Disclaimer: GUESS WHAT??? A lot of people own these characters… none of them are me.
A\N: I don't know if this is going to be the last chapter until I get finished. So we will find out at the end of this chapter. SOOOO…. Thanks for the reviews!!!!!! They really have helped me actually get the motivation to write this. I'm confused on how this is going to turn out too. So after a lot of thought. {LOL Yeah Right TONS of thought} I am going to proceed.
"So, Dupree, what is all of this about?" Richard asked.
"Why, I thought the lovely Princess would have told you by now all about me. After all, she is the one responsible for my tragic death. Or has that little detail slipped your memory, Princess. I'm sure that your dear Sir Richard would love to hear all about it, shall I do the honors?
"Shut up, you bastard," Marguerite snapped. Even in this life he was as arrogant and repulsive as ever.
"Well I guess I shall proceed," he continued. "You see your lovely Madeline took many trips to Guilder about three years ago, did she not?"
"Yes, she did, but what does that have anything to do with --," Richard answered.
"Well you see, what she didn't tell you was what she was doing in Guilder. Most thought she was visiting cousins or learning of the latest fashions, but instead she was stealing military secrets from the French. From me, namely. All the time, I never knew you were the beautiful Princess Madeline, after all, I had just moved from France. But instead I thought you were just the pretty maid from Lancaster. I never dreamed that you would in time try to kill me."
Richard drew back at this and looked at Marguerite in shock. He whispered, "I knew 'you' could cheat and steal, but I never thought you would resort to killing someone." He looked at her hoping she had some explanation.
" I didn't resort to killing him. I was just supposed to leave, but he wouldn't let me go until he had what he wanted from me. But I sho--- stabbed him in the heart." Marguerite said, hoping that Madeline's encounter with this man was similar to hers.
" Yes, it is true, but you shouldn't lead a man on that way unless you intend on following through. You see my dear, when you stab someone in the heart, you must make sure they are completely gone before you leave. Luckily for me, and quite unfortunately for you, I survived, quite remarkably. And well, Lord Henry here, has kept me very well hidden from your knowledge. You really shouldn't turn a marriage proposal from such a powerful and jealous man like Lord Henry, so I was to have you killed. But I underestimated you, for the second time. A terrible mistake. And I intend on fixing it."
He drew his sword in one quick motion. Richard jumped towards him taking the sword completely through his left shoulder close to his heart. Marguerite screamed, and then a blur of people soon came around them, but Marguerite didn't notice. She couldn't speak, she couldn't think. She just cried. She knelt next to Richard. "NO!" she screamed. "Please, oh God, No! Richard! Richard!" He was beginning to loose consciousness.
"Madeline," he tried to say, but it came out as a small croak.
" No Richard, please."
He passed out.
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Challenger and Veronica were doing all they could for Madeline at the moment while Roxton and Malone made a stretcher. When they had finished, the started carrying her towards the Zanga village.
"Challenger, is she going to be ok?" Roxton finally dared himself to ask. He knew that many people shot at such a close range in such a sensitive area, didn't survive.
"It's too soon to tell, but we have to get her to the Zanga village soon. I need to get that bullet out without doing any more damage. If it hit a major organ, well, I'm not sure I can repair it," he said grimly.
Roxton took in a short breath. Then the thought came to him, "George, do you think whatever happens to Madeline here affects what is happening to Marguerite there. I mean do you think that Marguerite is feeling pain wherever she is?"
"Interesting theory, Roxton. I really am not sure, but I hope not."
"Me too." Roxton whispered.
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Richard was put in a room near Marguerite's. The men asked her to leave, but she refused. This was all too familiar. She had been in this position before. When that crazy man shot Roxton, and then had the nerve to give him no help. Ironically enough, it was in the same spot as his gun wound.
The men who had carried him here had left and in walked Challenger, or if she remembered correctly, Chantler. The sight of him almost made her smile, not with relief. She never thought she would see Challenger dressed as a full-blown wizard. A total contradiction to the Challenger she knew. But Richard had told her, he was always inventing things. Maybe he wasn't so unlike Challenger anyway.
"My dear, he should be all right, although, his arm may be of little use to him for a long while." Chantler said after looking him over and dressing the wound." Just give him rest."
"Thank you, Chantler," she said smiling.
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When they reached the Zanga village, they immediately began to work. But Challenger insisted that Roxton wait outside. It was all he could do from going mad. 'What if she dies, what will happen to Marguerite? Will she die, will it make it impossible to get her back, will she be in pain?' The possibilities were endless, and they were about to devour Roxton.
"Roxton," Veronica said. "Why don't you try to rest, she's in good hands. If I hear any news I will get you. As soon as they are done, I'll tell you. I promise."
"All right, Veronica, I can't take it anymore. I feel so helpless. I will be in the next tent. Get me immediately if anything happens."
"I will."
Roxton went to lie down. He finally drifted off to sleep. He was making himself sick with worry. He dreamt of Marguerite.
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Outside the tent, Veronica paced. She was just as worried as Roxton. Who knew the complications that could come from this? 'I knew I had a bad feeling about him, why didn't I see it coming. I could have stopped him.' Her thoughts were interrupted by Ned's voice.
"Veronica, please sit down."
"Ned I can't. This is my fault. I know to trust my instincts. Why didn't I this time?"
"You can't blame yourself. We all should know by now in a situation like that you can't trust anyone. We should have been ready. But you can't take all the blame." He put an arm around her and led her to a log. When they sat down there was a long silence. She looked up and met Ned's eyes. They stared a little longer.
"Veronica," Ned began, " I… I care about you a lot, and I know if anything ever happened to you, I don't know if I could live. What I'm trying to say is…"
"Ned, don't—"
" No, Veronica, I love you."
He kissed her gently.
"I love you too, Ned."
He leaned in to kiss her again but Challenger burst out of the tent. 'Now I know how poor Roxton feels,' Malone thought.
"What's wrong, Challenger?" Veronica asked jumping up.
"Where's Roxton?!?" he shot back.
"In his tent."
Challenger made a mad dash for his tent, followed by Veronica and Malone.
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Marguerite sat beside Richard's bed. " You know the sooner you get better, the sooner we can get Madeline back."
He didn't stir. She felt his forehead. He was burning up. "Chantler!" she called. He came in a few moments later. "Chantler, he is burning up! What is going on?"
He felt Richard's forehead. "Oh heavens!" And with that he rushed out of the room.
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SOOOOOO….. how did you like that, yeah really short, but the last chapter should be up soon. ! I just cant write anymore for now, so this is where it ends. REVIEW! And for all you people that might have tried to review, but did have a signed thing, I have fixed that, so great news…. YOU CAN REVIEW TOO!!!! Aren't you soooooo happy! I know I am!
Hmmmmm…. I wonder how I can explain what is happening. I sure hope so. I might have just dug my own grave. I really have no clue how I am going to fix this and end it so suggestions are very welcome. I'm sure I can think of something. Give me a few hours, I'll think of something. Well, I'm sorry it's been a few days. I had "plans" to prepare. * Evil laugh * As a very smart man once said, "Be afraid, be very afraid." LOL
