A/N: Shoutouts to SparkleWolf7000 and Wheels4TheOneTrueGod. Thanks for reviewing! Sorry I didn't respond sooner. :)
Chapter 16
They did not have to wait long as the sound of footsteps grew. The marching of thousands of men rang out through the normally peaceful countryside. Men straightened themselves up, boys quivered in their boots, and Eugene had this funny feeling like he had to go to the bathroom. Fear had never been an option before but when faced with a situation that almost guaranteed death, things changed.
He shifted his thoughts to Rapunzel and the baby he might never see. It made him smile to think of them living out their lives safe somewhere outside the grasp of this terrible wizard.
"It's time," Merlin interrupted his thoughts. Mounted on a trusty steed by the name of Winston, the wizard rode off toward the Generals with Eugene and Maximus right behind. He delivered the plan to them and they strangely did not object.
"I knew they didn't like me," the former thief quipped.
"They see it as you sacrificing yourself for the good of the kingdom. I imagine they are glad you are braver than they," Merlin said.
"Nice. Try to butter me up," Eugene chuckled and then took his place, to lead the foot soldiers.
"Your Highness! They come this way with horses and multitudes of men! What do we do?" A frightened teenage boy asked him as he worked his way through the crowd.
"We show them what Corona is made of. We show the world that we aren't afraid even if that's exactly what we are," Eugene smiled slightly. The boy nodded and the former thief turned to face all the men.
"We cannot let them through the gates! Admiral Oates has ships in attack position. Archers have been placed at the walls. The main gate has been fortified. We will win this day by the strength of our resilience and our…"
"Capability to run?" One soldier posited.
"That too," Eugene nodded which sent nervous laughter through the crowd.
"We have the wizard on our side!" Another soldier shouted.
"Merlin will do what he can to save us but we need to help him. One man cannot stand alone against an army. Be strong, be brave, and pray that our royal family survives this disaster. The kingdom cannot go on without the King, the Queen, and the Princess," the Prince Consort told them.
"What of you sir? Can they go on without you?" One man wondered.
"They never really liked me anyway. Their daughter picked one of the worst men to go out with. A father's worst nightmare," Eugene smirked. More laughter went through the ranks.
"Look!" A soldier shouted. A dragon loomed up out of the distance.
"That's my cue," Eugene said. He dug his heels into Maximus and started heading for the gate. From up on his perch next to the large crossbow, Merlin saw the move.
"Get it into position men. We only get one shot at this. If we can drive the dragons away then we can destroy our enemy," the wizard said. The men nodded and quickly removed the cover and positioned it.
Below Eugene opened the gates. He could see what must have been Malik at the head of his troops. They were approaching the bridge.
"It's now or never Maximus. You ready?" Eugene asked. The horse snorted and the Prince Consort dug his heels in. They raced out onto the bridge and the dragon moved in their direction. Their speed was no match for the magical creature and it soon loomed above them.
"Rapunzel forgive me," he said as the dragon barreled down on them talons extended.
"Fire!" Merlin ordered the men beside him and they let loose the giant arrow.
To Be Continued…