Chapter 17:- The Reflective Truth

Belle had to start her duties as Uther's successor straight away. There were documents that required her signature. A tournament of training for potential knights and at the end of the day she still had Bae and Arthur's lessons to look forward too.

She sighed sadly as she signed another document and placed it upon the growing pile next to her. Merlin couldn't help but chuckle,

"I may be an old magician your majesty but I don't require my magical abilities to sense that you are already missing your home, daughter and husband" he said gently and Belle looked at him with a tired, sad smile,

"I apologise Merlin it's just… This is the first time I've ever handled royal related duties without Rumple and… I just think it will take some time for me to get used too" she sighed,

"This day feels as if it has lasted 10 years and it's only been 5 hours since Rumple left….. It's going to be a very long four years" she said with a bored tone and rested her chin upon her hand and Merlin chuckled,

"Fear not your majesty the time of absence between you and husband will fly by very quickly" he assured her and she smiled gently,

"Thank you Merlin… What's next on the agenda?" she asked with a tired sigh and Merlin smiled before conjuring a ball of light from mid-air and from it emerged a tea tray with a fresh pot of tea and a plate of cakes and Belle smiled brightly which Merlin returned,

"I believe a break is next on the agenda your majesty" he said in a teasing manner and she couldn't help but giggle as she picked up the tea pot and poured Merlin a cup first before pouring herself one,

"Merlin I think this is the beginning of a great friendship" she said with a bright smile which Merlin returned with a chuckle,

"I completely agree with you, Your majesty" he said before bringing the cup to his bearded lips.

Merlin had entrusted Belle with Uther's insignia ring that bore the crest of Camelot. A noble golden dragon that had symbolised the proud line of the Pendragon's for centuries. It was stated within Uther's will that the ring would be passed on to Arthur when he became crowned Prince on his 16th Birthday.

Merlin lead Belle to the royal chambers in which she would now be staying for the duration of her stay and Belle couldn't help but look around the huge chambers and Merlin could sense her sadness,

"I saw that you were to have an hour to yourself so that you may become accustomed to your new chambers" he said kindly and she turned to look at him over her shoulder to give him a grateful smile,

"Thank you Merlin… I'm very grateful for all you have done for me" she said gently and he smiled,

"One good kindness deserves another Queen Belle" he said with a polite bow and turned to leave but turned back to her once more,

"Oh and I also took the libaty of having Queen Igrain's old mirror returned to it's rightful place in these chambers… It was locked away inside the dusty attic far too long… It was an engagement gift from Uther to Igrain. After she died Uther couldn't bear to look upon it knowing that it would no longer cast her reflection" he told her as he looked at the antique golden framed mirror with a slight trace of sadness and Belle placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder,

"I'm sure wherever Igrain and Uther are now. I'm sure they're looking down and smiling that you've returned it to its rightful place" she said comfortingly and Merlin smiled before giving her a polite bow once more and he thanked her before he left.

After becoming accustomed with her new chambers she arranged her first lesson with Bae and Arthur to take place in the Poor areas of Camelot. This came as no surprise to Bae but too Arthur he was completely confused as to the meaning of their lesson.

Belle smiled at the look of confusion on his face,

"A king is not only a king to the subjects that live within the view of his castle. He a duty to every subject that lives within the borders of his kingdom." She explained softly before reaching into the basket that she was carrying and retrieved a fresh loaf of bread and offered it to him and gestured with her head to a mother sat within a door way holding her child,

"A king's life is blessed with many riches and only he can decide whether to share it or to spread it to those who need it most of all" she said softly.

Arthur held the loaf of bread in his hands before smiling up at her brightly with understanding and quickly ran up to the lady and handed over the loaf of bread and she smiled brightly,

"Oh….. Bless you Prince Arthur….. Bless you" she whispered as happy, grateful tears filled her eyes and Arthur understood the true meaning of equality as a warm feeling washed over him and he turned back to Belle but then frowned and Belle looked at him concerned,

"What's wrong Arthur?" she asked gently and Arthur looked as if thinking for a moment,

"When we had breakfast this morning… The table was full of food… and we didn't eat it all" he said and Belle felt the strings pull on her heart as she urged him to continue and he looked at her with look of certainty,

"I want the food that is not required to be brought here to the people who need it most. They're cold and hungry and deserve something to warm them" he said with words that made him sound as if he were already king and Belle smiled brightly and she placed a hand upon his young shoulder,

"Your mother and father would be so proud of you" she said gently and he smiled before hugging her waist and Belle smiled, hugging him back before turning towards a guard with a proud expression,

"You heard your Prince. We shall we return tonight with enough means of food and warmth to keep these people going until we can provide more" she said and the knight nodded with a smile,

"Yes your majesty" he said before bowing to both Belle and Arthur and then going to instruct the other knights.

At the exact moment Arthur had learned a great lesson of what it meant to be king and made his noble and pure hearted decision. The Sword in The Stone was deemed with an emerald stone upon its handle. Arthur was one step close to becoming ready to take the throne.

After a long day of helping those in need and a well-earned dinner for themselves. Belle had finally settled the boys down for the night. That was the first night Arthur slept peacefully in weeks.

Belle returned to her new chambers and went behind the screen where she dressed into her nightgown before sitting down at her desk to write a letter to Rumple,

'My Dearest Rumple,

Every moment without you is harder than I could ever have imagined. I miss you so much.

My first day as Uther's successor was more exhausting than I expected it to be. I feel that Arthur will make very quick progress with his lessons of what it means to be King. I already see a kind heart within him that I'm sure can only grow bigger over his years of Maturity.

Bae misses his Papa also. I can only assume you have discovered Sir Teddy within your luggage. He told me that He did not want you without your noblest knight. Our son continues to warm my heart with his kind and selfless nature….

I shall be honest… I feel lost. Tonight is the first night that I won't be by your side and I fear that I shall lose sleep because of this.

I long to be with you again love and for you to hold me in your arms again.

I may be in Camelot but my heart is with you in Misthaven.

Yours Always and Forever,

Belle'

She finished and placed her quill back in the inkwell and jumped when she felt two strong arms wrap around her,

"Well it's a good thing I brought it back to you then isn't it my love?" the arms owner asked and Belle looked over her shoulder to find her husband smiling brightly down at her and she stood quickly and hugged him tightly with shock,

"Rumple!... I don't understand…. How….. I thought you were in Misthaven!" she said stunned and Rumple chuckled as he hugged her back before placing a kiss to her forehead,

"I was….. I assume Merlin already told you about Igrain's mirror. Well… That was only half the story" he began and urged her to sit beside him on the bed and he held her hands as he explained,

"Uther and Igrain were inseparable and they day they became engaged was the happiest day of their lives….. But….. Uther knew his duties as king would pull him away on business so He requested Merlin create two identical mirrors that he would take with him on all his travels and the mirrors would act as gateways so that Uther and Igrain would never have to truly be separated from each other. Merlin overhead our conversation and afterwards he approached me and told me of the mirrors. He told me that he saw the same strength in our love that he had seen between Uther and Igrain and then he arranged for the servant's to load Uther's mirror with my luggage so that I would be able to visit you." He told her before brushing the back of his hand against her cheek softly and she smiled softly and went to lean in and kiss him when she heard a gurgle come from the end of the bed and she turned her head to find little Rose stirring in her Moses basket and she smiled brightly before quickly standing and went to her and lifted her into her arms,

"Oh my little bloom…. Mama has missed you so much" she whispered and pressed a kiss to her forehead and Rose gurgled happily up at her mother and Rumple smiled and came to stand by her side,

"Do I get a reward for travelling all this way with our daughter just to see you?" he asked in a teasing tone and Belle rolled her eyes in amusement before cupping the back of his head gently and kissed him passionately which he happily returned.

Hehe I told you there was a twist. :D RumBelle forever! :D I hope you all enjoyed chapter 17. Please review and let me know what you think in order to unlock the next chapter. :D

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996