The Paladin (The King Eternal Monarch AU)

Where The Heart Is

James' eyes focused on the King. The King swung his sword at West. West parried the stroke lazily.

Using the flat of his sword, West hit the King easily several times on the back, arms and leg.

The King roared in anger and lunged at West's head. The Paladin ducked and aimed hard the King's legs. The flat side of the large broadsword connected with the King's shin.

A huge crack sounded and King Edward fell on one knee. The huge company of mounted men were deathly silent.

The King lifted his face at James and South. The rising rays of the sun lit his face.

"Paladins. Do your duty! Arrest this traitor!"

James reached his scabbard and drew his sword. It was shorter than the longer family sword which was used for ceremonies.

Beside him, South mirrored his movements.

This is it. It's time.

James lifted the hilt of his own sword to his visor and shouted, "For the Queen. Long live Queen Elizabeth!"

He did not hear the gasps from the mounted men in the company.

It is true, then? The lost Princess is alive?

Has North lost his mind?

That's the lost Princess on television? The Princess Elizabeth?

Kill this usurper!

James focused his eyes on his fellow Paladin. James was sure South was loyal to the King. He would have to disarm South even as West disarmed the King.

South instead shouted, "For the Queen. Long live Queen Elizabeth! Men of the South, to me!"

James looked at him incredulously.

With a wry smile, James shouted, "Northmen! For the Queen!"

South nodded at him through his visor. Together, they urged their horses to canter towards the King. Swords unsheathed and glinting in the morning sun.

At the same moment, a huge fight was taking place between the mounted men. There were loyalists and there were those who were supporters of the King.

It was fighting at close quarters. Cavalry versus cavalry. The horses could not charge. They were all stuck at close quarters. It was just sword against sword, or whatever weapon was on hand.

The hounds ran between the horses. Out of control because the Master of the Horses, whom controlled the alpha had been put to the sword.

King Edward was surrounded on three sides by the Paladins. One of his hands still held up his sword. Ready to fight.

James smirked. The King was no match for the Paladins. No one in the Kingdom was.

"James," his father said. "You must train yourself to fight. Train yourself to be the best."

"I am the best, father!"

His father shook his head at James' six-year-old self.

"You will be the Paladin for the King. For the North, your title is guaranteed. The eldest son of the Lee family will always be the Paladin. The other Paladins are chosen based on family and skill. So you must make sure that you are the best. Otherwise people will look down on the North."

"Are our Paladins always the best, father?"

"Always, James," his father ruffled his hair. "Always. But you must never take it for granted. Train. Train. Keep training."