The Good King

'The Execution'

Everuone's eyes were pointed on them as they passed by.

Seven horse riders walking through the marketplace, the path leading to the royal palace.

And the one who drew most attention to himself, was no other than the golden haired prince.

It took the people a moment to realise that that was the first prince. Hearing all about how he fought his way through to Kardia and watching how he stood between them, made them hope again.

"IT'S PRINCE ELMER"

Someone shouted from among the crowds.

Everyone else looked back, leaving whatever they had in hands, to gather around him and cheer for him.

Without anyone noticing, the masked red haired girl rushed with her horse back to the old place she knew and longed for.

Leaving the horse at the front as she ran past the garden towards the wooden door which was slightly open.

She stepping in to find the second prince on the cold ground.

Aylin kneeled down and started calling for his name. Checking on his yet he was not bleeding nor injured.

"Louis"

She said while resting her head on his chest to hear just how well his heart was beating before she could sigh in relief, while slowly moving his head into her lap, still trying to wake him up.

"LOUIS!"

Her voice made him open his eyes this time.

His vision was blurry for a few seconds but he knew who was near him.

"Are you alright?"

She asked while helping him get up.

The prince looked around wearing his worried expression before he spoke.

"The hunter took Elione"

Without knowing how long he has been unconscious for, Louis panicked not knowing what to do exactly.

'What should I do now? I did not expect her to act like that, I should have had another plan to prevent her from taking Elione'

The second prince was stressing out while walking back and forth the same little space by the house's entrance.

Aylin stopped him midway before grabbing both his hands. Without thinking twice Louis was holding hers back very gently.

"Elmer is already here, what shall we do now?"

She asked using a few words while her eyes clearly needed him to calm down and think straight because they were running out of time and there was no way he could undo what has already been done.

Louis looked into her eyes for a good moment before replying,

"I have a plan, I guess"

Elmer walked beside his horse around the marketplace, followed by Hawk, Ven, Victor, Amed and Arthur. 

The crowds were all eying them, cheering for the one person they had faith in.

"ELMER!"

A familiar voice shouted while running towards the prince.

Ezra hugged the prince tightly, he could not remember when was the last time he did see him.

Elmer smiled hugging the older knight back.

"We were so worried about you!"

He then said while putting his hand on the prince's shoulder.

Not long after that, Elmer spotted Asher and the rest of his fellow trainees walking towards him.

"Welcome back, your majesty"

The red hair knight said.

"Is it not too early for that Asher?"

Elmer asked before he stepped closer to hug him as well. Asher smiled softly while embracing the feeling of having his old friend's son back safe and sound.

While Edwin's eyes looked all over for a familiar face, he could not tell that someone was standing right behind him.

He suddenly wrapped his arm around Edwin's neck pulling him back.

"Am here!"

Victor said while smiling brightly.

"You're choking me, idiot"

Edwin said while hitting Victor's stomach with his elbow which made him step back in a little pain.

"Welcome back"

Edwin turned back saying while smiling.

"Hello everyone"

Elmer walked towards the trainees.

The first person in sight was Kai, the prince shaked him hand with a smile,

"Hello Kai, it has been a while"

Kai was caught of guard just like the rest of the trainees, he smiled back replying,

"Welcome back prince Elmer"

Moving to his left where Hellen and Elyas stood, he shaked their hands as well while calling their name.

Followed by Soren and Caelan, then finally to Edwin who was catching up with his closest friend.

He did remember all of their names which moved something in them. Elmer did not think too much of it.

In his own eyes it felt normal to know their names, just like they know his.

But in theirs, he was a very considerate kind person who deserved to rule.

"Prince Elmer"

Arthur interrupted as he called for the prince.

"I heard that they will be executing someone shortly in front of the royal palace"

Those words were able to brush off everyone's smile, while Elmer ran towards his horse.

And without thinking twice all of the men in his team did the same. Hawk, the hunter, all of the trainees, the men sent by the lords, Asher and Ezra.

Even the crowds, leaving their open shops and homes behind.

They all blindlessly followed him while chasing after the dream of peace.

The guards removed the curtains of the small carriage that has been left outside of the palace gate, to allow their chained prisoner out.

Elione was still in her red dress and the jewelry she never asked for nor cared about.

Walking quietly between the two guards while her eyes looked down, she did end up losing hope, realising that she would never see her daughter and husband for the last time.

She stepped up those worn out wooden stairs, took a few steps towards the middle of the gallows.

One of them put her head inside the rope, the two stepped away while she could feel the ground shaking as if she could go at any second, yet she still prayed God for help.

"This woman dared to stab king Leo and therefore she must be executed today in front of all of you"

One of the guards said.

He looked at his friend as if he was asking him to get it over with.

Leo's eyes were watching, he was looking forwards to what was coming. He was about to set a good lesson out of her.

'If I do the same to Elmer, I bet everything will go back to the way it was'

The king thought to himself.

Someone did interrupt his thoughts, running from the crowds towards Elione while calling out for her.

"ELIONE!"