The Tale of Two Kings

By Alexa Andrea Montolo

My eyes open slowly, but I hear no sound. Why can’t I hear people shouting and screaming? Why has everyone left? I thought people were still fighting. I sit up in pain and I look around. I can’t believe I was left here to die. Have we lost or have we won? I stand up and I see bodies covered in crimson blood. I can’t believe I am still alive. Why has this even happened?

Life has changed a lot since King Frederick came into power. The happiness and freedom, that once swept the villagers, is no longer in their hearts. People will never enjoy parties together or see each other. The villagers won’t ever celebrate the Freedom Festival. Darkness spread all across the land and the unhappiness made the land even darker. People will never see the sun again. King Frederick, who is an evil, greedy man, treats the villagers as slaves. Whenever, they do something wrong, he gives them three chances or they’ll be killed. However, a king called Arthur came to the land and he saw the darkness. King Arthur wanted to fill the hearts of the villagers with joy and fill the land with brightness. He wanted to make their souls feel love and passion. I really wanted to help the King because I wanted to show that I am filled with bravery. If we fail, the village will stay this way. I slowly walk up to King Arthur, who turns his head at me. I freeze. Eventually, I ask him, "Can I join your cause?”

A few days later, after hours and hours of training with the other knights, King Arthur approaches proudly. We all have been waiting for this moment. We all want to save our village. He explains, "We are going to win this fight against the violent man King Frederick.” "King Frederick’s army is not brave enough to fight us. We are filled with strength.”

That night, I could not get any sleep. Every time I blinked, I saw a vision of the battlefield and us training. I remembered what King Arthur said (King Frederick’s army is not brave enough to fight us. We are filled with strength). I don’t think that is me, as I am nervous and scared to fight in the battle. I grab my weapons that will help me. I grab my axe that I knew could penetrate armour and a shield to protect me. I was ready for the battle. I put on everything as quick as I could. King Arthur was waiting on the hill already with his army. As quick as a flash, I got in the row of knights ready for the fight. I wondered, am I ever going to get back home?

It is a mild, Spring morning, and the dew on the grass started to disappear. I want to let go of my weapons but I hold them really tight. Under my armour, I sweat a lot with nerves, as I wasn’t ready for the battle. Was I brave or foolish to join this cause? I want to save the villages but am I to scared to fight this army? Am I strong enough to fight in this war? As both armies face each other, we all freeze and I stand as still as I can. I start to sweat even more. King Arthur fiercely stares at King Frederick. Both armies look brave and not scared at anything , but I was the only one frightened. I knew only one could win this fight. If we don’t defeat King Frederick our villages will stay dark forever. As we wait, King Frederick shouts with anger, "Charge!” From this moment on, I knew everything was going to change.

As both armies charge at each other, the two walls collide with a sound of clashing armour and wood smashing. I no longer sweat as the wind blows past me. The archers fire the arrows and King Frederick’s army blocks the arrows with their shields. I run past the dead bodies and penetrate the other knights’ armour and knock him out. The horses push and push the shield. I push as hard as I can. The horses push even harder. I can’t hold the shield any longer. I tried to hold on but I let go. I fall to the ground and I hit my head. Everything goes pitch black.