A/N Back to Forks and Bella's POV in this chapter. I have been asked for more interaction between Bella and Edward. I know this is a bit of a slow burn but trust me its coming and hopefully it will be worth the wait ;)

I also just wanted to say that I realise this story is set back hundreds of years ago but my writing style is still modern, I did this on purpose. I have a few older phrases and words thrown in but for the most part I did not make any serious attempt at the older style of writing, mainly because I suck at it! Hopefully this is not taking away from the story.

This chapter is a little bit longer than most. I don't really have a set amount of words to get into each chapter and I usually end it where it feels most natural, but they tend to hover around the 4000 words. So you get a little bit extra today to make up for the shorter chapter last time :)

Chapter 7

Bella was right behind the small group of people carrying Edward as they spilled into his bed chamber. A separate part of her brain was somewhat surprised that his rooms were right beside her own. How had she not realised this before? She dismissed the though immediately, pushing it to the back of her mind to ponder later.

In front of her, Emmet and Jasper were laying Edward down carefully on his bed. They had removed his cloak and threw it onto the ground carelessly, Bella bent to pick it up and could feel moisture on the dark piece of clothing. She looked down and gasped when she saw that her hands were coated in blood from touching the garment. Edward was bleeding, and badly from what she could tell. She dropped the cloak and made her way closer to the bed, which was still surrounded, some people Bella knew but others were unfamiliar to her.

An older man, stooped with age and using a walking cane, entered then with a man and a young boy trailing behind him and took charge. "Remove his clothes," he ordered, and Emmet rushed to obey with Esme's help. "I need to see the wound," he murmured and stepped up to Edward's side once he was stripped to his waist.

At first Bella felt embarrassed as her husbands clothes were removed. She had never seen a man in such a state of undress before, aside from her cousin Jacob but that was different, but that was quickly forgotten as Edward's armour and shirt were peeled away. There was a collective gasp from many of those present when a large gash, almost obscured by streaks of bright red blood, across his shoulder and down the front of his arm was revealed, obviously made by a sword.

There was an audible cry of anguish from Esme, and Emmet sent a pleading look to Rosalie who just nodded and approached Esme and took her hand gently. "Come Esme, let us leave this to the physicians. We can come back later once Edward has been cleaned up." Esme looked like she might refuse to leave her son, but she also looked decidedly green, so she consented to leave with Rosalie and did so on visibly shaking legs. Bella felt a pang of sympathy for her mother in law to see her son so hurt. It did not even occur to Bella to leave with them and none of the men seemed to notice her presence in the back of the room.

She watched as the physician, Dr Clearwater or 'Harry' as Emmet and Carlisle called him, assessed his wounds and spoke to his apprentices. Edward made no sound as the man prodded him here and there. "Hmm," he prodded again seemingly unaffected by Edwards unconscious state. "Embry, we need to staunch this bleeding and clean the wound," he murmured to the older of his assistants. He looked to the younger boy, "Colin, bring me cloths, some boiled water and bandages and my medicine box." The lad rushed off to do as he was bid. All the while Edward lay motionless on the bed.

"How did this happen?" Carlisle asked no one in particular as he watched Doctor Clearwater examine his son.

"Ambush," Jasper said tightly. "We had been patrolling the perimeters of the Province for the last number of weeks as you know, there have been a few random attacks along the border so we were investigating and speaking to witnesses, gathering whatever information about the attackers as we could. We had finished and were returning home when we were attacked on the road early this morning."

"This morning?" Carlisle asked, shocked. "But that must mean…"

"Yes," Emmet cut in. "We were attacked on our own land, not twenty miles from home."

The room went quiet, aside from the hushed whispering between Doctor Clearwater and Embry as they turned Edward on his side to assess for damage to his back. Bella was afraid to breathe, she was no expert in military matters but she knew this was bad. For the King's sons to be ambushed on their own land, so close to home was a serious problem. Who instigated this attack? Was it a rebellious group within Forks, or was it an attack from one of the other provinces? Bella's stomach sank at this thought. Was James behind this attack on Edward? Everyone knew he would feel slighted by the breaking of their engagement, but would he truly go to these lengths for revenge? She tried to brush off this thought process, after all Bella did not know much about the political climate of Forks. It seemed like a peaceful province, just like Phenix had been, to her understanding but what did she know? She had only been here a few weeks.

Her internal musings were all forgotten when there was a loud groan from the bed. He was awake! Bella's feet brought her forward without realising what she was doing. Edward groaned once more and then his eyes snapped open and he began to flail, fighting off the hands that were touching him with his good arm and grunting with the effort. Doctor Clearwater backed off a bit, "hold him still!" he ordered.

Emmet and Jasper rushed forward to hold him down. "Easy," Emmet said to his brother. "Its okay Edward, we're home. Its over. Let the doctor help you."

Edwards eyes shot wildly about the room, looking at the faces hovering above him but he continued to struggle, seemingly unaware of his pain anymore. It hurt Bella's heart to see the fear and rage in his eyes, she realised he did not know where he was. Did he still believe he was out on the road? Being attacked so close to home? She stepped closer to the bed only stopping as her thighs touched the mattress. His eyes locked with hers and he immediately stopped struggling. "What are you doing out here?' he asked sharply. "Its not safe. You need to go back!" Then his eyes closed again.

Bella could feel the attention of those in the room going from Edward's now prone form on the bed to her, a woman, at the bedside of her half-naked injured husband.

"Bella…" Carlisle started and paused before continuing gently, "I'm not sure its such a good idea for you to be in here." He looked at her as if she might be overcome at any moment and lose her senses watching such a brutal, bloody scene. But Bella was okay, well, not okay exactly as she felt faint at the sight of all the blood and her stomach was sick at the though of Edward's pain, both physical and emotional, but she was not about to leave him when he was in this condition.

"I agree," Doctor Clearwater snapped, "this is no place for a woman."

Bella scowled at the old physician and was about to fight for her right to stay, she did not understand why she felt as she did. There was no logical reason why she should want to remain. It was not as if she and her husband were even close, they were barely on speaking terms before he left and she was still angry with him for not bidding her farewell but she just knew that she had to stay. Edward spoke before her, obviously he was still conscious despite his limp form.

"No," he croaked but said no more, although he reopened his eyes and stared at her.

What did that mean? Everyone looked at each other. Did he mean 'No, don't leave' or 'No, stay'. She felt awkward all of a sudden, did Edward not want her here?

Colin chose that moment to return, rushing into the bedchamber with the supplies and Doctor Clearwater just shrugged as he got to work. "Fine," he muttered. "But if you faint don't say I didn't warn you."

Edward screamed when they washed out his wounds, his eyes rolling back in his head. Bella wanted to tell them to stop but she knew this had to be done, any dirt left in the wound could cause infection and he could die. Embry held the cloths to his skin, applying as much pressure as he dared until the bleeding had slowed. Bella was surprised Edward was conscious at all if he had been bleeding like this since this morning.

Once the wound was somewhat cleaner, Doctor Clearwater once again examined it. "The arm needs to come off," he said matter of factly, as if he removed limbs every day. And maybe he did, for all Bella knew. At this she really did feel as though she might lose her stomach but one quick glance around the room told her that she was not alone, Carlisle in particular looked more than a little queasy.

Edward's eyes snapped wide open. "No! No no no no, you can't!" he pleaded, a note of hysteria in his voice.

"Son," Carlisle said, visibly shaken.

"NO!" he shouted. "I. Am. Keeping. My. Arm." Carlisle looked torn between giving his son what he wanted or possibly saving his life.

Bella hesitated for a moment but then spoke up. "Um, do we have time?" Everyone looked at her and she blushed. She did not want to contradict the doctor, but she felt he was being a little rash here.

"What do you mean?" Emmet asked.

"Well," she gestured at her husband and saw he was lucid and staring at her again. The clear look in his eyes convinced her he was not delirious with fever, he was alert. "The wound does not appear to be infected," she said hesitantly, "can we not take some time and try to save it? Surely the r…removal of his arm should be a last resort? Do we have the time to consider other options?"

"Options," Doctor Clearwater scoffed. "Carlisle, we don't have time for this sentimentality from a woman!" he said angrily, and Bella glared at him. She was only trying to save Edward's arm, and life. She had heard of many deaths resulting from amputations during her lifetime.

"And the amputation? Could that not also kill him just as easily?" she retorted hotly. Bella had never spoken so forcefully before but she was angry with this doctor's blasé attitude.

"Would you rather see him die from infection!" he shot back.

"People can survive infection," she snapped and then realised she had been unconsciously touching her own scars with her hand when she saw the doctor's eyes glance at her movements. She lowered her hand, noticing her palms still had Edward's blood smeared on them, and raised her chin defiantly almost daring him to make some comment, but he did not, merely pursing his lips into a thin disapproving line.

"Hang on," Emmet interrupted. "Why exactly are you removing his arm?"

"Because," Doctor Clearwater said slowly. "If the wound becomes corrupted, he could die from infection. And he may not regain full use of his arm in any case."

"But you don't know?" Jasper chimed in and the doctor now seemed even angrier to have his skills questioned by so many. "Isn't Bella correct then? Shouldn't we wait?"

"I'm hearing a lot of 'ifs' here Harry," Carlisle said then. "Can you tell me anything with certainty that would require the immediate removal of my son's limb?"

"Hmph," he grumped but turned to speak to Embry. There was a lot of head nodding and hushed words before he turned back around. "As you wish," he said. "Give him willow bark tea for the pain and inflammation for now and we can monitor him." He turned to Carlisle. "But, if he dies because of this I'm blaming her." He pointed straight at Bella and she paled. Then he stalked out of the room, leaving his apprentices to bandage Edwards arm and shoulder.

Once Edward's wounds were dressed with herb and honey infused cloths and wrapped in tight bandages, and he appeared to be stable, he had to be taken from his bed so the ruined sheets could be removed. He was lifted carefully and propped in a chair by Emmet and Jasper while the servant girls quickly replaced his bed sheets with fresh ones and then he was returned to his bed. Bella had moved back out of the way but was still standing in his room watching all of this and she was worried he looked too pale and was in obvious pain when they were moving him about. Once he was back in bed and covered by his blankets she approached him and saw he had finally fallen asleep, or more likely passed out again, and remained so for quite some time. Eventually he awoke in a considerable amount of pain and he was given more of the willow bark tea by Colin and some whiskey Emmet had fetched.

"How are you feeling?" she asked him, feeling awkward as there were still a few people in the room. Carlisle had left a while ago to see how Esme was and most everyone else was also gone now. Jasper, too, had left saying something about starting an investigation into what happened. Only herself, Emmet and Lord Liam remained, Emmet seemed reluctant to leave his brother, which was understandable and so he stood across the room talking quietly with his uncle Liam. Colin had also remained to watch over the patient for now but he had busied himself setting up bottles of nasty looking liquids and fresh bandages on a small table in the corner of the room, he was so quiet it was like he wasn't even there. The room was also quiet compared to the noisy activities of earlier and it was disconcerting to Bella, she suddenly felt very out of place in her husbands bed chamber.

"M'okay" he slurred, and she wondered if it was from the willow bark tea prescribed by the doctor or the four tots of whiskey that Emmet had given him.

"Do you want me to…." Bella gestured towards the door and wondered if she should just go and leave him to his rest.

"No," he said immediately and tensed, looking a little panicked.

She wondered why he was so worried until he glanced hesitantly at the doctor's apprentice in the corner. Was he afraid they would take his arm if she was not there to speak up for him? Okay, she said to herself. She could stay with him if it helped, she would sit by his bed and keep watch if it gave him some peace of mind. She wasn't foolish enough to think she could have any real say in his treatment if Harry persuaded Carlisle that amputation was the best course of action, but if her presence allowed Edward to be able to relax and sleep she would stay for as long as it took.

"Okay, its alright," she soothed. "I can stay." His body relaxed immediately and he slumped into the bed, exhausted. He was asleep again within seconds.

Bella wanted to reach out and brush his wild hair from his sweaty forehead but she didn't want to disturb him, and she wasn't sure he if would appreciate her touching him, though she had cleaned his blood from her hands with a wet cloth Colin had given to her. Even in sleep his face was pinched with pain so she wanted him to get whatever rest he could. She swayed a little from foot to foot to ease the slight pain she was feeling in her legs and feet from standing in one spot for so long, the room was starting to darken and one of the servant girls had come in and lit the candles throughout the room so she knew they had been here for a long time at this stage, and she hadn't eaten since breakfast. Her stomach gurgled noisily but she ignored it, surprised she was hungry at all after what she had witnessed that day.

Just as she had this thought Emmet approached carrying a large armchair for her and she took it gratefully. "Thank you," she whispered, not wanting to disturb Edward's rest.

Emmet just nodded and retrieved a similar chair of his own sinking down heavily into it and scrubbing his face with his palms. Bella looked at him sympathetically, "You look tired Emmet. You can go and rest if you'd like, I'll stay here."

"Nah," he murmured, and she didn't push him even though his eyes were bloodshot and there were purple shadows forming beneath them.

They sat in a comfortable silence for some time, the sound only broken by the musical tinkling of glass, the soft sounds of moving fabric and gently sloshing water as Colin worked behind them. It was almost enough to lull Bella into sleep herself, but she sat up abruptly alert when Emmet began speaking.

"I've never seen Edward scared like that before," he said soberly.

Bella swallowed hard. "When you were attacked?"

"No." he shook his head and pointed with his thumb over his shoulder in Colin's general direction. Bella peeped over the back of her chair at the young boy who looked no older than thirteen or so. "When he thought they were going to take his arm."

"Oh."

"Yeah," he sighed.

"I imagine it is a scary thing, to be so hurt and to have so many people around you discussing your fate," Bella mused, and tried in vain to block her own memories of lying in bed hurt after the carriage accident that killed her mother and baby brother. She did not like to think of it, her memories of that time were hazy and all she could clearly remember was the pain from her burns.

"It's his sword arm," Emmet replied simply.

"I see, and is Edward…good with a sword?" she asked. It felt strange asking Emmet questions about her husband like this.

"The best. But don't tell him I said that," Emmet grinned.

"I already know," came a grumbled croak from the bed.

Emmet scoffed, but smiled to see Edward awake. "Brother, I am merely trying to make you sound better in front of your wife."

Bella laughed quietly despite the situation and picked up the pitcher of water beside the bed. "Water?" she asked Edward who nodded gratefully. She poured a goblet of water and Emmet helped support his head as Bella held it to his lips. He drank deeply and then flopped back onto the bed with a groan.

Colin silently placed a cup of the heated tea on the bedside table at Bella's elbow for him to drink and retreated back to his corner. Edward scowled at the cup then closed his eyes again.

"Is the Butcher gone?" he asked with his eyes still closed.

"Yep, run off by your wife," Emmet joked, and she blushed realising they were speaking about Doctor Clearwater.

"Good. Keep him away from me or he will have a few injuries of his own." Edward threatened, even though Bella knew he couldn't fight off a kitten in his current state.

"The Butcher…Why do you call him that?" she asked hesitantly.

"Why do you think?" Emmet grinned and waggled his eyebrows. "He likes to hack off limbs." Bella's stomach turned but she wondered why someone such as him was allowed to work in the palace.

"Old Harry's actually not a bad physician," Emmet said, seeing her confusion. "When it comes to stomach upsets and headaches at least, but when it comes down to battle wounds his first instinct is always to cut," he made a chopping motion with his hand. Bella wondered if they had forgotten Colin's presence in the room or they just didn't care, probably the latter.

"Butcher," Edward murmured and she thought she saw him shiver.

"Are you cold?" she asked and stood to pull up the blanket from the end of his bed.

"No, I'm fine."

"Okay," she sat back down. Bella was starting to feel awkward again. Out of place. This wasn't helped when Emmet stood up to leave.

"I need to go talk to Mom, let her know her second favourite son is going to live," he said as he stretched and yawned.

Edward smirked, "you mean you need to see your girl."

Emmet grinned widely. "That too. But seriously brother, I'm glad you made it."

"Me too," Edward said wryly as his brother left.

Then they were alone and Bella didn't know what to say. And neither did Edward it seemed, so they simply sat, or laid in Edwards's case, for some time in awkward silence.

"I'm glad your…."

"Thank you for…."

They both spoke at the same time and she blushed while Edward just rolled his eyes. But then nodded at her to go first.

"I'm glad you're feeling a bit better," she mumbled.

"Thank you," he replied then chewed on his lip for a moment. "Thank you as well….for today I mean." He gestured awkwardly at his arm with his good hand. It was the first time Bella had seen Edward in any way nervous, he always seemed so sure of himself. It's a big improvement to his usual anger, she thought to herself.

They lapsed back into silence and after a few minutes she heard a soft snore that told her he was sleeping again. She was grateful for this because she didn't feel as self-conscious when he was asleep. A tray of food arrived for her and she ate hungrily from it, relieved when her stomach stopped growling.

Soon Esme came to visit with her son, she stayed for an hour or so but he didn't wake up. Alice came for a short visit as well but Rosalie did not appear and Bella could well guess where she was, and who she was with. A couple of others visited throughout the evening. Some she knew, others she didn't and had to be introduced.

The hour grew late and everyone started to rise so they could retire for the night. Bella had decided that she would stay here with Edward tonight. Esme tried to talk her out of it, there was even talk of everyone taking shifts throughout the night but Bella insisted, partly because she didn't want to inconvenience anyone but mostly because she promised Edward she wouldn't leave. Besides, it was her choice as Edward's wife whether she should stay or not and she used this to her advantage.

The night was long and Bella read her book for a short while, rising from her chair every now and then to check on Edward and make him drink the detested willow bark tea if he woke for a moment. Most of the time though she simply sat and watched him sleep. He slept soundly enough, only making the odd groan of pain whenever he moved but he did not wake much and Bella was glad for this. What could they possibly talk about? She would feel exceedingly odd trying to make conversation with him while they were here alone in the middle of the night, they had managed some small amount of conversation well enough when Emmet was present but that was because Emmet was so jovial it made it easier for them to converse. Of course, it wasn't like she could insist on Emmet's presence every time she needed to speak to her husband. No, even the thought was absurd, so she resolved that they would need to find a way to talk to each other, to be somewhat civil. She was still hurt and angry that he did not tell her he was leaving for a month and that could not happen again. She deserved his respect, even if he did not like her she deserved that much at least.

Eventually she did fall asleep, slumped against the side of her chair, but not before she could see the sky start to lighten to a dull grey outside.

She was startled awake by movement in the room and her eyes snapped open to see Doctor Clearwater standing at Edward's bedside. It was brighter but still early. Bella guessed she had only slept for an hour or so and she felt groggy from lack of rest. She looked around the room and there was no one else present so she got up and stood at the other side of Edward's bed, facing the old man. He nodded at her once to acknowledge her presence but otherwise did not speak.

He had a short wooden stick in his hand with a rounded end that looked like a leather ball attached to it. He used the ball end of this stick to poke at Edward's arm. Edward's eye's shot open and he almost leaped out of the bed. He gasped in pain when he tried to move though so he didn't make it very far.

"Did you have to do that?" Bella snapped at the doctor and laid her hand on Edward's shoulder using gentle pressure to encourage him to lay back down, she was surprised when he complied.

"I need to assess the patient," he mumbled, unperturbed by her anger. He continued to poke and prod at Edward's wound who winced in pain with every touch.

"Have you not been giving him the willow bark tea?" he asked.

"Of course we have!" Bella was indignant. Did the man think she was an imbecile, unable to care for her husband?

Doctor Clearwater didn't even acknowledge her answer, merely turning to Embry who had now entered the room. "We need to remove the wrappings". Embry helped and it only took moments before the wound was exposed. Bella grimaced at the sight of it but was also glad the skin was a healthy colour and there was no putrid smell of infection. In her opinion Edward's weakened state was due to blood loss and not any type of infection.

"Wash it and replace it with fresh herb cloth and clean bandages," was all Doctor Clearwater said to Embry and turned to leave.

"That's it?" Bella asked incredulously, stopping the old man in his tracks.

"What else is there?" he asked, annoyed. "The wound remains uninfected for now so we simply watch and wait, and hope you weren't wrong." Bella was stunned into silence again. How is that man allowed to be a doctor to the royal house with such an attitude? she asked herself.

"He was a friend of my grandfather's" Edward said, his voice hoarse and scratchy. "Saved Carlisle's life when he was a baby. He is more used to fever and stomach cramps that battle wounds."

Did I say that out loud? Bella cringed. It seemed Edward was as willing as Emmet in making excuses for Doctor Clearwater. She deflected by reaching for the pitcher of water and pouring some into a goblet. Edward sat up slightly with her help and she held the goblet to his lips while he drank and tried not to think about the the tingling sensation in her hands when she had to touch his bare skin to help him move. So the old man was a friend of the family and he had saved the heir's life? No wonder he was allowed to speak to the royal family members in such a way and keep his job.

"Thank you," he said wearily as he lay back down.

"You're welcome," Bella murmured. "But you already thanked me, and this is just water. At least Emmet would have given you whiskey," she tried to joke but it sounded wrong.

"Not for the water Bella…for everything," he paused but Bella couldn't look at him, she just shrugged as she rearranged the things on the table beside his bed. "Look at me." She did, reluctantly.

"Thank you."

He was so sincere, his green eyes burning into her own. The only reason Edward still had his arm was because of her. She stood up to the old doctor and fought for him when everyone else in the room, through their fear for his life, would have allowed the amputation of his arm - the unnecessary mutilation of his body. Yes, they rallied behind her eventually but what if she hadn't spoken up? Edward would now only have one arm, if he would have survived at all….and they both knew it.

A/N Thank you for reading. Next chapter up soon, I've already started writing it.

Reviews are welcome and appreciated.

C