A/N: Guess who's back :)
I know it's not a saturday but this chapter has been so long overdue that I didn't have the heart to wait this next weekend to post it. I want to start by thanking my wonderful super amazing beta Wanderlustandfreedom. RL has been so tough these last couple of weeks that my mind was totally elsewhere and I assure that without her this chapter would never have seen the light of day. So thank you so so much for your patience, support and precious help!
And I'd also like to thank my regular reviewers Harry Potter Fan 1994, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night, AmethystDragon14, Carvie16 and SparkyGurly 227 for having left a review for the last chapter. And welcome to AvatarUzumaki - I'd love to know what you think of the rest of the story so drop me a review whenever you like. As always 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: No more breaking your heart very soon I promise...ehm...in the meantime you might want to fast forward a few chapters lol (emoticon whistling away...)
fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night: I'm glad I've managed to surprise you - I hope to continue doing that in the next two chapters. Well Dizzy let fear get the best of her and she ended up trusing the guards over Mal. You'll have to continue reading to find out what happens next ;)
SparkyGurly 227: Mal has been through a lot and the worst is not over yet. Thank you so much for the lovely review and supportive thoughts.
Harry Potter Fan 1994: Things can only get better you say...Mmm...we'll have to see about that. I'm hoping to win an extra point of guess the plot between this chapter and the next one ;) No, no killing Evie (yet lol) - she's still important for the story...
Carvie16: I'm glad you're okay. Well it's the unexpected twists and turns which make a story interesting no? As you've notived I've been making full use of this - I'm surely happy though that I've managed to keep you impressed, surprised and engaged throughout the entire story. Thanks for sticking around :)
AvatarUzumaki: Thank you for your review! Yeah our Mal is so hard headed and that lends her in a tonne of trouble - you won't guess what's about to happen lol
So last chapter, Dizzy rattled and Mal's escape plan went up in smoke. Evie ended up paying the consequences for the failed escape attempt and Uma's and Gaston's plan seems to have worked as Mal received word of the "fake" marriage between Ben and Uma. Meanwhile, Ben is preparing to attack the mines to save Mal - will he succeed? Let's find out:
Chapter 36
"I told you something was wrong," Mal whispered, fingering Ben's necklace. She let out a muffled sob against her pillow and curled up further on the bed. "Something happened between us."
"It's only a necklace, Mal," Evie soothed, sitting at the foot of the bed.
"But it was important! Like a symbol," Mal mourned.
"Exactly," Evie replied. "It's only a symbol."
Mal looked up at Evie. "But why was it around that woman's neck? And what has the Duchess of Seaside got to do with it?"
"Oh, Mal. There could be a thousand reasons," Evie comforted her. "Think about it. It could have been lost or stolen."
"Why didn't you want me to talk to those women?" Mal snapped to attention, suddenly remembering Evie's strange reaction to the prostitutes. The princess stared Evie down as she began to squirm. "Did you know about this wedding too?"
Evie avoided Mal's piercing gaze and took a few steps away. "No, of course not."
Mal shook her head and joined her side. "Just say it, Evie. You knew about it too, and you didn't want me to know, and that's why you didn't want me to talk to them. Tell me the truth, Evie."
Evie sighed. "I started hearing things a few days ago."
Mal clamped her lips shut and wiped some tears off her cheeks. She began to make her way towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Evie asked.
Mal spun around. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this. The captain of the guards has to know the truth. Despite his fallout with Gaston, Ben is still Auradon's legitimate heir. The news of his marriage to a noblewoman of the East wouldn't go unnoticed." Evie furrowed her brow, and Mal paused for a breath. "This marriage poses a threat to Gaston. There are still people out there loyal to King Adam, even after all these years, and who are still hoping to be freed from Gaston's tyrannical rule one day. They could rebel against him."
"Wait," Evie called, but Mal ignored her. The only sound was that of Evie's heavy sigh as the princess left the room.
Mal stormed into the dining quarters. The hour was late, and the cabin was mostly empty as most of the soldiers were busy enjoying Gaston's latest gift. The captain looked up from his plate with a frown. "What is it, princess?" the captain snorted. "This'd better be important. Have you decided to marry King Stefan?"
"Is Prince Benjamin of Auradon going to marry Uma, the Duchess of Seaside?" Mal asked.
The captain smirked at Mal's evident distress. "Yes, princess. Everyone knows of the prince's marriage." His smile turned smug. "Well, almost everyone, it seems."
Mal wasn't sure what to feel. She didn't let anything betray her inner turmoil. Not even a muscle twitch or blink as she stared back at the captain. The tension intensified. "I'm going back to Auradon," Mal said, breaking the long silence. All eyes in the room squared in on the princess. "I'll marry King Stefan."
"Very well, princess," The captain stood. "I'm happy to hear that you've finally returned to your senses. I'll tell the guards to get ready for tomor-"
"But Evie is coming with me," Mal interrupted.
The captain snorted. "You're not allowed to take any prisoners with you. Especially Evie!"
Mal straightened and her eyes lit up in fierce determination. The green glow made the Captain's decision seem less final. "I'm not asking you for permission."
The soldiers exchanged looks. Mal saw one let out a breath. The captain snarled before he gestured his head to one of the soldiers in the room. "Go tell the prisoner Evie to get ready to leave the mines. It's a direct order from the future queen of these lands."
Mal was so surprised she almost sat down then and there. He'd listened. By god, he'd listened. Good, because she'd need Evie's help once she got back to Auradon.
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴ ̴- ̴ ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴ ̴-
The night sky began to fill with shades of pink and orange. Ben could still smell the cool, crisp scent of the night even as the leaves began to glimmer with warm gold. He scanned the trees and bushes around him, nodding to the others as they dispersed and positioned themselves around the mine's walls. They'd been hiding in the forest surrounding the mines for the last few days while they kept a close watch on the soldier's routines from a secluded surveillance spot on top of a nearby hill. Work at the mines began at daybreak, and only a handful of soldiers remained to guard the outer yard – the perfect time to strike. The early morning mist would give them the ideal coverage.
"Get ready. We attack in 5 minutes," Ben whispered to Chad, who was huddled beside him. The pair had taken cover behind a large bush. Everyone was completely armed in leather and iron while they waited for Ben's signal. Some had arrows, like Chad, whose quiver was full and slung over his shoulder. Others had swords, or a combination of the two, with one sheathed for later. Ben held only his sword.
Ben examined the walls, trying to figure out what light level would provide them the greatest advantage. Everyone else would be waiting for him, watching.
"Ben," Chad said. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yes," Ben replied, still focusing on the wall. "What is it?"
Chad bit his lip. "What will we all do after this?" he asked. "Are you going to head out again?" He continued chewing on his bottom lip as he waited for Ben to answer.
Ben turned and locked eyes with Chad. "I promised Robin I'd bring peace to these lands and I intend to keep my word."
Chad brightened and reached for Ben's arm. "I'll help you. I'll be by your side till the very end."
"Okay." Ben smiled. "Now let's get this show on the road. Ready?" Chad nodded and Ben stood, unsheathing his sword.
The mines had one large guard tower over the entrance, upon which one lonely man was pacing. There would be more soon, but they'd temporarily left to escort the prisoners down. The rest of the wall went to either side about fifty feet and then back into the mountainside. It was tall - about twenty feet, and made of stone and a cement outside.
Chad, with his bow and an arrow in hand, rose to his feet. He lifted his arm, drew the arrow, and aimed it towards the guard stationed on the surveillance tower. Chad loosed the arrow and it went flying for a few seconds before burying itself in the soldier's side. He lost his balance with a gasp and toppled over the low railing and out of sight.
Ben raised his sword. A volley of arrows whizzed through the air and rained down inside the fort.
A group of six outlaws ran to the east side of the perimeter while the rest hovered around the outside doors. Ben put his hand on the stone wall. It was rough - perfect. They threw their ropes at the low roof of a wooden structure close to the outer wall. The hooks on the end connected with the pitched roof's top beam. The outlaws began to climb and, moments later, slid down the roof and charged into the muddied courtyard. On the other side was a wide open space that was almost empty. Almost no one was home. Two guards stationed by the main gate, one outside the mine's entrance, and the last just underneath them. Ben peered through a small hole in the wall so he could see what was going on inside.
One outlaw tackled the startled guard nearest to them to the ground. Another unsheathed his sword and drove it straight through the guard's heart. The guard defending the mine's entrance was the next to fall with an arrow sticking out from his chest.
The guards at the main gate ran towards the remaining outlaws with swords drawn. One of the outlaws hit the ground to avoid the guard's attack. He jumped up behind him and slashed the guard's calf with his pickaxe. The guard shouted in pain and toppled to the ground. He tried to get up using his sword, but the outlaw bent down and impaled his stomach. Ben let out a deep breath. Soon, he'd have Mal back. That was all that mattered.
The last guard met his opponent in a ringing clash of sword on sword. The outlaw blocked him with ease, shoving the soldier back hard. The guard tried to swing his sword at the outlaw's torso, but the outlaw anticipated him and sidestepped his blade, elbowing his jaw as he went. The guard landed on the ground with a loud thud.
With no one in their way, the remaining outlaws opened the main gates and the Black Arrow, led by Ben, stormed the compound. The loud noises had alerted the captain and the rest of the guards of the outlaw's attack and they began to pour out from the mine's entrance. The ground shook and pebbles jumped as they thundered into the area. The battle had begun.
Ben raised his sword. Someone swiped straight at his neck, but he ducked and lost his balance. Clumsy. Wasn't this supposed to be one of the best-guarded prisons? Yet another came at him from a bad angle and with only a side-step, Ben sent them crashing into their comrade. So much for the difficult battle they'd been anticipating. Everyone seemed to be off their guard. He hadn't even had to use his sword yet.
Ben turned on his heel with a little skip in his step. This was fabulous - it was already looking to be a complete loss for the other side and the Black Arrow was barely trying. He bumped into a large brute with thick shoulders padded over with leather and broken iron spikes. Whoops. The brute turned around, squinted at Ben, and roared. Ben readied his sword and then realized that this Goliath was holding a hammer instead. It looked like it might weigh as much as Ben did. He swung for the guy's leg and sliced through a good fourth of it before his blade stuck fast.
Everything had been going so well, though…
Ben prepared to jump away, knowing he was now unarmed, when an arrow flew through the air and made its mark in the center of Mr. Goliath's forehead. His eyes rolled back into his head and he fell. Ben yanked his sword out and turned to see who'd fired the arrow. It was Chad, heaving and still frozen with his bow directed towards where the head had been seconds ago. Ben saluted him and continued back.
The guards were losing so badly that no one noticed as Ben, Aziz, and a few others slipped into the mines and were met with a wave of prisoners who were using the distraction to escape. They ran outside to find cover, away from the raging battle. Ben paused before entering the passageways. The ceilings were shaking and he didn't quite trust them, but that was all the more reason to find Mal fast. He started down. Morning light filtered through a few cracks in the rocky ceiling, so Ben's eyes didn't take long to adjust to the dim lighting. "Mal?" he shouted. His voice echoed off the quiet walls around him. Nearly everyone had escaped now. He pressed on until the passageway he was following ending abruptly – a ladder leading to a lower level was the only thing in his path. He looked down and the muddy grounds beneath him were empty. "Where was she?" he thought.
Someone shouted behind him - a female - and he spun around. He was so excited that his brain tricked him into seeing purple and he jumped forward to intercept them - right before they dashed into Aziz's arms. It wasn't Mal. It was someone smaller, with brown eyes and a heart-shaped face. "Oh, Dizzy!" Aziz exclaimed. He yanked his coat off to cover her with it. "Oh, you're tiny. Dear, what have they been feeding you? Oh my goodness…" The two began to head up towards the surface. Ben gestured to the other guards to continue on if they wanted.
It took a few moments, but he was finally alone. Another few seconds to make sure everyone was mostly out of earshot, and then Ben slammed his fist against the wall and growled. She should be here. If anything, she should be here and expecting him.
He turned back and made his way back to the entrance. She had to be here somewhere. He turned a corner. A group of three young women were running towards him. Thin, scraggly hair, dirty skin and clothes. More prisoners. He caught hold of one of them. "Do you know Mal?" he asked. Her comrades continued on without her. The woman looked deathly afraid.
"Yes, I know the princess," the woman replied in a shaky whisper.
Ben released her arms with an apologetic look. "I beg you. Do you know where she is?"
"She's gone," the woman murmured before turning away and running in the opposite direction.
"Wait!" Ben shouted. "I need to find her. Where has she gone?" The prisoner glanced back briefly, but then turned out of sight.
Ben sighed and continued his search. Shaking ceilings, dusty halls, the occasional strip mine with abandoned tools. She really must not be here.
After a few long minutes, he decided to return to the surface. Chad, Tuck, and the other outlaws would have rounded the soldiers up by now. They'd need to be contained until the Black Arrow could be safely gone or somehow taken prisoner. Maybe Mal was safe with the outlaws and he'd missed her in the confusion of the attack. The prince exited the mines and scanned the surroundings. The majority of the guards lay motionless on the muddy ground as his men finished overpowering the last few standing. He spotted Chad and Tuck leading a group of prisoners out through the main gates and began to make his way towards them.
If Mal wasn't here and wasn't with the prisoners, then there was a chance Stephan might have given in and taken her back to Auradon… or maybe she'd gone back herself. Could she have escaped?
Someone yelled Ben's name, but with his focus on finding Mal, he didn't have time to understand what was happening. An arrow flew past his head. Moments later, Ben collapsed.
A/N: Oh oh...what did I do? Did I go crazy? Did I just kill off Ben? Did Mal really decide to marry King Stefan? So many questions...you'll have to wait till the next chapter to discover some answers - in the meantime we can start another round of "Guess the plot" lol.
I really hope to get out the next chapter soon and don't leave you all waiting so much. I'll try my very best, RL and writer's block permitting.
While you wait, you can also take the time to check out "Spellbound" - a new collaboration between myself and my amazing beta Wanderlustandfreedom. It's truly a gem not to be missed.
Stay safe out there! Till next time :)
