Welcome back to the new chapter. Once again thank you so much for all the reviews, favs and follows:
Natacha Cristina1 & Guest (ch 4): I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far. I hope you'll enjoy the rest of it...the plot will only get better ;)
Chapter 6
Ben heard the distinct sound of a horse's hooves and the rattling of a wagon coming towards him. Jumbled voices echoed around him. They must have arrived at the Black Arrow's encampment. He couldn't tell much with the burlap sack over his head. Two of his captors continued to drag him along, holding him up by the arms. The terrain beneath his feet suddenly changed, and the young prince struggled to keep his balance. There now appeared to be rock underneath his feet instead of dirt. The warm feeling of the sun's rays on his back soon disappeared, and a strong, musty smell replaced the fresh, outside air. A pungent mixture of animal droppings and dampness accosted Ben the further they walked.
The group stopped. Ben's heart skipped a beat, and he gulped. He twisted his hands in the tight bindings behind his back, and a sharp pain ran through his stiff shoulder muscles. One of the outlaws holding onto him released Ben's arm and walked away. He heard the grinding of wood on wood and felt a small rush of air brush past his face. A door had just been opened. His other captor jerked him forward and pushed him inside. "Down you go," he ordered, forcing him to the ground. More thick cords were strung around his wrists, binding him to a pole before someone yanked off the blindfold which had covered his eyes for the last few hours. It didn't take long for his vision to adjust from pitch darkness to the dim lighting, and with a rapid glance, the prince scanned his surroundings.
Ben turned around to look for Mal, and his shoulders relaxed when he spotted her shoulders behind him. The outlaws had bound her to the pole with him, keeping her just out of reach around the pole. She appeared unharmed.
They were inside a cave and inside of a large, wooden cage. Fingerlings of tree roots lined the bumpy stone walls fissures and cracks in the floor created small homes for bugs that were fleeing their heavy footsteps. Many stalactites covered the roof, and Ben watched a few drops of water drip down as they landed in grooves on the floor. Daylight filtered through the cave's mouth a few meters away from them and the young prince craned his head, squinting through the dimness for a means of escape. The passageway they'd been led through seemed to stretch on forever with no exit in sight. He frowned.
Dread settled in Ben's stomach as he eyed the cell structure around him. It was tall, stretching towards the ceiling three times his height above him. Thick staves in the middle, where they had been tied, and each of the four corners held the cage in place. The sturdy-looking ropes securing the wooden bars made the framework appear even more robust and well-kept. They wouldn't be able to break it open with their bare hands.
"My prince!" A surprised voice rang out. Ben stretched his neck to see its owner and blinked, recognizing one of his father's tax collectors tied to one of the corner beams. What was Matthew doing here?
The outlaws didn't acknowledge the other prisoner and instead bent to ensure the ropes binding the two new prisoners were secure. The prince glared at them, knowing it was futile to resist. He couldn't risk endangering Mal. Satisfied with their work, the group exited the cell without uttering another word, locking the door behind them.
Ben tried to shift his position to get a better glimpse of Mal, turning his head to the side. "Are you okay?" he whispered in a worried tone.
"Yeah," Mal croaked. If only the room could stop spinning. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the stave.
"Your highness," Matthew called out from behind Ben getting his attention. "Thank the gods you're safe. Lord Gaston has sent half of Auradon's army to scout the forests looking for you. But do not fear my prince, we'll be back home soon, and the Black Arrow will pay for their audacity."
"And how are we supposed to get away from here?" Ben asked in a hushed tone. "Even if we manage to free ourselves, the cave's mouth is the only means of escape. I'm sure they've left some guards out there. They'd catch us in an instant."
"There's another exit," Matthew explained. "I know this area. We're about three kilometers to the north of Charmington. For years I've collected taxes in the nearby villages on behalf of your father. But what many people don't know is that this cave has a hidden exit, one that will take us to the other side of the mountain. All we'd have to do is follow the passageway and make them lose our tracks."
Ben smiled as hope soared through him. The plan could work. He pushed his shoulders back, taking a deep breath, and balled his fists, trying to control his anger. It was his fault these outlaws had captured Mal. These criminals had killed his father and Lefou, and, at that moment, the young prince promised himself that he wouldn't allow them to harm her in any way. He stretched his right shoulder and nudged the princess. "Did you hear that? Matthew said we could escape this cave through the passageway," he whispered. Silence followed. "Hey, can you hear me?" Ben asked, his voice growing louder.
"You're wasting your time, your highness. Your friend can't hear you. He's unconscious," Matthew stated. "It's better this way, though. It will be simpler without him."
Ben groaned and struggled against the ropes, but they didn't budge. "No," he replied, shaking his head. "I'm not leaving him behind."
"But you're the prince of Auradon. Your safety must be our priority," Matthew argued.
"I don't care. He's coming with me," Ben snarled, then paused. "Help!" he shouted. "Somebody help me, please. My friend is feeling sick. Help!"
"What's all this noise? Why are you shouting?" a female voice rang out behind him.
"My friend isn't feeling well. Let him go!" the prince exclaimed. "It's me that you want. He's innocent, and I don't want anything to happen to him because of me!" Ben heard the rattling of keys before the woman opened their cell door. He caught a glimpse of her brown kirtle dress as she crouched behind him.
"How old is he?" she asked.
"He's only a boy. He shouldn't be here," Ben replied. "Let him go, I beg you."
Mal's senses returned as she felt a warm hand grace her cheek. She moaned and opened her eyes coming face to face with an unfamiliar, middle-aged woman with long brown hair. Her eyes widened. Time stilled and before Mal could comprehend what was happening, Matthew rose to his feet. Somehow, he'd managed to free himself. He grabbed the woman from behind, who yelped in surprise. The tax collector reached for the dagger in her belt and brought it up to her neck. "Quiet! Move!" he ordered, pulling her along.
Mal's heart hammered in her chest as she watched Matthew drag the women outside their cell. They walked a few meters towards the cave's mouth but stopped. The man cried out in pain and fell to the ground unmoving, an arrow sticking out of his back.
"Stupid fool! Getting himself killed like that," she commented. The woman dusted herself off and picked up her dagger from the ground, putting it back in the sheath of her belt. She walked up to the cage and threw an icy glare at Ben and Mal before locking the door and walking away in silence.
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"Are you worried, Sire?" Uma asked. There was a concerned tone in her voice. She'd noticed the deep, dark circles under Arthur's eyes. They walked down one of the castle corridors and stopped in front of the King's office. The guards lifted their spears, letting them through.
Arthur sighed. "Yes, Duchess. It's difficult for me to hide it."
"We've managed to keep King Stefan's troops at bay for the time being. Now we must not lose our focus and continue to try and find a peaceful solution to end this war," Uma responded.
Arthur lifted his hand to stop her. "That's not what I'm worried about," he replied, gripping his stick in a tight fist. "It's about Princess Mal."
"Did something happen?" the Duchess questioned.
"The Black Arrow. They ambushed Prince Benjamin and Mal as they were leaving Camelot." Arthur explained. He ran a jerky hand through his hair.
"The Black Arrow?" Uma repeated, her eyes drawing together. "What could that group of outlaws want from the princess?"
Arthur turned to face her. He stretched his hand and laid it to rest on the elaborate, wooden desk at his side. "I don't know," he replied. "But I've sent Lancelot and a group of armed soldiers to the Auradonian territories in search of her. I'm hoping they find their encampment so they can negotiate her release."
"Do you think those outlaws would accept?" she asked.
Arthur rested his cane against his desk and sat down on his chair with a heavy sigh. "I know their leader, Robin of Locksley." He paused. "His methods might be a little harsh and violent at times, but he's an honorable man who wants to free his people from King Stefan's unjust and tyrannic rule."
Uma felt her jaw drop and reach her chest. She swallowed, successfully recomposing herself. "I would've never guessed you had that opinion about those criminals."
Arthur rose from his seat and began to pace the room. He stopped a few steps away from the door. "To be honest, I'm more worried about what Gaston might to do to Mal if he were to attack the Black Arrow and discover her." He sighed. "Now if you'll excuse me, Duchess. Sunset is in a few hours, and I've instructed Lancelot to send me regular updates on their search. A message should arrive at any moment now."
Uma bent down in a low curtsy and watched in silence as the middle-aged King left the room. The aqua-haired woman turned and brushed a finger across the edge of the King's desk as she made her way towards the window. She stopped to examine the busy castle courtyard outside. A wide smirk spread across her face. Arthur gave her excellent news, which she could use to gain Gaston's trust. Once she had the powerful Lord on her side, she would be one step closer to getting rid of Arthur and become the sole ruler of Camelot.
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Eighteen-year-old Chad Charming had spent the last few days locked up in Lord Gaston's dungeon. Hours and hours spent in fear while he waited for the ruler to decide his fate. His icy-blue eyes scanned his cell for the umpteenth time trying to find a loose stone or a week spot, anything that could help him escape his prison. He tugged at the tight iron chains around his wrists and sighed, silently cursing himself for not having been quick enough to outrun the Auradonian soldiers. What had started less than a week ago as a Black Arrow routine assault on one of Auradon's convoys had soon turned into a nightmare. The soldiers guarding the monthly tax collections had been expecting them, and without even a proper battle they'd been forced to abandon the attack and retreat to the safety of the forest.
The sound of several footsteps clacking on the ground brought the blond-haired boy out of his thoughts. He stood up, startled, when a group of guards, followed by Lord Gaston himself, stopped in front of his cell. The ruler nodded his head, and the soldiers unlocked the door. Chad pressed himself against the wall. "What do you want from me?" he shouted as the soldiers advanced on him. They pinned his arms roughly to his side, and the chains securing him to the cell's wall came off his wrists. He started to thrash around, trying to wrestle himself free from their tight grip.
"Stay still, you damn thief!" one of the soldiers ordered, pressing the boy against one of the walls. More hands held the young man by the shoulders and arms as his wrists were once again shackled. They pulled him towards the exit and Chad came face to face with a stern-looking Lord Gaston.
"I should've hanged you the moment we captured you, you filthy scum!" Gaston spat.
"Then you better kill me now because you won't get another chance," Chad countered. "The Black Arrow will make you pay for all the suffering you've caused and all the innocent people that you've killed. You're nothing but a monster!"
Gaston's eyes blazed, and he clenched his fists. The comment had struck a nerve.
Before the young blonde could brace himself, the Lord backhanded him with such force that his head snapped to the side. Chad felt blood dripping from the corner of his mouth but turned back to look at him with a defiant glare.
"You're lucky that my son's life is on the line and that I need you alive," Gaston hissed. "Because I'd take great satisfaction in pushing a knife straight through your heart." He paused before nodding to his soldiers. "Now take him away," he ordered.
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Everything was dead quiet except for the distant sounds coming from the Black Arrow's encampment. Mal hadn't uttered another word since relating the events leading to Matthew's death. There had been a tremble in her voice, and Ben could still feel her shoulder shaking from where they still touched. The silence was unnerving, the atmosphere so tense that Ben decided he had to do something. There was still hope. They had a way out of this mess.
"Before they killed him, Matthew revealed to me that this cave has a secret exit, one which will take us to the other side of the mountain," Ben explained in a hushed tone. "All we need to do to escape is follow the passageway."
"I can't do it, Ben," Mal admitted.
"Of course, you can," Ben replied. "What happened to the fearless archer I met on the battlefield at Bald Mountain?"
"Ben, I watched that man's body hit the floor. They killed him, just like that, without even showing an inch of remorse," the princess whispered. "And how can you be so calm? These criminals murdered your father."
Ben's vision clouded as he ground his teeth. He twisted his hands in his bonds and took a deep breath. "Don't worry. It's different for us."
"How can you be so sure?" she retorted.
"We'd already be dead if that's what they wanted. These outlaws need us alive for some reason. We have no choice but to play along for now and bind our time to escape," the prince continued. "But whatever happens, don't reveal your true identity to anyone. Invent an excuse if they question you. Understood?"
"Yes, I promise," she replied.
Silence fell over them once again. Ben twisted his hands in the ropes binding his wrists, but they were tight. Despite this, he could eventually wrench his hands-free and escape with some bloodied wrists if he kept at it. As far as the cage... the beams were close together in most places, but there was an area slightly off the ground and to his left where Mal would definitely be able to fit through and where he might also be able to slip out. He tried to search out for the area Matthew had described, but the cave was dark, and his vision was dimmed. It had to be there, though. Maybe if he could follow the slope of the ceiling...
Mal leaned her head back, closer to his, and let out a little breath. "Ben, I'm scared," She confessed. Ben broke his concentration to twist his head around and try to catch a glimpse of her.
"You don't have to be," Ben reassured her. The young prince wished he could find the right words to calm the shaken princess or at least lighten the mood. "We're going to get out of here. I promise you," he spoke up after a few moments. "And besides, once I've saved your life, nothing will stand in my way and I'll be able to ask for your hand in marriage!"
Mal's stomach fluttered as a little smile found its way on her face. "What are you saying?" she asked.
"Why are you so shocked?" Ben countered in a mock-indignant tone. "What's wrong with me?"
Mal's features took on a serious expression as she sobered up. "This war you're waging against my people for starters. Then there are your laws and the living conditions you subject your people to. That's what's wrong with you!" she replied.
Ben pursed his lips. "Okay, you've told me this already. But apart from all that?" He snorted, nudging her right shoulder. "I mean, I have an average build and two normal-looking hands and feet and not to mention that I'm the sole heir to the kingdom of Auradon. I would have you know that, where I come from, I'm considered to be quite a catch and not as ugly as you're trying to make me believe."
Mal blinked, and a soft giggle escaped her throat. The princess felt the tension melt away as she continued chuckling. "Thank you, Ben," she whispered a few moments later, realizing what he'd been trying to do.
The young prince smiled and without thinking stretched his fingers around the stave behind him to brush them lightly against hers. The silence, he noticed, didn't feel too tense anymore.
Meanwhile…
Robin Hood's eyes narrowed as he watched his men train. The tall, well-built, middle-aged leader of the Black Arrow turned away and started to pace around the camp, unable to hide his nervousness. He stopped to pick up his discarded bow and arrow from a nearby wooden table and let his gaze scan the encampment, lost in thought. When, twenty years ago, the dishonored Lord had inherited his birth lands from his father, he would've never imagined his life would turn out this way; branded as a traitor and becoming the leader of a group of outlaws. But it was a fate that the archer had come to accept. This life on the run was a little price to pay to be able to give hope not only to his people but also to the people of Auroria and Auradon. The desire for a better life where freedom, justice and prosperity reigned. And that could never happen until they stopped rulers like Gaston and Stefan. Robin just wished Gaston hadn't forced his hand this time, leaving him no choice but to kidnap Adam's son. The archer couldn't let Gaston kill Chad; the boy was like a son to him.
"Robin!" a distant voice called out, and the brown-haired man turned around. A relieved expression lit up the leader's face, and he hurried over to his man, who'd returned from Auradon.
"He's accepted," the outlaw stated, out of breath, as he dismounted his horse and tied it to a nearby tree.
Robin's face broke into a wide smile. "Everyone gather around!" he shouted, turning around towards the encampment, getting everyone's attention. "Gaston has accepted! He'll release Chad in exchange for Prince Benjamin!" The crowd around him erupted in loud cheers at the news.
"That's the best news you could have given us, Robin." a pretty, young woman with long, light brown hair exclaimed as she turned to hug their leader.
Robin returned her hug before his smile turned to a serious look. "Chad is not safe yet, Audrey. This might still be a trap. We need to be careful!" he commented.
"Exactly! How can we be sure that Gaston will keep his word?" one of the archers asked, breaking the happy moment.
"He won't!" another one exclaimed.
"It's surely a trap, Robin," The outlaw remarked. "But if we're smart enough we could surprise and attack them from behind. They wouldn't know what hit them before it's too late."
"It's true!" a second archer exclaimed. "We have the advantage; we can use the prince as bait."
"No! No one touches the prince!" Robin's loud voice vibrated across the campsite. "An agreement is an agreement. I've given my word, and the Black Arrow does not break its promises." He walked up to the two rogue archers and looked at them straight in the eye. "I founded the Black Arrow on the values of honor and trust."
"Shouldn't freeing Auradon from Gaston's tyrannic rule be one of our priorities?" one archer retorted.
"Yes, but not at the price of breaking our word!" Robin replied in a stern tone. "We have to think about Chad too. Your idea would put him at risk, and I won't allow it."
Silence fell across the camp, effectively ending the argument. "Now follow me!" Robin stated. He reached out to pick up a thick burlap bag from the table beside him and began to walk in the direction of the cave.
"Prince Benjamin," Robin called out in a loud, commanding voice as he entered the cave's mouth.
Ben's head snapped up, and a sense of dread hit the pit of his stomach. The door to their cell opened, and he felt Mal stiffen behind him. The sound of heavy footsteps alerted him to the fact that several men had entered their prison, and his muscles tensed. Three muscular men bent down beside him. Two grabbed his arms in a tight hold while the third man loosened the ropes securing him to the stave. "What do you want? Where are you taking me?" he snarled, starting to struggle against them. The two men hauled him up to his feet, and the last thing he saw before the burlap bag went over his head was the third man securing Mal against the stave.
"Leave him alone!" Mal shouted. "Don't hurt him!"
His head was spinning, and the bag around his head made it hard to breathe, but Ben continued to struggle with all his might against his captors anyway. He wouldn't leave Mal alone with these criminals. "Let me go!" the prince ordered with his voice muffled. He twisted in his captors' vice grips, and before they could drag him away, he bent down towards Mal. "I'll come back for you, I promise!" he called out.
"Ben! Ben!" Mal's terrified voice echoed throughout the cave.
The outlaws dragged him out of the cell, and the door was once again locked. "Let me go," Ben repeated.
"Ben!" Mal shouted somewhere to his right, and Ben's heart twisted at the fear he could make out in her tone.
"I'll come back for you, I promise!" he shouted back.
"Ben!" she whispered.
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After what seemed like an eternity, the wagon that was carrying Ben to yet another unknown destination came to a halt. His captors helped him out and continued to drag him along until they stopped. Ben heard the distinctive sound of water and was sure they were near some river. The bag came off his head at last, and the prince took a deep breath of fresh air, filling his deprived lungs. He squinted his eyes, adjusting his vision to his new surroundings.
A long bridge stood before him, and a relieved smile graced his face as he recognized the familiar spot. They were a few kilometers away from Auradon Castle. His smile grew even wider when he spotted Gaston and a large group of Auradonian soldiers on the other side of the crossing. Their arrows were drawn and pointing in their direction. Soon he'd be free, and then he'd be able to save Mal from this band of criminals.
Someone untied his hand from behind and circled him, stopping by his side. Ben brought his hands up to his chest, rubbing his wrists with vigor to bring the circulation back to them. To his surprise, the person beside him was a short, chubby, bald man.
"This is your letter," a voice rang out behind him, and Ben turned around.
The young prince glared at the middle-aged man in front of him. "Are you the leader?" Ben asked. "Are you Robin of Locksley?"
"Yes, I am boy," Robin replied.
"Then listen to me carefully." Ben snarled, gazing at him with cold, hard eyes. "I'll be hunting you down and getting my friend back. If you so much as touch one hair on his head, there will be no place on this earth where you'll be able to hide from me. You may have killed my father, but I won't let you hurt him." The young prince snatched the bag the man held in his hands.
Silence followed as they stared at each other. "Listen, boy. Nothing will happen to him. But you mustn't believe everything people say, especially those who proclaim to be your friends." Robin commented with a deep sigh. "Now go!" he stated, pushing the prince towards the bridge.
Robin watched with a sad, forlorn expression as Ben made his way across the bridge.
"Why didn't you tell him the truth?" the chubby man at his side asked.
"He would have never believed that truth coming from me, Tuck," Robin replied.
Ben made his way across the bridge with slow, cautious steps, mindful of the outlaws' arrows pointed at his chest and back. His eyes widened when he spotted a young, blonde-haired man around his age, making his way towards him. He didn't stop but threw him a side glance as he brushed past him.
"Ben, watch out!" a familiar voice screamed. Ben heard Doug's sudden warning, but it was too late. Before he could comprehend what was happening an arrow flew past him. It missed his shoulder by an inch. Time seemed to slow down. The prince's instincts kicked in, and they screamed at him to duck. He wasn't fast enough and a second arrow found its mark, implanting itself in his arm. Ben cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
Disjointed images floated around him as Ben tried to control his breathing. His instincts once again kicked in, and the prince struggled to drag himself across the bridge towards Gaston. Pain shot up his injured arm with every movement, and he let out a ragged, painful breath. He could tell that a battle was raging on around him, but the voices and noises became a jumbled mess. Ben forced his eyes open, feeling the presence of people beside him, and groaned, willing his eyelids to cooperate and stay open. A group of Auradonian soldiers raised their shields in a protective barrier, and darkness surrounded him. Doug's worried expression was the last thing he saw before his world went black.
A/N: UH-OH! Another cliffhanger... sorry...
So much going on in this chapter...we've got a first glimpse at the Robin and his group of outlaws and Chad has been brought into the fold. Robin seems to have a history with King Adam...mmm... and how did the son of Cinderella end up with the Black Arrow? The first real seeds of the Bal romance have been planted just as our heroes have been separated once again.
Tune in next week to find out what happens next...another descendants character will be introduced.