CHAPTER 24: THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND

Raven stopped just outside the shop to catch her breath. She panted and looked around … where was she? Oh right, the old woman's shop. What was she doing here? Then, she heard a crack behind her and she turned, startled. To her relief, it was only the old woman, Rose, she appeared to have teleported.

"Come Raven, there is no time to waste." she said hurriedly, the old woman also appeared to be a bit breathless too. Then, from behind her, she drew out a cloak, the colour of grey, she helped Raven to put it on.

The old woman lifted the hood and whispered quickly, "Go towards the forest and hide. Let your presence be unknown. Do you understand?"

Raven nodded, though she wasn't sure why.

"Do you recognise anyone. Let no one recognise you. Be silent and I will join you soon. Go." the old woman pointed towards the forest behind her shop and Raven left quickly.

The old woman hurried into her house. And packed a few of her belongings. The Titans could be here any minute, she already had the feeling that That Boy, already suspected her. It was time to run.

After taking a few of her items, she whispered a spell and teleported, but barely. Her powers were fading. Midnight was already over, she couldn't do much but simple spells now. Now, looking at her surroundings, she saw only tall trees and very thick foliage. The old woman checked herself, good, nothing left behind, it was time to find Raven.

She closed her eyes and tried to draw power from all the plants and trees around her, the breeze too. Silently, she called out to them to guide them to Raven. But the leaves and breeze whispered back a chilling answer: No one has entered this forest since two years ago. The old woman's eyes fell open. How could this be? Was Raven already caught?

~Meanwhile~

Raven was still making her way to the forest. Once again, she didn't quite know what she was doing or why, but she just knew that she had to follow the old woman's orders. Suddenly, there was a crack of a twig and a familiar voice.

"Hello?"

Her heart squeezed … Beast boy? What was he doing here? Then, her head ached terribly, something was preventing her from thinking, but what? Nothing like this had happened before, it was only after … after what? Suddenly, Raven couldn't recall either.

"Excuse me, but have you seen a girl wearing a dress of midnight blue with … uh, rubies on it?" Beast boy tapped her shoulder.

Raven flinched and covered her face more with the hood of the cloak and shook her head. Those are not rubies! They are the stones of Azarath! But she couldn't say that out loud. That will almost too-certainly give her away. And the old woman said that she mustn't let anyone recognise her.

"OK … Hey, you look sort of familiar." Beast boy said. Raven could imagine him frowning now, and squinting to get a better look.

Once again, she shook her head and hurried off. Beast boy stood there and watched her run to the forest. Why? What a strange village girl, was she in danger? Come to think of it, she seemed kind of panicky. He was about to follow her when a shout came from behind.

"Beast boy?" came Robin's voice.

When he turned, the sight he saw was completely unexpected. He saw Robin dragging a net which Cyborg was in and Starfire flying while carrying the girl Cyborg's met in the village the other day. She was very pale and was unconscious. In the net, Cyborg's face appeared calm while his body was struggling to get out.

"Uh …" Beast boy blinked.

"It appears that Cyborg's attire may be cursed." Starfire explained as she flew down and landed.

"With magic?" Beast boy asked. Robin, Starfire and Cyborg nodded grimly. Beast boy walked towards them and asked what had happened.

Robin sighed and told them to head back to their tents to discuss.

Beast boy chewed on his piece of bread thoughtfully. From what he's heard, their enemies seemed to be operating quite mysteriously. They apparently had good use of magic, since, well, Cyborg's suit was obviously enchanted. He glanced at him, he was perspiring now, after all that running, thank goodness, they've managed to get him out of the suit.

Also, their enemies may also have gotten to Raven. All her strange behaviors, her hatred of Beast boy … it seemed as though they were trying to keep them from finding out what they were planning. Raven was probably associated with them so therefore, in order to keep Raven from spilling anything important, a spell was probably cast on her to hate them, well, Beast boy.

Then, came Raven falling in love with Prince Alexander. That was completely out of character, but what could her enemies gain from making her fall in love with the Prince? That, they had yet to figure out. But it was most definitely the assassins/magical beings, who had tampered with Raven's emotions.

Also, that dance Beast boy had with Raven. She seemed so confused and lost, as if she doesn't remember anything. Why? And also, her eyes, they were dull and her pupils were gone. This wasn't natural and again, the assassins/magical beings have gotten to her again.

All this, Beast boy shared with Robin, Starfire and Cyborg. And now, they were all thinking hard to find out who had interacted with Raven the most these past few days. Then, Beast boy's face lit up.

"I think I've got it!" he cried, "It's the old woman!"

Everyone gasps. "But … she was so nice." Starfire says softly.

Robin frowns, "That's only a front she puts up, so that no one will suspect her. But she's really the only one who cold influence Raven like that. Raven's been spending a lot of time in that shop."

"Also, she left us a note saying that she had to stay inside to work remember? She didn't come back for a few days!" Cyborg stood up.

"But friends, how can an old woman, even if she does not mean well, influence our Raven like that?" Starfire pondered, also standing up.

Robin leapt from the log, "It's all magic! She must have magic! That could only mean one thing …"

Beast boy slowly stood, as realisation dawned upon him, "The old woman is a witch."

"Raven!" the old woman ran towards the figure in the darkness. It was lucky that when the old woman teleported, she landed at the edge of the forest, and when she saw a dark figure hurrying in, she knew and could sense it too, that is was her.

Raven remained emotionless as the old woman grasped her hand, "I thought something might have happened to you!"

Raven shook her head to indicate that she was fine. Then, she yawned.

"You poor dear, after such a long night too. Well, you must get your rest, come morrow's your wedding." the old woman smiled as she ushered Raven deeper into the forest.

Something prickled at the back of her head and again, she wondered why she was doing this. The old woman seemed to sense that Raven was unsure and quickly said in a rather soothing voice, "You mustn't think so much, dear. You are tired. Rest is what you need."

Raven nodded, agreeing without any thought. She is tired, she needed rest. And, she must not think too much. She watched as the old woman conjured up a bed of leaves in front of her. Yawning, Raven went over to it and lay her head down.

The old woman smiled and leaned over her, "Remember your promise, Raven. When you become Queen …"

"Kill the King," murmured Raven sleepily, "Step down …"

"And whom will you make Queen?"

"The Enchantress …"

"Good girl." and then, the old woman kissed the top of her forehead.

~Meanwhile~

Robin kicked down the wooden door and it fell with a crash. Starfire flew inside, and started blasting around. Next came in Cyborg, he shot the entire rack of clothes. Beast boy rolled in and transformed into a ferocious lion, and began to tear all the fabrics, roaring loudly.

"Stop! Stop!" Robin suddenly cried. Everything froze in their midst of total mayhem.

"Umm … I don't think the old woman is around here." Robin whispered, then there was total silence as the Titans looked around. All they saw were torn cloths, burnt fabrics, and walls with various holes in them. The old woman was no where to be found.

"Aww man! So we came down here for nothing?" Cyborg whined, keeping his built in rocket launcher.

"Well, not exactly." Starfire flew down, "We helped your friend … Jane?"

"Janet." Cyborg corrected.

"Well, we helped her get back home safely!" Starfire said cheerfully.

A look of worry suddenly crossed Beast boy's face, "I hope you really did erase all her memories. If not, when she wakes up -"

"Dude! Chill! I can erase memories as effectively as Raven!" Cyborg frowned, then smirked, "But of course, to you, she can do absolutely anything."

Beast boy blushed and turned away quickly.

"OK, so the old woman has escaped. And we have no idea where she is right now. Also, for all we know, Raven could be with her. Our only option is to go to the Royal church at sunset tomorrow, maybe she'll be there. The old woman is definitely planning something." Robin said with a sort of authority in his voice, he could sense a fight and he needed to distract the Titans.

Everyone nodded. They were with their leader all the way.

Sunset. It was a beautiful time. The old woman watched as the sky began to yellow. Then, she decided it was time to wake Raven. She had mixed in a tonic for Raven earlier, a sort of like a drug for her to sleep.

"Raven. My dear, it is time for you to awaken." the old woman shook her gently.

Raven's eyes fluttered open. And she saw the old woman's face smiling kindly. She tried to stand but her head throbbed and she sat back down.

"You needn't stand yet." The old woman assured. Then, she brought up a dress. It was the gown that Raven wore to the ball last night, except now, it was completely white. Just the colour of pure snow.

Apparently, the old woman had changed the colour of the dress. Then, she remembered why, she was going to attend a wedding. No, it was her wedding! With Prince Alexander. She smiled, she was going to be wedded to him!

Raven pulled on the gown and the old woman showed her the white-coloured carriage that was waiting at the edge of the forest. Raven climbed inside and the old woman gave her a knife. "To kill." she whispered and a chill ran down her spine but Raven nodded anyway. And with that, the old woman waved her off.

Then, when she was gone, the old woman covered herself with the cloak Raven had used last night, and quickly hurried to the church. When she arrived, she noticed that almost all the seats have been filled. She chose on at the front and sat down, feeling slightly nervous. She didn't want anyone to recognise her.

The sun had almost touched the horizon. She could feel herself gain more power as minutes ticked by. Soon, the old woman assured herself, justice will be served. She closed her eyes and rested, nothing could stop her now. Not when she was at this final stage of her plan.

And so, the old woman did the only thing she could. She waited …

The white carriage arrived almost immediately as the gold. Raven watched as the other carriage pulled up beside her's. Then, the door was opened by one of the footmen and she stepped out carefully, her eyes still fixed on the other gold carriage.

The door to it opened and out stepped the Prince … King, of England. He was dressed in gold with black jets and diamonds encrusted all over. His face lit up and so did Raven's.

"Shall we, my lady? 'Tis almost sunset." King Alexander bowed and kissed Raven's hand, then he led her in and was followed by the Royal priest. Behind them, came the soft music of the violin played by some musicians.

The people seated inside rose and bowed as Raven and Alexander passed by. She felt almost like she was the Queen of England already! Then, she remembered her promise, once she was made Queen, she was supposed to step down, but not before she kills the King. Does that mean … Alexander? He was to be crowned today!

Panic filled her heart. Why? She just simply can't! She … loved him! Wait, did she? Inside Raven, was now a turmoil of emotions and struggled with her decisions. Something wanted her to do it, to pull out that knife and stab him, but something else told her she loved him, and her own heart told her that it was all a lie. She didn't know what to believe.

But Raven began to notice strange looks and she realised that her panic had rose to the surface and was reflected on her face. She resumed her usual mask of emotionless expression and stared right ahead. Silently praying that in the end, she would do the right thing.

When they reached the end of the aisle, there were a series of steps leading to a sort of stage. King Alexander walked right up with the priest while Raven waited at the bottom. There was also a table up there, with a leather bound book on it and two gold crowns. The crowns of the former King and Queen of England.

The priest started to read from a marked page in the leather bound book and everyone listened intently as started the wedding ceremony. Everyone, but Raven. Her mind was still a mess and she had a constant throbbing in her head right now. She didn't care though, she needed to think and though things were preventing her, she still had to try. Raven wished she had meditated earlier, maybe then, things would become a little clearer.

"Prince Alexander." came the priest's voice and that shook Raven out from her thoughts. "Will you take Lady Raven, here present, to be your lawful wife, according to the rite of holy mother Church?"

"I will." said Alexander, looking down on Raven with a shy, small smile.

"And will you, Lady Raven, take Prince Alexander, here present, to be your rightful husband, according to the rite of holy mother Church?"

Raven hesitated, for reasons unknown, but she finally said, "I will."

"Then, I proclaim you husband and wife!" The Prince and Raven looked to each other and smile, before hugging briefly. Then, she knelt before him and the priest placed a gold crown on her head.

"Queen Raven of England, do you wish to say anything?" the priest asked.

"If I step down, and the King and I have no heir whatsoever, the Enchantress shall take my place as Queen." Raven said in a slightly trembling voice and the church broke out in whispers. Usually, these decisions were made by the King, not the Queen.

Prince Alexander shot her an odd look as he knelt down and the priest proclaimed him as King and then placed the other gold crown on his head. Everyone stood up and clapped.

Then, Raven saw her. She saw the old woman sitting just in front of her, her face shadowed under the hood of the cloak she was wearing. She gave her a small nod. Raven looked to the King and swallowed. Without even knowing, her hands had already crept their way to the handle of the knife behind her back.

"King Alexander of England, do you wish to say anything?" asked the priest when Alexander straightened up.

"I do wish that I can earn the respect of all of you and I promise," he looked directly at Raven, "to love my wife, Queen Raven, for all eternity."

Raven's heart squeezed and she wanted to cry, how could she kill him now? And why was her heartbeat accelerating so fast? It was almost as if she had drunk a love potion.

Love potion … the words echoed in her head and something at the back of her mind clicked, but even before she had any time to think about it, a voice growled.

"Now, Raven!"

"NO!"

Raven's head snapped towards the front doors of the church and there stood her friends, the Teen Titans, with Beast boy right in front, his eyes piercing directly into Raven.

"Don't let her control you!" he cried, his voice loud and firm, but somehow pleading at the same time.

The people seated looked back and forth, confused and unsure what was happening. King Alexander was too, at a loss for words. "Raven …" he whispered, "What's going on?"

Raven's eyes looked back at the old woman and her belt, still around her, it started to glow as the old woman intensified her glare.

Her hand on the knife unwilling gripped the knife harder and she pulled it out slowly. Alexander's eyes widened at the sight and Raven was struggling to control herself. She raised the knife and grabbed one of Alexander's wrists, holding him tightly.

"I'm sorry." she said softly to him, tears in her eyes.

Then suddenly, something hard came hurtling to her. And Raven tumbled down with it, the knife flying down the steps and spun around on the marble floor before it came to a stop at a pair feet.

The old woman stood up, holding the knife in her hands, a malicious grin on her face. Her hood fell off and the Titans at the door of the church recognised her at once.

"That's her! The old woman!" Robin cried.

"Rose?" King Alexander suddenly spoke, recognition flickering in his eyes also, "Is that … you?"

"Ah, Alexander." the old woman smiled, advancing on the steps, "So you have finally recognised me …"

A/N: Surprise! Surprise! They seem to know each other! Haha ... Anyway, the story is going to end soon ... :( And I am so grateful to all your reviews! They really kept me going! Keep reading, 'cause the next few chapters are gonna be exciting!