"There they are," one of the twins said.

Rose raised her head to look where the man was pointing. In the distance she could see a clearing. Rose frowned but did not speak as the horses walked toward the area. As they drew nearer, the details came into view. Rose gasped quietly.

The clearing was full of people, at least twenty of them. They were both male and female, old and young. There were small tents and shelters spread out in the clearing. Some people looked wary, and some looked comfortable and proud.

A big, burly man was waiting for them. He had brown hair and dark, almost black eyes. His arms were crossed and his face was serious. Rose felt intimidated just looking at the size of him. He had a sword strapped to his side, and three different daggers sheathed and strapped to his belt. Eliad rode up to the man and stopped. The twins followed and halted their own horses.

"Eliad," the big man greeted, tipping his head once. He did not bother to spare a glance at Rose. Eliad nodded and hopped down from his horse. Rose was left sitting awkwardly on the saddle.

"What news, Rhett?" Eliad asked.

"We have twenty-three new recruits. Fourteen of them have at least a little experience with weapons. Twelve of the recruits were eager to join our cause - the others had to be... convinced," the man called Rhett spoke, unflinching. Rose stared at him with wide eyes.

"Good. I am pleased," Eliad responded. The twins dismounted and led their horses away, disappearing into the crowd. Most of the people had stopped to observe the newcomers.

"Did your trip prove useful?" Rhett asked.

"Not as useful as I would have hoped. I got to knock out a knight though, so it was not all disappointment," Eliad said with a chuckle. Rhett laughed along with him. Rose felt sick at the thought of the men laughing at the suffering of another.

"Who is the girl?" Rhett asked, barely pausing to glance at her.

"Rose."

"The beggar?"

"Yes, we found her," Eliad said, talking as if Rose was not right there. "The silly girl was walking alone outside at night." Rhett snorted and Rose felt an ashamed blush warm her cheeks.

"What do you want done with her?"

"Tie her inside my tent for now. I will deal with her later - right now I am hungry and eager for lunch," Eliad said with a smirk. Rose's heart thundered away. His tent? Alone in his tent? She was so afraid she wondered if she was about to pass out. "You," Eliad turned, pointing firmly at Rose. "Don't cause any trouble," he warned. He left his horse with Rhett and walked off. Rose swallowed, her mouth dry.

Rhett walked up to her and, without a word, lifted her from the saddle seemingly without effort. Rose contemplated kicking and fighting him, but fear held her still. Rhett slung her over his shoulder and walked with a steady gait to the largest tent. It was big enough for a tall man to stand comfortably, and had enough room for multiple people to enter.

The tent was empty when they arrived. Rhett placed Rose down on her feet and reached for a long rope that was laying against the tent wall.

"Kneel," he ordered, not bothering to look at her. Rose hesitated for a moment, then knelt before Rhett became angry. He bound her hands behind her back with one end of the rope and tied the other end firmly to a single, wooden pole in the middle of the room. He left the tent without a word, pulling the entrance flap closed.

Rose was submerged into a dim darkness, the only light coming from gaps between the tent fabric. The bleakness of the room matched the bleakness of her situation. Everything felt so futile.

She decided to look around the tent, to see if there was anything that could help her. Perhaps she would be able to escape if she left through the back of the tent. But then what? She would never be able to find her way through the forest - the directions of Eliad and the twins had left her thoroughly confused. But she could not count on Tristan coming now, not if he had been unable to find their tracks.

The tent was plain and there was nothing too exciting in it. There was a map of the kingdom on a small table; a shield and armour stacked to one side; a few closed pouches with mystery goods inside; a chest; and a thin mattress where Eliad would sleep.

Father, help me. Please! Where are you? I'm scared...

Rose tried to focus on the voices outside, but she could not make out any of their words. Instead, their voices were like a dull, monotonous humming sound.

It did not take long for Eliad to reappear. Rose had been sitting quietly for about an hour when the flap of the tent entrance was pulled open suddenly, startling her. The light streamed inside and she blinked, trying to focus on her surroundings.

Eliad observed her silently for a moment. Rose returned his gaze steadily, refusing to submit.

"Rhett," Eliad called outside. The silhouette of Rhett appeared; within seconds, he was standing next to Eliad.

"Yes?" He asked simply.

"I think bring her outside," Eliad told him. Rhett nodded and untied the end of the rope attached to the pole. Rose looked at them in confusion - why was she being moved?

"Stand up," Rhett ordered her. She stood up awkwardly - without her hands, it was difficult getting to her feet. She followed Eliad out from the tent and into the heart of the clearing. People stopped to look at her curiously, some looked at her with disdain.

A wooden stake had been forced into the ground, seemingly random and without purpose. Eliad led her to the stake and stopped, giving a brief nod to Rhett. Rhett forced her to her knees and tied the rope to the stake. A couple of the surrounding people came to circle around her, so they could listen to what was being said.

Rose's hands shook. One on one, she was not afraid to be stubborn and stay silent. But with so many people crowding around her, she was intimidated and scared. At least she was not alone in his tent anymore - he would not touch her with so many people watching. She hoped.

Eliad squatted so he could stare at her level eyed. He was quiet for a minute. Rose kept her chin up and returned his gaze, unflinching.

"Tell me, Rose. What happened to your parents?" He asked innocently.

Rose kept her mouth clamped shut, despite feeling intimidated. She did not break her gaze with Eliad and concentrated on breathing evenly.

"Oh, yes, I remember now," Eliad said lightly, tapping his chin. "The King killed them." Murmurs and muttering broke out through the crowd.

Rose narrowed her eyes. "They died willingly serving the King. They were heroes," she rebutted. The crowd went silent. Eliad looked at her seriously, a hint of anger clear in his eyes.

"And when they died, what did the King do for you?" He questioned. Rose remained silent. "Nothing," Eliad declared with a chuckle. "He left you to fend for yourself. Were it not for the kindness of one knight, you would have been a beggar much longer than six years."

Rose stared at him in astonishment. How did this man know so much about her? How had he known how long she had been a beggar? How did he know the King had not sent help for her? How did he know a knight had taken her to the orphanage?

Rose widened her eyes as the answer dawned on her.

"That was you!" She exclaimed. "You were the knight who took me to the orphanage." Through the haze of her memories she remembered - a knight with dark hair and green eyes. His face was younger, his beard shaved, but it was him. Some of the members of the crowd gasped - they obviously had not known his past.

"Clever girl," Eliad said with a scowl.

"You were a knight! You were the one who told me the King had executed my parents! Why? Why did you lie to me when you knew they died serving him?"

"It is the same thing. Serving or execution, either way they were killed because of the King."

"But he did not lay a hand on them," Rose defended.

"The fact remains the same - the King did not come to your aid when both your parents passed on. The Royal Family failed you, just the way they failed all of us," Eliad continued, gesturing to the crowd around him. Rose met the eyes of a few of the people. Afraid, hurt, broken eyes. Rose opened her mouth to speak, but Eliad cut her off. "Surely you agree. It was you, after all, who publically defied the Crown Prince and refused to bow."

Rose's jaw dropped.

"It is strange how he did not have you executed on the spot," Eliad commented thoughtfully.

"What lies have you woven to these people, Eliad?" Rose asked through narrowed eyes. "How many people did you threaten? How many people did you convince were wronged by the King when they were not? How many people did you make believe lost their friends and family because of the King, instead of because of the course of life?" The crowd was silent.

"Insolent girl!" Eliad growled. His hand raised into the air - Rose was unable to block him with her bound arms. His hand slapped her across the cheek roughly with a resounding clap noise. Rose gasped from the force of it. She breathed heavily, shocked. The crowd exchanged anxious glances, but they did not move to help her. Rose's eyes filled with reflex tears and she bit her tongue to keep from crying out. Her cheek stung; she could feel it was turning red. Rose turned her head back so she could face Eliad. They exchanged glares.

"How dare you lay a hand against-" another slap silenced her. Rose blinked away the tears and stared at him defiantly. Eliad clasped his hands together and continued talking as if nothing had happened.

"Rose; I offer you a chance to join us-"

"Never," Rose spat. She did not care what Eliad's plan was, nor what he could offer her. Eliad raised an eyebrow.

"You are telling me that you have no reason to fight against the King?"

Rose continued to glare. "None."

"What about the Prince? He took you away, forced you to go to the castle, and sent you into servitude - all because you did not want to bow to him. He put you in chains," Eliad taunted.

"He saved me," Rose returned. Eliad released a single huff of laughter.

"You truly are stubborn," Eliad said. He moved closer to her. "Rose, if you fight for me, I will give you whatever it is you desire. Wealth will be yours - you will have title and land. The troubadours will sing about your name and the bravery of one beggar. I will find you a worthy husband."

"I do not want anything that you can offer me, especially a husband of your choice," she seethed. Eliad frowned deeply.

"What did the King offer you, hmm? A home in return for silencing your anger against the kingdom?"

"He gave me nothing and I asked for nothing," Rose fumed, insulted at the idea that Eliad thought she could be bought.

"I find that unlikely."

"It is the truth. I was wrong about the King and I was wrong about Prince Tristan. It is true that they have done things that they are ashamed of, but they are good people with kind hearts," she responded.

"Ridiculous," Eliad sneered.

"It is not! Recently the King spared my friend even though she had calculatingly lied. And have you not heard? They are building a home for orphans and beggars alike, a place where they can be protected and educated. These are not the actions of bad men. The King is a wise leader and Tristan would never deliberately hurt a person," Rose ranted, growing braver with each word.

"Tristan?" Eliad repeated with raised eyebrows. Rose froze. She could feel all eyes on her. "No one calls the Prince by his first name."

"His friends do," Rose muttered.

"What business does a beggar have with befriending the Prince?" Eliad jeered. Rose flinched at the venom in his eyes. "You think he would truly care for you? He will use you, just the way he uses everyone he meets."

"No, you are wrong."

"Oh, I do not think so," Eliad said with a devious smile. "Watch and see, he will take from you and never give back."

"He would never hurt me," Rose defended without an inch of doubt. Insecurities longed to swirl in her mind, but she pushed them away as she remembered the way Tristan would look at her. It was true, deep affection that he would not, and could not, fake. She had been with him too much to question whether he was true.

"What makes you so sure?" Eliad hissed. "He would never care for a beggar, a mere servant. You are safe here, Rose. You do not need to pretend your loyalty."

"I do not pretend."

"I see through your words - you are no different to the beggar you once were. There is no loyalty in the Prince, do not let his words deceive you. He will only hurt you - but I can protect you, Rose. You need only swear allegiance to me."

"No, you are wrong about him!"

"I am no-"

"I love him and he loves me!" Rose exploded. The crowd gasped; their jaws dropped and eyes grew round. Rose widened her eyes and stared at the ground in shock. She had not intended to confess her feelings. Eliad was silent. Rose looked up to observe him - his eyes were blank.

"Wh-"

"He will come for me, you will see. He will search for me, no matter how long it takes him."

Eliad gaped and opened and closed his mouth a few times. "My, my," he murmured after a minute, apparently recovered from his shock. "What luck we have found, my men." Rhett and the twins laughed, a couple of people in the crowd joined in. "The darling of the Prince, the one who claims to hold his heart," Eliad continued, tapping his chin. "This is a far greater weapon than I ever could have imagined. It appears fortune is on our side."

"What do you mean? What are you talking about?" Rose asked, suddenly afraid.

"Garrett, Barrett," Eliad said sharply. The men straightened their shoulders and stood at attention. "I want you to return the way we came and ask the scouts if there is any truth to her words. Find out if the Prince truly is in the woods searching for her and return immediately." The men nodded and charged over to where their horses were tethered. Within minutes they were saddled and galloping out of the clearing. Rose's heart pounded. What would Eliad do if he did find Tristan in the forest?

"Why did you take me? Why am I so important? Just let me go," Rose begged.

Eliad laughed. "No, you are not going anywhere."

Rose's heart fell. "But why me?"

"Originally I heard of a beggar who had denied the Prince. It caught my attention. I assumed that you would be a valuable weapon in all of this, for you surely must have reason enough to fight against the King. You were an idol for the people here - you gave them the strength to fight for me and reject the King. Once they saw you had survived outwardly refusing to bow, they figured they could survive their own acts of rebellion. I had wondered why you had been made a servant, but I suppose now it is all clear," Eliad explained, pacing slowly.

Rose kneeled quietly, guilt and shame nearly overwhelming her. Had this all been her fault? She never should have refused to bow - she never should have set an example of rebellion. The crowd was watching her - some with awe, some with anger, and some with sympathy. But they would not help her; there was no way for her to escape.

Even if she did become free of her bonds, she could not simply run into the forest. She would be caught before she had taken ten steps. And even if she did make it into the forest, Eliad had said there were scouts. How many had they passed on their journey? She had never even seen another person.

Garrett and Barrett returned within the hour.

"Eliad," one of them gasped. Eliad emerged from the tent he had retreated to with a firm expression.

"Yes?"

"It is true. The lookouts received a message from the scouts further out. The Prince passed by them, he is following your trail."

"Impossible," Eliad hissed. Rose gasped silently and at once felt hopeful. Tristan - he was truly coming for her! He had found their trail and was coming to save her!

"It is the truth," one twin - Rose thought it was Garrett - said with a shrug.

"We covered our trail. There is no way he could have known where to enter the forest and what direction we took!"

Everyone was silent. Rose tried to hide her smile. Her chest felt warm in anticipation of seeing Tristan again.

"Should we prepare to fight them?" Rhett asked. Rose's smile dropped. There were over twenty people here - how could Tristan fight them all? Eliad glared into the distance and pursed his lips.

"No," he said with a sudden, dark glint in his eye. "We do not need to fight them - we have the best weapon here. We will crush the Prince from the inside out until he has no morale left in him." Eliad turned his head to look at Rose pointedly. Rose shrank back nervously, her heart racing. What was Eliad planning? She had no doubt in her mind that it would involve her somehow.

"Rose," Eliad said calmly. "Do you see those trees?" He pointed at four different, huge trees that stood at the edge of the clearing. Their trunks were enormous and branches thick.

"Ye-" she broke off speaking when she realised in each tree stood a man. Their dark clothing made them almost undetectable. In their hands, each man held a sturdy, dangerous looking longbow. Her mouth went dry as she realised they had a clear view of every part of the clearing.

"It does not matter which way your beloved Prince enters. My archers can kill him in one second, I need only give them their orders," Eliad told her. Rose paled. "I will not kill him, however, if you send him away."

"Send him away?" She repeated, confused.

"It is not... ideal for me, to kill the Prince in secret. The execution of the royal family was meant to be done publicly," he muttered.

Rose's jaw dropped. So that was what Eliad had been planning - he was going to execute the royal family.

"When the Prince comes, you will do everything in your power to send him away. You will tell him you masterminded this whole thing; that you had planned to be taken; that all along you have been deceiving him. You will tell him you never loved him-"

"Never!" Rose cut off with a hiss. Eliad blinked, sighed, then snapped his fingers. In the blink of an eye, Rhett had an arrow pointing at her heart. Rose froze but did not flinch.

"You will tell him, or you will die," he said simply.

"I do not fear death," Rose responded boldly.

"A noble thought," Eliad commented. "Very well, you will tell him, or he will die." Rose went cold at his statement. "Do you care to test the truth to my words, Rose?" Eliad taunted when Rose did not respond.

"You just told me you did not want to kill the Prince here," Rose rebutted.

"Just because it is not ideal does not mean I will not do it. Do not doubt me, Rose, I will put the arrow through his heart myself," Eliad swore. Rose felt her hands begin to shake. She was so close to being free, so close to being with Tristan again, and now she had to send him away. Her heart broke as she imagined telling Tristan that she did not love him.

How could I possibly do such a thing? Even the thought is too painful.

"He-he will hardly believe me if I am tied up," Rose challenged, desperately trying to think of a way out of the situation.

"We will free you and make it appear as though you are comfortable and in control. He will not suspect anything."

"Why? Why are you making me do this?" Rose asked as tears began to drop down her cheeks. Tristan would never forgive her. She would lose the only person she had ever fallen in love with; she would lose the most important person in her life.

"Do not take it personally, Rose. You are not my target - he is. Watching your words crush him, watching his love be stolen from him, watching him break from the inside... he will be destroyed. And I do not even have to lift a finger," Eliad chuckled.

My freedom in exchange for his life...

She would be captive forever - or until Eliad achieved his plans. But Tristan would be free to go home - alive. He would have more time to prepare for a fight against Eliad. Even if he... if he hates me, at least he will still be alive.

Her heart broke and the tears seemed to turn to ice on her cheeks.

"Okay," she whispered, so quietly she wondered if Eliad had even heard. Eliad smiled ominously and tapped his fingers together.

"Excellent; we have a deal," he said. He began to walk away, but then stopped and turned around. "One more thing - make it believable. If you mess up and he realises you are being forced to send him away, he will die."

Rose, with her hands bound behind her back and knees to the ground, sat alone and wept, feeling more broken than she had ever felt before.

~~~
Thank you all for being so patient! I am not sure when the next update will be - hopefully I will be able to get one up within a week, but uni work comes first!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'm sorry if it did not live up to your expectations - my brain is a bit fried lol.
Please vote and comment if you so desire!
Xx Divine Romance