Chapter 18: - A Lesson Of The Heart

Over the next two years both Bae and Arthur grew stronger and wiser. Two more gems had appeared upon the sword in the stone's handle unknown to the prince who's knowledge of what it meant to be king was what had caused them to appear.

Belle stood beside Rumple as they watched their son training with the future king of Camelot and Rumple chuckled as Bae swiftly dodged the swing of Arthur's sword,

"He gets his sword fighting skills from me" he said proudly and Belle giggled,

"You should see his archery skills…. He gets those from me" she said teasing and Rumple chuckled before placing a kiss to the crown of her head and smiled down at her softly,

"You've done well. You should be proud of yourself" he praised and Belle smiled up at her husband softly,

"I'm just thankful for Merlin allowing us access and use to Uther and Igrain's mirrors over these past two years… I don't know what I would have done if we truly had been separated" she said quietly but Rumple simply pressed a kiss to her cheek,

"You would have been just fine…. What are the prince's training for anyway?" he asked curious and Belle giggled,

"What I call popularity contest they call Camelot's grand annual tournament. Knights come from kingdoms all over just to compete. The grand prize is the 1,000 gold pieces. I have to be present as it is my current duty to present the prize to the winner" she explained and Rumple smiled brightly and wrapped his arm around her shoulder,

"Don't worry my love. I'll clear my schedule tomorrow so that I can be by your side. There's no way I'm going to miss our son's first tournament." He said proudly and Belle smiled brightly as she hugged her husband's side happily.

Both Bae and Arthur were excited for tomorrow's tournament. Now that they were both the age of 16 they were eligible to enter,

"So what do you say to a little wager Baelfire?" Arthur asked,

"If I… sorry 'When' I win the tournament tomorrow….. You have to dance with anyone I tell you too at the celebration ball" he stated and Bae crossed his arms with a smirk,

"Yes and 'When' you lose it's the same terms" he said and both prince's smirked before shaking hands before chuckling.

The next morning. Camelot was bustling with excitement. This tournament was also going to mark the moment Arthur was to become crowned prince which Arthur was indeed both nervous and excited about but he had Belle who had become like a mother to him and Bae who he thought of as a brother. Arthur was ready in his armour and took a while to compose himself before finally finding the courage to emerge from the and walked straight into a lady who was making her way to the audience stalls,

"Oh I am so sorry" he apologised and helped her to steady herself and he found himself speechless. She was a beauty unlike any he had ever seen. The lady smiled, pulling back gently and curtsied politely,

"It is no problem your highness. I should have been more aware of where I was walking" she said politely and Arthur couldn't help but smile,

"The fact is same for me my lady" he said charmingly and the lady blushed gently which made Arthur smile even brighter,

"Who do I have the honour of speaking with on this fine day?" he asked and the lady smiled,

"I'm Guinevere your highness but… My Friend's call me Gwen" she said kindly with a light blush and Arthur smiled before reaching for her hand and taking it gently and raising it to his lips and placed a light kiss upon its surface,

"It's an honour to meet you Gwen" he said and she blushed as they held eye contact for the moment but the moment was broken when the bell tolled announcing that the tournament was about to begin and she pulled back slightly with a smile,

"I… Ermmmm… I better go and take my seat I….. I wish you luck your highness….. Errrrrmmmmm please… Take this as a token of good luck" she said gently and offered him a soft silk handkerchief and Arthur smiled as he took it gently,

"I shall carry it with pride….. I hope to see you again… Gwen" he said softly and she smiled before nodding gently,

"I wish for the same….. Good luck Prince Arthur" she said softly before heading off towards the audience stands.

Introducing Gwen! hehe I hope you all enjoyed chapter 18. I'm sorry it was short but don't worry the next one shall be longer as it is the tournament! Who will win? Will it be... Prince Bae of Misthaven?! or will it be... Prince Arthur of Camelot?! PLACE YOUR BETS! Haha :D let me know who you think will win in a review in order to unlock the next chapter :D

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996