Chapter 1

Princess Elizabeth was told that time heals all wounds. She was told that her grief was normal after losing her mother and that in time she would move on. But the truth is you ever get other the pain of losing someone close to you.

In the five years since the passing of Queen Seraphina, Elizabeth grew up to be what her mother taught her what a Princess should be. Kind. Caring. Regal. Elizabeth hoped that now she was older she was everything her mother wanted her to be.

After three long days, she could finally see the flags on top of the large castle she hadn't seen since she was thirteen. Excitement bubbled up inside her at the thought of seeing Arthur again. She hadn't seen him in so long, she wondered if he had changed much.

King Linus smiled over at his daughter, it had been a while since she had smiled like that, it made him happy. He knew that she and Arthur had been sending each other letters over the last five years, but he knew that wasn't the same as seeing him every summer.

He felt back for not coming to Camelot the last five summers, but after he lost his wife, he just couldn't bear to make the trip on his own. But he thought that after this trip, Uther would allow his daughter to stay with him.

Times back at his kingdom had become hard, the threat of war between the kingdom of Belan and Cenred's kingdom was become more of a problem and he didn't want his daughter caught in it.

They began to pick up the pace, both of them eager to see the Pendragons again. Elizabeth urged Cimeron her stallion, he had been a birthday present given by her mother and father. She raised him from a foal, and they became inseparable.

As they started walking through the lower town, everyone stopped to look a quiet whisper spread through the crowd at the sight of the king and Princess who hadn't been seen in Camelot for years.

Arthur was not used to getting himself up and ready in the morning, but the thought of see Princess Elizabeth again after years of only sending each other letters, he found himself up and ready before his manservant stepped foot inside the door of his room.

Dressed already in his chainmail, he smiled to himself as he placed his cape emblazed with the pendragon crest around his shoulders and tied it. Lastly, he attached his sword to his hip and pulled on his gloves.

Hearing the sound of the trumpets announcing the arrival of King Linus and his daughter, he hurried out of his room, not sparing his servant a glance as he passed the shocked boy. He quickly made his way through the castle to the courtyard where he stood next to his father who was already there.

"I'm surprised at you, Arhtur," his father noted as he glanced at his son from the corner of his eye, "I've not seen you move so fast since you were a young boy. Could it be you are excited to see the young Princess again."

Arthur adjusted his sword on his hip, his eyes trained on the entrance of the courtyard waiting, "I just wanted to be on time to greet our guests."

Uther smirked at his son's answer. Arthur was always secretive when it came to Princess Elizabeth. He didn't show it, but Arthur was always attached to young woman even when he was a child.

Both Pendragons attention was drawn back to the courtyard entrance at the sound of hoof and footsteps. Seconds later, a group of Belan soldiers entered followed by two horses. Sat upon one was a regal man the same age as Uther but with a beard, he sat tall and proud. Arthur didn't remember about the man, other than he was a fair and just man.

The young Prince's attention was then drawn to the horse to the left of King Linus. His eyes almost bugged out at the sight of Princess Eliabeth; she was beautiful. Even more beautiful than the last time he had seen her. Her blues eyes sparkled like sapphires and her blonde hair was done in a side plait that draped over her left shoulder.

In his whole twenty years of living, he found himself doing something completely out of character for him, he slowly took steps down the stairs and towards Elizabeths horse.

Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat at the sight of the young Prince Arthur as he slowly made his way over to her. She found him to be very handsome, he had grown into a fine young man, she hoped that he was the same Arthur that used to chase her around the castle corridors when they were children.

As he got closer, he couldn't help but keep her eyes locked with his. His blue eyes a little lighter than hers reminded her of the sky. She felt like she had butterflies in her stomach, and an unknown feeling in her heart that she couldn't quite figure out.

Elizabeth took in a deep breath as Arthur came to her side, "allow me to assist you, Princess." Arthur offered as he held out his hand to her. Elizabeth smiled and nodded as she turned in her saddle a little. Leaning down slightly, she rested her hands on top of his shoulders, as his where placed on her waist in a firm but gentle grip.

Elizabeth slid off her horse, her feet landing softly on the ground, with Arthur's hands still keeping a firm grip on her waist.

"Thank you, Your Highness." She said with a smile.

"I think we've known each other long enough we can forgo the formal titles," Arthur teased as he released her. Elizabeth laughed lightly with the gentle shake of her head.

"It is good to see you again, Ace."

Arthur's smiled widened at the sound of her old nickname for him, "and the same to you, Libby."

Elizabeth blushed hearing that name, but even more so when he took her gloved hand in his own and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.