Aragorn and the Phoenix of Caspian (ENGLISH)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Rebels hadn’t appeared in the palace for many years. This is the first time that Aragorn himself faced a group of rebels whom he hadn’t encountered for year. They were here for him, to capture him, or maybe even kill him.

Sun streaked hot rays and his throat was drought even though he had a water earlier. Hideo glanced at him, telling to run away. But they won’t be able to run away from theses rebels. They were twenty or thirty of them, each having a glistening iron sword.

“Your Highness, you should run by now. I’ll be the one to handle this.”

He knew Hideo’s great, but it’s impossible for an only man like him to face these number of people. They even did not know if theses rebels were too good at using weapon.

“I can’t let you alone here. I won’t let them to kill you.”

“But according to the rules, we have to protect you no matter what happens. We must protect you even if it risked our lives. The life of Your Highness is much important than anyone else’s.”

“If it’s the law, then disobey it. Anybody’s life is important no matter what your status or achievements are. If we’re both going to die in this place, then it is much better than leaving knowing that you might be suffering from thousands of cuts.”

“I know that you don’t want me to cost my life. But this is a serious moment. You still have to live; you are the future of the palace.”

First time, someone told him that. Someone told him that he holds the future of Caspian. They weren’t even friends yet, but he’s already telling him that.

“Everyone hated me and it’s much better to die here with the courage of fighting against the rebels instead of letting you die alone. Being a prince means also having a courage to face them and face death.”

From looking at the prince of Caspian, Hideo glanced on the leader of the rebel, the one who shouted earlier. “What do you want? Let the prince of the palace pass and capture me instead.”

The leader of them smirked. He laughed like a demon. “How can we let the prince pass if he’s the one that we need? If we successfully killed the both of you, then it would be a painful scar to the king.”

“Let Hideo pass then kill me.” Aragorn then turned to Hideo. “They won’t let me pass but I think they will let you. You have a family and future. You have to go and leave me here.”

Hideo insisted staying, shaking his head with all his force. “Leaving you here alone also means killing myself with nightmares and conscience. If they’re going to kill you, they should me also. If they’re going to cut your head off, then cut every parts of my body. In the military, we trained to have courage to protect the royal family. We were taught that death is what waits for us once we entered. Your death, my death.”

“We’ll fight. I won’t let you to kill the prince,” he said to the rebels.

“This young warrior has the opportunity to run away and leave his master, but he chose to die with his master,” the leader of them had said.

All the rebels positioned their swords in front of their face, ready to swoop Aragorn and Hideo. Aragorn gulped air; Hideo remained calm. Those swords were sharp enough to behead them, to bath them in their own blood.

Hideo reached for his sword; Aragorn did the same. They unmounted from their horse and gripped on their iron swords. One by one, the rebels paved their way. Aragorn and Hideo leaned on each other’s backs. They will fight no matter what happens. If they have the courage to fight, they’re good.

“Just lean on me, Your Highness,” Hideo commanded.

Two rebels attacked the both. Aragorn used his sword to stop one of the soldiers while Hideo kicked the chest of the rebel. They spun on each other as they were surrounded by the rebels. They knew that any second from now, they’re dead.

Three soldiers rushed to Hideo, but he slashed his sword and hurt their chests. A few attacked Aragorn but he dodged it. He almost hit one of them in the neck. They continued attacking, swords slacking, until the rebels ran away from them. In a distance, Leo was with Yosef and Azrael, riding their horses. Yosef had a bow and arrow and was shooting the rebels. It didn’t hit anyone but threw them away. As Leo, Azrael, and Yosef arrived, all the rebels disappeared in the area.

“Wow, they disappeared fast. They must be that scared to you, Master Leo,” Azrael praised.

“Prince Aragorn, where does the two of you going? Didn’t I tell you to ask permission to me before going somewhere else. You faced rebels today and if we did not arrive in time, the two of you might be filled with blood and cuts all over your body. You’re both lucky that the two of you did not face the phoenix. How much should I tell you that it is dangerous to go out alone in this time. There were rebels, phoenix, and even natural disaster.”

“Apologies, Leo. I just wanted to visit my parents in the palace. I also have things to get in the palace. I brought Hideo with me, so I have a companion if something happened bad. My bad that I did not think about the rebels. I should’ve thought of the worst-case scenario.”

“Just be careful next time, Prince Aragorn. Since we’re all gathered here, we’ll be with you in your way to the palace. It would be much safer to travel in five than the only the two of you.”

“Sure, Leo.”

Yosef whispered to Hideo, “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” For him, Hideo was his older brother. He was the one who protected him when someone bullied him for being young and great.

“Yes, I am fine. No one hurt us. Almost, but you arrived and we’re thankful for that.”

Yosef pursed his lips and nodded at Hideo.

The five of them mounted on each other’s horses. As they travel to the royal palace, Leo and Hideo were both roaming their eyes around the way. Rebels might appear again and kill the five of them.

Leo must’ve been so great even rebels were afraid of him, Aragorn thought. He wished he could be as great as Leo or even his father. He hadn’t seen Leo in a fight, but when they were having a duel, he’ll surely hit him in the chest or stomach. He’s lucky that Leo didn’t do that, and he stopped when he got a cut.

“Prince Aragorn has arrived at the royal palace,” Leo announced. They went down from the saddle of their horses, tied the horses in the grassland. Aragorn was in front while they were walking, Leo on his side, and three soldiers were following them.

“Oh, Aragorn. I’m glad that you’re safe and you visited,” Queen Amira said. Earlier, she was on her garden, cutting grasses, watering the plants. She has servants to do it, but if she has the time, she’s the one doing it.

“Lolita and Lola, please prepare delicious foods for these good-looking gentlemen.”

Her two servants, which were sisters that ages nineteen and fifteen, nodded at Queen Amira and they got back inside the palace.

“What brings you here, Aragorn?” Queen Amira strode to Aragorn, cupped his face, and hugged him. She thought he’s going to die in the hands of the phoenix. She hoped her son won’t face the phoenix.

“Mother, I got here to get some things that I’ll be needing,” he lied. He’s really going to investigate some of his cousins and uncles. One of them might be the one who caused the fire, or maybe it’s the group of rebels they met earlier.

“You could’ve told any of your companions to bring it for you.”

“I wanted to get it personally.”

Leo forwarded, bowed at the queen. “Greetings, Your Highness. Aragorn was supposed to be with Hideo only. When I heard that the two of them left without any companions, I followed them. When we saw them, they’re facing a group of rebels who are about to kill the two of them. Luckily, we saw him and shove away the group of rebels.”

“Oh God! Lucky that you arrived in the scene, Leo. I can’t imagine my son being killed by those nasty rebels.”

“Don’t worry about that, Mother. Hideo and I were both safe from what happened.”

Queen Amira cannot help but to think of her son. She thought it would be better for her to stay inside the palace, to stop training and searching for the phoenix. But she knew she can’t. Aragorn was eager to improve and become the king.

Lolita was preparing the food that she was asked to do by the queen. Her younger sister, Lola, was helping her to do it. She prepared sweetened bread, meat, leafy vegetable, and meat stews.

“Don’t you think that the three of those men were all handsome. I can’t wait to marry one of them,” Lola said, imagining one of the soldiers to be her husband.

Lolita spat her with the wooden spoon. She also observed that they were good-looking like the crowned prince she had seen ever since she became a servant here in the palace. “Don’t be delusional that they were going to marry you. A servant is for servant. Those in the middle and upper class deserves someone who are also in the upper. We weren’t good-looking at the first place. You’re also still young, Lola. You shouldn’t think about marrying yet.”

“But women with the same age as I were already married to their great husbands. Most of their spouses were servants of rich people. I think I should also marry before I reach the spinster’s age.”

Lolita held the shoulders of her young sister. “Listen, Lola. We were here in the royal palace to serve for both king and queen. We weren’t even the personal maid so we can’t wish to marry people with higher position. We must know our place in this palace. That we are just servants, serving the king and the queen.”

“I understand, older sister. But don’t you think they’re attractive. I wish there were men who I can marry who are as good-looking like them.”

Lolita removed her hands from Lola’s sagged shoulders. She headed to the stew she was cooking, tasted it using the wooden spoon. When it already tasted good, she smiled, and placed it on five wooden bowls.

“I agree that they’re handsome, but face isn’t a requirement in marriage. We need a noble man who knows how to respect, protect, and work for us. If we’re not going to marry one with these characteristics, we should not marry. We’re both lucky that our parents don’t arrange us for marriage to their friends’ sons. Marriage isn’t a rush. It will happen when the time comes and we’re both ready.”

After preparing all the food, Lolita asked help to her sister to bring the food to the dining area where guests were gathered. Lola nodded to her sister, followed her to the dining area.

The five men and the queen were already gathered in the dining, sitting on polished wooden chairs. They all stared at the food as the two servants were placing each bowl and plate of bread on the table.

“It smells good. This might be really delicious,” Yosef commented.

Hideo smiled when Lolita lent him a wooden spoon and fork. He pulled on of the bowl of the meat stew, got a good amount on his spoon, and sipped it. He smiled as he tasted the meat well. He sat straight and faced the queen.

“Your Highness, your servants cooked well. This is the best meat stew that I tasted in the palace. I hope I’ll be able to visit here more often to taste these foods offered by Your Highness.”

Queen Amira smiled. She pointed Lolita who was standing prim on the edge of the table. “Lolita is the one who mostly cooks the food. She’s great in cooking and I love her dishes.”

Hideo stood up, slightly nodded to Lolita. “You’re a pleasing cook. I’ll expect this food again once I visit.”

“My pleasure, Master.”

Lolita turned around; she faced her back on Hideo. When others cannot see her face, she giggled and smiled from ear to ear. A handsome guy had praised the food she cooked, and it was an achievement for her.