His Guardian Angel (An Arthur Pendragon Love Story)

Interlude - Another Friend

I sighed as I sat on the edge of the forest. It was early evening, and Gaius had given me the evening off. I jumped at the opportunity to get out of the citadel. Back in Ealdor I would always go into the woods when I wanted time to myself, occasionally taking a book with me, even though we didn't own many different ones.

I smiled as I closed the book, finally finished it, glad with the happy ending. I was sitting a little ways into the woods, the path lying a few metres away from me, and I was confident that I knew my way back to the city. I looked up at the sky and saw that it was nearing sunset, meaning I should start heading back to Camelot. I got up and started back to the path. It was oddly silent for the time of day, and there was no one else around the place.

I got back onto the main path to Camelot, and started walking back. That's when I heard some rustling coming from behind me. I turned around and realised that it was hooves. It was someone on a horse. I moved over to the side of the path, and waited for them to come past, but was met with a riotting horse bolting all over the place.

I could see that a knight was atop the horse, and was struggling to hold on. I giggled slightly, before putting my book down on the side of the path and making my way over to the horse. I waved my arms in front of it, getting its attention, before moving closer and calming it down slowly. When it had finished bucking I stroked its muzzle softly and it whinnied quietly.

"Thank you." I heard someone say, and I looked up to see the knight that had been struggling with the horse. He had got off and was coming over to me. I smiled at him gently and nodded my head. "No problem, you looked like you needed a hand." I said, continuing to stroke the horse. "I think I have seen you around Camelot, have I not." He asked curiously, and I nodded.

"You probably have, I'm Amara, Gaius's apprentice." I introduced myself, holding my hand out for him to shake. He took it, and shook it firmly. "Sir Leon, of Camelot." He said, and I smiled at him. "It's wonderful to officially meet you." I said, and the knight thanked me. I moved away from the horse and back over to where my book lay on the side of the path.

"Are you headed back to Camelot?" Sir Leon asked, and I turned to face him, nodding slightly. "Well, allow me to offer you a ride, I'm heading back to the citadel as well, and it's the least I could do to repay you for helping me with my horse." He said, and I thought about his offer. I shook my head, telling him that I would be alright, but he pushed me further.

"Please, if it weren't for you I wouldn't've made it to Camelot, and even if I did I would have to explain to the royal stable keeper why one of his beloved horses was missing." Leon said. Eventually I nodded my head, deciding it would be beneficial to have another friend in Camelot.

Sir Leon got back on his horse, then he held his hand out to me, and I got on behind him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he kicked the horse into a walk. As the horse walked on towards Camelot, Leon and I made small talk, getting to know each other better. I learnt that his father was a knight of Camelot as well, serving loyally to Uther, before he died in battle a few years ago. In return I told him about Ealdor and Merlin, and our very close relationship.

We talked most of the way back to the city, only stopping when we made it into the Lower Town. I looked around and saw that there were few people around, only the odd person re-entering their home. I looked over towards Gwen's house and waved at her as I saw her entering her home. She smiled and waved back at me before leaving my eyesight.

Soon enough we were back at the stables. Sir Leon dismounted the horse and then helped me off. "Well, thank you Sir Leon, I appreciate the ride home." I said, and he bowed to me slightly, making me chuckle. A stable hand came over and got the horse back. Leon looked as though he was going to say something, but I heard a voice from the other side of the courtyard. "Leon!"

I looked up and smiled as I saw Arthur coming towards us. "Amara?" He questioned as he came closer and noticed I was here. "Is everything alright?" He asked, and I nodded happily. "Of course, Sir Leon was just giving me a ride home. But I really have to go before Merlin sends out a search party." I said, and the two men nodded. "It was wonderful to meet you Amara." Leon said, and I returned the compliment before leaving them to talk and heading back to Gaius's chambers.

Once there I entered and Merlin and Gaius greeted me. I smiled and we all ate dinner together. That night I went to bed happy, glad that I had made a new friend within the city, as I felt that I didn't have many. I fell asleep quickly after saying goodnight to Merlin, not realising that I hadn't had my pain that day.

A/N: I know that Leon wasn't introduced until later in the series, but I want to believe that he had been there for Arthur for longer, so I wanted include him here, he may be mentioned later on in the story, but not sure yet.