A/N: OK, so here it is at last!! The third (but not the final) part of my Ever After fic. By the way, in this chapter, Danielle is a weak, stereotypical DID (Damsel In Distress). Sorry!
DISCLAIMER: BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
Pierre le Pieu pulled Danielle closer to him. She recoiled as she felt the heat of his breath on her cheek.
"I have it on very good authority that Prince Henry is riding towards my castle with his men right at this very moment," Pierre told her. Danielle's heart leapt at the thought. Maybe, just maybe, he's come to rescue me...Her spirits sank as Pierre spoke again. "And unless you want his royal blood spilt, I suggest you make yourself scarce. Are we clear?"
Danielle nodded mutely. Surely he will search the castle, if he has come to help me. He will find me.
Shortly after, one of le Pieu's servants scurried in. "The prince is approaching the castle, milord."
Pierre nodded and waved a hand languidly.
"Follow me," he commanded. Danielle followed him up a dark, narrow staircase. There was a tiny room at the top. Pierre forced her into it and locked the door behind him. Danielle shivered slightly as the coldness of the room hit her bare arms. She looked around her. In the corners were masses of cobwebs and a scuttling noise revealed the fact that there was either mice or rats in the small room with her. She didn't particularly mind.
Danielle stiffened as she heard voices directly below her. She was directly above the courtyard and could hear every word that was being spoken. After some muffled hoofbeats, she heard Henry's voice, strong and clear.
"Where is she, le Pieu?"
"Where is who, sire?" Pierre enquired, faking ignorance.
"You know very well who. Danielle,"the prince stated. "I know she was sold to you by the Baroness de Ghent."
"Oh," Pierre exclaimed. "You mean Danielle de Barbarac."
"Yes," Henry spat. "I do. Where is she?"
"I'm afraid, your highness, that I have sold her to Christophe de Saillies. She was too...wilful."
Danielle's heart skipped a beat. Surely Henry wouldn't believe that lying toad! She was right.
"I'm afraid, Monsieur le Pieu, that I doubt your word."
Pierre sounded resigned. "Then please feel free to search the castle. If that is the only way I can prove my honesty and loyalty to the crown, so be it."
Danielle could hear a trample of footsteps as the men entered the building. She could hear shouting as they searched the rooms. But no one came up the staircase.
"Help! she yelled, but her voice was drowned out. It occurred to her that there might be a window. She felt along the wall until the fingers brushed against a small opening, through which cool air was blowing. She bent down and could just see Henry riding away with his men. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
DISCLAIMER: BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
Pierre le Pieu pulled Danielle closer to him. She recoiled as she felt the heat of his breath on her cheek.
"I have it on very good authority that Prince Henry is riding towards my castle with his men right at this very moment," Pierre told her. Danielle's heart leapt at the thought. Maybe, just maybe, he's come to rescue me...Her spirits sank as Pierre spoke again. "And unless you want his royal blood spilt, I suggest you make yourself scarce. Are we clear?"
Danielle nodded mutely. Surely he will search the castle, if he has come to help me. He will find me.
Shortly after, one of le Pieu's servants scurried in. "The prince is approaching the castle, milord."
Pierre nodded and waved a hand languidly.
"Follow me," he commanded. Danielle followed him up a dark, narrow staircase. There was a tiny room at the top. Pierre forced her into it and locked the door behind him. Danielle shivered slightly as the coldness of the room hit her bare arms. She looked around her. In the corners were masses of cobwebs and a scuttling noise revealed the fact that there was either mice or rats in the small room with her. She didn't particularly mind.
Danielle stiffened as she heard voices directly below her. She was directly above the courtyard and could hear every word that was being spoken. After some muffled hoofbeats, she heard Henry's voice, strong and clear.
"Where is she, le Pieu?"
"Where is who, sire?" Pierre enquired, faking ignorance.
"You know very well who. Danielle,"the prince stated. "I know she was sold to you by the Baroness de Ghent."
"Oh," Pierre exclaimed. "You mean Danielle de Barbarac."
"Yes," Henry spat. "I do. Where is she?"
"I'm afraid, your highness, that I have sold her to Christophe de Saillies. She was too...wilful."
Danielle's heart skipped a beat. Surely Henry wouldn't believe that lying toad! She was right.
"I'm afraid, Monsieur le Pieu, that I doubt your word."
Pierre sounded resigned. "Then please feel free to search the castle. If that is the only way I can prove my honesty and loyalty to the crown, so be it."
Danielle could hear a trample of footsteps as the men entered the building. She could hear shouting as they searched the rooms. But no one came up the staircase.
"Help! she yelled, but her voice was drowned out. It occurred to her that there might be a window. She felt along the wall until the fingers brushed against a small opening, through which cool air was blowing. She bent down and could just see Henry riding away with his men. A single tear rolled down her cheek.