The ignorance of a king so set by bygone traditions that he cannot see the beauty of what has happened. Men have always take priority of being the hunter, being the strength and the face of the family. When the king asked me to protect her, I agreed. I didn’t think how much she had changed my perspective in this world but she had.

I envisioned a rough and undisciplined girl to step into the courtyard. Whilst parts of this was true, what I hadn’t expected was the fire and determination that breathed sheer bravery and courage.

I had expected to follow her around whilst she did what princesses were expected to do. But she shocked me when she took my bow that leant upon the table and asked me outright: “Teach me to send an arrow into flight.”

I laughed her off but she stood there unmoving and unflinching. I looked around as if this was just a ploy, a joke but she was serious.

I started slow and with the basics. I was surprised at the speed she caught onto the technique and slowly, I looked forward to seeing her each morning at the crack of dawn, to practice her skills.

Now, stood at the table with family and nobles and everyone watching. She stood defiant. The king’s last words silencing the captured audience. The king had seen the bow on her body and this made him angry. She picked up an apple from the fruit bowl on the table. She threw it towards the king and with great dexterity and sleight of hand, she swung the bow into position whilst simultaneously retrieving an arrow and lining up the shot.

The arrow flew with such precision that most of those sat at the table had not even realised the arrow had been shot. The arrow pierced the apple in two and the arrow lodged deep into the wood behind the king’s head.

From that moment, I truly understood what it meant to be brave.