your armour now, you have a lot of responsibilities and tasks to do today too, please let me take this one from you so you can focus on the others"

Knowing there was no point in arguing with Merlin about this he instead opted for giving him an appreciative squeeze on the shoulder followed by a "thank you Merlin" before continuing to his other tasks of the day.