The Warriors and their King

CHAPTER SEVEN

    "Are you a Warrior?" Adriel asked Adrianus. They were strolling through her family's gardens the next day. Adriel was going to show him their butterfly greenhouse.

Adrianus was silent for a while. After a few moments, Adriel glanced at him sideways, waiting. Adrianus straightened and cleared his throat.

"Yes, actually, I am." He managed a small smile toward her. 

"I'm glad to hear that," Adriel said. "The King must be very proud of you and the bravery you've shown."

"Well, that's a Warrior's job. To be brave and fight for justice and peace in a world of darkness and chaos."

Adriel smiled at him, pleased. "You are a fine Warrior."

She was certain she saw a blush form on his neck as he smiled back and bowed his head. They were quiet for quite some time, walking along the bank of Nevaeh's river, nearing the Walters' butterfly greenhouse.

"I'm sure your parents were wonderful Warriors too," Adriel said softly after a while.

"Yes. Yes, they were." His answer seemed rushed and emotionless. Adriel supposed it must just be because it was so hard for him to talk about them. She supposed he had to keep the emotions at bay, to not think too long about his loss or the pain would swallow him up. But sometimes it is good to just feel the grief, as painful as it may be. Because if you just suppress and burry in down inside, it will be a burden forever on your shoulders. But Adriel kept silent, and they continued in silence all the way to the greenhouse.

"Well," Adriel sighed, as they approached a small, glass shelter. "Here we are."

Adriel unlatched the glass door, and it opened. She swept away vines that were hanging in the opening and motioned Adrianus to follow her inside. She quickly latched the door shut when they were both in. 

"Isn't it beautiful?" She breathed, staring at all the butterflies, flying and fluttering about.

"It is," Adrianus replied, stilling when a butterfly landed on his shoulder. A few more butterflies landed on the rough fabric of his tunic. Adriel smiled.

"They seem to like you," she said. Adrianus glanced at her, and noticed there was a multitude of butterflies in her hair, on her shoulders and clinging to her fingers. He laughed.

"They seem to love you!"

Adriel grinned. "I suppose they do."

Adrianus looked about the greenhouse and noticed that every single butterfly was a vibrant blue.

"They're all the same color," he said. Adriel nodded.

"Yes. They are not ordinary butterflies."

"What do you mean?"

Adriel shook her hands and hair gently, and the butterflies fluttered off. "They are butterflies from the King's garden. They give the gift of peace. Whenever they land on you, you are comforted. Even if you are not necessarily anxious about anything, they will still offer you peace."

Adrianus glanced at a certain butterfly on his shoulder. He realized he did feel...different. A feeling he hadn't felt before.

"Why are they here?" He asked, turning back to Adriel.

"The King has an abundance of these butterflies. He gave my mother a portion to keep. You know my mother is a very soft and caring sort of person. The King knew her gift of gentleness and decided it would be her job to look after several of the butterflies and use them when someone in the village is suffering from anxiety."