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 Harry Potter Fan 1994, AvatarUzumaki, 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: I didn't kill off Ben you say... (whistling as I walk away XD...)
SparkyGurly 227: Well yeah...Ben and Mal have really been missing each other. I can't wait to read your reaction to this chapter.
Harry Potter Fan 1994: YAY! Another guess the plot point for me! I'm a very happy bunny :D Mal has accepted Stefan marriage proposal for one very specific reason - which you'll find out why in this chapter. I've left that last part of the chapter vague on purpose...you'll understand why as you continue reading but I'm really not surprised you've pick it up. I'm super curious to know what you'll think about the plot after you've read this update :D
AvatarUzumaki: Thank you so much for leaving another review. I'm so happy you did. You have so many questions but I don't want to spoil anything for you - I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Last chapter, Mal decided to marry King Stefan and returned to Auradon - just days before Ben's attack on the mines. And what does the end of the chpater mean...did I really kill off Ben. Let's find out:
Chapter 37
"Through the valley. We'll be able to reach Camelot in three days and destroy it."
"When will you share your plan with King Stefan?"
"After he's married Mal. He's been obsessed with her for years. He'll be so distracted by his new bride that it'll be easy for me to convince him to do as I say."
"The soldiers are ready, Lord Gaston. What are your orders?"
"Set camp here for the night, and don't let anyone pass through the surrounding hills until my next order."
"Yes, sire."
"And the Duchess of Seaside?"
"What about her, Harry?"
"She'll be angry when she'll find out you went behind her back."
"Uma wanted me to sign a document to guarantee her the right to rule Camelot after our victory. I wasn't stupid enough to sign it and allow her to betray me."
"What will you tell her when she asks why you've set up the troops along Dragon Point?"
"She'll believe anything I'll tell her – anything as long as I convince her that she's still got the upper hand."
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴
The small dagger caught the light reflected from the main bedroom window and gleamed. Mal couldn't look away from it. With every twirl of the blade, she felt more prepared for what was going to happen tomorrow.
"This royal wedding will go down in history. Mal, you should see the courtyard and all the servants rushing around the kitch..." Evie's voice trailed off across the room. The new dress she'd left to collect swayed in the breeze. "What are you doing with that, Mal?"
Mal bowed her head. She spun around and looked up to face Evie with a set jaw. She squared her shoulders. "You have to help me to hide this in the wedding dress,"
Evie frowned. "I don't understand,"
Mal curled her fingers around the handle of the dagger and brought it up to her chest. "This is why I've decided to marry King Stefan. I'm going to make him pay for all he's done. I'll avenge my parents' deaths."
"No, you can't. It's too dangerous." Evie shook her head. "They'll kill you."
"I'm not afraid, Evie." Mal stepped away and sat down in front of her vanity. "I have to protect my people and if I die, at least Stefan will be gone with me."
Evie reached out for Mal's shoulders. "This is not what your parents, what your mother, would have wanted."
Mal stared at Evie's reflection in the mirror. "Evie, if I marry Stefan, he'll have control over the Moors and eventually their magical powers. I can't let that happen. I lost my parents when I was little and now I've also lost Ben," she sighed. "But Arthur, Merlin, and all the people of the Moors are still counting on me. I'm the future Queen and it's my job."
Evie covered her mouth with her hand. "There must be another way," she pleaded.
"This is my last opportunity, Evie. Please."
Evie nodded and bent down to pull Mal to her chest. The two women fell silent, drawing courage from one another as they readied themselves for the dangerous plan.
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴
The ride back to Auradon had taken a couple of hours, but the long trip had done nothing to dampen Gaston's spirits and wipe the satisfied smirk off his face. His plan was coming together. Nothing could stop him now. In a matter of days, all that would remain of Arthur, Camelot, and the West would be a distant memory.
Gaston entered the central courtyard with Harry riding at his side and stopped when he spotted a stern-looking Hook making his way towards him with hurried steps. He dismounted his horse and gave the reins to one of the waiting attendants. Harry also jumped off to face his father. "Hook, what's wrong?" Gaston asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The Black Arrow, Gaston," he replied. "They've attacked the Dwarf mines."
Gaston pinched his lips and mirrored Hook's frown before turning around and storming through the courtyard. Hook and Harry followed him in silence as he climbed the steps to the castle and entered the war chamber. Gaston removed his helmet and discharged the item on the table before sliding the chain mail over his head and turning around to address his men. "I want you to double the guards stationed on the outer walls and send more soldiers to patrol the valley," he ordered.
"Yes, sire," Hook said. "I'll take care of it straight away."
"We have to make sure that our guests do not catch wind of this," Gaston declared. He removed his gloves and threw them on the table in front of him in evident irritation. "Everyone must believe they're safe here in Auradon."
Harry kept his gaze fixed on Gaston. "No one would be foolish enough to plan an attack during the royal wedding, sire."
Gaston narrowed his eyes and balled his fists. "You don't know my son well enough, Harry," he hissed. "Ben won't stop at anything to save Mal."
"We don't have proof that Ben was behind the attack on the mines," Hook replied.
Gaston scowled at Harry. "I know he was."
"Gaston!" a voice came from the doorway. Both men turned around to look at a breathless Hook.
"What is it now?" Gaston thundered.
Hook walked up to them, still gasping for breath. His eyes were wide and he looked more terrified the closer he got. "There's something you must see."
"What is it?" Gaston replied with an impatient snort. "Tell me!"
Hook solemnized. "It's about Ben."
Hook's tone made Gaston's chest tighten as an icy feeling crept down his spine. Several seconds of silence were exchanged by the two men, and then Hook spun around. Gaston followed him out and down the stairs. An open wagon surrounded by a group of soldiers now occupied a spot in the previously empty courtyard. The soldiers dispersed, and Gaston felt like an invisible force had suddenly sucked all the air out of his lungs. Ben's body was sprawled across the cart. The sight of Ben's shirt soaked with blood made Gaston's ears ring. He sagged against the wall for support as the blood rushed to his head. Gaston pulled himself up with a deep breath and continued down the stairs until he stopped at Ben's feet. "Who found him?" he asked, turning to Hook.
"Guards on patrol found his body outside the main gate," Hook said.
Gaston walked up to Ben and examined his body. His doublet and shirt were undone and stained with dried blood from a deep stomach wound. He lifted two shaky fingers to his neck and waited, feeling shocked, confused, and devastated all at once. Everyone around him exchanged awkward glances between each other until Gaston withdrew his hand and spoke up in a shaky whisper. "Take him inside the chapel crypt, and don't let anyone in."
The soldiers straightened and lifted Ben's body. Gaston followed them to the chapel, and Hook waited until they'd cleaned his body and left before turning to the Lord. "Where do you want us to bury him?" he asked.
Gaston walked up to Ben, and his eyes trailed down his features. "With Claudette," he replied, his lips stretching into a sad smile. Maybe he'd found a way to keep his promise to her in the end. Ben was back home. "She'll be happy to have him back and close to her again, finally." Hook nodded and gave Gaston's shoulder a brief squeeze before walking away.
Once alone, Gaston removed his sword from its scabbard and placed the object on Ben's chest, curling his cold fingers around the weapon's hilt. This was the sword he'd gifted Ben on the eve of his first battle at Bald Mountain. He'd sworn to drive it through Ben's heart on the day they faced off against each other. He could still remember the way Ben had lit up upon receiving it. It seemed like a lifetime ago. How had things spiraled so out of control?
Gaston had always convinced himself that he'd kept Ben alive out of spite against Adam. The man who'd had everything handed to him on a silver platter and believed in stupid ideals like justice and honor. Earning Ben's love as a father was his ultimate revenge against the man who'd taken Belle from him. But Gaston felt his breath catch as he remembered a young Ben laugh as they played tag in the courtyard or his determined expression to make him proud as he practiced his sword fighting under the scorching summer heat. Gaston blinked as he felt tears start to sting his eyes as he stared at Ben. Now, Ben was no one. He wasn't his mortal enemy. He wasn't his son anymore.
The only sound in the quiet room was Gaston's sobs as the Lord bowed his head and crumbled over his adopted son's now lifeless body.
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴
Mal felt all the blood drain out of her face and she swayed as her knees gave way underneath her. Evie lunged forward to catch her, but Mal raised a hand to stop her and straightened herself instead. It couldn't be possible. Ben wasn't dead. This had to be one of Gaston's tricks – his last attempt to secure her marriage to Stefan. She dashed across the room and banged with all her might against the wooden door. "Open this door!" she yelled.
After a minute of banging, the door finally opened, and Mal came face to face with a tall, tan soldier with long hair pulled up in a bun. "Is it true?" she asked. "Is Prince Ben dead?"
Jay did his best to keep a straight face as he studied the distraught princess. He felt a pit of dread open up in his stomach as he thought about how he'd have to break the news to Lonnie. Jay cleared his throat. "Yes," he began. "A group of patrol soldiers found his body outside the castle walls this morning. Reports have come in about an attack of the Black Arrow on the Dwarf Mines."
Mal swayed and crumpled against the doorframe. "The dwarf mines," she stammered. Ben died in an attempt to rescue her. How could she have been so stupid to believe the lies that he was in love with the Duchess of Seaside?
She squared her shoulders and locked eyes with Jay. "Take me to see him."
"I'm sorry," he replied, "but no one is allowed to go near him."
"I need to see him," she pleaded. Tears began falling from her cheeks. "I need to be able to say goodbye."
Jay's heart twisted, but he held his ground. He had to think about Lonnie too. He couldn't go against Gaston. "I've gotten strict orders not to let you out of this room," he replied.
"Who gave you this order? Gaston?" she asked. "Then take me to him. Can you do that at least?" Jay lowered his head to the group. "I beg you," she rasped.
Jay nodded after a moment of hesitation and led the princess to Gaston's study. The Lord was seated behind his desk when Jay and Mal entered his study. Mal watched his lips curl into a frown when he spotted the soldier before she entered the room. He stood and threw the soldier a deadly glare before turning to face her.
"I need to see him, Gaston," Mal pled.
"What will King Stefan think once he finds out you spent the night before your wedding weeping beside the corpse of an outlaw?" he snapped.
"I beg you, Gaston," she replied. "In the name of the love we share for Ben, let me see him for just a few moments."
"Ben is dead," he scowled. "You have to forget him."
Mal shook her head. "How can you say that?" she cried. "Ben was your son." Mal saw the anguish flash across Gaston's face.
"He betrayed you," he rebuked.
Mal's expression softened. "If he betrayed me, he would've never risked his life to come to save me."
"Everyone knows that he started a relationship with the Duchess of Seaside while you tried to prevent Arthur's assassination," he jabbed.
"It's a lie!" she declared. "And I'll never forgive myself for believing it."
"Tomorrow, you'll be marrying King Stefan," Gaston snarled. "Your new life begins then. That is all." Gaston turned to the guards stationed outside his door. "Take her back to her room!"
Jay followed the guards out, but Gaston stopped him. "Show mercy ever again, and I'll make you regret the day you were born."
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴
"How could I have believed that Ben wanted to marry another woman?" Mal mourned, resting her hand against the wall. She was sitting on the platform just under her bedroom's main window. A tear slipped down Mal's cheek as she turned to look at the now darkened skies outside. "If I had only waited for him. He might still be alive."
Mal heard Evie's soft steps and then caught the shadow of her handmaiden as she said opposite her. "It wasn't your fault."
Mal didn't turn around. She fingered the necklace around her neck. After returning from the mines, she'd reunited the two pieces together to form her family's symbol. Images of Ben and the memories of the moments they'd spent together brought a soft smile to her lips. "We would have been so happy together."
The sound of her door being unlocked made both girls jump and turn to look at the door. Mal wiped her cheek and willed herself to keep a straight face. She wouldn't give Gaston the satisfaction of seeing her in pain. She relaxed when the same guard from that afternoon came inside.
"Princess," he stated with a low bow. "I'm here to take you to Prince Ben," he revealed.
Mal flinched back in surprise and then turned to Evie for guidance. The handmaiden nodded to her with a small smile. Mal stood and walked to him. It was late at night, and most of the castle's occupants had already retired for the night. Jay led her down a series of unfamiliar long corridors until they reached the courtyard from a side exit. The castle servants must use this exit. The yard was empty, and they kept to the shadows until they reached their destination.
Jay lit a torch and led the princess down to the crypt. The light illuminated Ben's body, sprawled out on a large, rectangular stone memorial.
Mal's heart skipped a beat as her eyes fell on her love's closed eyes and pale skin. "Ben," she mourned, walking up to him. She lowered her head to be closer to him, and tears began to stain her cheeks. "I never should have doubted you," she whispered. She brushed a hand from his forehand to his jaw and smiled through the pain. "Don't worry. I'll put an end to this war, and then we'll be together again. Nothing will tear us apart then."
Mal kissed Ben's cheek before looking up. Her gaze fell on the sword clasped within Ben's hands with a frown. She undid the necklace around her neck and wrapped it around Ben's fingers. She smiled wistfully and leaned in, letting her lips linger on Ben's cold ones for a few moments. "I love you," she whispered.
The sound of horses and marching soldiers jostled Mal out of her moment with Ben as Jay's head snapped up toward the door. "Someone is coming," Jay hissed. He put out the torch and pulled Mal by the arm. "We have to go. Now!"
The pair found a side entrance to the chapel and peered out from the door. The exit led out to a side passage. Jay signaled to Mal to stay hidden while he walked down a few steps. Approaching footsteps made the soldier turn back. Mal peered out, and her eyes widened at the group of soldiers who were escorting a well-dressed woman across the courtyard. What was Uma, the Duchess of Seaside, doing in Auradon at this hour?
A/N: Ehm...seems I really killed of Ben didn't I? (Whistling away...) And Uma has come to Auradon and has been spotted by Mal - how will this impact the story moving forward? Stefan's and Mal's wedding is up next and I ain't going to spoil anything of what's about to happen but I'm super excited for this last part of the story and can't wait to know what you guys think!
And while you wait for the next chapter, you can also 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 :)
