The land of Tergya was one of a kind. It boasted of the largest varieties of fruits and vegetables. The land was surrounded by two rivers which flew around it and met before they emptied into the sea. The land was able ruled by the king Leo. The people of the country loved him and had uttermost respect for him. They used to tell stories of how he defended the city very many times when it was under siege, how he led his army into battle like a true king should, how he provided proper burial for not only his soldiers but the enemy’s as well and how his blade was so sharp that one could cut himself just by looking at it. They used to tell their children about how kind hearted he was and how much he loved the children of the country. All the kids dreamt of becoming like Leo one day. Every child looked up to him. He was the idol for each and every child in the country, except his own. His son, Arthur, didn’t like his father very much. About 9 years ago, when the city was under siege, Leo had ordered that his child and the queen be escorted to an outpost far away. But little did he know that the way to the outpost was already under the enemy’s control. The enemy soldiers and assassins who were hiding in the woods came out and attacked the carriage. They killed the queen and all the soldiers except for one who managed to escape with Arthur to the city.
Since that day, Arthur had nothing but hatred for his father because he wondered that a king so wise should have known that that passage would be filled with assassins who would be waiting for them like a python for its prey. Arthur blamed Leo for the death of his loving mother and vowed that he would never forgive him. The reality was that the passage was clear at first, but there was a traitor in the army who informed the enemy about the queen’s escape. King Leo had all the riches in the world but what use were they without his own son’s love? Leo tried explaining how sorry he was and that he was mistaken but Arthur did not listen a word he said.
He would just run away every time Leo said anything to him and would shout,” You killed my mother. You did not care for us. I hate you father… I hate you.”
Leo had nothing but sorrow filling his heart, for Arthur was his only son and he loved him a lot. But Arthur hated him and would probably hate him forever. Years passed by and the hatred in Arthur’s heart for his father only grew. He joined the ranks of the army and soon mastered the sword and the shield. The commander of the army Richard taught him well. Arthur concentrated all the hatred he had for his father into training. He would start training from the first light of dawn till darkness swept over the skies. Arthur after having mastered the sword and the shield learnt the spear as well and the word soon spread that there was no arm stronger than his for his spears travelled at the speed of light. He quickly rose amongst the ranks of the army and soon was promoted to the king’s guard. But he rejected the post.
“How can I vow to protect the king who killed my mother? How can I?”, he said when Leo summoned him to his court.
Leo was heartbroken but he did not know what to do. Arthur fought alongside Richard. Soon there was a siege upon the city and chaos filled the streets, the sound of the alarm filling the hearts of the citizens with terror and fear. Leo quickly ordered his army to assemble. The archers took their position on the walls of the city and took aim. The army of the enemy marched towards the walls. The archers shot arrows towards them and killed the forwards ranks but the enemy kept marching. Richard along with Arthur took position in front of the cavalry as they prepared to run down the enemy. Just then, Leo appeared and stood in front. He was a true king who would not let his army fight while he rested in his chamber.
The war began. Swords slashed through bodies and spears pierced the strongest of armors. The archers did a good job by restraining the back ranks from coming any further. Richard, Arthur and Leo fought bravely and just when everything was going to be over, the enemy commander took aim at Arthur and loaded the crossbow. Leo saw this and started running towards his son. The commander shot the arrow and Leo plunged forward to save his son. The arrow pierced Leo’s heart. Arthur turned around only to find his father at his feet dying. He took him in arms.
“Son, I am sorry for whatever I did wrong. I just want you to know that I loved you and always will.”, saying this he closed as his eyes.
“I love you too father. I love you too.”, tears of forgiveness filled Arthur’s eyes as he held his dead father in his arms.