The King's Armour

By Krupa Elsa Saji

He is the fiercest king across the islands of Maestro,

Nobody dares to place foot on the land he claims his own.

There is no word passed against his will

No redemption from the guillotine once you've been sentenced.

He was always known to be a ruthless king,

A king who would do justice, yet hold no compassion for a wrong.

His anger could make the clouds thunder,

His gaze could burn every knight to ashes.

But, there wasn't a day he would fail to return to the palace.

The palace that had become his home,

Where the queen awaited his presence.

If there was a room for mercy in his soul, she held its keys.

He is the fiercest king across the islands of Maestro.

Yet he feared.

He feared if the princes took him to heart as their father, or merely a King who was known to be ruthless.

He feared if his people struggled to let him know that there was a murderer among them who deserved a second chance.

He feared if the ministers nodded a yes, simply to avoid a game of hangman,

But most of all, he feared if he was turning into a Monster yearning for revenge and destruction on every land that striked against him.

"My Queen, Am I a worthy King?", He would question, every time the ashes were spread.

With his head resting on her lap, battling the thought,

His tears washing away the bloodstains in the war ground,

His hands on the sword ready to strike the second an intruder breaks through the wall he built to protect himself,

"You can take as many lives as you need to if it will bring you nothing but peace.

Burn down the islands, free the dragons, bring the realm to its end for all I care.

What you're worthy of isn't a question to me.

I'd rather have my hands stained pink with every ruthless victory you become a part of than have you question your worth or bow your head down to men who don't deserve it.

As your Queen, It's an order.

An order to keep fighting regardless of how powerful you feel.

I'm the strongest armour you have and I'm not wearing out any sooner."

By Krupa Elsa Saji