A/N: Welcome back to the new chapter of The Black Arrow :)
A big thank you goes to my beta Wanderlustandfreedom for her precious help. And I'd also like to thank my regular reviewers Carvie16, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night, AmethystDragon14, Harry Potter Fan 1994, Stardust 28 and SparkyGurly 227 for having left a review for the last chapter.
Any feedback (big or small) is always appreciated and is a great motivational boost for me to continue writing so don't be afraid to leave me a message with your thoughts.
AmethystDragon14: I'm afraid that Mal (together with us) will have to stomach Harry's presence for a little while longer...that is until she remains trapped in the castle at least. As for Uma and Gaston...well... (smirking emoticon whistling away)
SparkyGurly 227: You know that I never realised that Mal's cunningness in this story is similar's to her canon pre-Auradon character. It was a pleasant surprise. Thanks for pointing it out to me. Uma...Harry...Gaston... I assure you the list of people you'd want to throw out of a window by the end of the story will only get longer lol
Stardust28: No need to apologise for a late review - I'm just so happy and honored to receive one that it doesn't whether when it does so don't worry. One of my objectives with this story is to get lots of feels towards Mal and Ben as they develop as characters throughout this story - they're both going to be faced with tough decisions and choices to make and I'd be so proud if I manage to project their struggle to the readers of this story. My heart was so full when I read your review - it means that I'm taking a step in the right direction.
Carvie16: Your comment about Harry's unpredictability is spot on. I know you've been uncomfortable with the theme of Mal's assault but I'm afraid that it will return as an underlying theme in this story - if you remember Maleficent was also "assaulted" before her death and that part of the story is not yet closed off so watch out for it in future chapters. Mal's PTSD over her parent death is not over. As I told Stardust28, my objective with this story is to convey a sense of "feels" to my readers. This is a coming of age tale where Ben and Mal are coming face to face with the "harsh" realities of the life for the first time as they're thrown in a world of lies and secrets and their character development is tied to how they ultimately respond to the tough decisions and choices they need to make. Mal has had this sheltered life in the convent and let's not forget that she's only a 16 year old girl (Ben is eighteen) coming face to face with the "cruelty" of people for the first time. Well I still consider this a T rated story since I only "brushed over" any heavy adult themes but thanks for pointing it out. I'll make sure to keep it "light" moving forward. But admittedly, yes, this story is a little dark even though it's in the disney fandom.
fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night: I really don't want to spoil anything to you. But you don't have to wait that long to find out all the answers don't worry. The "battle of wits" for this part of the story will be over in a couple of chapters :) I hope you like the rest of what's coming.
Harry Potter Fan 1994: My lips are sealed about the letter as I don't want to spoil anything but what I can tell you is that Evie's loyalties will be revealed soon. The story has slowed down a little because of my recent short chapters but I'm hoping to pick up the plot in the coming weeks. There are so many more plot twists coming up (evil smirk emoticon lol). The cliche moments I was mentioning will be happening in a further moment of the story - I still haven't hit the 2/3rds mark yet - I assure you you'll recognise them then lol. (as well as the pitch fork ones). Yes I've come a long way - we've come a long way. I would have never started this adventure without you and I'm happy I took the plunge to write even though it's a tough most of the times.
But let's go back to the story now. So last chapter, Mal, wanting to uncover Gaston's plan, decided to befriend Harry during a dinner at the castle but after failing turns to Evie for advice. The two woman grow a little closer as they open up about their life and after their conversation, Mal writes a letter to Harry "confessing her love" to him. In the meantime Uma summons Gaston to their secret hideout with the news that Ben and Mal are aware of their plans to assassinate Arthur. How is Mal going to get the letter to Harry? Is the knight going to fall for Mal's deceit? And what are Gaston and Uma going to do now?...read to find out :)
Chapter 26
Mal stood outside the door of the main dining hall and peered inside the room. She could see the lone figure of a woman kneeling on the floor, dressed in a simple tunic. Beside her was a metal pail and a straw broom resting against a wall. The maid's back was to her and she was bent down, crouched over the ground. The room was quiet except for the scrubbing sound of the wet rag against the wooden floor. Mal took a steadying breath and entered.
"Lonnie?" she called. Lonnie stopped and looked up toward Mal for a moment before continuing to scrub without acknowledging her presence. Mal's fingers curled around the rolled letter in her hands. She stepped forward and suddenly recognized her. When Mal had asked Evie where she could find Lonnie that morning, the princess never imagined that she'd find herself confronting the maid who'd glared so openly at her during the dinner the previous evening. When Ben had returned to the Black Arrow's camp, he'd told her all about his childhood friendship with the young maid. Mal had then stood with her mouth open for a few minutes when the prince had revealed that the girl was, in fact, Carlos's sister. Mal pushed back her shoulders. The princess imagined herself as Lonnie watching her flirting with Harry, feeling betrayed and distrustful. The thought made Mal's chest tighten with guilt but she pushed the feeling away with a deep breath. She needed the maid's help. Lonnie was the only person she could trust with delivering the letter to Harry. "I need," Mal stammered. "I need your help. I'm…"
"I know who you are, princess," Lonnie interrupted her, still looking down as she continued scrubbing. "And I'm also aware that you shouldn't be here." She paused. "I know he came for you. Why didn't you leave?"
"Lonnie, I-" Mal said.
"I've known Ben since we were kids. We used to play together, and do you know what I think?" she hissed, with a hint of coldness in her voice.
"What?" Mal whispered.
Lonnie stopped and straightened herself before standing to face Mal. "That if he were here, he'd be too blind to see the truth," she spat, like the words were poison in her mouth. "You don't care about him."
"Lonnie, I swear, I do love him. What you saw last night was just an act," Mal explained.
Lonnie narrowed her eyes before flicking them down to the ground and then back to Mal. She wrinkled her nose at the heavy scent following Mal. "I think you're enjoying the life of a princess way too much," she said, glaring a hole right between her eyes. "You're not the same girl Carlos told me about. You're not the woman Ben thinks he loves."
"Evie is in charge of me, Lonnie," Mal replied. "Do you think I get to pick all this out?" She rustled her skirts back and forth with a sneer.
"And the flirting?," Lonnie asked, voice rising to a yell. "Are you also being forced to do that too?"
Mal began to squirm under Lonnie's glare. "Ben wouldn't have left me here unless it was necessary. There's too much at stake. I stayed here because I want to bring peace to these lands."
"Peace? For who?" Lonnie retorted. "For us, your peace means a new master." Lonnie got to her feet, picked up the pail and broom from the wall next to her, and began to walk away.
"Wait," Mal cried, grabbing her arm. Lonnie turned to look at her and Mal quickly released her. "Everything's an act. You have to believe me - I beg you! Ben and I need your help."
Lonnie was utterly taken back by Mal's gaze. For a second, Lonnie was going to refuse but then she thought about Ben. Ben trusted Mal and for his sake she was ready to give her the benefit of the doubt. "Okay," Lonnie agreed. "What do you need me to do?"
Mal's expression brightened. "Thank you Lonnie. Give this letter to Harry Hook," she explained, handing the letter to her. "He has information that I want and people's lives in Camelot could depend on it." Lonnie raised an eyebrow but didn't waste time and hid the note inside her tunic.
Before Mal could continue to explain a loud, booming voice suddenly interrupted their conversation. "A princess should never talk to a servant! Where is Evie? You should go to her with any request you have!" Both women turned to look at the door and saw Gaston standing there with a suspicious glance directed at them. "Get back to work, you!" he instructed, addressing Lonnie.
"Yes, my Lord," Lonnie nodded, flashing Mal a little smile before reaching once again for the broom and pail and walking out of the room.
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Ben was frustrated. He'd spent the entire morning interviewing the guards in charge of the stables and uniforms. Not a single horse or soldier uniform was missing and only three people had access to these restricted areas of the castle, apart from Sir Lancelot. Ben was still at the same starting point. The prince let out an impatient snort as Arthur's secretary led him through the castle's winding corridors towards Sir Lancelot's office. The knight was the last person Ben had to speak to that morning. Hopefully, the captain and the soldier's records could provide a clue as to who Camelot's traitor could be.
"Here, these are the documents you asked for," Lancelot greeted Ben as soon the prince entered the knight's small study.
Ben reached out to take the heavy looking leather package from Lancelot's outstretched hand. "Thank you, Lancelot," he replied.
"You'll have to thank his Majesty, not me," Lancelot said, folding his arms across his chest. "He's allowing you to investigate his knights."
Ben examined his pinched expression. "You don't like me very much, don't you?" he asked, trying not to show how uncomfortable the knight made him feel.
Lancelot stood from his desk and walked up to Ben. "Nothing personal, Prince Ben," he replied. "But you're an outsider going through our archives. I have no idea what you hope to find here."
Ben shifted his weight and hesitated a moment. "I'm not sure either," he commented as he ran a hand over the cover of the leather book. "But I hope that these documents give me the answer I'm looking for. Or at least a clue."
"I've always guaranteed the best protection to the King," Lancelot snorted. "I handpicked the most experienced guards to be in charge of his protection. I trust each one of my men blindly."
Ben looked down as he remembered Chad and how Robin and the other members of the Black Arrow had trusted him. Ben straightened himself and an overwhelming sense of determination filled him. The prince wouldn't allow Gaston to kill Arthur. "There's a rotten fruit on every branch. I'll find him," he commented.
"They've all made an oath and become part of the elite guards after months of hard work and training," Lancelot said through gritted teeth.
"But for some people, an oath is just words to repeat in front of a crowd," Ben countered. "You see, Sir Lancelot, these records might give me a clue to flesh out the traitor. A birthplace, for example, that could be connected to the enemy lands."
"You can avoid looking me up," Lancelot hummed, tapping the cover of the book in Ben's hand with a finger. "I'm from Benoic, a small kingdom to the north of Camelot. You can list me down as one of the suspects if you like." The knight spun around and, without another word, walked out of the room.
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Mal curled her fingers into the stone crenellations of the castle walls as she stared at the Auradonian mountains in the distance. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the warm afternoon air. The outer castle walls had quickly become one of her favorite refuge spots. It was also one of the few places the princess was allowed to remain alone since the guards stationed on the various turrets could easily watch her every movement and sound the alarm should she try another escape attempt.
"What do you miss most out there?" a voice sounded to her side, and the princess turned her head. Mal watched Harry Hook walk up towards her and she plastered a sad, forlorn expression, meeting his eyes.
"My lands," Mal replied.
"You'll be marrying King Stefan. You'll be getting them back soon enough," Harry commented before stopping beside her. He put his hands up on the railing. "I received your letter, princess," he continued with a smile after a few moments of silence.
The knight's strong cologne made Mal's stomach lurch, and the princess lowered her head to shield her eyes from him. She sighed, getting a hold of herself. "Forgive me, I was too impulsive," she whispered. She then looked back up at Harry with a shy smile and took a further step towards him. "I should've been more rational."
"And what did your conscience tell you?" Harry asked.
Mal looked at him with a frown as she planted her feet to the ground. "That I have to marry King Stefan," she replied.
Harry watched as Mal's frown gave way to a little smile "And what else?" he prodded.
"That this isn't going to go away no matter what I do and…" Mal continued, trying to resist the urge to push the young knight away. Mal could only stomach Harry's presence by picturing Ben instead of him. She wished the Auradonian Prince was with her at that moment. Mal imagined Ben whispering sweet nothings to her as he held her close to his chest. The thought first made her heart feel warm and then ache. She missed him. But Mal pushed those feelings aside and returned her focus on Harry with bright eyes. "Love can beat any obstacle in its way,"
Harry leaned in and examined her eyes. "I believe you. I don't have any doubts now." His smile fell. "But very soon, there'll be a ring around your finger, and I don't have the power to stop it. No one can go against King Stefan."
"Why did this happen to us, Harry?" Mal asked. "I just want you… I wish this war had never started! I wish Arthur had never hid me away."
Harry smirked in response. "King Arthur will soon get the punishment he deserves for all the pain he's caused you."
Mal let her shoulders relax and took a further step forward. Harry's face was just a few millimeters away from hers. "What do you mean?" she asked, raising a hand and resting it on his chest. "Is he going to be killed? When? How? Tell me, Harry, please. I'm the one he's hurt!"
Harry opened his mouth but stopped. His frame stiffened like he'd been caught in a major crime. Mal noticed as he turned his head to look past her shoulder. "Now I can't," he whispered.
Mal turned around and saw Gaston appear from one of the Turrets and walking towards them. The pair separated, putting a safe distance between them. "What were you two talking about?" the Lord asked when he reached the couple.
"Hunting, Sire," Harry replied without hesitation. "On the best way to catch a deer. Whether it's with a bow or with a spear. But all useless talk since…"
"Since…" Mal jumped in, flashing a bright smile at Harry.
"Since we use only falcons in Auradon," Harry replied.
"Ah, I see," Mal grinned, turning to look at Gaston.
"The princess is very interested in hunting," Harry commented.
"It seems your stay in Auradon has begun to leave its beneficial effects," Gaston remarked with an amused smirk at Mal.
"We'll be having a hunting trip very soon in Auradon," Harry jumped in. "It would be a pity not to invite the princess to come with us."
Gaston pulled away, suddenly very serious. "We shall see if the princess is worthy of our trust," he remarked. "Now come, Harry, we have a council meeting to attend." The lord walked away, followed by Harry. The young knight turned back to look at Mal, who plastered a shy smile on her face in return before lowering her eyes. They vanished inside the castle not a moment too soon. Mal felt like she was going to be sick.
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"I can't believe that Sir Lancelot is a traitor. It's absurd," Uma cried, placing her cutlery on the plate in front of her. Evening had fallen in Camelot and Ben and the Duchess were seated on a large dining table inside Uma's palace. The room suddenly felt very stifling.
"I don't have proof yet, but all his men are clean, which makes him the main suspect," Ben paused for a moment. For the second time that day, his thoughts wandered off to Chad and his betrayal. "And sometimes, bad things come from who we thought we could trust."
"I hope that Princess Mal will discover a different truth in Auradon. I don't want to accept-" Uma stopped mid-sentence as Ben pushed his seat back and stood up, walking towards a window. Uma watched as the prince laid a hand on the glass and gazed at the darkened skies with a far-away look. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked.
"No, Duchess," Ben replied without turning his head. "It's that I'm not hungry all of a sudden."
Uma sighed and stood from her seat and walked up to the prince. "You're worried about her, aren't you?" she asked, wrinkling a brow.
"Eight days have passed since I left her in Auradon," Ben announced with a set jaw, "And tomorrow I'm leaving to get her back."
"You don't need to be worried," Uma smiled at the troubled prince. "Princess Mal can take complete care of herself. She'll be fine. Ben," Uma paused, resting a hand on his arm, and waited for Ben to turn around to look at her. "I wanted to ask you if there was something I could do for you while you'll be away."
Ben cleared his throat and relaxed a little. "Keep everything we've discussed secret, Duchess. After I've returned with Mal, we'll continue our search for the traitor."
"Whatever happens, Ben, know that you can count on me for whatever you need," Uma smiled and watched as Ben's face changed and his worried features smoothed out.
"Thank you, Duchess," the prince smiled back.
A/N So what are your thoughts? I'd love to know so drop me a short line if you like. I know it's not a long chapter but I have a short break in my RL stuff coming up so I should be able to return writing a few longer chapters soon.
So Mal and Lonnie have met a last and their first meeting wasn't exactly a walk in the park for Mal. Harry seems to have fallen for Mal's deceit? Or has he? And in Camelot Ben seems to have had the right intuition with Lancelot while he "softens" around Uma unaware that the woman is secretly in cahoots with Gaston. Next chapter Ben returns to Auradon and all I can say is that I'm super nervous about writing this one out. You'll understand why next week. See ya all next Saturday (unless I get caught up in RL stuff and publish it a little later) !
UPDATE 07/02/2019 - I've fallen behind on chapter 27 and I'll be publishing it either towards the end of the weekend or the beginning of next week for this time.