text: There was a young royal child who grew up in a small kingdom on the edge of civilization by the name of Robin. Robin was very young, with a mop of curly hair, a habit of getting covered in mud, and Robin was very proud to have recently learned how to do multiplication on paper. The king and queen of the realm lived near a small river, across which was the next kingdom over. Knowing that they did not always have time for Robin, they chose their strongest and most capable knight, who went simply by her initials, MC. The child had to learn both to be a leader and to be kept safe, and so the king and queen asked MC to both teach Robin what it meant to be a leader, follow Robin's instruction, and to keep her safe. Every day before they went out, MC would lead Robin by the barracks, where the kingdom's four other Knights would train. The kingdom didn't have many other knights, few kingdoms around here did, and the world was harsh. For all of them, regardless of blood, MC was, for all intents and purposes, their mother as well as commander (and literally mother to at least one). Every morning, Robin would watch MC go to each one, checking out their armour, spit-shining it where it was needed, helping them improve their strikes and lunges to be faster and more precise, until she was satisfied, and then she would lead them out. Nearly every morning, the Robin would meet at the river, and the prince from the next kingdom over, Codin, would greet them, "Good morning!". Robin and Codin would frequently play together, where their respective bodyguards took a step back to give the royal children room to play. Codin's bodyguards were two massive men, Dex and Don, decked out in jet black armor that they were slow to move in, easily a head and shoulders taller than MC. Occasionally, Codin would brag about a deer that he ordered his guards to kill for him, and show it off. Robin didn't care for the display, but couldn't be one-upped by the neighboring prince. So, Robin asked MC to hunt. MC brought back a large pheasant, which they cooked and ate. "A pheasant? My guards killed a deer! It's much bigger and tougher." Codin bragged, puffing out his chest. "A pheasant is a much smaller target, and can fly away, making it a much harder target. MC has proven herself the better guard." Robin said smugly. MC, Dex, and Don all shared worried glances, knowing no good ever came when their royals started bragging about who's forces were better. "Then how about a dual? MC faces Dex and Don? The guard that runs first loses." All three bodyguards widened their eyes. They all knew that for the honor of the kingdom, if Robin agreed, they wouldn't be able to back down easily. Robin ran over to MC and hugged her. MC saw fear in the child's eyes, and knew Robin cared for her deeply. The three guards sighed, relaxing, just a little. "I know your honor is important to you, MC. And I know you're faster than they are. I can't let him insult you like this! You can win!" The three guards immediately tensed up. None could show fear or concern when honor was on the line, but all three knew this was a pointless fight. Taking stance on the sand, MC stood in opposite of Dex and Don. She drew her twin swords, and pointing them at Dex and Don, "I honor you, and should you fall, I shall sing your praises, as I would ask you sing mine if I fall, but may both of us sing eachother's praises this evening." Dex and Don nodded, "We wish the same." and each drew a swords and in unison said, "En Guarde" MC dashed between the two, deflecting both of their swords. She then swung, and both blocked hers. Both then swung again, the flat of MC's blades touched the chests of the other two knights, while the blades of the other two had the flat on her shoulders, near her neck. MC looked at both of them and herself, "It's a draw, our lieges." "A draw indeed." followed Dex and Don followed. All three guards sheathed their swords, and walked to their respective royals. Something about all this troubled Robin, but what exactly it was that was troubling seemed elusive. Whatever it was, Robin felt that home would be safer now, and started that way. Then came the angry voice of Codin, "A tie? A TIE!?! My guards were obviously the winners! I will not be happy until we know who's better. Again, and this time, someone will fall! MC, Robin, face us! " Robin, the young child, turned red with anger, and yelled, "MC is better, and you know it!" MC went pale. "Prove it to that jerk!" Robin turned to MC. MC slowly drew her swords once again, with a lot more deliberation this time. Codin wouldn't be satisfied until he had seen someone die. That was obvious now. And Robin had yet to learn the prudence that comes from being a leader. MC looked at Dex and Don, and she could see the sorrow in their eyes, as they could in hers. There would be no acting for the young royals this time. No showmanship. The swords clanged, and fast enough that neither Robin nor Codin could see what happened, it was over. Dex and Don were both bleeding, one missing a nose and one missing an eye, but both still standing. On the ground, gasping, a red stain growing around her stomach, lay MC. "I knew my guards were better. See you tomorrow." And with that, Codin marched off with pride, Dex and Don following closely behind, glancing sorrowfully and apologetically back at MC. Robin, the full weight of what had just happened dawning on her, struggled to drag MC back to the castle, finding fear and dread were a source of extra strength. The queen was tending some of her flowers as she often did to pass the time, when she saw Robin dragging MC to the house. The Queen helped carry MC into the house, and put them on one of the castles beds and motioned for her servants to fetch the healer. While they waited, Robin told the Queen what had happened while the child apologized over and over. The castle's healer arrived and looked over MC. "With her wounds, I can bandage them, but there's not much else I can do. If she makes it through the night, she'll live. If not, she'll die." Knowing they were close, after some time of attention from the Queen and King, it was just MC and Robin left in the room together. "Please be okay, MC... I don't want to lose you. I still have so much to learn from you." MC lifted up her hand, and slowly stroked the child's hair, "Oh Robin, I forgive you. Just remember my final lesson, and I will not have been in vain. Protect those you love, but never let others provoke you into violence, nor put your (or their) pride above their lives. In all your actions, thoughts, and decisions, remember to love. And with that, MC's hand stopped stroking Robin's hair. Robin touched her hand, and found it cold to the touch. Many years passed, eventually Robin became ruler of the kingdom. And not only did Robin never see Codin again (by choice), but during all of Robin's reign, none of the kingdom saw bloodshed ever again. `In loving memory of MC, whose bravery, maternal instincts, fortitude in the face of victim-soldiers of a tyrant, and final lesson inspired this story.` `This story is technically fiction, but based on real events, but told in allegory (such as a change of setting to a disagreement between royal children in a medieval setting) form to protect the people involved, and to remove the lesson from any social/political/etc. situations involved. This was done in order to avoid discussion that would draw away from MC's final message. The person whose name was changed to Robin wanted MC's story to be shared, but couldn't bring themselves to do it while they were still grieving. I post it now on Robin's behalf with Robin's blessing. All names, besides MC, were changed to protect those involved. I will not be answering any question about the true identity of any person, places, events, or times involved.