Profound Bond

Chapter 1- Bella

It was late at night in the kingdom of Camelot. Shadows veiled the stone walls and gave an eerie cover for the trees surrounding them. Torches were glowing in the gate of the castle, providing a dim light. Although it was very far into the night, two guards stood watch over the entrance.

Taking the guards by surprise, a figure cloaked in black stepped from the darkness. At the gates, they halted the stranger.

"Halt," they commanded. "What is your business here in Camelot?"

The figure didn't speak. Gently, she remove her hood to reveal a young girl, whose flaming red hair shone in the torchlight.

"Proceed," The guards nodded and immediately let her through.

The girl continued on her way, smiling up at the beautiful castle that stood before her. For a long time now, she had dreamed of returning to the wonderful kingdom. Now that she was there once again, she was overjoyed.

As she walked closer to the citadel, music and indistinct chatter  could be heard from within. She knew exactly where it was coming from. The Great Hall. Supposedly, there was some kind of feast going on.

With her cloak trailing behind her, she treaded across the empty courtyard and straight into the corridor that lead to her old friend's place. There, she could wait for the feast to finish.

Climbing stairs and turning several corners, she finally found it. As soon as she entered the room, she grinned. It had not changed a single bit since she been there last.

Feeling at home, the girl took her cloak off and trotted to her room, only to discover that someone else's belongings  were preoccupying it. The owner of the things must be at the feast, the girl thought. She hoped they were enjoying themselves.

With a sigh, the girl sat down on the bed that had once belonged to her. She ran her hands across the fabric and sighed once more. She had missed this all so much.

~~~~

Around an hour later, she heard voices and footsteps approaching the room. When the door opened, her friend Gaius (The court physician) and a boy she did not recognise walked in. Gaius noticed the girl straight away. The boy, however, did not.

“Did you see the look on Arthur's face?--"  he began saying, a cheerful look upon his face. When his eyes fell onto the intruder, his expression changed instantly, twisting into a look of confusion.

"Who are you and what do you want?" He asked rather rudely, staring sternly and threateningly at the girl.

“Merlin, its okay, I know her," Gaius assured the boy, who was supposedly called Merlin. Gaius grinned as he walked over to the girl, giving her a hug when he reached her.

"Bella," he greeted her warmly.

“Gaius!" she smiled, hugging him back, "It's so good to see you again!" Merlin stood still, completely befuddled as to what was going on.

“Um... not to be rude, or anything... but who are you?” asked Merlin the girl. She broke apart from Gaius and looked Merlin straight in the eye.

“My name is Bella," she told him, "I used to live here in Camelot... Until two years ago, that is."

"Bella used to work as my messenger and the Lady Morgana's maid," Gaius informed Merlin. "The room that you sleep in now belonged to her."

“Well, I'm Merlin," he said, walking towards Bella. "It's a pleasure to meet you. And welcome back to Camelot!" He extended his hand for Bella to shake, which she did.

“Thank you, Merlin," Bella said, "It sure is good to be back." Her conversation was cut short by a certain somebody bursting through the doors.

“Merlin, you need to polish my boots and clean my chain mail for tomorrow," the visitor. "Gaius, my father would also like to see you."

"Yes, sire," both Merlin and Gauis said, although Merlin practically groaned it. The two of them left the room.

“So you’re back in Camelot, then," said the visitor, seeing the girl for the first time.

"Yes Arthur, I’m back” Bella replied to the prince of Camelot.

“Where were you?” asked Arthur.

“I went to see some friends," said Bella bluntly.

“You went to see ‘friends’ for two years?" questioned Arthur, who was now feeling a bit annoyed.

Two years ago, Bella had just disappeared without a trace, leaving everyone asking questions. Now, after being missing for all that time, she had just decided to come back on the day of his birthday?

“Not really," Bella told him with a straight face. "I travelled around Camelot for a year, saw some friends, then I decided to come back here."

“Well, you should speak to my father. He might give you a job," said Arthur as he stormed out of the door. He was obviously upset with her.

“Well, it was good to see you again too," Bella sarcastically muttered under her breath.