A/N: Good morning everyone or good afternoon. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. To start off the week, here is another chapter for you guys. I hope you guys enjoy it and don't worry, the big surprise is coming soon.
Enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 52: Chief's Plan
The density of the trees hid the sunlight trying to peak through, trying to offer some light to the dark woods. Her eyes scanned around, trying to find the one person she wanted. Shouting out his name, she hoped he would appear. Feeling a gust of wind blow past her, she noticed the branches move from the wind, allowing sunlight to shine down. Following the rays, she saw a tall figure standing at the end of its ray.
"Erik…" His name came off her lips as her legs started running towards him. His arms opened wide for her, inviting her into his embrace. She felt his strong arms warp around her body, holding her to him.
"My Christine…" He whispered in her ear, making her smile. Pulling away, she looked up at him, seeing his masked face. Opening her mouth to say something, she suddenly felt his body lean forward as a pained look appeared on his face.
"Erik?" His body fell forward as the arrow entered his heart. "God no! Erik!" She screamed as he fell to the ground. "Erik!"
"No!" Her scream woke her up, making her shot up in the bed. Panting heavily, she looked frantically around the room. Her body was covered in sweat as she realized she was in her room. "Just a dream…" She told herself. "Just a horrible…too real dream." Letting out a deep breath, her body slumped back against the pillows. The sun had yet to rise over London, but the light from the dim fire still gave some light into the large room. Staring up at the ceiling, she suddenly felt sick. Sitting up in bed, she felt as if her stomach was coming. Covering her mouth with her hand, she rushed off the bed to grab the chamber pot. Making it time, she held back her hair. Finished, her hand grabbed a cloth and wiped her mouth. Sitting back against the frame of the bed, she hoped that whatever had come over her would soon leave.
Standing outside the tent flaps, she let out a big breath. Slowly opening the flaps, she leaned her in inside to look around. The tent looked like it hasn't changed much over the days. Looking around the tent, she couldn't find the person she was looking for. Sighing, her eyes pictured a sketch on the small table. Walking over to the table, she glanced down at it. It was a sketch of Erik, a sketch that Christine must have drawn. Looking at it, she couldn't help the tear that started forming in her eye. Hearing the flaps open, she quickly turned to see if Erik was coming inside. However, her hopes were gone when Tor walked in.
"I thought you would be Erik." Meg said as she put the sketch down.
"I was hoping you would be Erik too." He said, sighing as he looked around the tent. "How has he been?" He asked. Since that day, the men had rarely seen Erik. Even at meals, he wouldn't appear.
"He's…" She sighed, giving Tor his answer. "He hasn't spoken much since you guys came back."
"He needs time." Tor said before flipping the flap open to walk back out. Meg followed him out as they walked through the camp. Her eyes kept looking around to see if she could find him around the camp. However, Erik was the master as hiding and staying hidden.
All he could do was stare at the piece of paper in his hand, rereading the words on it. He couldn't believe it was true but it was, the message clearly said it was. Clenching his fist, the message crumbed in his tight grip. His head leaned back against the bark, trying to contain his anger. Though he should be angry at her, he wasn't. It wasn't her fault she was marrying the French flop.
"Erik! Erik!" He heard his name being called. Looking down, he spotted Tor on the ground below. "I know you're here!" Sighing, he carefully climbed down until reaching the last branch. Jumping down, he landed just in front of his chief, almost making him jump. "Christ Erik, he nearly landed on me."
"But I didn't." He brushed himself off of the leaves and twigs.
"Have you been hiding out here all this time?" Erik nodded.
"I'm not one for company, especially now." He said to Tor.
"I can understand that, however some of us have been worried about you. Meg has been asking about you, she has rarely seen you since we've gotten back." Tor explained. Not saying anything, Erik handed Tor the message that he had received. Raising an eyebrow, Tor took the message and read it. "Married?" He looked back up at Erik. "She was engaged?" No one knew about Christine's engagement to the French prince besides Erik. "Why didn't she tell us?" He asked Erik, giving back the message.
"Because she does not want the marriage, it was her father's choice. A form of truce between England and France. The marriage was on hold when I took her hostage, but now with Christine back…they can continue with their plans." Tor was silent for a moment and Erik could tell that he was thinking. Without saying anything, he motioned Erik to follow him as he headed back to the campsite.
Arriving at the camp with Erik right behind him, he spotted his warriors scattered around the campsite. Calling out for his warriors, he headed towards his tent as each one of the warriors made their way to Tor's tent. Once at his tent, he waited until each one of his warriors were in the tent. With all of the warriors now present, he could start.
"I thought the war was over now." Hawk said to Tor. And he was right, the war was technically over now, however Tor's plan would put that back into question.
"We held our end of the truce. And the English have returned our castles back." Hunter commented. Erik remained quiet as Tor sighed. Yes, he knew all of this.
"I know." He said, making the others now quiet. "However, things have changed now."
"What do you mean?" Striker asked.
"Has something happened to Christine?" Saint asked, looking at Erik and then back at Tor.
"According to a message, Christine is to be married to the French prince." Tor announced, causing the others to burst into questions.
"How did this happen?"
"Did you know about this before?"
"Why is she marrying the French?" Sighing, Tor knew it would be better if Erik explained.
"It's an arranged marriage." Erik explained. "Her father and the French king arranged the engagement as a truce between their countries. Christine has no say in the matter."
"She cannot do this though."
"This is unacceptable." The tent rose in chaos as Tor tried to settle his warriors.
"We have to do something." One of the men suggested.
"And we will." Tor said, making them all look at him. Erik looked at him with a confused look. Tor knew that this plan would break the truce and Bruce would be furious with them. However, they all agreed that Christine was worth it.
Any ideas on what Tor is planning? Find out soon...
