Happy Birthday Caitlin

There stood an eleven boy, his hair white as he was reading a book on the art of sword fighting. The boy was intrigued within the role of knighting and he always wanted to learn how to defend himself from enemies and possibly traitors.

"Edward!" A soft feminine voice calls out with slight authority.

The young boy closes the book as he ran towards the woman's voice, "Yes, mother?" The boy calls out, smiling.

"What were you doing in your father's study, young one?" The boy's mother asks, rubbing his head. The elf mother's eyes were blue, her skin was tan and soft, her ear tips were long and pointed as she had a relaxing and welcoming smile.

"Reading about swords! I want to serve the royal family when I grow up!"

"That's a really noble choice. That's a great choice of life for you!"

"Did I just hear my boy say he wants to be knight for the royal family?" A male voice spoke as he approaches the two. The male elf's skin was pale, his hair was long and white just like his child's, and he had a noticeable limp on his leg. "Taking your father's choice of work, huh?" He smiles, messing with his hair. "Smart choice."

The two parents embrace their prodigy's choice and fantastic preference of his life.

Elsewhere in a town named Temaria

"John, look what I made for our mother and father!" A young boy exclaims as he hovers over a table with ink and a quill.

"What is it Kintrell?" A young child asks, hurrying to him. "Is it a portrait?"

"Heavens no, I'm not an artist." Kintrell spoke with a frown before smiling again and quickly holds up the letter that said what he appreciated of them.

The younger child took the letter and stares at it, trying to sound out the words. "Ap...pre..."

"Appreciate, John." Kintrell giggles, taking the letter back and places it on the table. "Perhaps I'll say you added onto this list? Their anniversary is coming up soon anyways."

"Yes, please!" The boy spoke with a big smile, grabbing his brother's hand while jumping up and down. "I want them to know I'm happy too!"

"Okay!" Kintrell smiles and rubs his brother's head.

The two boys were light skinned, their clothes were leather and raggedy, slightly torn up as their shoes were damaged and almost torn off.

Years later, Kintrell was reading a book in the middle of a plains area. A rabbit was hopping around as it approached a girl who was sitting there as well, eyeing the clouds.

The girl's skin was tan, her eyes were green, the girl's hair was long and a bright blonde color. She was gently stroking the rabbit's fur, smiling.

Kintrell had a small smile as he slowly stood up and approached her. "Talk to her, make her fall in love, and I have someone to bring to the family. Easy." He spoke in his mind, fixing his hair. "Hi." He spoke lightly.

The girl heard the teenager's voice and slowly stood up, turning towards him. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to say that you're really beautiful." Kintrell's smile grew as he chuckled nervously.

The girl smiled and nodded. "Thank you! I'm glad you think so."

Kintrell's confidence grew as he nodded about to speak until he was shoved out of the way by a teenager that was 5'11. Kintrell was 15 and 5'9.

"Sorry for not approaching sooner, Princess. I just wanted to be sure this vile of filth wasn't concealing a weapon or attempting to get you sick with some disease!" The teen spoke, seeing the rabbit as he kicked it away. "Back you filthy rodent!" He yelled.

The princess looked at the teen with pure disgust as she contemplated on punching him herself or just helping Kintrell up.

"Did this fucker just knock me down?" Kintrell asked in his mind as he started to stand up, dusting his clothes off. "You fucked up." He states

The teen sighed in irritation as he stopped Kintrell from fully standing by pulling him closer to him by his hair. "What did you say, peasant?"

Kintrell winced in pain until his facial expression ceased into pure anger, almost as if the Devil himself has been summoned into his body. "You wanna make today your last day breathing?"

The teen's eyes widened slightly as if he was genuinely scared of his expression.

"Let go of him!" The princess approached the two.

"No! No peasant is gonna talk to me any way he feels like. I'm a man of respect, not this fucker."

"The only man I see is the one whose hair is being pulled!" The princess spoke back.

The teenager let go of Kintrell's hair, turned towards the princess and slapped her hard across the face, "You ungrateful bitch!" He yelled in anger.

Kintrell then pulled the teenager to face him as he swung his fist directly at his face.

Edward held his shield up as he blocked an attack of his opponent's sword strike. He then charged his body and shield against his opponent, knocking him back.

Behind the sparring practice, there were the eleven king and queen watching, their interests peaked.

Edward jumped on the wall and jumped off, swinging his sword blade at his opponent until he blocked the strike with his shield.

Edward pulled his attack back and charged to him, swinging his shield to his enemy's shield as he collided his blade into his enemy's blade. They were both caught between each other. One had to capture the upper hand.

Edward stomped on the opponent's foot, making him break his guard as he charged into the man, knocking him to the floor.

Kintrell ducked under the teen's swing as he gripped his shirt, punching him across the face. He then pulled his hand back, backhanding him. "You're gonna treat that woman with respect or so help me-"

"I'm not letting filth tell me what to do-"

He was stopped as Kintrell punched him the throat as he jumped, forcing his knee to connect onto his jaw as he fell backward.

Edward held his sword towards his fallen opponent, winning the sparring practice. "Almost had me. Buy a drink afterwards?" He chuckles softly as he sheathes his weapon, holding his hand out.

The royal family were nodding their heads in approval as they spoke to the leader of the royal knights.

Eddie stole a glance to them as they looked over to him, noticing the conversation was about him. He then looked away, trying to hide a small smile on his face.

"Please, please don't kill me!" The teenager pleads, backing away as he starts to stand again.

Kintrell's knuckles were bloody and bruised from the violent strokes he's thrown. "Call me by my name and I'll think about it." He bluffs, stepping closer to him.

The princess was watching, slightly amused in the situation.

"Okay! What is it?"

"Kintrell Scavo."

"Please, Kintrell, do not kill me! I will hand you whatever you'd like for my life!" He begs, looking away.

"What I want is for you to leave our sight. Now." Kintrell states firmly and calmly.

The boy ran away, crying and limping for his life.

"Nice name. Kintrell? It actually sounds unique than most names."

Kintrell had a small smile as he nods. "Thank you. Well, thank my parents for that name." He chuckles.

"Well, I'll be sure to thank them when I see them at dinner! You're invited to the castle!" The princess encourages as she starts to walk away, smiling.

Kintrell was about to speak until he saw her walk away. "Dinner.. right."

A moment later, "You didn't tell her about the negative part of us. Are you trying to screw the princess or are you trying to get us killed?" John asks, crossing his arms, looking at his older brother.

"I have a plan, John. Jeez, what do you take me for? Some kind of fool?"

"Yes."

"Hurtful, but I know this plan will work. It's a Kintrell style plan. When has those plans ever failed?"

"Well there was the whore house plan-"

Kintrell immediately covers John's mouth, showing a disgusted and traumatized face. "Please don't remind me of that. I'm still amazed we got away from the guards in that."

Hours Later, Eddie sat in front of the Elven King and Queen, eating with them.

"I admit it, this has been a huge dream of mine, eating with the royal family? It's always been nothing but a dream, now it's a reality. It's strange."

"We're flattered, Edward." The King smiles as he held his glass up to the young knight. "We're just glad to hear we have someone who has a great record."

"So you know about me, your majesty?"

"Incorruptible, a determined, and an intelligent man. You're who we need, Edward. You defend the people and you defend the power. You should be pleased to be our knight my boy."

"Believe me, your majesty, I am. This is something I don't plan on letting you down on."

"Mother, Father, this is Kintrell and John Scavo." The Princess spoke as three made their way into the dining room.

Kintrell and John were wearing ragged clothes that looked to be sown onto other pieces of fabric and cloths.

"Hello, my name is King Alaric and this is Queen Amirah." The King spoke, holding his hand out to the two.

"Well, we actually met once, but you weren't exactly paying attention to us." Kintrell smiles and shakes his hand, nodding. "It was during your search for willing courageous men to join your Knights. I was in the crowd of people listening."

"Yes. Your presence was surely overlooked, but the deed you fulfilled cannot not be overlooked. You protected my daughter and protected my royal honor from some scum. I'm thankful."

"It's no big deal, just was taught to respect a woman's wishes from our Father-"

"No big deal? Young man, you're honorable and modest. I would greatly appreciate it if you joined my army of Knights. We could use honor and humility there."

Kintrells eyes widened as he stood there, extremely shocked. He wasn't expecting to be seen as anything unique or even impressive. He was poor, he was a thief, he was nothing special, nothing of royalty.

"You're a perfect knight. You show modesty, respect, and you're honest. Besides, you know how to fight with your fists which could always be much more relied on than swords and crossbows." The King smiles, "These traits make you very worthy of being a knight. These traits define you."

Kintrell leaned back into his seat, wanting to accept this opportunity for the princess, but then saw his little brother look up at him.

"My king, it would be an honor to be your knight. It's always been my dream to serve the royal family." The teen spoke, lying to his teeth. He had no dreams, he didn't think poverty kids were allowed to dream, nor even think so high.

John had a smile on his face. He wanted his brother to rise from where they were, he wanted his family to stop being poor or stop being seen as less than human beings.

"Your training starts tomorrow morning, son. Feel free to bring your brother to spectate such training." The King spoke softly as he held his hand out.

Kintrell slowly looked up and shook it, nodding at the man. "I'll be sure to impress you, sir."

A week of training has transpired and Kintrell was experienced in his defense and offense tactics with a blade and shield. The man was given his knight gear and he was ecstatic. The chest plate was black, it was protecting his neck, the plates stretched across his arm length, protecting him from any strikes to his arms or anywhere on his chest. He wore black gloves he crafted himself as his pants were black as well. If it were nightfall, he would've been perfectly hidden to attack any intruding enemies.

There was a ball he attended, but only to be inside and watching the royalties dance. He was there to protect anyone from getting hurt, and he didn't mind it as he didn't know how to dance.

Eddie attended a dance that hosted many royal members from other castles. One including his own elven King and Queen. He stood in the back, watching over the ongoing partygoers.

The ball music was low and quite romantic. It was a moment of royalty searching for more royalty, wanting to find more power by combining power in towns and castles, but it was quiet where the knights stood.

"Long night, huh?" The eleven knight asked with a small chuckle.

"Yeah, but at least I can cheat in learning how to dance by watching." Kintrell replies, having a small smile.

"You don't know how to dance to this? It's a very classic song." Edward responded.

"I was never allowed to enter ball rooms. I wasn't a knight nor royalty at the time, sir."

"My name's Edward."

"Kintrell." The teenage human spoke, smiling at the elf.

The elf nodded and leaned against the wall. "Never heard that name before."

"I heard Edward a lot of times."

"It's a common name, I know." The elven teen chuckled.

The princess that Kintrell was protecting started approaching him and the other knights.

"Sorry if I gotten you in trouble." Eddie spoke quietly, frowning.

Kintrell heard the elf and gulped quietly as he stepped forward to the princess. "What is it, princess?"

The woman pulled the knight closer as she kissed him.

The knights stared in utter confusion as it was very uncommon for a royal knight to have relations with royalty. It happened once and was mocked in plays and tales, but no other royal families ever done it again, until now.

Kintrell immediately pulled away. He enjoyed the kiss, but this was extremely unexpected. "Princess, I'm nothing of royalty-"

"Amora. My name is Amora." The princess smiled softly, taking his hand.

"A relationship with a knight isn't allowed, Amora. Those are the rules."

"That's hilarious, because I didn't see any opposing knights or princes stopping me from kissing you. Just you."

"I'm not sure I'm remotely good enough for a princess." He chuckled.

"That's your problem, Kintrell. You never think of yourself as much more!"

"Well, I guess it's because I-"

"That stops now." She states, pulling him towards the dancing floor, taking both of his hands with a small smile.

"You do know how to dance, correct?"

"That's a definite negatory." Kintrell chuckled softly as he glanced around to see royal families shooting looks and glances over at him.

He felt extremely insecure about it and sighed. "How about you give me a lesson later on about it?"

"Nope. I'm giving you one now!" The princess smiled as she moved towards the right, making Kintrell's body move to the left. "Now, move to the right."

Kintrell sighed softly as he moved his body towards the right. She followed his body's rhythm, moving towards the left.

They continued doing the motion, losing themselves in each other's eyes.

Kintrell was almost proud of it until he heard the people around him whispering to one another

Peasant.

Disgraceful.

Tragic.

Saddening.

Horrific.

Kintrell got frustrated in himself as he took his hands away from the princess. "Thanks for the lesson, Amora." He started to walk back towards the wall.

"Great lesson, huh?" Edward asked, smiling softly.

"Yeah, but a knight shouldn't be with a princess. It makes no sense."

"I understand, and I do respect you wanting to stick to the old ways, but Kintrell, sometimes the old can stay put and the new can be embraced. I can share my knowledge of dancing to you, if you'd like?"

Kintrell shrugged, not caring whether he learned it or not.

Eddie placed both index and middle fingers against Kintrell's head as he began to whisper something from another language. He was transporting a list of dances into the man's mind and slowly moved back.

Kintrell swayed back for a moment before starting to smile mischievously. "You just solves it, you absolute genius!" He hurried back towards the princess, quickly whispering in her ear.

The woman was slightly confused but nodded, slowly holding up her hand.

Kintrell took it and the two started to move in a clockwise motion, then they spun around, moving into a counterclockwise motion

The King watched with a mixed expression, allowing it to happen.

Kintrell and Amora smiled at each other before getting closer, leaning towards beach other's lips before raising back up.

There were murmuring and disapproval talks, mostly from the Elven royalties.

Kintrell smiled and wrapped her around his arms until someone barged through the door, and Kintrell already knew who he was.

The boy that Kintrell had fought barged in with a smile on his face. "Excuse me your highness, there seems to be something wrong with your newly made knight."

Kintrell slowly dropped his hands from the woman and stepped forward. "You're interrupting a ball. Last time I checked, you're not royalty or here to defend the people."

The antagonistic teen smirked as he tossed Kintrell's little brother onto the floor. "Tell me, how does the King feel knowing that he's trusting a thief to protect his life and daughter?" He announced loudly.

Kintrell stood there as he looked at his younger brother. He let his anger pass by as he kneeled down to him, gently tilting his head up.

He took notice of the fight and wiped away the streak of blood from his cheek and lips. He slowly rose from his knee, his voice quiet and tense, his anger showing.

"I will not hold back on you."

"I'm sorry, Kintrell. He just attacked me and threatened mom and dad-"

"If you hurt them in any way, your lungs will be smashed." Kintrell states, approaching the teen.

"Guards!" The King ordered, making the knights from inside and outside step towards him, "Arrest the traitor." He referenced Kintrell.

Kintrell removed his blade, getting ready to fight off as many people as he could, especially his brother's attacker.

Eddie stepped forward. "Surely there has to be another way, I mean this man has beaten-"

"You're being arrested too, Edward." The Elven King spoke.

"What?! Why?!"

"You gave elven knowledge to an outsider. You betrayed an oath you were promised to keep. By doing so, you've commended yourself into treason!"

Eddie's world was shattered. His eyes glistened in sadness as he fell to his knees, shaking his head repeatedly. "Please, when I did it, I had the boy's best interest in heart. I mean no disrespect to our culture!"

"Stand up and take your consequence, Edward." A knight from his kingdom approached the teenager.

"I am your loyal ally! I promise you that it will never happen again, please!"

The knight slowly tilted Eddie's head up. In the knight's hand was a dagger and he swung it against the elevn boy's face, cutting a wound against his eye.

Kintrell and John looked away, hearing the scream from his voice.

Two years later, There they sat. The three were beside a campfire in the woods, listening to the animal noises in the dead of night.

They were the outcasts. The deserters. They were Destiny's Misfortune.