Part 1
A wounded knight ran thought the gates and to the throne room as best he could. The king looked up.
"My lord…" The knight collapsed to his knees.
The king ran over and knelt by the knight. "Get a medic! Quickly!" He turned to the queen. "And take Liron to her room. She doesn't need to see this."
The queen nodded and took their daughter away as the king looked back at the knight, propping up his head.
"What happened?"
The young man…boy…swallowed. "We were amb…ambushed in the forest on-on our way back. Sir-…" He swallowed again and coughed up a little blood. "Sir Hugo is dead…"
The king's frown deepened. Sir Hugo was a close friend of his, and the knight tasked with protecting Princess Liron if it was to be needed.
"He asked me…to give you a message. To…to knight his successor w-with the same task as…as he." The young man coughed harder, and tried to say something more, but was able only to breathe once more before his eyes glazed over in death just as the queen returned with a medic.
The king stood, eyes full of sorrow. "Sir Hugo is dead, as is all of his envoy."
The queen glided over and wrapped him in an embrace. "I'm so sorry, my love."
He hugged back tightly, burying his face in her hair. After a long while he pulled back.
"We need to arrange a funeral."
The king nodded, smiling tearily. "I will make it one he would appreciate."
The queen hugged him again.
A few days passed, and the funeral was prepared and performed.
After the funeral was a feast, to remember and celebrate Sir Hugo's life.
Liron sat beside her mother at the High Table, head high as was proper, but eyes red. Sir Hugo had been almost like a second father to her, and to learn of his passing had hit hard. Her mother squeezed her hand, and she looked over, but couldn't find it in her to smile.
James stood with his fellow knights, solemn and silent, his eyes just as red as Liron's for a very similar reason. Sir Hugo had been his mentor, and the only father he could remember.
He looked around, and his eyes caught a glimpse of pale-gold hair, braided away from a fair and noble face…the princess. She looked so…delicate…but from what Sir Hugo had told him, the princess was one he should never judge by appearance, or he'd get his ass handed to him on a golden platter. James wasn't sure if he believed that…though he really hadn't seen her until now.
She looked almost as sad as he was…
James' attention was diverted from the princess when one of the other knights called his name.
Weeks passed, and one day Natalia, one of Liron's ladies in waiting and her dearest friend, dragged her out to watch the knights spar.
They were met with the usual sounds before they even arrived, and Liron glided to the edge of the training grounds, silent.
One of the knights seemed…a little unfamiliar. Shoulder-length dark brown hair hid his face from her sight, and his leather armour, tunic, trousers, and boots were red and black…Sir Hugo's colours. He must have been Sir Hugo's protégé, though how Liron had never seen him before was a mystery.
The knight in red and black won the first bout, and she smiled a little. He had listened to Sir Hugo's training, it seemed. That was good.
She turned to Natalia for a moment, only to find her smirking.
Liron quirked a brow. "What?"
Natalia shook her head. "Nothing."
Liron looked back at the training ring. "The one in red and black…he certainly is Sir Hugo's protégé, but how have I never seen him before?"
"Perhaps he was training in private." Natalia leaned in. "I heard he might be promoted."
Liron turned back to Natalia, and they shared a smile.
James looked up as he heard voices nearby, and his eyes widened. What was the princess doing there?
He took the opportunity, since this was only the second time he'd actually seen her, to get a better look at her face. She didn't look over, and he turned back to help up his sparring partners. They nodded in thanks, and he took care of his gear.
When he looked up, the princess and the red-haired maiden were gone.
Later that day, James noticed the princess wasn't at dinner perhaps a moment before the king and queen did, the former calling over a servant.
"Where is my daughter?"
"I do not know, your highness. I will go find her, if that be your will."
He raised his hand, and the servant disappeared out a side door.
The king stood. "It is time to appoint Sir Hugo's successor as personal guard of the princess."
The queen frowned up at him. "She does not need a minder, Leon. She is a grown woman; and you know she can care for herself."
King Leon sat back down. "If she is a woman, then explain to me why she cannot follow simple rules? Rules that are meant to be kept? And she goes around, riding out in the forest at a whim! What if something were to happen to her?"
At that moment, the servant returned, Princess Liron in tow.
She curtsied. "My apologies, father. I was in the library."
"It is alright. Come and sit." King Leon turned to the servant. "You can go."
Princess Liron took her seat and began to eat.
"Aren't we forgetting something?"
Liron looked up, confused.
"Prayer."
She put down her silverware. "My apologies."
She prayed, and then everyone continued to eat, but aside from her prayer, Liron did not speak for the rest of the meal.
Once dinner was over, her father spoke. "Liron."
"Yes father?"
"I know Sir Hugo meant a lot to you. But he was also your protector, and it is now time to assign a new on."
Liron quirked a brow.
Her mother was next. "It is not that you need one; we simply want you safe."
Liron nodded a little.
"He'll be appointed tomorrow."
"Very well."
"And you'll be there…"
"Yes father."
He nodded; allowing her to leave, and she did.
Natalia was waiting for her just outside the dining hall. They shared a smile, and the red-haired maiden steered her farther down the hall.
"You know of the knight we saw earlier?"
Liron nodded.
"His name is James; he's twenty years of age."
Liron nodded again. "Did you discover his origins at all?"
Natalia pulled her into an alcove and lowered her voice. "They say his family travelled here from a distant land where they speak a different form of our language than us…though not a different language entirely. I have not yet spoken to him myself to prove this rumour. But no-one has seen or heard much of his family…he's a mystery; and he keeps to himself when not training or with the other knights."
The corner of Liron's lips turned up into a half-smile. "Then it seems we must speak with some of the other knights he associates with."
Natalia grinned, and their soft laugher floated behind them as they strode toward the knights' section of the castle.
When they arrived, many of the knights were either getting ready for night watch or getting ready to relax and go to bed.
Liron hung back, and Natalia looked at her.
"They know I'm the princess, and I don't want that to influence what they say."
Natalia nodded, and went alone. Liron watched as her friend began to speak with a small group of knights and guards.
A noise sounded down the hall, and Liron looked over, pressing herself closer to the wall, out of sight as it was followed by another. She crept closer.
James was there, hacking away at a straw dummy. Soon the dummy's head came off, and he sheathed his sword before beginning to remove his armour, his clothes underneath soaked with sweat.
Liron watched in silence as James grabbed some clean clothes from a satchel on the floor, and filled a basin from the large pitcher of water nearby. Her eyes widened a little as he stripped off his tunic and splashed the water on his face and chest, little rivulets trickling down his arms and abdomen.
After standing frozen in place for a long moment, Liron snuck back the way she came as fast as she could, almost running into Natalia.
"What did you find out?"
The red-head smiled. "He trained under Sir Hugo since he was very young, and has a sister in the village that he goes to see every few days. No wife, no betrothed, no mistress. He'll be turning twenty-one in a few days."
Liron nodded a little, and Natalia's brows furrowed.
"You look heated…what's wrong?"
The blonde put her hands on her face, eyes widening a little as she felt her slightly flushed cheeks. "Oh…I am well."
Natalia studied her for a moment, then gasped, pulling Liron into a hidden passageway. "You saw him, didn't you?!"
Liron nodded, cheeks flushing further.
Natalia squealed a little. "Did you see him up close? Did you talk to him?"
"I almost walked in on him changing after training."
The red-head's mouth dropped. "What? What did he look like?"
Liron bit her lip, then told her, before finding herself surrounded by emerald sleeves.
"You should have spoken to him!"
The blonde pulled out of her friend's embrace and gave her a Look. "I practically watched him bathe. Not a good time to talk."
Natalia snorted a little. "Well, I'm sure now he can talk. Please?"
Liron shook her head, only to be faced with a pout.
"Please? I'll be with you the whole time."
She chuckled. "I do not fear him."
"Then go ahead!" Natalia pushed her, but she stood firm.
"Not today."
"Please? For me? And tomorrow might be too late. All will be well." She smiled.
Liron chewed her lip. "…Very well."
Natalia followed her back to where she had found him, and knocked.
He looked up from cleaning his sword.
"Excuse me, Sir Knight, the princess would like to speak with you."
Instantly he stood, placing his sword on the bench. "Whatever the princess wishes."
Liron hesitantly stepped in, and he bowed, fist over heart.
"You Highness."
"You need not bow to me."
His brows furrowed as he straightened. "It is…necessary, for anyone under the royalty to bow to them."
"I do not require it when we are not in public. I am no more above you in the eyes of God than a bird is above another bird."
He blinked. "Yes ma'am. Thank you…"
Liron smiled. "How are you doing?"
"I am…well. And you?"
"Fairly well."
"May I be of service to you, Princess, or are you simply here to visit?"
"I simply wish to speak. You are quite a mystery."
James met the princess' eyes, suddenly realising how blue they were…and how close to his height she was. "Then, if that is the only thing you wish to do, may I stand at ease?"
"You may."
With a silent sigh, he relaxed. "Would you like to talk here, or somewhere else?"
"Where would you like to talk?"
He shrugged. "Wherever you would like to, Your Highness."
She chuckled softly. "But where would you like to?"
James blinked again, then thought for a moment. "…Would you like to go outside?"
"That would be pleasant."
James nodded, and the redheaded maiden next to the princess smiled.
"I'll just leave you two alone then."
She left, and James turned back to the princess.
"Would you like to go first?"
"Lead the way."
He nodded and went first out the door, checking for danger on instinct, then stepping down.
"It's a drop. Here." He put his hands out for her and she took them, joining him outside.
James let go as soon as he could, else he would have held on much longer than was proper…but just before he did let go, he realised that many of the callouses on her hands could not have come from 'princessly' tasks such as needlepoint. A small frown of confusion crossed his face, but only for a moment as they walked along the back of the castle.
"So where are you from?"
He looked at her. "From the northwest."
She tilted her head. A little smile curled the corner of his mouth, but faded all too quickly.
"What's wrong?"
Uh-oh. "I…a knight is not really supposed to show emotion when on duty."
"You are not on duty."
"I technically am. Because you requested me."
"I requested to speak with you. Nothing more."
"But I still have to stand my ground. A good knight is always prepared."
"But you need not always be so formal."
"That is how I was trained. But if you wish for me to be at ease and be myself, I will try to do my best."
She smiled. "Do whichever is more comfortable."
He nodded a little. "So I may speak freely?"
"You may."
He nodded again. "Thank you."
"You are welcome. Do you have any family?"
James nodded once more. "A sister."
"What is she like?"
A true smile spread across his face. "She's funny, kind, compassionate. She's been quiet since…we first came here…but she's fun, smart…has brown hair to her hips and golden eyes; just turned eighteen."
"She sounds wonderful."
"She is."
"What about the rest of your family, if you don't mind me asking?"
His steps faltered. "My family died back where I came from…"
The princess stopped. "I'm sorry."
His head turned, voice rising and laced with irritation. "Why should you be sorry? No-one's cared about me or my sister and our problems."
"I care."
"Why? Why do you care for a stranger you just met? You've never even seen me before today!"
"Because that is who I am."
"What you are is a princess who has too big of a heart to care for a lonely knight that has nothing to live for but his sister!"
Her tone grew sharp. "And who are you to tell me what my heart can and cannot care for?"
"Because you are too young to understand and you will get hurt!"
"I am old enough to wed, and old enough to rule should something happen to my father and mother. I would think I am old enough to have compassion." She spat the words out. "But I have no wish to waste it."
The princess began to walk away.
James blinked…then horror dawned on him as he realised he just back-talked the princess. He ran to catch up with her, blocking her way.
"Princess, wait. I'm so very sorry. I didn't mean to talk back to you. And I should be punished for it. But please, hear me."
She crossed her arms over her bodice. "Speak, then."
"The subject of my family is touchy. I was twelve when they were slaughtered…Becca was ten. She hasn't spoken in eight years because of it. And I snap when I speak of it because I blame myself for their death because I could have done more if no-one had stopped me. And I am sorry for you seeing that side of me." He bowed his head. "And if you still wish it, I will take on my punishment."
She was silent for a long time, and then… "Look at me, Sir Knight."
He lifted his head.
"You will receive no punishment."
His brows furrowed. "Why?"
"Because I don't find it necessary."
James' face softened. "Thank you."
"You are welcome."
Suddenly the princess' red-haired lady-in-waiting appeared.
"Princess, your father is calling you."
The princess sighed and turned. "Where is he?"
"In his study."
The princess nodded, and the lady-in-waiting left.
"Well…"
He turned to her.
"Farewell for now, I suppose."
"Goodnight, Princess…"
"Goodnight, Sir Knight." She walked away.
James watched for a bit before heading off to his bunk.
Liron knocked on the door of her father's study.
"Come in."
She entered. He didn't look up from his papers.
"You summoned me, father?"
"Why did you go to the knight's wing?"
"Curiosity."
He looked up, seeming angry. "You know you are not allowed in that wing."
"Father, I-"
"You know the rules, Liron! Rules are meant to be followed!"
She lowered her head. "Yes, father."
Some of the anger faded. "So why were you there?"
"I wished to see Sir Hugo's student."
Her father's brow rose. "Why would you want to do that?"
"I was curious."
For a while he was silent, going back to his papers. "…Did you meet him?"
"Yes."
"And what did you think of him?"
"Still a mystery."
He nodded. "Would you two get along, if he was around more?"
"Possibly."
"You may go."
She curtsied a little, then left.
The moon rose bright in the sky, casting everything with a silvery light as she walked through the rose garden in silence.
A faint noise sounded ahead, and she tilted her head. It was almost like…a small grunt, like from a horse. She moved forward quietly…now someone was chopping something…kind-of.
She rounded a corner and stopped at the sight of a magnificent midnight black horse, nonchalantly eating an apple from the tree.
"Oh…you're beautiful." Her voice was barely a whisper.
The horse's head jerked up, and she went still, not wanting to spook it. Its ears twitched a little as it stared at her, then after a while, it went back to eating, tail swishing peacefully.
After a while, the horse looked at her and lifted its hoof as if to step forward, then seemed to change its mind and put it back down. Something sounded behind it, and its head turned, only for there to be nothing there. Liron frowned…then hid.
Hoofsteps sounded, and then the horse's nose appeared in the bushes in front of her.
"Hello."
It nickered and bumped her with its nose. She smiled and petted it. Footsteps sounded outside the bushes, and the horse nuzzled her deeper, seeming to know that she didn't want to be found.
"Hardwin!?" A familiar voice rang out, and the horse looked up.
Liron kept as still as possible.
A whistle. "Hardwin!? Oh. There you are." The footsteps and familiar voice drew closer.
Liron kept silent.
"I know you like the apple tree, but you have apples in your stall." The knight led…Hardwin away, and Liron escaped back into the castle.
The next morning, her mother and Natalia were helping her dress for the ceremony. She was silent.
"Sweetie, what's the matter?"
Liron smiled a little. "Just nervous."
"Why are you nervous?"
"What if father picks someone to be my guardian who…" She trailed off.
"Who what, dear?"
"Who is not what I need, but rather what father thinks I should need."
"Oh, you need not worry about that. Your father told me his choice, and in this, I agree with him. The man is very skilled…he even trained under Sir Hugo." She stepped back. "Now let me look at you…beautiful."
Liron smiled a little.
"Shall I go see if they are ready for her?"
Her mother nodded. "Yes, please, Natalia."
The redhead curtsied, then left. Liron sighed softly.
"And the final touch…" Her mother picked up a small circlet from a silken pillow and set it on Liron's head.
"Why must I dress so fancily simply for the presentation of my next personal guard?"
"Liron, it is the duty of every royal family to look their best when in public. You know this."
"Yes, mother."
She put her hands on Liron's shoulders. "And one day, this castle will be yours, and you will have a family of your own with a prince that treats you like a goddess."
"What does that have to do with the guard presentation?"
"The public will see you. You must look presentable. And make a good impression on the knight, understand?"
"Yes, mother."
"Good."
Natalia returned. "They are almost ready."
Liron followed her mother out of the room.
James was sure everyone could hear his heart beat through his armour as he walked up the aisle towards the royal family, helmet on and two other knights behind him.
He knelt before the stairs and bowed his head, putting his fist over his heart. King Leon's feet entered his line of sight.
"Remove your helm."
James obeyed, putting the…glorified bucket – he much preferred his other one – by his knee.
"Sir Barnes, recite your oath that all present may hear and be witness."
"I swear on my faith that I will be true to the princess, to never cause her harm nor anguish, to honour her against all persons without deceit, and to protect her with my life until I am relieved or death take me."
"Do you swear to keep this oath? And to not involve yourself with the princess in any familiarity beyond your station?"
"I swear."
"Then rise, Sir Barnes, Royal Guard of the Princess."
James stood, and the first thing he saw other than the face of the king was the smile of the princess, before the king motioned for him to turn. He obeyed, and the crowd cheered.
A feast was announced, and people began to mill about. James turned back to the king.
"Thank you, my lord."
King Leon nodded.
"Excuse me for questioning you, but why did you pick me? There are many more suitable knights to take on this position."
King Leon smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "Sir Barnes, trust me when I say you were the best option. After all, who could be better than one trained by Sir Hugo himself?"
James smiled back. "Thank you, my lord."
"You're welcome."
Liron's mother appeared at her side.
"Come; let's greet him."
She followed her over, and smiled as he bowed. Liron remained silent.
"We have yet to be formally introduced, but it is a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Thank you."
Her mother pushed her toward the knight a little.
"I suggest the two of you become more acquainted, since you will be spending the majority of your time together." She walked off.
Liron inclined her head. "Hello."
Sir Barnes bowed. "Princess."
"Please, call me Liron."
"I would prefer to address you formally, if I may…but if you wish, I can call you by name when it is appropriate."
"As you wish." She smiled a little. "How are you?"
"I am well. And you?"
"The same. I am sorry I did not say anything; I did not know until last night I was to be your guard."
"I understand…I did not know until today."
"Oh."
She chuckled softly. "But I am pleased it is you."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Why is that, if it is not to bold to ask?"
"Because out of our options, you are the one that I would have picked."
"Is there a reason for that, milady?"
"You shall learn in time."
His handsome face twisted a little in confusion, but he did not question her. "Very well."
Liron just smiled, and after a moment, he smiled back.
"By the way, what is your name?"
"James."
She nodded.
"Is Liron your nickname?"
She shook her head. "Just my name. Care for a walk?"
He nodded, and she smiled, extending an arm.
"I wish to show you something."
James looked at her hand, but kept his at his side. "I cannot touch you. It would be violating the oath."
Her hand dropped. "As you wish."
She led him into the woods, until he stopped.
"Do you not think we're going too far from the castle?"
"No."
"Princess, as your protector, I must insist that we go back."
Liron stopped and turned to him. "I know what I am doing."
"And I know that I am supposed to do my duty."
She quirked a brow. "As long as you are here to protect me, you are doing your duty."
"But you shouldn't be out here."
"We are still within castle grounds."
He sighed, giving in. "Alright."
Liron continued into the forest, eventually beginning to hum softly.
James put a hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case…and as a comfort. The princess seemed utterly calm, but he was on edge…until she started to hum. When she did, he was utterly mesmerised…he'd heard better, he was certain, but there was a different something to hers that…
Woah. His train of thought stopped as they entered a stunning glade, a crystal-clear waterfall pouring into a sapphire pond in the centre. James' eyes widened.
"Why are we here?"
"I just wanted to show it to you."
"It's beautiful."
She smiled at him, though he only saw it out of the corner of his eye, and approached the pond. "If you cannot ever find me in the castle, this where I will be."
"Oh…alright."
She stepped away from the pond and looked at him.
"What is it?"
"We should return. They will be looking for us."
As soon as they entered the door, the princess' redhaired lady in waiting…Natalia? Was that her name?...ran up to them.
"There you are! The feast is about to start."
She herded them to the High Table, where the princess sat in her place, James standing to her side as was proper.
King Leon frowned at them. "Where have you been?"
James answered before the princess did. "I apologise, your Majesty; the fault was mine. We got caught up in conversation and lost track of both time and where we were."
He did not respond to the smile the princess snuck him.
King Leon nodded, muttering. "I assume it was for a good reason…" His voice rose to normal. "At least you are here on time."
James inclined his head in a short bow.
The feast began, and after a time, the princess looked up at him. "Will you eat?"
"If you deem it proper."
"You should eat."
James nodded, and discreetly filled a plate, eating where he stood…huh…the princess was left-handed. Odd.
The sky darkened, and eventually the feast wound down to just servants clearing away the remains.
King Leon and Queen Katrina stood, as did the princess.
"May we be dismissed, father?"
He nodded.
Liron smiled, and led James to the apartment they would share, as was custom. She pointed him to his chamber, and entered her own. She had just started to change out of her gown when James knocked on her door.
"Ma'am? Where are the linens?"
She peeked her head of the door, not caring that her dress was half-unbuttoned and showing her shoulder. "Trunk underneath the bed."
He turned away quickly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She closed the door again.
After a few more moments, when she was almost down to her shift, he knocked on her door again. She looked out again.
"Yes?"
James blinked, cheeks pinking a little. "I…um…Just letting you know I'm going to get my things."
"Alright."
Liron watched him go, then closed her door again.
Once she was in her nightgown, she wrapped a light robe around herself and curled up in her window seat, a book on her lap.
Sometime later, something disturbed Liron's slumber, and she shifted, book falling to the floor and startling her awake. She set it on the table and stood, ambling blearily over to the door and pulling it open, too sleepy to care of her state of undress.
"Yes?"
James' voice broke through some of the fog in her mind, and she looked up, adjusting her robe a little…though he looked so cute when he blushed.
"I just…wanted to make sure you were okay."
Liron smiled. "I am well."
"Alright…goodnight."
"Goodnight."