Warrior

Warriors, like heroes, come in different forms. They appear when you need them, to champion your cause, and they have your back. They don’t always carry swords or spears. Sometimes, they arrive on the scene armed with their weapons of creation: weapons which help build one up rather than those designed to cut someone else down.

Her warrior usually appeared carrying her favourite beverage in one hand, a laptop and a blanket balanced in the other, and love and patience in his heart. When gray skies rumbled over her head, his care shielded her from the downpour. When her enemies were at the gates, he stood beside her, ready to fight her demons with everything he had in him. And when, despite their best efforts, they sustained injuries, the sight of his unwavering belief and love strengthened her, his unfaltering smile lent her the boost she needed to vanquish her enemies. Time and again her foes waged war against her, and each time, she and her warrior stood strong against the onslaught.

Till the day when there were no enemies to be fought, and the sun brightened the sky again. Her warrior rejoiced with her, his happiness intertwined with hers. His work, though, was done, and it left him feeling a little disconcerted. He had helped her win, but…what was he meant to do now?

Days passed as he pondered the question, yet all the while the two of them spent their time together, enjoying the newfound freedom from the fight. Until one day, when he received a summons from his own kingdom; an enemy lay waiting patiently at his door, the siege having been laid in the dark of the night. He took a deep breath then; he knew where his next fight lay. This siege would not be an easy one to break, but he had to prevail.

She waited for him to return. He had told her not to worry about him, that he just had a small skirmish to take care of, and then he would return. He assured her that he would always be her warrior and come rushing if she needed help. But now, many days had passed, and yet, he hadn’t returned.

Dismayed by his prolonged absence, she tried reaching him on her own, but when she got close to his kingdom, the armies surrounding it kept her away. She squared her shoulders, and started fighting them from the outside, determined to find a way to get through to him.

On the other side, he waged a fierce war day and night, but all he had to show for it was the inch of space he had wrested back. He wanted to be ready to run to her side should her enemies return, but he was trapped in his own kingdom. Until one day, when noises from somewhere in his fortress made him pause. As he searched for the source of the noise, a trapdoor set in the floor opened and she stepped out. She had found a way in after all. She made her way over, drew her own weapons and positioned herself next to him, giving him a smile as she did so.

Warmth bloomed in his chest; this was unexpected, but not unwelcome. He didn’t have to fight alone any more. And if he needed some respite to catch his breath and let his wounds heal, he now had someone who would hold his place without batting an eyelid.

Together, they would face these enemies too, and triumph over them.