Lost Royalty

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

They decided to walk into the village to see if anyone knew where Elizabeth had gone. The original plan of keeping it a secret and not being noticed had been disregarded, for it now didn't matter. Elizabeth had already gone.

They perhaps shouldn't have killed Mr Winters, for now they were in a difficult position. They had no way of finding Elizabeth.

James couldn't help but feel awful. It had been him who had told them the Elle wouldn't be taken until two days' time, when she had in fact been taken earlier today.

She could be hurt, and there was nothing that James could do. If only he had realised that she was the princess sooner. This all could have been avoided.

"What's the plan?" Andrew asked Oscar.

"This is where we need James' help the most. People will trust him so they may give him information." Oscar replied, shocking James. James didn't think that they would want anything to do with him anymore.

It was late morning, so the village was wide awake. It was a busy day, as any of the deliveries from other villages had arrived.

As they walked, James saw several of his friends. He wandered over to them. They all smiled in greeting, but after seeing his serious face their smiles all dropped.

"Have you seen Elle Winters?" He asked them, uncharacteristically serious.

"James, you know Elle doesn't talk to us. Why would we have seen her?" One of the girls replied.

"I don't know, but I really have to find her!"

"Sorry, but we haven't seen her."

James nodded and turned back to Oscar and Andrew.

"What do they mean 'Elle doesn't talk to us'?" Andrew asked, confused.

"Elle was very shy. I don't think she was permitted to talk to other people by Mr Winters. She only spoke to me because I insisted." James told him. It was a sad fact, but true.

"Why wouldn't she tell you about how awful Mr Winters was?" Andrew asked.

"I'm not sure. She was probably afraid of him."

They continued walking in silence until they reached the market.

"Oscar, why don't you ask everyone at once? We could call a gathering in the village square again."

"I don't think we have time." Oscar replied, glancing at the clock I the village square.

"Give me 15 minutes and I will have everyone there," James promised as he rushed off.

James ran back to his friends and told them to spread the message.

True to his word, 15 minutes later it seemed that the majority of the village had gathered together.

"Hello all, and thank you for coming on such short notice." Oscar began, the crowd silencing almost immediately. "I need your help with an important mission. I am here with Prince Andrew. We need any information on the where about of Elle Winters."

The crowd immediately erupted in whispers.

"Elle Winters?"

"What do they want with her?"

"They can't be wanting Elle Winters. Surely they want someone more like me!" was heard from one particularly presumptuous girl.

"Quiet please!" Andrew yelled, in a strong and confident voice. The people were silent.