Work Text:
Leon had always considered himself a wise and composed man.
Perhaps less wise and composed than Lancelot but certainly more so than Gwaine.
Let's just say he was a suitably wise and composed person.
And it was for this reason that when that morning he went to train the Knights and found some of them brawling instead of being ready for training he had said nothing.
And he hadn't said anything either when he realized Gwaine was pestering a servant girl again instead of doing his duty.
And nothing when he had noticed that – strangely enough – Lancelot hadn't arrived yet.
Leon hadn't flinched even when all the Knights had huffed after calling them to order.
Leon was really a wise and composed person.
Hardly anything could upset or annoy him. And it was for this reason that Uther, when he was still King, had called him his most trusted Knight and Arthur had made him First Knight not even a week after his coronation.
Leon was very proud of it.
Because he was wise.
And composed.
Gwaine had always secretly admired Leon even though he had never admitted it. Each of the Knights of the Round Table had his merits - Lancelot noble and brave, Percival strong and kind, Elyan determined and selfless - but none of them were so... wise. And composed.
Leon for them was a kind of older brother that everyone relied on. Nothing bothered him. Not even Uther's death a few months earlier had scratched his mind.
He had reacted wisely.
And composed.
Gwaine was truly admired.
Elyan knew that when his sister had been falsely accused of witchcraft when magic was still illegal in Camelot, Leon had been one of the few to stand up for Gwen. One of the few to consider that there might have been a mistake and he helped Merlin and Arthur save his sister's life.
Because Leon was a wise and composed person.
And Elyan would always be grateful to him.
Percival had known Leon for the past eight years. They had shared so much together. Drank together. Fought together.
Leon was for him the person to turn to when he had a problem or some moral doubts. One of the few people capable of listening and giving excellent advice.
Because Leon was truly a wise person. And composed.
So, when a few minutes later the Knights saw Lancelot quickly approaching them with the face distorted by a grimace of horror, they immediately thought the worst.
An epidemic. A siege. A war.
Because Lancelot du Lac was many things but most of all he was brave. Only a catastrophe could be the reason of that expression on his face.
Leon was the first to approach Lancelot, blocking training with one hand and simultaneously beckoning Gwaine, Percival and Elyan to come closer.
"What's going on Lance?" asked Leon in a soft but firm voice when they were all within earshot. Obviously he had not broken down at the sight of Lancelot's face. Leon was a leader and if there was a problem to be managed he would do it. Without breaking down.
"Lance?" Gwaine urged him a thread worried since his friend had not yet opened his mouth. Gwaine had not seen Lancelot with that face even during the trip to Ismere or during the three-day siege against Morgause and Cenred. And not even when he was half dying trying to close the Veil between the world of the Living and the Dead.
Never.
"So?" said Percival impatiently.
Lancelot looked them one by one, like he was solemnly saying goodbye to all of them.
"They argued."
Silence.
Just silence.
A very long and astonished silence.
Then many things happened at once. Percival held his breath loudly. Elyan brought a hand to his face, his mouth wide open. Gwaine had murmured a strangled "no". The Knights behind them had begun to murmur among themselves, perplexed.
"Arthur apparently caught Lord William flirting with Merlin and when Merlin refused him Lord William began to insult him. In front of Arthur". Lancelot added in a funereal tone.
A collective groan arose.
“And Arthur is now coming to train”.
Gwaine tried to contain a gag.
"And… Merlin is coming to assist".
Elyan’s legs gave up. It was only Percival's readiness that prevented the Knight from ending up face down. Gwaine slowly ran a hand over his forehead. He felt feverish. Maybe he could have call in sick that day.
Lancelot and Percival exchanged an anxious look, unable to even make a sound. It was Gwaine who after wiping his sweat turned to Leon, desperate. “What do we do?"
They all turned to stare at the First Knight.
Leon was always wise.
And composed.
He would have known what do to.
But Leon's gaze was absent. His face as white as a sheet and his lower lip was shaking.
"We are all doomed".
But let’s take a step back.
For years now, in Camelot existed what the people called ‘the common law’. A law that went beyond the official one of the Kingdom, but which had practically the same value for everyone.
If not more.
It was not certain when exactly it was born, nor who was its author but the peasants, the nobles and the Knights were all perfectly aware of it and respected every point with order and diligence.
Penalty: stocks, public humiliation and total chaos in the Kingdom.
What was simply known to most as ‘the common law’ was actually born with a much longer and more explanatory name: The Royal Household Survival Code for the Preservation of Physical and Mental Health of Knights and Not-Knights.
Better known as: The Code.
Legends, stories and myths hovered around The Code and its six rules in an attempt to find out who was responsible for its authorship. Few knew the truth, but everyone knew the first rule: never, ever mention the Code in front of them. Because they would start arguing that there was no them.
Them. The reason why one evening several years ago eight people of more or less different ranks had gathered around a table and had defined a strategy for the peaceful life of the Household and of the entire Kingdom.
Because they were all done. Totally, utterly done.
But let’s take another step back.
Arthur and Merlin had always had a special relationship. A relationship that certainly began in unconventional ways and that had turned first into a deep friendship and then into something that went beyond. They shared a destiny, the weight of a Kingdom on their shoulders and this had strengthened a bond that was already very deep.
A bond made of bickering, insults and quarrels but above all of saving each other's lives countless times, giving each other strength and always being there for each other.
A bond that no one else in the Kingdom could even aspire to understand but that was always summarized with the expression ‘two sides of the same coin’.
But.
Yes, there was a but.
The downside of sharing such a deep bond was that Merlin and Arthur had become slightly overprotective of each other. Or rather, possessive.
Actually no, jealous. Yes, jealous was the right word.
Obviously neither of them realized it, for them everything was normal. But for others it had become unbearable.
Arthur especially had become unbearable. If their respective commitments kept them away for too long he became grumpy with everyone. If he noticed that someone bothered Merlin he became a fury. If he began to feel ‘neglected’ by his former servant he turned into a petulant boy. Especially after he had pinned Merlin as Court Sorcerer and the curiosity of the nobles and rulers of the neighbouring kingdoms were directed towards his no longer servant, the situation had become untenable.
Reason why after a heated week three years earlier in which the visit of a nobleman was practically about to mark the destruction of Camelot because of Arthur's pratness, some people had seen fit to take matters into their own hands and put an end to that story.
Meaning that Leon, Gwaine, Percival, Elyan, Lancelot, Gaius, Morgana and Gwen had gathered around the table of the Court Physician and after hours and hours of discussion they had written down the six officials rules of The Code.
One: never, ever name the Code in front of them.
(For everyone's safety).
Two: make sure both are always monitored day and night to prevent them from getting into trouble.
(Percival had literally risked his skin when Merlin disappeared for a day because of Morgause and Arthur had almost gone mad. And Morgana and Gwen were about to get seriously injured when Merlin narrowly foiled an attack on Arthur and an entire wing of the Castle nearly collapsed).
Three: never insult or say anything bad to Merlin in front of Arthur.
(Three Knights had already lost their title and Arthur had come close to a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Essetir, avoided only thanks to Gaius interference).
Four: crush any possible form of excessive appreciation of anyone towards Merlin.
(Gwaine had spent two nights in the dungeons for this reason. Lancelot's attempt to explain that Gwaine was just joking was of little use. Two nobles had been driven out of the Kingdom. A servant was about to lose his job. The problem was that basically anyone in Camelot was in love with Merlin so they had to be extremely careful).
Five: avoid in any way that the two argue again in a serious way.
(Elyan would never admit it but The Supreme Fight - the one in which Arthur discovered the truth about Merlin's magic and the boy had to return to Ealdor for three days before the King went to retrieve him - shook him to his core. Those three days, spent suffering Arthur's screams with objects thrown everywhere, had been the worst days of his life).
Six: never and for no reason allow Merlin to attend Arthur and the Knights' training again.
(Never again. It had been the oath of the Knights. Because every time Merlin attended a training, Arthur always tried to show off by trying moves and countermoves that always put the Knights in difficulty. When Arthur was angry for some reason, the training became a real torture. But when Arthur was angry, jealous and Merlin was there watching him? The Knights would have preferred war. Seriously).
So, let’s go back to that day.
Lancelot and Percival were bent over Elyan who could not get back on his feet while Gwaine tried to give air to a Leon who did not seem to have returned to reality yet.
"We have to do something," Lancelot said as he patted distractedly Elyan on the back.
"Too late," Gwaine groaned, his gaze turned toward the Castle.
They all turned – including a still pale Leon and an Elyan still on the ground – in time to notice Merlin and Arthur advancing across the field at a determined pace and with dark faces.
"Gentlemen, it’s been an honor," Percival whispered in a sepulchral tone.
And that was the end.
"Why aren't you training? Leon, when I entrusted you with the Knights I expected more discipline. Why is Elyan on the ground? Is he already resting? This is not the proper behaviour for a Knight of Camelot. They must be the best of the best and here I see only ladies. I'll take care of it now. A healthy, old-fashioned way training. We go on until evening if necessary. Get up Elyan, since you're so rested you'll be the first to fight with me".
Arthur didn't look anyone in the face. He drew his sword and stood in the centre of the training field, twirling his wrist waiting for Elyan to position himself in front of him. Meanwhile, Merlin had rolled his eyes and approached the Knights.
"His Royal Pratness is in a mood," he said, casting a resentful glance at Arthur.
None of the Knights answered. Percival took Elyan by weight and put him back on his feet. Leon hurried to catch up with Arthur, making sure not to look him in the eye. Gwaine positioned himself behind Merlin, using him as a shield against nobody knew exactly what.
Lancelot gave Elyan a nudge and Elyan advanced like a death row inmate.
"Goodbye, Elyan" they all whispered.
Three hours later everyone wished they had never been appointed Knights.
Elyan, Sir Conrad and Sir Charles were on the ground (Conrad and Charles both unconscious). Gwaine and Sir Ethan were wounded respectively in an arm and knee, Percival had a cut on his eyebrow, Sir Robert was limping and Sir Archibald was ashen with one hand resting on his stomach.
"Arthur, you idiot, would you stop mutilating your own Knights?" Merlin shouted exasperated as he tried to heal everyone's scratches and wounds with magic.
"This is a training, Merlin. I'm teaching the Knights to fight to better defend Camelot. It has to be hard" Arthur shouted back at him.
"If we walk away slowly, they may not notice us" Gwaine murmured to the others, holding his injured arm tightly. Lancelot and Percival nodded as they imperceptibly took a few steps back.
"And how do you think they can defend Camelot if half of them is hurt because of you?" asked Merlin sarcastically.
"It means they're not ready then. And how do you think it should be a Camelot training? Collecting daisies?" the King mimicked him in return.
"And you call this a training?"
"Just because you're used to going light doesn't mean I exaggerate"
"Just because I don't mutilate other sorcerers doesn't mean I go lightly"
Arthur snorted. "Yes, sure, whatever you say."
"What?"
Silence fell on the training field.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no" gasped Elyan, who had laboriously joined the other Knights. "Oh Gods, Merlin is pissed off".
"Forget what I said. We have to move away quickly," Gwaine said impatiently. "Come on, someone has to recover Leon or we risk loos-"
"Do you want to see how you don't last two minutes with one of my trainings?
"Are you threatening your King, Merlin?"
"More threatening an arse."
The Knights gasped. Leon was white again. With a shade of grey now. A drop of sweat fell from his temple.
"Sir Percival, shouldn’t we intervene?" Sir Ethan murmured, uncertain as they all looked Arthur and Merlin staring at each other with murderous eyes.
"Are you crazy? Or just suicidal?" Gwaine whispered horrified.
"But... according to the common law we shou-"
"Forget The Code, it's too late. Four of the six rules were broken all together. Four!"
"Gwaine is right, Sir Ethan," Lancelot said in a dull tone. "There's nothing we can do now. We can just pray for the least number of vict-"
"You can't talk to me like that"
"I speak to you as I want"
"I am your King"
"But you act like a prat"
Leon’s face turned green.
"I think I'm leaving, you know? They really won't notice".
"And I think it's a really good idea. I follow you".
“Me too”.
"All right, Merlin. You wanted it!"
Lancelot saw Arthur lifting the mace and twirling it over his head in a threatening manner. The Knights did not have time to intervene as they saw Arthur flying backwards and landing with a dull thud. Merlin had not moved but Lancelot had noticed a very quick glow illuminating his eyes.
The Knights stood motionless staring at the scene, horrified.
"Maybe now you'll stop acting like an arrogant bully!" Merlin shouted. And without looking no one he turned, walking away with a brisk step towards the Castle.
"Leon," Gwaine called with a shaken voice after a moment of silence. "Leon, what do we do?"
There was a sigh.
A long pause.
Another sigh.
Leon’s face was green and yellow now.
"Save yourselves if you can."
Leon was a really wise person.
Maybe not composed anymore.
But still wise.
***
That evening, the Knights of the Round Table had decided to treat themselves to an evening at the Rising Sun. All except Leon who, poor soul, had had to endure an enraged Arthur all afternoon and towards evening had collected a whole series of indelicate shades of weird colours on the face. Gaius, who had visited him shortly before, had decreed that Leon had had a nervous breakdown and that only after reaching a slight purple tinge had he been convinced to drink a tonic that had made him fall asleep shortly thereafter. The Knights had not dared to disturb him. They had gone into hiding after training and did not even want to imagine what the First Knight had to go through in those hours.
Because in the meantime Arthur and Merlin had not only not made peace but had fought again after Arthur had chased him all over the Castle to reproach him for hitting him with magic. And Merlin had been particularly close to using it again if Morgana hadn't bravely intervened. She had dragged Merlin to her rooms where they had stayed all afternoon to confabulate, along with Gwen. By dinner time, it was the servant girl who reached the Knights and informed them well about the reason of the fight.
Merlin was angry because Arthur was too protective and every time he risked diplomatic incidents because he never thought before acting.
Arthur was angry that Merlin had not told him earlier that Lord William had shown interest in him and that Merlin had not pushed him away with magic when the situation had become more serious.
Merlin was furious because Arthur had no right to tell him how and when to act and how dare Arthur to talk like that when Merlin had caught him being all nice to Lady Aubrine of Kent three days earlier.
Arthur was furious because he hadn't been nice to anyone and because he was the King of Camelot and could do whatever he liked.
Merlin was pissed off because Arthur was an arrogant, hypocrite bully and a cabbage head.
Arthur was pissed off because Merlin was an idiot and as punishment he would go with him to the training field because then perhaps he could learn how to defend himself from someone since the idiot did not want to use magic to defend himself from unwanted flattery.
Merlin had decided that it was better to try to calm down and follow him otherwise Camelot risked no longer having a King.
And that was it.
So the Knights of the Round Table had decided. A drink, they definitely needed a drink.
What they did not expect, however, was to see Merlin enter the Rising Sun and sit at the table with them.
"I was looking for you all" Merlin said as he took a sip of cider. "I just saw something weird coming here. Sir Conrad and Sir Charles taking Lord William to the dungeons."
The Knights exchanged a glance. Gwaine responded with a laconic 'mph'.
"It's not going to be for this morning story, will it? Because he's a Lord, he can't be imprisoned for such a stupid thing".
No one answered. Percival inhaled loudly without looking up from his mug.
"And then I heard them say something about the common law of Camelot but I didn't quite understand what they were talking about."
Elyan choked. He began coughing loudly as Lancelot patted him sympathetically on the back.
Merlin stared at him, perplexed.
"Are you alright, Elyan?"
The other looked up, his face red and his eyes still shiny. "Absolutely," he replied in a hoarse voice.
"Five rules out of six," Gwaine whispered desperately in Lancelot's ear as Merlin continued to look at Elyan worriedly. "Five out of six rules were broken today."
Lancelot elbowed him and smiled in the direction of the Court Sorcerer. "I'm sure it's for another reason, Merlin. Don't worry."
"How was the meeting with the Druids?" asked Percival, trying to divert the conversation.
When Merlin began to tell, enthusiastically, the atmosphere around the table relaxed. They laughed, asked questions, urged Merlin to tell some stories, filled several glasses, and made many toasts. Two hours later they were all a bit drunk and particularly tired. Merlin was the first to get up and declare the evening over.
"Gentlemen. It was a pleasure but I better go now. Alator arrives early tomorrow and we have to discuss important things about the Order of the Triskelion. Good night, everyone." He got up and after greeting the innkeeper walked away.
The Knights sighed. "Should we follow him?" asked Percival, staring at the door from where he had just come out.
"I'm not going to break six out of six rules today. If something happens to him in the next few minutes I think I will choose voluntary exile," Gwaine replied through gritted teeth.
Everyone nodded. They left a few coins on the table and came out of the Rising Sun one after another.
Merlin was just ahead of them, talking to what the Knights recognized as Arthur's old servant, even before Merlin. The two were laughing at something, Morris' arm resting on Merlin's shoulder.
"For all the gods, we left him alone for one minute. How is it possible that someone is already flirting with him?" exclaimed Gwaine in exasperation.
"Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no," Elyan moaned. When Lancelot turned to look at him perplexed, he noticed that Elyan's gaze was not directed towards Merlin and Morris, but at the Castle. Lancelot frowned, following Elyan's gaze and for a second his heart missed a beat.
Arthur was marching at a charging pace towards the Tavern.
Precisely towards Merlin and Morris.
Lancelot brought his hand over his eyes. What to do? What not to do? The Knights of Camelot were not used to being scared for stupid things like that. They had endured worse. They had survived that morning, they could survive everything. The Knights of Camelot were the bravest men in the Kingdom. And since Leon was not with them now someone else had to be wise in his place.
So Lancelot made the wisest decision possible.
"Hide!"
All four dived behind the nearest berry bush, but since it wasn't big enough to hide them all they were pressed against each other, the feet of one on the shoulders of the other, knees intertwined and elbows stuck in unknown ribs.
"Remind me why this seemed to you like a good idea, Lance," Gwaine commented as he tried to pull his hand out from under Percival's back.
"MERLIN!"
"It was a great idea, Lance. Well done," Gwaine corrected himself as Arthur's heavy footsteps echoed all the way.
From behind the brambles Lancelot spied on the situation. Morris was walking away quickly, his gaze frightened. Merlin remained where he was, his head turned to Arthur with a harsh expression. Lancelot had always admired his friend's courage. Anyone else would have at least frowned at such an angry Arthur but Merlin wouldn't. He was unmoved.
"What do you have to shout clotpole? Do you want to wake up the whole citadel?"
A grunt. Lancelot looked away to see Gwaine finally release his hand which had turned red and swollen. "Thanks the gods," Gwaine said with a moan.
"Shhhhh" silenced Lancelot as he watched the scene through the branches. Arthur had approached Merlin and now they were face to face. Merlin's arms were clenched to his chest, Arthur’s hands clenched into a fist.
"Are you spooning with someone again?"
"I wasn't spooning with anyone at all. And what does it mean again?"
A thud. A muffled sound. A half-mouthed expletive. Lancelot turned back to the other Knights and saw Elyan holding his head in his hands while Gwaine stood up straight.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry Elyan. I slipped," Gwaine whispered with a contrite face.
"Do you want to shut up? If they find us out, we're dead."
"Yes, sorry Lance, you're right."
"... Sir Eric, Lady Ascot, the servant girl from Nemeth, Lord William, Morris... Do I have to keep going?"
"Sir Eric was just trying to be nice, Lady Ascot had asked me how to get to the kitchens, Mary is a sorcerer and asked me questions about my magic, Lord William is a slimy idiot and Morris is my friend".
"Oh and I guess Lord Derrik was also a friend of yours..."
Lancelot saw Merlin blushing. He frowned. Lord Derrik? And then a flash of understanding. Lord Derrik... the lord whom Arthur had driven out three years earlier and who had almost caused a diplomatic incident with the Kingdom of Essetir.
Bad memories. Really bad memories.
"The last time I saw Lord Derrik was like three years ago!"
"And Morris not even two minutes ago"
"Alright, I can play this game too. What about you? Do I need to remind you of Lady Vivian, Lady Mithian, Lady Sophia and Lady Elena?"
"Oh come on, with half of them I was under enchantment and with the other half I was forced..."
"Oh yes, that’s too easy…”
Lancelot shook his head. Those two could go on bickering like that and he and the other Knights couldn't stay hidden forever.
"Gentlemen," he called in a low voice looking at his comrades-in-arms, "How about if we try to crawl the other way and go around behind the tavern? We should be able to get to Gwen's house in a few minutes." Gwaine, Percival, and Elyan nodded firmly. None of them wanted to stay there a second longer. Merlin and Arthur's voices continued to echo as the four of them tried to get back into dignified positions.
"Alright. Percival you in the head, then Gwaine, then Elyan and then me. Take it easy and advance slowly."
"Why do you always act like a possessive donkey? I am able to look after myself!"
"Well, clearly not"
"Do you want me to send you back with your butt on the ground, Arthur?"
"Why do you always have to complicate things?"
"I don't complicate anything at all. You are the one who exaggerates everything"
"If I exaggerate it is because I care about you"
"I care about you too, but I don't act like an idiot!"
"Damn Merlin, it's not the same"
"Of course it's the same thing, Arthur, why it shou-"
"Because I'm in love with you, you idiot!"
Silence.
Behind the bush Percival - who was crawling slowly - stopped suddenly creating a chain collision behind him.
"What did he just say?" asked Percival, his eyes wide open, turning to the others who had fallen to the ground. No one answered. They all turned towards the bush but their new position did not allow them to see well. Silently trying to untangle the knot of their legs, they rushed back behind their hiding place. Lancelot brought his head closer in the midst of the brambles.
"They're kissing!"
"They're what?" exclaimed Gwaine shocked, elbowing his way to him.
"Now they're looking at each other and they're... smiling!"
Gwaine also stuck his head in the brambles.
"Are they… holding hands?".
"WHAT?" asked Percival, distraught.
But while Percival and Elyan were also trying to reach an optimal point to see the scene, a rustling and a thud were heard not far from them. Suddenly, three men had emerged from the trees, their swords drawn and went straight towards Merlin and Arthur.
Lancelot did not have time to react that he heard Merlin's voice pronouncing something in the language of the Old Religion and the three bandits were on the ground, unconscious.
A moment of silence. Then Elyan's voice was heard whispering in shock "What the hell just happened?"
Lancelot gasped as he looked for Merlin and Arthur. The two were walking up the path hand in hand, giggling.
The Knights rolled out of the bush, panting. Gwaine was the first to get back on his feet. He staggered to the bodies of the three bandits, looked at them for a moment and then turned to the other Knights, agitated.
"Six. Out of. Six."
***
"And that's it, Leon. Really, I don't know what else to tell you."
Lancelot, Gwaine, Elyan and Percival were bent over Leon's bedside in his rooms.
It was late at night but nobody cared. Immediately after leaving the bandits in the dungeons, the Knights had gone to find Leon to tell him everything.
"And they just... kissed?" the First Knight asked astonished, his face with just a delicate bluish shade.
"Yep"
"And then they smiled..."
"Exactly"
"And they were holding hands…"
"Ah-ah"
"And then three bandits attacked them?"
"Leon yes, we already told you. Do we have to relive the whole scene?"
Leon raised his hands, mortified.
"Forgive me Elyan, I'm pretty upset".
"We are all upset here! Do I have to repeat by chance that all six rules have been broken?"
"Gwaine, enough with this damn Code. We have bigger problems now”.
Everyone nodded. For a while no one spoke, each lost in his own thoughts.
"So... Did they really kiss?"
"Leon, If you ask it again I’ll strangle you”.
At the end of the day Leon was still a wise person.
And composed.
But he was also very, very, very upset.
***
From that evening until the end of their reign, in The Royal Household Survival Code for the Preservation of the Physical and Mental Health of the Knights and Not-Knights a seventh rule was officially added.
Seven: from this day and for every day, always and forevermore, treat Merlin as the legitimate King Consort of Camelot.