An escort?
Knock knock knock, “Come in,” said the tall girl looking outside her window. “Well, you’ve grown a lot since the last time I saw you.” The voice was familiar to the girl. “Jayce! You’re back!” Said the slim girl while running towards the taller man and embracing him in a hug. “Hey sprout.” He said dropping the large hammer he always carried and hugging her back. “I’ve missed you” “I’ve missed you too Cait.”
After a few minutes of chatting and catching up there was a knock on the door. “Come in” said Caitlyn. The soldier bowed,“Your highness, my lord. The queen has requested the princess’s presence at the knight’s arena.” Jayce and Caitlyn looked at each other, “Thank you. You’re dismissed.” The door closed and Caitlyn asked, “Why would my mother want me at the knight’s arena?” “Well” he said with a pause. “What is it Jayce?” “Let’s just go Cait, you’ll see when we get there.”
“Ahh there she is” said a soft voice. “Father, Mother” Caitlyn nodded sitting down at her designated chair beside her mother. Behind her Jayce leaned his hammer against the wall and stood behind Caitlyn’s chair. The Queen sat up and looked at Jayce, “thank you Lord Talis, for bringing these fine gentleman.” She said. Jayce just nodded “Let the battle begin” said the King.
Everyone started cheering while five knights beat each other to the ground. After what felt like an eternity to Caitlyn, one last knight was beating the other remaining knight with his bare fists until he stopped moving. Everyone around cheered as the knight got up and headed towards the royal family and kneeled.
“You may rise” said the queen. The knight rose. “Remove your helmet” order the king. As the knight removed his helmet, everyone went silent. “A girl?” “Is that a girl?” “There’s no way she defeated the other knights” “pink hair?” the crowd murmured. “Silent everyone” said the king raising his hand. Looking at the knight the king said “Do you vow to protect Princess Caitlyn with your life?”
Before the knight could answer, Caitlyn rose from her chair and without looking at her parents or Jayce, she walked back to the inside of the castle. The queen was going to follow her but Jayce said “I got it.” Nodding the queen sat back down and Jayce taking his hammer, ran behind Caitlyn.
“Cait wait” she ignored him and kept walking. “Could you please wait for me?” she still ignored him. “Cait!” She could hear him while she walked up to her room. When she tried closing her door, Jayce hammer was in the way and he opened the door.
“Cait, was wrong? Why did you leave like that?” He said closing and leaning against the door. “What does my father meant when he said to vow to protect me with hi- her life?” Jayce sighed “Look Cait, before I came back from Demacia, your mother sent me a letter. She asked to bring the best knights in Runenterra that were willing to protect you.”
With a confused look Caitlyn asked “but why? Why would I need an escort?” Gripping hard in the handle of his hammer, “The Noxians have officially declared war against Piltover.”
Sitting in her bed, Caitlyn looked at Jayce “Your parents are afraid Cait. You’re the heir to the throne and their only daughter.” He said releasing his hand from his hammer and rubbing his eyes. Caitlyn stayed quiet. “Hey, I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do. She’s now your appointed knight.” Caitlyn still didn’t say a word. “I should head back home, I’m tired. I’m sorry Caitlyn.” He opened the doors left. Leaving Caitlyn alone with her thoughts. “An escort? I don’t need someone to protect me. I can protect myself.”
The next morning, Caitlyn got up, and dressed into more appropriate clothes to head to breakfast. She opened the door and there she was. That knight was there standing still like a statue on the side of Caitlyn’s bedroom door. She didn’t say anything but was clearly angry and uncomfortable at the fact that now she had a someone standing outside her bedroom.
She started walking down the stairs when she heard metal boots walking behind her. She stopped and the boots stopped. “Oh no” she thought “ is this knight really going to follow me everywhere?” She kept walking trying not be annoyed by the sound of the metal boots behind her.
“Good morning mother, good morning father” Caitlyn greeted as she entered the room where her parents were already eating. “Good morning sweetheart please have a seat.” Said the king. As Caitlyn sat down “Mother” she said with a firm voice. “Why an appointed knight?” Putting her tea cup down “Caitlyn, it is necessary for your safety.” “But-” “But nothing Caitlyn the decision has been made.” Caitlyn stood from her chair and walked out “Caitlyn! Sit back down!” Said the queen “I’ve lost my appetite” she heard Caitlyn call outside the room.
Every day for the next week was the same. Waking up and opening the door to see the knight either standing or sitting down with the helmet either under an arm or on the ground. The knight hadn’t spoken a word and that bother Caitlyn. Everything the knight did, Caitlyn was bothered by it even that pink hair of hers. “Does this knight even sleep?” Caitlyn thought while heading towards the stable.
Caitlyn mounted a beautiful white stallion. While the knight mounted a beautiful brown mare. The knight followed Caitlyn from a small distance. Close enough to protect her from an attack but far enough so the hoses would bump with each other. When they made it to their destination, Caitlyn got down from her horse and headed towards the large house in front of course followed by her appointed knight. When she knocked on the door, Jayce opened it and greeted Caitlyn with a warm smile and a hug. “Come in” he said “Uhh- you too come in” he said looking at the knight. The knight just nodded and followed them inside. They all walked towards Jayce’s work room.
The knight stood right outside with her helmet under her right arm gripping her sword with her left hand. Caitlyn closed the door to talk to Jayce in private. “So… you made it?” Jayce removed his jacket and grabbed a few tools. He looked at her “Sorry Cait I haven’t had time” He said grabbing his hammer and putting it on the work table. “Oh it’s alright” said Caitlyn taking a seat looking down at her hands.
Jayce started disassembling his hammer and with a chuckle he said “Did you actually think I didn’t have time?” Caitlyn looked up at him. With a wide smile he pointed at a closet. It took a moment for Caitlyn to understand that she needed to open it. Once she opened she saw it. A long silver bow with blue and gold stripes on the sides and her family’s crest on the handle. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the bow. “Is this… mine?” She said looking back at her friend. “All yours” he said with a wide smile in his face. Caitlyn ran to hug him and thanked him for the precious item he had crafted for her. “What about the other?” “Working on it. Should be ready soon.” Caitlyn sat down with her new bow in hand and asked “Hey, can I stay here a few days like the old times?” Jayce smiled “Sure sprout you know there’s always a room available for you.”
Caitlyn sent a letter to her parents stating she was going to be staying at Jayce’s home for a few days. This didn’t bother them since Jayce had basically grown up in the castle with Caitlyn. They treated Jayce as their own son and Caitlyn loved calling him her older brother.
The next morning, Caitlyn got an idea. She dressed up with her hunting clothes she had a Jayce’s home and gathered her new bow and some arrows. Today she was not going to be followed by that knight. She opened her room’s window and quietly sneaked towards the stable. She got on her white stallion and rode off.