Sisters in Arms

16.

Annabelle POV

Betrayed. Betrayed, god damn it. We were betrayed. Of course I should have known. Our betrayer never even let us see their face. But we went along, like good little children, playing heroes; look at us now. One of their number abandoned, left for dead. How could I have been so stupid? Stalking me through the woods, that day that seems so long ago, in a hooded cloak. So that when their plan was done, we would have no one to pass the blame to. No one but a faceless man, or woman even, who lead my friends to the woods, never to return, and me, well, they're leading me off this earth for good. Tomorrow, they told me. I have committed high treason, and I die tomorrow.

Through the tiny window in my cell, I can just about feel the sun. It frightens me, the prospect of never feeling the sun on my skin. But by noon tomorrow, I wont feel anything anymore. I can see the gallows, with guards milling around them, like wild dogs around a kill. They're a little early.

I had just about given up on my friends, when I heard footsteps. At first, I dismissed it as another guard.

"I'm not hungry, or thirsty, or uncomfortable in any way. Aren't you supposed to be guarding my escape routes?" I told the footsteps, without looking round.

"Alright then, my lady, I'll just take this food and water and pleasant conversation back to the stables. I'm sure the horses are getting lonely."

"James!" I turned and ran as far as my chains would let me towards his voice. We stood for a moment, just watching each other. I tried not to cry. Finally, he spoke.

"I came as soon as I heard, I knew there must be more to it than what everyone was saying. What happened, Annabelle?" I'd been in Rilla and Jo's company for so long, hearing my full name took me by surprise.

"We were tricked, James. Someone told us, I don't know who, that we had to find this key to lock the door, that it was being opened from the inside. I would never open it, not ever! You have to believe me."

"I do believe you." He said softly. "Here, catch." He threw me a small chunk of bread, and I caught it between my teeth. We both started to laugh. And then, all of a sudden, he was saying goodbye, and the reality that I would never see him again sunk in. I tried to reach out, but the chains that bound my hands stopped me short. His strong fingers met mine halfway.

"I'm scared, James. I don't want to die." The choked words escaped my throat before I could really stop them.

"I know, I know. I have to go now, but I won't ever really leave you, remember that." His words made no sense to me, and I began to panic.

"No, don't go, please, I-"

"Goodbye, Annabelle." And then he was gone, and I was left alone again.

**************

The morning of my execution dawned bright and clear. I woke with the sun, and as my eyes adjusted, I could just make out a figure sitting by the bars of my cell.

"Chlo?"

"Anna!" It felt good to hear my pet name again, like I could pretend that I was still living rough in the woods with Rilla and Jo. Neither of us had to say anything, she just reached out with a cloth and wiped the redness from my eyes. The dark circles under her eyes told me she had been here all night. She was too good to me, after all, my actions had put her out of a job, and unless she had spoken to James, she still thought I had attempted to bring the demise of the kingdom. Yet here she was, a true friend to me. There was no point in her telling me it would be alright. I could not cry again, my execution would still be public, and I wished to retain some dignity in death. Too soon, it was time to go.

My stomach turned at the sight of the gallows. I fought to keep my cool as the guards escorting me twisted my arms behind my back, and the man standing ready by the lever gave me a demonic smile. I was marched up the makeshift wooden steps, and the noose was put around my neck. A fly buzzed by my head, and I turned around to try and waft it away. The sack came down over my eyes while my head was still turned, but just before everything was plunged into eternal darkness, I caught a glimpse of a tiny figure on the battlements, bow and arrow poised, aiming just above my head.