A/N: Well hello there everyone! I know, it has been an awful long time since I last updated, and I do apologies for that. The past week I have been working extra hard, skipping meals and avoiding sleep (okay, so maybe I've still managed to fit in eating and having a few naps), and all so that I can update my stories. This is number 3 of 5. I'll also admit that I have done a quick proof read, but it is highly possible that I've missed a few spellings here and there, sorry for that.

I'm going to just shut up now, I hope you all enjoy that chapter!

For some reason I was feeling rather nervous. The snippets of the conversation I had heard between Arthur and Merlin earlier kept coming back to me as we walked towards the chamber where the King was waiting for us to dine. I hadn't said anything to Arthur, I hadn't asked him who it was that had arrived and that we were going to meet at dinner. The whole thing had just put me on edge. It kept seeing one face inside my head, and that was my uncle.

"Isabella, are you all right?" Arthur asked me suddenly. I hadn't really been paying attention to where I was going and had just about to walk straight into the wall.

Now I needed to decide if I was going to tell him the truth or make up some lame excuse. "Someone arrived today, didn't they? There's someone else waiting for us at dinner." I had to be honest with him, the day had been amazing and I didn't want to spoil any of that, so I had to tell him the truth.

We stopped walking and the Prince turned to face me. "Yes, someone did arrive. A man arrived at the castle claiming to be your brother, King Dominic. However, he has been kept away from you until you can confirm he is indeed your brother." My eyes widened and my chest started pounding. I understand exactly why they had kept him away, it could be my uncle in disguise.

"What… what did he say when he arrived?" I needed to know, I needed to try and work out who it really was that was sitting with Uther waiting for us.

"The man arrived with what looked like knights from your kingdom, he told us who he was and demanded to see his sister. Actually, his exact words were, 'I am King Dominic of Elbear and I demand to see my sister, Princess Isabella as a matter of urgency.' My father dealt with the situation." I couldn't believe it, was he really there? Or was it my uncle.

I straightened myself up, standing tall and lifting up my chin. "Well then, we better go and find out who this man really is. If it is my uncle, then he is in for a rather unpleasant shock, isn't that right?"

Arthur smiled at me. "There are plenty of guards and knights posted around, as soon as he arrived we have been apprehensive of his true identity. Only you can confirm who this man really is, Isabella." I already knew that, and I already had a list of things going around in my head of what I could say and ask him to check who he really was.

"I'm not afraid, Arthur. As long as I have you beside me, I know I'm safe." That was true, I could face whoever this person was, but only with the Prince of Camelot there beside me. "Come on, let's do this." We had to move while I still had the courage, it wasn't very often that I felt this bold and brave, and I wanted to get it all over with before it magically went away again.

With a nod and a smile, we continued our walk and finally made it to the hall where we were all to dine. As we passed I saw several knights, but I was most pleased when I saw that Sir Leon was standing directly at the door. He was a fantastic warrior, one of Arthur's best knights, I knew he would fight to the death if the Prince asked him to. It was actually him who opened the door for us, smiling at me reassuringly as he did.

"Ah, there you both are." Uther called, rising from his seat.

The man sitting to his side also stood. I had to admit, he really did look like Dom, the man I had met in my dream world only the night before. "Bells, we need to talk…" The man started, but I was quick to stop him.

I kept on standing, tall and regal. "Sit." I said, rather firmly, causing him to blink at me. "You wish to talk, I wish to eat. Now, sit." I saw Uther raise an eyebrow in amusement, before the man did exactly as I told him. I think Arthur was also a little shocked by the way I had spoken, even he was looking at me in a strange way, but with a small smile slipping onto his face.

Arthur pulled the chair out for me and gave me a rather goofy grin. "I never knew you could be so commanding." He whispered, pushing the chair in as I sat down.

"Believe me, I can be a right bossy boots when I want to." I replied, causing him to chuckle some more before taking his seat beside me.

Silence fell around the table, Arthur and Uther both looking between me and the man sitting on the other side of the table. I was looking at the man as well, trying to figure out if it really was my brother Dominic or that traitor who tried to kill me by pretending to be Arthur. I was not going to fall for something like that again, which is why I had plenty ready to fire at him.

Dinner was a really tense affair. I refused to let the man speak to me, I didn't want to hear anything from him until I was ready. I was pleased to see that Merlin was on hand to help serve, meaning I had a magical ally with me. Had to admit it, I was feeling pretty confident about the whole thing.

It wasn't until after we had all eaten that I could see the King and Prince of Camelot eagerly waiting for me to start up the conversation. "Why are you here?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"What, I'm not allowed to come and visit my sister?" I had to give it to him, the voice was pretty good, really did sound like my big bossy brother.

"Actually, no. Why are you here?" I was going to keep asking him the same question until he answered me properly.

The man let out a sigh and slumped down a little. "After all that has happened recently, I want to see you myself. I needed to make sure that are well and that what the letters say are true." Lies. He saw me in my own world, why would he needed to see me in real life? That did not make sense at all.

I leaned forward in my chair, resting my elbows on the table and lacing my things together before placing my chin on top. "Well, after everything that has happened recently, I find it very hard to trust people. Especially those who claim to be someone close to me. Someone who is out to kill me used magic to disguise themselves as Prince Arthur. I fell for it then, I will not be making that mistake again."

"Bells…"

"Prove it. I want you to prove to me that you really are my brother. That will require you to answer a series of questions. Are you up for that?" I could feel my confidence growing, I was actually enjoying myself.

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You're going to question me? This is ridiculous. Bells, there are things that we really need to talk about, things that can't wait."

"When I was younger, I had a horse. What was his name?" It was a really simple question, but I was going to start off easy.

"Nova. White with grey spot. The pair of you were always causing trouble." He replied rather quickly.

Easy question, of course he would get that right. "My fifth birthday, you and Mitch made a mess in the kitchen. Why? What were you doing?"

He looked up at me a little sheepishly before replying. "Making a cake." I heard him mutter. However, I wasn't satisfied and made him repeat it, only a little louder. "Making you a birthday cake. We were trying to make you a cake for your birthday. We hadn't gotten you anything, we had been rather unruly a few days before and had been punished. This meant we weren't able to get you a gift." The man explained to me. "We tried to make you a cake, but we were completely useless at it. Plus, we got in trouble for making the mess and had to clean it up."

I could just remember that, the broken eggs scattered all over the place, flour on the floor, walls, and both of them. Our mother had taken me into town, and bought me a gorgeous dress that I had wanted. When we returned and walked into the kitchen I ended up slipping on an egg, and ruining my dress in the process. I ended up crying for hours after that, and I didn't speak to them for days.

"You never did forgive us for the dress we ruined, did you?" I looked up at him and saw the sad look on his face.

I decided that we needed to end this, and I had one question that would be impossible for anyone apart from my brothers to answer. "I received a letter from you and Mitch, it told me about a slight argument the pair of you had very recently, regarding me." Now I had his attention, as well as that of Arthur and his father. "Mitch was confident that I was better off in Camelot, that I was safe and that Prince Arthur would protect me."

"Bells, don't." It seemed he knew exactly where I was heading with this one.

"Tell me, Dominic, what was your response to that."

The look on his face told me that he was really not happy about being asked that. It didn't help me decide if he was or not my real brother. "Isabella, do not do this."

But I wasn't going to give up, he would answer me. "What did you say?"

"I said that you needed to be with us." While that was correct, I wanted the full response.

"Yeah, and the rest. What did you say before that?"

All eyes were now on him, watching and waiting. He let out a long sigh before running a hand down his face. "Mitch said that Arthur could protect you much better than we could. My response was that that arrogant prince couldn't even look after goldfish. She needs to be with us." I could see the look of embarrassment on his face, and how much he just wished the ground would swallow him up.

When I turned to Arthur, I could see the stunned look on his face as well, while his father just seemed to be amused by the whole thing. I know it may have seemed cruel, but that was what had happened in my dream world, and there was no way that my uncle had been there then, he couldn't have known what had been said between us there. "And do you still think that, Dom? Still think that Arthur can't protect me here?"

"It was said in the heat of the moment. You know what we're like when we disagree, just be glad that it didn't end up with us deciding to have a duel." I could see that he was deadly serious, Dominic had actually always been the more serious one. "I know that Prince Arthur is doing everything he can to protect you."

There was a few minutes of silence that passed around us, the air feeling slightly tense. I wasn't tense, I was leaning back in my chair relaxing. It was the men around me who were anxiously waiting for me to speak, to make a decision. Eventually I was ready to put them all out of their misery. "You're an idiot, Dom, you know that, right?" I told him, before look at Arthur. "Yeah, he's my brother. Bossy and controlling, that's Dominic." Now that they had confirmation that he was in fact my real brother, everyone else relaxed and the men began chatting around me.

While Dominic spoke with Uther regarding the situation with my uncle, Arthur reached out and took my hand, giving it a squeeze, out of sight of his father and my brother. "Did he really say that?" He whispered to me, asking about the argument that I had used to confirm it was my brother.

I didn't know why he was whispering, I wasn't going to whisper. "Yes, he did. Mitchel was defending you, but Dominic is even more stubborn than me." Arthur actually chuckled at that. "I know, how is it possible that there is someone out there that is more stubborn than me?"

The conversation between Uther and my brother quickly dropped and Dominic looked at me. "Bells, I had to come and make sure that you were all right. You know we are worried about you, we always worry that the next messenger will arrive and tell us that you are dead." He admitted to me. I already knew that he was worried about me, everyone seemed to be worried about me. "I needed to see for myself that you were being looked after and protected here."

"I understand that, Dom, but you should have given us warning that you were coming." That was what had caused the most chaos, the fact that he had arrived without any warning. "With everything else that is going on, none of us were sure you were who you claimed to be. Why do you think I had to ask you those question? We had to be sure that you really were you."

"But why did you have to ask those questions? Surely you could have thought of something else to ask me." I could see that he was still upset and annoyed that I had made him confess to those things. But that had been the whole point.

"Because I knew what you would say, and how you would say it. I mean, please, who wants to admit that when they were younger they were caught trying to bake a cake for their little sister? Unless you're actually a baker. I know you, Dom, I knew that you wouldn't want to admit it." And it was true, he was far too proud a man. "And what you said about Arthur, only you would have the guts to do that infront of him, and his father."

He looked at me with a slight glare in his eyes. "You didn't really give me much of a choice."

I really wanted to grin at him for making it all ever so difficult for him, it was his own fault after all, but I didn't. "That was the whole point." Now I had to ask him something else, because I knew it wasn't just so he could check on me, to make sure I was all right. "Now tell me, why are you really here? You say that it's because you wanted to check I really was okay, but I know you Dom, something's wrong. What is it?"

He suddenly sat upright in the high backed wooden chair and looked at me. "I came to speak with King Uther. We are preparing for an attack. He has an army, Bells, and his followers have grown in such high numbers, almost all of whom are users of magic." I didn't like that, I didn't like that at all. "War is almost upon us."

"Camelot will stand together with Elbear and put an end to this man and his following." Uther announced, causing myself and Arthur to look at him. "We will not allow this to continue."

I didn't know what to say, I was sitting there in shock. War? Was my uncle really planning a war? "How… how do you know? How did you find this out?" I asked him, rather nervous about finding out the answer.

"He isn't the only one who has spies. There are many that are loyal to us, to our family. One of our men almost lost his life getting us the information, there is no doubt that he is planning to strike soon." I hated the look on his face, he was deadly serious, so I knew he wasn't lying to me. "This is why I needed to see you, Bells, this is why I needed to check that you were safe."

I didn't know what to say. Yes, I knew that my uncle would be planning something, he had been gathering followers for a while now so of course he was going to end up getting more. The problem was that I had never expected this. "There has to be another way." I ended up saying, trying to think of something else. "Too many people will suffer if war breaks out. Innocent people will die. There has to be something we can do to stop it from getting that far."

Dominic smiled at me softly, but sadly. "I know you want to help, to do something, but you can't. The best thing is for you to just stay here where you are safe."

"You have got to me kidding me?" I said, rather loudly. "You think I'm going to just sit here while you and Mitch get yourself all wrapped up in a war? Not a chance. Everyone wants me to just stay out of the way, tuck me into a corner and leave me there, well guess what? That is so not going to happen!" I was getting worked up, I knew that, but I was still in control. "I am sick of hiding. If he wants a war, great, then let's take it to him. Like hell am I going to just sit here and wait for innocent people to get hurt."

"Bells…"

"No, Dom, don't even think about it." I knew what he was going to say, he was going to tell me that it was better if I left it all to him, let the men deal with it all. "Since I've been in Camelot I have learnt so much. I have seen what it takes to be a good leader, to show compassion to those who look up to you. Both Uther and Arthur have taught me so much, and I know that the right thing to do is to get to him before he can reach us."

I don't think any of them had expected me to speak like that, as all three men were looking at me in stunned silence. Honestly, I didn't care what they thought, or what they said, I knew that there had to be a better way. "Isabella is right." My head quickly turned to the man sitting beside me. "You have information on what he is planning, so maybe you would be able to take him by surprise." Surprised, well I certainly was by what he said. At least I had someone on my side.

"I too shall admit that Princess Isabella has a point." Uther announced. "Why sit there waiting for him to attack, when you can take take the fight to him? It does seem more logical, and it does lower the risk of innocent casualties."

Dominic was looking grim, it seemed that we were all against him. "This option has been considered, but nothing decided." He told me, before looking to Uther. "My brother and I are inexperienced, particularly when it comes to war. We have no family left to turn to, which is why I come to seek guidance from you, King Uther. You have the experience and knowledge, and Elbear looks to you for help."

Everyone seemed to be shocked by that admission, I know I certainly was. "I will be honoured to help you and your kingdom." Uther announced. "However, I do have one request. Arthur and Isabella will also be present." Another surprise. "Anyone can see that she is passionate about her kingdom, even though she currently does not live there. I feel that it would benefit all if she was able to take part and have a say as well."

Having Uther, the King of Camelot, on my side, standing up to my brother for me, that was something I could never have imagined happening. I just didn't know how Dominic was going to respond to that. "I can accept that. She says she has learnt much from you, this is an opportunity for her to learn more. One day, she may have a kingdom to rule over, she needs to be prepared." That, I did not like the sound of so much. He was making it sound like I would have to take over Elbear one day.

"Excellent. Tomorrow we shall hold council and discuss what can be done to stop this wretched man." The King of Camelot declared. "For now, I suggest we all rest. You have had a long journey here, King Dominic, I am sure you wish to catch up with your sister."

After that, we all left and the three of us headed towards Arthur's chamber. I held onto Arthur's arm as we walked, Dom walking on my other side. I could tell that he was anxious, I was terrified now that I knew what was really going on, but I wasn't going to let anyone see it. I kept my head up the whole time we were walking, and only let myself relax once we were in the chamber I shared with the Prince. Once there I went straight over to my bed and sat on the edge.

Arthur waited for Dominic to enter before closing the door and looking at me with a worried expression. "Don't, Dom. I don't want to hear it." I said, already knowing what was going through his head.

"I wasn't going to…"

"Yes, you were. You were going to go on about how I just behaved, how I should have just left it to you and Uther. You were going to tell me that I shouldn't have gotten involved." He was the big bossy brother, I knew he wasn't going to be happy with my actions.

He let out a sigh and sat on the bed beside me. "Actually, I was going to say that I was proud of you, for the things you said, and the way you refused to just sit there and do nothing." There were far too many surprises going around, because that was another one to me. "I know you're not a child anymore, Bells. But you're still my baby sister, I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I know, and I don't want to see you and Mitch hurt either. I also don't want to be scared and keep hiding for the rest of my life. I know it isn't going to be easy, but we have to stop Donald." It was the first time in a very long time that I had been able to say that man's name. "I want to get on with my life, Dom."

A small smile formed on my brother's face. "We will end all of this, I promise. Tomorrow we shall discuss it with Uther and work on a plan. It will not always been like this." I really hoped that he was right, because I would love to be able to just do things without that fear hanging over me.

"How long are you going to stay for?" I asked him, noticing that Arthur was doing his best to keep out of the way. He was sitting down at his desk, pretending to read some very important paperwork.

His smiled quickly dropped. "Only a few days. I've left Mitchel a long list of things that he needs to be doing, but you know what he is like. He gets distracted far too easily." I chuckled a little, he was pretty good and finding things that took him away from the task at hand. "Hopefully I can return to him and inform him that we have plan, as well as that you are safe and being well looked after here."

"Well Arthur has stuck to his word, he doesn't leave me on my own. I'm stuck to him like glue." Out of the corner of my eye I saw a smile starting to stretch on his face. "He looks after me, Dom, I know he would never let anything happen to me."

Dominic turned at looked at the Prince. "I should hope that he does." He then said, before his eyes locked with those stunning blue ones of Arthur's.

I watched as he stood up from his desk and walked around it so that he was standing in front of my brother and I on my bed. "I would never allow any harm to come to Isabella. I care about her greatly." It made me smile, to hear him say that, especially in front of my brother. "While she had been in Camelot there have been many dangers. Not just the threat from Lord Donald, but also our own enemies. During all of those times she have proven herself to be brave and caring. It has been an honour to have her here, and I will continued to protect her for as long as I live."

I believe Dominic was a little shocked by his words as I was. I knew that Arthur had said before that he would protect me for as long I needed, but never for as long as he lived. The whole thing made me smile, and kind of gave me butterflies in my stomach, just knowing that he really did care and that he cared so much. The best thing was, now I had Dominic there to witness it as well. So many times he doubted Arthur and his ability to care for me and protect me, well now he could see it all for himself.

A/N: Isabella has certainly grown since we first met her, and she will keep on growing as a person as well. I really hope you all liked this chapter, even though it has taken me about 5 months to write it and post it.

I want to say a massive thank you to all of you wonderful people who take the time to leave a review, particularly when I haven't update in a while and you send me messages of encouragement. Thank you all so much.

I need to get to work, there is still so much that I need to do, and my holiday time is quickly slipping away from me. So, until then...

Pippa.