A/N: Have a Happy New Year! :)
Chapter 18
Explosions could be heard in the distance from their safe hiding place in the woods, a few miles away from the capital. The little tent city was set up in a hurry and with little regard for privacy but it would keep them out of the wind and the rain and that was all that mattered. Inside the Royal's tent, Rapunzel continued to pace as she could not sit still, thinking of Eugene and all the men left behind.
"You must sit down dear, you're making us all dizzy," the Queen said and Pascal nodded in agreement, his little eyes were wearing down.
"I should be there with him!" She protested.
"Absolutely not! He is doing what he needed to do and you must be here for him when he returns. Sometimes that is all you can do. If your father is to pass on, it will be up to me to rule what is left and it will be left to you after I'm gone," her mother said.
"It won't matter if I have this baby without him!" The words slipped from her mouth and immediately she wished she had them back.
"Baby?" The Queen looked happy but sad at the same time.
"I haven't had the doctor confirm it yet but we talked and it's a possibility. And even if that's all it is, is a possibility, I want Eugene and Father to be here for him or her," Rapunzel said. Her mother arose from the log she sat on and enveloped her daughter into a hug.
"To think how much you've grown in such a short time," the Queen was tearing up.
"Mother, I couldn't have done it without Eugene. I owe him a lot for bringing us together," Rapunzel smiled slightly.
"We both do. He'll do what he can and I'm sure he's doing nothing but thinking of you," her mother smiled back as they pulled apart. More explosions sounded in the distance and Rapunzel just hoped he was still in one piece.
Back in the middle of the battle, Eugene was dazed and still recovering from practically dying but it didn't stop him from helping the men in their attempt to protect Corona. The bridge was blown up so the enemy could not cross without getting into the water and Malik countered by enchanting his archers' arrows, giving them the distance to carry and the catapults enough force to cross the large distance.
"We could go on forever this way. Perhaps it's time for Plan B," Merlin said as he helped Eugene and one of the catapult crews load a catapult.
"What's Plan B?" One of the men asked.
"I go out there and I challenge Malik to one on one battle," the wizard told them.
"Are you crazy? He's dirty. You said so yourself," Eugene said.
"Yes but if it stops the bloodshed, then it would be worth it," Merlin argued.
"And if for some reason you don't make it? That leaves us down a wizard and defenseless against that massive force," the former thief challenged.
"Well I'd like to think I could do better than that," Merlin said.
"I've got a plan," Amelia suddenly appeared from her post on the Palace Walls.
"What are you doing down here?" Eugene asked, afraid that they were one short at the walls.
"Can you draw Malik out into the open and keep him occupied?" She wondered.
"Easy. Why?" Merlin wondered.
"I'll take him out," the former servant lifted her bow. Eugene looked at Merlin and the wizard looked back.
"Let's do it," Merlin nodded.
To Be Continued…