Hey guys! I'll delete that pesky Author Note this summer when I'm officially back. Enjoy!

AGE 8: It Begins

Thomas raced around the castle, looking everywhere. Where could she have gone? What if something happened to her? What if she was lost?

"Janey! Janey, where are you?" he called, panicking more and more. Rounding a corner, he saw one of the rooms was open. Cautiously, he went into the room, turning his head side to side to sweep the room with his gaze.

"Jan-" WHAM! Cackling like the crazy six year old she was, Janet lay there with a grin plastered on her face as Thomas groaned underneath her.

"I surprised you, didn't I Tommy?"

"I think you broke something! That hurt, Janey!" he moaned, rolling and successfully pushing her off of his back. "Next time, I get to be the Wargal." Janet stood and crossed her arms, pouting in the way that always got her what she wanted.

"But it's no fun when you do it!" she whined. Thomas almost gave in, but the pain in his chest prevented him from doing so.

"No Janet. Think of it this way. You get to be the hero that saves everyone in the castle from the monster. Do you want to be evil all the time?" he pressed. Janet's face fell. She hadn't thought about it that way.

"Oh, okay. I'll be the fearless ranger that slays you!" she cried, striking a pose. Thomas couldn't help but laugh at her antics. He took her hand and led her out of the room, back to the grand hall.

"Just don't get lost, little ranger. I don't want anything to happen to you. This is a big castle and it wouldn't be good if I got in trouble and couldn't play with you again."

Janet lowered her head, hiding her face with her curly brown hair. "I'm sorry, Tommy." He gave a little smile.

"It's alright, just don't do it again." You have no idea how worried I was, he added mentally. Thomas ruffled her hair and dodged her attempt to punch him, laughing.

Janet glared at her friend and smoothed down her now-messy hair. "Don't touch my head. Now try and catch me you foul monster!" She darted off across the hall, giggling as Tommy chased her, growling and snarling.

As they ran around, a memory of Thomas' grandfather telling him something came to the forefront of his mind.

"Tommy, you must always be careful when you're in the Great Hall. The beams in the ceiling are old and while they are being repaired, we won't be able to fix them very quickly. Don't be running around too much, but if you must, stay by the door. Is that clear?" King Duncan asked, looking at his grandchild seriously. Thomas nodded gravely.

"Yes, Grandfather." The King smiled and ruffled Thomas' blonde hair.

"Good man. Now, let's go find your mother and father."

Janet was going farther and farther into the room. Thomas stopped and looked up.

"Janey, look out!" Thomas burst forward and wrapped his arms around Janet, pulling her back against him as one of the larger beams came crashing down. He landed on his back with a thud, Janet pulled protectively against his chest. They lay there, too stunned to move, even as their parents rushed into the room.

"Thomas, what happened?!"

Ignoring his father, Thomas sat up and looked into Janet's eyes. "Are you okay?" She looked at him, her grey eyes wide in shock and nodded slowly.

"Tommy, I don't want to play anymore." She whispered. Thomas smiled half-heartedly and stood up, hand extended to help Janet. She took his hand and ran into Will's arms, burying her face into his shoulder once he lifted her up.

"Thomas Altman. What happened here." Now, it wasn't so much a question as a demand. Thomas ripped his eyes from Janet's shaking form to his father.

"We were playing Wargals and Rangers and the beam fell, but Janet stopped me before I got hurt." He said, head down. Janet perked up at this and shook her head violently.

"That's not what happened! I kept running around and Tommy saved me! Tommy, why would you say that?" All eye whipped to the little girl in Will's arms as she defended her friend.

"I would've been crushed if he hadn't pulled me back! He saved me, not the other way around."

"Is that true, Janet?" Alyss asked, looking between her daughter and Tommy. Janet nodded vehemently in response. Horace sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Alright then. Just don't play in here anymore, okay Tommy?" Tommy nodded and they all left the hall. Janet had at some point been let down by her father and walked alongside the little prince.

"Hey Tommy?" Thomas looked up at her.

"Yeah?" Janet looked ahead at their parents then back to Tommy. Quickly, she leaned over and pecked him on the cheek.

"Thanks for saving me." Thomas felt his face turn pink and he just nodded, unable to calm his raging blush and fluttering heart.

Oh young love! Well, I hope you guys like this little chapter. I did tell you the next few are going to be from Tommy's point of view. I was only able to write and post this because I was on the computer for homework and everyone else was upstairs. . Shout outs next!

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Thank you all for your words of encouragement, and yes, those of you who answered, it is Tennyson, but not the Tennyson you're thinking of. _ I placed eighth at District(stupid pronouncer said my word wrong…) and Farmers Daughter, we share a birthday month! So ya know, feel free to ask questions and I will answer them. R&R my lovely readers!

~AnimeApprentice