Disclaimer: I own nothing from fable. As always enjoy!
When Belle arrived at the castle she saw Logan waiting for her outside of the castle. He looked as if someone dear to him had died.
"What's wrong Logan ?"
"You will see Belle."
Logan grabbed her hand and took her to Elise's hospital wing room. Elise was on the bed with her eyes shut and her skin pale as snow. Belle's eyes landed on a big wound that was in the middle of Elise's chest.
"Is she dead Logan?"
"Yes."
"Who did this Logan?"
"Assassins."
"Someone's targeting the Royal family?"
"No just Elise and Bethany."
"Is Bethany the name they decided on?"
"Yes."
"Its a beautiful name but where is Derek?"
"In Bethany's room with her lets go and talk to him before he sends for us."
As they went to Bethany's room one thing crossed Belle's mind how was Derek going to protect and rule a kingdom, raise a daughter and fight off assassins. When they got to Bethany's room they found him holding her as if it would be the last time he would get to see her.
"Belle your here for a while I thought I wasn't going to get to see you at all today."
"Derek I'm so sorry about Elise I should have been here."
"No you have other things to do like plan your wedding, but can I ask you a question and I understand if you say no."
"Anything."
But before Derek could ask anything Reaver walked in.
"I heard the news after Belle left. You know I am going to be your brother in-law soon you could have had me come to."
"Reaver your not apart of my family until I hear Belle say I do."
"Yes Reaver so why don't you leave us all to grieve over Elise in peace".
"No he is apart of our family now Derek and Logan."
"Since when did he become a member of our family?"
"He became a member of our family when Derek and I agreed to this betrothal so anything that concerns me also concerns him. Now Derek what is it you wanted to ask us?"
Derek looked at Bethany then to Reaver then to Belle he could see they good in his sister and that if Reaver and her accepted that she would do Bethany justice and keep her safe from any enemy.
"Belle, Reaver if I spread word that Bethany was hurt and she died from her wounds would you raise her as your own ?"
"What! Derek think about what your doing first you hand Belle over to Reaver and now you and Elise's daughter!"
"Shush Logan you will wake her up, and I know what I'm doing I know Belle will protect her if Reaver will not."
"We accept."
"What Belle we don't need a baby."
"Reaver I can't leave my niece helpless if we don't accept she'll be killed."
"Belle if they can get to Elise they can get to us. "
"Ha! Reaver Elise didn't know how to fight and she wasn't a hero. We are and we do know how to defend ourselves and if she is a hero its our job to teach her to control her powers and even if she is not we still need to teach her how to defend herself."
Reaver thought on Belle's words and she had a point they were both heroes and Derek wouldn't be able to fend off assassins, raise a daughter, and defend and rule a kingdom.
"Alright Belle we can raise her but you can tell her who her real parents are when she is old enough."
"So its settled you will raise Bethany until her 18th birthday and you both will teach her how to defend herself and if she is a hero teach her how to control her powers."
"Are you completely sure about this Derek?"
"Yes Logan."
"If I may say Bethany will need a new name. Wouldn't want the assassins making a connection but if I may do you know which guild they are from and who sent them?"
"We don't know who sent them but we know which guild. They say they are from The Dawn of Blood."
"Yes I have had dealings with them in the pass sadly you can't pay them off, but you can stop them by destroying the contract so I suggest you do that so you can have your daughter back but back to the name change Derek."
"How about Merida ?"
"That's a excellent choice Sister."
"Thank you Logan."
"Alright I think we should leave before any more assassins decide to drop by don't you think Belle."
As Belle put Merida in the carriage and made sure she was safe Derek pulled Reaver aside.
"Listen Reaver if you ever do what you did yesterday to Belle or Merida or even lay a single finger on them I will have you executed betrothal or not understand."
"Understood Derek."
Reaver then saw Belle waiting outside of the carriage to say goodbye.
"Well Derek are you going to say goodbye to your sister or are you going to keep her waiting. "
Derek said goodbye to Merida and his sister knowing all he could hope for was that Belle and Reaver would keep her safe. But as Reaver, Belle, and Merida were leaving to castle grounds a smile crept across Belle's face.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I knew you had a soft side Reaver."
"Me have a soft side please me having a soft side had nothing to do with it."
"Thank you Reaver."
"Consider my decision of raising her as "our daughter" a early wedding present from yours truly, but you do know what this means now my dear."
"What?"
"It means we are going to have to start sleeping in the same bed."
"Fine Reaver but no funny business."
"Don't worry my dear I will be the perfect gentleman."
Authors Note: Reaver has two other reasons why he is helping raise Merida( or as the royal family knows her as Bethany) so keep that in mind as you read and thank you all for your wonderful reviews!