Hello Again! Welcome to the start of my newest story! That i actually have a plan for!
please R&R!
much Love!
In the farthest corner of the courtyard there a statue of Knights. One had been forced to one knee, his armor cracked and a hand was missing. The other knight towered over him, victory just a hair breadth away, their blades pressed together so forceful there was a crack down one blade. The finer details on the carving were harder to make our due to years in the elements. Ivy grew around the base, and dead leaves and dirt collected in the crooks on the elbows and chips in the armor.
Yet it was her favorite. The story it told was poignant and, she thought, beautiful. During the War of Storms, a single knight from the Black army infiltrated the castle and attacked the king. The fight was nearly an even match, the clash of their blades like clamps of thunder in the empty hall of the throne room. The king eventually gained the upper hand cut off the knight's left hand. The knight put all his strength into pushing the king back, until his blade cracked.
Though it would have been easy the ing was unwillingly to shed anymore blood the king offered the knight an option. He would spare his life if he and each following generation, promised their honor, loyalty, and lives to the Royals of the Silver army. He accepted. So the Iron Knights were created. A single man and eventually a single apprentice stood as the closest guard to the King. Over time it became an order of sorts, their were stern guidelines set by previous Knights, all in the interest of upholding their oaths. The royals were not expected to follow any such guidelines as they had never set any forth. For hundreds of years the Iron Knights were known for their fierce loyalty to the king and unwavering bravery in battle. Many had died to save their King.
Including Metalicana, he went with her parents through an easy countryside ride, just to visit some of the border villages, and to see the ocean. Her mother loved the ocean, she said it reminded her of her daughter's hair when they were away from her. They were only supposed to be gone one week. However fate would have it differently. The details of what transpired that day are still murky. All Levy knew was that the king and queen were ambushed. Metalicana leaped into action fulfilling his oath, he held them off long enough for them to hide in a villagers house. Somehow one of the attackers got Metalicana from behind, slitting his throat, leaving him to bleed out slowly in the dirt. Unable to find the house they were hiding in the mysterious group of people burned down the entire village. Killing everyone. Levy was eleven.
Even all these years later. Staring at the aged statue in the corner of the courtyard her heart still broke. The memory of her parents' matching caskets laid heavy with flowers and garland, a crowd of hundreds of people paying their respects, even royals from neighboring kingdoms, and Metalicana's iron casket next to them. A plaque of honor inscribed on the front, and a teenage boy, his wild black hair pulled into a pony tail, stood next to it, a silent tear rolled down his cheek. The kingdom mourned for a month solid, Levy was sure that she would never smile again.
Faint footsteps brought Levy to the present, she looked up waiting for the person to appear from around the hedges. A tall dark skinned man appeared, his bald head shining in the morning sun. The scar over his eye wrinkled as he smiled at her.
"Your majesty, were home."
"Pantherlily!" Levy jumped up from the stone bench and wrapped her friend into a tight hug, " I can't tell you how happy I am to see you! How are you? Are your men well taken care of?"
"Your majesty, slow down everyone is fine. I was just hoping your would join me for breakfast?"
She smiled at her friend, "I would love to,"
She looped her hand through the crook in his arm and they made their way to the dining hall. After a few moments of silence she plucked up the courage to ask,
"How's Gajeel,"
He was silent, chewing on the words, their footsteps echoing through the hall as they passed silent guards and hundred year old oil paintings.
Her friend sighed, "He is... Gajeel,"
She sighed along with him, "Same as always,"
Ever since her coronation three years prior,when he also picked up his mantel of Iron Knight officially, he went from being distant and slightly off putting, to being flat out cruel. Especially to her, he refused to make eye contact for more than a few moments, and holding conversation with his was impossible. His body language was brooding and dark, even his eyes filled her with fear. Her father had always told her that the relationship between herself and her Iron Knight was a complex one. It was his duty to serve and protect her and it was her duty to make sure to always be a queen worthy of that honor.
"Keep trying my Queen he will come around," the man's voice cutting through her thoughts.
She puffed put her cheeks as she reached the doors to the dining hall, grateful to have a quiet breakfast with Lily. The moment was ruined when she opened the doors because sitting at the dining table was a nightmare. His black hair and dark clothes made him even more terrifying in contrast to the white walls and white marble floor. Then he looked up at her, his ruby eyes glueing her where she stood.
Lily leaned down and said innocently "Oh, did I forget to mention he's joining us for breakfast?"
Levy quickly composed herself and walked into the dining room, her shoes clicking against the marble floors. As she closed the distance between them, Gajeel stood in greeting as she reached the table. He towered over her small frame, like a tree does over a flower. She suppressed the shiver she felt coming on, this man was her protector, and thankfully not her enemy. She bowed her head at him.
"Good morning, Gajeel. You look well," her voice was too stiff for her liking, but she decided it was safer that way after weeks of absence.
"You as well," he paused and then mumbled, "your majesty", as if he'd forgotten.
They all sat as servers came and poured tea and offered scones, before the main course. She and Lily spoke about their latest supply collection. It was a long standing tradition in Uline, that merchants and farmers with excess offered it to the queen so that she could disperse it too those who were in need. There was a small group that travelled and gave out the supplies, which were normally things like blankets and flour. Sometimes they got lucky and were able to hand out salt and oil as well. Levy herself also added to the pile dresses, scarves, and cloaks. It was something her parents had done and her grandparents.
Pantherlily extended her people's thanks to her, and said things in the kingdom were as peaceful as ever. He mentioned off-handedly that he noticed a platoon moving from the Black army when they were near the border, but he doubted it was anything to worry about. Soon, Levy changed the subject from official business to her other interests,
"Now that you've returned we can resume my lessons," her voice becoming excited.
The dark man chuckled, "What would you like to pick up today?"
She thought for a moment, "I think hand to hand sounds good today,"
"Good choice, I could use the exercise,"
The entirety of the meal the Iron knight was silent. Munching on his breakfast and keeping his head down. Clearly not wanting to get involved. She didn't mind it, conversation with Gajeel was nearly impossible, not that she didn't try, every single day. Pantherlily, on the other hand couldn't help himself.
"Gajeel, would you like to join us?"
It was a ridiculous question, as the queen's personal guard he was required to be with her at all times. Which was suffocating if Levy was being honest with herself. She had been so thankful when Pantherlily had dragged him along for the supply drops. She could breathe even if just for a couple of weeks.
The other man looked up, "I think I'll pass. I wouldn't want to hurt the queen,"
The way he said queen was far too exaggerated. Hanging on the cusp of disrespect.
"Oi, watch your tongue," Lily warned, " besides Levy has improved much more than you give her credit for,"
"We'll see," Gajeel said his tone holding.
Levy stood abruptly. Gajeel and Lily scrambling to stand with her. She had enough of this man's disrespect and disinterest for his post. One he should be honored to hold, especially after the legacy his father left behind.
"So we shall," her eyes met his, she gave him the most authoritative look she could muster, and he sank back slightly. She tuned to Lily,
"I'll see you on the front lawn in a few hours,"
Then she strode out of the dining hall in a silent, angry huff.