Sparring Partners

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and all that jazz.

NOTE: Sorry for the late update. But here is a new, short chapter. It's mostly dialogue between the two because I wanted to explore their interaction and personal philosophies a little bit more.

I will try to post another chapter soon. But I hope you enjoy this one and please do leave a review to let me know what you think of the story so far.

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In the quiet moments after their training sessions, Étoile and the prince engaged in a different kind of sparring.

They had seemingly endless discussions on their sometimes conflicting points of view, as if picking up where they left off when they first met. After all, their mutual memories of each other were of the stark contrasts in their ways of life. And now that they finally had enough time to discuss these differences properly, they made the most of the opportunity.

The Lusitanian knight had observed that even as the young prince had made significant progress in his combat training, he still seemed reluctant to use his skills in the battlefield. She knew enough of him to be sure that he was no coward but she had never seen anyone so averse to fighting as he was. And considering the weight of his responsibilities as a ruler, Arslan should have been more open to becoming a fighter. But he wasn't.

"I still don't understand you," Étoile remarked to Arslan once, "Now that your fighting skills are actually improving, don't tell me you're still against the act of war?"

"I'm afraid my views of war will not change no matter how much my fighting skills improve," Arslan replied gravely, "I'm against war on principle because I don't enjoy seeing people suffer. And if I must fight, it's only to make sure that further pain and sorrow can be avoided."

Étoile frowned at this and Arslan gave a small, embarrassed laugh.

"I suppose it sounds contradictory when I say it like that," the prince admitted.

Étoile shrugged though she still gave his words some serious thought. His was an unusual perspective but not one that she truly disagreed with. After all, she had seen first-hand the horrors caused by incessant fighting. Sometimes, she had even been a victim of these.

"But winning a war is the only way kings and noblemen like you can hold onto power," Étoile argued, "anything less will leave you at the mercy of your enemies. Not fighting in a war will make you look weak and you cannot afford to look weak if you want to stay in power."

Arslan let out a heavy, world-weary sigh prompting Étoile to look at him curiously. The grave expression on his face belied his youth and she realized again that he had truly grown up since she first met him years ago.

"The world can be a cruel place," the prince said softly, "but it doesn't always have to be this way. Things can change. And I intend to try my best to change them."

"Well, that certainly is ambitious," Étoile remarked encouragingly, "I didn't think you had it in you."

Arslan smiled at her, and she looked away. She didn't mention that she was quite impressed by his motives and that she found them noble.

"But you might be deluding yourself if you believe that our different nations can co-exist peacefully," the warrior said severely, "history has shown that conflicts are inevitable."

"That may be true," Arslan conceded, "but in that case, the best we can hope for is to maintain peace for as long as possible until the next war arises. But I'm optimistic that we can achieve this."

"Optimism is one word for it," Étoile could not help but comment.

"Foolish I suppose is the word you thought of first," Arslan said in amusement.

Étoile blushed and frowned at this but she had to admit that such a thought had crossed her mind. At first she had believed that she had never met anyone so unsuited to his position of authority.

But now, she was gradually beginning to revise her ideas about the qualities of a good leader. Having witnessed what the prince had achieved so far and listened to his noble intentions, Étoile could not help but admire Arslan, in spite of herself. So-called greater men had not been able to achieve as much. And most had left way more destruction in their wake. Arslan was so different.

That he cared about people was clear. What she found remarkable was that his concern extended even to those belonging to his enemies' nations. She had never met any leader who had such far-reaching generosity and kindness. Having been at the receiving end of his mercy, she could appreciate it and knew that more people stood to benefit from the policies of such a benevolent ruler.

"You're quiet," Arslan asked, interrupting the Lusitanian's train of thought, "Are my ideas so ridiculous as to render you speechless?"

"They're certainly unusual," Étoile admitted softly, "but I wouldn't say ridiculous exactly."

Arslan raised an eyebrow at this.

"All right," the soldier replied, "there was a time that I would contest them fiercely. But not anymore. I see some merit in them. Are you satisfied now?"

The prince merely smiled at her gratefully. "I'm glad that we are starting to agree on some things, at last," he said, "I don't enjoy quarrelling with you. I would much prefer it if we were always on the same page."

"Why?"

"Because I value your opinion, of course. I always have."

Étoile stared at him and Arslan looked at her curiously.

"That should not come as a surprise to you at this point," he said, "You know that I've always taken everything you've told me into account."

"Well, I never expected to be one of your counsellors," Étoile replied, "but I suppose it helps to have someone with a very different perspective on things."

"You have no idea how helpful all our conversations have been," Arslan said, "I've learned so much from you. Not just about fighting. And I am so grateful, truly I am."

Étoile did not know how to respond to this so she merely nodded. But she was moved by his earnest expression of gratitude. As always, he had surprised her with his sincerity and she still had no idea how to properly react to this. She had long lost any reason to be angry or upset with him. Nearly all enmity between them was at an end at this point so she no longer felt any instinctive hostility. Only confusion, which was frustrating in a different way.

"I've learned quite a bit from you as well," she was tempted to say but something made her hesitate. Even after spending quite some time with Arslan, Étoile still did not have his openness. And she doubted she ever would.

But she sensed something growing between them, a sort of mutual respect and admiration. In other circumstances she might even have called it friendship. And she wasn't sure what to make of it.