The Princess's Swordsman

The Execution

Chapter 15

A/N: This is it guys! Tell me if you like it. I want to see comments PEOPLE! Okay I worked hard on this one, trying my best to make it good for you. SO! Enjoy the show...

Robin looked about her room frantically. There was nothing around her to help her escape. She fumbled through her drawer, there was nothing she could pick the lock with. Not even a bobby pin of some sort, not anything small and sharp. She tried force, but she couldn't break down the doors. She also tried crying out for help. But there was no one left in the Palace. They were all outside, in the Courtyard, waiting for the execution. She did all this half blinded by her tears wilding up in her eyes.

Suddenly, it hit her! She remembered how Zoro always got in... Through her window. He would climb the vines growing up her wall. If he could climb up she could climb down.

She rushed to her window seal, leaning out to see. She exhaled in disbelief. The vines had been cut! King Pratus must have had his men do it when she was asleep. What could she do now? She turned her head once more to scan about her room. She could only find one solution... Her bed. She had a comforter, one sheet, and four pillow cases. She rushed to rip her bed apart. She began to tie her bedding together with incredible haste. First the sheet, then the comforter, then the four flimsy pillow cases. She lowered her fabric rope down. It didn't quite reach the ground below. Her eyebrows frowned, and she moaned. But non-the-less, she stood up upon her window seal. She was ready, but she was also scared. This was nothing like the first time. Mattie did made the rope the last time, and it was all sheets, and it was tight, and as Robin climbed down there was someone holding the other end! But she had no time to think of that. Zoro was in danger! She had already wasted enough time. So she tied one end to her dresser, praying it would stay in place and hold her weight. She took a deep breath then began her decent.

About mid way, she froze, her head shot up. There was a ripping sound. Her bedding wouldn't hold her weight! She tried making it down without it snapping. There was still several feet to go before she landed. Then...

SNAP! She screamed as she fell. She hit the grassy ground with a huge thud, "UH!" There was no time! She winced as she managed to stand to her feet. Her gaze shot to the sky. They sun was coming up faster and faster. She rushed to the main gate. The guards were all out in the Courtyard. There was no one to stop her. She ran, faster than ever to the Courtyard's gate. There was people blocking the entrants. Their backs faced her. They were whispering. No time to ask politely! She squeezed, she shoved, anything she had to do to get to the center. There was a section of women, wearing big dressing and hats, with fans in their hands. There were well dressed men as well. All of which where in Robin's way! As she got past them some people noticed her and gasped, "Princess!" but it was of little matter to her. All that mattered was Zoro.

She finally made it to the front of the crowd. There she had a full view of the of the entire Courtyard. She could see the countless people who gathered all around in one big circle. She saw her father sitting up high on a Palace balcony, overlooking, sitting on his throne. And... she saw the execution platform. It was dark and made of rock. On it stood a tall man who's face was covered in a black sack-like thing over his head, he was dressed in black from head to toe. He was the executioner, Robin swallowed at the sight of him.

Everyone fell silent. They held their breath. Robin's eyes shook, her mouth was open slightly...

They brought out the prisoner... He was clothed from only his hips down, his shoes were taken from him. His back was scarred and it bled. There was blooding dripping from his head, and his mouth. His hands were bound behind his bloody back. He looked exhausted. He could barely walk, every step seemed painful. He was slow. He was unrecognizable.

The two huge guards escorting him shoved their captive forward towards the dark platform. Robin stood there, unable to move. She heard a man whisper to the person next to him, "Poor lad, he looks like a young one."

"I wonder, what are his charges?" they responded. That is when a man in fine clothes stepped up unfolded a yellow scroll. He cleared his throat before reading. It was the charges the prisoner was held with. The crowd listened intently. But as the magistrate continued, the crowd gasped in horror when he read, "For assaulting the Princess!" The whispers broke out, "How terrifying!" "The poor Princess!" "How dare he?" "How horrid!" "What an evil man!" was all Robin heard around her. She felt like screaming out. But she could not say a word.

Once the magistrate was finished, he closed the scroll, and stepped down. The crowd was no longer feeling sorry for the young man. They watched, approving now, as the guards in black placed the prisoner on his knees, before a wooden block. They stepped down after that. Then, Robin's breath hitched as she spotted Pratus stride up the dark steps, in front of the young bleeding man, "Any last words?" Zoro lifted his eyes to him, and stared him down, "No then..." He walked off the platform grinning.

The crowd watched as the executioner chose his weapon of beheading. It was an axe, it shinned as he lifted it. Everyone swallowed hard. The man in black placed the prisoner's head on the block, took his stance, then adjusted his axe. He took a few practice motions. Pratus waited impatiently. Robin's heart beat quickened.

The world stopped. The executioner raised his arms up, inhaling in sharply. It was over. Pratus smiled evilly. The executioner slammed is arms down, "NO!" someone screamed. It was Robin!

She rushed over and grabbed the handle of the axe. Everyone gasped. Robin's father shot up from his seat. Pratus's eyes grew wide! Robin's teeth were clenched, "DON'T KILL HIM!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. The executioner, who's eyes were wide with confusion, lowered his weapon. She spun around. She untied the prisoners hands instantly. Zoro collapsed on his back into the platform, "Zoro!" she embraced him in her arms, "Say something!" She tried whipping some blood off of his face. His eyes remained closed. He was limp in her arms, lifeless. She began to cry. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her cheek, "Zoro!"

Slowly, his good eye opened. He looked directly into her blue eyes, "Robin?" his voice was cracked and quiet. She nodded, smiling uncontrollably.

"Yes! Yes, Zoro it's me!"

"Are you... really here?" She stroked her hand through his green hair.

"I'm really here. You're going to be alright."

"Olvia!" She looked up. Her father was standing before them. His expression was one of someone who had been hurt, one of someone who was confused. She stood up instantly, "Father listen to me," she took a step forward, "Everything you heard of this man... was a lie."

"What?" She tried to explain.

"He did none of the things they say he has. Someone wronged you father. Someone made you believe he did those things. Someone tried to put him to death!"

"Who? Who did these things you say?!" There was a pause. The crowed waited. Her father waited. The WORLD waited...

She pointed... at King Pratus.