A/N: Be happy peoples, because I didn't cut this chapter in half like I was about to! It would've left off at a mad cliffhanger and you probably would've wanted to choke me. But, at least that's not going to happen anymore! Yay! Now if only I were clever enough to come up with a good name for this chapter…

Chapter 9: Kidnappers and their Puns

Waverly shivered and pulled her knees closer to her body, glancing out fearfully at the midnight shadows of the forest. No matter how balled up she was or even how close to the campfire she was, she couldn't seem to get warm. Maybe it was the constant ringing in her head distracting her cells, causing them to move at a sluggish pace. Or maybe it was her heart, chilled and afraid.

Never in her life had she felt so alone.

Before, at her home, she had never realized how much her parents had been there for her. She had always thought they cared about each other more than her. But now that she truly was alone, she came to understand all the goodness she had had. And knowing how ungrateful she had been made her feel awful. All she wanted now was her mother or father to nestle into, someone to stroke her hair and tell her that she'd be all right.

But no one was here to help her anymore. All she had for companions were her captors. She had learned their names by now by just listening to their conversation. She had also learned that they really thought she was The Buttercup, and fortunately for her, she was smart enough to realize that that was the only thing keeping her alive. She would be dead before she would reveal who she really was.

"— had a few complications getting' outta this little lady's room," one of the men was regaling the other across the campfire, jerking his greasy head toward Waverly when he mentioned her.

Both of her captors were seated on opposite sides of Waverly, far enough apart so that she had her own space, but certainly not enough to run.

The man crouching on the right of her went by the name Jack Daniels and was the one who was currently speaking about his escapade on the ship. He was wearing tattered navy pants that cut off at the knees with a billowing ratty what-once-might-have-been-white shirt with a slimy green vest thrown over it all. His face was scruffy, with a start of a new beard growing in on his chin and an under-bite with buck teeth on the bottom. His eyes appeared to be too far apart and almost completely covered by a stained blue bandana attempting to keep his long locks of greasy black hair behind his dirty ears. He had a wiry figure and a pointy nose, and could make anyone sick just by looking at them long enough, considering his face seemed plastered into a permanent scowl.

He had been one of the two who had broken into Waverly's cabin and left his comrade, fatally injured, dying on the floor of her cabin. Just thinking of his pained face and groping, bloody fingers made Waverly shudder. She remembered the feel of the sword slicing through his flesh, and suddenly understood why her mother had prevented her from physically fighting Humperdinck's men.

Jack's companion, Jimmy Dean, was frying sausages over the fire with a skillet. He was much taller than his associate, almost by a foot, and had strong muscles all across his body. His face was very boyish however, with a large protruding jaw and flyaway blond hair that constantly flapped in his face. His nose was pudgy and his eyes were set too close together, but apart from that, he seemed the gentler of the two personality-wise, reminding Waverly of Fezzik. He was wearing a large white muscle shirt and breezy pants that snapped at his ankles.

As Waverly looked on, Jimmy did a little wrist movement that flipped over the sausages. Grinning at his clever trick, he glanced back up at Jack.

"So…where's Waldo then?" he asked innocently. Jack grimaced and pulled a pouch out of the inside of his holey shirt. He screwed off the lid and took a long draught of what could only be hard whiskey. He sputtered slightly as he swallowed wrong.

"He's dead," Jack stated bluntly. Jimmy's eyes widened as he paused in his cooking to gaze up at Jack with a shocked expression.

"Waldo's…dead?"

"Yep."

Jimmy sighed forlornly. "This family's gettin' smaller every day," he muttered. "First it was me ma, then your pa and then my sister and your brother and then my uncle and your aunt and finally my grandmother and your grandfather! Waldo was one of our cousins! Er…wasn't he?"

Jack shrugged. "I think he was our fourth cousin, twice removed."

"Ah. Well that jus' goes to prove the point that we gotta watch out for each other, y'know? We's the only family left, Jack, you and me."

Jack rolled his eyes as Jimmy's voice took on an emotionally choked-up tone. He got a faraway look in his puke-green eyes.

"Remember when we used ta get together on the summers up at the lake? We used ta eat Granny Smith's apples all day long, seeds, stem and all!"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You actually used to eat the entire apple?"

Jimmy looked uncomfortable under his cousin's skeptical scrutiny.

"Uh…well…no! Pfft! Of course not!" he said with shifty eyes. Jack rolled his eyes and glanced at Waverly. She glared back at him, hoping to not portray the fear that was tearing at her insides.

Jack scoffed. "What kind o' kidnapping example are you bloomin' settin', Jim? Honestly, this girl ain't a'scairt at all! She's probably laughing at us behind that pretty blonde head!"

Jimmy appeared flustered and blushed, trying to cover up his embarrassment at being chastised by flipping the sausages again.

"Oh would you stop with the bloody sausages already?" Jack boomed, yanking the skillet out of Jimmy's hand and setting it on the ground. He plucked up one of the links and tossed it in his mouth, belching loudly as he gulped noisily.

"Now whar's your manners that momma done taught you?" Jimmy murmured disapprovingly, shutting his mouth as Jack gave him a venomous glance.

"We're not supposed ter be POLITE! We're kidnappers for Pete's sake!!" he bellowed angrily, thirstily sucking down another drink from his pouch. Jimmy bit his lip and lowered his head, chastened. Then he frowned.

"Who is that Pete guy anyways?" he quietly wondered to himself before perking up again. "Remember when we used ta go down to Aunt Sara Lee's farm for her famous bread? 'Member how yummy it was?"

Jack gave a strained smile as he began to caress his temples.

"Oh, and then there was Uncle Orville Redenbacher's popping corn. You remember that?"

Jack said nothing, but continued rubbing his aching head.

"Ah, and sweet little Debbie. She always used to have all kinds of treats with her: cupcakes, pies, every type of goodie possible! And then there was—"

"Hey, Jim?" Jack interrupted with a tense, high voice. Jimmy snapped out of his reverie and gazed up at Jack with a foolish grin.

"Yeah?"

"SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOB YOU NINNY!!"

Jimmy swallowed hard as his eyes welled up with tears. He bit his lip to keep from crying out and turning his face away from Jack, choking on his own emotion. Jack muttered curses to himself and forced a smile on his face as he went to comfort his crybaby of a cousin.

Waverly rolled her eyes and toned out the conversation, thinking, when all of a sudden, she realized their attention was diverted. This was her chance! How stupid they had been to not tie her up or anything! Without hesitation, she stood and began to run as fast as she could into the forest. She passed the carriage and dozing horses at a blistering speed. Behind her, she could hear a surprised cry and then heavy boots clomping after her.

Waverly soon had to open her mouth to breathe. Her lungs burned and her legs ached from such unaccustomed exercise, and she was practically blind running through this forest. She whacked into low-hanging branches and tripped over malicious roots, but always stood back up to keep on running. Her reckless pace seemed unending until quite suddenly, she ran into an object that was not normally inanimate.

The person she knocked into fell backward with the speed of her forceful dash, and she in turn crashed down on top of them. There were moments of confused panic as Waverly struggled to untangle her limbs and separate herself, but it was too late. Jimmy and Jack had been following her trail and easily caught up to her. Waverly glanced at them fearfully as they approached and then crouched behind the person she had bumped into.

For a split second, she and this unknown being locked eyes.

It was a boy, and he looked to be about her age. He had dark, brown curls framed on a wide head. His pointy face was screwed into a savage frown and his blue eyes glittered angrily.

Waverly blinked and ducked behind him without another thought.

Jack and Jimmy jogged up to them and frowned oddly at the boy, who quickly sidestepped out of the way to show he wasn't a part of Waverly's escape. Waverly desperately copied his every move and the boy finally threw up his hands in frustration.

"Stop following me!" he shouted crossly. All of a sudden, he jumped away from her, too quick for her to pursue. Waverly glanced at him with pleading eyes, but he didn't see her anxious gaze.

He had bent down to retrieve a bow that Waverly realized must have been slung over his shoulder when she ran into him. Now, however, the gracefully curved edges were dented and the string was broken. Beside the bow was a bulging satchel of some sort, which the boy quickly snatched up and suspended from his shoulder. The boy then scowled fiercely as his hand brushed across a quiver strapped to his back. Reaching behind him, he skillfully removed a twisted, broken arrow. He glared at her.

"How dare you! This was my birthday present and I was going to go hunt with it! Now what will I tell my father? That some wretched peasant girl destroyed my bow?" he raged.

"She's not just any wretched peasant girl though," Jack suddenly cut in. The boy slowly looked up at him curiously. Jack sneered to see his audience so quickly baited.

"You 'eard of the infamous Buttercup?" Jack asked slyly.

"Of course I have. The whole kingdom knows about her!" the boy scoffed, no longer intrigued. "Why bring her up?"

Jack winked knowingly.

"Well this here girly is she!" he stated proudly, gesturing wildly with his hands.

The boy's dark eyebrows rose. "Are you serious?"

"No joke," Jack replied earnestly.

"We kidnapped her off a boat back near the Florin/Guilder borders," Jimmy added helpfully. The boy considered the evidence and finally stalked forward to glower down at Waverly who was sitting in a miserable ball on the ground, all hope of escape lost.

"Are you really, The Buttercup?" he demanded. Waverly pursed her lips shut and answered by staring daggers up at him, hoping to belie her internal torment. He seemed to believe her venomous, defiant look as he backed off slightly. Then, he paused and regarded her leeringly.

"Funny, but I always pictured you being taller," he spat acidly.

"And I always pictured you being more attractive!" Waverly retorted spitefully before she was able to stop herself. The boy was taken aback by her sudden outburst, and for a moment registered only shock on his face. Then the expression disappeared to be replaced by a scornful mask.

"Do you even know who I am?"

Waverly clenched her jaw and stubbornly turned away from his smug face. The boy jeered disparagingly.

"Well, be at peace to know, Buttercup, that you are facing the son of your most hated adversary. I am Prince Gil of Florin, son of King Humperdinck, and I laugh in the face of your pathetic defeat!"

Waverly felt like she had been slapped in the face. Not only was this right out of the blue, but the information itself was completely new to her. King Humperdinck…had a son? It was too terrible to imagine! And yet the boy had the arrogance that would match her parents' description of their despised nemesis. It didn't make sense! But as Waverly glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, she noticed the velvet brocade on his royal purple vest over a beautifully woven green chemise. His breeches were made of satin, and even his leather boots were so meticulously sewn she couldn't see the seams. It all added up, and still against her favor.

"You're Prince Engilbert?" Jimmy wondered in puzzlement a few moments later. The Prince blushed as Waverly couldn't help but snort deridingly. If that didn't give it away, then nothing would!

Seeing the Prince's indignation, Jack hastily interrupted his cousin to make amends.

"My apologies, your Highness. My cousin here don't really have manners," Jack said sheepishly as he gave Jimmy a fierce look which shut him up immediately. "We were just going to take this little…capture over on down to your father's castle and…" he trailed off.

"And collect the handsome reward?" the Prince suggested, smiling grimly as Jack nodded eagerly.

"Well yes—" Jack stammered.

"You do know how close you are then, to the castle?"

"Umm…of course! I knew that!" Jack cried out unconvincingly.

"You know, I told you we should've stopped fer directions," Jimmy murmured and cringed as Jack gave him a malicious glare.

Jimmy shrugged. "Well I did tell you—"

"We didn't need to ask fer directions! Now shut yer face!" Jack exploded.

"What is it with men asking for directions?" Jimmy muttered under his breath, grinning haughtily at the Prince, who seemed to have just come up with a good idea. He nodded briskly.

"Alright then. I will accompany you back to the castle, and you will present her my way, understand?"

Jack held up a protesting finger and the Prince quickly silenced him.

"Don't worry, you'll still get your reward. But only if you follow my lead. Get it? Good." The Prince picked up his bow and re-strapped his quiver onto his back. He began to stride forward as Jack and Jimmy glanced askance at one another, still a little confused as to what was happening.

The Prince meanwhile had gone a few feet and realized he needed something.

"Do you…erm…kidnappers have a cart of some kind?"

"Oh yeh, we've got a coach!" Jimmy piped up. The Prince nodded.

"Grab her then and let's go," he ordered. Jack frowned darkly as Jimmy shrugged and yanked Waverly to her feet, squeezing her wrist so hard she cried out. He ignored her pain as Jack, realizing his alternatives, rose and led them to the coach. When they got there, Jimmy shoved Waverly into the back and joined Jack in the driver's seat. The Prince pointed the direction and then clambered in next to Waverly, who was flexing her hand to get circulation back. The Prince took the seat opposite her, depositing his wrecked bow beside him and watching her intently. Waverly attempted to pay no heed to his attention, but it quickly became infuriating.

"If you're royal, then perhaps you know it's not polite to stare," Waverly spat caustically. The Prince began to retort and then was forced to swallow it as the carriage lurched forward. Outside the horses were snorting angrily at being woken, and there were sounds of whips cracking and shouts by the two henchmen. Waverly stared out of the small window in the door for a moment and then back at the Prince, who was attempting to regain his breath. Waverly laughed disdainfully as the Prince shot her a scornful glance.

"Oh, you're definitely royal," Waverly muttered, sarcasm dripping off every word. The Prince's lips curled.

"Well I don't believe you're really The Buttercup. You're just too juvenile." He grinned wickedly at his supposed triumph. Waverly faked offense and dramatically opened her mouth to cover it with a demure hand.

"My goodness! What an answer. I didn't see that one coming at all," she said patronizingly slow and sweet, as if she were speaking to an infant. She gave him a mocking smile and his jaw visibly tensed.

"Look who's talking, Blubberbutt!" the Prince shrieked suddenly. Waverly laughed at his poor attempt at a rejoinder.

"And I'm the one who's…what's that word again? Oh yes, juvenile. Sad to say, but you really need to work on your comebacks."

The Prince glowered at her pathetically as Waverly assumed a bored expression. The Prince saw his argument crumbling and slouched in his seat, the malevolent glint in his eye replaced by defeat.

"It's not like I've had a lot of practice," he muttered to himself. Waverly glanced up, interested in this sudden mood swing.

"Oh really? Making excuses for yourself? Or are you too scared to admit you were beaten by a girl?"

The Prince eyed her disbelievingly, cocking his head.

"I am royalty remember? I'm not supposed to talk so cruelly to people. Especially since my dad wouldn't understand it," he added to himself. Waverly laughed shortly, having heard every word.

"So you really are his son," she murmured.

"Although I really wish I wasn't sometimes," the Prince blurted, and then realizing his mistake, tightened his lips in embarrassment. Waverly was a little surprised at his slip-up and floundered for a word to say.

"What about your mother?" she asked, changing the subject. Instead of lightening the mood, the Prince's features seemed to darken even more. He looked down at his boots.

"I never knew her. She died having me and my father won't ever talk about her." His sad tone made Waverly melt.

"I'm sorry," she said apologetically. The Prince waved his hand dismissively as Waverly smiled sadly.

"Yeah, my parents—" she started and then cut off abruptly, choking on her words. She couldn't say anything about them! Some way or another the truth would come out, and she'd be dead!

The Prince noticed her stunned reaction and narrowed his eyes.

"Who are you?" he demanded. Waverly balked.

"Butter…cup of course," she replied weakly. She raised her eyes and met the steely stare of the Prince. Her insides began to shrivel as she saw his skeptical look quickly turning to understanding.

"You're not her, are you?"

Waverly bit her lip, refusing to answer. This refusal only proved the Prince's point. He sighed exasperatedly.

"If you're not Buttercup, then who are you?" he fumed. Waverly fumbled for an answer, but came up short. Her mind was blank. She couldn't think of anything to say that would save her, so she said nothing.

"What's your name? Your real name?" the Prince asked gently, his face softening as she began to tremble. Waverly swallowed, but it didn't ease her dry throat.

"Waverly," she answered quietly. Logic told her that if she hadn't known he existed, then he probably didn't know she existed. Her name was just another name, or so she hoped. Apparently, seeing the Prince nodding, that was so.

"Waverly, huh? What kind of name is that?" he wondered aloud, grimacing amusingly. Waverly laughed sincerely.

"And again, look who's talking Prince Engilbert," she said, her voice mocking but in a joking way as she spoke his name. The Prince flushed and Waverly grinned at his discomfiture.

"Honestly, how long did it take your father to think up of that one? Prince Engilbert," she teased again, giggling as the Prince blushed even more.

"Call me Gil, alright?" he finally implored her, trying to cease the painful onslaught. But Waverly was in no way done.

"Ah, so Prince Gil then?" she taunted. The Prince rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Alright, alright. Just Gil," he condoned at last. Waverly chuckled.

"Gil," Waverly repeated for clarification. Gil nodded. "And you can call me…Waverly," Waverly teased. Gil let an exaggeratedly slow reaction play on his face, one of mock surprise and relief.

"Oh good. I was afraid of what kind of nickname I'd have to contend with. Wavey maybe?" he wondered jokingly. Waverly opened her mouth in shock.

"Never!" she cried. "If you call me that, I'm afraid I'll have to resort to Eaglewart,"

"Ouch," Gil said, feigning a shot to his chest. Waverly laughed as Gil joined her. Suddenly, their light mood was destroyed as the coach halted unexpectedly and the door was thrown open.

"I think we're where you wanted us ter be," Jimmy exclaimed, his grisly face peering into the shadows.

"Oh," Gil began unsurely, and then cleared his throat. "Uh yes! Of course! Take her out then," he ordered. Jimmy nodded and grabbed Waverly roughly. She resisted and gave a last pleading glance to Gil, whose eyes reflected sorrow, but his face was set. Waverly's insides shrunk and she let herself be taken outside.

A/N: Aww Gil. I'm so proud of how I made his character! And did you guys love all the name puns throughout? I actually had to ask my parents for help with coming up with some of those. Hey, it amuses me. Go puns! AHH!! The title for this chapter is really bad! Oh well… If anyone comes up with something better, it would be much appreciated!!