A Catching Little Dance [Esmeralda, Aslan]

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda glared at Prince John, feeling more and more irritated over his shallow talk and his rotten sense of humor. And what did he mean that he already captured her? If it weren't for the rhinoceros she would still be at the market place, entertaining her audience. She gritted her teeth. If she hadn't been chained, and threatened by the bows of the two men beside her, she would have strangled Prince John right away. Now she had to use sarcasm instead. She noticed quickly he had no self irony.

Great, I can use that against him, in lack of sharper weapons...

"So... you have a taste for goats, Sire?" She asked, remarkably calm. "Does your psychiatrist know about your unsual love life? Besides, I seriously doubt Djali would be interested in you. He is currently flirting with a pirate named Pintel...."

Esmeralda rolled her eyes when Prince John claimed his crown was the right size. She snorted when it fell over his eyes.

"Hah, you look like a kid who has borrowed a crown from his big brother!"

She watched the snake while he grabbed pen and ink with his tail and started writing while the lion planned a.... WEDDING? Esmeralda gritted her teeth. She was still carrying Kovu's ring. There was no way she threw away his ring.... or allowed anyone to take his place in her heart.

"Wait! You can't marry me! I already have a husband!!!"

Why can't I stop seeing Aslan's face before my eyes? It is Kovu I married, it is Kovu I love...... So why are Aslan's mild gentle eyes on my mind when I close my eyes? Holy Mother of God, I am so confused....

Prince John looked at her, suspiciously, his eyes narrowing. Then he spotted the necklace, and she noticed how his eyes lit up in greed. Esmeralda's eyes narrowed and she pulled back in the wagon, trying to get away from his touch.

"Where I got it is none of your business, you ill-mannered oof!! And sacrifical giving? I have never seen you sacrifice anything!"

When he reached out his hand she yanked back in her seat, her voice getting sharp.

"I am NOT your little Emerald, and I never will be! LEAVE ME ALONE!!"

Esmeralda noticed a warm feeling of safety spreading in her heart as the necklace started to glow. Her heart filled with hope, and she just knew that she would be saved from this horrible destiny. To marry the phony king of England seemed to her a fate worse than death. With her chained hands she tried to protect the jewelry against him, but he brushed her hands side and grabbed it.

Then... suddenly the Prince leaped back with a yelp, acting like he was terribly frightened of something. She saw him yelling at the snake, and even choke him. Luckily for Sir Hiss he was released before he got strangled.

Esmeralda watched in disbelief when the Prince's eyes softened and his expression buckled. He even shouted "MOMMY!!!!" When he proceeded to suck his thumb and grab his ear in whimpers, Esmeralda bursted out laughing. She laughed so hard that one of the guards had to poke a dagger to her side to make her stop laughing. And that was the "man" who wanted her as his wife?

Esmeralda didn't see what Prince John saw. She didn't see the angered King Aslan, or hear his deafening roar. Of course she noticed that the wagon suddenly seemed to move faster, and that the driver had problems controlling the horses, but she didn't know why.

The fear that spread among her enemies, was not for her. She only felt strangely safe, and had a feeling that someone good was watching over her. Again her thoughts went to Aslan, and there was a little smile on her face as she turned her emerald gaze towards the windows. The feeling of safety lingered on long after the jewel had stopped glowing.

[Prince John]

Prince John removed his thumb and glared at Esmeralda. "Don't DARE MENTION MY BROTHER IN MY PRESENCE!" Prince shouted at her, his hands tightening into fists in front of him, as if his head was going to explode with steam. "I will have you know that I am faaaar superior than he could ever dream of being!" The Prince frowned when she started laughing at him and he sat there fuming, giving her a look of death.

He leaned over to Hiss and said, not-so-quietly: "Why is she behaving in such a manner, mmm? Why won't she be...ahem, reasonable?"

"Oh, sire...I have not the slightest idea! This may be a leap of an assumption, but...I gather...that maybe...possibly...she just doesn't want to marry you." Hiss answered smugly and sarcastically.

"Yes, yes, haha, that certainly might be true. But the little Emerald will change her mind when she realizes how...hahaha...marvelous life is when married to the great, grand, GLORIOUS....! Haha, Prince John." He glanced at her way and took note of her outburst regarding the idea that she had a husband. To that statement, he burst out laughing as well. "Oh my, I rule over all of England! Do you not think I could erase that pesky little marriage of yours with just a wave of my r-r-royal hands? Ah-HA! Ah-HA HA!"

Suddenly the carriage stopped making his crown tip over again. He pushed it up. "We're here my little emerald! Wonderful!" He took a finger and tickled underneath Esmeralda's chin, snickering. "But since I simply can't be the one to let your blatant disobedience go with out consequence, I shall have more suitable accommodations for you." He snickered again. "Heh, GUARDS!"

The guards proceeded to drag her out and lead her to a dungeon located at the top of the castle. "Haha yes yes, and oh! Do NOT let her scamper away, I want to keep all my jewels in close quarters, right Hiss?" He laughed at his own joke. "Haha!...hahaha!...ha. Oh, I should be a com-meeedian!"

The Prince and the snake followed behind the guards into the castle and up the stairs towards the dungeon. "Isn't the castle lovely, dear?" The prince bragged to Esmeralda as they made it close to the dungeon, clasping his hands together as if he was witnessing his own castle for the first time.

[esmeralda]

When Prince John shouted at her not to mention his brother in his presence, Esmeralda laughed even harder. She had no idea that he HAD a brother, until he mentioned it himself. Now that she knew, she would use every chance she got speaking about that brother. Especially since he so clearly showed that it angered him when she spoke of him. She wondered if she could trick him into believing she was married to his brother, but she didn't think he would fall for that. Still the though was tempting....

She listened to the snake and rolled her eyes humorously.

"Puh-leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaze!!! That is more than a leap of an assumption. That is pure fact!!! I really do not want to marry that.... undergrown fur-ball!!!"

Her eyes narrowed and she turned to Prince John.

"And no, the little Emerald will not change her mind. Grand? Glorious? YOU? Do not overestimate yourself!"

She looked at him, but when he threatened to ruin her marriage, she gritted her teeth, before getting a devilish glimpse of humor in her eyes. Her voice was remarkably calm when she replied.

"As for my "pesky" little marriage, as you call it: You may try to erase it.... but your brother would disapprove. And he is the real king of the family. You, little one, is only a bad kitty wearing a crown too large for your head."

The carriage stopped, and she smirked when she saw his crown tip over, stating her point. When he took his finger tickling under her chin, she pulled her head back in disgust. Her emerald eyes blazed fire and she bit after him before the guards dragged her back into her seat. She was pulled out of the wagon and led to a dungeon by the rhinocero guards. She snorted and spoke haughtily, and sarcastic, not willing to give in.

"A dungeon? Ohhhh, a romantic guy - huh? Yeah, I can understand you have to keep a harem of "jewel" women in captivity. No free woman would stand to have you as her husband...."

When she heard his comment about that he should have been a comedian, her emerald eyes measured him up and down, from the wayyyyy too big crown, to the head without a proper mane, to the thumbs he used to suck on calling for his mother, and down to his slippers.

"Don't worry," she replied, dryly sarcastic. "You are..... "

A devilish glimpse of humor in her eyes again, and she continued in her calm voice.

"From the sight of your ridiculous appearance and the sound of your braindead jokes, you are a comedian by birth."

[Aslan]

Aslan chuckled, knowing what had happened. Esmeralda would not give in, and that was all he could ask of her at the moment. For now, he looked down at her faithful goat. "For now, she is as safe as she can be. I beleive Prince John has the message." Walking now, he looked at the direction that Esmeralda had gone. He would speak with the Prince later, when the world was dark and they would have no one to interupt.

Sighing he walked toward the woods, expecting the goat to follow. He had to prepare, for this would not be as easy as anyone thought.

[esmeralda]

Djali followed The Great King of Narnia around like a shadow, just as faithful as he had always been to Esmeralda. He had watched in admiration when the lion made the flower into a bird, and the bird flew to Esmeralda's wagon. His heart was filled with admiration for this great lion, and with pride that he was concidered to be a friend. He would not have liked being Aslan's enemy. He had imagination enough to realize that would be a horrible experience.

"Thank you," he said to Aslan, in the language of the beasts. "Without you, she would not have the strength to resist the enemies for long. When you lock in a gypsy used to live in freedom, that gypsy will sooner or later fade away and die."

He followed Aslan toward the woods, looking up at him.

"Is there anything you want to know about my mistress?"

[Prince John]

They reached the door of the dungeon and Prince John heard her mention his brother again. "I do not care about what my brother approves of, you FOOL!" He shouted. "Now that is enough! Speak his name again and I shall personally have your tongue r-r-removed!"

The Prince, for once, caught the sarcasm in her voice when she affirmed that he could be a comedian. Her snappy mouth definitely began to test his patience. He was so wrapped up in anger, he hadn't noticed Hiss laughing at Esmeralda's comebacks. The Prince jolted his head towards him.

"Oh! Haha! I think I like her!" Hiss said in between laughter. He caught the Prince's gaze and stopped abruptly. "Oh! No, I'm sorry sire! She's just so clever, I promise--" Prince John picked him up. "--No, sire!"

Prince John found a hanging candle on the wall. "For your....hm, mockery you shall hang here...upside down!" He took the snake and tied him by his tail on to the candle so the snake hung there helplessly.

He turned to Esmeralda. "And as for you... my...hahaha, darling. I grow tired of your constant jabbering. My poor ears will be ringing at night, not even sleeping with my bags of gold will cure that, haha! Well, I'm sure you will silence yourself once you find that you will not be leaving any time soon. But don't fret my Emerald! Brighter days are afoot! The sun will come out! And morning will shine when the wedding bells ring for us! Ah-Ha! Ah-Ha ha! Oh JOY!" He looked down at Esmeralda and said, "A celebratory kiss, my dear!" He leaned in, closed his eyes tightly, and puckered his lips expecting Esmeralda to summit to kissing the royal lips of Prince John.

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda chuckled with laughter when she heard Prince John's reaction to the mentioning of his brother's name. Until this moment Esmeralda didn't even know that John had a brother, she had only assumed that he had one. Her suspicions were confirmed, and she noticed that the prince didn't tolerate the mentioning of his brother's name. This was clearly a way to get under the lions' skin, albeit fur.

Memo to self: Must learn the name of Prince John's brother as soon as possible....

When he threatened to remove her tongue personally, she smiled an angelic smile, while her emerald eyes twinkled with a devilish sense of humor. She replied, remarkably calm.

"Excellent! Then I won't have to reply when the priest asks me if I will marry you. And everyone knows that silence means no."

Esmeralda noticed in mild surprise that the snake was laughing every time she replied back to the Prince. A smirk went across her face when she noticed that at least the snake had a sense of humor. That could be useful. Still, he was sucking up to the Prince too much, so she didn't know if she would trust him.

She watched in disbelief while the Prince picked up the snake and tied him by his tail on to the candle, leaving the snake helplessly. Even if she didn't trust the snake, nobody deserved to be treated like that. She frowned, and her dislike for the Prince only grew stronger.

When the Prince turned to her again, she crossed her arms across her chest proudly, determined not to give in, no matter what threats he decided to use against her. Her voice was remarkably calm as she replied to his words. Every word she said was dripping with sarcasm.

"You really sleep with bags of gold? Well, that makes sense, since I can't imagine anyone else who would want to sleep with you. Not even Mrs. Sparrow.

As for my constant jabbering, Sire, I am glad to hear it wears you out. And now that I know, I will make efforts to make you grow even more tired in the time to come, by increase the amount of my constant jabbering, until it is chronical jabbering."

The Prince looked down at Esmeralda and demanded a kiss, before leaning in, closing his eyes tightly and puckering his lips. Esmeralda scrunged up her face in disgust and took a step back, quietly.

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! Icky!!! I will never kiss him. Nevernevernever!!! Yuck!!! Okay! Okayokayokay!!! Calm down Esmeralda. Think fast! How do you get out of this one?

Her emerald eyes darted around in the room in panic, frantically searching for a weapon, or a way to defend herself. Her gaze fell on the snake tied to the candle, and a devilish glimpse of humor appeared in her eyes. A smirk crossed her face and she snuck quietly over to Sir Hiss, untying the knot and releasing him.

She grinned and grabbed the snake in a firm grip like a cowboy holding a lasso. Then she started spinning Sir Hiss around in the air, faster and faster. When she was spinning him fast enough, she used him to hit Prince John's royal lips so hard, that both The Prince and his snake crashed into the wall in the other side of the room. The Prince hit the wall with his head first, causing the Royal Crown to end up around his neck, like the collar of a dog.

Pleased with her work, Esmeralda brushed off her hands and turned towards the dungeon. She looked at the walls around it and found the key, which she picked up and unlocked the door to the dungeon, before putting the key in her pocket. She opened the door and stepped inside the room, before turning around, adressing the Prince again.

"I should have mentioned it before, Sire," she said, her voice trembling with suppressed laughter. "But I never kiss on the first date. And with you, I doubt I ever will. Good night!"

Before anyone had time to react, she closed the door, and a tiny click confirmed that the door was locked from the inside. The only key to the room, was now in the pocket of the prisoner.

[Prince John]

"No! Unhand me! SIRE!" Hiss screamed as Esmeralda took hand of him and started swinging him like a lasso. "Put me down at once! Whaa...whaaa....WAAAHH!!!!" he shouted as he found himself being swung towards the Prince.

However the Prince didn't open his eyes until he heard the snake scream, and by then it was too late. He couldn't even let out a yelp before the impact sent him flying into a wall, making his crown slip over his head and on to his neck as he fell to the floor. "GUARDS! GUUUUARRDS! Deal with that ungrateful excuse for a lady at once!!" Prince John nearly screamed banging his fists on the ground. "AT ONCE!!!"

"SIRE! Could you please--!" Poor Hiss was dragging his tail, trying to free himself from the candle. Finally he was successful. Mean while the guards tried to stop Esmeralda but they ran into the door as it slammed shut.

Hiss gasped. "Sire! She has the key!"

"Of COURSE she has the key you babbling idiot! You FOOLS let her get away again!" He grabbed his crown and tried pushing it back over his head but not having good luck with it. "You all are useless! USELESS!" Finally the crown gave way and he placed it on his head again. The guards looked at him blinking.

The Prince stared back for a moment and then shook his fist in the air frantically. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING THERE LIKE MEASLY STATUES! DOOOOO SOMETHING!"

"Sire she locked the door from the inside! W-we can't get in sire!" Hiss explained.

"AHHH! It's so miserably unfair!" He dramatically fell on the ground pounding his fist like a child and whimpering."

Hiss sighed and thought. After a moment, his eyes lit up. "Oh! Sire, I know! I know!" He dropped his voice low. "I'm small enough to get through that barred window. I'll slither my way through and use my special skills of 'persuasion' to get her to cooperate and hand over the keys!"

The Prince sat up. "Hahaha brilliant! Well what are you waiting for! Go!"

One of the guards took Hiss and lifted him through the barred window and into the dungeon. Now that he was in the dungeon, he wished he wouldn't have told John that idea.

"Ahem, miss-s-s?" The snake said cautiously. "I have a feeling that a more...effective way of approaching this situation is talking. I much prefer talking than being made into a lasso." He said meekly, slithering close to her. "I am of no threat to you, m'lady." He smiled broadly, trying to show his good intentions. "

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda was standing on the inside of the door, with her back resting against it. Luckily for her, the door was made of metal, so if any of the rhinoceros would try to break it, something on the door would most likely break them. Esmeralda chuckled with laughter, content with her little personal victory over Prince John. She felt safe for the moment, knowing she had taken the only key to the room, and could come and go as she pleased. Right now, with the noise outside, she wanted to stay.

She was eavesdropping by the door, hoping to hear something that might be of use to her later. Once again she wished she knew the name of Prince John's big brother. She heard the snake say something about luring the key from her, and her emerald eyes were concerned.

No! That must not happen! I can't lose my freedom completely! It will kill me! I must think of something to prevent it!

She looked at the chain around her neck. Aslan's chain. Her hand caressed it gently, and she whispered to it.

"Help me, Aslan! Don't let them take my key from me! The little freedom I still have, to lock myself inside, to be alone when I wish to."

Remembering how frightened the prince had been in the wagon. she slipped the key onto the chain from Aslan, hiding the key under the jewelry and among her clothes.

As soon as she was done, she heard footsteps coming towards the door. She sat down, turning her face against the window, looking like a queen in exile during Sir Hiss' arrival. She was, after all, a great actress.

"Come in, Sir Hiss," she said, with well played sadness in her voice. "I am glad to hear you are no threat to me. Your master's brother would not have approved of this treatment of me. When he punish your master for it, I will use my influence to make sure you go free."

Her beautiful emerald eyes were glittering.

[Prince John]

"Oh...well," Hiss looked at the ground for a moment, bashfully. Even he was overwhelmed by Esmeralda's beauty. "You're actually quite right. The king would have never allowed many of such things to have happened. But we must respect and honor the Prince, and you my fair lady, must marry him. Think of it as a duty to the nation." He grinned. But then as an after thought mumbled, "Though King Richard would have never tied me upside down. Ha! The nerve!" He shook his head. "No matter." He sighed and came closer to her.

"I understand that this...might be a bit...difficult, to say the absolute least. But I think I know what might make this easier." He looked into Esmeralda's eyes. Once their eyes met, Hiss's eyes turned into spirals. "Just be s-s-s-s-s-soooothed...s-s-s-s-s-siiilent...eeeaaas-s-s-s-sy....I am in love with Prince John....I am in love with Prince John..."

Meanwhile, Prince John had his ear to the door trying to hear what was going on. He heard Hiss start the hypnotism and backed away from the door. "YES! He's doing it! AH-HA! AH-HA! Esmeralda will be my bride at last! AH-HA!" He said to the guards, clasping his hands in delight.

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda gave the snake a sideway glance, on guard for anything he might try, ready to strike if necessary. She listened to the information he accidentally slipped out, and a smile went over her face. This snake might be smart, but she would always find a way to trick him into giving her information.

King Richard! So he is the brother Prince John hates so much!!! Aslan, did you hear that? And since Prince John is a Lion, Richard has to be one too. And his head will fit the crown that now is resting restlessly on the head of Prince John. I will use King Richard's name to our advantage.

When Sir Hiss mentioned that she would have to marry the Prince and honor him as a duty to the nation, Esmeralda raised her eyebrow, sarcastic. Her voice was calm as ever, as she replied in English, but with her French accent clearly audible. Her emerald eyes were sparkling with a wrath she could not hide.

"A duty to the Nation? Marry an English Prince? Sir Hiss, I am French! Why would I pay duties to a country that has been in war with my beloved France for centuries? Why would I honor a Prince belonging to the enemy? Do I seem like a traitor to you? I will rather die, than betraying my country!"

Because of her wrath, she was narrowing her eyes, her dark eyelashes blurring her vision. And such, when Sir Hiss were attempting to hypnotizing her, he couldn't get her under his will. Esmeralda listened to his words, totally unimpressed, trying not to snort openly.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! That must be the worst pickup line ever. How stupid does he think I am?

She looked at the snake for a moment, and a devilish glimpse of humor appeared in her eyes. If she had to be here against her will for a while... she might as well have some fun. Aslan would understand, wouldn't he? With a smirk she crossed her arms across her chest, and replied in a dryly sarcastic voice, filled with humor.

"Oh-kayyyyyyy! You are in love with Prince John... You are in love with Prince John....."

When she had repeated the words often enough, noticing the funny face expression of the snake, she added teasingly the same words he had used to her in their conversation.

"No need to thank me, Sir Hiss. We must respect and honor the Prince, and you my dear snake, must marry him. Think of it as a duty to the nation...."

She couldn't help but finishing her little pep talk with a grand finale.

"Close your eyes and think of England!"

[Prince John]

"Well with all due respect, miss," the snake replied before starting his hypnotism. "When Prince John says you are his--you are essentially part of the nation. John could say the sky is lime green and in his eyes it shall be so because he spoke it."

When Hiss started the hypnotism, something peculiar happened. Esmeralda began to repeat the phrase back to him: "You are in love with Prince John." Hearing that, he was thrown into a trance himself and he repeated the phrase until he shook his head, snapping out if it.

Blinking rapidly he said. "If...if you would excuse me, miss..." He said a bit confused. He slithered under the space between the door and the floor to find Prince John talking with the guards.

"Hiss!" The Prince cried, turning around. "Hiss, speak! Speak! What did the fair lady say?"

Hiss hesitated, looking up at the Prince googly-eyed.

"Well?! Come, come! Out with it!"

"I...I just..." His said. "I never noticed how absolutely stunning you look, sire."

The Prince's stern face softened. He grinned pridefully. "Stunning?" I've received many compliments but 'stunning' is one I've never heard before!" He snickered. "I like it!"

Hiss's eyes lit up in delight. "Yes! Yes, you are!" Almost representing Hiss's fluttering heart, he spun his tail around rapidly making it serve as a propeller. He floated up in the air and landed on the Prince's shoulder. "You make me feel...feelings, sire, that I thought were never possible. Sire, you are magnificent!"

"Haha, magnificent!" He poked his chest out.

"...elegant!"

The Prince nodded. "Ha! Ha! So true! So so true!"

Hiss gazed upon the Prince immersed in feelings of love. "...there is no one else like you nor will there ever be."

THe prince laughed. "Yes, yes, but of course! Haha! That's quite enough, however. You don't want to...overdo it, haha, am I right?" Now, pray tell, sir Hiss, what did the lady say?"

"Do not fret about the lady. Listen, listen! I have something important to tell you, sire." He leaned closer, hissing in his ear. "S-s-sire, I have fallen hopeles-s-s-sly in love with you--"

Prince John squirmed and swatted at Hiss. "Stop hissing in my ear!" He paused. "Yes yes, you love me, of course you do. Everyone loves me--it is but the people's obligation to love me!" He waved his hand.

"No, you don't understand. I am...in love...with you Prince John," Hiss confessed.

"What is this foolishness you speak of you puerile python!" John shouted. He looked at Hiss's eyes and gasped. "Esmeralda put a spell on you! That wicked woman!"

"No sire," Hiss nuzzled his face against John's. "You did,"

Prince John started fuming. "OOOOO!" He began jumping up and down. "Get off of me, you idiot! Get off, get off, GET OFF!"

Hiss obeyed. "Sire! Please! Don't break my fragile heart!"

Prince John advanced to the door and banged on it. "You treacherous woman, what have you done to Hiss?!" He shouted. "You SHALL come out of there with the key and when you do, I will have guards to force you to stop in your tracks, freeze, halt....CEASE! AND! DESIST!"

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda noticed the strange look in the eyes of Sir Hiss, and she knew that his attempt to hypnotize her had failed. She had to stop herself from whooping with joy as Sir Hiss suddenly got busy with retreating to his master. She watched the snake leave, then she high-fived herself.

Yess! Yess! Yess!!! France 5 points, England 0!!!

She snuck quietly over to the door to eavesdrop, trying to overhear something useful. She broke into a gigglefit when she heard the conversation between Sir Hiss and Prince John.

"Oh my God. He really IS in love with him.... And Prince John is so vain!!! Another weakness I can use against him."

When she heard about she being the one to cast a spell on Hiss, she thought for a moment.

Hmmmm. I should either be very afraid, or I can use his accusation about me for my own good. If he thinks I can curse him, maybe he will leave me alone. Yeah right....

She heard running footsteps and stepped away from the door, knowing that someone would be hammering on it really soon. She heard Prince John's voice on the outside and laughed, before replying.

"Why, Prince John! Mind your manners, Sire. King Richard would not have allowed you to speak that way to a woman. He is a gentleman...."

On purpose she allowed her voice to be softer when she spoke of King Richard, hoping it would anger Prince John. Then she heard him demanding her to deliver the key and laughed even more.

"You really know how to get what you want from a woman, don't you?" She laughed, each word dripping with sarcasm. "Having your guards stop me in my tracks? Freeze, halt, cease and desist? How can I ever refuse?"

[Prince John]

"Do not speak of Richard's naaammme!" He banged on the door even more. He grew tired and turned around back against the door. "Gentleman. HA!" He slumped against door. "Mother always used to say Richard was the gentleman..." The Prince put his thumb in his mouth again and whimpered. He paused in the middle of sucking his thumb to shout towards Esmeralda, "I think it is just marrrvelous that you decide to stay in there my lady...ahhaha! When you start to starve to death you'll be begging me to sweep you off your feet! HAHA! HAHAHA!...." His expression dropped in sadness thinking about his mother again and his laughter buckled into whimpers. He returned to sucking his thumb.

Hiss hated seeing the love of his life so distraught so the began to think quickly. His eyes lit up when he discovered something. "Oh sire I have a brilliant idea!" He motioned for the Prince to come closer and with his face stern, the Prince did so. Hiss whispered in his ear the idea to announce to Esmeralda that her goat has been captured. That would surely lure her out of the dungeon. Once Hiss was done whispering he stole a kiss on his cheek.

The Prince quickly backed away. "ACK! You imbecile! Do that again and you shall be kissing your own....hahaha...! tail."

Hiss smiled bashfully but estatic that he was able to snab the kiss.

The Prince turned around back to the door and motioned for the guards to also come closer to the door. "Esmeralda, my dear Emerald, I have some exciting news! I ran into some tremendous luck...AH HA! AH hA! My guards have now CAPTURED and CHAINED your dear beloved...hehehe...pet. Yes, yes, and all I need to do is say the word and that goat will cease to exist in very quick, speedy...haha...manner. I can practice mercy if you will remove yourself from your self-imprisonment, my darling." He snickered, putting a hand over his mouth.

[esmeralda]

Esmeralda giggled, listening by the door. The prince was indeed angered by the mentioning of his brother. Esmeralda decided to use King Richard's name as often as she could.

"By the way, Sire," she said calmly. "Richard.... I mean King Richard.... says that your mother loved him the most!"

She heard a strange sound outside the door, and had to stiffle a laughter.

Ooooooh, sucking our thumbs again, are we? Well they will be worn out by the time I am done with you. You'll need to grow yourself a new set of thumbs, kiddo.

She knew the snake was out there with the prince - a snake that was in love with Prince John. She shuddered, wondering what the snake might want to do when he decided to strike.

Esmeralda sat down, waiting. There wasn't much else to do. She needed to be alone when looking for ways to escape. She soon heard Prince John's voice outside again. He said something about... Djali? Her sweet beloved little Djali... captured and in chains.... all because of her.... Even as much as she loved her freedom, she couldn't waste his precious life because of a key to a door.

Her emerald eyes filled with tears, and she took the key to the dungeon and removed it from Aslan's neckless, before hanging the neckless around her neck again. The neckless felt unbreakable, and she felt a certain comfort touching it. With trembling hands Esmeralda unlocked the door and ran out, worried to death about her darlilng little Djali.

"Where is he?" She demanded. "Where is Djali? If you have hurt him, I swear by God that your days are numbered!"