A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Guest (yes he will be one lol) and ilovedana53 asked for another chapter for today! So, here's another for you. And by the way, the story will be a few chapters longer than what I said before.

Chapter 21 – Bad News Spreads

Elizabeth followed John into the barn. He hung the lantern and looked around.

"I'm sorry for the accommodations," It's not safe to travel at night, so they are stuck there. "but this is the best I can do under short notice."

"Understood," Liz said watching him lay a blanket over the hay.

He held out his hand and she took it, letting him lead her to the makeshift bed where she lay down. John took the place next to her.

"So, where are you from?"

"Rothsbury…"

"Ah, I have been there once before."

"I love it there," Elizabeth said smiling. She misses her meadow and Georgie. If she hadn't been so willful and stayed home, she wouldn't be in this predicament. However, it is too late, and her father could be dead because of it.

Johnny sensed the change in her mood. "Tomorrow, I will do some inquiries and see if Anthony is looking for us. Don't worry, I'll get you home safely. You have my word."

"I don't know how I will thank you."

"Please do not dwell on it. My father should have never taken you or hurt your father. I owe you, milady."

Liz smiled. "You are still my hero. My father will be very pleased." She shifted slightly. "Why do you stay with your father if he's so horrible?"

"To protect my sister. I sent her away because my father threatened to kill her. It's the only way I can keep an eye on him."

"What's your sister's name?"

"It's Claudia. She's crazy but she's fierce and loyal." He smiled fondly.

"I'd love to meet her someday."

"She lives in Kent."

"I don't think I've ever been there," Elizabeth said trying to think.

"We should get some sleep. We might have a long journey tomorrow."

Liz sighed. That sounded good to her. Tomorrow, hopefully, she'll see her father again.

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Max ran into the castle. He hates having to rouse the King and Queen so early, but he had to let them know about Jason. He ran up the stairs and stood in front of their guard.

"It is of utmost importance that I report to the King some very troubling news."

"The King asked not to be disturbed."

"This is about Prince Jason. He is hurt, so I must speak with him now."

The guard sighed. "You awake him, so it will be your hide." He stepped aside.

Max took a deep breath and banged on the door until King Alan finally flung it open. "What is the meaning of this?"

Max took a few steps back, but the other guard pushed him forward.

"King Alan, I regret to inform you that Prince Jason has been shot."

A loud gasp came from Monica who jumped out of bed and threw on a robe and then ran to Alan's side. "What do you mean he was shot?"

"Prince Jason tried to rescue Lady Elizabeth and he was shot. They got him to a doctor who removed the bullet in his arm, but he hasn't awakened and has an infection, Your Highness," Max said almost out of breath.

Alan didn't even know what to say or process the information

AJ had heard the commotion and was running down the hall towards them. "What is going on?"

"Prince Jason has been shot and his wound is infected."

AJ felt like all the air had been sucked out of him.

"Did you see him?"

"No. They moved him upstairs and that is all I know."

"Where is Lady Elizabeth?" Monica asked.

"She is still missing, Your Highness. I have no news of her yet, but they think they might know where she is and are prepared to move this morning."

AJ almost growled. "You need to take me to him."

Max nodded. "They are in Chester, milord."

That will be a day's journey. "Are you able to ride again?" he asked noting that Max looked exhausted.

Monica interjected. "We'll all go. Max can nap while someone else leads the horses."

"I'll do it, mother," AJ said. He'll do anything to save his brother.

"If we go now, we can be there by the afternoon," Monica said.

"Prepare the carriage and horses," he said to the other guard.

AJ went back to his room to get dressed and let his wife know what happened. There is no way in hell he is going to allow his brother to die.

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Francis wearily kept an eye on Jason. The sun is just starting to rise, and it had been a long fitful night.

Adeline entered the room and nodded at Francis before tending to Jason. She started wiping him down and then glanced at Francis. "I need to get his shirt off. He has sweated right through it."

Francis took out a knife and cut the shirt and then lifted Jason, so Adeline could remove the remaining cloth.

"Thank you."

Francis left to make sure everyone is awake.

Adeline wiped down Jason's chest and arms and felt his forehead. He is still feverish which is not a good sign.

"You have to get better, milord," she said gently before leaving the room.

She is beyond worried. Jason still hadn't awakened and that just won't do.

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Elizabeth woke up to find that at some point in the night she had moved into John's arms. She quickly retreated onto her side and turned away from him. A grin crept onto John's face due to her properness. He had pretended to still be asleep for a few minutes as to not embarrass her. Giving up the ruse, he yawned and then sat up.

Liz stirred.

"Good morning, milady," Johnny said before standing.

"Good morning."

"I'll go fetch some food—wait here." He led his horse outside.

Liz took the opportunity to peruse the barn. She waited until she heard him leave before venturing outside. Finding a well, she lowered the bucket and brought it back up, and was delighted to see some water. She tasted it and smiled before drinking someone and then using the remaining to freshen up.

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Francis and the men surrounded Rudy's house. He came outside to use the outhouse and got the scare of his life.

"Halt," Cody yelled before tackling the man.

After pinning him down, Milo helped tie his hands.

Johnny yanked Rudy up and they put him on the steps. "Where is Elizabeth?"

Rudy studied them, realizing that they are royal guards which means that John would be in danger. "I don't know an Elizabeth."

Johnny punched him. "Perhaps you know her now?"

Rudy spits out some blood. They went back and forth for a few minutes and he still refused to give up John's location.

Cody returned, holding a piece of cloth Elizabeth had left and finally, Rudy decided he could no longer hold out. "I will only tell you if you promise not to hurt John. He rescued Lady Elizabeth and has done nothing to hurt her. He doesn't know that his father is dead. They are hiding to avoid him." He had received word of Anthony's death and it was almost a relief.

Johnny let go of Rudy's collar and he fell onto the porch.

"No harm will come to John as long as Lady Elizabeth is safe," Johnny said loudly for all the men to hear. "I give you my word."

"They are a few minutes away. Follow that path until you get to a barn. They are inside."

"Thank you," Johnny said. "Untie him and let's go."

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John could see the barn and Elizabeth standing outside. He waved and then suddenly realized that there were horses behind him. Elizabeth started to panic and sprinted toward him and John galloped beside her and bent over and whisked her up in front of him as their breakfast fell to the ground. He urged the horse to move faster and Johnny and his men gave chase. Elizabeth is scared to death. It could be Anthony and she doesn't think he'll let her live this time.

Suddenly, Johnny's voice rang out, "Halt! Royal Guard."

Elizabeth gasped and tried to see around John. "Stop, it's okay. They have come for me."

He gazed at her with confusion, but there is no way he'll be able to outrun them, so he slowed.

Elizabeth slipped down from the saddle and John followed.

Johnny jumped down from the horse and Elizabeth ran towards him and hurled herself into his arms. He laughed and spun her around as she clung to him. Placing her back onto the ground, he grinned and said, "That really wasn't ladylike at all."

She playfully punched him in the arm. "I'm so happy to see you."

"And I you."

Milo moved towards them, so Liz held out her hand. "Don't hurt him. He saved me."

Johnny moved toward John and held out his hand. "Thank you, for rescuing Lady Elizabeth."

John shook it. "I did what I thought was right."

"I'm sorry to inform you that your father was killed."

John sighed. He should probably be sad but he and his sister are finally free.

Liz touched his arm. "Are you alright?"

John slightly smiled. "Don't worry about me. You need to get back to your father."

Liz turned back to Johnny. "Is he—"

Johnny cut her off. "He's well, milady, and resting at the castle."

Liz frowned. "How in the world did he get there?"

"Prince Jason left to find you about an hour after you left."

Liz gasped. "He did?"

"Yes. He just couldn't live without you."

John's mouth dropped open. "Prince Jason is the man who is courting you?"

Liz turned to him and chuckled at his expression. "Yes." A smile lit up her face.

Johnny cleared his throat and Liz turned to look at him. His expression turned melancholy and Liz touched his arm. "What is it?"

"I regret to inform you that Prince Jason has been shot."

The color drained from Liz's face and John caught her as she started to collapse.