Disclaimer: I own nothing, all rights belong to their respective owners.

This one is for Jammeke! You are my constant source of support everywhere, I can't tell you how much it means! And I know you love the Arthur/Leon bond as much as I do...

"But Father…"

"Don't whine at me. I gave our word that we were going and that is what we are going to do. Unless you want me to break my word?" Leon scowled and looked in the opposite direction. He didn't want to have to ride all of the way to Camelot again. It was rare for his father to be home, the man's duties as a knight keeping him in the Citadel. He had tried to move his whole family there, but his mother had fallen sick. Everyone had agreed it was better for her out in their country estate and so she had retired, taking their son with them. Leon hadn't complained, he hadn't liked the city either. It was too busy.

But as time had gone by, he had begun to resent how often his father was away. Times when he was home meant a lot to the ten year old. Only this time, the man had been home for long enough to tell Leon to pack his travelling bag and be at the stables after lunch. Leon didn't understand why his mother looked so tearful when he had moved towards the stables.

His father had been quick to enlighten him. Leon was at the age where he could be chosen for a squire. He knew that he was already good with a sword, having a knight as a father meant he had been receiving instruction since the man had caught him playing with a wooden stick when he was only three. But Leon knew it was more than that. He knew they weren't the stereotypical family for nobles, both his mother and father had pressed on him the need to care for others, especially those lower than themselves. Although he wasn't sure of the details, he knew that being chosen as a squire would be the first step towards securing his future as a knight.

It was all Leon had ever wanted, so he dutifully mounted his horse and followed his father out of the estate. On the journey, his father had gone on to explain there was more to it than that. A new prince had been born, the kingdom now had an heir. But it had come out a cost, and now Camelot was entering a time of hardship. Leon had panicked, thinking it meant they were at war and his father was going to be sent away to die somewhere for a king Leon had never met. The knight was quick to reassure him that was not the case, but pressed home how it was more important now than ever that they made a good impression on the king.

Leon had mulled it over, still not quite understanding where he came into all of this. At the back of his mind, he knew he might not be going home again. Why else would his father be explaining about squires now? They had had this talk years ago, as soon as Leon had been old enough to understand what one was. His mother's tears, his father's talks… Leon knew there was something else going on. It seemed as if there was something he wasn't being told.

It was only when they made camp for the night that he found out. Leon had almost fallen from his horse by the time his father announced they were to stop for the night, barely able to keep his eyes open. He hadn't complained, hadn't said anything as he had practically slithered from his horse. His father's arm around his back had steadied him and father and son had set about securing themselves for the night. Leon had once asked why they didn't take servants with them the way he knew other nobles did. His father had just told him that anything he could do for himself, he should.

But wrapped in a blanket, his feet stretched out towards the fire and feeling pleasantly full up, Leon became aware that his father was watching him closely.

"Sir?"

"You must be wondering why I was so insistent that you came with me, son?" Leon nodded, not trusting his voice. He wanted to prove that he was old enough to handle whatever it was that his father had waited until now to tell him. He wasn't sure if he was excited or nervous, but he didn't want his voice to give him away either way.

"Leon, you are part of a next generation. A symbol of what is to come. I've already told you that tough times are ahead, and I don't know how bad things will get. I don't know how long the bloodshed will last for, or the things I will have to do in the name of my king."

"I know, Father. A knight must do as his liege commands." Even over the firelight, Leon could make out the man's gentle smile as Leon recited what he had been taught.

"It's more than that this time. The king needs friends now more than ever, Leon. He needs to know who he can trust."

"I don't understand."

"When we get to Camelot, son, we will be taken before the king. He will ask us to swear allegiance to the new prince." Leon frowned, knowing this wasn't all. His father was building up to something, something bigger.

"I don't want you to do that. I want you to swear allegiance to Arthur."

"But I thought… Isn't that the prince's name, Father?"

"Yes, Leon." The knight sat further forward, looking his son in the eye. Leon knew this was something serious, so he leant forward, eyes gleaming.

"I want you to swear yourself to the man, Leon. Not the title, not the role he will fulfil, but the man he will become. I don't know the cost of the events that have begun to unfold. I don't even know if Arthur will remain a prince, there have been rumours… But I want you to swear, both here to me now and in front of the king, that you will stand by Arthur no matter what happens. Whether he is royalty or a farmer, you will be by his side."

"I'll be his friend?" The seriousness instantly melted from his father's face as he reached around the fire to ruffle Leon's curls.

"Yes, my boy. You have to swear to always be his friend."

"What if he is really mean?" Leon chewed his lip in worry. How could he swear to be the boy's friend when he didn't even know if he liked him yet? A maid at their home had just had a baby herself, and all the little girl did was cry and have everyone fussing over her. Leon excused her, Gwen was a girl. But what if the prince was like that?

"Then you will be like a brother to him. Brothers stick by each other no matter what, they never betray each other. But they also tell each other when they are being mean. With you to look up to, how could he be anything other than charming?"

Leon went scarlet, visible even in the dim light as his father chuckled and told him to get some sleep. It was only when the man's snores filled the air did Leon finally allow sleep to claim him. He had made up his mind; he would be a brother to this prince. Not only because his father wanted him to, but because he didn't think it was right for a prince to be mean. He would just have to teach him how to be nice himself.

MM

By the time they reached Camelot the following afternoon, Leon was exhausted. He hadn't slept well, not used to being out in the open despite his father's presence reassuring him that all would be well. He also wasn't used to spending so long in the saddle and the young boy was practically biting his lip to stop his discomfort showing on his face. Still, all of that seemed to vanish when he finally got a look at the castle and he felt his jaw drop.

"My Lord! You made good speed, the king wasn't expecting you for a few hours. Your chambers are ready, Sire."

Leon blinked, startled when he saw there was a groom holding the reins of his horse, another one on his father's horse and a bowing servant addressing his father.

"Thank you, James. Leon, down you get, son." It came as no surprise that his father knew the servant by name and Leon knew the warmth in the servant's eyes was genuine. He knew how loved his father was at home and it came as no surprise it was the same here. Leon stiffly swung one leg over the saddle, but let out a muffled cry as he dropped, his legs cramped from being in the same position for too long. He didn't hit the floor there, for there was a strong hand instantly on his back, carefully guiding him down. His wide eyes didn't process how his father had moved so quickly, but the man squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.

"Walking will help," he murmured softly, taking Leon's hand and beginning to lead him into the castle after flipping a coin to each of the grooms. Leon simply clung on and let his father guide him, his head craning around as he tried to look at everything at once.

"Is this where you live, Father?"

"My home is with you and your mother, you know that. But this is where I have chambers, yes." Leon stumbled slightly as he realised he had slowed down and his father had continued to walk on. He trotted forward to fall in step with the man again, but continued to gape. However, the further into the castle they got, the more he realised something was wrong. He might have not known much about court yet, but he knew the arrival of an heir was something to be celebrated. But the closer into the main part of the castle they got, the quieter it was. There was a gloom settling over the people and no one seemed to make eye contact with one another.

"Papa?" For the first time in years, Leon found his grown up attitude was disappearing as he pressed himself closer to his father, tightening his grip on the man's hand.

"It's alright, Leon." The fact the man didn't go any further than that meant Leon knew it was far from alright. His father was a practical man. He explained away Leon's fears through explaining the logic behind them. It was obvious from the tremble in Leon's voice that he was afraid of this strange atmosphere, but the man said nothing more. Leon assumed that he would say more when they reached their chambers, but he never got the chance to find out. Before his father had taken another step, a door to their left opened.

His father's grip immediately tightened and Leon found himself gasping under the contact. At least, part of it was because of the contact, the other part was the haunted appearance of the man in front of him. He knew that having a month old son can't have been easy (Gwen never stayed quiet!) but if it hadn't been for the crown on his head, he would have had no idea that this was the fearsome king of Camelot. He looked like a shell of a man, like someone who had been in one too many thoughts. Leon tried to look at his father, but the man had sunk into a bow. The pressure on Leon's shoulder increased and he found he was bowing as well.

"Your Highness."

"My friend. Is this your son, Gregory?" Leon felt the pressure on his shoulder lessen slightly and took that as his cue to straighten up a little.

"It is, Sire. Leon, this is the king." For a moment, Leon only gaped. His father had never told him that he was going to have to say anything to the king himself! His mind scrambled helplessly through his lessons in an attempt to think of the right thing to say, but he was stopped by a hand taking his chin. He only just covered up a squawk of surprise, his father's reassuring grip stopping him from automatically pulling away from the king's touch. The man tilted his head to one side, then to the other. He eventually let go and ruffled Leon's curls, but it didn't feel right. It wasn't the loving caress from his mother and it wasn't a gesture of pride from his father. It felt cold, almost as if the man didn't know how to express his emotions.

"You must be proud of him. He is a fine boy."

"I am. Thank you, Sire."

"Have you presented him to the knights yet?"

"Not yet, Your Highness. I intend to this visit though, Sir Hector's squire was sent away in disgrace, he is looking for a new boy. I thought…"

"Yes, he looks as if he will be tall. Hector will need that, especially on the jousts." Leon found that he was shrinking back against his father as the two men discussed his future. He had never guessed that he would feel a tendril of fear working its way into his body and settling down in his chest now the day had almost arrived. Then again, it wasn't as if he had the chance to think about it. This time the day before, he had been playing in the stream and only pretending to listen to his tutor.

"Gregory, about the…other matter…" As soon as he caught the tone of voice, Leon obediently stopped listening. He knew that it meant they were discussing something that no one should overhear and weren't thinking about the fact that he was there. Remembering what his father had said about things taking a turn for the worst in the kingdom now that the prince had been born, Leon decided he really didn't want to know. If things were too bad, he was just going to go home.

He thought it would be easy to distract himself, there were plenty of interesting objects in his eye-line. But Leon found all of his attention was focused on one thing. A cry of a baby. Keeping hold of his father's hand, he twisted his head around to try and see into the room just as a maid came running forward.

"Please, Sire, you must keep the door shut, he'll catch a chill." The maid didn't look like she wanted to be addressing the king, and judging by the look on Uther's face, he wasn't happy. But Leon paid little attention to the adults. His ears were focused on that one cry. He didn't know how, but he knew the maid was wrong. The baby wouldn't catch a chill. Before his thought could go any further, the maid muttered something about stoking up the fire and made to close the door.

"No!"

"Leon!" His father's reprimand was quick and firm, but Leon tugged on his father's hand.

"Please, Father! Don't let her stoke up the fire!"

"Gregory, what is wrong with your boy?"

"I don't know, Sire. Leon, what are you doing?" Leon rolled his eyes and yanked his hand free. Without even considering the courtesy needed before leaving a king's presence, he darted into the room. The maid let out a small shriek and her hand rose, snagging the back of his collar. Leon was yanked to a stop, coughing.

"Get your hands off my son." His father's voice was deadly and quiet and Leon instantly felt the pressure disappearing. He wriggled free, ran to where an elaborate crib was resting and stood on tiptoes, peering in. A small face looked up at him, the baby blinking as his cries still. Balancing carefully, Leon pushed a hand in and loosened the blankets.

"Leon, what are you doing? You heard the young lady, he'll catch a chill."

"No, he won't, Papa, he's too warm."

"Leon…"

"Leave the boy be, Gregory." Leon looked up at the king with wide eyes as the man came to stand next to him. He made to pull back, but found that something had snagged his finger. Looking back into the crib revealed the baby clinging on, his whole hand wrapped around Leon's finger. It was only then that he noticed he had stopped crying.

"He likes you."

In response, the baby let out a soft gurgle, his mouth turning up in a smile.

"But… But, Sire…I supposed…Father said I had to be friends with the prince." When Uther smiled down at him this time, Leon realised the warmth that had been lacking before was now present. His hand also entered the crib, resting lightly on the infant's chest and causing the baby to let out another gurgle, blowing a bubble as he did so. Leon screwed up his face.

"Eww. That's yuck," he told the baby sternly and received a blink back in surprise. His own father let out a gentle laugh, moving forward as his hand rested on Leon's shoulder. Leon was vaguely aware of him murmuring the story the night before about Leon's worry the prince would be mean. Leon thought he would get into trouble, but Uther laughed.

"I don't think your son really needs to take the vow, does he?"

"I have to! I s'pposed to be meeting the prince!"

"No, Leon. You're supposed to be meeting Arthur. And you just have."

"Oh."

Blinking, Leon looked down into the crib. The baby's eyes were fluttering shut and Leon realised he wasn't as flushed as before now that he was cooling down. But as he fell asleep, still clutching Leon's finger, the young boy understood.

Arthur was the prince. He had just told a maid she was making the prince too warm and told said prince that blowing bubbles wasn't nice.

Suddenly, he understood what his father had meant about being by his side no matter what. As the king and his father began conversing again, Leon watched the sleeping baby intently.

"It's alright. I'll be your friend. Forever. Promise."