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1
Elyan had always played with Leon, as had Gwen. Their mother worked as a maid in Leon's household.
They often went off just the three of them, the brave trio against the world, exploring the nearby fields and woods. They learnt later, when they were older, that their heroic ventures actually never made it off off Leon's land which were rather extensive in all fairness.
They were the best of friends, the inseparable three.
When the full moon waxed above them, they would sneak out to catch frogs.
Elyan had never caught one before and it became a point of endless teasing. He became more determined with every full moon that passed to prove himself.
Until at last, he'd finally done it. The frog had felt slippery and wriggled beneath his wet fingers.
"I've got one!" He announced and swung around, planning to proudly show off what he'd caught.
Unfortunately the strong swinging motion overbalanced him. With one foot firmly stuck in muddy land and the other treading water, he twisted and flailed to one side before landing face first into the water.
He'd come up, spluttering and furious.
Leon and Gwen were in hysterics.
"No!" He yelled. "Where is it? Where is it?" Elyan's hands reached around the water, seeking.
Startled by his behaviour, Gwen and Leon helped search assuming he'd lost something important when he fell. They shared concerned looks between them as Elyan's desperation and upset increased.
"What does it look like? What exactly have you lost?" Leon asked.
"The frog!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Gwen and Leon nearly fell over themselves laughing once again.
Elyan didn't find it anywhere near as amusing as they did. Though once his sulk had passed, he did crack a smile, if only for the way Leon's face lit up.
Trudging home, wet and with aching ribs, Elyan knew it would be one of his most treasured memories.
2
Elyan and Leon were older now but still too young to understand the ways of the world.
Leon's new squiring duties meant they saw each other less but that made them feel the time they spent together all the more.
They were sat by the very same pond that they used to catch frogs.
The idle banter faded along with the sunlight. Elyan could feel a distinct anxious energy emitting from Leon that started to fill up the space between them.
Elyan wondered if this was yet another change.
Leon had always been calm and steady before, he didn't tend to get anxious often but Leon had changed a lot recently. He had shot up, climbing feet above Elyan in height. His hair had grown longer and darker as well.
Elyan had noticed, Leon's hair glinted a lovely rich shade under the sun.
"Have you ever... fancied anyone?" Leon asked, not looking at Elyan but at the pond.
Elyan shook his head. "Have you?"
Leon inhaled slowly, brow furrowed. "I can't tell. I think about them all the time."
A strange feeling came over Elyan, a possesiveness of his friend that had only shown itself in glimpses before.
"What kind of things do you think about?"
"I don't know. I think about their eyes and their laugh. I see things that make me think of them, things that shouldn't. How on earth does a forget me not-" he cut himself off.
Elyan was drawing his own conclusions as Leon stewed and found himself disappointed somehow. Leon must be torn on his feelings over Gwen. Elyan wasn't sure who else Leon knew to be confused over. It was obvious: Leon wasn't sure if he liked Gwen as more than a friend.
Gwen was the same age as Leon.
He'd seen the hopeful looks his mother had always glanced between them when the three of them came back from one of their adventures.
It made sense. Elyan knew it did and yet he didn't feel happy at the idea of Gwen and Leon being more than friends. After all, it had always been the three of them despite Elyan being two years younger. He'd never felt excluded.
Elyan didn't want to be left behind by Leon. He'd always have his sister, they were thick as thieves from day one. But Leon wasn't as immovable.
"If you think of their eyes and their laughter and see flowers that make you think of them, then I think that must mean you fancy them," Elyan observed and stated honestly.
Leon seemed even more troubled upon hearing Elyan's verdict.
"Perhaps," his gaze returned to the pond. He smiled suddenly as a frog appeared.
Elyan didn't care about the frog.
"Are you thinking about them again?" Elyan asked, noting Leon's expression.
"Yes," he replied softly.
3
Many summers and winters passed, chasing one another in the cycle of the seasons.
Elyan's mother sickened, growing weaker and thinner. No one knew what the cause was and although he tried his best, Gaius couldn't seem to do anything but make her more comfortable. He created potions and crushed herbs to help ease the pain.
It was a sunny day when she passed.
Leon had secretly asked his parent's to give her a proper burial, one of status. She had worked for their family for many, many years.
Elyan was too numb to notice. He was just grateful his mother got some peace after so much misery.
Their father stood stoic, a shell devoid of emotions.
His children were huddled together, Gwen was sobbing on Elyan's shoulder. He put his chin on her head, unable to cry himself.
He felt a soft pressure on his hand.
Leon was looking straight ahead but his hand covered Elyan's. Elyan slipped his fingers through the gaps and Leon held on tight, squeezing once.
Elyan squeezed back, a silent thank you. Their hands were hidden between them as they stood even closer together, arms pressed against one another.
Elyan kissed Gwen's forehead and felt the first tear rolled down his face.
4
Elyan had been considering leaving Camelot, the idea had been teasing his mind for weeks.
Elyan didn't have a distraction to replace the keen loss the way that his other family members did. Leon had his squire responsibilities, Gwen had become the Lady Morgana's handmaiden and his father had opened up the forge again.
He had not yet recovered to the degree that the rest of his family had and he didn't want to be a burden. Perhaps he would seek his fortunes elsewhere. He was sure he could find work and get a break from Camelot.
He'd resolved to leave the following morning, having spent the night packing everything up.
Leon came by unexpectedly as Elyan was getting ready to leave, he'd been sunny faced until he saw the bags by Elyan's bed.
"Elyan?"
Elyan felt suddenly nervous.
"What are you doing?" Leon asked, then shook his head discarding the question as the packed bags in front of him were answer enough.
"Where are you going? Does Gwen know?" Leon was hiding it well but Elyan knew better, there was the shine of concealed hurt in those blue eyes and Elyan felt sorry for having been the person to put it there.
"No, she doesn't. Please don't tell her. I've left her a note. I just," he inhaled. "I don't know. I don't know where I'm going, I don't have a plan."
Leon tried not to give away his confusion. "If you don't know where you're going then..."
There was a pause, brief silence enveloped the room.
"Stay."
Elyan's heart sang at Leon's command.
He looked at him. Leon was an open book, features sincere and hopeful.
How could Elyan say no?
5
Leon's knighting ceremony was a great success. He seemed popular amongst his fellow knights and the young prince seemed to like him as well.
Elyan had a surprise for him once the celebrations were over.
Elyan had demanded that his father teach him how to create, how to bond metal and make swords worthy of kings.
And now here lay the result.
It was his greatest pride.
Leon found Elyan afterwards, as he'd promised he would.
Elyan beamed upon seeing him, though mild trepidation did make his smile tighter. "Leon, congrats!"
Leon was rosy cheeked and possibly a little beer-softened.
Elyan couldn't wait any longer. He presented Leon with the sword he'd made him.
Leon's face was slack with emotion as he beheld Elyan's creation.
The sword was balanced, thick yet easy to wield. The handle was embellished and the blade engraved, tenax et fidelis.
"Persevering and faithful," Leon's said as his finger traced carefully over the inscription.
He placed the sword carefully down on the table and engulfed Elyan into a hug, pressing his face into Elyan's neck for a few precious seconds.
He pulled back, hand still on Elyan's shoulder.
"Thank you," his sincerity and his close gaze made Elyan blushed.
"Of course. You deserve it."
Leon pressed their foreheads together, it was so brief Elyan wondered if he'd imagined it. When he looked up at last, Leon had moved to admire the sword again. His hand tilted it back and forth, watching the light beams running over it.
His smile was the same as when they were children and Elyan felt the same glee bubbling in his chest, knowing he was the reason for it.
+1
Arthur had received a new manservant. A pleasant young man named Merlin, who also happened to be Gaius' apprentice.
Gwen's crush on him was obvious. And that worried Elyan because he knew that Leon's admiration of his sister had held steadfast even after all this time. He'd been watching out for clues over the years and he knew this must be a blow to Leon.
Elyan found Leon in the armoury, the other knights had already left.
"Elyan," Leon smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"Came to check in on you, haven't seen you much this week what with his royal highness doubling practice sessions."
"I think he needed to burn some steam off after nearly losing Merlin."
The tale of the poisoned goblet was well known and Merlin's loyalty had surprised many of the townspeople.
The topic of Merlin reminded Elyan why he'd come.
"I'm sorry," he said, unable to keep his condolences in any longer despite his own wretched feelings.
"What for?"
"About Gwen."
"What about Gwen? Is she okay?" Leon moved to stand.
Elyan blanched. Leon had always been observant. He must've noticed Gwen's feelings for Merlin?
Everyone else in the citadel had.
"Well, she likes Merlin."
Leon still looked puzzled. "I know."
"You... know. Okay," Elyan floundered.
"Has he done something...?" Leon asked, seeming uncertain.
"Who?"
"Merlin."
"Oh. No. No! Not that I'm aware of anyway," Elyan's struggled. How was Leon so unaffected?
Leon was hovering nearby.
"Are you okay?"
Elyan nearly scoffed. He'd been worried about Leon's heartbreak and supressing his own feelings about Leon for a very long time. His lack of a response was somehow disheartening.
"Yeah. I was just worried how you'd feel upon finding out Gwen liked Merlin."
Leon smiled. "Oh, Merlin's a lovely chap. I hope it all works out for them."
"That's generous of you." Elyan felt guilty for his own lack of generosity.
His feelings had been dark and gloomy when he thought Leon and Gwen were going to ride off into the sunset together. He hated the small part of him that had jumped up and down when Gwen's crush on Merlin became blatant.
"Do you remember when we were younger and I asked if you'd ever had a crush?" Leon asked suddenly, keen eyed.
"Of course."
"Who did you think I meant?"
Elyan was less sure in his reply now then he would've been 10 minutes ago. He answers honestly. "I thought you fancied Gwen."
Leon bit back a smile and shook his head. "You're sister is wonderful," he said.
The sliver of hope that had risen was quickly extinguished.
"But I'd much rather be catching frogs with you."
Elyan's gaze snapped up.
Leon shook his head a little. "I can't believe you thought it was Gwen this whole time."
Confirmation. The buzz of it drowned out everything else and pushed Elyan forward.
His hands clumsily reached for Leon's shoulders and tugged him down into a long awaited kiss.
"God, you idiot. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Elyan asked but didn't give Leon the chance to reply. Lips met and thoughts melted.
Leon hummed into the kiss, fingers
caressing Elyan's face.
"Well I'm telling you now. It's you. It's been you for a very long time."
The words went straight to Elyan's heart and fueled the fire in his chest. Leon was a romantic. Leon was his romantic.
"I love you too." He could feel Leon's smile against his cheek.
"Now shut up and let me show you."
Thankfully no one came into the armoury for many many hours.