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, SparkyGurly 227 and CarVie for having left a review for the last chapter. And welcome to brimason0201 - I'm so happy that you've left me a review. I hope you all enjoy the last few chapters of the story. I'm in a bit of a rush today but I promise to reply to everyone's reviews in detail in the next chapter.
I can't believe that I'm actually reached the 200 review mark. My heart is so full at the moment. 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.
Hope you all enjoy the final rush of the story - only 2 more chapters to go :D
Chapter 41
"Arthur, are you sure all this was necessary?"
"I didn't have a choice, Ben. You know how hard-headed Mal can get when she makes up her mind on something."
"But.."
"Think about it though…. she's right. It's the perfect opportunity to prove Uma's betrayal. Make her believe that she's got the upper hand. Her overconfidence will make her take a misstep. I'm certain."
"But for how long will we let Uma toy with us?"
"Don't be worried about Mal. She'll be under constant guard. Nothing will happen to her. You have my word."
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Ben didn't know how many hours had passed since he'd been left alone in the war council chamber, but as the lines of the map in front of him began to blur, he figured it was time to go. He rubbed his tired eyes but set his jaw. He had to find the best spot to set up a surprise attack on Gaston's incoming armies.
"I knew I'd find you here," a female voice rang out, and a chill ran down Ben's spine. The prince sighed and put his hands on the table for support before spinning around to face the newcomer. It was inevitable for them to have a confrontation. He hadn't found the courage to admit his betrayal to Mal, but he wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Ben stood up. There was no doubt that Uma was their enemy, but he still wouldn't shy away from owning up to his responsibilities this time around. Maybe he could put a stop to Uma's revenge against Mal.
"I don't have much time," Ben replied with a stern, firm voice. He turned to look back at the terrain maps spread on the table. "Dawn is only a few hours away."
Uma let out a breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to distract you."
"Then why are you here?" Ben asked, his back still towards her.
"Do you know how much you've hurt me?" Uma whispered.
Ben exhaled and turned as a tightness set in his stomach. He'd led her to believe he'd developed feelings for her in a moment of weakness, and deep down, Ben knew that it was his actions that had ultimately pushed Uma to switch sides and help Gaston. "I'm sorry," he replied. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"But that's what happened," she said. Ben didn't miss the sudden brightness in her eyes. "All I ever wanted was to be loved….loved by an honorable and sincere man….by you." Ben looked away in shame and Uma walked up to him. "My feelings were sincere. I've fallen in love with you."
Ben looked back up and met Uma's gaze, his throat so tight he could barely breathe. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "For a moment, I thought I could love you back."
"It was the happiest moment of my life," Uma replied with a wistful smile as a tear slid down her cheek.
"Forgive me," Ben begged.
Uma wiped her face. "When all this is over, you'll always be welcome to stay with me."
Ben's expression hardened as he thought about Mal. "You know that's not possible," he replied.
"It's because of Princess Mal, right?" Uma snapped.
"She's the only woman I'll ever love," Ben said.
"How can you love her after all she's done to you?" Uma yelled as her face darkened, unable to hide the deep hatred any longer. "Mal lied to you! She betrayed you! She used you to get what she wanted."
Ben frowned. It was clear that there was no turning back. Uma would never accept his apology and move past what happened between them. She was their enemy now, and he had to protect Mal and himself from her. "You know what I learned during our time spent together?" There was a short pause, and then Ben continued. "I've learned to distinguish between sincerity and deceit. Now excuse me, but I need to return to examining the maps."
Ben turned away from her, and Uma felt her blood run hot from anger. How many nights she'd laid awake at night crying after Ben returned to Mal? She'd been foolish to fall for another man! Back then, she hadn't been strong enough to make Gabriel pay for his betrayal. But not this time! This time she'd have her revenge, and Ben and Mal would pay for the humiliation and pain they'd caused her.
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Mal shifted from one side to another on her cot before giving up. She pulled herself up as her eyes darted around her cell and subconsciously rubbed her arms, even though it wasn't from any cold. Unlike Auradon's dungeons, Arthur had fitted all the stone cells with several torches, which provided light and much-needed heat. She had to remember to thank him for it when they'd finally proven Uma's betrayal, and she'd be able to get out of there.
Mal sighed and pulled her legs to her chest, resting her head on her knees. It was late at night, but she couldn't sleep. The last confrontation between Ben and Gaston was mere hours away, and Mal was worried about Ben. Leading the armies was a great responsibility – one she was certain Ben was ready for – but it wouldn't be easy for Ben to face the man who'd caused him so much pain, and all the princess wanted was to be at his side to support him.
The sound of jingling keys and her cell door being opened lingered in the otherwise quiet room, and Mal's head snapped to the side. She turned to face the door and planted her feet to the ground with a deep scowl. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see if you're being treated well, Princess," Uma sneered.
"Thank you for your concern, Duchess." Mal spat and walked up to Uma, pausing to glare at her. "As you can see, your lies have worked perfectly. You know they've got no grounds to hold me in here. You're the one in cohorts with Gaston not me." She seethed. "I don't know what you think this little game of yours will achieve but don't think I haven't noticed the way you look at Ben. But just imagine how mad he's going to be when he finds out how low someone like you will stoop to try and get his claws into him. Oh trust me, he'll never be yours and I'll find a way to prove your betrayal."
Uma smirked. "I don't know what lies you're talking about. I've come to talk about the truth."
Mal laughed. "You, out of all people, want to talk about truth."
"Do you believe in love, Mal?" Uma smirked as she began to circle the princess. "I'm sure you believe that love is pure and is all about trust and faithfulness. I used to believe it too, you know, but now," she paused, "I'm not so sure anymore." Uma stopped and leaned down to whisper in Mal's ear. "Because Ben ran back to you despite what happened between us."
Mal stiffened. "I don't believe you. You're lying."
"Ben didn't tell you?" Uma's expression lit up as Mal pursed her lips. "Ben came to me when he thought you'd gone to Harry Hook. The woman he'd idolized all this time had turned out to be like everybody else…a liar…just like Gaston."
Mal paled as her head filled with thoughts of her conversation with Ben outside Lonnie's hut. How he'd been distressed that night - like there was something he'd wanted to tell her. Could it be true? "Go away," she snapped back.
"Your betrayal devastated Ben, but it didn't take him long to get over you," Uma taunted. "I must admit it's difficult to forget the feeling of being held in those strong arms."
"I told you to go away," Mal growled. "You're lying."
"Ah," Uma shook her head. "I remember a time when I was young and naïve, like you, princess."
"Ben's doesn't want you and he never will. He only got close to you because you tricked him. You were just convenient but we love each other and we'll be happy together." Mal balled her fists. "And I might be young and naïve, Uma, but I'm certain of one thing. You speak of love, but it means nothing to you. You're only capable of feeling envy and hatred. I pity you."
Uma stilled, not breaking eye contact with Mal. "I admire your innocence and candor, princess. It must be what attracted Ben to you in the first place. But the world is made of so much more, and men are so easily distracted." Uma then gestured to the guard by the cell door who unlocked the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, it's late, and tomorrow is an important day for Ben and Camelot. I need to be well-rested. He'll need me by his side. Good night, princess."
Mal stood still staring at the cell's locked door as Uma's words sank in. She felt her chest go numb in shock but managed to walk back to her cot. She sat down with a hiccup and curled her legs up to her chest. Her hands began to shake as tears filled her eyes. Could Ben have betrayed her with Uma? She buried her face away and collapsed against the cell wall, tears falling freely down her pale cheeks as the world started to fall in on her.
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"You've sent for me, Duchess?" Lancelot asked with an impatient huff. As dawn broke, the troops had begun gathering outside the city walls for the upcoming battle with the eastern armies, and the captain was anxious to return to his duties.
"I've been waiting for you," Uma replied. She ran a brush through her long aqua hair before resting the item on her vanity and standing to address Lancelot.
"What happened?"
"I want someone to… remove Princess Mal from the picture." She crossed her arms. "Permanently."
"You can't ask me to kill her," Lancelot retorted, a shocked expression frozen on his face.
"We need to get rid of her if we ever want to defeat Arthur and truly conquer these lands," Uma replied.
"You're not thinking, Uma," Lancelot argued. "Jealousy is clouding your better judgment. What about the magical powers of the Moors?"
"We don't need the power of the Moors, Lancelot," Uma affirmed. "Look around you. We've survived perfectly without them all these years. And do you think that Ben and his band of outlaws are a match for Gaston's armies? And what do you think will happen to us in the unlikely eventuality that Ben wins? We won't stand a chance of getting rid of Mal then – you know what she means to Arthur."
"But..." Lancelot stuttered, scraping a hand through his hair.
"Do you know what makes the difference between a loss and a victory?" Uma asked. Lancelot turned to look away. "A victory comes from being able to live up to one's ambitions. Tell me, Lancelot. Are you ready to do whatever it takes to reclaim back your family heritage?
Lancelot sighed as he stared at his gloves before looking back up to Uma. "We'll make it appear a suicide," he whispered.
"Perfect," Uma smirked. "The unbearable guilt of having betrayed Camelot and the man who saved her as a child."
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"Arthur, it has begun," Ben stated. "Our outpost has spotted Gaston's troops marching down from Dragon's Point. We're heading out to intercept them." Ben didn't wait for Arthur's acknowledgment and spun around to leave the king's office.
"Ben, wait," Arthur said. "I want to send one last message to Gaston. Maybe I can convince him to stop this bloodshed."
Ben jerked his head back towards Arthur. "If we send him a message, he'll know that we're aware of his attack."
Arthur shook his head. "I don't want to leave any stone unturned."
"But we'll lose our element of surprise!" Ben protested.
"I need to try and convince him that we don't want to attack them and that our wish is to live in a land governed by peace," Arthur insisted.
"You don't know Gaston, Arthur," Ben spat. "His soul is only full of hate and lust for power."
Arthur sighed and got hold of his cane before standing up from his desk. He walked up to Ben. "No, it's not the truth, and you know it. Don't you remember him caring for you as a child? He might be a monster, but he's also been living with the guilt of his actions."
Ben grit his teeth. "He didn't show all this love when he murdered my father."
"Do you know why your father was a great king, Ben?" Arthur asked.
Ben straightened and pulled his chin up. "Because he was honorable and brave."
Arthur shook his head a second time. "Your father was never driven by revenge."
Ben deflated, letting his shoulders slump a little as Arthur's words hit him. They also brought back memories of his fight with Chad at the Black Arrow's encampment and Robin's admonitory words about hate. He bowed his head. "I'll have one of my men deliver your letter."
Arthur smiled at the young prince and watched with pride as he left the office. He'd been right to choose him to lead the western armies.
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"I'm humbly asking you to retreat your armies. So many lives have already been lost during this war. As leaders, we must protect our people. All the Western kingdom has ever wanted was to live in peace and unity so let's sit down together and find a peaceful solution to this conflict once and for all and stop the unnecessary bloodshed. Your friend, Arthur. King of Camelot." Gaston snorted before handing the letter back. He was finally a step away from all the power he ever wanted. He'll become the ruler of the entire Fairytale lands and nothing was going to get in his way. Arthur was an old crippled man and Adam, Robin and Stefan were all gone at last. Only Ben remained but not for long. He'd finally make up for his moment of weakness and kill him like he should've done years ago
Tybalt froze for half a second and watched as Gaston's expression darkened. He bit his lip, wracked with nerves, as he let his gaze waver over the Eastern armies dispatched behind Gaston.
"I don't recognise the authority of the man who wrote this letter," Gaston stated.
A crisp breeze flew in from the valley, and Tybalt gulped, reaching back for the letter. "Is this your reply?"
"I will deal with Prince Benjamin only," Gaston smirked, "after his blood coats my sword. That's my reply.. Now go!"
Tybalt pulled at the straps of his horse's reins and turned around before making his way back to Camelot. The hooves thundered away - he certainly was in a hurry to leave.
"Why didn't you kill him, Gaston?" Captain Hook hissed.
Gaston's smirk grew wider. "Because I want him to tell everyone what he saw. All of Camelot must see the terror in his eyes. We'll easily beat them if they're distracted by fear." The two men turned and looked out over the vast expanse - giant bonfires scattered in the darkness, one to five hundred men. Acres of horses, already prepared for battle. Gleaming swords laid up beside trees or in the hands of soldiers, ready for war. A vast expanse of power and preparation. It was time to go to war.