Down in the Palace's dungeon, former King John sat in his cell. Large, dark rings around his eyes, sag against his pale cheeks as he stared out to the only window. Beautiful crystallizing scenery was broken into thirds by three steel bars that cast a shadow of doom across the grim floors. Ever since he was put in here, his heart was troubled. He wondered if his beautiful niece was alive if she was happy. Especially when Queen Helen, was on the throne.
A faint shuffling sound caught his attention. He looked up at the door to the dungeon, as it grew louder and louder until he could see light emanating from the floor. His heart hammered, mixed with fear and hope as he tried to decipher if the steps were light as a thief, bringing hope, or heavy as a soldier, being dread.
When the door finally opened, his heart plummeted as it was the queen herself, carrying an apple in her hand. If he had not known it was the queen, the apple itself was sinister as even he when he was king, would never annul his brother's law, for his niece's sake.
He watched with fear as the queen snaked over to his cell, and wrap her fingers around the bars.
"Hello, John."
"What do you want?" He snapped, his voice cracking due to a lack of water. Her eyes darkened.
"Always so blunt.' He heard her mutter."What I want, darling is justice." She said with a crooked smile. "Your niece and her band of misfits have burned down my fort and broke into my castle." A smile tugged at his lips.
"It is what you deserve. Witch." The queen chuckled.
"Don't get too comfortable, John. The victory is close at hand. Soon this little rebellion your niece has sparked up will be snuffed out like a candle."
"How when she has taken over your greatest defences?"
"With this." She lifted the apple for him to see. He almost wanted to scoff at the blood-red fruit. But with the knowledge he knows, that fruit might as well be a sword. His face paled at the thought, and Helen's brightens.
"It seems you are not an idiot I thought you were, it is quite sad. You're rotting away in there, while I reach my victory."
"You will never kill her, Amanda is far too smart to listen to you." The queen rolled her eyes and scoffed. "You thought I was was going to give it to her?" She let out a cackle of laughter. "There are other ways." She said looking at his pale face. "But I know how much you love her, so I will make a condition."
"Which is?"
"If you eat this apple, I will spare her." John let out a hollow laugh.
"You think I am that foolish."
"But if you don't, I will kill her and set you free from this cage. It is either her life or yours, your pick. " She offered the apple through the bars, and John stared at it. There was a big chance that she could be lying, but the idea of being alive knowing that she was dead would shatter his heart. Swallowing a lump in his throat, John reached for the apple and with shaking fingers he took a bite.
Crunch.
It was sweet, its juice slid down his throat, replenishing his strength.
Suddenly something sticky began to block his windpipe. Eyes wide, he coughed but it won't clear it. He bent forward, hacking up a storm, Fluids filled up his mouth, spots filled his vision.
While he wheezed, Hellen's cunning smile grew wider and wider.
John's weak body slumped forward. His cheek smacked on to the rough stone.
The last thing, his eyes saw before it clouded into darkness, was Hellen slinking back the way she came, holding the part bitten apple in her hand and flashing a sickening grin.
................................................................................................................................................................
"Margo!" Shouted, the queen as she burst into the small tower. In the corner of the room, was a small girl dressed in rags. She tripped over a pot and fell at the queen's feet, her spine shivering under the thin garments she wore.
"Yes, your majesty?"
"It was a success." She said, tossing the apple at the girl, ignoring the fact it hit her head.
"I want more of this poison ready in three days." She ordered. The little girl picked up the apple and looked up at the queen with wide eyes.
"But we don't have any more poison. " The queen stared at the little girl, eyes blazing.understand?" The girl shivered.
"Yes, your majesty."
YOU ARE READING
A Diamond Among Men
Fantasy*First Draft Warning* We all know the story of Robin Hood. A thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. In this story, however, Robin Hood is a heart-hardened thief who meets a runaway princess who will be the key to restoring the kingdom...
