Profound Bond

Chapter 8-Is this war (part 2)

It was three days since Bella beat Arthur. It was also three days since news of the men from Anir's kingdom stepping into Camelot.

Merlin, although he was improving, was still sick. He hung around Arthur, keeping a close watch on him, but Bella still did the work. She was serving Arthur some lunch, when Leon walked through the doors.

“One of our patrols sighted Anir's men by the Valley of Fallen Kings," he said.

"That means that they'll be here by nightfall," Arthur estimated.

"Sire, there is one other thing," Leon said. "The men were in large numbers. Two hundred of them at the least."

"Thank you, Leon," Arthur nodded, and Leon left.

“Bella, can you help me into my armour?” Arthur said.

"I can do that," Merlin said. Arthur glared at him and he added awkwardly, "Or Bella can do it."

Bella nodded. Arthur noticed that she was shaking while she put his armour on. Arthur stopped and turned around and pulled Bella into his arms.

“It’s going to be okay," Arthur said. Bella just nodded. When they pulled away, Arthur noticed that Bella was crying. Arthur wiped away her tears. Merlin coughed and slowly slid out of the room.

“Arthur, can you promise something to me?” Bella asked. Arthur nodded, although not sure what she was going to ask. “Please come back," she said, "Don't get hurt and please don’t die."

Arthur was quite taken back by what she said. But he knew what she was asking of him.

“I promise. But you need to come back to me as well," Arthur said. "I want you to know I don't care that we can't be together. Even if I can be true to this word only for today, I love you, Bella."

He pulled Bella in and kissed him like it was the last thing that he would do.

Once they pulled away Bella said, “I promise, to come back to you."

Bella left the room with a tear-stained face. Yes, Arthur had kissed her again. And yes, he had said he loved her... But he also said "only for today"...

"I'll protect him," Merlin, who was waiting outside the door, said. "I'll make sure he comes back alright." Bella smiled, thanked him and ran to get herself ready for battle.

~~~~

When nightfall came, the ominous sounds of the Warning Bells rang through the kingdom. Arthur ran down to the courtyard with the knights of Camelot following after him. Anir's men could be seen approaching the castle. They were not far now.

Unbeknownst to all others but Gaius, Merlin - who had managed to sneak out of the citadel as soon as the bells had sounded - hid patiently behind some crates of wood. If Arthur needed help, he was ready to step in.

“I know that you're scared, but we need to win this," Arthur told the knights, "I know that most of you have someone here or back at home whom you care about. So don’t just win this for Camelot, win this for them.”

As the gates slid open and the army of men came upon the citadel's soil, Arthur raised his sword and shouted, "For the love of Camelot!" With this, Arthur and his knights ran out to meet the battle.