The match between Lorelai and Lawrence ended with the teacher being the winner. Both were drenched in sweat as the pulled off their helmets and sat down to drink water.
"You've been holding back." Lawrence said between breaths.
"I was doing no such thing!" Lorelai said, incredulous.
"Then you were distracted. What has the princesses mind this evening?" He said, taking a drink of water. "A man perhaps?" Lawrence chuckled.
"Of course not! There have been other things that have been distracting me you know." She said, crossing her arms.
"The lady doth protest too much, me thinks." Lawrence said with a laugh.
"Oh shuttup. I have no feelings for anyone and no one has them for me. " Lorelai stood and picked up her foil and parrying.
"Now how can you be so sure? Do you around and ask lads if their pantaloons get tight at the sight of you?" He was red in face with laughter.
"Sir Lawrence! Control yourself!" Lorelai gasped, wheeling to face him.
"I jest my love, no need to skewer me." He chuckled, standing and patting her on the shoulder before walking to the weapon's closet. His demeanor seemed to have changed as he opened the closet and pulled out a long box. "You know, they say that when a women finds a man to love, she finds complete protection. But what does a woman do til then?" Lorelai didn't speak. Lawrence walked over to her, holding out the box. "A lady must know to protect herself til then. Happy Birthday."
Lorelai took the box and opened it to reveal a long silver sabre with an ornate hilt. "Lawrence, it's not even my birthday. Not for another week." Despite her words she marveled at the beauty of the weapon, running her fingers over the ivy styled handle before holding it. It was weighted perfectly "Thank you." She whispered as she swung the sword.
"You were only a mite big when I first started teachin' ya. Now look, a beautiful woman, almost eighteen. I wanted to wait to give this to you, but with everything happening, I wanted you be protected. Can't always have a knight to carry you around now can you? I only wish your brother was here to see you now." He said, shaking his head.
"He's alive. I know he is. He went to explore the badlands. He'll be back. I know it." Loose strands of hair fell in the princesses now dour expression. "He'll come back." Lorelai knew that no one had heard word from the king in weeks, if not months. No one knew what had happened to him. Lorelai shook off the melancholy face and smiled at Lawrence. "Again, thank you." Her teacher nodded and Lorelai walked down the hall, holding her sabre, not much in a hurry to return to her room.