Wandering through the northern forest; Robert took every step carefully, trying his best not to make any noise; any noise could easily attract their attention. He held his breath as he was tracing the blood that had dried on the pebbles. His dog was sniffing around, moving his fluffy brown tail in the air.
Robert couldn't find Laura without his help. Finally, he found the violet velvet cloak that Laura used to wear in wars. The Queen gained her magic power from the cloak. Robert furrowed his brows as he held the cloak close to his dog's nose.
Robert "Brownie, find her! "he whispered as he stood up again, making his way through the bushes.
Brownie let out a cute little bark running fast enough for Robert to follow him. After a few hours of walking through the dimly lit forest, Brownie found a body figure lying on the grass not so far from them. Robert walked closer, and soon, he could recognize the so familiar face of his Queen. He ran onto her as Brownie barked happily, hopping around the Queen, who lay still on the wet grass.
Robert let out a loud yelp as his eyes fell on Laura; his heart was hammering inside his chest with every step he took. The 42 years old Queen was lying still on the wet grass unconsciously; blood was oozing from the deep scar on her neck.
The hideous sight made Robert wince in sorrow and pain. He leaned forward, overlaying a kiss on the cold bare skin on her neck. Brownie narrowed his black eyes shyly, trying to avoid the sight in front of him, not wanting to see this.
"L-Laura, no, p-please open your eyes! "he said in a small breaking voice; he stroked her soft silver hair as he was begging her to open her eyes once again.
Brownie didn't wait for Robert to get her back to life. Instead, he started to lick her face, mad at her for not opening her eyes.
Usually, Robert would laugh at Brownie's reaction, but today he was too upset to cast the usual smile on his face; he was too hurt inside to do so.
Laura opened her eyes faintly as she felt no energy in her body. Robert's voice was the only thing that could make her gather her strength and manage to stay alive a little more, just enough time to say her final goodbye.
Robert kissed her again, "I will get your revenge. I will never let him get away with this, my love."
Laura whimpered as she was trying to talk, "He hired a beast to assassin me." she confessed as she reached out her weak hand delicately to touch his beard.
As she talked, every word, life was leaving her body only to make Robert drown in grief for what's left of his short life.
Robert wrapped his strong arms around her fragile body, squeezing her in his arms to make her feel warmer.
"Declare war against him!" she inhaled painfully through the throbbing pain as she completed her sentence. "Tell Sharon she will rule after me."
And with that, she closed her eyes after she said her final words. Robert buried her face in his chest, trying to conceal the stinging pain inside, but all his efforts were vain.
Robert carried her in his arms, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall at any moment. Brownie was moaning in agony as he was looking down at the ground.
After a long wake with heavy hearts, they reached the black horse as he laid her frigid cold body on the top of the horse's back and took Brownie in his arms. The horse chirped loudly and turned around to head to the Mainland.
She was gone… it was the end of the Warrior Queen.
~~~~
Four months and two weeks later, after Robert got to the Mainland, Sharon claimed the throne following Laura's last words and soon declared war against Laura's ex-husband and the murderer of the legendary queen.
Brenner, the elder son of Laura, believed that Robert was responsible for his mother's death. He believed that if it weren't for Robert, his mother would still be alive and happy with her family and sons.
He sneaked in as Robert was above Laura's head, saying his last goodbye with his heart throbbing in his aching chest.
" It's all your fault! If it weren't for you, he wouldn't kill her." Brenner hissed with his brows arched, his hands trembling in anger next to him.
Robert lifted his head from Laura's forehead, tears running down his chin. He was shaking in anger and sorrow; he couldn't care less about stupid Brenner. Still, he felt guilty down in his heart.
Brenner placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as he slowly approached Robert.
"He saw you. He saw you thousands of times with her – in her!" Brenner yelled, his voice deep with the anger he had for the man next to his mother's body. "I calmed him down every time with menace or implore. This time I wasn't there at the Ice land to stop this none sense! I was here and thought you would be brave enough to listen to me and stop sleeping with her, to stop these rumors, to let him forget you."
He was shaking in anger as he was staring at the man above his mother's head.
Robert had no words to say.
He warned him before, Brenner told him to stop, But he couldn't. He was deeply in love with Laura, and nothing could stop him, neither her husband nor her seven sons.
He missed her violet eyes and velvet eyelashes. Everyone spoke of her beauty; there was a rumor that the gods of light painted her face. She was spectacular in war skills, just as she was spectacular in beauty. She had everything but Robert, the only one she wanted with all her heart.
Brenner got closer to him; his face held no sign of mercy. He drew his sword from its sheath. Usually, Robert was a skilled swordsman, but now, he was a lonely lover with a broken heart who felt nothing but sorrow and agony for his lost beloved. He felt empty inside as his eye begged Brenner to give him a quick death to end the stinging pain in his heart.
However, Brenner wasn't going to let him die that easily. He wanted him to suffer, to show him the pain he felt. So the other five boys, from 26-year-old Brishen to eight-year-old Hector, came out from behind the pillars and stared at Robert with their drawn swords and angry faces. All of them supported their elder brother; they were going to make him suffer.
Robert kissed Laura's hand one last time as he waited for Brenner to give his brothers the order to end his suffering. Then, he closed his eyes, and everything turned black.
.....
Thank you for reading this story! please vote if you are enjoying it so far