Young Writers Society

In that moment the whole world stopped for him. In the heat of battle, needed by his men, responsible for every soul inside the citadel he froze... After a while he started looking around as if he was lost. All attention was drawn to him, all hope was expected from him and all he did was stare at every one of them as if they were all strangers.

"What do you mean she's not breathing?" he barely uttered with an ill look.

His captain started to worry. His king had lost control. Ready or not he needed to step in.

"Mylord, should I take full command of the garrison and prepare the counter-attack?"

"The attack...yes, yes my dear Kerig. The command...you take care of that..." the young king placed a hand on his captain's shoulder as a sign of friendship and gratitude.

That was all Kerig waited for. He kissed his king's hand with a heart-breaking sigh and walked away from the way too painful scene. He had grown up with his king and their friendship had not only lasted throughout the passing years, but had become even stronger. He loved the queen as much as his noble friend and the pain and anger he felt could not be compared to anything he had felt before, but at least one of them had to keep a clear mind. The king was clearly overwhelmed by this tragedy so he had no choice.

Kerig took his sword out and started yelling out orders to prepare the troops for the counter-attack.

King Alec walked disoriented towards the temple escorted by four members of the royal guard. Once he reached the steps of the temple he turned to the four soldiers. He could feel the men's restlessness, he could feel how eager they were to join their brothers in arms, he could almost smell the blood they wanted so bad to shed in their desire to avenge the queen.

"If you wish to join your brothers, you are free to do so and have my blessing. There are no more dangers for me between these sacred walls. Go!"

"Thank you your highness! We swear to avenge queen Ilithèn's death!" said the oldest of the four guards. He saluted Alec with a short bow and turned to his comrades.

"C'mon boys! Let's shed some blood in the name of our queen!"

His late father's most trusted adviser waited for him at the temple doors. He could not yet accept what had happened. He looked at the old man for a few moments and crashed into his arms.

"What do they mean she's not breathing, Hadir?" Alec wept and sighed barely standing. "Please tell me she's alive...tell me she's going to be all right."

The old man looked at the young king . So young and he had already lost so much. This boy was only yesterday playing on his father's lap listening to my stories, he thought.

"Are you asking me to lie to my king, Alec? I am sorry my boy but I cannot deceive you. Queen Ilithèn is dead. A stray arrow hit her from behind while we were getting her to safety between the temple walls. It pierced her left lung and her majesty bled to death. You should know that...she asked me to look after you before she lost breath...she made me promise. She really loved you my dear boy." The old man stopped talking as tears flooded his eyes and his embrace grew stronger around Alec. Finally he gathered a little courage and looked the young king in the eye.

"Her body is still warm and color has not yet left her lips. Go see her...say goodbye."

Alec pulled himself from Hadir's arms and walked barely conscious to the center of the temple where his queen had been placed on a white marble table. He kissed her lips one last time...knelt beside her and hid his face in her long red hair. The young king felt despair's ice cold claw get a grasp on his heart and mind. He was so close to give in and give up any hope when the memory of a conversation they had had years before came to him so vivid as if it took place in that very moment.

"I could not live without you my sweet Ilithèn. I would loose my mind if something happened to you. I would be a mad man because I have nothing left but you....and even if I would...nothing else matters."

"Alec, my love, my king...I am overwhelmed by the love you show me and I can assure you that I feel the same, but a man of you rank, a king is not allowed to think like this. You must not give in to pain no matter what for you are and example to so many. You have the duty to guide and protect your subjects. Never forget this, never let weakness get hold of you when you are needed!"

"You have become a true queen, Ilithèn."

"Promise me, Alec!"

"I swear it!"

"Good..."

The memory faded and pain was even less bearable than before but now he knew...he knew what she would have wanted, he knew he was responsible for his people. He stood tall next to the corpse of his queen and spoke in thunder-like voice.

"We shall let her body rest like this until after the battle. Every capable man will go to the armory and equip himself to fight. If you want to honor your queen's memory you will do it now by defending your city and families, by breaking down your enemy and your king will lead!"

Hadir's heart started pounding as he watched the majestic scene.

"The boy had died...the knight has risen." he proudly thought.