My brain has gone! It has disappeared! Help me….ok you just read the chapter and I'll go and search for the monster! Here boy…here boy…

Chapter Three -

Winter moved onto to early spring and Thom had found himself in a happy routine. He would wake up with the early birds singing from the top of their lungs and head to the library to have a quiet couple of hours reading some books to do with his lessons. The servant addressed to his room had got acquired to this arrangement that he brought his breakfast to him which Thom thanked him for constantly as he seemed to forget to eat. When the first bell rang to wake up the pages, Thom headed back to his rooms to find them in a tidy order and gathering his materials walked to his classroom.

His lessons would take up all his mornings and into early afternoon and then he spent most of his time marking work or doing further study on some obscure magic history. Then Emilie would pop her head in regularly during the late evening to see if he was coming to such and such party, dinner or a grand ball held in someone's honour. And if there was no royal court duty which Emilie needed to attend, they would have a quiet dinner in his rooms and talk over many things, especially his mother's reaction to his likely attachment to Lady Trudi or Lady Harriet.

He enjoyed having Emilie's company when eating; he had always hated having dinner on his own. It was a very lonely business. These little dinners offered Thom an insight to life that he had not comprehended before and by the end of a couple of weeks, he was amazed that Emilie had such patience and control over her emotions.

From the encounters that she had found herself in with pompous, arrogant men trying to pull something or force her to comply with their wishes had infuriated him. If he was in her position he would blasted them to smithereens but then Emilie would remind him that she did not have the Gift. Emilie carried it off as a casual irritation but Thom promised to himself that if he ever found a man doing that again to Emilie he would have a little chat on treating women with respect.

"It a common thing for court ladies Thom," said Emilie amused at his expression, "there is no need to look so angry. It happens."

"It doesn't mean that it is right," retorted Thom, annoyed that she was defending such actions. "This should be stopped."

"And what are you going to do? Follow every woman that walks out with a man?" Emilie humoured him, "You might find that your presence is not wanted on most occasions."

Thom glared at her across the table and realised that she was right. He was one man, even though he was powerful he couldn't go and hide in every bush to peer at couple's active, he should be thankful that Emilie had not suffered serious harm.

"Well, if it occurs again…I want to know about it."

He looked very pointed at Emilie who just smiled it off and poured more into his glass. I know that smile…she's not listening to me! I'm trying to protect her and her…she ignoring me!

He grabbed her hand before she could take it back and forced her to look at him, her green eyes widen in slight surprise while her face remain calm and passive. He would never realise that she was affected by his action if it wasn't for the emotions evident in her eyes.

It was her eyes that attracted a lot of men to swarm around her at the balls; they captivated them with their deepness, as if she was letting him, and only him, to read her soul. All the men followed her around like lap dogs, hanging on her words and obey her every command that she would issue. Watching it from the sidelines, Thom had found it comical as he knew that none of them could even comprehend the real Emilie behind her court mask. However, lately it had irritated him seeing her being fawned over like an object and not a human but he would push these annoyances aside, blaming it on his own misfortunes with the persistent Lady Harriet.

"Promise me, Emilie", Thom stated strictly, "I don't want to you to get hurt."

Emilie stared intently into Thom's eyes as if assessing his request. Those stares used to disturb him; the thoughtful gaze would filter across her face until all of a sudden she would break away and smile. From an early age, Thom had gotten acquainted with being stared at due to his unusual violet colouring, which had been annoying.

His thoughts were interrupted with Emilie replying with a "Fine, if I have any more trouble I will inform you. But there is no need to worry; I can take care of myself."

Thom nodded and smiled at her, "I know …now I think I need my rest if I am to attend the spring ball."

"Yes, I think you need to have your beauty sleep", said Emilie solemn, "you looking pretty knackered."

"Thank you for your honesty," laughed Thom as he shooed her out of his rooms and waved her goodnight. He chuckled as he made his way to his bedroom and stripped off his shirt, tunic and trousers and went under his covers to find some warmth.

Warming up the bed, would be so much easier if I had someone to help me, mused Thom as he differed off and thought about the ball. Though I rather be cold than have Lady Harriet's company.

The next day, the morning of the Spring Ball was bright and dry which was a nice difference from the terrible rain clouds and gusts of winds which Tortall had endured for the last month. As Thom walked to his rooms on the path which took him passed the stables, he glanced at the sky feeling a sense of peace.

Classes had gone well and Thom was pleased with his students' progress and especially pleased with his teaching methods. It seems that his lessons were something for the pages to look forward to in the weary day of training for a knighthood.

This pleasant train of thought was interrupted from the sounds of sobbing. Thom searched the nearby stables but found a weeping woman, obscured by the planted bushes, sitting on a bench with her face hidden in her hands. Unsure how to proceed, Thom quietly moved to the lady, he glanced around to see if anyone had noticed as well but today the stables were deserted. Giving up the idea that someone will come running up and take over the situation, Thom stepped round the hedging which blocked him from the lady's sight.

As he came to stand in front of the lady, he recognised her instantly, even though her glorious dark hair was now covered in black tar. Thom had no idea why Lady Trudi would have such a substance in her hair but he guessed that it was the problem that was making her sad.

"Lady Trudi", he said tentatively.

Lady Trudi's head suddenly looked up to find the owner of the voice. Thom felt a great swell of pity erupted in his chest. Lady Trudi's face was red and swollen from the crying and there was a constant stream of tears down her cheeks as she stared at him with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

"What has happened to you, my lady?" asked Thom kindly, "Can I assist you in any way?

"No", she replied sharply, "the damage has already been done, Lord Thom." And she indicated to her hair when Thom gave her a puzzling look at his lack of comprehension. "My hair is ruined…seemingly I am the target for practical joke."

"Who would do something so cruel?" enquired Thom as he sat down on the bench with her. "You should report this to the Palace guards. It is unacceptable."

"I have only my suspicions, my lord," countered Lady Trudi, "and anyway the lady has succeeded in her sport…I can not go to the Spring Ball. My family will not be represented in the King's presence. My father will be disappointed." Although she tried hard not to cry so public, Thom noted a few more fresh tears pouring down her face.

"Then you have let her win", Thom stated, "surly there is a way to bet them."

"There is none, my lord."

Thom was again to protest but Lady Trudi looked so heartbroken that he didn't want to cause her further pain. Well, I'm going to do something…I'll ask Emilie, she knows better than anyone what to do in these situations.

"Then let me escort you to your rooms," asked Thom kindly as he gave his arm for support, "it is the least I can do."

"Thank you."

Luckily for Lady Trudi, they came across no one on their journey to her rooms. Thom did try to persuade her to give him a name to the culprit but she was firm with giving no indication. So Thom went straight to Emilie to reveal the nasty nature of court and what they could do.

He waited with some impatience at Emilie's door as he had rapped on it twice. His anger had fuelled him with so much extra energy that he was having trouble controlling his Gift. As he glanced around the slightly busy halls, he notices that a couple of milling ladies and lord did spare him a few stares as he stood outside the door. Thom returned a glare at each eye that caught his and then they hurried off.

The door suddenly opened to reveal Emilie in a plain cream dress while holding a book in her hand. "Thom what are you doing here? Do you know what people will say…What's wrong? Why are you so angry?"

"I need a word", Thom said, "and your help."

"Then come in", Emilie motioned him to move over the threshold. "Though I don't what could cause you such distress…your mother doesn't want you to marry now, does she?"

The energy he had felt earlier had suddenly dissipated as he slumped into the window seat and gazed out before replying.

What I am thinking that I can do? Why do I have to get into Lady Trudi's affair?...why ask for Emilie help…you're a mage for Goddess' sake!

He was conscious of Emilie moving near to his seated figure and saw the concern etched on her.

I'm scaring her, he mused and he noted that he was obscurely pleased.

He turned his head so he could get her full attention. "I found Lady Trudi crying near the King's Own stables," Emilie raised her eyebrows but stayed quiet, "and someone had poured tar onto her hair…she is extremely upset, particularly about not being able to attend the ball tonight….and although she would not say in words so much, it is clear that another lady sabotage her."

Emilie remained silent as Thom stared at her face. With the little amount of sun shining through the window, it still brought a warmth to Emilie's pale face, setting alight her glorious, long hair which was flowing down her back graceful and her eyes twinkled.

"I think I should have warned you sooner," muttered Emilie as she caught his gaze.

This startled Thom out of his daydream. "You didn't do that to her, did you?"

"No!" protested Emilie instantly, "What I mean is that I should have said something about the tension arising between Lady Trudi and you other lady."

"Lady Harriet?" queried Thom, "she did this?"

"It is only my guess but…." Emilie left it trailed off as Thom knew what she thought of Lady Harriet.

"I'm going to have a word with her right now about manners and behaviour". Thom stood up with his violet eyes blazing with cold fury. Many brave men would cower under such a stare but Emilie just stood up and pushed the hot headed young man down again.

"You do that and you only help ruining Lady Trudi's reputation and yourself," stated Emilie. "I will sort it…you," she pointed at him sombre, "will get dress for the ball and forget trying to 'sort out' Lady Harriet. I know what will hurt her most…and that means making her a fool in front of important people."

"But I can…"

"No!" commanded Emilie, "Let me show you how the court people get their revenge."

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I think I have found my brain…it was hiding under the sink! Ok please tell me what you think!

I thank you for all of your reviews!

FanFictionFantom – you are so brilliant at reading my mind…are you a telepath?