A/N: Welcome back to a new chapter :)
As always a big thank you goes to my wonderful beta Wanderlustandfreedom for her precious help with this chapter and for leaving me such a lovely review. We've certainly come a long way since I first contacted you to embark on the adventure to become your beta for Her Royal Highness *.*
And I'd also like to thank my regular reviewers Carvie16, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night, AmethystDragon14, Harry Potter Fan 1994 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: We're one chapter closer to the Bal reunion :) I know I know I keep on repeating myself but all I can imagine is your reaction when I do lol ;D
fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night: It's great to be back. I'm afraid you're only going to get one answer to your questions in this chapter. I'm so happy you're really getting into the story and enjoying this little guess the plot game I've got going on lol.
SparkyGurly 227: You're always giving me these amazing compliments. It means a great tonne coming from you since I have such admiration for your work. I really hope you like this chapter too.
Carvie16: I hope you're doing okay since your comment about your personal stuff left me a little worried. As for the story, I'm always so excited to see your reactions to the story plot as it unravels and you've not dissappointed me last chapter. And I can happily announce that there shouldn't be anything too disturbing in this chapter :D
Harry Potter Fan 1994: I'm so so happy that you liked the work I did with Claudette and Gaston...it's an amazing compliment coming from you since you have an amazing writing talent *.*
Last chapter, Claudette's health kept on detoriating while Uma and Gaston continued to scheme against our heroes. Elsewhere Mal came face to face with the grim conditions of the Dwarf mines. Will her new friendship with Dizzy help her find a way to escape her new prison? And who is the unexpected person the princess came face to face with? While you guys keep on thinking on who this mystery person might be, lets return back to Ben and find you what's happening to the prince as he tries to reinstate the Black Arrow and save Mal.
Chapter 33
Ben arranged the cloak over his head as he followed Chad and Tuck along the busy streets. Chad brought the two to a stop and tilted his head to the side. "That's him, Tybalt," he stated.
Ben followed his line of sight and his eyes fell on a young boy at the far end of the road. "That's Peter's son, the farmer which Gaston hanged."
Then a sudden scream erupted from one of the stall owners in the street as the boy reached out for a bag of coins strapped to his side. "Thief! Thief!" he screamed. The boy made a run for it, and all hell broke loose. Two guards appeared from behind Ben and Chad and rushed to chase after him, shoving everyone in their way. Ben watched as three other boys joined the young thief in his escape before they split into four separate directions disappearing in the market's narrow streets. The guards ran until they reached the end of the road. They stared at each other, unable to decide what path to follow.
Chad squeezed Ben's shoulder, bring back his attention to the blonde outlaw who nodded at Ben. "They can be useful to us. Come on, Ben. I know where they're going," Chad exclaimed, leading them away. They walked through the town's street for a while until Chad stopped and indicated a side road. Less than a minute later, the young farmer emerged through a narrow side road followed by his comrades.
"That was fun," Tybalt smiled, opening the little sack to examine its contents before dividing the coins between them. "These should last us a few days. Now, let's go before they catch us," he suggested as he began to walk away.
"You owe me money from last week, Dorian," one of the boys complained, snatching the other's coins.
"That's enough," Tybalt exclaimed. "We're the Black Arrow!"
"The Black Arrow used to fight for justice and freedom," Tuck declared. The four boys whirled around and gasped at the three men in front of them.
"You're alive!" Tybalt stammered.
"What do you think?" Ben quipped with a smirk.
"Do we look like ghosts?" Tuck mused.
Tybalt sobered and straightened himself before walking up to Ben.
"I have a proposition for you." Ben stated.
Tybalt nodded, but before Ben could continue, the two guards rounded the corner and spotted the young thieves. "It's them!" one of them shouted, running towards them.
"Come on, let's go!" Ben shouted, turning around.
Tuck nodded at the prince and stayed behind. The old friar moved to the side and waited until the guards were mere meters away from him before hitting some straw baskets at his side, spilling all their contents onto the road and slowing down the guard's chase. "I'm sorry," he muttered, kneeling on the ground to pick up the spilled items as the guards cursed at the unwanted distraction. When they looked up, Ben and the other outlaws were gone.
It was well past midnight when Ben, Chad, Tuck, and Tybalt and his friends met up in the Tuck's and Godmother's little tavern. Tuck busied himself, pouring pitchers of drinks for the group while Ben explained the situation to the young thieves.
"So, who is this princess we need to rescue? Is she pretty?" Dorian asked, arching a brow.
"It's none of your business," Chad snapped.
"We want to know how much money we're going to get from it," the other thief smirked from across the room.
"That's enough, guys," Tybalt rebuked and turned to face Ben. "I apologize for my friends, Ben. They don't know any better, but you can count on us. We'll help you."
"Thank you, Tybalt," Ben sighed as his eyes roamed over the tavern's occupant. "I understand that freeing innocent people from the Dwarf mines might mean nothing to you, but there's also big loot. The monthly salaries of the mines' guards."
The three young thieves straightened in their seats. "Are you joking?" Dorian asked with wide eyes.
"I'm not," Ben paused. "But, it's dangerous."
"Nothing is too dangerous for an entire guards' monthly salary," Dorian quipped with a smile.
"Enough, Dorian," Tybalt retorted. "Ben, we're too few. We need to be at least thirty men to be able to attack the Dwarf Mines."
"Thirty men," Tuck said.
"That's how many we were in the Black Arrow," Chad replied with a sigh before he lowered his head to look at the ground.
Ben didn't miss the look of shame on Chad's face but shook his head, pushing aside the sad memory for another day. "I know where to get the other thirty men, but we'll need to travel to Moorland ruins to get them."
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Ben dismounted his horse and looked up at the abandoned ruins ahead of him. He found himself thinking back to the last time he'd been here in the moorlands and all that had happened to him since he'd discovered Mal's true identity. Ben stared at the low grown vegetation and clumps of dead grass, and his heart warmed. He wondered what the moorlands would look like once Mal had restored the land's magical powers. Chad, Tuck, and the young thieves joined his side, and he blinked as he returned to the present.
The group began to walk towards the remains, but it didn't take them long to find themselves surrounded by the Agrabah survivors who inhabited the ruins. Ben smiled when Jasmine approached him. "Jasmine," he began before looking to the others around him, "and people of Agrabah, I need your help. Princess Mal needs your help."
"Ben," she greeted, hugging the young prince. "We'll do anything to help the princess."
"Thank you, Jasmine," Ben replied and his expression fell. "Mal has been imprisoned in the Dwarf mines. I have to save her."
Jasmine rested her hands on Ben's shoulders. "Count on us."
Ben's smile returned. "I need to speak to your father."
Jasmine lowered her head. "My father died a few months ago," she sighed to hide the pain in her voice. "We were ambushed by some soldiers while hunting for food in the valley, and he didn't make it. Some of us were also captured and taken to the mines. The ruins aren't as safe as they used to be."
Ben's heart dropped to his stomach. "I'm sorry for your loss," he comforted.
Jasmine closed her eyes and offered a little smile to the prince before she looked back at him. "Now tell me about Mal."
"Mal was captured by Gaston, who wanted her to marry King Stefan. But she refused and was imprisoned in the dwarf mines. I need to men to help me attack the mines," Ben explained.
"Come with me then. I'll gather the council," Jasmine offered, leading Ben to the castle ruins center. Tuck and the other outlaws followed them.
A crowd of older men formed a circle around Ben and Jasmine. Ben scanned the group and straightened himself. "People of Agrabah, I need your help to attack the dwarf mines and free all of its prisoners. I want to recreate the Black Arrow and free these lands from Gaston's and King Stefan's tyrannical rule once and for all."
"I'm sure my father would've approved this," Jasmine interjected.
"Jasmine," an elder spoke up. "Your father led us here to safety, away from the conflict."
"But look what happened to him. We're not safe here anymore," Jasmine countered.
"Then we'll find a new haven," another elder said. "Why should we attack the dwarf mines? That place is known to be cursed."
"It's because of these stupid superstitions that I was branded a witch. I was going to be burned at the stake, remember?" Jasmine snapped. She let out a long breath. "It's thanks to Mal and Ben that I'm still alive today."
"But no one has ever escaped alive from there," the elder continued.
"Don't forget that our people are also imprisoned in the mines. My son's wife is trapped there," Jasmine said. "For how long are we going to run away in fear? We've become our own worst enemy."
Loud murmurs began to erupt from the peasants as they began to discuss. "Ben! Ben!" A loud female voice interrupted the meeting, and all eyes turned to Godmother, who suddenly appeared in the clearing and rushed towards the Auradonian prince.
"What is it, Godmother?" Ben asked. His heart skipped a beat as he took in her grave expression.
"It's Claudette, Ben," she said. "She's gone."
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Ben took a deep breath and tried to control his heart rate as he stared at the long procession several meters ahead of him. Even though he was hiding a safe distance away, Ben could easily make out the outline of his adopted mother's body from behind the thick branches. She lay on top of a wooden platform which four men were carrying across the path leading to the royal family cemetery. Gaston led the procession, followed by his men and several villagers.
Ben smiled despite the pounding in his chest. The people of Auradon had always loved Claudette. "Mum," he whispered with tears in his eyes. His resolve crumbled, and the prince dropped to his knees. "My biggest pain is that I can't hug you one last time and say goodbye. Please forgive me for abandoning you. Ben bowed his head, lost in the childhood memories of the only mother he'd ever known, and almost missed the shadow which appeared behind him. He barely had the time to roll and dive out of the way of the incoming sword before a scream split the air.
"Die, you filthy prince," Dopey cursed, straightening himself with a sword held in front of him. "I knew I'd find you here. Finally, I'll avenge Doug's death."
Ben drew his sword and blocked Dopey's attack, their swords colliding in mid-air. The force of Dopey's attack sent Ben tumbling backward. Dopey slashed at Ben's chest, and the prince blocked him, locking swords with him again. Dopey dug his feet into the ground and began to push Ben's blade downwards towards the ground. The prince was forced to shift his weight, and Dopey took the opportunity to hit him in the face with his free hand. Ben's sword flew out of his hand as the prince was thrown back to the ground.
"You're dead at last," Dopey laughed with a crazed gleam in his eyes.
Ben looked around him, trying to find a means of escape when the general suddenly stilled with wide eyes. Dopey dropped his sword and hunched forward, falling to the ground. Ben's surprised gaze fell on the protruding arrow sticking out from the general's back. Ben gasped for breath and looked up from the fallen man as approaching steps alerted him to a third presence in the forest. Chad rushed towards him, bow in hand. "You followed me," Ben stuttered. "You saved my life."
"I couldn't let anything happen to you," Chad replied with a determined expression. "You're our leader, and we need you."
Ben nodded and locked eyes with the blond. Maybe Tuck had been right. It was time to give Chad a second chance. Ben felt light - as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders. "Thank you, Chad."
"Now let's go," Chad stated, walking away. Ben threw one last sad glance at Claudette's funeral procession before following the outlaw away from the forest.
A/N: And that is it for this chapter - Ben has taken an important step in re-instating the Black Arrow but will the moor people decide to join him. And sadly Claudette has passed. I hope I've not dissappointed HPfan but killing her off "off-screen" but don't worry as the effect of her death will be felt throughout the rest of the story ;) And what about Chad...could he have really turned over the past. It certainly seems that way as he tries to atone for all he's done.
I know the chapter is a little shorter than usual but I think I'll be shortening the length of the chapters moving forward in view of my current tight RL schedule. This way I'm hoping to be able to update more regularly. The good news is that next week's chapter is all ready so tune in next weekend to find out what happens next. Stay safe in the meantime!