Ella walked with the queen inside the castle as Gwen told her stories about it, and about her and the king. Suddenly, a few guards approached them. "My lady, King Arthur and some of his men have returned," one of them announced. Gwen and Ella looked at each other, and Ella followed the queen as she ran towards the worn out men. "Guinevere," Arthur greeted as Gwen hurriedly walked to him. "I am so glad you are safe!" Gwen exclaimed.
"I always return safely. No matter what," Arthur assured.
"That doesn't stop me from worrying."
Ella was still a little slow, but grinned as she approached the group. "Merlin!" She exclaimed as she pulled him into a hug, "You're alright!"
"You ought to be more worried about the king," Merlin retorted.
"He already has a whole kingdom worrying about him, I'm sure he will not mind if one person worries about someone else."
Merlin laughed, "I'll always be fine, you know that."
Ella smiled at him, then spotted Mordred behind him. "Who's he? I'm sure I have not seen him before."
"Oh, this is Mordred," Merlin introduced, "Mordred, this is Princess Ella of Metin. Her kingdom was taken by Morgana so she has been staying in Camelot."
"My lady," Mordred said politely.
Ella smiled at him, and then glanced at Merlin and took him to the side, "You're troubled, what's wrong?"
"There's a prophecy that Arthur will die at the hands of a Druid," Merlin explained quietly, "I had a vision of the prophecy, and according to it, the bringer of the king's' death is Mordred."
"That will explain 'fate'," Ella replied simply.
Merlin frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I shall tell you later. Talk too quietly to one another for too long and people start suspecting something. Go."
Merlin sighed,"If I must."
Ella laughed as Merlin headed to Gaius' chambers.
"Ella," Arthur said as he came up to her, "We ran into Morgana, who has given Metin to Odin."
Ella frowned, "What?"
"It was given to him to gain his trust. Do you think we'll be able to reclaim it?"
"I am certain that will not happen. Odin will have taken control of the army and claimed it as his. It will be far powerful than Camelot's."
"What about you?"
"I do not know. I was hoping just to travel further but now I'm not so sure."
"Then I propose you become my ward."
Ella looked at him in shock, "What? My lord, you can't be serious."
"I know you are a...keeper of peace. And you are good company for the queen. Your future would be more certain here in Camelot."
"But, what about my powers? Magic corrupted the Lady Morgana, did it not?"
"Only because my father was shrewd. Magic could be used for a force for good and the kingdom does not know about your powers and we shall keep them a secret."
Ella glanced at the queen who was standing a little further from them. Gwen smiled and nodded at her in assurance. "If you are sure, my lord."
"I think I am. Come with me."
Ella walked away with the king, nervously glancing around. She still felt uncomfortable, but her urge to run away had gone for so many reasons. She still didn't know why the king or the queen trusted her, thinking of the stories about magic and Camelot, and supposed she never would.