And here is where Willow falls. Dundundun

Two chapters in one night? Yeah, I wrote them earlier. I just need to get the sadness all out of the way in one go, so I was waiting until I wrote it all, then uploading it all at once. So I'm sorry for cluttering inboxes.

It was truly funny, how long I could hide from everyone. I had thought I would be missed long before now, but I hadn't even been hunted for. Considering I was the Crown Princess, I was certain that somebody would track me down about the dress or that ball sooner or later. But as the hours passed, I remained the little girl, hiding in her room, from the monsters in the closet.

And nobody came looking for me.

That peace – or rather, cowardice – was interrupted in the late afternoon, in the form of a person that I'd been dreading all day, when the said person knocked once on my open door. I didn't need to look up to know who it was. It could've only been one person. Nevertheless, I only looked up because the person was Thom. Though he would probably go back to being Lord Thom of Trebond after this was all done and dusted. With difficulty I set my work aside and rose to greet the man who'd quickly become my friend in the short time we had known eachother.

"Hi." Oh, great start Willow. Really great start.

"Hi." Thom's reply seemed no better. His violet-eyed gaze was wary as he studied me for a long moment, before finally crossing the threshold to stand in front of me.

"About what happened earlier, I have to explain. You deserve an explanation, even though it won't be a very good one."

"That wasn't very ladylike, what happened earlier," Thom remarked, his eyes straying from mine. "And yes, I think that an explanation is in order."

"Stop. Just stop." I raised hand to chest-height. Confused, he took a step back. He really had no idea, did he, the effect that his proximity was having on me. Especially now. I needed to get him out of here. "It's not what you think it was, Thom."

The man paused, tilting his head slightly as he considered my words. "I have no doubt about that," he finally replied. "I'm certain that you're not the type of lady to go around kissing noblemen then running like a thief caught with his hand on a purse. You always have good reasons for what you do."

I laughed miserably. "Oh Thom, how I wish that this reason was good." I shut my eyes, shaking my head briefly. When I had at last regained my composure I opened them again. It took all the strength I had to meet his gaze. "I-I didn't kiss you because I liked you. Well – I mean, it's not that I don't like you – I mean-" again I cut myself off. Again I steadied myself. Finally I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, raising my head again to meet those eyes. "I didn't kiss you for reasons that normally warrant such behaviour. I was stressed, and angry, and you were there-"

"You were angry at Jon. And I happened to be there, a suitable outlet for your frustrations." Thom's voice was matter-of-fact, and I hated it. I hated it because he was right.

Well, he was, so I shut my eyes again. "Yes."

My simple, one word admission was met with dead silence. I buried my face in my hands. "Oh Thom. I trust you. In the short time that we know eachother I've come to see you as one of my best friends. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. I didn't – It just happened. I'm sorry." My last words were almost inaudible as my breath hitched, as I battled against the raging storm that was my emotions.

I didn't receive a reply for the longest time. When I finally gathered the strength to raise my head and again meet that violet gaze, the room was empty.

Thom was gone.

I let my head fall back into my hands and let the storm rage free.

Sorry, but I'm going to rage here now silently about how this is really depressing. ANd then I'm going to grovel and apologise to you all for the depressing-ness. So yeah. I'M SORRYYYYYY.

Anyway, I /think/ the depressing-ness is almost over, so yeah.

If you liked the writing, please review! If not, tell me how I could change/improve it! Thanks!
Also, any spelling/grammar mistakes spotted and pointed out are greatly appreciated. :)

Love,

MagicalLeaves