The Last Bridge

Chapter 6

Ben tossed in his bed, trying his best to get comfortable. It was the night before Leah's trial and the last thing he needed was to be exhausted the next day. If he was exhausted, Leah might be able to claim that he didn't give her a fair trial.

However, try as he might, sleep was just not going to come. His brow furrowed as his breathing quickened, sweat began to beed on his forehead as he tossed.

"Sleeping is too good for you" Audrey exclaimed and zapped Ben with the scepter. His groans of pain as his body shifted turned into growls. He looked down at his hands to see claws instead of his fingers. Fur covered every inch of his body and, even without looking, he could tell that fangs were protruding from his mouth.

Thoughts escaped him, he only knew rage. He lunged at Audrey who cackled before disappearing in a cloud of pink smoke. Ben raced out of his room, his claws trailing along the paneling of the castle walls all the while.

As he ran out of the castle, the forest grounds transformed into the urban setting of the Isle. Ben groaned once more as he was forced back into his human form. He knew where he was. He was in Mal's club house.

"...don't quit us Mal," he heard himself say and he watched in horror as the worst scene from the second viewing played in front of him. Only...they were older than they had been in the second viewing. In fact, they were the same age they were currently. But, why would Mal want to run off again? Had anyone been giving her a hard time?

"Ben...you're a great king," Mal said softly, cupping the dream Ben's face with her hands. "But if you work any harder, you're going to burn out. And then our child's going to be where you were at sixteen."

"Our...you're pregnant?"

"Our wedding night really was a blur to you wasn't it? It was pretty much one round and then you were out like a light," Mal chuckled but there was a sad tinge to it. "I don't want to do this Ben but...I need to think of our child first. I saw what being forced to take the crown at an early age did to you. Boy or girl, this child should get to be a child first."

"Mal...what are you..."

Ben watched in horror as Mal placed a ring in the center of the dream Ben's hand and wrapped his fingers around it. The same ring that so many weeks ago Ben had happily placed on Mal's finger in front of the whole kingdom. "It's...it's not forever. But our child deserves a childhood. And a father. They don't deserve to have the kingdom only see them as an heir. As a way to keep the government secure."

"No...Mal, please!"

Mal gave the dream Ben a gentle kiss on the cheek before turning back toward the interior of the clubhouse.

"No!" Ben shouted, shooting up in bed and panting heavily. It was almost like he'd just come back from a Tourney workout or sparring with Mal, he was breathing so hard. Pushing his sweaty hair out of his face, Ben flung back the covers and slipped on his slippers.

He wasn't likely to get much sleep after that dream but he knew he'd need to try. A quick walk to the kitchens to clear his head should help. At least then he wouldn't be dwelling on that dream. On that nightmare.

Ignoring the looming presence of his parents' portraits above his bed, Ben pulled on his bathrobe and started to make his way to the kitchens for a glass of milk and maybe a small snack.

Do I work too hard? Ben thought as he made his way down the hall. I mean...I'm the King right? I'm working as hard as my dad worked all those twenty years he was in charge. Auradon flourished under his rule...not all of Auradon though. The Isle crumbled.