True Knight

Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

As night falls, Ari heads out back where she always goes. Even while she stomped angrily over to the fields, she couldn't help thinking that if she didn't go, she would lose their friendship. The only problem was if he would show.

Ari passes the gardens, unaware of any passing people, her mind set on scenarios to apologize, even though a royal should never apologize in case they lose face. She thought differently. Everyone should apologize, whether it was partially their fault or not.

As she reaches the gates towards the fields, she sees no one there. It is dark, but a single torch is lit where they usually sit near. No one is there, and she sighs in disappointment. She waits there for a moment, hoping that maybe he is just in the darkness. Just before she turns, she sees the thick strands of light brown hair waving in the gentle breeze. Even in the darkness, she knows that it's Will.

Ari walks over silently to him. Their eyes meet and Ari gives him a small smile. His face looks grim, but he returns a tight smile. He holds out a wooden sword to Ari. His hands tremble as he looks at her. He watches her every move in awe, even though he knows he shouldn't.

"No armor?" Ari asks suddenly, as Will begins to stand.

She looks at him, seeing him in a white button shirt with dirty stains painted all over, and dark trousers that blended in with the night.

"I want to show you something." he answers, not replying to her question.

Will holds out his hand towards Ari. She frowns at him, wondering what he plans to do. She wanted to train, but she takes his hand anyways. She trusts him with all her life, and she would even take the damage for him.

"Where are we going?" Ari asks.

Will smiles.

"Somewhere. I think you'll like it."

Blind faith.

Ari nods. They head over to the castle walls, arriving at the secret exit they found. It has a riddle, one that they figured out easily. They were always one for riddles. As they do what the riddle says, Ari stops midway.

"Will. You know we can't go out of the walls at night."

"Yes, I know, but I have to show you this be-" he stops mid sentence and looks furiously at the ground, his eyes stricken with fear.

"Be- what?"

"Let's go. I'll promise you this. I will keep you safe from here to there and back."

She stares at him, eye wide.

"Please." he whispers.

She nods again, hoping with blind faith. He leads her out of the walls. She looks back. The moon is full and out, casting a light on the castle. She feels somewhat bad for going out, as if there will be something that will happen.

"Will." she tugs his hand to a stop. "I think we should go back. We can go another time."

"But... I-"

He wants to show her. He wants to show her how beautiful it is, how magical it feels. The way the pale light glistens and glides along the crisp edge, and how the trees rustle softly in the breeze. He knows he has to show her before it happens.

She understands and goes against her feelings. From behind, she feels as if there is something or someone following them.

They pass through the town. It is quiet and empty. Some soldiers roam the town with lanterns imprinted all over, the fire warming up the shadows. She keeps her eyes close and on Will only, afraid that if she looked around, she will see things she wouldn't like.

They make it to some clearing, the light trickling in the path, showing the way. The path is hard to see, but they trudge forward. There is a lake in the middle, the trees surrounding it as the moon appears overhead. The light glistens and dazzles upon the pool. Will looks at Ari, a smile placed on his fragile face. His eyes gleam with the sparkling background. He tightens his grasp on her hand and gently pulls her towards the water.

"You see..." he says softly, "This is what I wanted to show you."

"It's..." Ari pauses, searching for the right word to describe what is right in front of her. "It's..."

"I know." Will smiles. "Come."

He grasps her hand and walks towards the clear water. As they reach the edge, Will puts a hand out into the water, creating ripples falling away from them.

"It's beautiful." Ari gasps, reaching a hand in to feel the cool water.

"It is."

Ari turns towards him, the question rising. The curiosity and suspicious activity causing mayhem in her.

"Why?"

Will knows what she is asking, but he knows he cannot answer truthfully, else it may break her heart. Worse, it's going to rupture his heart to see how broken she will be.

"Just because. I wanted to show you this."

"Are you not telling me something?"

"Of course not."

"Tell me." Ari demands as she gets up furiously.

"There's nothing! I just wanted to show you this place."

Ari grumbles. She had never had to pull the Royal card on him, only when he was acting this way, but she had promised to herself she wouldn't do that to Will. Only now, she had to. There was something up that no one told her about, and even Will is hiding it.

"I am your princess and I demand you to tell me."

Will's brows turn down. He hadn't heard her say that ever since they were children when he took her toy and hid it and she demanded him to tell her.

"Ari-"

"Princess." she corrects.

"Your Highness." He says sternly.

The guilt pains her. She hates this. She hates how she feels as if she must force him, but she feels that if she didn't ask, then something terrible would happen. Ari watches his eyes turn to frustration and anger, but most of it is towards himself. Her heart is heavy and her brain is conflicted at the sight of him. This was supposed to be something special, and she always ruins everything.

"Will. I'm so sorry."

He sighs so quietly, the eeriness of it twists her guts out. The shadow crawling on his face with the other side of it in the emanating light makes the situation seem even darker.

"I-I just-"

"Ari. Don't fret. Tonight, let us enjoy this. Look, let us even sword fight, since we might not have time when we go back."

His smile warms her, but it is not very convincing. She takes the sword into her hand and aims it at Will, a smirk settling on her face. All their problems would be forgotten there and then, each night they're together, until time finally sets them apart.

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