The warrior's POV
A long journey starts…
The next day I got the news to accompany the Princess to her kingdom which was a two days journey .
The Prince had advised me to go to the neighbouring kingdom and that he would come and bring me back after a month .
He had whispered in my ears the previous night –
" Don't fall in love with anybody out there ,including the princess . Or I will ….."
His gorgeous smile had engulfed me and I had been helpless …How could I ever love anybody else ?!!1
He and I were soul mates ….
We set out on our journey .The Princess was very happy that her childhood friend had given his favourite warrior bodyguard to her .
THE PRINCESS POV
I looked at the radiance on the face of the warrior .
He did not look like an ordinary warrior.
There was something on his face and his behaviour that was majestic and intriguing .
He had saved my life so many times that I felt safe with him around.I was happy that Prince gave him to me .Of course he told me that the warrior would be with me for only a month after which I had to return him to the Prince .
I had him for a month .I would make him fall in love with me .I was very sure of my beauty .For me the Prince was like my older brother and he treated me like a sister .I had stayed with his family when I was a child .I remembered during my childhood there had been a period of turmoil and there had been lot of trouble that my father had to undergo with the enemies of our kingdom .My father had defeated the enemies but he had paid a high price for it .My mother and my elder sister had been kidnapped and they had never been found .Father had searched for many years and had finally given up . I had seen the loss in his eyes .He had devoted his life to me and the kingdom .
I looked out of the carriage and saw him riding alongside me .
" what is your name warrior ? I cannot keep calling you warrior .it sounds so ridiculous ." I pouted .
He frowned at me and replied "Your Highness …"
" tell me your name or I will tell my dad you insulted me " I threatened .
" Hui Huan at your service your highness" he bowed slightly with respect .
"I will call you Huan " I smiled
And as he was about to say something I put my finger on my lips and said " not a word ."
He pretended he did not look at me and rode on further .
Suddenly he stopped and gave a signal for the others to stop .
"There is some danger ahead" he whispered.
The other warriors appeared angry because they did not hear anything .I too did not hear anything .The forest was very silent .There was no sound of any predators .
" They are coming " he whispered and indicated with his hands for us to move towards the dense foliage on the left .The other warriors were on alert mode and they all unsheathed their swords .
Huan made me climb down from the carriage and send me with another warrior to the dense trees a little ahead and told us to hide.
My heart was beating rapidly with fear.
I gazed at him and said "Take care and come back safely "
" I will my princess " he replied .
At the moment our eyes met and I felt something connect us .He was someone very important to me .
I did not know what the connection was …I did not know what was pulling us together but ….it was there .
Something destined and in the stars …..
Sometime later the enemy arrived ….they must have thought to surprise us but instead they were slaughtered by Huan and his men .
Blood flowed in the quiet forest and for sometime the groans of the dying could be heard and then silence …..reigned once again .
None of our warriors were injured which was surprising .Huan had singlehandedly killed twenty men .He had slashed and kicked his way around and into them and before the others could even help he had stood there like a Prince his black dress and hair flying in the gentle breeze .
Why did I get the feeling that he stood like a Prince ?!!
We proceeded on our journey in silence .
Now the other warriors were in awe of him .
I smiled happily.
I wanted to see my father's face when he saw Huan .
It was time to eat and then we halted at an Inn where Huan kept watch outside .
I watched Huan eat and then he said " Princess please go inside .Don't worry .You will be safe .I am here for you ."
"What did you say just now?" I was stunned .The words reminded me of my elder sister whom I followed around .She had been gone from my life since so many years and yet I saw her in my dreams every night.
He frowned confusedly .
" would you repeat what you said just now ?" I asked him.
" I said I am here " he wondered what he had said wrong .
I felt the tears in my eyes .Something was breaking in me .I had held on so many years waiting for my sister .It was like she was in a different world and that she would return to me .I believed in her and in our love .She had promised me that she would take care of me and that I would be safe and that she would be always there for me .
That was her dialogue for me everyday .
I could still see her standing there shouting ---"Don't worry .You will be safe .I am here for you ."
But she went away leaving me alone.She never came back ...
Suddenly I broke down ….
I put my arms around him and cried like a child .
I could feel his hands caressing my hair and he held me in silence.
I could feel his heartbeat steadily telling me something .
I couldn't decipher what it was telling me .
But after crying like a baby and releasing my sorrow I felt calm and I looked up at his face " yes ,,,I am safe .Now that you are here."
I walked back to my room .
He stood vigil in the night .