Leon

“I have fought alongside you many times, there is no one that I would rather die for...”
— Leon to Arthur^[src]

Sir Leon is a Knight of Camelot who has proven himself both trustworthy and loyal to Uther and Arthur Pendragon. Unlike the other Knights of the Round Table, with the exception of Gwaine, Leon is of noble blood. Sir Leon's role as a knight developed and he endured more and more dangerous and exciting adventures. At one point, it appeared that he had been killed by the dragon's fire (The Last Dragonlord). However, he survived and continued on in his duties as a knight. He participated in the battle against Cenred, where he also faced death, and was revived by the druids with the Cup of Life. Later on, he refused to serve Morgana when she became queen, which led him to escape with his childhood friend, Gwen, become one of the Knights of the Round Table, and take back Camelot with Arthur and the other original members of the Round Table. When he became a Knight of the Round Table, he was involved in many adventures, like vanquishing the Dorocha, recovering a dragon egg, being possessed by a Lamia, and taking back Camelot when Morgana became queen for a second time after overthrowing Arthur.

Biography

Early life

Not much is known about Leon’s early life. However, it is revealed that he grew up with Guinevere and Elyan as their mother worked as a maid in Sir Leon’s household (The Coming of Arthur). He was from a family of noble blood and eventually joined the Knights of Camelot.

Knight of Camelot

When Leon reveals that he let Arthur win the jousting tournament, this annoys Arthur, who later defeats Leon in the tournament while disguised as "Sir William of Deira" (The Once and Future Queen).

He later helps Arthur gather information on suspected magic users and people suspected of consorting with magic users when Uther suspects that someone is attempting to assassinate Morgana (The Nightmare Begins).

When Uther is bewitched by the troll disguised as Lady Catrina, Leon is doubtful of his king’s magically influenced decisions and appears to disapprove when Arthur’s title as Crown Prince is stripped away. He tries to tell Uther to reject Bayard's visit while being eerily stared at by Jonas, but Uther ignores him. He is amongst those who attempt to tell Uther that his wife is a troll and has to endure several councils with her stench (Beauty and the Beast).

When Aredian is searching Merlin's home for magical objects, it is Leon who finds the magical bracelet that Aredian planted to frame Merlin, which Gaius claims to be his in order to protect Merlin (The Witchfinder).

MERLIN LEON ARGUING — Leon prevents Merlin from entering the chambers

When Arthur learns the truth of his birth, he comes into the palace, full of rage. Merlin goes after him, but he encounters Leon, who is guarding the door. Merlin persuades Leon into letting him in to save the king's life. So, if it wasn't for Leon's actions, the king would be dead and Arthur would never forgive himself (The Sins of the Father).

When Morgana is enchanted to make everyone fall asleep, Leon and Gaius discuss Arthur's whereabouts whilst looking over a sleepy Uther (The Fires of Idirsholas).

When Arthur sends his men to attack The Great Dragon in his attack on Camelot, Leon and various other knights are attacked by the Dragon in battle. When the beast unleashes its fiery breath on the group, Leon is injured by the flames but survives (The Last Dragonlord).

He leads the border patrols which spot Cenred’s army and report it to the court. He later fights in the Great Battle for Camelot against both the army of Cenred and the skeleton soldiers raised by Morgana (The Tears of Uther Pendragon).

When in The Rising Sun, Gaius, while possessed by a Goblin, insults Leon and spits beer in his face, Leon becomes incensed. When the enraged knight challenges him to a battle, the Goblin quickly apologizes and offers to buy him and his friends a drink. Leon, based on his long time friendship with Gaius, quickly accepts the apology and forgives him, not realizing that he is possessed. However, the Goblin spikes the drinks with a magical potion that causes boils to grow on their faces. Leon and his friends go to Gaius, desperate, and the Goblin possessing Gaius charges gold coins for an antidote, satisfying the Goblin’s intense thirst for gold (Goblin's Gold).

When Gwaine arrives in Camelot, followed by a few thugs disguised as knights, Gwaine gets into a fight with 'Sir Oswald'. Leon is also present during Gwaine's trial (Gwaine).

Images-3 — Sir Leon drinking from the Cup of Life.

Leon later leads a patrol that accidentally stumbles past Cenred’s borders, and Cenred has them made into an example for trespassers. They are all attacked and killed except for Leon, who has enough life left in him for him to be saved by a group of Druids, who take him to their camp and resurrect him using the Cup of Life. He then goes back to Camelot and informs Arthur and Uther of this, Uther decides that the Cup must be recovered before Cenred finds it. Arthur obtains it temporarily but it is taken by Cenred’s men, allowing Morgause to turn his army into immortals. As they march into Camelot, Leon’s border patrol spots them. The patrol is slaughtered except for Leon, who flees when he discovers their power when he mortally wounds one of them, but he does not die. Leon then informs Uther of the invasion (The Coming of Arthur).

Knight of the Round Table

Merlin_-_Long_Live_the_King! — Merlin - Long Live the King!

"Long Live the King!

After Morgana takes over, Leon and the surviving Knights refuse to pledge their loyalty to her. With the help of Guinevere, he manages to escape and reunite with Arthur. He watches Arthur knight Gwaine, Elyan, Lancelot, and Percival. When they attack Camelot to save Uther and the other Knights, Leon fights with the rest and survives long enough for the enchantment to be broken. He later goes out riding with the new Knights to bring Guinevere back to Camelot (The Coming of Arthur).

The Darkest Hour

20-3- — Sir Leon, the oldest Knight of the Round Table

A year later, Leon is coming back to Camelot with Elyan and several other Knights when they encounter Morgana on her way to the Isle of the Blessed with Morgause, where she attacks them. After arriving back in Camelot, he recounts what happened and states that Morgana's powers have grown. He later accompanies the Knights of the Round Table to investigate Drea’s story and they discover that the Dorocha have been released. Once they discover this news, he goes with Arthur and the the other Knights as they make their own journey to the Isle of the Blessed. On the journey, they encounter Wilddeorens and escape successfully. At the Isle of the Blessed, Leon, Percival, and Elyan fight a Wyvern and, with the exception of Percival, escape unharmed. Along with the other knights, he is devastated about Lancelot’s death (The Darkest Hour).

Later Adventures

He later attends Arthur’s Birthday feast and enjoys the festivities. He also attends Arthur’s Coronation and cheers loudly for him (The Wicked Day).

Upon Arthur learning of the existence of a dragon’s egg and the fact that Julius is after it, he takes the Knights of the Round Table with him to hunt it and destroy it. While on the trip, he joins the others in playing a joke on Merlin. He is later drugged by Julius and is only saved by Merlin’s magic (Aithusa).

Leon later joins the other knights on the ambush of King Caerleon's raiding party. Upon the declaring of the war by Caerleon’s queen, Leon joins Elyan and the other knights to inform Arthur of their readiness to die for him and, later, volunteers to take part in the duel for victory (His Father's Son).

Morgana later sends a gang of armed bandits after Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table to chase and capture them in the Valley of the Fallen Kings. They all escape, except Merlin. Back in Camelot, Leon leads several search parties for Merlin and informs Arthur that they must have a traitor in Camelot again. Later, he gives Merlin advice on which crossbow to use to kill Arthur, believing Merlin is merely joking about killing Arthur. He later, unintentionally, tips Gaius and Gwen off to Merlin’s attempt. When Merlin disguises himself as Dragoon in order to rid himself of the Fomorroh controlling him, Leon, along with the other knights, encounter Dragoon the Great and try to apprehend him. However, Merlin’s powers prove too great and Leon and the others are defeated (A Servant of Two Masters).

During their investigation into Gaius’ disappearance, Leon informs Arthur and Agravaine of the fact that a horse is missing from the stables, suggesting that Gaius has stolen it to escape (The Secret Sharer).

Leon Lamia — Leon and Percival carry Elyan

Leon is one of the Knights who rescue the Lamia from bandits. She soon starts to exert her power over them, making them aggressive and more violent. Her first victim among them is Sir Elyan. Instead of going back to Camelot, she forces them to travel to a castle to the East that she knows of. Once there, the Lamia picks them off one by one. First is Gwaine, followed by Percival. When Leon sees Percival fall to the Lamia, he snaps out of her spell and attacks, but she defeats him. Thanks to Merlin’s intervention and Arthur’s arrival, he is able to recover from the attack (Lamia).

When Arthur gets engaged to Guinevere, there is a jousting tournament in which Leon participates. At the start, each contestant has to show tribute to Guinevere by giving her a ring, symbolizing Arthur and Gwen's marriage. After they all give her a ring a mysterious warrior enters the field and, giving Gwen a ring, reveals himself to be Lancelot. Little do they knew, the returned Lancelot is a Shade in league with Morgana. After reuniting with Lancelot, they pose a toast with their chalices. Later in the Tournament, Leon is knocked out by Arthur, who is later beaten by Lancelot. Later, Leon attends Gwen's trial after Lancelot kisses her, shortly before Lancelot's suicidal (Lancelot du Lac).

When the knights are playing a practical joke on Elyan, they discover a druid shrine and Elyan is possessed by a Druid boy who wants to have Elyan kill Arthur. When Elyan fails to assassinate Arthur, the knights are sent to find and arrest him. Leon, Percival, and Gwaine find him and, although they don't want to, knock him out and turn him in. Luckily, not long later, the Druid boy frees Elyan and forgives Arthur (A Herald of the New Age).

Around the time Princess Mithian arrives Leon discovers a dead young man, who seems to have fallen. He tells Agravaine, who appeared upset, tells Leon to get Gaius, and that the young man has fallen. Gaius says that he probably didn't fall. Then, Agravaine discovers a note from "Odin's court" on the young man. Leon later participates in Arthur and Mithian's hunting trip and is the one who spots the deer, not realising that it is Gwen under an enchantment (The Hunter's Heart).

When a fire affected the citizens of Camelot, Leon and Elyan go to aid. Then the Southron Army attacks and Leon is involved in a minor battle. The Southron Army wins the battle and Morgana is once again crowned Queen of Camelot. He flees the kingdom when it is under Morgana's second reign. He later joins Arthur in reclaiming Camelot once more. It is certain that he survives the battle because he is seen at Arthur and Gwen's wedding (The Sword in the Stone).

Searching for the missing knights

Series 5 episode 1 2 — Leon searching for the knights, along with Merlin and Arthur

Leon later accompanies Arthur to search for the knights. He enjoys the feast in Queen Annis' palace, and then accompanies Arthur towards Ismere, fighting bravely when they are ambushed by Morgana and Ruadan's men. He fights Ruadan himself, but is defeated. He and Elyan later return back to Camelot not knowing what happened to Arthur and Merlin. (Arthur's Bane)

Poetry

In The Death Song of Uther Pendragon, Leon hears something in the cellar of the palace. When he walks in to investigate he finds Arthur and Merlin standing there, staring at him. Merlin then explains that he was teaching Arthur poetry, and that Arthur couldn't get enough of it. Arthur hesitates, then agreed, saying that he indeed loved poetry. After a moment of shock, Leon nodded, smiling, telling Arthur to enjoy his poetry (The Death Song of Uther Pendragon).

Tumblr me9fj5LfzC1r4nsx4o1 1280 — Sir Leon finds Merlin and Arthur "studying poetry"

The Dark Tower

While on their quest to rescue Gwen from imprisonment by Morgana, Percival and Leon wake to the same nightmare- they describe The Dark Tower, a place that knights dread. Arthur is familiar with the tower, describing it as a place that can bring doom to those who even hear of it. Gwaine lightens the moment by describing his dream about eating a cheese that tasted like apple pie, and goes back to sleep as the others gaze at him awkwardly, he and all the other knights were present at Elyan's funeral (The Dark Tower).

Personality

Leon Loyal — Leon held captive by Morgana

Leon is very loyal to the Pendragon family. Because of this loyalty, he refused to fight to his full ability and strength when jousting against Arthur, out of fear that he would injure the prince. He also tried to stop Merlin from interfering with a meeting between Arthur and Uther. However, Merlin convinced him to let him in by telling Leon that Arthur was trying to kill his father. Leon refused to pledge himself to Morgana, believing that she had no right to be queen because Uther had never given her that right by declaring her to be a Pendragon and because she had taken over Camelot with dark magic and violence, with no regard for the citizens of Camelot. Even when Morgana had Leon and his men at the mercy of archers armed with crossbows, declaring that they would be spared if they pledged to serve her, he and his men defiantly refused.

Goblin's Gold Gaius — Leon is annoyed and challenges Goblin Gaius

Leon is very courageous, even when faced with overwhelming odds or magical opponents. He even helped defend Camelot from the Great Dragon. He also fought against Cenred’s warriors and the undead skeleton army during the siege of Camelot. However, Leon knows the difference between bravery and foolishness. Therefore, he fled from Morgause’s immortal army when he realized that they couldn't die, thinking that he should warn Camelot instead of staying to face what would have been certain death. He was also a skilled leader and, during Arthur and Merlin’s search for Balinor, he took command of the knights of Camelot. When Morgana declared herself Queen, he was also shocked and horrified as she ordered her soldiers to attack innocent people, demonstrating his concern for the well being of the citizens of Camelot.

Leon also had a sense of humor. He and the other knights sometimes teased Merlin and it is apparent that Leon thinks of Merlin as a friend. Leon also interpreted Merlin’s desire to kill Arthur as a joke, not realising that Merlin, while under the influence of a Fomorroh, actually meant what he said.

Relationships

Arthur Pendragon

Leon respected the king and looked on him as a friend. Together they fought in many battles and went on many adventures. He also had high respect for Arthur as the prince, once refusing to beat him in a jousting tournament (The Once and Future Queen). Their relationship grew when Morgana was queen and they went into hiding. Arthur made Leon a Knight of the Round Table, an honor bestowed on only his closest and most trusted knights. The next day, Leon helped Arthur, Merlin, and the other rebels defeat Morgana. Leon stated that there was no one else he would rather die for and that he would follow Arthur to the mouth of hell if necessary (The Coming of Arthur, The Sword in the Stone). He has also been a pillar of faith and a source of comfort for Arthur, when he assured Arthur that Lancelot could get Merlin back to Camelot safely while they continued on their quest to The Isle of the Blessed (The Darkest Hour). Leon also was very devastated when he had state that Arthur had died.

Guinevere Pendragon

Leon knew Guinevere (Gwen) very well because Gwen’s mother worked in his household when they were both young. When Morgana was queen and Gwen helped him escape, they were very comfortable when talking to each other (The Coming of Arthur). Leon was delighted when he found out that she and Arthur were getting married. He showed his tribute by giving her a ring shortly before the melee (Lancelot Du Lac). After Morgana had been overthrown by Arthur and he had regained the Throne, Leon was one of the witnesses to Arthur crowning his new wife, Guinevere, as Queen of Camelot. Leon was at Gwen's side when she was made Arthur's successor after his death at Mordred's hand during the Battle of Camlann.

Merlin

At first Leon didn't really know Merlin, but once he became a Knight of the Round Table they became great friends (The Coming of Arthur). He enjoyed tormenting Merlin in jest and showed that he cared about him when he was upset at finding out that Merlin was nearing death on their journey to the Isle of the Blessed (The Darkest Hour). Leon also had a tendency to playfully tussle Merlin hair and appeared to trust Merlin greatly, as he allowed Merlin to take a crossbow for Arthur and even thought that Merlin was joking when he, under the influence of a Fomorroh, said that he wanted to kill Arthur (A Servant of Two Masters).

Uther Pendragon

“My loyalty is to the King and Prince Arthur, there is nothing you can do to change that”
— Leon to Morgana

Leon respected the king and was just as loyal to him, albeit not as close, as he was to Arthur. However, he was willing to disobey Uther's orders and, despite Uther's command to keep everyone out of the king’s chambers while Arthur fought him, he still let Merlin in once he was told that father and son were going to kill each other (The Sins of the Father). Leon was apparently one of Uther's favorite knights because the king made him one of the leaders of the battle between Camelot and Cenred's army (The Tears of Uther Pendragon).

Morgana Pendragon

It can be assumed that Leon greatly respected the Lady Morgana as much as all the residents of Camelot did.

Merlin313 0084 — Morgana demands Leon's loyalty

However, this changed after her betrayal was exposed.

Merlin313 0086 — Leon refuses to bow down to Morgana

Witnessing her cruel methods, he denied to bow down to her and serve her once she was queen and swore loyalty only to Uther and Arthur. Even when she was about to execute him, along with several of his fellow knights, he still shouted "Long live the king", much to her disappointment and anger. When she, instead of executing the knights, had several of Camelot's citizen shot with crossbows, Leon was shocked and extremely upset. He also took a leading role in taking Camelot back (The Coming of Arthur). A year later, he found her carrying a cart on her way to the Sea of Meredor. He halted her, oblivious about who she was. She immediately attacked him but did not kill him. He later reported her powers had greatly grown (The Darkest Hour). When she conquered Camelot for the second time, he was one of the knights to lead the attack against the Southrons (The Sword in the Stone).

Gwaine

Leon first met Gwaine when he placed him under arrest under the orders of the king for "attacking" Sir Oswald (Gwaine). However, when Gwaine was made a Knight of Camelot, Leon started to respect him and eventually became friends with him (The Coming of Arthur). Both being Knights of the Round Table, Gwaine is one of Leon's fellow knights and close friends. Sir Leon enjoys pulling pranks with Gwaine and takes his jokes in good humor. Gwaine seems to have brought out the more mischievous side of Sir Leon. The two fight well alongside each other and never argue. The only time they fought with one another was when they were enchanted by the Lamia, which resulted in Leon getting a small wound in the arm (Lamia).

Lancelot

“If anyone can get Merlin back to Camelot, Lancelot can!”
— Leon to Arthur

Leon first met Lancelot when Lancelot and Percival saved him from Morgana’s immortal knights. Not long after, Leon watched him become a Knight of Camelot when they were all made Knights of the Round Table. Then, they went on to overthrow Morgana and Morgause (The Coming of Arthur). They had many adventures when they were both knights. Leon was very upset when Lancelot died on the Isle of the Blessed (The Darkest Hour). When Lancelot returned, Sir Leon, along with the other Knights, was absolutely thrilled at the apparent return of a dear friend. However, when Lancelot had the affair with Guinevere shortly before her wedding to Arthur and then took his own life in his cell in the dungeon (under Morgana's orders), Leon was again very upset with the second loss of his friend (Lancelot Du Lac).

Elyan

Elyan and Leon knew each other very well since Elyan’s mother worked in Leon’s house when they were boys. Together, they had many adventures once they were knights and they were great friends. Despite this, Leon still deliberately annoyed Elyan once in jest by not giving him any water (A Herald of the New Age).

Percival

As they were both Knights of Camelot and Knights of the Round Table, Leon and Percival went on many adventures together, as well as joking around with each other. They were both amazing fighters and extremely loyal. They were also the only two to survive out of the original six.

Mordred

Abilities

Sir Leon18 — As an original Knights of Camelot Sir Leon is one of Camelot’s most skillful warriors and is Arthur’s second in command. He is a highly , Sir Leon is skilled with the sword.

As one of the longest-serving Knights of the Round Table, Sir Leon is an excellent swordsman, surviving many battles in which many other knights were slain. He is capable of fending off immortal opponents such as Skeletons and Morgause's immortal army and dueled against the powerful warrior Ruadan, although he was defeated in this duel. Leon is also skilled with a lance and once, while practicing against Arthur, he would have defeated the prince if not for the fact that he was worried about injuring him. However, it should be noted that Arthur had the sun in his eyes during the practice session.

Leon also displayed remarkable luck, being able to recover from the wounds inflicted on him by the Great Dragon, survive a battle with Cenred’s men long enough to be revived by druids who had him drink from the Cup of Life, and escape from a group of immortal soldiers unscathed. On the first occasion, Arthur and Merlin were the only others who are known to have survived besides Sir Leon. On the last two occasions, Leon is the only person to survive. He also, along with Elyan, survived an encounter with Morgana, in which two of the four knights involved were killed.

Behind the Scenes

Originally Leon was only supposed to be a character in The Once and Future Queen, but he received such a good reception that the producers brought him back again and again. He is the only named knight of Camelot to have appeared in more than one episode in Series 2.
When Leon was injured by the Great Dragon in The Last Dragonlord, some believed he was killed. However, in spite of the belief that he had died in the battle, he returned in Series 3.
Leon appears in all of the episodes of Series 4.
Rupert Young was a candidate out of four other cast members that would replace Nathaniel Parker in the opening credits for Series 5. The others being Eoin Macken, Alexander Vlahos, who played teenage/adult Mordred, or Ben Daniels, who did not return after his mysterious disappearance at the end of The Sword in the Stone.

Appearances

Series 2: The Once and Future Queen; The Nightmare Begins (cameo); Beauty and the Beast: Part Two; The Witchfinder (cameo); The Sins of the Father; The Fires of Idirsholas; The Last Dragonlord
Series 3: The Tears of Uther Pendragon: Part One; The Tears of Uther Pendragon: Part Two; Goblin's Gold; Gwaine (cameo); The Coming of Arthur: Part One; The Coming of Arthur: Part Two
Series 4: The Darkest Hour: Part One; The Darkest Hour: Part Two; The Wicked Day; Aithusa; His Father's Son; A Servant of Two Masters; The Secret Sharer (cameo); Lamia; Lancelot Du Lac; A Herald of the New Age; The Hunter's Heart; The Sword in the Stone: Part One; The Sword in the Stone: Part Two
Series 5: Arthur's Bane: Part One; Arthur's Bane: Part Two; The Death Song of Uther Pendragon; Another's Sorrow; The Disir; The Dark Tower; A Lesson in Vengeance; The Hollow Queen^[1]; With All My Heart^[2]; The Kindness of Strangers; The Drawing of the Dark; The Diamond of the Day: Part One; The Diamond of the Day: Part Two

In the Legends

While Leon appears to be a completely original character, it is possible he may also be based on or around King Leondegrance. King Leondegrance, or King Leon, was the father of Queen Guinevere and his kingdom was Carmelide or Cameliard. He served Uther Pendragon, King Arthur’s biological father and regnal predecessor. Leondegrance was entrusted with the keeping of the Round Table at Uther’s death. When Guinevere marries Arthur, Leondegrance gives the young king the table as a wedding present. In later romances, Leondegrance is one of the few kings who accept Arthur as his overlord. For this, his land was invaded by the rebel King Rience, but Arthur came to his rescue and expelled the enemy. Arthur meets Guinevere for the first time during this excursion and they develop a love that eventually results in their fateful marriage.

It is also possible Sir Leon's characted is ispiredd by Sir Lionel, how, according to the legend, was brother of Sir Bors de Gannis and cousin of Sir Lancelot and Sir Hector de Maris. When Lancelot was exiled due to his romance with Guinevere, Lionel goes with him, and in killed by Gawain in the battle of the Joyous Garde, in Wales, where Arthur's armies fought against Lancelot troops.