A/N: Welcome back :)

As always a big thank you goes to my wonderful beta Wanderlustandfreedom for her precious help with this chapter. And I'd also like to thank my regular reviewers Carvie16, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night, AmethystDragon14 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: Hang in there a little longer ;) My goal is to try and post a chapter every weekend from now onwards. I've started this story over a year ago now and I'm very eager to see it through. Also, keep your eyes opened for the future secret project Wanderlustfreedom and myself are working on...lots and lots of Bal fluff coming your way :D

fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night: I've been away for a while but I'm gonna try and push forward as much as possible. Still lots of more stuff is about to happen in this story and I'm so happy you've stuck around with me to read it and review it. Thank you so much :)

SparkyGurly 227: Ah! Thank you *.* ! I'm so glad you're enjoying it and can't wait to read what you think of this chapter and the rest of the story.

Carvie16: I think you couldn't have said it better...time will tell whether Ben made a good or bad idea and I can't wait to reveal all the twists and turns coming up.

Last chapter, Ben travelled back to the moorland to seek help from the people of Agrabah in re-stating the Black but before they coudl take take a deicsion they were interrupted by Godmother with the news of Claudette's passing. A distraught Ben wnet to give her her last respects from a far but was ambushed by Dopey, hellbound to avenge Doug's death. A surprised Ben was overpowered by the enraged general and was about to meet his demise but was saved at the last minute by Chad, who'd luckily decided to follow Ben to the forest.

But what has been happening to Mal in the meantime? If I remember well (XD) I do have a little unfinished game of guess the plot...

Chapter 34

Someone called her name and Evie's head snapped up. A grin spread across her cheeks. She stood and sprinted across the room to embrace the owner of the voice. "Mal," she exclaimed, unable to hide the relief in her voice. The pair broke apart a little but kept hold of each other. Her eyes roamed over Mal, looking for any injuries. "So, the rumors were true."

Mal nodded. "I'm so relieved to see you. I thought Gaston had killed you."

Evie's smile disappeared. "Men like Gaston prefer violence to murder. That way, I can still be of use to him one day, and I won't be able to refuse." She paused and looked down at the ground. "But even here I've found a way to survive. I'm the lover of the guard's captain."

Mal's expression dropped at the news. "I'm so sorry you've had to go through all this because of me."

Evie shook her head. "Don't worry about me, princess. But tell me about you, Mal. The rumors are you refused to marry King Stefan, and he intends to imprison you here until you've changed your mind."

Mal broke off the contact and sat down on the bed beside her with a sigh. "I'll never marry Stefan. I remembered everything. He's the knight that killed my parents."

Evie blinked and stared at Mal in shock for a few moments. "I understand Mal, but you won't be able to keep this up for long. You need to leave here as soon as possible."

Mal squared her shoulders and reached out for her necklace. "Ben will come to save me," she stated. "I can feel it."

"No one has ever managed to attack the mines, Mal," Evie replied.

"Ben isn't like the rest. He'll find a way. I know it," Mal retorted with a little smile. "I know it's not like me to do nothing and wait, but I've been unable to find a way to escape. There are too many guards."

"There might be a way," Evie whispered, sitting down beside her. "But it will not be easy. Here, I take care of the soldiers. I'm their servant. I make their beds and prepare their food, but I also listen to them talk between them. They're all unhappy and dream of a better life. And some are even ready to do anything to get away from here."

"They'd help me escape?" Mal asked.

Evie's smile returned, and she grasped Mal's hand. "We have to try, Mal," Evie looked around her and let go of Mal. "Now go, before anyone sees us together."

Mal nodded and made her way to the door. "Thank you, Evie," she whispered before walking away.

Days later, Mal turned away from the muddy rock wall she was hammering at and lowered her pickaxe. Every sound around her also muted, and she noticed she was suddenly alone in the small alcove. Before she could wonder where everyone was, she saw a guard appear from around a corner and approach her. Mal gulped.

The guard stopped in front of her and, without a word, raised his hand and opened his closed fist, revealing a small, light-colored rock. "I heard you're looking for a way out of here, princess." Mal nodded. "You see this reflection?" he asked, "It's silver. It's not easy to find and to hide."

"What do you mean?" Mal asked.

"You can exchange a stone like this for a loaf of bread, a canteen of water, or a few hours of rest," the guard explained. "It's used to barter between the guards and the slaves. Five ounces of silver, and I'll help you escape."

Mal's eyes widened. "Five ounces!" she exclaimed. "I'll never be able to get that much."

"What did you expect?" the guard replied. "This is a huge risk for me, you know!"

"So why are you helping me?" Mal retorted.

"Because you're the heir to the Moors, and if I help you escape, I'll not only have five ounces of silver, but you'll be in debt to me for the rest of your life," he replied with a smirk before walking away. He stopped. "But I heard you're quite resourceful, princess. I'm sure there are other people here who'd do the same to help you escape."

- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴ ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴

Mal took a deep breath of fresh air and adjusted the strap of the heavy basket she was carrying on her shoulder as she emerged from one of the cave entrances. She began to make her way across the outside encampment when the loud shouts and noises around her turned her attention to a group of prisoners pulling a heavy wooden beam into place.

"I don't understand you, Mal," Dizzy said from her side. "You can leave this place whenever you like. All you have to do is accept Kind Stefan's marriage proposal. You'd be Queen and reign over the entire Fairy Tale Lands."

Mal's head snapped to her side. "I'll never marry that monster," she retorted.

"But, you could save yourself and free us all." Dizzy stopped and looked to her side, startled at the sudden squeal of horses. A cart driven by one of the guards sped towards them, out of control.

Mal sprang into action. "Hurry, move out of the way!" she snapped, pulling her young friend by the arm. The princess let out a long breath as the cart rushed passed by them, but her relief quickly turned into a scream. The guard crashed into the wooden beam, which toppled over the other prisoners. A large cloud of dust rose to the air. Mal dropped her basket to the ground and rushed across the clearing towards the fallen men, followed by some other prisoners.

The air cleared, and Mal and the other prisoners began tending to the injured. Her eyes grew wide, noticing a semi-conscious man trapped beneath the fallen beam. "Help!" she shouted. "Someone help me!"

"What's all this noise?" the guards around her began to shout. "All of you return to work!" they ordered, whipping anyone who lingered to watch the scene.

The guards ignored Mal's pleas, and the other prisoners dispersed in fear, and the princess was left alone with the dying man. A guard approached her. "Didn't you hear what I said," he bellowed, raising his whip in the air. "Return to work!"

"Don't you see he's dying," Mal pleaded.

"Enough," he yelled and lowered his arm. Mal screamed in pain as the end of his whip made contact with her exposed neck.

"Stop!" a voice thundered, and the guard straightened himself, his face pale. "Yes, captain," he replied and recoiled a few steps away as a towering man wearing thick armor and a red cloak walked up to Mal.

Mal rose to her feet, fingering the back of her neck, and hissed in pain. She examined the droplet of blood on her hand for a moment and turned to the guards' captain with a defiant glare. "One day, I might be the high queen of these lands, and I won't forget who's shown us mercy today," she stated. "Help me, please."

Silence fell across the entire camp as the two stood off against each other. The captain nodded to his men. "Help that prisoner," he ordered.

"Thank you," Mal smiled.

"Don't be too happy, princess," the captain said, turning to walk away. "This was an exception." He walked off.

The guards freed the man from under the rubble. Mal followed them as they carried him to the infirmary. They dropped him on one of the bed and walked out while Mal rushed to bring a water basin and a clean cloth. The princess wiped the man's brow as he let out short, hollow breaths and then stood to get him a water glass. He drank a few sips and turned glazed eyes towards her. "Thank you, princess," he gasped.

Mal shook her head. "Don't speak. Everything will be alright. You need to rest," she tried to smile as tears stung her eyes.

"It's too late for me," he gasped. He reached into his pants pocket with a trembling hand and held up a few silver rocks. "Take them, princess. I won't need these anymore. Save yourself and free the other prisoners."

A tear slipped down Mal's cheek. "Thank you," she whispered. "I will. I promise."

The ghost of a smile broke on the man's face as he closed his eyes. He took one last breath and stilled.

̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴

"These are for your escape," a voice came from behind her. Mal turned around and was surprised when a prisoner brushed pass her and slipped a few silver stones into her palm. The man smiled and continued to walk along the mine tunnel. Ever since the courtyard incident, other prisoners had approached her and offered her their help in collecting the silver rocks she needed for her escape. She'd talk about it with Dizzy and the girl's theory was that the prisoners now saw Mal as their means of escape, believing she'll return to free them from the mines. Mal stared at the stones until a booming voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Get back to work, everyone," a soldier ordered. Mal looked up and stiffened, coming face to face with the guard who'd offered to help her. The man waited for everyone to clear out before turning to the princess. Mal reached out in her skirts' pocket and held up the stones she'd collected that morning.

"That's still too little," he frowned.

"Don't worry," Mal reassured him. "I'll give you the five ounces."

"I'm sure," he said with a small smile.

Mal's hand flew to his arm before he could leave. "Wait," she called. "Dizzy is coming with me."

"Are you crazy?" he snapped. "I'm only doing this because you're a princess. I'm not going to stick my head out for anyone else."

Mal's heart sank as the guard walked away. This was her last chance to save the pregnant woman from the mines. Dizzy would be devastated.

- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴ ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴

The sound of trumpets resounded across the entire courtyard as Uma appeared at Auradon's gates. In an ironic twist of fate, Arthur had sent her on an official visit to Auradon to give Gaston his condolences. The soldiers at her side straightened as she made her way towards the Lord. Gaston met her halfway, and Uma lifted her hand to him in greeting.

"My deepest condolences, Lord Gaston," Uma stated. "Arthur and the whole of the West joined me in offering our prayers for your wife's soul."

"Thank you, Duchess," Gaston replied. He spun around and began to lead her towards the great hall.

"I've got what you've asked for," Uma stated with a smirk as the pair climbed the stairs.

Gaston sent the guards away and closed the door once they'd made it to the hall. Uma walked over to the large table and rested a hand on one of the wooden chairs before she spun to look at the lord. The Duchess brought her hands behind her neck and unclasped the necklace she was wearing before holding the object in the air. "This is the proof that Ben and I were lovers," she stated. "This is what you needed, right?"

At the mention of Ben, Gaston felt the world slow down around him. There were a million sudden thoughts in his head as he relived Claudette's last living moments and her dying request not to hate the prince. Gaston stared at the object hanging from Uma's hand and pursed his lips, making up his mind. Breaking Ben and Mal up was his only way of getting all he'd ever wanted. He'd be the king of the entire fairy-tale, but Ben wouldn't be harmed even though he knew that the prince would never stop trying to avenge his father's death. Gaston joined Uma's side.

Uma pulled her hand away as Gaston reached for the trinket. "Before I give you the necklace, I want your promise to back up my nomination as Camelot's new ruler," she declared, "once we defeat Arthur, of course."

"You've gone out of your mind," Gaston replied. "That won't be of any use to you once we destroy Camelot."

Uma frowned. "Then why should I give you this necklace?"

"Because it will find its way to Mal, together with the announcement of your marriage with Benjamin of Auradon," he smirked. "That way, you'll have your revenge against Mal and Ben."

Uma's mouth stretched in a thin line, and she fidgeted with the necklace in her hand. "Sometimes I forget and ask myself how Ben, who's so honorable and courageous, was raised here in Auradon but then I remember that he's not your son," she quipped.

Gaston fought hard to keep back the growl that threatened to escape his throat. "You're hard with me, but I'm a generous man." He paused. "I have a present for you."

"Which is?" Uma asked with a raised brow.

"The letter Mal wrote to Harry Hook," he replied. "The proof that Mal betrayed both Ben and Arthur. I'm sure you'll find a good use for it."

Silence clouded the room until Uma dropped the necklace on the table. "Do you expect my gratitude?" she asked.

"Give me Arthur's defeat as you've promised me," he demanded.

"You'll have it," Uma replied.

A/N: That's it :) Well done to Harry Potter Fan 1994 and fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night for guessing that Evie was the mystery person in the mines. But I must applaude Harry Potter Fan 1994 for her other options - those were some great alternatives and I'm actually a little bummed that I didn't think about them myself.

Anyways, Mal, with Evie's help, has taken the matter in her own hands and is trying to find her own way of escaping the mines. Will she succeed? And what about Evie and Dizzy? And how will this impact Ben's own attempt at saving Mal, especially now that Gaston and Uma are scheming against them once again?

There's so much more to come but you're gonna have to tune in next chapter to find out more. Next chapter is half way through so i'm hoping to have it out next weekend. See ya :) Stay safe in the meantime!