The only characters that are mine are the alternate reality versions of our favorite explorers and their not so welcome visitors.
One review, please, is that so much to ask for?
Chapter 2
"Are you sure, brother?".
"Yes, I must" Ned knew that his fortune and future was not confined the walls of the castle.
"Then go, and write often" John sent his brother off with a heavy heart, feeling more alone than ever.
Later that day, Veronica quietly disappeared from her tower. Having noticed her powers over the years, she had been quietly developing them. Landing in front of the lake, she removed her clothes and entered the warm water.
"Who are you?" she demanded as Ned emerged from behind the trees.
"My name is Ned," he stammered out. Her golden hair seemed to go on forever as she used the water to cover her body. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
"Please leave, if my aunt catches you, she will kill you" Veronica begged.
"I don't mean you any harm; I would like to know your name".
"Veronica" her name was echoed throughout the valley.
"I beg of you, my aunt does not take kindly to strangers, please leave" using her hair to cover her body, she gathered her clothes and disappeared.
"Veronica" he murmured, as he stood alone next to the empty lake. He had never been in love before, but if this was love, then she was it for him.
"Where have you been?" Danielle demanded.
"I went for a swim".
"Did you meet anyone?".
"No"
"A man?" Danielle continued to pry.
"I met no one" Veronica voice remained firm; she hoped her aunt would believe her.
"You do know that if I catch with a man, you will be forbidden from this place forever".
"Yes, aunt".
Veronica followed her out of the room, knowing that she had met a man and this man, if never saw him again; he was forever in her heart.
After watching his brother ride off, John decided a ride would be the best thing to clear his mind.
"Sire" his personal guards approached him.
"Enjoy your afternoon, gentleman" John dismissed the men.
"But sire" his captain protested.
"Let him go, gentleman" George advised.
"My lord" the captain continued to protest.
"If it will make you feel, better, captain, you may escort me" John agreed.
"As wish, highness".
As John and his captain rode away from the castle, he began to relax.
"Do you have a family, captain?".
"I have two good strong lads. My wife is carrying our third child, she's hoping for a girl".
"You're a lucky man, captain" John listened as the bushes around him crinkled. Without warning they were attacked. The men fought back, but they were overwhelmed.
"Well, well who do we have here?" one of their attackers asked with a glint in his eye.
"I believe it is good King John himself" the other attacker replied not seeing the figure emerging from behind the bushes
"Back away, gentlemen" Marguerite aimed each of her guns on the bandits.
"Parsifal, I've heard much about you".
"Then we can begin".
"Anytime, milady" before the bandits knew what happened, she had them on the ground.
"Why you…" the first bandit started to get up.
"I suggest, gentlemen, you walk away. The lady may not want to shoot, but I will" Locke emerged from the bush.
Begrudgingly, the bandits walked off.
"Now gentleman, if you will allow us to the money you are so handily carrying, we will be on our way".
"How dare you disrespect the king" the captain stepped forward, ready to protect John.
"Just give them the money, captain" John advised.
"But, sire".
"It's only money, captain" reluctantly, the captain threw the money down.
Marguerite bent down to pick up the sack as John caught glimpse of the creamy skin untouched by the harsh sun. Her green eyes flashed as they met his and for a moment, they connected.
"Good day, gentleman" Marguerite and Locke departed.
"You had quite the effect on the king" Locke commented hours later.
"He is a man, like any other man".
"As am I" Francois pulled her against him.
"I never said you weren't" they tumbled onto the bed.
Back in the castle, John could not stop thinking about the woman, Parsifal. This was no ordinary woman. She could have let the bandits kill them, but she spared them. Money was no object, but a wife, a woman who he love and she could love him back with everything each had, that was priceless. He had to see her again, somehow, someway.
"Good morning sire" John's breakfast was placed before him as a loud scream echoed thought the castle.
"She's dead" the cook said as a blanket was draped over the girl's dead body.
"How, why?" John demanded.
"It seems, sire, she took the bowl that was meant for you" George surmised looking at the identical tray with the identical breakfast.
"Poison" the thought ran through their minds.
"Pardon me, majesty" George exited, knowing that with Ned away from the castle, John would have to be protected.
Marguerite woke the next day as the sun's rays were just starting to hit the distant mountains. Untangling herself from Francois and the blankets, she wrapped herself in the robe.
"No it's not possible," she murmured to herself.
There had been a look between them, a connection that was there. Not that she would admit it to anyone, much less herself. She had given up that life years ago; there was nothing left for her to hold onto. But at the same time, the child she was, before her parent's death and the presence of Alice and her horrid daughters, was still there.
"Marguerite?" Francois murmured.
"Good morning" dissolving all thoughts of any past or future life, she returned to the bed and the present.
"Marguerite, someone to see you, he says it's urgent" Bloom knocked on the other side of the door.
"My lord Chancellor, what a surprise" Marguerite faced George defensively.
"What do you want with us?" Locke demanded.
What does George want with Marguerite and who wants John dead? Will these fairy tales ever reach their happy ending? Ahh! Too many questions, my brain is going haywire. The answer to these questions is simple: read and review.
