Profound Bond

Chapter 10- the Ball ( part 1)

After a few days in the infirmary, Bella was released. She had no choice, really. The whole place was packed up, considering it had only been makeshift in the first place. Due to her injuries, the poor girl was made to walk around with two wooden crutches for a month.

Since Merlin had fully recovered, Bella was back to her old job. Morgana was happy that she was all right and so was Guinevere. She and Gwen had grown to be quite good friends over the weeks. Bella could trust Gwen with anything, and vice versa.

As the days went by, Arthur's injury also began to heal. Although, he was in a sour mood for the most part of the days, due to the fact Gaius had banned him from training and fighting for three weeks.

Surprisingly, there had still been no word from Anir. Or from anyone else in his kingdom. Even though he lived only three days away, in the kingdom of Tintagel, no message whatsoever had come through to Camelot. Despite there being no communication between them, nor another attack on them, Uther still kept the guards on high alert at all times.

~~~~

One afternoon, when Bella was on her way to collect a remedy for her leg, she overheard Merlin and Gaius speaking with one another. She stood outside the physician's chambers, curiosity spiking through her.

"How could Arthur do such a thing?" Merlin's voice asked.

"I do not know," Gaius replied, "The heart is a strange thing, Merlin."

"But he knows how much Bella adores him!" Bella heard Merlin say, "He's just too proud to admit it."

What was going on? Gaius and Merlin were discussing her and Arthur? And why did Merlin say "How could Arthur do such a thing?"? The conversation had certainly tweaked her interest. She wanted to know more. She shuffled nearer and pressed her ear to the wooden door.

"Ah-hem," someone cleared their throat politely. Bella jumped and snapped back from the door.

"G-Gwen, I didn't see you there," she said nervously. Standing there with a puzzled look on her face, was indeed Gwen. She was carrying a basket of Morgana's gowns.

Guinevere stared at her peculiarly and said, "Is there something the matter, Bella?"

"No!" Bella said a little too quickly, then shrugged and added, "No, no. Just... Getting a remedy for my leg." She gestured to her leg.

"Right," Gwen said, looking away awkwardly and smiling, "I should be on my way."

Bella nodded. As soon as Gwen was gone, she sighed loudly. How stupid she must've looked! But Gwen was a lovely girl and a good friend, so she would never tell another of what had just happened. Surely.

The conversation from inside had stopped, so Bella opened Gaius's door and walked in. She smiled, said hello, snatched the remedy from Gaius and then hobbled away on her crutches as quickly as she could.

Maybe later, if she could catch him on his own, she could ask Merlin what he meant when he said "How could Arthur do such a thing?". Merlin would definitely tell her.

~~~~

“Merlin, what is it that you're not telling me?” Bella asked Merlin the next day. She had bumped into him alone in the laundry rooms.

“Nothing, how's your leg?” He replied, obviously trying to change the subject. Bella gave him a look, and Merlin knew that she was determined to get an answer. No matter what.

“Promise that you want get angry at me or anyone else," he sighed. Bella nodded, bracing herself for the worst. Merlin scratched the back of his head.