BBC Robin Hood God Save the Queen

Chapter 6 A: The Reveal

-- Palace of Poitiers, Summer Solstice --

The Palace of Poitiers was a magnificent sight to behold. The immaculate lawn greeted guests as they entered the elaborate ironworks of the Palace gates. The torches that lined the path of where the carriages were to pass were lit when the sun had started to set. Lanterns of different sizes were hung on the scattered trees inside the venue of tonight's festivities creating the effect that the Palace was surrounded by stars. Large colourful banners of blue and green adorned each side of the main door while smaller ones hung from the four towers and corners of the keep and the roof tops. Even the courtiers who often the keep gasped in wonderment just as they approached the gates that evening. The Palace was no longer the place they spent so much time in. Instead, they were transported in the world of fairy tales where, for just one night, they could be the prince and princesses of the kingdom in their best dresses. It was a world they fantasized about often. But tonight, the fantasy becomes reality. Tonight, inhibitions could be revealed and identities could be put aside for this was the night of the Queen's Masquerade ball.

It was no wonder then that the outlaws were awestruck by the sight of the Palace. Robin took a passing glance at his companions. They were in a line just staring at the grandeur of the Palace and watching as the carriages came through the road beside them, paused by the entrance, and entered. At the distance, they could see the glow from the lights as twilight started to turn into night. The reddish purple sky was growing darker by the minute. The stars, both on land and in the heavens, were getting brighter by the second. In a few short minutes, the transformation was complete. The land and sky were one in shadows and in the twinkle of lights.

"That's just amazing." He heard his former servant sigh breaking the almost holy silence that has taken over the seven standing in the shadows of the trees that surrounded the outer gates of the Palace.

"Marian would have loved it."The breathless whisper about their fallen and much loved Lady of Knighton was enough to bring them back into reality. They had come to the Poitiers for a reason and Robin would be damned if they were deterred. The leader shook his head trying to relinquish all thoughts about her. For the moment, they had to concentrate on what is at hand. He knew she wouldn't want it any other way. She had made him promise to fight after all.

Allan- A- Dale's but his bottom lip examining the security of the palace that he could see from where they were. He adjusted the pigeon case they had brought along. It was not good for them. Guards stood at attention outside the wall every few feet like toy soldiers. A team of guards were at the main entrance and exit raising their swords in salute every time a carriage came or left. Then there were a few more groups of soldiers walking about the perimeter. The guards did not even have helmets on. It was painfully obvious that they could not simply climb a wall, or pretend to be a guard, or any of the tricks they used in Nottingham. They would be spotted immediately."Not being funny," He started to say wincing as he kept an eye on the palace, "but we are definitely not in Nottingham anymore." He finally faced Robin who had taken leaning on a tree watching the same scene he has been. "I mean, how are we going to get in? There are guards everywhere." He pointed out.

"Not inside." Carter smirked knowingly. "It's a palace not a castle. Once you are in, there's very little soldiers making rounds. And on a night like this, the guards would be posted at the entrances and exists, then at every door that the guests are allowed in, about four in every main corridor and two at the small ones. Then there would be two at each side of the throne and a few standing in the main hall." He finished narrowing his eyes like he could see through the walls and place the guards into position himself.

"All well and good. Now that we know what happens inside, how do we get in again Carter?" Much asked sarcastically.

Djaq and John exchanged amused smiles seeing crusader raise an eyebrow at the Earl of Bonchurch like he's sizing the small man up. Much proceeded to give the man his bravest face which made the crusader chuckle instead. "I think we should keep Carter." Djaq whispered to John who nodded in agreement.

Will scratched his head trying to figure out a plan for himself but in vain. "Robin, do you have a plan?" He finally asked.

The leader of the group left the tree he was leaning on and placed a hand on a crouched Little John's shoulder. "Of course I have a plan." He grinned cheekily.

Little John his system grow cold at the sight of Robin's mischievous grin. "No." He objected forcefully standing up to his full height. "No." He repeated trying to stare the other down.

Robin crossed his arms with an unfailing smile. "Oh yes." He replied nodding in his normal self assured manner.

"Robin." Little John warned with a stamp of his staff.

"Big bear." Robin answered in turn teasing the bigger man. "We have to go save the Queen. Let's go." The man said walking towards the road.

Little John clenched his jaw knowing he had no choice but to follow whatever vague plan Robin had come up with. Reluctantly, he followed the smaller man almost regretting the day he left his own gang to join this one.
--

A large unguarded carriage passing through the well used road jerked into a halt. The driver squinted trying to make out the waving figure that was in front of him. He could see the palace in the distance as he let his hand reach for the weapon lying beside him. "Who goes there?" He called out as the figure rushed towards him. "Stay where you are." He warned. But in a few moments, he saw hooded men come out of the trees. He hardly had the time to draw his weapon when he found himself staring at the blade of an axe.

"Don't move." At the side of his eye, he could see a brown haired man to his right instruct him almost gently in English.

The driver stayed motionless in his seat spying another person, a Saracen, with a sword ready to strike to his left side. He slowly raised his hands as an act of good faith. "Please, you do not want to do this." He said in his heavily accented English which was a little to calm for Robin's liking. The gang surrounded the carriage with Little John holding the reigns to keep the horses from moving. Robin motioned for Carter to open the carriage door. "The mistress, she-"

But he was interrupted. "She will be alright. Not being funny, but we just really want your carriage. Honest" The still man heard one of them vow but was unconvinced. He shrugged defeated knowing that he, at least, tried to stop the outlaws from doing what he want. But words do not mean anything when he was being held hostage. It was all about action. And the driver couldn't bring himself to move so he just stared at the view of the palace instead.

Robin stood a few feet from in front of the door while Much and Allan stood at either side. With a nod, he commanded the crusader to open the door. Carter had willingly obeyed. but instead of a scared passenger wondering why they have stopped on the road instead of the Palace gates, a masked woman wielding a sword leaped out of the door and attacked the first person she saw. Robin barely had enough time to raise his bow up horizontally to block the on coming attack. He quickly pushed the person back where Carter was just getting ready to grab her from behind. But the girl was relentless. She turned just in time to see the crusader make a move for her. Quickly using his momentum against him, the woman dropped her sword and scabbard and grabbed the man by an arm and collar easily tossing him over her shoulder. Before anybody else could react, she had her sword back on her hands and pointed at the fallen crusader.

"Make no mistake," the girl snapped as she sheathed her weapon to the surprise of the outlaws, "Raoul and Evangeline will hear about this. And when they do, you had better be ready for some verbal lashing Monsieur Carter."

From fallen position on the ground, Carter's eyes finally recognized the lady who was looking down at him. The woman had her blonde hair tied back in a loose bun with a few well placed curled strands framing her face. The wine coloured dress accented with gold embroidery and corset matched her delicate lace patterned mask perfectly. But the stern annoyed gaze of her blue eyes betrayed that this was not a girl to be trifled with. "Lady Camille!" He scampered to stand. "I'm so sorry. We didn't know it was you." He apologized.

"Yes, I can see that." She smoothed the imaginary wrinkles out of her skirt. "However," she started to glare at Robin who automatically felt uncomfortable, "there are other ways to get inside the palace without resorting to hijacking carriages." She scolded the gang. "This is not Nottingham." She finished heading to the door of her carriage

"If it's any consolation, we thought you were dead. I, for one, am very glad you're still alive, Madame. To lose beauty such as yours would be a great loss to the world." Robin shrugged wearing an innocent smile that, in his experience, could placate any angry woman.

But Camille rolled her eyes instead while holding the door open for them and tossing her sword inside. "Why do men always resort to drivel? I'm married to the best sweet talker in the known world. That does not work on me." She scoffed motioning to the empty cabin of her carriage. "I think we can squeeze four inside with me. Two could play footmen and the other up with Andre..." She looked uncertainly at their clothes and shook her head. "We will do something about... that... inside. Well?" She glanced expectantly at outlaws.
--

Queen Eleanor took a deep breath before opening her door. She could hear the revelers downstairs enjoying the celebrations. The music echoed down the hall as if enticing the Queen and the two well dressed Royal guards behind her into the Banquet hall where her guests would be now that dinner was over. She past the familiar halls of the palace with great anticipation. She did not understand the feeling completely. This was her party. She had written the invitation list herself and checked each of the replies that came along with it. It confused the Queen Mother why she felt like she needed to be in the company of the crowd. But at the same time, there was this feeling of dread filling within her making her want to turn around and retire in her room. The guards behind her were there for her protection yet somehow, she felt like they were accompanying her to the stocks.

No matter, she turned the last corner and paused as the crier leaped from his seat. She fixed the non existent flaws in her deep green gown and the gold and silver flecked mask she had chosen for the night when the music stopped. The adjustment was out of habit. "Her Royal Highness, Eleanor, Queen Mother of England, Countess of Poitou and Duchess of Gascony and Aquitaine." She placed on a well practiced smile walking into the hall that was parted neatly in the middle so that she could pass. Her guests bowed lowly as she walked to her throne in the silence of the hall. She turned nodding to the her orchestra. "Do continue." She commanded pleasantly. And in an instant, music filled the air again and her guests were brought back to life.

She promptly took a seat on her throne observing as the people seemed to enjoy themselves in the dance, drinks, and food laid out for them at either side of the walls. The Queen sighed in relief suddenly feeling silly that she had just compared attending her own party to an execution. Several nobles had approached the throne to bow down showing their respect and appreciation to the celebration that was at hand. She smiled and nodded eventually starting small talk that ended as quickly as the conversation had started. However, the Queen did not mind.

The night went on better than she had expected. There were several of her friends, regulars at the court of Aquitaine and Pointou, that had invited her for a friendly dance which she gracefully had accepted. As the night wore on, her visitors had started getting louder. Laughter and giggles filled the air every time someone had missed a step in the dance. Couples had started getting slightly more comfortable in their surroundings. She took a passing glance at the woman that had sat beside her and frowned. The Queen had noticed that everytime a couple had toasted to each other with their wine glasses, she had looked down at the new ring on her left hand obviously thinking of her husband that was missing from the revelry he so loved to be a part of. Guilt filled the Queen knowing that she had been the one to order Raoul away to the Holy Lands to prevent the Black Knight's plan of attacking Saladin while his son and the prince discussed terms for peace.

The thought had remind her of another person she had not yet seen appear in the the masquerade ball. Mademoiselle Evangeline Stone de Laurent had yet to make her appearance known to her. The girl had promised to come back before the ball but it seemed like she has not. She has been waiting excitedly for days for the half English half French noble's return.The Queen sighed at the thought of the young willful girl with dubious friends. She had been so convinced to introduce the lady to a few eligible young men. A few new noblemen friends may temper the girl's often risky, secretive and stubborn attitude.

No matter, the revelers were more festive now. The Queen Mother doubted if some even knew who they were talking to because of the elaborate masks every one has and the one rule she had set up for the night. Her guests were to keep their identity secret until the unveiling at midnight. They could venture guesses on who they are talking to but the other party can not confirm, deny or hint if they are correct. Together with, wine and music, the masquerade rule gave her guests the feeling that they are perfectly anonymous and free.

That is, until the bells of the Notre Dame la Grand started ringing to signal that midnight has come. The hall grew quiet in anticipation of what to come. The Queen stood from her throne with a glass of wine in her hand. She raised it up for a toast smiling as the guests did the same. "Today, my friends," she started, "-today is the start of summer. And what other way can you think of starting the warmest season than to reveal who you really are to one another. Tchin- tchin." She grinned taking her mask off with one hand while taking a sip of her wine with the other listening to the cheers of toasting her guests were enveloped in.

But when she placed her glass down, she found herself staring at a particularly familiar neatly dressed tall blonde man in the center of the crowd staring directly at her. Queen Eleanor's blood turned cold noticing that the people around him were looking at her the same way before they bowed to the man. Her smile faded immediately replaced by a deep frown.

This gesture was not unnoticed by her guest. The man's blue eyes flashed with amusement as his lips curved upwards for a satisfied smirk. "Who we really are indeed." He replied almost sadistically.

"John." She whispered glaring at the man at the same time the man she recognized as the Sheriff of Nottingham stepped forward grinning to announce the monarch. "Attention! Attention ladies and gentlemen. You are in the presence of Prince John of England, Count of Mortain and Lord of Ireland." He cried proudly.

At once, silence ensued in the room as most of the guests dropped to show their respects. Prince John disregarded the courtesy by waving the gesture off. The guests rose instantly murmuring their speculations on the prince's appearance. The Prince of England's smile widened seeing the discomfort of the Queen. "Hello, Mother." He greeted reminding the Queen of a pale serpent as the man's eyes darted around the hall curiously. "I love what you've done to the place." He added sarcastically.
--

Little John felt more uncomfortable than ever before. Unlike Robin, Allan, Much and sometimes even Will and Djaq, he had stayed in one corner of the room opposite where the throne was not knowing what exactly to do at these occasions. Worse, he had a mask on which made his cheeks itch. Worst of all, his clothes, although they were the largest one that Lady Camille can find, were slightly too tight on him. He missed the comfort of his leather overcoat and his organic wooden staff. They had to hide their weapons behind several ceiling- to- floor banners on the wall he was leaning on. His was on the banner right beside him and he was very much tempted to just reach to take it.

But Carter was right there beside him standing stiffly at attention like he was on duty albeit with an intricate black mask on and a red doublet. He like Little John was weaponless. The large man stole a look at the crusader beside him drinking wine from his cup just to scan the room like he had a dozen times before and each time was met by disappointment. To anyone else, Carter just looked like a stoic unfeeling man which would explain why several ladies that had given him a coy smile eventually gave up their pursuit for the night. But Little John could see the sadness in his eyes whenever his searched for any glimpse of her in the room came back empty handed. When the Malouins had told them that the girl was alive, he saw a small spark come back in the crusader's attitude. However, as the night wore on, that light had started fading. This was the Queens ball of which her court was required to attend. But she was not here. In truth, Little John had been doing the same thing Carter had been for the whole night to make sure the girl was indeed not in the room.

The time came for the masks to come off and he heard a sigh coming from the man beside him. "She's not here." Little John heard him state as if he was expecting it but the way the man had a sudden interest on his shoes said otherwise.

The woodsman couldn't do anything else but to pat the younger man on his shoulder. Then he remembered a conversation that they had when the girl was in Nottingham about this exact masquerade ball and felt it was an appropriate comment to help his friend feel better. "Party dresses, she does not like." He pointed out.

Little John felt better when the crusader chuckled nodding his head slightly with a small smile. "Yeah, she doesn't does she. I remember." The crusader replied.

Just as they both focused their attention to the people in the room, they saw that most people had their heads bowed to a center figure that had his back turned on them. "That's Prince John!" He heard Much exclaim quietly beside him. "I can't believe it! He's actually here. And nobody knew that it was him! Inconceivable." He continued in a hushed tone.

"Much, Shut up." He automatically replied. He saw that the gang had gathered at the back with them without him noticing because he had been concerned about the crusader.

Robin eyed all of them nodding decisively as a conversation had started between the Queen and her son. "Weapons at the ready." The white and gold clad noble of Locksley whispered to them. Quietly, they had gone where they had stowed their weapons. But Little John noticed that Lady Camille has been staring right at them. She met the big man's gaze and nodded as if to say "This is it." He reached for his wooden staff happy to have it back. He saw Camille's hands look like she was just smoothing the table cloth beside the Queen but knew that none her movements now were completely innocent.

"I like what you've done with the place." He heard a cocky prince say.

Little John saw the Queen's hand ball into a fist in anger that her face did not betray. "Why thank you, dear son. And what do I owe the extreme pleasure of this surprise visit?" She asked in a very unwelcoming manner.

The prince sauntered a few steps forward. "Well, I heard you were hosting a masquerade ball and thought my invitation just got lost somewhere out there." He waved his hand idly. "You know, I wouldn't miss this for the world. Summer Solstice celebrations." He continued smugly. "Besides, I wanted you to meet my new friend. He'd like to toast to your health mother, isn't that sweet." He clapped his hands together once. "Vassey, tell your lieutenant to give our new French friend a new glass of wine." He ordered sweetly without looking at the sheriff.

"Gisbourne, you heard the man." The sheriff ordered to the still black clad man beside him. The only difference now, is that Sir Guy was no longer wearing leather but a velvet vest with gold stitches. Sir Guy quickly went to the nearest table to prepare the wine. Little John could not see all of it but he could have sworn that the man had put something else inside the glass besides from wine. However, the decanter had blocked his view.

Sir Guy of Gisbourne walked to a man with chestnut brown hair tied neatly at the back and wore purple and gold vest on top of a white shirt. "Sir Moreau." He offered the glass to the nervously smiling man.

"Ah... thank you." Remy Moreau lifted his glass uncomfortably looking at the crowd avoiding the gazes of the two ladies on the platform. "To the Queen then." He gave the crowd a small nod and drank from the cup. The bewildered guests quickly followed suit raising their glasses to the queen. However, they stood completely silent after. It was no secret that the Queen and his son were not in good terms.

Queen Eleanor glowered at her now former friend. The sting of his betrayal wrecked havoc on her mind. He had been no ordinary courtier. He was one of her secret knights-- one of her own private guards. He had been saved from death numerous times by his own comrades-- most recent of which was by the skilled hands of the woman beside her and the dagger of the missing young knight in the Holy Lands. The Queen was appalled.

"Isn't that nice mother? Isn't Remy so supportive of this family?" He commented giving the former courtier a small bow of approval. "Now if only my parents, or should I say, parent did the same for me." He hinted tapping his chin playfully.

"A toast to your health John? That could be--." The Queen started to raise her own glass but was rudely interrupted.

"No, mother." The Lord of Ireland said dully and railed his eyes. "Mother, I want an army." He crossed his arms pouting innocently at the Duchess of Aquitaine. "And I want it now!" He demanded with a sly smirk. There were a few gasps at the plain bluntness of the Prince.

"John, this is not the place nor the time-" Eleanor started to reply but again was cut off.

"Mother, I want an army and i want it now!" Prince John repeated more forcefully.

"Since you asked so nicely," the Queen answered sarcastically, "No. Absolutely not." She finished giving her son a challenging gaze.

The guests had started to become fearful as his expression changed into something more sinister than they could ever imagine a monarch to be. But within a second, the evil countenance was gone. The Prince sighed dramatically instead. "I really didn't want to do this." He snapped his fingers once. "But since you insist." He shrugged innocently as five men behind him suddenly had daggers on hand ready to throw.

The whole hall stood still as the sounds of weapons cut through the air. There were sound of people falling echoed for a brief second. Finally, screams pierced through the room and havoc ensued as people rushed to get out of the palace. And as grand as it began, the Queen's Summer Solstice Masquerade Ball was over with a dead body in its wake.
--

Camille had grabbed the Queen as fast as she could pushing her unceremoneously on her elaborate chair while she planted herself to take whatever it is that could be thrown at the Queen. She closed her eyes thinking quickly of her beloved husband as she turned weaponless to face certain death. She heard screams and an on going commotion. But the strikes never came. She slowly opened her eyes to see what had happened through the myriad of people running out of the door.

There was one man stunned beyond all belief just staring at the arrow embedded on the floor that had hit his dagger as he let it loose. Two men were reeling on the floor. One with a dagger through his hand and one with a short sword embedded on his back. While the other two were knocked unconscious by two nearby servants that were brave enough to hit them with their trays. Three still masked familiar servants now stood right below the platform taking something from underneath the their table. Camille did not understand what the servants were doing but let out a sigh of relief hurrying for her own sword that she had dropped to get the Queen out of danger.

"That's not how you say hello to your mother." A voice rang loud and clear from the back of the room. The Prince and his minions turned to see who it was. Camille didn't have to look. She already knew where the arrows came from. She took this opportunity to buckle her sword belt around her waist. She felt the Queen raise from her seat to stand behind her. "Really? Is that how you show your gratitude to the woman who brought you into this world?" And with that parting shot, the view of the armed gang from Nottingham became clearer. The gang stepped forward in an almost straight line with weapons at the ready.

Sir Guy of Gisbourne scowled at the sight of his nemesis. "Hood. I knew it had to be you with all that arrow theatrics" Someone had tossed him a sword which he readily brandished from its scabbard.

Robin Hood gave the man a cheeky smile. "Did you miss us? We missed you in Nottingham. You should be flattered we followed you all the way here." He teased without lowering his already primed bow.

But the Black Knight disregarded the reply. "Short sword must be yours, Carter. Nice to know you still have the spirit. After all your little-" he searched for the right word for a second, "- leper friend is dead." He spat at the crusader.

"Dear boy, did you just say leper?!" Vassey commented grinning while taking his sword out of its scabbard. "How fast they grow up." He smiled mischievously watching as the ballroom had emptied except for the Black Knights and small army they had brought along and the gang from Nottingham. "Leper friend indeed." He agreed.

"I'm insulted! Just because I'm late does not mean I'm dead." A girl seemingly came out of the banner right behind the throne wearing her own blue gown that her friend had bought for her for the occasion. Her normally straight hair was a cascade of loose raven curls. "It took awhile to look this good. I knew i should not have bothered." She took the silver mask off her face jumping off the platform joining the unmasking servants.

"Evangeline." A large man in a blue vest scowled seeing the familiar girl take her place beside her friends. She took a red tag from within her sleeve dangling to taunt the man before using it to tie her hair back. "That was your dagger then. I knew I recognized that ringed pommel Gabe specifically makes for you."

"And I knew I recognized that gaudy flashy grey band Le Loup Gris specifically makes for you." She mimicked unsheathing her own sword from her side. She gave the man a small bow. Camille grinned knowing that the battle might be slightly easier now. She started counting how many of other party there was.

Alexander smiled eying the girl rotating the sword a few times. "You never had a problem with it when you were a Loup Gris with me. I heard you found a new plaything. Ever tell him how you literally stabbed me in the back?" He smirked.

"You deserved it. And your lucky the council banned us from killing you." She retorted. "Thank God I'm Soleil now because it looks like you have completed your trip to the dark side."

One of the servants took a red armband from his pocket and tied it to his arm. "Dark side is putting it mildly. He wants to rule Malo!" He exclaimed. "So I thought we should pay you and Raoul a little visit. I mean, I personally do not want to be there when Alexander takes over."

But Camille was not expecting the next man to join the fray. "Good for you Michael. It is so nice for you, Gabe and Jean to visit me." From exactly where Evangeline came, her husband stepped out donning a wine coloured vest with gold embellishments matching her own dress that he himself had bought. He came to stand beside her giving the surprised woman a wink. "This is like an odd reunion of sorts. I feel just like a child again." He commented grinning pulling his sword out by the red tag that was tied on the hilt. "Hello, Alexander." He greeted the large man in a blue vest with a grey armband. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Raoul." The other man growled in reply.

The Queen grinned proudly at the sight of her friends surrounding the small army inside her hall. She watched as her son's aloof demeanor grow into uneasy discomfort. This was obviously not how the prince imagined it would be. "You see John, there will always be people who will protect what is right." She motioned to the thirteen fighters ready at the perimeter of the hall.

"Oh lah di dah di dah." Vassey rolled his eyes unimpressed. "Thirteen versus a fifty very good Malouins. Hardly seems fair. Do you have any chance of winning? A clue. No. Might as well surrender now." The sheriff suggested grinning even wider knowing the odds are in their favor.

"You're right about one thing, sheriff. It isn't fair!" Robin replied smugly. "You think we should fight blindfolded?" He offered chuckling.

The sheriff of Nottingham glared at the outlaws and grabbed the Malouin by the collar. "Alexander, what are we paying you to do? Do. Your. Job." He ordered.

The large Malouin raised his sword in the air. "Le Loup Gris!" He shouted swinging his sword in circles. Automatically, the well dressed thieves sporting the grey tags charged the outlaws and those that defended the Queen while the the Black Knights themselves, Remy Moreau and Alexander collapsed around the Prince to protect him if anything should happen. The sound of metal on metal filled the air as each party attacked and defended themselves in turn.

"Get her out of here!" Robin yelled over the sound of the ensuing battle hoping that knights could hear him.

Camille was about to jump off the platform to help the four holding back the onslaught of hired help trying to get to the Queen when she felt a hand squeeze her free on. She looked to her husband and watched as he silently took in the situation. "There are more Le Loup Gris outside patrolling the halls. We are going to use the passages to get to the new hall in construction. That is the only place Prince John will have no knowledge about. If we go unnoticed, we would be safe there. There would be lots of places to hide" He said without his usual humour facing the two women.

The Queen pressed her lips into a thin line. "I will not leave-" She started to argue against the plan but Raoul waved the comment away.
"With all due respect, you are our priority, Madame." He replied seriously forcing the Queen and his wife towards the passage he and Evangeline had just come out from. He brushed the banner away for the Queen to enter and motioned for Camille to follow suit. But his wife stood frozen looking on at the outnumbered fighters.

Camille watched uncomfortably as Evangeline parried a downswing with her sword while she stole the her opponent's dagger and stabbed in in the middle. The dagger was withdrawn from its flesh sheath as the man fell just for the girl to throw the blade at one of the men heading for her and engaging a different thief at the same time. She watched as the three red tagged Malouins defended their positions for a cause that was not even theirs. Michael kicked a man back just in time for that man to fall on another freeing him for a few seconds. Jean Baptiste gracefully struck a man with an upward stroke, twirled the sword in his hand and hit the man that replaced the fallen with the pommel. Gabriel spun to thrust his attacker before ducking a sword swing directed for him.

The woman bit her bottom lip watching the same scene happening at the opposite end of the room. She saw Will Scarlet pull Djaq out of the way of an axe she didn't see just for Allan to strike that man down and Will to hit the man that was going after Allan. Little John pushed several fighters away with his staff. Carter dodged a man's lunge throwing the man to acquaint himself with the wall behind him the parrying another man's sword swing. Robin and Much had their backs to each other defending their position. Occasionally, they would change so that the smaller man would be in front defending the archer launching arrows around from behind.

"No. They are outnumbered Raoul. I need to help." Camille looked defiantly at her husband before heading towards the fray. But she was pulled back and spun around so that she was facing him again. She felt her resolve to fight weaken at his tender gaze.

"I need to keep you safe too." He smiled moving her into the passage.

"But Eva-" She tried to object just to find the man's finger on her lips silencing her.

"Eva knows." He informed her. "You know, resistance is futile." Raoul jested as he pulled his wife into the passage with him and the waiting Queen.

Camille heard the shout of the young girl fighting just as Raoul had pushed her in. "Hurry up Raoul! Get them out." Camille's eyes widened knowing it was uncharacteristic of the girl to talk while fighting. And with that note, Raoul let go of the banner and closed the hidden door of the passage .
--

The Prince slowly turned once to take a good view of the situation. He stood in the middle of the room fuming. This was not how he wanted it to be. It was supposed to be easy. There was supposed to be no fighting involved. His mother was either to help him with her army or die. There were only two choices-- Life or death. But no. These newcomers had to ruin his fun delaying his plans to dominate his brother and steal the crown. The presence of the little resistance itself was a giant threat to his plans with his mother here in Poitiers.

He watched as a few more men fell in the hands of the outlaws from Nottingham. A volley of arrows flew overhead making him duck. He caught a glimpse of the throne and his eyes widened. The Queen Mother was just standing there a moment ago. But now, she was gone. In her place were the four defenders whom the arrows provided a few seconds pause. The blonde prince straightened to his full height in anger. They had used the secret passages to get away. He was familiar with them all. He grew up in the palace after all. There was nowhere they could hide without him knowing the ins and outs of every corridor.

"Eleven versus a fifty of your best. It doesn't feel like the fifty are winning." The Prince heard Sir Guy of Gisbourne taunt the new Malouin Knight.

The Prince saw Vassey roll his eyes when the Malouin drew his sword and swung at the Black Knight who simply stepped out of the way. "Stop. The both of you. Grow up." The sheriff barked. Then his lips started to turn upwards to a smile. "If there are eleven of them here. That means the Queen only has two with her." He reasoned as the Black Knights surrounding him finally took heed that although their plans had complications, there was a way to remedy the situation. "What's two against all of us and the rest outside hm?" He asked seeing his friends start to realize what he was talking about.

"Very good Vassey. You have just reminded me why I keep you around." The Prince grinned with him as a new plan started to form in his mind. "Alexander, leave the men that you have in the ballroom inside to keep our enemies preoccupied. Once we are out of this godforsaken room, we are going hunting with your men in the corridors with the rest of your men. Vassey, you tell your mercenaries outside that nobody leaves this room through those doors. Make them use the passage ways and I will tell you where to post the rest. And Moreau, you have known your friends long enough. Think of a place they might hide the Queen." He ordered decisively.

Remy felt the stares of the Black Knights and the prince at him. He fumbled nervously with his hair tie trying to think of a place that Raoul would use to hide the Queen. He bit his lower lip as he canceled out every one of his ideas like the bed chamber or the sitting room. It was too obvious and too small a space for the genius to use. "Well." He said trying to stall for time. He needed something bigger and grander. Somewhere the Prince wouldn't know about. Then all of a sudden, a picture of a hall flashed through his mind. "The new hall." He mistakenly betrayed his thoughts out loud. He mentally slapped himself because now, he wouldn't be able to validate his idea. He prayed that his guess was correct for if it was not, he would have hell to pay with the Prince of England.

"The new hall." Prince John tapped his chin with a finger. "I like that. Let's check that out." The Prince nodded at the unsure courtier. He waved a hand to the knights wordlessly telling them that they were leaving immediately. The Black Knights bowed to him in turn before the group fought their way in the sea of combatants heading to the exit almost unchallenged. They had a Queen to find.

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