A/N: Welcome back and a Happy New Year :)
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, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night, Carvie16 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.
I know I usually reply to all your reviews here but I think I'll skip it this time around. You'll understand why after you've all read the chapter lol XD
Last chapter, Gaston and Mal revealed their ultimate intentions as the Lord prepared to invade Camelot in secret while Mal devised a plan to kill Stefan at their wedding in a last ditch attempt to stop the war. But in a surprising turn of events Ben's dead body is found outside Auradon's castle walls. Both are devastated as they deal with the news while Uma makes a surprise late night visit at the castle which is witnessed by Mal. But you've all wondered if I really did kill off Ben. Well its finally time to find out:
Chapter 38
Gaston took a shaky breath.
Wine spilled out from the cup still in his hand as he pushed the door to Claudette's room. It felt as if it was his first time inside the room. Everything was just like she'd left it. Her nightstand cleared off, the closet half-open. He stared at the vanity beside the window, and Claudette's blue eyes blinked back before he jumped, and they were gone. He blinked.
One of Claudette's tunics was sprawled across the bedsheets, looking all alone and forsaken. The lord dropped his empty goblet on the side table with a thud.
"Claudette," he whimpered, collapsing on the sheets and reaching for the garment. "Ben's home." He buried his face in the tunic's fur collar. "No one's taking him away anymore." He took a deep breath, inhaling the traces of Claudette's lingered perfume. "My love," he choked up before dissolving into tears. "Why did you leave me?"
A shadow passed over his head. He looked up, expecting to see her staring down with a smile, but Harry had appeared by the open doorway instead. He awkwardly cleared his throat. "Sire?" Gaston dropped Claudette's tunic, wiped his cheeks, and turned to face him. Harry continued. "One of our outposts has reported that we're about to have some important guests." Harry paused, examining the stains and the tears and the unfocused glaze in Gaston's eyes. "But I can invent an excuse. Maybe they shouldn't see you this way."
Gaston shook his head and straightened himself. "No, I'm coming," he muttered. Harry nodded and walked away.
After he'd composed himself, Gaston locked Claudette's room behind him and made his way to the main hall. Only one person would have come to Auradon at this late hour. He opened the door and had barely made it two steps in before Uma whirled around. Her cheeks were scarlet.
"I want to know why you've set up your troops at Dragon Point!" she thundered, hands balled up into fists. "Did you think I wouldn't find out? My spies are everywhere, don't forget!"
Gaston glared at Uma with a stern frown. The last thing we felt like dealing with at the moment was the duchess's petulance. "The Black Arrow," he replied. "They attacked the Dwarf Mines." Gaston looked away and was silent for a minute. "Ben was with them. He died during the battle."
The revelation sucked all the air out of Uma's lungs. "You're lying," she said.
Gaston shook his head. "No, it's the truth," he whispered before turning back to face Uma. "The Black Arrow killed him, and that is why I've sent my troops to Dragon Point," he replied, his voice growing to a shout. "He's gone, Claudette's gone… everyone."
Uma was shaking, trembling, and shrinking away. "I… don't believe it. I don't believe it."
With her words, the weight of everything started to crush down. More tears began to fall, and Gaston backed up until he found a pillar to lean on. "I couldn't… I couldn't either. And so soon after Claudette… Oh, it was just…"
"He…" Uma swallowed. "Did he look like he'd hurt… before?"
"I'll show you to him if you like?" Gaston offered. "He looks like himself. Just… cold. And the wound wasn't great." His hand tightened against the wall. "Would you… would you stay? Here?" The thought of being alone was unbearable.
Uma swallowed. "Yes, of course. I can make arrangements to stay for the funeral until we find out-"
"Uma," Gaston interrupted. Something in his tone made her think. "It's… freezing here. Lonely. The castle is empty, my bed is empty, and I feel empty. In my head and my heart, I'm empty. Could you find it in you to come and stay here? With me?"
"What are you suggesting?" Uma demanded. "That I fill in for your wife like some sort of handmaid?"
"It doesn't have to be like that!" Gaston protested. "I mean - I could make arrangements if you wanted the kingdom beside me, then-"
"Marriage?" Uma leaned back like she'd been slapped. "Now I've heard it all from you."
A proposal hadn't exactly been what Gaston had had in mind - more of a close partnership - but it would work well enough so long as there was someone else - anyone else - here. "Will you?" He asked.
"You're drunk," Uma rolled her eyes and turned away, only to face him again once she heard his advancing footsteps.
Gaston got down on his knees. "Please?"
He took her hand. She pulled it away. "Not now, Gaston," she shook her head, sounding miserable. "By God, you just lost your wife!"
"We'll govern together," he promised. "I can give you everything you've always wanted." Gaston bit his lower lip. "Uma, don't you trust me?"
But Uma's eyes filled with tears as she spun around. "I can't!" she declared and quickly fled from his presence, leaving tears on the stones and emptiness in the air.
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"This is madness," Tuck sighed, shielding his eyes from the early morning sun as its rays filtered through the trees. He stared at the imposing walls surrounding Auradon's castle up in the hill in front of him and curled his fingers around the bow in his right hand. "We shouldn't have let him do this."
"We wouldn't be in this situation if someone had found a better way of sneaking inside the castle and freeing Mal before the wedding," Chad scoffed, looking around at his companions huddled in the little clearing.
"Are you sure the potion you've given Ben works?" Tuck exclaimed in exasperation, turning to address Godmother. "He should have been out of there with Mal by now!"
"I told him that everyone has a different reaction to it." Godmother explained.
"How different?" Tuck asked.
"Not much," Godmother sighed. "Not this much, at least. The effects usually wear off after a couple of hours."
"He might not wake up? Ever?" Carlos stammered. The rest of the group flinched, but no one could reassure him.
"Or, even worse, they might have buried him alive," Tybalt exclaimed.
"It's useless asking ourselves what went wrong," Chad said through gritted teeth. "We have to get inside the castle and find Ben."
"No, Chad," Tuck retorted. "Ben would want us to free Mal first. Besides, we have to stop this wedding, or we'll lose the war for good."
"Stop the wedding!" Carlos pulled his hair. "How?"
Silence fell over them. Chad and Tuck glanced towards each other at the same time as Tybalt took a deep breath. "It's a crazy idea," he said, "the cathedral will be full of soldiers!"
"We have no choice. Innocent people will die," Tuck argued and stared down at the group with a somber expression. They nodded in acceptance. He turned back to Godmother. "You return to the camp," he instructed. "Carlos, stay here with Audrey just in case Ben wakes up. The rest of you come with me."
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Gaston was exhausted. He let out a long breath as his gaze stretched across the castle's courtyard. The lord was standing in the center, flanked by Captain and Harry Hook, while a long row of full-armored soldiers lined the two side walls. Everything was ready for King Stefan's arrival. Two loud trumpets blazed into sound. Decked out in his finest clothes, Stefan strode into the square and dismounted his horse.
Gaston straightened himself and walked up to Stefan. "Welcome to my home, Sire," he greeted.
"Thank you," he replied, "I've heard about Ben. I don't know whether to congratulate you or offer you my condolences."
Gaston stilled, his expression turning blank for a moment as thoughts of his previous evening's breakdown came into mind. He pushed them aside and willed his racing heart to slow down. 'In politics and war, the only thing that matters is winning and by any means necessary. The last man standing is always right.' he reminded himself. Ben was the last obstacle to his rise to power. With him gone, no one would stop him now. All the power he always wanted was finally within his grasp. "Let's celebrate, Sire! Let's celebrate!" he replied, leading the way to the main hall. Harry Hook looked at his father in confusion behind Gaston's back.
"What's the meaning of those troops at Dragon Point?" Stefan asked, walking beside Gaston.
"It means that we'll attack Camelot as soon as you've married the princess," Gaston explained.
Stefan stopped and pursed his lips together as he flashed his eyes at Gaston. "And when did you intend to share these plans of yours?" he demanded.
"Today, of course," Gaston replied in a calm, crisp tone.
"On my wedding day?" Stefan snorted.
Gaston tensed up but kept a straight face. "Arthur and what's left of his allies will think that this marriage will end our hostilities towards them. They won't be expecting us," he retorted. "This is the right moment to strike and get rid of them once and for all."
"No one will be attacking anyone until I decide so!" Stefan rebuked. His face was turning red as he clenched his fists.
Gaston's hands balled into fists before he steadied his breathing and nodded. "Yes, Sire. My troops are at your service." He forced a tight smile to stretch across his lips.
Stefan continued to walk. "By marrying the princess, I will finally be getting control of the moorlands and its powers. I will be the most powerful and feared ruler on the fairy-tale lands."
"Don't forget, Sire," Gaston growled through gritted teeth, "that it's thanks to me that you're marrying the princess today."
"You haven't changed all these years, Gaston." Stefan paused. "You're still a common and worthless mercenary, killing his best friend for power."
Gaston growled under his breath. "As you wish, Sire. I'll order the troops to leave Dragon Point and return to Auradon."
"Good," Stefan smirked. "And now that that's settled let's take care of my bride."
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Evie exhaled, and her eyes flicked from the blade in her hands to Mal. The princess was standing in front of her long mirror. A sad smile stretched across the handmaiden's face despite the grave situation. Mal looked beautiful in the long, white tunic, embellished with the blue and golden colors of Auradon. Evie let out a long sigh, and Mal turned to look at her as she walked up to her. "I prayed to the Gods all night to help me find the right words to keep you from doing this, Mal," she whispered, looking away.
"Evie," Mal sighed and put her hand on her shoulder to squeeze it in comfort. "It's the right thing for me to do. I've got to save my people. I'm ready to give up my life to end this war."
The guard outside unlocked the door to the room, and Evie hid the dagger in a hidden pocket in the side of Mal's outer tunic. The princess would have easy access to it during the ceremony. Both girls turned around to greet Gaston.
Evie watched as Gaston stopped by the door to look at Mal before a proud smile lit up his features. He walked up to them and handed a necklace to Mal. "King Stefan wants you to wear this," he announced. The red pendant caught the sunlight peering through the windows and reflected its colors across the walls.
Mal nodded with a sweet smile. "Of course I'll wear it. I'll be happy to appease King Stefan."
Mal bowed her head, and Gaston fastened the object around the princess's neck. He stepped back. "There's something you need to learn and fast." Gaston waited until Mal looked up at him. "You can still be happy with a man that you've hated up to the previous day. Life is full of surprises and opportunities. It is up to us to make the most out of them."
Evie looked away, unable to watch any longer as Mal's smile grew wider. "It's exactly what I intend to do."
Gaston nodded and thrust out his chest in apparent approval. "Good," he beamed. "Now, get ready. It's soon time to leave the castle and go to the cathedral."
The guard outside locked the door behind Gaston, and it was only after he left the room that Evie looked back at Mal and walked up to the princess, resting her hands on her shoulders. Mal's face fell as her eyes locked on the reflection of the necklace in the long mirror. "It was my mother's," was all Mal said as the princess returned Evie's tight embrace.
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Something heavy was pressed against his chest and stomach. Conscious thought began to trickle back to Ben in disjointed images, and the soft tolling of a distant bell broke the silence around him. Where was he? His head was pounding, and a muffled groan escaped Ben's throat as he tried blinking his eyes open. The pain in his head started to subside, and the prince lay still and began to focus on his surroundings. He was lying on something solid and hard. It was then that he felt a small object curled around his fingers, so Ben lifted the item to his face to examine it. He stared at the trinket for a long moment. "Mal, my love," he whispered with a soft smile. His memories returned, and Ben lifted his head and peered down to his stomach, trying to determine what was weighing on it. His eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the familiar sword. Gaston had been here too. Ben jerked upwards, wincing as he looked around him, searching for his bow and arrows, and grabbed them, exhaling in relief when he spotted them to his side. Fully awake, Ben slid down the stone structure and waited a moment for the lingering dizziness to clear before the prince started to look for a way out. He was in the crypt inside Auradon's castle. What time was it? He had to hurry and get to Mal before she could marry Stefan.
Ben ran up the stairs to the chapel and peered out from the side door. The usually busy streets were quiet, and Ben gulped as he stared up at the morning sun. Time was running out. He had to find a horse and get to the cathedral. He turned a corner onto the main square but froze when he spotted the back of a soldier stationed near the main gate. Ben reached for his sword but relaxed when he recognized him as Jay and called out for him.
Jay spun around, and his jaw dropped. "Ben," he sputtered. "How?"
"Jay," Ben replied, dashing towards the soldier. "Am I glad to see you!"
Jay stared at him. "How? You were dead."
On any other occasion, Ben would have smiled at the soldier's shocked expression. Godmother's potion had truly worked if everyone thought he'd died. "Jay, I don't have time to explain, but this was all a ruse to get inside the castle and free Mal before the wedding."
Jay's expression relaxed, and he nodded at him. Only Ben could come up with such a crazy plan. And he had no way of knowing about it as he'd been away from home and Lonnie and Carlos the entire week, assigned to guard duties. "You're too late. Gaston, Mal, and the wedding party left the castle almost half an hour ago," he replied. "And you can't march into the cathedral alone. They'd kill you in an instant."
"I'm not alone," Ben exclaimed, brightening up. "The Black Arrow is waiting for me outside the castle."
"Well, hurry up then!" Jay hummed. "Take a horse from the stables and go. The entire main guard has gone with Gaston. They've left me in charge of the main gates."
Ben nodded and spun around but turned back when Jay spoke again. "Ben, you'll need a hiding spot after the freeing Mal. Go to Lonnie. I'll meet you there."
Ben waved in thanks at Jay and dashed away.
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On the other side of Auradon, Mal stepped down from the closed carriage and rested a hand on Gaston's outstretched one. She eyed the imposing open doors of the cathedral in front of her with a deep breath. This was it. Stefan, the man who'd killed her parents, was inside. She'd only get one shot, and she was determined not to fail. She'd avenge her family, end this war and free her people from his threat once and for all. Evie stepped behind her, and Gaston and the trio began walking inside.
A long line of soldiers and noblemen and women lined the two sides of the large stone building, but Mal focused straight ahead on Stefan's figure standing beside the priest near the main altar. Her mind wandered off to Ben for a few seconds as she imagined their wedding day. 'Soon, my love, we'll be together again,' she thought wistfully before she steeled herself.
Gaston led her to Stefan, who reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "Today is a memorable and glorious day for me," he breathed. "By marrying you, I'll be rekindling the love I felt for Maleficent. When we're married, will you let me call you by her name?"
Mal fought the urge to glare at the king and schooled herself to keep a stoic face. "Of course," she replied. "I'm ready to do anything to honor her memory."
Stefan beamed. "That's what I wanted to hear." Stefan nodded at Gaston and guided Mal to face the priest as the guests took their seats, and the ceremony began.
Mal felt her throat go tight when the priest turned to Stefan for his vows. "Will you, Stefan, High King of the Eastern Kingdom, take thee, Princess Mal, Heiress to the Moorlands, to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
"Yes, I do!" Stefan's loud voice echoed throughout the entire building.
The priest turned to address her, and Mal squared her shoulders. She began to lift her hands on her stomach to reach for the hidden blade in her dress. "And will you, Princess Mal. Heiress to the Moorlands, take thee, King Stefan, High King of the Eastern Kingdom, to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
Silence fell inside the cathedral, and Mal felt all eyes on her as she dipped her head to stare at the ground.
"Princess," the priest continued, "all you have to do is say I do," he explained, and the entire room held its breath.
"No!" Mal exclaimed. "I don't want to! Die, you monster!" She pulled the blade out of her tunic and aimed it at Stefan's heart.
The wedding guests around Mal let out a series of panicked gasps as Stefan intercepted Mal's hand and stopped the princess mid-air. A loud bang then drew everyone's attention away from them and towards the entrance as the main doors burst open and an armed archer stormed inside.
"Get away from her, Stefan!" Ben bellowed. "Princess Mal has no intention of getting married to you!"
"How!" Gaston sputtered. "You're alive?"
Mal couldn't believe what she was seeing and didn't care if this meant she was dead. He was here. "Ben!"
A/N: :D
So, as everyone rightly guessed Ben is of course still alive. Did anyone really think I would have killed him off lol! But before you bombard me with questions about Godmother's "potion", I kindly ask you to hold your thoughts until the next chapter since I intend to explain it there in more detail as I wanted to focus more on the action in the chapter.
- AmethystDragon14 - so you know I had this wedding scene planned out in my head since Chapter 1 and it's all dedicated to you!
- SparkyGurly227 - I promise they'll be lots of "light" at the end of the story to make up for some of the pain we've seen so far - the last chapter at least ;)
- Carvie16 - you've got no idea of the pride I felt for my story with your last review - coming from you it was an amazing compliment. Thank you!
- Harrypotterfan1994 - I left that seemingly "out of place" reference to the arrow that whizzed past Ben in chapter 36 on purpose - I simply wanted to add more to the confusion and suspense surrounding Ben's death. As for the stomach wound, I know you're an expert and all but we're dealing with "potions" here which is my AU version of magic ;). I'll also get to explain it in the next chapter though.
- AvatarUzumaki - to answer your questions - (1) it was obviously the Black Arrow who left Ben's body outside Auradon for Gaston's soldier to find (2) Mal's plan was to stab Stefan during the ceremony (3) Uma's betrayal has not been discovered yet - remember that there are still a few chapters left to the story so watch out for that.
Well guys, the story is far from over. Ben has barged into the wedding but will he manage to save Mal? And what will happen next? Tune in next chapter to find out!
Stay safe out there in the meantime! Till next time :)
