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 AmethystDragon14, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night 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 can't believe I'm about to hit the 200 review mark - I would never have imagined it when I first started writing this story.
AmethystDragon14: You're welcome. I did promise you some Bal fluff to make up for the recent events of the story. I hope you'll find the ending to this story to your liking. There's still some drama coming our way but I'm sure you'll like what I've got planned for the last chapter :D
SparkyGurly 227: Thank you for your lovely feedback. I really hope these last few chapters (which still have some drama) will make up a little for all I've put Ben and Mal through throughout the story. I'm glad you're also liking Jay in this story - he has a very small part but I tried to make it count at least :D
fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night: Thank you for the feedback - I really did try to give a dramatic feel to the plot in general and thanks to you I feel that I've managed somehow even with my limited writing experience. I didn't end up expending too much on the magical aspect - hope what I did is enough. I always wanted to this story to focus on the complexities of the various character so I took a conscious decision very early on when I started to write this that I would side-line the magical aspect. But I do intend to touch upon it again before the story is over.
So last chapter, it was revealed that Ben faked his death in an attempt to infiltrate Auradon - he burst in the wedding ceremony just as Mal attacked Stefan. Will they manage to escape? Let's find out:
Chapter 39
"Princess Mal is coming with me!" Ben thundered, glaring at Stefan.
Loud gasps erupted throughout the entire cathedral and in one swift movement, Stefan pulled Mal to his chest. With his free hand, he drew a blade from his side and brought it to her neck. The tension intensified as the two men glowered at each other, but Ben didn't back down. "And no one dares get in my way!" he declared, aiming his arrow at Stefan's head.
"And how will you do that, Ben?" Gaston sneered. "We're a hundred, and you're all alone!" The soldiers surrounding Gaston unsheathed their swords, with the scratches echoing in the large room.
"You're wrong, Gaston!" a voice came from Ben's side. Members of the Black Arrow appeared from the entrance and surrounded the pews while drawing their bows. "You might be a hundred, but Ben is not alone!" Tuck declared with a smirk.
"I wouldn't try being a hero, Gaston!" Chad taunted with a smug smile.
Stefan's eyes blazed at Ben for a moment before he stepped forward, pulling Mal with him. "Put down your weapons, or I'll kill the princess," he threatened with a snarl.
"Let her go! Coward!" Ben growled.
"Do you think you can come here and order me around?" Stefan spat. He bent his head to Mal's ear. "And you! Do you want to throw your life away like your mother?"
"I'll be happy to give up my life to defeat you and protect my people," Mal hissed.
Stefan's face grew red, and he tightened his hold on Mal. "Drop your weapons, I said!" he declared, turning to the members of the Black Arrow. "And I'll spare your lives."
Silence reigned, and Ben took a deep breath as his eyes locked on to Stefan. He only had one shot. He willed himself to relax as Mal's teachings echoed in his head.
"Wait until you've pushed away all outside distractions and the target is your only focus. Listen to your heart."
Ben released the arrow, which whizzed and spiraled and buried into Stefan's exposed side.
Stefan yelled, releasing Mal, and dropped to the ground. Gaston scrambled for the king while Mal sprinted across the aisle towards the exit and met Ben, engulfing him in a tight hug. "Mal," he breathed in relief as he held her.
Chad and six other archers with arrows drawn at the ready ran in front of Ben and Mal to shield them and cover their escape. "Hurry! Let's get out of here!" Chad shouted as the pair broke apart, turned around, and dashed for the exit.
Gaston left Stefan in the care of a group of soldiers and drew his sword. Together with Captain Hook and Harry, they made their way forward. Chad and the archers began to retreat down the aisle.
"Ben!" Gaston shouted in anger. "You won't leave this church alive."
Chad whipped his head around to look at Ben, who'd nearly reached the main doors, before turning back to face Gaston. Time seemed to still as he watched Gaston withdraw a dagger from his belt and draw back. He threw it across the room in Ben's direction. Chad jumped, the knife hit his shoulder, and the archer toppled to the ground.
Ben and Mal made it outside and mounted their horses. Ben let out a relieved breath when Chad got to his feet and ran outside to join them with the help of Tybalt. He signaled to Tuck, and the second group of archers formed a line in the main square while a third group climbed onto the outside wall surrounding the cathedral.
"Gaston!" Ben said. "No one defeats the Black Arrow."
Gaston came to a stop. He had no choice but to close the cathedral doors as the archers in the main square fired a volley of arrows towards them.
"Let's go! Now!" Ben ordered, pulling his horse's reins. The Black Arrow retreated as a second shower of arrows embedded themselves against the cathedral's doors.
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴
Gaston clenched his fists as he walked inside the sacristy. Stefan was sprawled on a table surrounded by Captain Hook, Harry, and a group of soldiers. He nodded at the soldiers who walked out of the room without uttering a word. He reached Stefan and examined his bleeding wound before resting his hands on the king's shoulders.
"The wound isn't life-threatening, but he needs urgent medical attention!" Captain Hook explained.
"Don't worry, Sire," Gaston whispered. "I'll get you the best doctors."
"You'll pay for this, Gaston." Stefan hissed in pain. "You and that bastard son you spared all those years ago."
Gaston glared at Stefan as something inside of him snapped. He'd had enough! How dare Stefan threaten him after all he'd done for him? Stefan had become ruler of the East thanks to him and Gaston had given him the princess on a silver platter. They were inches away from winning the war, but the king had dismissed his attack suggestion without a second thought. "I'm sure I'll pay for this one day," A smirk played his lips and he steeled his gaze. "But you won't be here to watch me take my rightful place as the ruler of the entire Fairytale lands!"
Stefan only had time to blink before Gaston wrapped his hands around his throat and began to squeeze. Stefan thrashed around for a few moments and then let out one last gagging sound before he stopped quivering. Captain Hook and Harry exchanged nervous glances with each other.
"Now," Gaston announced, straightening up. "It's up to us to avenge King Stefan's death. It's up to us to kill Ben and destroy Camelot! With Stefan's death, I'll be taking charge of the Eastern territory. Three days to rally all the troops together, and I assure you that on the fourth day, our flags will be flapping over Camelot's castle."
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴
Upon spotting Lonnie's cottage a few meters ahead, Ben closed his eyes and let out a long breath of relief. The cathedral was far behind them, and they'd managed to successfully outrun Gaston's pursuit. He dismounted his horse and tied the animal to a fence post before turning to help Mal down. His hands lingered on her waist for a few seconds as their eyes locked. Mal beamed at him before she snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight embrace. Ben sighed and relaxed but stiffened when she began to shake against him.
"I… really thought you were dead," Mal said, her voice muffled against his chest.
Ben broke the hug and reached to cup her cheek. "I would've died if I didn't manage to get to you in time," he replied.
"But that wound? Your body was so cold." Mal asked. "How is it possible?"
"Bit of magic to make the wound look deeper. Godmother's potion did the rest." Ben said with a smile as he lifted the edge of his doublet to reveal the nearly healed cut on his stomach. Mal gasped softly and stared at him, and Ben couldn't stop himself from chuckling at her shocked and confused expression. "Godmother used an old potion from your lands, actually," he explained. "You Fae are surely resourceful. It keeps the blood flowing but makes a person's vital organs slow down long enough to give the impression of huge blood loss and death. You should ask her about it one day."
Mal nodded. "I was so scared that I'd lost you forever," she admitted, her eyes flickering down to her feet.
"I'm sorry," Ben whispered, seizing her right shoulder. "I should've come sooner."
Mal looked up and shook her head with a smile. "No, you got to the cathedral at the right time. You were perfect. My knight in shining armor." She beamed at him and then, unable to hold herself any longer, pulled him down by the collar of his doublet and crushed her lips into his.
The pair broke apart, and Ben reached for Mal's hand as they began to walk towards Lonnie's cottage. Tuck, Audrey, and Godmother had already taken Chad inside, and Ben was eager to find out about the extent of his injuries. The archer had come in the way of the blade meant for him, and the guilt was weighing on him. It was his fault that Chad had been hurt. Ben gave instructions to the rest of the Black Arrow members to begin to set up camp for the night before going inside the small dwelling.
"The wound isn't deep." Ben heard Godmother say as he stepped inside, followed by Mal. Chad was asleep on a soft bed, and Audrey and Godmother were kneeling by his side. A great relief washed over Ben and his muscles relaxed.
"Now we should leave him to rest," Godmother got up while Audrey picked up a wet cloth from a basin and wiped Chad's brow. "It's the best cure."
"You can stay here all you need," Lonnie offered.
"We shouldn't. They'll be looking for us everywhere after the stunt we pulled at the Cathedral," Tuck explained.
"Doesn't matter."
Mal walked up to Lonnie, took her hand, and shook her head. "We can't stay here. We've put you in enough danger as it is."
"But at least Chad can stay here," Lonnie argued.
"Chad is a Black Arrow, dear," Godmother replied with a grin. "Tomorrow morning, we'll help him mount a horse, and he'll feel as good as new."
"But it's almost dark," Lonnie countered. "Stay here for tonight at least."
Everyone turned to look at Ben for guidance and the prince nodded in agreement. "If you're sure, Lonnie."
"Great, then that's settled," Lonnie said. "I'll get dinner started. I should have enough vegetables to make a decent soup for everyone."
Mal and Ben didn't leave each other's sides throughout the entire dinner and as everyone started to head out to rest for the night, Mal reached for Ben's hand and asked him if they could talk. They stepped outside and stopped beside a tree, giving them just enough privacy from the rest of the outlaws camped outside the cottage.
Ben looked down at their clasped hands and guilt slipped into his stomach as he thought about Uma and the inevitable pain he was about to cause Mal by telling her the truth. But Mal deserved to know and Ben hoped that his honesty and love were strong enough to earn her forgiveness. He sighed and lifted his head, but Mal pressed her mouth to his before he could speak.
"Sorry," Mal mumbled after she'd drawn back. "I guess I'm still shocked… Seeing your body and everything… it was hard for me."
He knew it must have been. He never could have seen hers and come back sane.
Her thumb grazed his cheek and then went down his neck as she pulled her arms down and sighed. "Look… Ben… I know the last few weeks must have been confusing, but I want you to know that… I never stopped thinking about you. And I know you saw me kiss Harry, and I know how much that must have hurt you, so I want to be honest now." She exhaled and closed her eyes. "I haven't loved anyone else besides you. I haven't been with anyone else besides you. There's no one who could ever change my mind about what we have. I only let Harry kiss me because I wanted to get the information he had. And in the end, he duped me anyway. I wasn't smart enough to see through him."
Ben could see the guilt and shame like clouds on the horizon, so he leaned his forehead against hers and exhaled. "I don't blame you," he said. "They're all…liars. Hard to see through. Gaston fooled me for years. You did your best."
"I tried." Mal shook her head. "With Harry, with Stephan… the only reason I was marrying him was so I could cut his heart out at that ceremony-"
"You missed," Ben teased, poking her in the side and smirking when she scoffed. "By a lot, too. That's not quite the marksmanship I expect from you."
"Knife throwing isn't nearly the same as archery. It's an imprecise-"
"I know of several people who would disagree. It's really a matter of force and angle-"
"My point is!" Mal interrupted, taking a hand from behind Ben's neck to stop his teasing. "I love you. And I'm being completely honest with you now. There was never anyone else I was trying to be with."
Ben's heart sank a little. "I want to be honest with you too, Mal," he mumbled. Mal hummed and a rumble rose against his chest that seemed to restrict his oxygen even more. He exhaled against her cheek. The words wouldn't come. They weren't even on the tip of his tongue - they were stuck closer to the center of his chest and feeling like they were blocking up his heart. How could he break her heart after what she'd just told him?
She drew back when he said nothing and laid her hands out of his chest. A frown pulled down on her expression. "Is… something wrong?" she asked. "What do you need to tell me?"
"I…" Ben swallowed. "I never stopped loving you either, Mal. Every second away hurt. I love you too." Nothing more came out.
Mal smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I know you did," she said. "Don't worry - I trust you."
- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴THE BLACK ARROW ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴- ̴
Mal grinned, filled with happiness she couldn't suppress as she stole a side glance at Ben across the little kitchen. They were helping Lonnie prepare breakfast while the rest of the outlaws outside were packing up. They'd decided to return to the Moorland's ruins until they could find an appropriate location for a new campsite where they could come up with their next plan to stop Gaston.
Loud voices sounded outside and Ben's brows furrowed in confusion before everything clicked. Gaston must have found them. He cursed under his breath, grabbed his sword, and rushed outside followed by Mal and Lonnie. Ben stopped by the door and let out a sigh of relief when he spotted Jay but then frowned when he noticed that Tuck and a group of archers were pointing an arrow at his head.
"Drop your sword," Tuck ordered.
"Wait! Stop!" Lonnie brushed past Ben and ran up to them. "That's my husband!"
Jay dropped his sword and barely had time to dismount his horse before Lonnie ran into his arms.
"Put your bows down," Ben stated, joining Tuck's side. "Jay's a friend."
"Ben, I'm glad you're still here," Jay greeted, releasing Lonnie. "King Stefan is dead."
Ben furrowed his brow and turned to look at Mal with a worried expression. Last night she'd also revealed to him that Stefan was her parents' killer. "Gaston proclaimed himself as High King and assembled an army to attack Camelot," Jay continued, and Ben whipped his head back to look at him.
"That's impossible!" Ben spat. "Gaston isn't foolish enough to throw an attack without a plan."
"His armies are gathered at Dragon Point," Jay explained. "That's the meeting point for his allies. They'll be ready to attack in three days."
"Okay," Ben said with a determined expression falling over his face. "I have to go," he stated, turning to the other outlaws. "But no one is obliged to follow me."
"Ben, you know we'd follow you anywhere even if you ordered us not to," Tuck replied with a lopsided grin.
Ben nodded with a smile and clapped Tuck on the shoulder before he and the outlaws walked away to gather their things. The prince began to walk away, but Jay reached out for his arm.
"Ben, I'm coming with you," Jay stated.
"Jay, you can't leave Lonnie here all alone," Ben replied.
"I can stay with her," Godmother confirmed. Ben nodded to Jay and walked towards his horse.
Lonnie pulled Jay in her embrace. "Be careful," she whispered when they broke apart.
"One day, I want to tell our children that I was fighting on the right side of this war," he replied, cupping her cheek. "Don't worry. We'll win, and the people will finally be free." Lonnie flashed him a bright smile.
"We need to reach Camelot by tomorrow. Let's go!" Ben's voice thundered across the clearing.
Jay kissed Lonnie one last time and mounted his horse, directing it to follow the outlaws. As her husband rode away, Lonnie was overcome with pride. Their freedom was finally at hand.
A/N: Soooooooo...who's happy that Stefan met the demise he deserved? :D But Gaston proclaimed himself High King and is about to attack Camelot. And Ben and Mal finally reunited but Ben ended up chickening out out of guilt. What will happen next? You know the drill...see you next chapter to find out.
Almost a year and a half has passed since I started writing this story and I'm a little sad to realise that this adventure is almost over - there are only 4 chapters left but I assure you lots more is about to happen. So stay tuned and see you next time :)
