How to become king Arthur

Chapter 4: Young love

I stormed from his house out into the stables of my own. I threw a bridle onto my horse before breaking off at a gallop. I didn't stop riding until my horse died down. Then I slipped off of her.

How could he have said that to me? How could he think about women like that? Hadn't I shown him enough? After all those days of friendship, how could he let me down like that? Those were the constant questions that ran through my head.

When I rode home that evening, no one said one word to me. They all saw that I didn't want to talk.

When Paul knocked on my door the next morning my brother was shocked at my words. I told Lance to tell Paul that he should never come back here again if he was smart.

"Ara," my brother began, "what's going on?"

"Paul told me his honest opinion of who I am," my voice came out calm and smooth.

"He said that he was really sorry."

"Of course he did," I laughed humourlessly.

"Maybe you should go talk to him," Lance suggested.

"No! He meant what he said. I saw it in his face. He said that I was born to be used. I have nothing to say to that fool," I spat.

"Go now," Lance commanded, pointing at the door.

"Ara," Paul sighed seeing me in the door way, "I need to say that I'm sorry and I didn't mean what I said, I was just mad."

"Shut up you foul lying pig!" I shouted, "All that I've ever wanted is to be treated as an equal. I thought that you knew more about me than to say those words. You led me on, you made me believe that I had rights. You bought me to new heights then dropped me like a piece of coal.

"Who do you think you are to build up dreams just to smash them on the ground? How long have you known me? Can't you see I'm not like other girls? Have I not proved myself? Don't you I so anything?

"I don't want to be forgotten. Or am I not good enough for that? Are you more deserving? Am I just another idiotic little girl who wants what she can never have? That's odd because the last time I checked, I'm the only girl in this kingdom who is becoming a knight.

"Oh wait you're right. I can't be a knight because I'm a girl. I'm only good for cleaning and having kids. Oh wait, I have to have boys. That's the most important thing I do because who would want a useless girl around? Surely not you because obviously the only girl who will look at you hasn't proved as enough," I continued. My voice was growing raspy. Paul opened his mouth to talk but I cut him off, "How about you go tell my family why they'll never see you again and I'll go muck out some stalls. Or can I not do that? Am I not capable since it doesn't fit your description of a woman?" I turned to leave.

"Ara?"

"Chose your words wisely since they might be the last ones you ever say to me." I didn't turn around to face him.

"I think I'm in love with you."

Then I did turn around. I walked towards him, closing the gap.

"I hope you die in battle," I whispered. Then I spat on the ground and stormed to the barn.

"Ara! What did you do to him?" Lance asked me ten minutes later in the stable. "Paul was crying Ara. What did you say, honestly."

"I told him to stay away from me," I said innocently.

"What else? There has to be more."

"Well I there was it's none if your business," I pointed out as I turned my back on him.

"Ara Firzpaula!" he shouted, "Sometimes you get cocky and it drives me insane. Whether you like it or not I am you elder and you will turn around an answer me."

"Why do I always come second?" I yelled.

"Ara,"my brother said as he turned me around and shook me, "What did you say?"

"I told him I hope he dies in battle," I screamed, pulling myself loose of his grip.

"What did he tell you first?" Lance growled. I moved to leave but he barred my way.

"He said he loved me," I spat as I stormed past.

"Stop acting like a spoiled brat Ara!" my brother yelled. I turned on my heels.

"Shut up Lance! You think you know what's best for me and for everyone but you don't."

"Stop running away from your problems. You want to be a knight but you avoid battle. Grow up"

"I wasn't the one who started this war," I growled. "And let us not forget who can-"

"You need to grow up Ara," my brother scowled. "You have acted like a child to Paul today."

"Why does is matter so much to you?" I asked.

"It matters because he's probably the only boy who will ever look at you," Lance stated.

"How could you?"

"It's true, who could love a woman who pretends to be a man?" he yelled. My heart was cracking in two.

"Well you don't need to worry because I'm going to be a knight soon," I pointed out bravely.

"Ara you can't honestly-"

"You might as well get used to calling me Arthur, that's my name now."

"Well Arthur or Ara better get a clue," he whispered before walking off.