The wall

Leonidas stood atop the castle wall, staring at into the distance over the kingdom. He could see peasants working, farm animals grazing, and trees swaying. As his gaze fell further away towards the boundaries of the land, he could see densely populated forests. Above them rose snow peaked mountains that protected them from neighboring kingdoms. It was a particularly clear day that allowed him to see all of these things, aided by the height of the wall which carried him so high he could not hear the clangs of knights training in the courtyard below.

He swung his legs up and over the wall so he could sit on its edge and enjoy the view. Falling from this high up would kill him, no questions asked, but he didn't feel any fear as he let his legs dangle over the edge. He had done this a number of times before. So few people came this high up the wall except for the patrolling guards, and they knew better than to play games. A few times before they had asked him to get down from the wall, but they were used to him being there now. They simply let him be.

A soft breeze was blowing from the valley below, and it carried the smell of the far off woods with it. Leonidas breathed it in deeply. It was not often that he was permitted to leave the castle, and so this was one of the few ways he could experience such sensations. Within the castle walls he often felt confined and cramped, but up on top of them he felt freedom, even if it was only temporary and limited. He closed his eyes and felt the world around him. He daydreamed of growing wings and simply falling off the walls, his wings catching him and letting him fly away just before he hit the ground.

"Hello, Leonidas," came a soft voice from behind him. He opened his eyes and looked back to see an unfamiliar girl standing a short distance away. "You looked lonely, so I thought I might keep you company.

Leonidas took a moment to take her in before answering her question. She wore a simple dress of soft green, and her brown hair fell just past her shoulders. Her face was thin, carefully encompassed by her hair, and her matching brown eyes seemed to smile up at him. "I did not feel particularly lonely," he informed her, "but if you are willing to sit as I do, then you may join me."

The girl smiled at him and stepped toward the wall. He was surprised - he had expected her to leave immediately. She held her hand out to him, and he helped her up onto the wall, where she sat and let her legs swing off the side beside his own. He looked at her, now not sure what to think of her. "Who are you?" he asked.

"Just a friend, your majesty," she replied. Leonidas paused for a moment, looking her in the eyes, and then smiled, and as one they looked out to enjoy the countryside together in solemn quietude.