1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Thirty-five [revised]

note: the following character that is going to be introduced into this story is not mine. It belongs to meganm0608, but she was kind enough as to let me use her. don't be surprised when you see her in future chapters. i kind of like her in this.

Isabella stood, looking like a scared, lost little child. Prince John sat at the head, watching her intently. Guy and Vaisey were seated next to him, also watched the younger Gisborne, glancing at one another and sneering every once and a while. Isabella circled around slowly that way she could obtain everyone's attention.

"Then I took the sword in my hand," she said, wrapping her hands around the hilt of a sword from a guard nearby, pulling it out slowly, "and tugged it from its sheath." The nobles murmured as Prince John made a half grimace, half scared look. Guy raised his eyebrows. Isabella marched over the prince and put her sword at his throat. Out of reaction, the guards pointed their spears at the girl, but she ignored them. "And I put the sword at the soft part of his throat."

"And?" Prince John questioned, somewhat squeaking it out.

Isabella stepped down the steps and circled around, still pointing her sword out. "And then dozens of outlaws appeared from nowhere," she announced. A mischievous grin spread on her face, her backed turned to Prince John. "And I shouted, 'Long live King John!'" Isabella made a dramatic display of dropping her sword and spreading both hands out beside her, throwing her head up to the sky like she was waiting for God to claim her.

"Oh, you adorable girl." Prince John sounded flustered. "Everyone leave us!"

The crowd murmured to one another as they made their way to the door to leave. Guy and Vaisey stood up slowly, passing Isabella. Guy gave Isabella a look, and then left. Slowly, Isabella turned around, her eyes meeting John's. He had a little puppy-dog look on his face.

"You spoke to them, the villagers, as you tried to put out the fire?" he asked her as he descended down the steps.

"Yes," Isabella said quietly. She was about to speak up for her friend, but she decided to be smart and not say anything like Linda had said to.

Prince John sighed and his shoulders sagged. "Why do the people not love me as you love me, Isabella?"

"You burnt their church to the ground with them in it," she reasoned.

Prince John huffed. "Yes. And?"

Isabella sighed and struggled to find her words. "The people want to love you as their king," she said slowly. "If you can prove your divine right to the nobles, then the people will follow."

"Do you think?"

"Yes," she said reassuringly. Isabella smiled sweetly. "King John."

The way she said his name made him want to melt, for her voice was smooth and sweet. "Oh, you adorable girl," he murmured. Prince John made a pleading look on his face. "Say it again."

"King John," Isabella repeated more in a more slowly and whispery tone.

John felt shivers run up his spine as he stared off into space. "It does sound good," he mused. He gritted his teeth and spun around. "It is my divine right."

Isabella stood next to him. "You must prove it to everyone," she said, and Prince John smiled down at her.

*****

Linda waited. And waited. And waited. It wasn't until she heard Isabella's footsteps did Linda feel relieved.

"That took long enough," she muttered.