Fireheart (A Merlin Love Story)

Chapter 47, Part 3

Songs used:

Shine from Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses

Right Here In My Arms from Barbie as the Island Princess

Ariella's P. O. V:

A few more hours later, Merlin, Arthur, Tristan, Isolde and I finally make it to the border that separates us from Camelot to Loch's kingdom, Ealdor sitting at the foot of the mountains.

Gesturing with his sword at a small brook, Arthur states, "This marks the border between Camelot and Loch's kingdom."

Merlin says, "Ealdor lies at the far side of that valley. Maybe... half a day on foot."

I say, "We'll rest here for tonight. There's no way Agravaine could've tracked us through those mountains." I add as I hold my arms out for Isolde, and she steps toward me, "I'll build a fire. We must keep Isolde warm."

She puts one arm around my shoulders as I take her free hand, and Merlin falls into step beside us.

I hear Arthur say to Tristan, "Here. Keep your strength up."

"I'll get my own," Tristan says tersely, no doubt ignoring the water skin Arthur was offering.

I ask Isolde as we head to a clearing near us, "So, how long have you and Tristan been together?"

"Oh, a few years. What about you and Merlin? I thought you were supposed to marry Arthur?"

"Well, let's just say that there'd been a change in plans when a certain someone arrived in Camelot all those years ago. Arthur and I never actually loved each other, and we hated each other because of the arranged marriage. We were always arguing with one another and I'd always vent it out whenever I got to spar against Arthur. But, when I first met Merlin... it was kind of like love at first sight." I let out a dreamy sigh as I carefully set Isolde down against a tree.

"Really?" Isolde smiles, glancing from me to Merlin. "Then, how did you end up together?"

"It took my father a lot of convincing, but he eventually understood and agreed to let me marry the man I love."

"I'm surprised that you and Arthur don't get along, because the two of you fight together really well. Almost like you can read each other's minds, and know exactly what to do," Isolde notes.

"That's... true. But any other time, we treat each other like siblings," I reply.

"How long have you two had Mira for?" Isolde asks curiously.

Merlin answers with a soft smile at Mira, "About two years now."

I say, "Merlin can tell you the rest if he wants while I go get that fire started."

I turn to find some firewood to get the fire going.

Later, as Isolde and Tristan were sleeping, I lean my head against Merlin's shoulder with his arm around me, and Mira huddled in my lap as we sit up with Arthur around the fire, who is sitting opposite us, a grave expression on his face.

"You knew," Arthur murmurs to both of us. Merlin and I glance at him. "You two knew Agravaine was betraying me."

Merlin says, tightening his arm around me, "We couldn't be sure. We did have our suspicions."

Arthur hangs his head for a moment, before muttering, "I feel like such a fool. I had so much trust in him. Worst, the whole time I was blind to his treachery as I was to Morgana's."