Merlin's Son: A Tale old as Time • Merthur

19 - A Battle To Change Fate

Five years pass with seemingly peace in the lands. Until one day a young sorcerer has a nightmare. A nightmare of the future his Father's have tried so hard to avoid. His name, Leo Balinor.

Leo woke up, startled and frightened from a nightmare. The same nightmare he had had when he was four years old. He sighed deeply. It was time to go back to Camelot.

"I will miss you, Leo." Hunith said, smiling sadly as she watched her Grandson pack. Leo smiled. "I'll be back soon, Gran'ma. I promise!" He said confidently. Hunith slowly got up, (she was getting old so she didn't have much energy these days) and glanced a worried look over to Leo as he carried his sword. She knew of the nightmares Leo had had many years ago, but for them to come back so repeatedly... It was concerning. She was very worried for Arthur, for Merlin and for Camelot.

"Leo... Say goodbye to Alfred. You don't know when you'll see him again," She spoke softly and Leo bit his lips, nodding. He knew she was right. But, over this year, when the pair turned fourteen... He felt something different towards Alfred. Leo couldn't describe it, but it was the first time noticing the feelings. He hadn't told anyone though, especially not Alfred himself.

"Thank you for everything, Gran'ma." Leo spoke sincerely and Hunith sniffled, allowing a tear to roll down her cheek as they hugged a goodbye. Leo closed the door and made his way out of the village, opposite The Sun (their Tavern), to where he and Alfred spend time with each other.

As expected, Alfred was leaning on the fence, with his back to the farm. He heard footsteps and turned, grinning automatically when he saw his best friend. There was a funny feeling when he called Leo a friend... Alfred tried to ignore it. But he frowned as Leo got closer, noticing the Camelot sword and a bag.

"Leo?" Alfred called out as Leo got closer and Leo looked to the floor. He really didn't want to say goodbye to Alfred. He hated being apart from him. "Hey Al," Leo spoke as he got closer and Alfred could tell of the sadness in his voice. Alfred sighed, knowing what his Leo was going to say.

"You're leaving aren't you?" Alfred questioned quietly and Leo nodded as he stood close to Alfred, side by side, their hands almost touching. "I am. I'm sorry, Al. I need to protect my Father's." Alfred nodded in understanding. He was never jealous that Leo's 'acting' Father was the King of Camelot. Or Leo's actual Father was the King too. But he was jealous he actually had Father's to be there for him. But that didn't matter right now. I'll miss him more than he'll know. Alfred thought.

"I know. Just promise me one thing?" Alfred asked and Leo nodded, "Anything." He replied instantly and Alfred smiled a warm, sad smile at his best friend which threw Leo off a little. He had seen Merlin give that look many times to Arthur before their marriage. Before they even got together. Leo tried his best to fight his blush.

"Be safe, Leo. I can't have the only person I care about die on me." Leo's eyes widened slightly. He didn't say best friend. He... Cares about me more than a friend? He feels the same way? No. Does he? Leo was trying to collect his thoughts together. "I can't make any promises, but thank you for everything, Al. I..." He trailed off, not being able to finish his sentence.

Alfred didn't need Leo to finish his thoughts, he intertwined his fingers with Leo's, squeezing Leo's hand. "Say I say hi to Arthur and Merlin," Leo couldn't fight his blush this time when Alfred held his hand. Leo nodded, smiling. "I will."

     A few days later, around midday, Leo strolled into Camelot with a smile on his face. It was like nothing had changed, when really... Everything had. As he walked into the courtyard and up the castle steps, he first spotted Sir Gwaine with Sir Percival. Leo grinned cheekily, sneaking up behind them.