The queen anxiously walked around her room. Tonight the little man who helped her all those years ago would get her first child. She asked every man, woman, and child in the kingdom for their name, and every night when she should tell the little man he would shake his head no. She paced her room searching her mind for what the name could be. The sun went down and darkness grew in the sky. She looked up into the night sky holding her baby boy, already mourning the loss of him. 

“Mrs. Queen,” said the little man. “It’s time.”

“Please, sir,” the queen begged, “I’ll do anything. I can give you all the riches in the kingdom just let me keep my child.”

“Sorry, lady, no can do. We made a deal.” The little man began rubbing his hands together and let out a slight snicker. “Do you have an answer for me?”

“No, sir, please, I beg you.” Tears began to pour from the queen’s eyes. Holding her baby tight she ran from the room. 

“Mrs. Queen, I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” warned the man. 

The queen raced down the halls searching for a place to hide with her child. She would protect him at all costs. She found a little broom closet and hid in there. She sat on the ground holding her sleeping son. The click of the little man’s shoes echoed down the hall. She sat still on the ground barely inhaling to take in a breath. 

A whine came from the baby’s mouth and suddenly the clicks from his shoe stopped. 

“Mrs. Queen!” yelled the man. “Save us both some time and come out now.” 

“Stop! Who are you?” another voice called.

The queen listened, bringing her ear a little closer to the door. The clicks resumed but so did the sound of boots running on the ground. Whoever the other voice was was faster than the little man. The sound of a sword being unsheathed came from down the hall. A whooshing noise came about and a thud hit the ground. The sound of boots began walking back towards my door.

“Your Highness, the man is gone. I have defeated him,” called the voice. 

She slowly stood up and peaked my head out the door. The queen came face to face with a royal guard who had a small smile on his face. She looked to the left of the hall to see the remains of the little man. Golden blood dripped from where his head would be. Maids had already come and began to clean up where the body was. 

“Thank you, sir, for your bravery,” she said. 

“It was my pleasure, your highness,” replied the guard.

The queen walked back in her room that night holding her baby tight. Thankful for that guard who saved her son.