Well, here we are, another story finished. Thank you so much to all of those who have taken the time to read this, even more so to those who let me know what they thought. I'm so glad that you have enjoyed it.

Hope you like this last chapter, and it would be great to know your thoughts on it.

Until next time...take care, all!

Leon sighed as he sank down on the bed, more grateful to be back than he would ever be able to admit. It had been almost two years since he had left Camelot and he knew that a lot would have changed in that time. It had been true what he had said to Arthur about the fort receiving news often and he had been hearing what the prince had been up against. Stories about magical beasts roaming the land had Leon's heart in his mouth, but upon hearing how it had been Arthur to destroy many of them brought a smile of pride to his face. He regretted that he couldn't be there for the boy's coming of age ceremony, but could almost picture the look on Arthur's face throughout it all.

When he had heard about the Questing Beast, Leon had found himself almost deserting his post to get back to Camelot. It was only because he was still finding provisions for the journey when further news came to say the prince had pulled through that stopped Leon abandoning what he should have been doing and racing for the prince's side. He knew that Arthur had always been headstrong, but he didn't think the prince would have deliberately put himself in harm's way like that. He had obviously been ordered out after the beast and Leon only hoped that this brush with death made Uther realise quite how precious his heir was. Not just as a prince, but as a man.

But finally, after the seasons were beginning to change, new orders came in. The bandits that had been causing all the problems were finally being driven back over the border and their numbers were reducing and staying that way this time. Some fresh guards had been ordered to stay with the fort and make sure their position was maintained, but the knights themselves were being called home. Leon was packed within almost moments, just waiting for the signal that they could leave before thundering back towards Camelot.

Arthur wasn't even there when he had got there, the prince being out on a hunt. In a way, Leon found that he was glad. It gave him the chance for a long bath and a late lunch, meaning the road was removed from his clothing and body and he was feeling far more relaxed by the time he had finished eating. He asked a servant to inform the prince of his arrival when Arthur returned home, but then found he was just glad for the chance to sit and do nothing. He hadn't done that in nearly two years now. Any free time was spent snatching some desperately needed sleep or keeping watch. There was no time for relaxing and Leon just crashed down across the bed and let all the tension drain from his body.

He was home.

He didn't realise that he had drifted off until loud voices could be heard coming down the corridor. Leon's eyes slowly peeled and he dropped his arm from where it had been resting over his eyes. A grin began to spread across his face and he lay back, just listening. There was no denying that was Arthur's voice and Leon found himself chuckling when he heard the prince sounding just as irritated as Arthur had always been. But what happened next, Leon was not expecting.

"…and you didn't think to tell me this before then?" Arthur was exclaiming angrily, and Leon had a feeling that he was scolding whichever servant had been the one to deliver the message. Leon had just made to pull himself off the bed and tell the prince to calm down when he froze. Another voice, one he didn't know, was answering for him.

"Well, I'm telling you now, aren't I?"

"Precisely how long ago did you get the message, Merlin?"

The answer was lost, nothing more than a mumble, but Leon knew that it to be at least a candlemark since word had been sent to the prince. He heard Arthur sigh, but before the prince could say anything more, this Merlin got there first.

"Besides, you're like a grouchy bear when you haven't had lunch and I wasn't about to let you inflict that on anyone else."

"It's not your job to make my decisions."

"No… but they also told me that it was a friend."

"What does that mean?" There was the utmost confusion in Arthur's voice now and Leon found himself standing up, a slow smile working its way across his face. That was the same tone when he had told Arthur something and the prince simply hadn't understood the reasoning behind it. He moved towards the door, knowing that Arthur had almost arrived. It also meant that Merlin's mumbled response was audible even to Leon.

"When it is your friends that tends to mean I get something thrown at me."

"What are you talking about, I throw things at you all the time."

"You're you and they aren't."

"How observant you are," Arthur drawled and Leon could almost see the way his eyes would have rolled at the same time. But he also could hear the fondness in Arthur's tone and knew whatever insults Arthur threw at this boy, it was done in the same way that Leon had used to call him a brat.

But putting all of that aside, Leon found that he just wanted to see Arthur. He pulled open the door and glanced down the corridor, surprised by how loudly the two must have been talking considering how far back they still were. Arthur would argue that obviously with his servant where anyone could hear him? That was not something Leon had seen coming, but Arthur chose that moment to look up. Whatever his servant had been saying was cut off by one quick remark from Arthur and then the prince was moving forward. He looked as if he was trying not to break into a run, his face forcibly controlling the emotions running through him. But Leon had known Arthur when he did show his emotions, and then had watched the prince learn to shut them off. He knew precisely what was going through Arthur's head.

"Sire," he dipped his own head and Arthur almost pulled up short by how formal Leon was sounding. The knight watched to see what Arthur would do, and then rolled his eyes.

"Come here," he reached out and grabbed Arthur's arm, pulling him the last few steps until he could wrap his brat in a quick hug. Arthur managed to hold himself for a moment before he was hugging him back. It only lasted a couple of seconds, but it was enough for Leon to know that things hadn't changed between them. He pulled back to find Arthur blushing furiously and it was with a grin that he ushered the man inside. For some reason, he found that he didn't mind at all when the servant followed them in.

"Leon," he offered, holding out a hand. He would never forget his father's teachings on how to treat those below him. The boy looked surprised, but then a warm smile lit up his face.

"Merlin."

"Or idiot, he answers to both," Arthur quipped from where he had sat himself down.

"At least I don't answer to clotpole," Merlin retorted and Arthur narrowed his eyes in a surly gesture. Leon glanced between them.

"A what?" He asked, wondering if he actually wanted to know.

"Don't ask."

"Arthur." Both men answered simultaneously before shooting each other glares that had Leon laughing. He had seen the heat of Arthur's glare, and he knew that it was far from the expression on his face right now. There was nothing but fondness and amusement in both men's faces and Leon knew that although Merlin might be Arthur's servant, he was also his friend.

He also knew that neither of them would admit that.

But he didn't need to ask. For the first time in forever, he knew that Arthur had a true friend his own age. In the same way that Leon had always done – perhaps even more – this Merlin was not going to bow to Arthur because of who he was. Arthur was going to have to earn that respect first. Judging by the relaxed posture of both of them, despite Merlin staying standing, Leon knew that Merlin must have been in Arthur's service for some time now. They had a relaxed atmosphere despite the way they had been snapping at each other.

Leon perched on the edge of the bed, but found that he was ignoring Merlin as he looked at Arthur, a proud smile tugging at his lips. It was only then that he noticed the faint bruising around Arthur's eye and that he was holding his arm a little stiffly.

"What happened this time?" He demanded and Arthur jumped guiltily. It didn't escape Leon's notice that he glanced at Merlin, who shrugged. It was almost as if he was checking what he was supposed to have done before answering. When Leon pointed out his healing injuries, Arthur shrugged.

"Sorcerer turned a load of gargoyles into living things. Stopped them in the end."

"Would have stopped them beforehand if you actually listened to me…"

"Maybe I would have if you weren't being such a lazy…"

"Enough," Leon sighed, having a feeling they would be at it all night if he let them. Merlin flushed and looked down, clearly remembering that he was just a servant in the presence of a knight. Arthur, however, gave Merlin a light kick.

"He doesn't mean it," he said softly, and Leon found himself smiling. It seemed that Arthur could still read him as well as he could read the prince. Merlin looked between them before edging towards the door.

"Why don't I go and find some supper? I'm sure Sir Leon is still weary for his travels." He didn't wait for an answer, but continued backing out.

"Make sure it's hot!" Arthur yelled after him, and Leon pretended that he didn't hear Merlin's retort floating up the corridor. If the king heard, Leon knew the servant would be lucky with just a dismissal. But as soon as he was gone, Leon moved forward so that he was right on the edge of the bed, studying Arthur intently.

"I heard about the Questing Beast." He said gently and Arthur flushed a little.

"I'm fine," his voice was equally as quiet. "Gaius knows a miracle or two."

"I've also been getting reports about the other things that have been happening while I've been gone." There was a slightly firm note in Leon's tone as he stared at Arthur and the prince squirmed. It seemed that Arthur was aware that Leon knew he had been in the middle of everything that had been happening and wasn't best pleased about the danger the prince had been in when he hadn't been there to help.

"I should have come home," Leon eventually muttered, realising just how much he had missed the Citadel while he had been away. This time, it was him who Arthur kicked lightly.

"You had to do your duty." Leon grinned, recognising that when he left, Arthur only knew the words. Now he fully understood them, and by the looks of the healing wounds, enacted them himself. It seemed that he was truly becoming a strong prince and knight. In a way, Leon found himself wondering whether him not being there was good. Arthur hadn't had anyone to hide behind any longer and would have been forced to step up in order to get anywhere once Bors had retired.

Thinking of the old man reminded Leon of one of the last conversations he had had with Arthur. Although he could tell that there was a difference in the prince compared to the boy he had left behind, Leon had to know whether Arthur had acted out in the way that he feared. Voicing his question out loud, he got his answer just by the way that Arthur blushed.

"I had Merlin arrested the first time we met because he tried to stop me from throwing knives at a target… that someone might have still been holding." Leon knew that Arthur only added the last part on because he knew that the knight would be able to detect whether he had been told the full story or not.

"How did he end up as your manservant then? He doesn't seem the type."

"He isn't, he's a pain most of the time. And his definition of cleaning involves throwing things behind the dresser and hoping that I don't notice. But he saved my life, just after I had him arrested. That's not the first time either. He's going to get himself killed one of these days and he just doesn't seem to care…"

Arthur trailed off and Leon could see the worry in his expression. Whoever this Merlin was, it was obvious that he was a true friend to the prince. One who didn't need to swear an oath to be by his side through thick and thin. Leon got the feeling Merlin was the sort that wouldn't necessarily have to protect Arthur from physical dangers (he was a servant and the prince was surrounded by knights!), but that he was potentially the one person who would be able to protect Arthur from himself and the self-doubts that had constantly plagued him while growing up.

"He's a good friend, isn't he?" Leon asked softly. Arthur jumped, looking as if he had never put Merlin and friendship in the same sentence before.

"Who, him?" There was scathing in his voice, yet Leon could see the way that his eyes softened. Once again, he was receiving his answer without it having to be vocalised and he couldn't be happier. Arthur finally had someone whose only duty was putting the prince first. This time, it was Leon's turn to nudge Arthur with his knee and the prince grinned even as he flushed slightly. It was obvious that Arthur knew Leon understood.

"So… you've arrived just in time for the joust then," Arthur turned the conversation back to more neutral ground just as Merlin walked backwards into the room, using his body to push open the door as he had his hands full. Leon had to fight to keep the groan from coming out loud when he caught sight of the steaming bowls. It was rare to find hot food out on the fort. Or if you managed to find it, it was hard getting the chance to eat it without being called away to sort out one emergency or another. Merlin balanced it on the table and Leon thanked him with a smile as both he and Arthur dove towards the food.

But upon sitting back, Leon realised they hadn't been the only ones. Merlin had also helped himself, although his movements were more timid and he had moved slightly closer to Arthur. Leon could only assume that Merlin had heard something about the knight whose rooms he was now sitting in if he felt confident enough to do so. But it was also clear that he was fully aware this was crossing some sort of line and was using his master as protection. For some reason, it just made Leon laugh.

Merlin knew precisely where his boundaries were and knew how to stay within them when he needed to. The fact that he obviously didn't with Arthur was a conscious choice on his behalf. He didn't insult the prince because he didn't know better, but because he wanted to. He insulted him because Arthur must have done something to warrant being insulted, just the way any friend would.

As he sat back and let the conversation flow around him, Leon realised the words that he had told Arthur about the prince not needing him were finally coming true. But that didn't mean he wouldn't be by Arthur's side just the way he had always been.

It just meant that he knew he wasn't the only one looking out for the brat. Arthur had finally found someone who would put up with him because of who he was as a man rather than the privileges that his title offered.

And maybe that was precisely what Arthur needed to become the king that Leon could already see burning within him.