The Battlefield
Knowing four more archers were coming, Emelia quickly turned and ran for safety. Her hands glided down the rope as she descended to the ground, a blur of grace and agility. With a thud, she dropped to the soil and slipped off her cloak as she raced through the trees. Emerging onto the battlefield, Emelia’s eyes widened in awe. Warriors on both sides of the fight clashed their weapons with vigor. Steel sparkled in the light as they swung at each other, their muscles tensed with strength and determination. The air was alive with clanging blades and cries of pain as arrows whizzed through and wooden staves slammed into bodies. The chaos of it all was dizzying.
Emelia spun around, her brown eyes widening at the oncoming arrow, and dropped to the ground. She watched in awe as the arrow flew past her and lodged itself into the stomach of an archer chasing her. Taking swift aim with her bow, she released an arrow in retaliation and watched it fly into the throat of another archer. Suddenly, arrows filled the air above her, singing like a chorus of cicadas as they brought down her other pursuers. Out of the corner of her eye, Emelia saw a group of men from her regiment riding horses in the distance, ready to back her up.
The battle was intense. Hundreds of men fought for their lives to defend their Kingdom. Emelia fought back-to-back with the other soldiers, slipping into a familiar groove in her training. Her arms were a blur of movement, and her small shield never stopped moving, protecting herself from any oncoming attack. She swung her dagger until it felt numb in the cold weather, the steel shining in the sun. Her muscles ached from the long hours at battle. Her gaze was blurred by sweat and dirt. She saw flashes of color and heard screams of pain and cries for help, but she kept fighting as if in a trance, dropping each attacker as they approached and shielding herself from their onslaught.
A soldier lunged at Emelia, slashing the blade with precision and determination. Emelia swiftly dodged each attack with a calculated grace, her eyes alert and focused. Just as she thought she was out of danger, a sharp pain pierced her shoulder, and sweat dampened her bodice as hot blood started dripping down. She stumbled back, her knees buckling under the pressure, when Leon’s voice echoed, “Emelia!” in the background. She forced herself to look up and saw Leon brandish his sword above his head in one powerful motion. He plunged it into the soldier’s torso before ripping it out in one fluid motion.
Emelia let out a pained cry as her shoulder throbbed. She brought her hand to the wound, feeling the warm blood seeping through her fingers. “I’m fine. It didn’t go too deep,” she said as Leon forcefully tore off a strip of his shirt sleeve. He tenderly wrapped it around her shoulder, ensuring it was snug enough to stop the bleeding. With one arm around her waist, he helped her stand and said, “We have to get you out of here now.”
“No,” Emelia said firmly, her jaw clenched, and her eyes blazed with boldness. She raised her bow, her shoulder screaming in pain, and let an arrow fly through the air. It flew straight and true, embedding itself in the chest of a soldier who was running to join the fight. He collapsed onto the ground, his momentum carrying him forward a few more steps before he lay still.
A soldier peered through the trees, squinting as he saw a line of Alana soldiers scrambling away. Some had their arms flailing as they stumbled over roots, while others held their shields up high, desperately trying to find a safe place to retreat. “They’re retreating!” the soldier exclaimed, his heart pounding as he watched their backs disappear into the forest.
King Edward bellowed with authority, “Bring me the King!” His soldiers snapped to attention and marched off, their cloaks flapping in the wind.
Emelia slowly turned in a circle, her eyes scanning the area. Everywhere she looked, blood covered the ground in dark red splatters. She looked down to see her skin smeared in blood, feeling its sickly stickiness pooling between her fingertips as the horror of what she saw dawned on her. Everywhere she looked, there were more bodies than she could count, their lifeless forms lying in rivers of their own spilled blood.
“Hey, look at me,” Leon said. His grip was firm but gentle as he pulled her hand to his chest and looked deep into her eyes. She could feel the fear and chaos of the battlefield in the air around them, yet at that moment; she felt a sense of safety. “It’s different, killing a man up close,” he said softly, his voice full of emotion. His gaze was strong and reassuring, and his words were comforting as he whispered urgently, “You’re going to be okay, Emelia. You’re the strongest person I know.”
His eyes were soft and understanding, and his gaze was intensely reassuring. She felt a warmth spread through her body, and a sense of peace replaced what was once fear and uncertainty. She wanted to pause time and capture this moment forever. His presence alone made her feel safe and secure, no matter what life threw their way. His gaze strengthened her, and she allowed herself to relax for the first time in days. Afraid of breaking their connection, she whispered a single word, “Yes.”
Leon’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he tried to understand what he had just heard. He blinked a few times as if he was still processing the word. “Yes?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” Emelia said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Leon’s eyes lit up with joy, and his mouth spread into a wide grin. “You will?” he repeated incredulously.
A smile tugged at Emelia’s lips, and tears pooled in her eyes. She said, “I will!” with a burst of enthusiasm, Leon swept her up in his arms and spun her around before planting a kiss on her lips.