Luminescence ✺ Arthur Pendragon

The Coming of Arthur [2]

The day continued on and Arwen found herself standing by the training grounds as she watched the knights practice. With women a rare sight in these parts, it wasn't long before she was spotted. As was the disapproving look on her face which made the knight who knew he was the cause of it approach while the rest continued on with their training.

"I'm perfectly well and fine, and even had Gaius ensure that I could return to my duties." Leon announced before she could even try to speak and scold him.

"Still, Leon, you may be physically fine, but you came back exhausted and tired. No one would fault you if you took a day to yourself." She said firmly.

"With Arthur away, it's my job to lead the knights. I can't afford to lounge around in bed going out of my mind with boredom because of it." Leon pointed out, his phrasing making Arwen let out a small laugh. "And if I do start feeling unwell, I can always take a break. You've said it yourself; they'd understand."

"Would you take a break?" She raised an eyebrow at him, the knowing look in her eyes making him give a sigh.

"You're too protective for your own good, you know that?" The knight questioned, avoiding giving the answer. But Arwen let him get away with it in this instance.

"A few people may have pointed it out to me... once or twice..." She noted with a nod before turning back to look at him again. "But considering I find it a good thing, I won't be changing it. You'll just have to live with it."

"Well, I do suppose it's a good thing others see it." Leon's words had her brows furrowing as she sent him a confused look. "Because of what Uther's been thinking."

"What has Uther been thinking?"

"Oh... Arthur hasn't told you." Leon only then realized he'd spoken out of turn.

"We've... been keeping a distance. With Uther believing the enchantment is broken and our feelings gone, we don't want him growing suspicious." Arwen explained shortly before getting back on track. "What hasn't Arthur told me?"

"Apparently, Uther's become a bit of a romantic. He believes there to be a spark between you and I." Leon announced dramatically, as if he were some poet lamenting about the story for the ages. It only made the dumbfounded look on Arwen's face deepen, and the knight burst into laughter. "Arthur warned me he might bring it up while he's away."

"I'm sorry... the king... Uther... thinks that... you? And I?" Arwen stumbled around with her words, unsure how to even comprehend what she was hearing in the moment. "What?!"

"Arwen, you truly flatter me." Leon commented, making the expression on her face quickly turn apologetic.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offence." She was quick to reassure him, only making his laughter resurface and her realize he'd only been teasing. "I just find it preposterous that he thinks he can meddle in such a way."

"He is the king." Leon pointed out, making Arwen give a small scoff. The sound had Leon speaking up before another disparaging comment left her mouth, this time in the vicinity of many who might overhear and, unlike him, wouldn't understand that she didn't actually mean anything too terrible by it. "And what I mean to say is, that if small trickles of a rumour reach him, he could assume it's happening naturally. It might keep him from thinking he himself must interfere."

"Sir Leon, are you conspiring with me on how to keep the King of Camelot off our backs?" Arwen feigned shock at the thought, making him chuckle beside her. "Fine!" She relented. "Go on back to your knights and lament about my beauty and intelligence and how brilliant of a woman I am. I suppose I'll live."

"I'm glad to hear you'll manage to endure." Leon teased in amusement. "And which poor sap will be hearing you talk on and on about my good looks and charm?" He asked, just as confident and full headed as she'd been, only to be met with a raised eyebrow.