A/N: Hello guys! It's a miracle, here is another update! Would you believe it, I've actually had the time and motivation to work on this ad my other Merlin story. Apologies for any spelling or grammatical errors that may be present! Now, enjoy!

I was utterly exhausted after my walk with Arthur. The pain in my chest hadn't really gotten any better, but it wasn't getting worse either. It was just a constant pain that I was getting used to now. I hadn't bothered to tell Arthur about the pain, I was pretty sure he already knew it was hurting, because he never stopped giving me worried glances.

"Arthur, I am fine." I told him, letting out a sigh as we walked back to my chamber. "If something was wrong, I'd tell you.

There was a look of surprise on his face, as well as that damn concern. "I'm just worried about you, Isabella. I can see how much you're struggling to walk, we should have reached your chamber quite some time ago."

"Really, I'm okay. Just… tired." I admitted to him. Yes, I was tired, it was exhausting walking around the castle when you hadn't been out of bed for a long as I had. "Walking is so exhausting." I told him, leaning against him a little more as we walked. He was basically supporting me, keeping me up.

"Well, Gaius did warn me that it could be a little too much for you. Perhaps tomorrow we can go for a shorter walk." Arthur suggested, surprising me once more by how much time he had take to check with Gaius that I was going to be okay.

I nodded a little into his arm as well as let out a bit of a hum. "Yeah, that would be nice." I was definitely ready for my bed now, there was no doubt about it.

It would appear that Arthur had picked up on my behaviour as well, not that I was trying to hide how tired I was. "I think you're about ready to fall asleep, aren't you, Isabella?" He asked me with a chuckle.

I didn't bother to argue with him, as we had finally reached my chamber and he was just opening the door. "Well, I won't deny that a nap would be nice." I told him, letting him lead me into the room. The moment I saw my bed, I just wanted to curl up on it, and sleep.

"Now, why am I not surprised to hear that?" Arthur said, leading me straight over to my bed. "But, since you are still not completely over your illness, I shall be kind and let you get some rest."

"Aw, isn't that sweet of you." I teased, sitting down on the edge of my bed. "First, the Prince of Camelot fills my room with flowers, then he takes me for a walk outside after being cooped up inside for too long. And then, to my utter surprise, he actually thinks I should take a nap during the day." I knew I was being sarcastic, but it was just in that kind of mood.

After getting upset over nothing at all earlier, things had been better. Arthur hadn't meant to upset me with what he had said, I was just overreacting and getting all emotional for no reason at all. I was being silly.

There was a smirk on Arthur's face now. "Well, a nap wouldn't do you any harm, would it? And I could do with a few hours peace from you." I looked at him in mock horror and slapped him in the chest. "Oh, look, you're coordination has improved vastly." He told me, grabbing hold of my hand and entwining his fingers through mine.

"Yes, it has, so you better watch it." I warned him, giving him a slight shove. "Now, if you shall excuse me, I really am tired, and I really could do with a little bit of sleep right about now." I didn't actually want him to leave me, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to say awake for very much longer. My eyes were definitely getting heavier.

I watched as he let out a rather large, and rather fake yawn. "You know, I do think I could do with a little rest myself." He said, that smirk still on his face. "It is rather exhausting have to look after you all day."

With my free hand, I reached out and whacked him again. "Oi! I am not that bad, thank you very much. And if you want to sleep, then go bug off to your own chamber."

That was when I noticed the rather large grin on his face. "Actually, I was thinking I could stay here and be your teddy bear." Okay, he was officially being an ass, in my opinion. My cheeks turned bright red from his comment.

"Why did you have to bring that up? I was tired, I didn't know what I was doing or saying." I told Arthur, trying to defend myself. I still couldn't believe I had done that, grabbed hold of his arm and held onto it tightly while I slept. I was the number one most embarrassing thing I had ever done in my life. I couldn't think of anything that would top that.

His grin just grew bigger, if that was even possible. "Oh, of course, Princess Isabella."

"Watch it, Prince Arthur, you know I am no lady and I am certainly not afraid to hit you." I warned him, giving him a glare. But all he did was chuckle at me, which resulted in me whacking him. "I warned you." I took a deep breath, which ended up being a big mistake as pain suddenly shot through my chest.

Straight away, the grin fell from Arthur's face, and worry took its place. "Are you all right, Isabella?" He was quick to rest his hand against my back, rubbing light circles with his hand. I had to admit, it felt kind of nice, sort of soothing.

"I'm okay." My voice came out as a squeak, as I tried my best to mask as much of the pain as I could.

The look in Arthur's eyes just showed me that he really wasn't that convinced. "Isabella, please do not lie to me. I know that you are in pain, so please, just tell me the truth." He eyes were pleading with me to be honest with him.

"Okay, so it does hurt. I just had a really sharp pain, and it really hurt." I admitted to the Prince. "But I just don't want you to keep fussing over me because of it. You have better things to do with your time than look after me or worry about me. You have a whole kingdom to protect, not just ne stupid Princess."

Suddenly his hand was under my chin and he was forcing me to look at him. "Isabella, you are by no means stupid. And I made a promise to protect you, that is what I shall do."

"Yes, Arthur, but…" He didn't get to say anything else, as the Prince took me quite by surprise and pressed his lips against mine. This time there was no way I could have avoided the kiss, not that I would want to. We weren't out under prying eyes, we were safely sitting in my chamber.

Eventually we broke apart, and I was doing my damned best not to blush like an idiot, but I was damned well failing at it spectacularly. "Now, I thought you wanted to get a little rest, Isabella?" There was a cheeky smile on Arthur's face now, and I was pretty sure that I knew why.

"Uh, yeah, I do. I'm just… I'm just going to lay down for a few hours. Maybe." I told him, trying to shake the fuzziness away. It happened every time he kissed me, my head would just go all fuzzy and I wouldn't be able to think properly.

The next thing I know, Arthur has kicked his boots off, and was partially lying on my bed, resting against the headboard so that his top half was propped up. "Isabella? Are you sure everything is all right?" I looked at him and nodded, a slightly bemused look on my face. "You seemed to be in your own little world just now."

"Sorry, I think I was. Just wondering how long it's going to be before the pain is completely gone and I can go back to hunting bandits with you." I was only being half serious about all of that, I did want to go out with him, but not particularly to hunt bandits.

All he could do was roll his eyes at me. "You really are strange, Isabella." He told me, opening up his arms and essentially inviting me in.

I didn't hesitate. I shifted on the bed and snuggled up next to him, resting my head against his chest while he wrapped an arm around me. I have no idea why I felt so comfortable just lying there like that with him, I mean, it would be a total outcry if someone were to discover us both.

"Comfy?" Arthur whispered to me, as I slowly let my eyes close.

I hummed a little in response. "This pillow, it's little lumpy." I told him playfully, poking at his chest. "I think we need to cut down on your food, and get you to do a bit more training."

"Well, I think you need to get some sleep. You ramble a little when you're tired." The Prince informed me. I had to admit, sometimes I did ramble on if I was getting tired during the day. I think it was my little way of trying to convince myself that I still had bundles of energy and was ready to take on whatever was thrown at me. But he was right, I did need to get some sleep.

A sigh escaped from my lips as I let myself completely relax. It was definitely comfortable in Arthur's arms, and even his chest of a pillow was a little too lumpy for my liking, it was still nice. "Wake me up when it's time for dinner." I mumbled to him, before I started drifting off even further into sleep. I hadn't realised just how tired I had been until I was actually lying down.

Arthur's low chuckle reached my ear. "Sleep well, Isabella." I heard him whisper, before feeling his lips press against my forehead. After that, I feel blissfully asleep.

"Isabella? Isabella, it's time to wake up now." A voice called to me, disturbing me from my slumber.

"Ugh, go away. I'm trying to sleep." I moaned, hugging onto something warm even more tightly than before.

There was a chuckle, and someone ran their hand through my hair. "Isabella, I am sure you do not wish to be late for the arrival of your brothers." That was when my eyes snapped open.

I looked at the man who was lying next to me, and felt relieved when I realised that it was Arthur. "My brothers? What? They're coming here?" I was utterly confused. I had fallen asleep, knowing that my brothers were far away in Elbear, and now they were coming to Camelot?

Arthur looked at me in confusion, like he wasn't even sure about what he had just said. "Uh, yes, I believe they are."

"You don't seem too convinced." Something didn't feel right to me, and I was pretty sure that Arthur was getting the same feeling as well.

"How is your chest? Is there any pain at all?" Well, that wasn't exactly what I was expecting him to ask, but then he was always surprising me.

I took a deep breath, followed by another, and then another. "It's… it's fine. There's no pain at all." Now I had a look of confusion on my face. That was when I noticed it, something was definitely wrong with my room. "Arthur, wasn't my room filled with flowers when we fell asleep?" I asked, looking at the room that was void of any flower, there wasn't a single one in sight, not even a fallen petal.

"Yes, there was. Your chamber was fill with them. Where could they have gone?"

"Okay, I don't like this, Arthur." I was trying not to panic, I really was, but I couldn't stop it from making an appearance. "This isn't right, is it? My brothers coming to Camelot, the flowers having disappeared. It's like… it's like… like I've missed a few days, or weeks. Or it could even be months. I don't remember anything about them coming here."

The look on Arthur's face told me he was feeling exactly the same way. "The last thing I remember is watching you fall asleep in your chamber after we had been out for a walk. You were exhausted because you were still slightly sick." I nodded at him, that was what I remembered as well, that was the last thing I remembered before waking up.

"So what happened, Arthur? What's going on?" A small hint of fear crept into my voice, and I found Arthur wrapping his arms around me tightly.

"I'm not sure, but I will work it out, Isabella. Everything is going to be fine." He assured me, while I tried my best to keep my emotions in check.

There was a short knocking on the door, and Arthur was quick to call them in. "Good morning Prince Arthur, Princess Isabella." Merlin said to us, a smile on his face. But something was wrong, he didn't seem like the same Merlin to me. His eyes looked like they were the wrong colour, and his hair was more brown than black. At least, that was how it looked to me. "I hope you are both well rested and ready for the day. There is a lot to do. Gwen will be coming by shortly to finish off the dress, Princess Isabella, and Prince Arthur, your father wishes to see you." He informed us both, wandering around my chamber and cleaning.

"Dress? What dress?" I asked him in utter confusion.

Merlin, who wasn't really Merlin, it just couldn't be, it was just someone who looked like him, gave me the weirdest look. It was like he was telling me that I was utterly crazy, and I was starting to think that maybe I was. "What dress? The dress for your marriage to Prince Arthur, of course."

"What?" Both Arthur and I said at exactly the same time. We looked over at each other, and our eyes were perfectly wide.

"Yes, very funny, Merlin." I told him, finding myself slowly moving away from the Prince. "That has to be your best joke yet. Now, what the hell is going on?" I had raised my voice slightly, and I think that may have scared the poor boy a little.

"Uh, it's not a joke. Your brothers should be here by sunset, that's why they are coming, to attending your wedding to Prince Arthur." I was in utter shock and disbelief at what he had just said. "You've been planning it for months, Morgana and Gwen have been helping you."

I didn't really know what to say, because I really didn't remember any of it. Nothing seemed to be right, and I didn't know how to solve it. "I… I don't…" I felt someone place a hand on my arm, and I looked to see Arthur gazing at me with those stupid big blue worried eyes of his. "Arthur…"

"Merlin, leave us." Arthur demanded, his eyes burning into mine. I didn't know what was going on inside that head of his, but I was scared, completely and utter scared. Without a word, Merlin silently left the room. "Isabella…"

"Arthur, what the hell is going on?" I hissed at him, not giving him a chance to speak. "This isn't right, this is wrong, this is totally, completely, absolutely, wrong." My body was starting to shake, because I just didn't know what was going.

"Isabella, just stop, and look at me." He told me, holding onto the tops of my arms while I started to freak out. "Isabella, look at me." I slowly moved my head and looked up at him, and I saw hurt hiding behind the worry. "I know you feel that something I wrong, I have this strange feeling as well that something is amiss. But the only way we are going to be able to find out what is going on is by acting like everything is normal."

"But Arthur, this really isn't right. I mean, come on, us, getting married?" I said, scoffing a little. "I hardly think that would ever happen. Seriously, you can hardly stand me at the best of times. Can you imagine having to spend every single day with me for the rest of your life? Talk about a nightmare." I wasn't entirely sure who I was trying to convince, myself or Arthur.

There was definitely a look of hurt on Arthur's face, but I couldn't worry about that, I had to work out what the hell was really going on. "Would it really be that bad, Isabella? If this were real, would it really be as bad as you say?"

"Arthur, this isn't real." I told him, downright avoiding his question. "Think about it, do you tend to forget what has happened? There are months missing. Okay, so that might be normal for me what with my memory already being in a mess, but you, Arthur, no." It didn't make sense, none of it made any sense.

I watched him as he let out a sigh. "You're right."

"So, now what do we do?"

He looked around my chamber, looking at everything. "This has to be the work of sorcery." He announced, before going and looking out of the window. "It is the only explanation."

I wasn't entirely sure how it could have been sorcery, but Arthur certainly did have more experience with it than I did. "But what do we do, Arthur?" There was desperation as well as fear in my voice now. "How do we fix this?" I was now on the brink of tears. I couldn't handle this kind of stuff, because none of it had ever made sense in the first place. My whole life just didn't make sense any more.

I could tell from the look on his face that he had absolutely no idea what to do either. "Isabella, please, be honest with me." He was now standing directly in front of me, holding onto both of my hands tightly. "What if this was real? How… how would you feel then?"

"But it's not real, Arthur, you know it's not." I wasn't entirely sure I knew where this conversation was heading, but I had an idea, and I didn't like it much.

"Yes, we've established that this isn't real, but I am asking you how you would feel if it were, Isabella." I could see the pleading look in his eyes, he was desperate for me to answer him.

I knew how I would feel, and I wasn't going to deny that I had let my imagination run away a little and think of what it would be like. But that wasn't my destiny, that wasn't how it was meant to go. "Arthur, if this… if this was real, then…" I was struggling to get my words out, to tell him the truth. It was hard enough having to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else, especially him. "Then I would be the luckiest woman alive."

"So, until we figure this out, we have to pretend that it is real. I will find out what has happened, and I will make things right, I promise." He was speaking so quietly, and I knew he meant every word he said. "And, just so you know, I'd be the luckiest man alive." Before I could say anything, his lips came crashing against mine.

We only broke apart when we heard someone clearing their throat. Arthur and I looked over to see Gwen standing there, looking at us with a smile on her face. "Princess Isabella, we need to get your dress finished." She said, smiling even more as I blushed and Arthur looked around nervously. It was a bit awkward for us, but Gwen didn't seem to mind.

"Yes, and I need to speak with my father." He quickly announced, pulling himself together. "I'll see you later, Isabella." His lips met my cheek briefly. "And remember what I said." Arthur whispered in my ear.

I nodded at him, and watching him leave. Now that he was gone, I was feeling even more nervous. "Is everything okay, Isabella?" Gwen asked me, going over to the large wardrobe and gathering something up that was in there.

"I… uh, I'm a little nervous, I guess." That wasn't a lie, I was nervous, just not for the reasons that she thought. "Not every day you get to marry a prince."

Gwen let out a chuckle as she came over to me with a rather big gown in her arms. "I'm sure you're excited as well. I always knew that you and Prince Arthur would be together, even after all your protesting."

The woman was right, I had protested every time she said that I was good for Arthur and that we made a good pair and whatever else she said. "Doesn't make it any less nerve racking, Gwen. This is something that I never thought would happen. I mean, meeting a Prince, falling in… love. It's not how I imagined my life ever turning out."

"You made Arthur a better man, and because of you, he will be a great King when the time comes." Gwen told me, stripping me of the dress I was wearing. "You changed so much around here, not just Arthur. You helped Morgana, you helped me, and you treat everyone like a person."

I didn't really know what to say to that, because I knew none of it was real, and that meant that everything Gwen was saying wasn't true either. "Oh, I can't take all the credit, Gwen. There have been so many things that have had an impact on Arthur and life in Camelot, it's not just me."

"Well, either way, Camelot has thrived with you here. We were blessed when Arthur brought you to us." She told me, before starting to tug the gown over me. I knew I had to just go along with it, to let Gwen get on with her job, but I was still worried. I couldn't get my mind off Arthur, and wonder what he father had wanted to see him for.

Arthur had just reached the throne room, where his father was directing servants, having everything prepared for the ceremony that was to take place. "Ah, there's my son! Are you getting cold feet yet?" Uther asked him, beaming away.

"Of course not, father. There is nothing that could stop me from marrying Isabella." He held his head high as he spoke, a tightness in his chest as well.

But it seemed that his words were spoken too soon, as Sir Leon came charging into the room, a grim expression on his face. "Sire, I must speak with you." He said in a bit of a panic. "It is rather urgent."

Uther nodded, following the knight over to a quiet spot so that they could talk more freely. Arthur just stood there watching them, and noticed how his fathers face changed from joy to worry in a matter of moments. Whatever Sir Leon had told him was bad. The pair quickly glanced over to Arthur, both wearing grim expressions.

After a few more moments, they were walking back over to Arthur, the looks on their faces still grim. "Arthur, we must talk." Nothing else was said after they, as the trio headed to the King's chamber. "Arthur, I am afraid I have some rather distressing news."

The Prince could tell that it was bad just from the look on his face. "What is it? What's happened?"

"Isabella's brothers should have arrived two days ago. A group of knights were sent out to see what had happened. I am afraid…" Uther stopped, not really know how to break the news to his son. "I am afraid that King Mitchell and King Dominic have been killed."

Arthur was standing there in shock. Although he had been sure something was wrong, that none of it was real, he had been starting to wonder. Knowing that he was to marry Isabella, he hadn't minded if it was real, but the news he had just been given made him think differently. "I… I assume Isabella is yet to be told?"

Uther looked at him grimly. "Arthur, she is the heir to the throne of Elbear. She must return there, otherwise war will break out." The Prince had thought hearing the news of their death was bad, but this was making it worse.

"Then I shall be going with her." Arthur announced, trying his best to keep it together. "Where Isabella goes, then I go."

"Arthur, you are the Crowned Prince of Camelot, you cannot leave here to take residence in Elbear." His father told him firmly. "I understand what has happened to her brothers is tragic, but she is the heir, and she must return."

"And when is Isabella to be told this new?" Arthur growled at him. "Before or after we are married?" It was clear to see that he was more than just a little angry. Everything was just spiralling downwards and out of his control now.

Uther's face was like stone, there was no way he was going to allow his only son to leave Camelot. "The ceremony will be called off. Princess Isabella will be escorted back to Elbear and she will assume control of her kingdom."

That was the last straw for Arthur. "I don't care what you say, if Isabella is leave, then so I am. You can revoke my title, find another heir, I don't care." He spat towards his father. "I will never leave Isabella." Those were his last words before storming away from his father, heading straight towards Isabella's chamber.

Gwen had finally left, the dress having finally been completed. I was actually starting to get a little excited about it all, because the gown was absolutely amazing. Even if it wasn't real, it was still going to be fun for a little while.

The door to my chamber swung open, and Arthur came barging in. I could tell from the look on his face that something wasn't right. "Arthur? What's wrong? What's happened?"

He didn't say anything, he just came straight over to me, his lips crashing against mine forcefully. His hand ran through my hair as he kissed me, but I knew something was wrong, something was very wrong. I had to push him away, I couldn't let him carry on without knowing what was going on.

His eye bore into mine. "Isabella, we have to leave. Now." He took a tight hold of my hand and tried to drag me from the room.

"Wait a minute, why? Arthur, what the hell is going on?" I needed to know what was wrong, I just had to know what had got him so worked up.

"I will explain later, but right now, we have to leave." Before he had a chance to pull me out of the door, it was opened, and three guards stood there, along with King Uther. "Get out of the way!" Arthur growled, only to be faced with the point of his father's sword.

"Arthur, I will not allow you to do this." I wish I knew what was going on, but I didn't, I was completely clueless.

The glared that the Prince sent to his father sent a shiver down my spine, but apparently it had no effect on Uther. "You cannot stop us. Isabella and I are leaving, and that is final."

I decided that it was time for me to speak up, to know what the hell was going on. "Stop, Arthur. What's going on? Please, just tell me." My eyes were pleading with him to explain everything, but he was so reluctant to do so.

Instead, it was Uther who was speaking. "Princess Isabella, I am afraid I have distressing news. Unfortunately your brothers were attacked on the way to Camelot. Neither of them survived the attack." I was on my knees in an instant, blood pounding in my ears and a terrible aching in my chest.

"No… no, this… this isn't real." I whispered, Arthur kneeling beside me and wrapping an arm around me tightly. "Arthur…"

"I am afraid you must return to Elbear, as heir to the throne, you must return home." Uther added, making me feel even worse.

I was speechless, too much in shock to be able to do anything. I could hardly think as it was, and all of this news was breaking me even more. I was glad that Arthur was there with me, and now I understood why he was so desperate for us to leave. His father didn't want him to go, Arthur was the heir to Camelot, he couldn't leave with me. He was willing to go against his father's orders for me. It was all such a great big mess, and I didn't know what to do.

A/N: And there you have it, another chapter done. I've started on the next one, so fingers crossed I will get it ready soon. I am going to be getting back to the episodes after this, I think it's been long enough now.

Does anyone know what's going on? Anything that has given you a little hint of what might be to come?

Welcome and thank you to everyone who has favourited/followed the story, it's great to know that people are reading this story. Also, thank you to grapejuice101 for taking the time and always leaving me a review. I also want to thank everyone else who has taken the time to leave a review.

Time to get back to writing now, see you all soon!

Pippa.