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

21 - Epilogue (Seven years later)

"This isn't really necessary." Merlin complained with a pout to Arthur and Leo. The pair looked at each other with a smirk before glancing back to Merlin.

"For someone who hasn't celebrated their birthday all their life -" Arthur started and Leo finished, "It really is necessary."

Leo had changed over the years. After Alfred's death, he didn't know what to do with himself. He couldn't go back to Ealdor, all their memories together and his final one, was too painful for him to handle. Even if Leo was a knight. It still hurt. Leo was made a Knight a few years after the battle by King Arthur himself, it was a very good day, that day. A good day despite of everything.

Tonight they were celebrating King Merlin's birthday, which Merlin had very much objected to but it was done anyway. The feast had everyone they were close with; Gwen, Lance, Angel, Percival, Gwaine, 'Gana and then of course the few knights just in case anything were to happen and the palace staff.

"Don't you look all handsome in your knight uniform, Leo?" Leo turned around and grinned (a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes) at Angel, who had grown into a beautiful young teenager who was quite smart and very pretty, just like her Mother, Gwen. Leo now saw her as his little sister, which both Merlin and Arthur thought was cute and didn't mind one bit.

"Says you, Angel." He replied and he saw Angel's face fall slightly. She was upset her big brother was never going to be truly happy. She stepped on her tiptoes to reach Leo's shoulders to pat them comfortingly. "He is here with us, Leo," She whispered in his ear before walking to find someone else to talk to. 

Leo sighed. Yes, It was his Father's birthday. Samhains eve. But he couldn't help but think of every other eve, like when he was four he had wanted to save Pa from the evil ghost like creatures he can't remember the name of now. If it weren't for himself, Lance would have died and Angel would never have been born. Before Leo could dwell into the past any further, his eyes widened when the warning bell went off. In quick reaction, Leo pulled the sword out (before Arthur and Merlin could even react) and turned to the others, but mainly his Father's. 

"I will go. Sir Fredrick and Sir Charles, with me. Everyone else stay here!" He ordered. Leo was close with Fred and Charles which is why he asked those two to go with him and not anyone else. He wanted everyone else to try and enjoy the rest of Pa's birthday. The trio sprinted out of the room, closing the doors behind them.

Merlin didn't know what to think when he heard the bell go off. They had had peace for seven years, why would anyone start something now? And why was Leo so much like Arthur, wanting to run straight into the danger? He sighed, worry all over his face as he turned to Arthur, who looked to be lost in thought. 

"Merlin, what if Leo doesn't return?" Merlin was surprised to hear Angel ask, as most people seemed to be more in shock then anything else. He smiled sadly as he replied.

"I'm not quite sure what will happen, Angel. But know this, Leo will be okay." He has to be.

While this was happening, Leo and the two Knights with him were searching the citadel when they heard someone riding off with a horse. Leo wasted no time in sprinting to the courtyard, with Fred and Charles (they were two young Knights around Leo's age) in toe. Leo narrowed his eyes just in time to see Gaius passed out on said horse with an unknown rider taking him out of Camelot.

"Gaius!" Leo screamed out. He turned to face Fred and Charles. "Fred, with me. Charles, inform the King's that Gaius has been taken." 

•••

Gaius's pov

A few hours later Gaius awoke, unlcear of what was happening. I'm too old for this. He thought when his eyes finally managed to open. He furrowed his eyebrows together in confusion as he recognised the man smiling creepily in front of him.