Cinderbella in Camelot

by Lorelei Candice Black

Bella was raised in Ealdor with her father. She's Merlin's best friend and her mother died when she was young. She's here when Arthur comes with Merlin to save Ealdor from the bandits, she gives him advises... Love, fight, balls, friendships, hidden family secrets... Arthur/ Bella, Merlin/ Morgana, Gwen/ Lancelot (briefly, in the end) ONESHOT

Cinderbella in Camelot

Merlin/ Twilight

Bella/ Arthur, Merlin/ Morgana

After the great Dragon is freed (the part with the ball).

---

Life in Ealdor wasn't easy, but Bella liked it well enough, though to be honest, she didn't know any better since she had never seen anything else. She had been there since the day she was born, and she was pretty sure that she'd never seen anything more in her life.

She was relatively happy, though she didn't know any better so she couldn't really be envious of anyone. She lived there with her father, her mother having passed away in Bella's early days. Charlie, her father, had moved to this village with her mother, as newlyweds, and after her mother died soon after giving birth to their only child, had stayed alone to take care of his daughter in this small village were life was simple and relatively safe from attacks. All Bella knew was that he had been injured during a battle for his king, king that Charlie had never named, and that the farm's hard work, the harsh winters and his growing older had weakened him over time. She knew that he needed her, he couldn't work on their little farm anymore and she had to do it all. It was hard but she didn't mind, her father had worked hard his entire life for her, to make sure that she always had food on the table and that she'd awlays be warm in winter, she felt that it was her duty to care for him now.

In the evening, Bella loved to read, but she did so near the fireplace, on the ground, and she often ended up falling asleep there. For this reason, the first anyone saw Bella in the morning, she was often covered in ashes and people took to calling her Cinderbella. It wasn't said in a mean way, it was a friendly way of teasing her and she didn't mind. She was often seen dirty during the day, but that was because she worked all the time and she didn't see the point in washing between each task, it was a waste of time. Most people were impressed by her though, because she did the work of at least two people, all on her own.

Growing up, Merlin had been her best friend, and of course she knew his secret, having seen him use his powers one day. She's the one who had suggested that maybe he'd find his place in the world if he went to work with his uncle Gaius. She'd miss him of course, her best friend and the only person beside her father who took the time to talk to her when they didn't need something from her, but she knew that he'd be happier there.

Charlie spent his day working with his hands, sitting on a chair. He made little wooden figurines. Some of them he simply gave to the village's children, and others he sold whenever he could.

.

When Kanen and his bandits robbed them of what little food they had stored for the winter, Hunith went to Camelot, pleading for king Uther's help even though they weren't on his land. Cenred, the one who was their king and in charge of keeping them safe, simply didn't care for the lands that were so far from him. Still, they tried to appeal to him but nothing worked.

Bella had considered fighting them, but there was so many of them, and she and her father were the only villagers able to fight. Considering the fact that her father was sick and unable to fight, she knew it was a lost cause.

So Merlin's mother went, hoping that at least her son would be able to help them with his powers.

Bella knew that Uther himself wouldn't be able to help. She understood enough about politics to know that if he did, if an army of Camelot was seen in this part of the land, Cenred would start a war in retaliation. Still, she hoped for Merlin to come and save them because, if Kanen kept on robbing them, many children wouldn't survive the winter. Life was hard enough as it was, working from sunrise to sunset every single day, sharing everything and still watching children die young.

Bella worked harder than everyone else, because she wanted to make sure her father wouldn't be the next one to die during the harder winters.

Bella's father, Charlie, was upset by the bandit's presence, more so than the others, because he had the knowledge to fight them off, he just didn't have the strength anymore. He couldn't even walk 5 steps on his own without help, and it broke his heart to see his daughter working so hard in order to get the fruit of her labor stolen by undeserving bandits.

Fortunately, Hunith came back with Merlin and it surprised everyone that Prince Arthur had come along to help even though his father couldn't officially help. Lady Morgana's presence, along with her handmaiden and Merlin's friend Gwen were also a surprise.

"Merlin!" Bella exclaimed, making her way to Merlin who hugged her.

For once, Bella was relatively clean.

"Bella, I've missed you. Come I want you to meet Arthur." Merlin replied excitedly.

Bella bowed in front of the prince who smiled in a way that made Bella blush and he told her that she didn't need to bow, that he wasn't here as a prince. Then Merlin introduced Bella to Gwen and Morgana.

"I'm guessing the prince will be staying with you, if you want, I can house Lady Morgana and Gwen, we have the room. It won't be what they're used to in Camelot, but it's offered willingly." Bella offered and of course they happily accepted her offer.

"How has your father been?" Merlin asked Bella as they made their way to his mother's house, followed by his companions who could hear their conversations.

"Same, no progress and we both know he will never get better now, but at least he's not getting worst too fast. I do my best to keep him as healthy as possible so he can pass the winter. It's not easy, but I manage. He sits in a chair, sometimes inside, sometimes I help him sit outside, and he carves his little wooden figurines. I do try to make him walk a little every day. You know, I hold him up and half carry him while we walk around the village. Some days are easier than others. The bandits' presence make him angry. You know he used to be a knight, he has to knowledge to fight them, but not the strength, not anymore. He used to scare them off when he was younger, fought a few when we were young and he feels like it's his fault if they're attacking now. You've heard, like me, the stories of when he was young and a knight. He probably could have handled their leader on his own in a way that would have scared the others off." Bella replied with a sight.

"I've brought something for him. Gaius said it should help with the pain he feels and another bottle that should help him sleep when he has trouble doing so. It won't work miracles, but it should help at least a little bit." Merlin assured his friend.

"Thank you Merlin." She smiled.

"Anything for my best friend. Thanks to you I know what it would have been like to have a sister. Oh, and I brought you a couple of books, too. Should be a nice change from the two you've been reading since you knew how to read." Merlin replied, making her chuckle.

Bella didn't see Arthur's reaction to Bella's laugh but Morgana sure did and it made her smile. Arthur seemed to like Merlin's peasant friend.

After Arthur, Gwen and Morgana settled their things where they'd sleep, Arthur and Merlin gathered everyone and they started talking about training to fight the bandits once they came back and on the best way to protect the village. Charlie, knowing that Bella would want to fight and that she could hold her own, gave her his old sword. For a long time she had thought that he had lost it, or maybe even sold it because she had never seen it. When he trained her it was always with wooden swords, then, he had used a real sword, but not his, one he had taken from a thief that had tried to rob them one day.

Charlie's sword was one he had helped make when he was just a young man about to be knighted and he was very proud of it. It was unique and beautiful.

.

That night, Bella stayed up late and, instead of reading the same books over and over again, she talked with Gwen and Morgana for a while.

"Merlin talks about you a lot, at first I thought you were betrothed or something." Morgana informed Bella honestly.

"Betrothed to Merlin? Me? No, that would be too weird, we're like siblings. Him, growing up without a father and me, growing up without a mother... We basically grew up together. He's my best friend in the world and I love him, but I'm not in love with him." Bella replied, making Morgana smile.

"He's... different from other men." Morgana added, making Gwen smile.

"That he is." Bella nodded her agreement.

"But he's definitely not used to hold a sword. You should have seen him when I handed him the sword he brought here. You know what he said?" Gwen asked Bella.

"I'm almost afraid to ask. Something tells me that he didn't comment on how well balanced it was." Bella smiled.

"He said it was very 'swordy'". Gwen revealed, making the three of them chuckle, though they made sure not to be too loud, not willing to wake up Charlie.

"Merlin isn't a real fighter, but he's a good man. He sees the best in people, always, and he's willing to go to great length for the people he cares about." Bella replied.

"That's true." Morgana nodded with a little smile.

"Does he have anyone in Camelot? I mean, a lady friend, you know..." Bella asked.

"No, he doesn't, though I think I know someone who wouldn't mind if things weren't different." Gwen replied, glancing at Morgana who blushed and smiled.

"Alas I'm the king's ward and even though he loves me like a daughter, Uther will never allow me to be with someone like Merlin." Morgana sighted sadly.

"Never say never Morgana. There's always hope, for anything, as long as you're willing to believe in it and to fight for it. You make your own destiny. Plus, eventually, Arthur will be king. it's up to you to maintain a good enough relationship with him so that he can allow you to marry whomever you desire." Bella replied with a smile.

.

In Merlin's house, the prince had been curious about Bella and he, too, had asked Merlin if he there was anything romantic going on between Bella and him.

"No, We're just friends, like siblings. We grew up together and I love her, but I'm not in love with her. We're alwyas bickering about something when we spend more than 1 hour together, if we got married, we wouldn't be able to stand each other for long." Merlin explained; finishing with an amused chuckle.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation about her father, what's going on?" Arthur asked, curious.

"He was a knight when he was young, we don't know where exactly but Gaius knew him back then, so not too far. He got gravely injured in a battle, saving whatever lord or king he was fighting for. He healed, but he couldn't fight anymore, and he felt that his place was somewhere else, because he felt like he couldn't stay if he wasn't going to be a knight, though he could do plenty of other things since he made his own sword, which is really something. He traveled a little bit and met Bella's mother, they got married and settled here, because Gaius told him that there was room. His wife died a little while after giving birth and he has been raising Bella alone ever since. Unfortunately, the hard work out here, and the harsh winters, it didn't really help his health. The more time passed, the more pains he had to the point that today, he can't walk far on his own. Bella does all the work and she cares for him on her own." Merlin explained.

"That's a heavy burden for such a young woman." Arthur commented.

"It is, but she adores her father and she does so willingly. I don't think anything would be strong enough to convince her to leave him, not even the prospect of true love. But it goes deeper than that, I think she sort of feels responsible for her mother's death and she tried to make up for it the best way she knwos how. She thinks that if her mother had survievd, her father's health would be better now." Merlin replied.

"You're happy to be here, with her." The prince guessed.

"I miss her when I'm in Camelot, it's true, but I wouldn't be able to live here anymore. Camelot is my home now." Merlin replied.

"Maybe she'll come to Camelot one day." Arthur suggested.

"Maybe, after her father passes. Hey, you can make her a knight once you're king, she's one hell of a sword fighter. Her father taught her when she was younger and she trains everyday." Merlin smiled.

"Did she try to fight the bandits?" Arthur asked.

"No, she couldn't. He only gave her his sword today, after you arrived, and I'm guessing that, out of worry for her, he hid the old sword she trained with out of fear she'd try to fight them on her own. One or two men she probably could take, but 40? She's not that good, though I know she would have tried." Merlin replied.

"Nobody human is that good." Arthur smiled.

.

The next morning, Arthur started training the peasants, allowing, after much arguing, the women to fight too. It wasn't great, but it was better than nothing.

Shortly before lunch time, Bella found herself alone with Arthur, near the woods, setting defenses. Gwen came over and brought them the food Hunith had prepared, then she left again to help Merlin do something else. Bella noticed the prince frown at the food.

"I know that you're used to better, but food is scarce for us. We're grateful for what he have, you should too." Bella told him before opening her eyes wide and adding:

"I'm sorry, sire, I shouldn't have spoken to you like this."

She was about to appologize some more when Arthur cut her off:

"Bella, don't. Don't apologize, you're right."

"Still, I shouldn't have spoken to you this way." She replied, blushing and usable to look him in the eyes.

Softly, Arthur placed his hand under her chin and he forced her to look up at him before he told her:

"I like your honesty, don't apologize, and never feel sorry for speaking your mind to me."

"You still look worried. Don't worry, we'll fight." She assured him.

"I know you all will, but I'm worried it might not be enough." Arthur told her, liking how simple it was to speak with her.

"I'm not worried, I have faith in you."

"Why? You just met me." He shook his head.

"I know Merlin, I trust him and I know that he has faith in you. So I do too. Merlin values you a lot, you're important to him." Bella said.

"He's important to me too, a friend. But don't tell him I said that!" Arthur added, making Bella chuckle.

"Anyway, don't be too worried. I have faith in you and, just like Merlin, I can feel that you'll be a great king later."

"Merlin is a good friend to have, isn't he?" Arthur asked Bella.

"He's the best. I... You said I could be honest with you," She asked the prince who nodded.

"Of course.

"There will come a time in the future, I don't know if it will be close or far but I'm pretty sure it will come, where you will come to doubt Merlin and his dedication to you. When that time comes, remember that Merlin has always been there for you from the moment you met him, remember that he's saved your life, sometimes without you knowing it. Don't tell him about this conversation, but remember what a great friend he has been to you all along, and remember that Merlin doesn't have an evil bone in his body. He's good." Bella declared before she grabbed their plates and brought them back, to wash them, leaving a thoughtfull prince behind her.

A while later, Bella and Merlin found themselves alone, working on the same task and they spoke freely. Merlin had already written to Bella about Arthur's destiny and the young woman was trying to convince him to trust his friend about his powers. She was also trying to convince him that the Great Dragon might be wrong about Morgana, nobody was born evil. If Merlin trusted her and was honest with her, maybe Morgana wouldn't turn evil, because she'd have a true friend on her side.

Merlin wanted to listen to her, but he still hesitated and so after that, they worked in silence so that he could think about it quietly.

.

They knew that Kanen would come soon, he had sent one of their sentury's body back with a message saying so. Everyone was getting ready and Merlin and Arthur were inside, getting ready as well.

"Arthur, whatever happens out there today, please don't think any differently of me." Merlin told the young prince.

"It's alright to be scared, Merlin. Everyone is." Arthur reassured him.

"It's not what I meant." Merlin shook his head.

"What is it then, Merlin?" Arthur asked and at this moment, Merlin saw something in the prince's eye.

The prince was open to him, ready to truly listen, like a friend. He wasn't a prince with his servent, they were friends and Merlin knew that Bella was right.

"I was born with magic and I have been using it a lot to save your life because it's my destiny to protect you and guide you and I might use it again today if I feel that we need it." Merlin spoke in a really fast voice.

Of course Arthur heard him and he looked shocked but not hostile. However he didn't have time to answer because as soon as Merlin was done speaking, Morgana stormed in:

"They've crossed the river." Morgana announced and both men ran outside, ready to fight the thieves.

They'd have time to speak about all of this later, once the fight was won.

As they arrived outside, they saw Bella coming out of her house, looking flustered.

"Bella, are you alright?" Merlin asked her.

"My father wanted to come out and fight, so I might have given him the sedative you brought with you. He should sleep through the fight, at least this way he won't be injured. Him being angry with me when he wakes up is far better than him being dead." She replied before running to take her spot, making Arthur and Merlin smile.

They were outnumbered but Arthur had organized the fight well and they managed to win without any major injuries. At some point, Arthur had seen Merlin doing magic and, true to his word, it was to save his life. At that moment, they had exchanged a look and Arthur saw how afraid Merlin was of his reaction. The prince simply smiled in a way he thought was reassuring before they jumped back to the fight.

After the fight, as they helped clean up the place, Merlin and Arthur spoke honestly and the young warlock told his friend and future king everything, including the great destiny Arthur had before him.

"Why didn't you tell me before today, Merlin? Didn't you trust me?" Arthur asked him.

"Of course I did, I do trust you, Arthur. I just never wanted to put you in a position where you'd have to choose between our friendship of sorts and your allegiance to your father." Merlin replied.

"I understand, but, as far as my father will know, I don't know anything about this." Arthur replied and Merlin nodded.

"I saw Bella during the battle, she fights as well as Morgana does, if not better. She's impressive." Arthur told Merlin, changing the subject, trying to get Merlin to say something about the future and his possibilities.

"Like I told you, she's been taught by her father." Merlin replied, trying to hide his smile from the prince.

"Is she, by any chance, named in the prophecy you've heard? You know, you, me, destiny and everything." Arthur asked.

"She isn't, but nobody really is besides you and I." Merlin replied.

"What about a wife, is she named?"

"No, she's known as the Once and Future Queen, just like you're the once and future king. But it is said that she is your True Love, your Soul Mate." Merlin replied.

"Alright." Arthur nodded, deciding not to ask anymore.

Bella hadn't really answered his small flirting, so either she wasn't interested, or she didn't answer because she didn't want to leave Ealdor. Either way, there was no point in him insisting, even though he had a feeling that a woman like Bella wouldn't leave his mind too easily.

.

Before Merlin left, Bella made him promise to send more news, which he did using magic and getting birds to send his letters to her.

Bella had felt the connection to Arthur, it was hard not to fall for such a man. He was kind, he liked her honesty and he obviously didn't see himself above anyone. He had flirted a few times, discreetly, and she had noticed, but she did her best to remain impervious to it all. Her future was in Ealdor, by her father's side while Arthur's was in Camelot. There was no hope for them, so why risk breaking both of their hearts for something that might not work?

"Arthur fell for your friend, Merlin. I can see it. He's never been this way before." Morgana whispered in Merlin's ear as they got their horses ready.

"I know, I noticed it as well. She feels for him too, but she won't act on it. Her father is too important for her and she wouldn't follow us. Plus, Arthur is going to be king, Uther will want him to marry a princess." Merlin replied in a voice that was just as low.

"Uther is blinded, he does not see that nobility isn't in the blood, but in the heart. Still, I believe that there is hope. I want to help them." Morgana smiled.

"Well, whatever it is, if it means that Bella will find true happiness, I'm in." Merlin nodded, smiling back at Morgana.

"I kind of have the beginning of an idea, but it will take time." She replied.

"We have time. If their feelings don't survive, then they weren't meant to be and we were wrong." Merlin commented wisely.

"True, though I refuse to believe that." Morgana shook her head.

"Yeah, I can feel too that it would last a very long time. I have a feeling that these two are destined for each other." Merlin replied, not revealing yet that this feeling was magical but promising himself to find the time to tell her later.

"You're worried about her, aren't you?" Morgana and Gwen asked Merlin on their way back to Camelot, knowing Arthur was right behind them and could hear them.

"I am, yes. She always does too much. She works too much to the point where she's exhausted, when food is scarce, she gives her portions to her father to keep him as strong as she can. He doesn't know that of course, not really. But he's not blind, he can see when she's overdoing it. I asked my mother to watch over her, to keep an eye on her... Her father asked me to try and convince Bella to give up, but she's headstrong." Merlin explained.

"Why don't they try to move somewhere else? They could come to Camelot. Bella could easily find work and life would be easier for her father." Gwen suggested.

"I suggested it to her, arguing that Gaius would be able to help her father, but life here is all she knows and she doesn't think her father would want to leave. Though I'm sure he'd follow her anywhere she decided to go... She's just... Convinced that there is nothing more for her out there." Merlin replied, shaking his head.

"She'll change her mind over time, don't worry. We'll help." Gwen promised.

.

The next few months were pretty uneventful, especially for Bella whose life was always the same.

There had been a little problem in Camelot with the Great Dragon, and after he had accepted that Merlin giving Morgana a chance was for the best and after he helped them, though a little reluctantly, solve a problem, Merlin freed him, with Arthur's authorization. The dragon didn't attack the castle, but he did cause a few buildings to break down and since he stayed around, wanting Uther to "sweat it out", the King sent his son and Merlin to find the last Dragon Lord. Gaius informed Merlin that Balinor, the dragon Lord, was his father and although they were attacked by Cenred's men on the way back, Merlin was able to spend some time with his father before he died and he found out that he was the last Dragon Lord, in addition of being a very powerful wizard.

Merlin was happy to have been able to share this moment with Arthur, he didn't know how he would have acted if he had had to hide his pain from his friend. Loosing his father wasn't easy, and Arthur understood that.

When Morgana started showing signs of having magic, Merlin confided in her, told her about his powers and his destiny and offered to help her understand and accept her powers. They were now both very close, though they refused to admit that it was love. Morgana had agreed to trust Gwen and Arthur about her powers and this way, they all worked together to hide both hers and Merlin's powers from King Uther.

Merlin started seeing that his feelings for Morgana went deeper than friendship, but he did his best to ignore them. Until Uther died, there would be nothing possible between them, so he didn't see the point of confessing his feelings to her. All he could do for now was make sure she was happy and safe.

Merlin, Gwen and Morgana stayed in touch with Bella, who wrote back to them. The three young women had developed a strong friendship, one that would last a long time.

"Merlin, where's Arthur? He's usually out training with the knights at this hour but Sir Leon told me that he left early." Morgana asked Arthur as they crossed each other in a corridor of the castle.

"He's in the courtroom, being scolded by Uther for having refused to marry yet another 'perfectly suitable' princess." Merlin replied with a smile.

"Perfect!" The young woman smiled before she walked in the direction of the courtroom.

Morgana, still working on her plan to get Bella and Arthur together, had convinced the prince to confess to her his feelings for Bella, which he couldn't really forget. She knew from Bella's letter that she, too, couldn't forget Arthur. Merlin was right, they were destined to be together but Arthur wouldn't seek her out too hard because he was convinced that she wasn't interested and Bella was convinced that she didn't deserve more than what she had.

So Morgana had convinced Arthur to agree to meet with the princesses his father wanted to introduce to him, without complaining, but to complain without any hesitation as soon as he met them, letting his father know that he didn't like them, even though he needed to appear to be making efforts to get along with them. She had told Arthur that she had a plan to try and convince Uther to let him marry for love, and so the Prince had decided to follow her lead and do as she suggested.

Merlin had helped her of course, using his powers to make sure that the worst traits of character of these women came out in front of the king, so Uther couldn't say that his son was being unreasonable.

That is how Arthur found himself the witness of Morgana's true idea. She had just managed to convince Uther to organise a large ball that would spread over 7 nights for Arthur's birthday. In this ball, there would be young women from all over the land. Uther wanted to make sure they would all be Noble, but Morgana argued and asked him if he really thought that a peasant girl would find enough money to make a suitable ball gown. Then she added that if a peasant girl had managed to work hard enough to make a gown suitable for the ball, then she deserved to be there, to which Uther agreed.

Nobody but a few would know it was for Arthur to find a bride, everyone else would think it's for his birthday.

It was a long conversation, but Morgana had done it, though Uther insisted that Arthur would have to choose a bride by the end of the 7th ball or he'd do it himself. Camelot needed an heir because we never knew what could happen next.

"This was your idea, Morgana? I don't want to chose a bride among the nobles, I know the noble women, I don't want any of them! I thought you were on my side, Morgana!" Arthur snapped as they left the room.

"Don't worry, I know who you want, and she'll be there, though you'll have to find her. I know for sure that your soul mate will be present. Your one true love. Though you'll have to consider this your birthday gift from me, Merlin and Gwen for the next 10 years at least, because we're working hard on this." Morgana replied with a teasing smile.

She had a plan to get Bella here, she had gotten the help of Merlin's mother for this, and Gwen was working on a gown worthy of a queen for their friend.

"Merlin saw something?" Arthur asked.

"I won't say that. Just... Have faith, will you? Everything will be alright. Don't ask us too many questions and we won't have to lie to you. Though I'll tell you this: you'll have to find her on your own among the others, and just like everything worth having, you might have to work hard to get her to agree to stay here with you." Morgana replied with a smile before she walked away, leaving Arthur full of wonders.

.

In Ealdor, Hunith had gathered the villagers behind Bella's back, reminding them that the young woman always helped them when they needed it but that she had never once asked for their help for her father, pointing out that the young woman was obviously lonely and tired, that she needed a break. She told them that Merlin had invited Bella to come to Camelot for a couple of weeks and that, in order for Bella to let herself be convinced, they'd have to promise her they'd look after her father.

Of course they all agreed. So far, they had all been more than happy to ignore the fact that Bella was working harder than them, that she might be lonely or doing too much. They all had families and help in everything, and Bella was alone with her father, working for the two of them and still helping them whenever they needed it. They owed her and decided to agree with Hunith's plan. They would all take turn watching over Charlie while Bella took her vacation.

Hunith had spoken to Charlie as well, explaining Morgana's plan to his daughter and the man had smiled and agreed. He was more than happy to provide his daughter with a break, especially if it could bring her True Love.

Merlin had sent word to Bella, that he'd like her to visit him in Camelot for a couple of weeks, arguing that he had promised Gaius to sort through all of his books and that he needed help doing it on top of all his other chores and his work for Arthur. Since Hunith had organised everything to take care of Charlie and her own father agreed that she should go, that it would be a good change, Bella had agreed and sent back word to her friend that she was on her way.

Before she left, her father gave her a bag, filled with a few pieces of jewelry, pretty dresses and magnificent shoes.

"Where did this come from, father?" She asked, curious.

"I've been hiding them for a long time. It used to belong to my mother, your grandmother, and I've been keeping them for you. You deserve more than this life, Bella. You deserve the world, and maybe this will help you find it." Charlie told her with a smile.

"I'm just going to help Merlin sort through a lot of books for a couple of weeks, I'll be back soon, father." Bella replied.

"Alright. Just, promise me to have fun, alright? Don't worry too much about me, I'm fine here, our friends will watch out for me and I'm even moving in with Hunith until you come back." Charlie told her.

"I promise, father." Bella smiled and dropped a kiss on her father's cheek, adding his gift to her bag, along with his sword, which was now hers for all intent and purposes.

Bella started on the road, using the trusty old horse her father owned and was surprised when she found Merlin on the road.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him.

"I'm just making sure you're making it to Camelot without any troubles." he replied.

"I thought you had too much work?" She argued.

"I got the day off from Arthur, with his upcoming birthday, he's in a good mood and Morgana helped. She wanted to make sure you didn't have any problems on the way here." Merlin replied, hoping that he was believable.

Merlin had planned it well and by the time they arrived, night had fallen and it was easy to conceal Bella and to sneak her into Gaius' quarters without Arthur seeing her. The prince wouldn't even know she was here until he saw her at the ball.

As soon as they arrived, Bella saw Gwen and Morgana waiting for her with large smiles.

"I'm happy to see you, too." Bella told them after her friends hugged her.

"Truth is, Bella, I don't have books to sort through, though you can read as many as you want while you're here. We all thought that you deserved a small vacation and... Well, Morgana wanted to invite you to this big ball Uther is organizing for Arthur's birthday." Merlin said and he saw, behind them, Gaius lifting an eyebrow but the old man stayed silent.

He had heard of their plan of course, and he hoped it would all end well.

"A ball? I can't go to a ball, Merlin." Bella shook her head.

"Yes you can, Gwen's made you a dress. The ball lasts 7 nights, can you please give us that? 7 nights where you enjoy yourself and have fun? Take a break from your life?" Morgana argued.

"Did my father know?" Bella suddenly asked Merlin.

"My mother might have told him, yes. Why?" Merlin asked back with a frown.

"Before I left, he gave me this big bag, full of his mother's things. He said that he's been keeping them for me. Look, there's jewelry, a couple of pretty dresses, shoes... It has to be worth a lot of money, he could have sold it to make our life easier a long time ago." Bella argued.

"Charlie didn't sell it, simply because a seer once told him that it would help his daughter find true and eternal happiness, true love. I was there." Gaius stated, surprising them all.

They had kind of forgotten that he was present too.

"Going to a ball, or 7 balls for that matter, won't bring me eternal happiness." Bella shook her head with a smile, feeling like she was going to lose anyway and they'd all get their wish.

"Aren't you the one who once told me that you never know what destiny will bring? That you can't know something won't work until you try it?" Merlin asked Bella.

"Fine, I can see that you've all worked hard on this, so I'll go to these balls and I won't complain. I'll enjoy myself and have fun, but in return I want to be able to stay inside all day to read all the books I can." Bella asked.

"Perfect!" Morgana smiled.

If Arthur looked for Bella during the day and couldn't find her, then he'd work even harder to convince her during the evening.

.

Before the first ball, Gwen went to get Bella and she brought her discretely to Morgana's quarters where they got ready together. The dress they had planned for Bella was very pretty and the shoes and jewelry her father had given her went perfectly with it.

"These shoes are very pretty, Bella... So unique." Morgana commented.

"I know, I'm lucky they fit me." She smiled.

"How did your grandmother get them?" Gwen asked.

"I know that she was a lady in some king's court, and my grandfather, her husband, gifted them to her. He got the finest and strongest leather he could find, got the fur himself and designed where the jewels and gold lining would go. Then he gifted them to her to celebrate my father's birth, which happened on her birthday." She explained.

"Are they comfortable?" Gwen asked, curious.

"Yes, very." Bella smiled, letting her friend try them.

They were made of leather, as were all shoes, with a bit of fur and delicate jewels all over it. There was also bits of Gold, surrounding some of the jewels.

"Such a shoe, it's going to make an impression." Morgana smiled.

"Nobody will see them, they'll be under my dress, which is, I have to say, extremely beautiful. You worked hard on this, Gwen. But I'm not sure I should wear such a dress." Bella smiled.

"You agreed not to argue with us, remember!" Morgana reminded Bella.

Bella smiled and undid her usual bun so she could brush her hair. She was surprised to realize how long they had gotten. They reached bellow her back.

"I didn't realize they had grown so much..." Bella shook her head.

"It's perfect, you'll show them tonight." Morgana smiled, thinking that, with her hair freed, clean and in such a dress, Arthur would have a hard time recognizing Bella as the same woman he had fallen for in Ealdor.

Once Bella was ready, she was shown the way to the courtroom, where the ball took place and Gwen went to work while Morgana left Bella's side to greet someone. Bella spotted Merlin, who was by Arthur's side and she smiled at him. Her friend returned her smile and went back to speak with Arthur.

While Bella got a glass to drink, she didn't know that Arthur had spotted her.

"Merlin, who's this?" Arthur asked his servent and friend.

"I think she's a friend of Lady Morgana's." Merlin replied, not really lying.

"A friend of Morgana's? Does she even have a friend that I don't know?" Arthur frowned.

"Then you must know her." Merlin replied and Arthur turned to look at him.

"Okay, what's going on?" The prince asked.

"Don't ask us questions, and we won't lie to you. Morgana's warned you." Merlin replied and Arthur opened his eyes wide, looking for the woman he had spotted once more.

"My soul mate? True love?" Arthur asked and Merlin simply smiled before he walked away.

Arthur wasn't sure who it was. Morgana told him that it would be the one he wanted, but did she mean Bella because he couldn't stop to think about her or was it simply someone else who happened to be his soul mate? He decided that it didn't matter, either way, he had only 7 days to get to know her and convince this woman to marry him.

Though, if it was Bella, would his father agree to let him marry her? Arthur was cut out of his thoughts when he noticed one of his knights, Sir Leon, approaching the woman in question. Frowning, he rushed to her and managed to reach her before Leon, who smiled and changed his course.

"Good evening." Arthur greeted her with a charming smile.

She did look familiar, pretty of course, and he could see courage and kindness in her eyes. But was it her?

"Sire." Bella greeted him in return, with a little bow.

"No need for title, Arthur will do. I told you this before, Bella." Arthur replied, having recognized her voice.

"I thought it was only in Ealdor." She said.

"No, you can call me Arthur anytime." he replied, thinking that as long as she called him Arthur, it meant that she was there.

Her very presence made him happier than he had been in a very long time. He wasn't used to feeling like this but in this instant, he knew that it was her, his true love, the soul mate Morgana and Merlin had promised him.

"Alright then, Arthur." She smiled.

"I didn't know you were coming."

"Neither did I honestly. I mean, I knew that I was coming to Camelot, but I thought it was to help Merlin sort through a lot of books, a task he needed to do while doing his other works. He got everyone back home to help care for my father while I was here. Once I got here, Gwen and Morgana were waiting, and they told me they wanted me to attend 7 balls. I knew it was a lost fight, I couldn't argue with all 3 of them, so, if it makes them happy to see me here, then so shall it be." Bella replied honestly.

"Well, I'll have to think of a way to thank them later. I have missed you and, if I'm being honest, I've thought about you since we met in Ealdor... I... May I have this dance?" Arthur asked her and she agreed, giving him her hand.

"You're lucky my father taught me how to dance." she smiled.

"I wouldn't have minded if you stepped on my feet a bit." He smiled back, happy to have her in his arms.

As they danced and spoke about many things, Arthur spotted their friends and he smiled at them. He hoped that Morgana was right and that Uther would end up agreeing to him marrying Bella.

Arthur stayed with Bella for the entire night, and when they didn't dance, they ate, drank and spoke. When the ball ended, they separated with Bella's promise to Arthur to be there the second night, and all the others. He got her to promise that she'd let him be her escort for all the balls and her agreement made him happier than he ever could be.

Arthur wanted to find Bella during the day to spend even more time with her but he couldn't find free time. He was always busy and he had a feeling that it was Morgana's doing. She kept him busy so that he could only find Bella during the balls, though he didn't understand why.

During the third night of the ball, Uther asked Gaius to join him. He had noticed his son's attraction for the young woman of course and he was curious. She was the only one his son was paying attention to and he had danced only with her. He wanted to know more about the girl before he went to speak with her.

"Gaius, my old friend, do you know who this young woman is? The one's who's caught my son's attention?" Uther asked Gaius.

"I do, Sire. She's a friend of Merlin, visiting from Ealdor. Her name is Bella." Gaius replied.

"Ealdor is pretty poor, she couldn't be." Uther frowned.

Bella was well dressed, like a noble woman, maybe even a princess and she held herself well, not like a peasant.

"Sire, the jewelry she's wearing were her grandmother's. Bella is Sir Charlie's daughter." Gaius revealed.

"Charlie? My friend Charlie, who left after he got injured saving my life? I thought he had died! Why didn't he ever return?" Uther asked his friend, surprised.

"Charlie felt like he failed you when he learned that he wouldn't be able to fight again. He first intended to just go on a trip, but he found love, married her and settled in Ealdor. I guess he figured that, since she was a commoner, you wouldn't accept her, so he stayed away." Gaius explained.

"Why didn't he come here with her then? I would have loved to see him again!" Uther exclaimed.

"Sire, Charlie's health isn't what it used to be. Knowing him, he's probably prefer you to think him dead than to see him so diminished. The life of a peasant, the harsh winters and his wife's death shortly after their daughter's birth has weakened him. He can barely walk anymore, just a few steps on his own. His heart is growing weak... Bella here does all the house and farm work on her own, she has been doing it for years. That's why Merlin and Lady Morgana, who's met her before, arranged for her to come for a few days. They felt that she deserved a break. She's kind and hard working sire. She's also completely dedicated to her father. She feels that since her father sacrificed everything for her, then she should do the same." Gaius replied.

"Looking at her, I would have thought she had grown at court her whole life... Charlie raised her well, and on his own..." Uther smiled.

"He always said that being a peasant and living in a farm wasn't an excuse to forget where they came from, so he taught her how to read, to dance, to sword fight... She understands how things work at court, even though she's never been there, but she doesn't know of your bond to her father. All she knows is that he used to be a knight in someone's court, she doesn't know the name of the king Charlie served when he got injured."

"Charlie saved my life that day. I know that I was busy because of everything that was going on at the time and couldn't be by his side when he recovered, but by the time I managed to get some free time, he was gone... I owe him my life..." Uther remembered.

"I have a feeling that you should speak to Lady Morgana, sire. She's been arranging for a lot of things... Bella and Arthur are, I believe, in love, though Bella would never admit it because she feels unworthy..." Gaius started to say.

"Morgana had the idea for this ball... She wanted Bella to come here the entire time, didn't she? She wants Arthur to chose Bella. That's why she made the comment about nobility of heart being more important than nobility of blood..." Uther smiled.

"Bella happens to have both. I doubt you'll ever find a kinder soul in the land." Gaius smiled.

"Thank you Giaus, I'll speak with Morgana. Maybe this is how I'll be able to repay my old friend. If Arthur wants to marry her, then I'll allow it and we'll bring Charlie back here, where he can heal and be safe. We'll find him a position at court so he feels useful, as an advisor maybe." Uther decided before he made his way to Morgana, who was laughing with Merlin.

"Morgana." Uther greeted his ward.

Merlin bowed and left them alone.

"Uther, anything I can do for you?" She asked him.

"You planned it all, didn't you? The balls, Bella and Arthur... Everything." Uther declared.

"I plead guilty." She smiled.

"There's a detail you didn't know, one that I don't think Bella herself knows about her father. She's not a commoner, her father was a knight here when we were young, he got his injury saving my life. His parents were nobles, that makes Bella a Lady as well. Her mother being a commoner doesn't matter." Uther explained before he went into more details.

"So you'd approve, then?" Morgana asked Uther, surprised.

"I've already decided that I would, but don't tell Arthur anything. I'll tell him when he asks me." Uther told her.

"Of course." Morgana smiled back.

After that, Uther decided that he wanted to speak with Bella but he didn't manage to find a moment when she was without his son. Arthur never left her side and Uther didn't want his son to know that he spoke with her. He just wanted to get to know Charlie's daughter.

It's not until the 7th ball that he found an opportunity. Arthur had to speak with one of the knights and so Uther make his approach.

"I trust my son is behaving himself." Uther declared to catch her attention.

"Your highness! Yes, of course he is." Bella replied with a smile, bowing in front of the king.

"My son seems to see nobody else, it made me curious about you." Uther told her, making her blush, a blush he had seen on his old friend many years ago.

"I... I don't really know why he bothers to be honest, there are plenty of prettier women here." Bella replied honestly.

"Oh, I think he's seen something in you. He must care a lot about you. I'm pretty sure he'll tell you more before the end of the night. I have to say that when Gaius told me who you were, I was curious and wanted to meet you, but I didn't get the chance before today. Your father might not have told you, but he got his big injury saving my life, a long time ago." Uther told Bella.

"You're the king he was serving?" Bella was surprised, she hadn't been expecting this.

"I was, though he served my father before me. We learned to be knights together." Uther smiled.

"He never spoke names, whenever he told us stories of when he was a knight, he'd give people nicknames, like 'the wild one', 'the wise', 'the hairy dog'... Probably to keep the attention of the children Merlin and I were at the time." Bella smiled.

"I see so much of him in you... I honestly thought that he was dead when he never came back... I'm relieved to know that he's alive. If there's anything I can do for him, to improve his health, please let me know. I owe him my life." Uther told Bella.

"Thank you for your offer Sire, but we manage on our own." Bella replied kindly and before Uther could say anymore, Arthur arrived and asked Bella for another dance, leaving his father behind.

Uther's words rang in Bella's mind and she wondered what he meant when he told her that Arthur would probably let her know how he feels before the end of the night. Was he warning her so that she could be prepared to lie and say that she didn't feel the same way? She knew very well that they didn't have a future. He was born to become king and she was born a peasant, destined to care for her sick father and stay a peasant her entire life. What was she thinking, agreeing to spend all 7 balls with Arthur? Was she leading him on? of course not, he had to know that there was no hope. Of course she loved him, how could she not? He was simply perfect in her eyes, but she knew that there would never be anything more.

She'd probably never be able to love another man, but he had to marry someone who was worthy. She had to find a way to get away before he said something he'd regret.

She was about to pretend she needed to get some fresh air when Arthur offered for them to go for a walk outside and she agreed. It was harder than she thought to say no to him, to his face.

"Bella... I want you to know that from the moment I saw you in Ealdor, I felt something for you and these feelings haven't left, even though you were far away. And this week, Bella... I... My feelings have only grown and I love you... I know it's a surprise and you probably weren't expecting this, but I love you and I want you to marry me. Please, Bella, will you marry me?" Arthur asked her, so sincere it broke Bella's heart to know that he returned her feelings.

She couldn't say no to his face, she had to buy herself some time.

"I... I wasn't expecting this Arthur... I love you, too... But it's not that simple... I..." She didn't know how to continue when he once again came to her rescue.

"You need some time, I get it. Will you meet me for lunch, tomorrow?" he asked her and she nodded.

After that, he escorted her to Gaius' quarters and kissed her hand before he left, looking as happy as he could be.

As soon as Arthur was out of sight, Bella went inside and changed back into her normal dress. Then she packed her bag as quickly as she could, and, decided on leaving before anyone could stop her, she grabbed some paper to leave Merlin a letter, asking him to save her from the pain and explain everything to Arthur.

Leaving the letter on the table, she ran out, grabbed her horse and rode away as fast as she could, feeling her heart breaking as she did. She'd never fall in love with anyone else, she knew it. She was leaving behind her only chance to ever be happy and in love, but her father had sacrificed everything for her so she had to go back to him. Plus, Arthur was a prince, his father would want him to marry a princess and accepting his proposal now would only hurt them more later. She was doing the right thing and she hoped that he'd understand, that he wouldn't hate her for leaving.

.

Merlin found Bella's letter in the morning and, once he read it, he ran to find Arthur. The prince was sharing breakfast with Uther and Morgana, served by Gwen and he looked happier than he had ever been. Merlin hated having to break the prince's heart but he had to.

"Merlin, what's wrong?" Arthur asked when he noticed Merlin, who had stormed inside without knocking.

"Bella's gone. She left during the night. I didn't check up on her when I went to bed and I only found this letter she left this morning." Merlin replied, showing him the letter.

Morgana grabbed it and opened it. Gwen, who was standing behind her, could also see the letter.

"She cried writing it." Gwen noticed.

"What? Why?" Arthur asked, shocked.

"My dear Merlin, I must leave. I know that you, Gwen and Morgana asking me to come here came from good intentions, really, I do understand. You and Morgana only wanted me to have some fun, to relax a little, to take a break from my life and maybe I did need it, but it was a mistake." Morgana started to read.

"Please explain it to Arthur, in front of his father. Surely the king will understand why I left, he might even have been hoping for it. You know I love Arthur, with all my heart, but there is no future for us. You have to help him understand, you more than anyone knows this. I'm a commoner, girls like me don't end up with a prince, no matter how much they love him." Morgana continued.

"That's preposterous! Doesn't she know her own family?" Uther asked and Merlin answered by shaking his head.

Morgana kept on reading.

"Please explain it to him, help him see reason. First there's my father who needs me. I can't leave him, I have to take care of him. Your mother can take care of him for a couple of weeks, but not forever, he's my responsability, not anybody else's. Secondly, Arthur's a prince, his father will want him to marry a princess or some noble woman, make a deal, improve the peaceof their kingdom. I'm sure they'll be worthier of him than I could ever be. It hurts so much, Merlin. You have no idea how much my heart broke when he left me at the door, with the promise of meeting for lunch the next day... I want to go to him, to tell him how much I love him and that I do want to marry him, for there will never be anyone else for me in this world, but I'm unworthy. A girl like me can't be with a man like him. He's so good-hearted, kind and fair in every way... He'll surely find someone worthy of being his princess, but it can't be a peasant. Girls like me don't end up with a prince, it's never been seen." Morgana made a pause to wipe her tears and Gwen took the letter to finish reading it.

"I don't want anybody else!" Arthur exclaimed, willing to ride out and find her.

"King Uther will make Arthur see reason. It's better I leave now. If I had agreed, his father would have later opposed it and it would have been an even bigger heartache. I don't think I could have survived it. Better to deny ourselves the thought of happiness now rather than think we can have it and have it ripped away from us both. I have to protect Arthur from this pain. I don't want him to ever argue with his father, least of all over me. I'm not worth it." Gwen read, taking over after Morgana who felt guilty for her involvement.

She felt she could have done things differently.

"Please don't let Gwen and Morgana feel guilty for making me attend the balls. I had fun, and, for a few moments that will remain engraved in my memories forever, as I danced with Arthur, I could imagine what a life with him could have been like and it's better to have touched your happiness with the tip of your fingers and lost it than to never having seen it at all. Tell them I love them both, and even though it might be a while before I write again, I will keep in touch. Please, Merlin, make sure Arthur finds the happiness he deserves. You have to guide him, guide him to the princess who is worthy of becoming his queen one day." Gwen read, tearing up herself and Uther took the letter in his hands, finishing it.

"As you understand, I'm riding back to Ealdor. To my father, to our little farm house and the life I never should have left. I'll never forget the future that almost was, what could have been had things been different. Don't feel bad for me, I'm grateful to have known Arthur. He'll be a great king some day, and, I'm sure, a perfect husband to a very lucky noble woman. Once again I plead with you, Merlin, to explain everything to him in front of his father, so that King Uther can help him see reason. Much Love, Bella."

Uther finished reading and everyone could see how moved he was by this letter.

"I had decided to let you two be married if that was your wish, the moment I knew who her father was." Uther declared, shaking his head.

"It's my fault, I should have done things differently." Morgana shook her head.

Merlin was about to say something to reassure her but Uther spoke before him.

"No, it's mine. When I spoke to her last night, I should have let her know that I approved more clearly. I thought that telling her that I knew her father and that I owed him was enough, that she'd understand..." Uther shook his head.

"She couldn't have, she doesn't know that her father is nobility. He never told her about her grandparents." Merlin shook his head.

"I'm going after her." Arthur declared, a determined look on his face.

"Of course, son. Take a few knights with you. You'll come back here with Bella if she agrees to marry you, and with her father. I'll have quarters prepared for them to move into permanently." Uther declared.

"Sire, I don't mean to contradict you, but is it wise to send Camelot knights to Ealdor, knowing that it's in Cenred's kingdom? Bella would hate for a war to start just because Arthur fell in love with her. That's how she'd see it anyway." Merlin asked and Uther nodded.

"Have them dressed casually, hide your swords, but I want you to have protection, in case anything happens. As Merlin reminded us, it's Cenred's kingdom and his knights don't have the same values ours do." Uther corrected with a nod to Merlin.

Arthur wasn't angry at Bella's decision, just sad and heartbroken because she thought that she wasn't worthy of him.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked his friend and sire.

"I'm not angry with her, Merlin, I understand her decision. It's very noble and brave of her, especially if she truly returns my feelings. I'm just angry that she sees herself so poorly when she's the most beautiful and kindest woman I have ever seen." Arthur spoke, nor caring that his father was present.

"Her mother, Rene, died shortly after she was born and her father loved her dearly. He never once blamed Bella for her death, but she still feels like it's her fault if her father ended up alone, without his wife. She figured that with a wife, he wouldn't have had to work so hard in the early years of her life and he'd be in better health now." Merlin replied.

"I know Charlie and I doubt he changed much, he would have worked just as hard with or without a wife. He would have tried to prevent her from doing the harder work." Uther shook his head.

"That's exactly what my mother said he did, but Bella doesn't believe it. She's a bit headstrong." Merlin nodded.

"Like her father. You better get ready, leave as soon as you can, maybe if you ride overnight, you'll get there faster." Uther declared.

Everyone nodded and while Arthur and Merlin got knights ready to leave as quickly as possible, Uther asked Gwen and Morgana to prepare comfortable quarters for Charlie. He also asked his advisors to find a chair with wheels that would allow Charlie to move around with more ease.

.

When they saw Bella coming back several days earlier than planned and with traces of tears on her face, Hunith and Charlie's hearts broke for her. She wasn't crying anymore and even though she looked exhausted, she had ridden through the night, never stopping. Bella had barely put her bag down that she got right back to work, not willing to take a second to think.

"Bella, sweetheart, what happened?" Charlie asked her.

"I flew too close to the sun, dad." She shook her head.

"Prince Arthur?" He guessed, having see the bond between them the last time the prince had come.

"Yes. He... He loves me, wanted to marry me... and I love him more than anything but he wasn't thinking straight. We can have feelings, but we can't be allowed to act on them. He's a prince, his father would have never agreed. So I left. Please, just, don't bring it up again." She explained before she started working on the garden.

Charlie didn't try to find out more details, he didn't force more of the story out of her. He knew how stubborn she was, she was like him this way. He could only hope that her heart would heal, or that Uther would be the man Charlie believed him to be. A good man that would allow his son to be with the woman he loved.

.

Arthur and Merlin rode as fast as they could, but they had to take breaks for the horses, they had a way back to think about as well. It was almost 4 days after Bella's return when they arrived in Ealdor. The first to see them was a little girl, who recognized Merlin and Arthur and who ran to warn Hunith. Warned, Hunith smiled, seeing her son and understood that if Arthur was there, then there was a happy ending in store for Bella.

"Mother, where is she?" Merlin asked his mom, Arthur by his side.

"She was done in the fields, I think she went to collect some wood, she should be back soon." Hunith replied.

"Can I see her father?" Arthur asked and Hunith smiled, guiding the young prince to the back of the little house where Charlie was watching the horizon.

Charlie smiled when he saw the prince and Merlin, followed by knights.

"I knew your father was a better man than people gave him credit for. He agreed to you marrying her?" Charlie smiled.

"He did. He remembers you. He thought you were dead and he wants you to come back to Camelot with us. He's having quarters prepared for you. Please, come with us. We both know that Bella will refuse to marry me if you don't come with us and I know that there is nobody else for me in this world. I'll never feel the same for anyone ever again, she's the love of my life." Arthur pleaded.

"I know she loves you, otherwise she wouldn't have had to cry herself to sleep every night since her return. Here, she's coming back. Go and talk to her. Tell her that I'll go with you if she agrees, if she loves you." Charlie smiled and Arthur nodded respectfully before he ran to Bella who, surprised to see him, dropped the wood she had in her arms.

"Arthur? What are you doing here? Didn't Merlin speak to you?" She asked but Arthur didn't give her time to finish whatever else she was going to say because, as soon as he was close enough he placed both of his hands on her face and he kissed her.

"I love you Bella and there will never be anyone else for me in this world. My father understands this and he's approved of our union, he's even preparing quarters to prepare your father's arrival in Camelot. They're old friends, your father saved mine's life a ling time ago and your paternal grandparents were high nobility in my grandfather's court. I know you love me, and I understand why you left. It only makes me love you more. Bella, will you please marry me? Become my wife?" Arthur asked her, dropping on his knees in front of Bella as soon as their kiss broke.

"Your father approves?" She asked in a small voice and Arthur nodded.

"He does. So, will you marry me?" He asked again.

"Yes, with all my heart, Arthur, yes, I'll marry you." Bella replied with a small nod, surprised to know that Uther approved and happy to know that she'd get to marry the man she loved.

"I'm so happy! I love you Bella." Arthur told her as he slipped a ring on her finger, making their engagement official.

He was about to move closer to take her in his arms and kiss her once more but she stepped back and stopped him.

"I'm all dirty." She warned him.

"I don't care." He shook his head, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her once more before he turned to everyone else and screamed "She said yes!" getting many happy cheers in return.

Arthur, Merlin and the knights spent the night in Ealdor before they left, in the early morning.

Charlie and Bella didn't own much, so it was easy enough to pack and not too heavy to transport. The knights helped Charlie sit on the horse they owned while Bella rode behind Arthur, happy to be close to her love.

Charlie was a bit nervous at the prospect of seeing his old friend again, but Arthur reassured him, saying that Uther wasn't angry that he stayed away, he understood. Charlie wanted a simple life and Uther would just be happy to have his friend back.

Since they weren't in any real hurry, they took a bit longer to get back to Camelot but when they arrived, Uther was waiting for them, happy, and he went to hug his old friend, helping him to the special chair he had ordered for him. When they had to climb stairs, guards carried it.

.

Bella, who was now officially Lady Bella until she could be Princess Bella for everyone else in the kingdom, and Arthur's wedding had been announced in all the land and several Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses from other kingdoms had been invited. The date had been set in about 2 months, giving them enough time to organize everything without any rush and to deal peacefully with the guests that would attend and those who couldn't come.

Bella and Arthur would have been fine with a small ceremony, with only their closest friends and family present, but Uther had insisted and they didn't find it in them to deny him this grand wedding ceremony he wanted his his son.

Charlie had found his place at court and, concerning his friendship with Uther, it was like he had never left. The two men often spent time together and it was as though they had never been separated. Charlie's health wasn't getting worst anymore, and it was even slightly improving, though Gaius had warned them that his heart would remain weak and that he had to be careful.

Bella was happy too. She thought that it would be hard to go from a life of working hard everyday from sunrise to sunset to a life of having people doing things for her but it was easy enough. She liked it. She shared her days between reading, Arthur, Merlin and her friend Morgana. Knowing that she loved to read, Arthur and his father had even bought more books for her, so that she'd never be out of reading material.

She was never bored and always found things to do, often going with Morgana in the lower city to help the less fortunate people.

"Morgana's going on her pilgrimage to her father's grave tomorrow." Bella informed Arthur as they walked together.

He had been training with the knights and she usually came to see the end of it and after he changed, they took a walk together.

"Yes, she usually does around this time of the year." Arthur nodded.

"She's asked me to go with her, and I said I would. On the way back we'll stop in a spot she likes that she wants to show me." Bella added.

She wasn't really asking him for permission, she was informing him of her desire to go with her friend but she was expecting him to put up a fight, to argue that she'd be better off staying with him.

"Good idea. I'll miss you but you'll enjoy spending some time outside of the castle for once." Arthur smiled.

"I was worried you wouldn't agree." She admitted.

"I don't think I could refuse you anything, and I know how Morgana gets when she doesn't get her way. I'll just add a few knights to the escort." Arthur smiled, thinking that maybe 10 knights instead of the usual two would be good.

"I'll take my father's sword, too. Don't worry, we ladies can handle ourselves." She reassured him.

"I know you will. Anyway, I saw our fathers this morning. Mine was helping yours walk around the citadelle. He seems to be doing fine." Arthur declared.

"Yes, I saw them too. Gaius has helped him a lot, he'll never be completely fine of course, his heart can't heal now but he's a bit better, and that's good." Bella smiled.

"My father laughs and smiles a lot more now that your father is present. All this time he thought him dead... He's happy to have one person he lost back." Arthur commented.

"Mine is happy too. And you know me, as long as he's happy and fine, I am too." She smiled.

"Now, since your spending all day tomorrow with Morgana and Gwen, I hope you'll agree to have dinner with me once you come back?" Arthur asked her before they separated ways.

"Of course I will." She nodded with a smile, always happy to spend some time alone with Arthur.

.

The next morning, Merlin, Arthur, Uther and Charlie were present to see Morgana, Bella and Gwen off. They had 5 knights with them, one of them being Sir Leon, whom Arthur had chosen himself because he was one of the knights he trusted the most.

"I'm surprised Arthur has let us go with only 5 knights as an escort." Morgana stated on the way.

"We usually have 2, 3 at most." Gwen frowned.

"True, but Bella's here." Morgana added, making Bella blush.

"He knows that the three of us know how to fight." Bella replied.

"Prince Arthur wanted to send you off with a 10 men escort, My ladies, but his father and Sir Charlie convinced him that half of that would be enough. More men would attract unnecessary attention." Sir Leon commented.

"Who knew Arthur could be reasonable." Morgana chuckled.

"It's love, it changes people." Gwen added.

They managed to arrived on the site of the grave without interruptions or incidents and they stayed a little while, even eating the lunch Gwen had packed there, before they started going back, taking the little detour Morgana wanted so she could show Bella her favorite spot in the kingdom. Unfortunately, they never reached it because they were attacked. By the look of it, they were probably men from Mercia.

The knights of Camelot were good and brave, but the enemy out numbered them 3 to 1 at the least and they ran away with the women they were supposed to guard. They wanted to hide in a cave they knew well, one where they'd be able to lose the enemy and reach Camelot once more but they were cut off their course by the enemy, who refused to give up.

Bella, who had her father's sword, took it out and started fighting the men alongside the knights. She managed to kill one of them and she threw the dead man's sword to Morgana, knowing that she, too, knew how to fight. Gwen had managed to get a sword as well and so the three women started fighting off the enemies by Camelot's knights' side.

"Angus never warned us that they knew how to fight, we should have brought more men!" The leader of the enemy troop complained to another of his man.

"He probably didn't know. They're Ladies of the court, they don't usually learn how to fight." The soldier shook his head.

The fight was mostly 3 to 1 in the enemy's favor but their numbers was going down quickly.

Night was starting to fall when the fight was finally over.

One of Camelot's knights was gravely injured and they had to get him to Gaius as fast as possible or he wouldn't survive, 2 others were injured, though their lives wasn't in danger. Bella, Morgana and Gwen were mostly fine, save for a couple of bruises and cuts. The Mercian men were either dead or unconscious.

"We should take them back to Camelot with us. Even if we don't take them all, we should at least take their leader since he's still alive." Bella suggested.

"Yes, Uther and Arthur will want to interrogate him, and make him pay, on their own." Morgana agreed.

Sir Leon nodded and he and the able knights started tying up the 7 surviving Mercian men, planning on making them walk behind them on horses. The injured knights were back on their horses with help, even the one who was gravely injured. They didn't have any other choice anyway but they'd have to be extra careful and to ride very slowly on the way back to Camelot.

.

"They're late!" Arthur complained a he stood on the steps on the castle, with Merlin, his eyes on the entrance gate.

"I know... And it's really not like Bella to be late for anything... Not like Morgana either... I know that they can take care of themselves but I'm still worried..." Merlin shook his head.

"Can you see anything? Feel anything magical?" Arthur asked and Merlin shook his head once more.

"Arthur, what are you doing here?" Uther asked his son as he helped Charlie walk back inside after having taken him on a short walk.

"Weren't you supposed to have dinner with my daughter?" Charlie added.

"Morgana, Gwen and Bella are late, Sire." Merlin replied in the prince's place.

"They aren't back yet?" Uther frowned.

"No, they aren't. And it's not like Morgana to be late." Arthur added.

"Bella either. She's always on time. If she's not at least 15 minutes early, she considers herself late." Charlie frowned as Uther helped him sit on the steps.

"I'll get the horses ready, we can ride up to meet them." Merlin suggested.

"Yes, I'll get a few knights ready to go with us. There are two roads they could have taken to come back from Morgana wanted to go, we'll spread and check them both." Arthur nodded, signaling for a guard to call a few knights when suddenly Charlie pointed towards the entrance.

"No need, they're back." Charlie exclaimed, relieved.

"What happened to you? You're late, I was worried! What... Who hurt you?" Arthur exclaimed, running to his love, saying the last part when he noticed the small cut on her forehead.

"We were attacked, sire. One of our man needs Gaius' care, we don't know how long he'll last or if Gaius will be able to save him. Lady Bella did her best to stop the bleeding, but the trip back here didn't help him at all." Leon replied and a couple of guards came to help the injured to Gaius' place, helped by Merlin.

"Sir Leon, what happened?" Uther asked as the three women got down from their horses and Arthur hugged Bella close to him.

Sir Leon explained everything that happened, including where they were ambushed, how they tried to escape and got cut off their course and how Bella, Morgana and Gwen decided to help fight, which allowed them to win.

"Then Lady Bella and Lady Morgana decided that you'd want to see the ones who survived." Leon ended.

"They were right. Do we know who sent them? Why they attacked?" Uther asked.

"They have mercian craftsmanship, Sire." Leon nodded, pointing to a sword they had taken with them.

"That one, he seems to be the leader, he let it slip that someone named Angus hired them to get us. He complained because he didn't know that we knew how to fight and he thought that he should have taken more men, which, you know, I chose to take as a compliment." Bella replied, making everyone chuckle.

"Me too. As a woman, you have to accept compliments wherever they come from, you never know when you'll be complimented again. And it was amusing how they suddenly looked scared when we started fighting them." Morgana nodded with a smile.

"Angus has been spotted not too far, Father. Remember the reports?" Arthur reminded his father of the reports they had received earlier.

"True." Uther nodded.

"I have to admit, Sire, that without the ladies, we wouldn't have made it. They saved our lives. I wouldn't want to have to fight against them." Sir Leon commented, making Morgana smile and Bella blush.

"Maybe now you can allow women to become knights." Morgana suggested to the king who chuckled, amused.

"You know how I feel about women wielding blades. But I am grateful that you two know how to defend yourselves and you're fine. Make sure these men are imprisoned, Sir Leon. I'll deal with them tomorrow morning. We'll interrogate them and decide on their fate, but we'll most likely execute them." Uther said first to the girls, then to Sir Leon.

"Sorry I missed dinner." Bella told Arthur once her father had left with Uther once more.

"Are you sure that you're alright? I was so worried about you being late, I was about to ride out with a few knights, to look for you." He asked her.

"Yes, don't worry. Just a few cuts and bruises, nothing too bad. I've had worst doing far less dangerous things." She replied with a small smile, making him smile as well.

"Then everything is alright. Are you hungry? You want to get some dinner now?" He asked her and she nodded, happy for a little moment of peace with Arthur.

.

After that, everything went well for the happy couple. They were now only a day away from their wedding and they were happier than ever. Bella had made her dress with Gwen and Morgana and she was planning on wearing her grandmother's shoes and jewelry for the occasion. They were also planning on placing pretty wild flowers in her hair.

"I'm happy for you Bella. I'm glad I get to be here today, to witness your wedding." Charlie told Bella before she went to get ready in Lady Morgana's room.

"And I'm glad you're here with me." She smiled back at him.

"You're not taking anything with you..." He frowned, watching her get ready to go to Lady Morgana's room without anything to change into.

"Everything is already with Morgana and Gwen. Uther gave Morgana a necklace Arthur's mother wore on their wedding day, he'd like me to wear it too." She smiled.

"Right." He nodded.

"Do you need my help going anywhere?" She asked her father before she left.

"No, off you go. Get ready for your wedding. I'll be fine. Uther should be by soon to help me, or he'll send someone. Don't worry." Charlie waved it off and Bella smiled warmly at her father before she left.

When Bella arrived in her friend's room, the two young women were already waiting for her.

"I can't believe the day is finally here!" Morgana and Gwen exclaimed as soon as Bella walked in.

"I'm so happy! And who will be the next one out of the two of you?" Bella asked.

"It's complicated." They both answered at the same time, making Bella chuckle.

"I love Merlin, and even though we've never exchanged a kiss or even confessed our feelings, I know he feels the same way, I see it in his eyes, but Uther would never permit it. If I want anything to happen with him I have to wait until Arthur takes power." Morgana frowned.

"And I love Lancelot, I know he loves me too, but he's away proving himself so he can become a knight. I don't know when he'll be back to me." Gwenevere frowned as well.

"Hey, both of you turn these frowns upside down right now! This is a happy day and I won't rest until you two are happily married to your true loves as well. I'll get Arthur to help us make it happen as soon as we're married." Bella declared.

"How are you going to do that?" Gwen asked with a small smile.

"Nobody has more influence on a man than his wife, especially when it's a marriage of love. I'm confident I'll know how to convince him." Bella smiled, making them chuckle.

"I'm sure you will." Morgana smiled back at her friend.

"Anyway, Morgana, you'll be happy to know that Merlin will be sitting next to you at the feast. I've made sure of it." Bella added, making her friend smile grow wider.

"Now, enough talk, we have to get you ready for your wedding. You may be a lady now, but just in a few hours, you'll be Princess Bella Pendragon." Morgana replied and Bella smiled again.

"I can't seem to stop smiling today! I love it." Bella exclaimed.

.

Bella was ready on time and she walked down the aisle, towards Arthur and in front of all her friends, a large happy smile on her face. Her father was sitting in the front row, right by Uther's side and the two men were holding on to each other and had large smiles on their faces.

Bella knew that Uther would have preferred to marry his son to a princess in order to secure a strong alliance, so she was glad that he had agreed to let them get married together. For a moment, Bella wondered if he'd let Morgana and Merlin be together. Merlin wasn't noble, not even on his father's side and if the King knew truly who Merlin was, he'd have him executed. She shook her thoughts out of her head. There would be time later to try to convince Uther. Or they'd wait until Arthur became king, then her husband would be allowed to let Morgana and Merlin get married.

Once Bella reached Arthur, he took both of his hands in hers and kept his eyes locked on hers, a large smile on his face. The entire time he had gotten ready, he had feared that she'd change her mind, decide that this life wasn't for her. He imagined himself having the run after her at the last minute, or finding out that she was missing and that she had been kidnapped, having to assembled the knights to rescue her. A thousand possibilities ran through his mind as he got ready and waited for the ceremony to start. Merlin had made fun of him a little but now it was over. His love was in front of him, prettier than ever, and he was about to marry her.

Arthur and Bella were looking at each other in the eyes during the entire ceremony and they didn't really pay attention to anything or anyone else, they were in their own world. They repeated the ceremonial words, agreeing to the wedding, and seemed surprised to find out that it was over when they were pronounced man and wife. They hadn't noticed anything. They were in their own bubble.

Right after the wedding ceremony, Bella received a small princess crown, one that used to belong to Arthur's mother and everyone cheered on the new royal couple. Bella couldn't believe that she was now married to the love of her life and that she wasn't just "Bella" anymore, or even "Cinderbella", but "Princess Bella Pendragon".

"You're my wife now! I'm so happy, Bella!" Arthur exclaimed for the short time they were on their own, before they headed to to feast.

"Me too! I love you so much Arthur! Nothing could break this happiness." She smiled at her husband.

"Now, let's go to the party, see if something fun will happen. I know that our fathers have selected all the entertainers themselves." he smiled, taking his wife's hand and guiding her to the head table, where they sat by their father's side.

.

Arthur and Bella were happy in their marriage and they spent the first few weeks traveling, visiting all of Camelot's allies. They had with them Merlin, Morgana and Gwen, along with a few knights for safety. Usually, Morgana wouldn't have to go, nor Gwen, as long as another servent was there for Bella, but Gwen was trusted, and Arthur wanted someone he trusted to take care if his wife, and Morgana didn't want to be left alone.

When they came back, Arthur's room had been slightly changed, so that all of Bella's things could fit there.

It had been a month since their return when a woman came to Camelot, dressed in armor. She wanted to defy Arthur in a duel, it had been her first goal but something made her change her mind. She saw the new Princess, Bella, laughing with Lady Morgana and it made Morgause pause. She changed her mind. Arthur isn't the one she wanted to kill, he, after all, was a good man. Arthur had a promising future. He was fair and believed that no man was above another. He had proven it several times, especially the times he had helped the druid people.

So Morgause forced Uther to duel with her, in front of everyone and the King ended up mortally wounded. The priestess then revealed her identity, told Uther that he was finally paying for all of his crimes against magical people and that she knew that Morgana was his daughter. Morgause had planned it well and Lady Morgana, Princess Bella, Prince Arthur and Merlin had been near when she spoke. They also heard Uther confirming it.

While Gaius and Merlin tended to Uther, trying to make him last as long as possible, Bella and Arthur hugged Morgana, who was shaken by the news she had received. They made sure she knew that they were there for her, that she wasn't alone.

Arthur couldn't arrest Morgause, the duel had been legal and he couldn't deny that his father had been unfair and cruel to a lot of people.

Morgause didn't leave Camelot right away, she stayed a little bit, wanting to speak with Morgana. When she finally did, she revealed to her that they were half sisters and that she, too, had magic. Morgana, who had been accepted by her friends, had been able to accept her powers and wasn't surprised by that part. She wasn't tempted to leave Camelot with Morgause either. She was home, she had friends and family. Arthur himself had told Morgana that learning this didn't change much between them, she had always been like a sister to him anyway.

"Are you okay Morgana?" Merlin asked her one evening.

Morgana was outside, looking out to the horizon. She hadn't gone to see uther since the truth was revealed.

"It's a lot to find out, but I'm fine." She smiled.

"Morgause wants you to go with her." He guessed.

"She does, but I think I convinced her that I was fine here. I'm not alone, am I? You, and Arthur and Gaius and Gwen and Bella, you're my family. I'm angry with Uther and his lies, but he did always treat me like a daughter, now I understand why. It will be a while before I can forgive him though." Morgana told him honestly.

"I understand... Anyway, you should know that Uther won't last much longer. He'll probably be dead by tomorrow... And he asked to speak with you." Merlin told her, daring placing a hand on her shoulder.

Morgana turned to look at him, not removing his hand.

"You think I should go and talk to him?" She asked Merlin.

"I know that you have a good heart, and I understand that you're not ready to forgive him yet. But you will be ready some day and by then it will be too late for you to make peace with him. Maybe you should go and see him, speak to him. Tell him that you're not ready to forgive him, but that you will someday. It will bring him a little bit of peace in his last moments." Merlin advised.

"You're right... After Uther dies... Things will change, right? I mean, Arthur will become King and he'll change a lot of things..." Morgana said, not really revealing what she spoke about but letting Merlin know, with her insistent look in his eyes, that she thought about them together.

"Yes, things will change. For once, he'll change the rules about magic and you and I won't have to hide our powers anymore. Then, there's you and me... If that's what you want... He told me personally that you'll be free to be with whoever you want." Merlin replied, taking an hesitant step closer to her.

Morgana smiled at Merlin, took the last step towards him and quickly dropped a kiss on his lips before she stepped back once more.

"That's something that will make me very happy. You're right, I should go speak with Uther before it's too late. Walk with me to his his room?" She asked.

Smiling, Merlin offered her his arm and she happily placed her hand there.

.

Uther died a few hours after Morgana spoke to him and after his funeral, Arthur was crowned king, making Bella a queen. The new king had quickly changed the laws about magic, assuring that people who had magic would be treated the same way everyone else was. As long as they were peaceful, they'd be allowed to live their lives in peace, but if they started hurting people, then they'd be punished.

Arthur also made Merlin a concellor. The young warlock would now share his time between learning from Gaius and concelling Arthur. Another servent was hired for Arthur, along with a maid for Bella.

The new king also assured Charlie that he still wanted him to advise him, that his father's death didn't change anything and it pleased Charlie to see that Arthur was willing to listen to everyone.

Merlin and Morgana were now free to court, and they took their time, there was no rush after all.

Lancelot and Gwaine came to Camelot, having been invited by Merlin and they were surprised by king Arthur, who knighted them and welcomed them among the knights of Camelot. Lancelot then started courting Gwen, knowing that she was the one he wanted to marry.

---

It was supposed to stop after the wedding, but I had to complete it fully, for Merlin and Morgana.

I might rework on it later

Review please

Lorelei Candice Black