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Leon sighed. That damned snail was the worst. He simply left his room and went to Gaius.
“Gaius?” Leon asked, opening the door to the physician’s chambers. Gaius’s head shot up, immediately assuming something was wrong. He observed Leon for a moment to be sure the knight was not injured or distressed, then nodded.
“Yes, Leon?”
“Do you have a jar?” Gaius blinked. What an odd question.
“Uhm, yes? Why do you ask?”
“I need one. I won’t be able to return it, I’m afraid.”
“Not a problem, my boy, I’ve plenty of them. Take your pick.” Gaius inclined his head toward the cabinet of jars, then returned to his book. Leon walked over and picked a nicely-sized jar.
“Thank you, Gaius.” Leon exited, watching where he walked. That snail could always be nearby.
Leon was training with Gwaine, Elyan, Arthur, Percival, and Lancelot. As he sparred Lancelot, however, he noticed the snail and dropped his sword. Where did he put that damn jar? He immediately went to the bench, grabbing his pack and digging through it.
Lancelot watched him in confusion and concern. Leon hardly noticed that Arthur and Percival had paused their sparring match, Elyan and Gwaine following suit a moment later.
“Uh, Leon?” Gwaine questioned, “Did, uh… I mean… what’re you doing?”
“Looking for my jar- ” Leon cut himself off as the snail was nearly at his feet now. He practically leaped across the courtyard, swearing loudly.
The others stared at him, then looked at the snail. “Did you guys see my glass jar???” Leon asked in a panic.
Merlin nodded, “I removed it from your pack last week before the hunting trip. I thought it dangerous to carry fragile glass in your pack, it breaks easily.”
“Dammit!” Leon exclaimed. He of course didn’t blame Merlin, but he also liked being alive.
Lancelot and Gwaine shared a glance.
“Why do you need a jar, Leon?”
“For- that!” He gestured wildly to the very slowly approaching snail.
Everyone blinked in confusion until Percival spotted it. He picked the snail up.
“This little friend? Surely you’re not afraid of snails, Leon? They’re harmless.”
“No! No he is not, and I intend to stay alive for a while so keep him away from me!!”
Percival blinked. He looked between his new snail friend and Leon in bewilderment. The others were no less confused.
“It’s.. it’s a snail , Leo,” Arthur statedly lamely, not sure what else to do. Why the hell was Leon acting so nervous, it’s so extremely out-of-character for him.
Leon simply watched it. The snail kept moving straight toward him, but Percival was treating him like an excited rat, placing his hands in front of the other, creating a snail treadmill. Every time it tried to leave, Percival put it back. Percival was clearly debating something as he watched Leon’s snail move.
“Perce? Something on your mind?” Lancelot asked, noticing the tall man’s contemplative expression.
“...Henry.” He decided. Leon spluttered.
“You- why- he- you’re naming him !?!?” Percival simply nodded.
“Henry is my friend now,” He said, his expression completely sincere. Gwaine and Merlin stifled giggles at the genuine statement. “I must provide him a home..”
“Jar!” Leon offered, “Or anything enclosed! Keep him, please!” The others didn’t seem to understand his plight, nor did they take it particularly seriously.
Leon’s snail- er, Henry - now lived in a cage in Percival’s chambers. Henry spent much of his time attempting to escape, but Percival did not allow it. Percival was intent on keeping his snail.
Leon would now avoid Percival’s rooms, though. Though he always fetches a knight himself when needed, Percival noticed that Leon had begun to send others, often his favourite squires.
Percival was comfortably seated on a bench in the armoury, polishing his new sword.
Elyan and Gwaine sat on the other side of the room, bickering about something. When the conversation came to a close, Percival took advantage.
“Has Leon still been fetching you himself lately?” He queried.
Gwaine nodded. “Yeah, every damn day he comes up. ‘Gwaine, you just so happen to be late. Again ’,” He mocked lightly.
“He hasn’t gotten me himself since I got Henry. It’s always a squire.” Elyan and Gwaine shared a look. That was odd for Leon.
“He did seem bothered by that snail. Maybe he really is afraid of snails?” Gwaine offered, unable to hide the grin tugging at his lips. Elyan nodded.
“Mayhaps. It would make sense.” Percival suddenly felt bad. But then again, Leon had told him to keep the snail.
When Henry randomly made his way into the round table meeting room, it wasn’t until he was halfway up the leg of his chair that Leon saw his mortal enemy. Leon fell from his chair and scrambled away. Everyone’s hands instinctively flew to their swords, only for them to see the snail. It inched back down the chair and toward Leon once more.
“Percival. Percival get your snail,” Leon implored, his voice cracking. Everyone watched in befuddlement as Leon’s panic grew. “Percival. Percy. Perce. Please. Get your snail.” He near begged. Percival was still frozen in confusion.
“Percival. Percy get your snail the fuck away from me,” He snapped, his voice sharp but moreso from panic than anger. Leon’s swear snapped Percival out of it, and he got up and grabbed his snail.
“Seven hells, Leon,” Gwaine muttered, his eyes wide, “You’re seriously scared of snails.” It wasn’t a jest. Just a note. One mingled with worry.
Arthur nodded, “Even I was unaware you feared snails so much.”
“Not snails . Just him.” Everyone was even more confused. Percival had once again made his snail treadmill.
Leon rose to his feet shakily.
“That snail is some sort of sick joke the Triple Goddess played. When he touches me, I die for good.” Everyone froze.
“Why?”
Leon’s glare bore into Merlin, “I don’t know , I just know that thing can kill me and always knows where I am. But it can’t die- please, Percy, put him away.” His voice trembled still. Percival nodded and slipped from the room, aiming for his chambers. Leon sat down again.
______________
Though Henry never escaped after that, Leon never trusted the snails he saw.