Profound Bond

Chapter 9- The Warning

Bella stood at one of the many windows, watching the battle that was unfolding from above. Gaius came up and stood beside her. She was biting at her nails nervously.

“Come on, Bella," he said in that kind and mellow voice of his, "Come and help me to patch up the injured." Bella nodded and followed Gaius down the stairs and into their make-shift infirmary.

It was at least half an hour into the battle, when a guard ran in, yelling out to everyone that Camelot was winning. This brought a smile to Bella’s face. 

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Merlin kept his gaze firmly on Arthur all throughout the battle. He watched as the prince sliced and punched and stabbed the enemy expertly.One by one, Anir's men fell. In fact, many of them were falling so soon into the fight, that it almost seemed too easy. But it was clear that the knights of Camelot were winning nonetheless.

Suddenly, a dead body crashed on top of the crates Merlin was hidden behind, making him jump. It wasn't anyone from Camelot, thankfully, but it still made things harder to see. He lifted his head so that he could just see above the body, and tried to re-find Arthur amidst the sea of men. When he spotted him, he was so glad that he did. A man had just knocked Arthur back, distracting him for just a moment. In that split second, he sliced Arthur across the chest.Merlin jumped up quicker than lightning and ran for where Arthur was. He dodged and ducked under swords until he finally reached him. By the time he got there, Arthur had already killed the man, but was doubled over in pain. Another man was running at him though, sword ready to kill. Remembering that he couldn't just use his magic in front of everyone, Merlin picked a sword from the ground and swung it at the guy. It went right through him, killing him instantly. 

"Merlin?" Arthur asked incredulously as his servant dropped the sword put an arm under his shoulder, "What are you doing?"

"Trying to help you," the warlock replied, walking Arthur towards the infirmary.

"But I can still fight!" Arthur argued, looking back at the battle. 

"No, you can't," Merlin said sternly.

"I'm the prince, you can't tell me what to--" he had started to say, but stopped when a severe pain shot through his chest. Merlin ignored the prince's protests and continued to half walk, half drag him into the infirmary. Arthur would get medical help whether he liked it or not.

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Bella's happy smile faded when she saw Merlin coming in, supporting an injured Arthur. She rushed over to him and put her arm around the shoulder Merlin wasn't holding.

“I thought I told you not to get hurt!" she said, helping Merlin to sit Arthur down onto a bed.

“I tried, I did try," Arthur said in a disappointed voice. Bella felt bad for saying anything. She ran to fetch a box of bandages, while Merlin went to get some herbs.

“Well at least your still here,” Bella said when she returned, a smile gracing her features. She placed the bandages and towels she had collected next to Arthur. 

"To be honest, if Merlin hadn't come to my aid when he did, I could be dead," Arthur sighed, rubbing his forehead, "But don't ever tell him I said that. I would never hear the end of it."Bella chuckled lightly and promised not to say a word about it to anyone. Merlin came soon after with herbs and some water.Bella began to clean up Arthur's wound, Merlin helping as she went. When all of the blood had been washed off, Bella's face paled. She looked up at Merlin. Merlin ran off, then returned with Gaius. 

"What is it? What's wrong?" Arthur asked. Gaius looked at the wound closer, then looked up at Arthur.

“Sire, I'm afraid that you want be able to fight anymore," he said.