Hello my dears!I am sooo annoyed with fanfic at the moment as I was sure that I had updated this story before leaving to Prague.My apologys to all.Enjoy!

Chapter Five – Mother's approval

"Lord Thom," voiced a very timid boy with blonde hair who stood at the edge of the desk in the empty classroom, "I thought… I enjoyed our lesson about immortals…are we going to study more of them, sir?"

Thom smiled up at the boy. Stephen of Darkrock was a very quiet but intelligent boy who rarely spoke out at all. From their classroom debates that Thom tried to encouraged, Darkrock was a talented diplomatic but first he would have to overcome his shyness.

"We are indeed", replied Thom and winked at the boy, "and the book which would help the pages' homework would be written by a man called Fredick. But I didn't tell you that."

The young boy ducked his head from showing his smile. "Thank you, my lord."

"It is my pleasure, Darkrock", Thom said, "I could never do half the work that is considered training for a knighthood…I thought those people were mad like my mother."

"And the fact you are too lazy to get up in morning too", entered a new familiar voice from the doorway.

Thom gave an exasperating sigh at Stephen while whispering about nosy court ladies who would do well to remember that he could send her into a deep ice crevasse to die. The young man had to smile before bowing quickly to Emilie of Queenscove and state that he needed to run to his next class. Emilie gave the boy a smile as he rushed passed, making his face flame up into a nice red shade.

"Will you stop flirting with my students please," demanded Thom, "or the next time I'll be badgered about questions on your favourite flower or if you like poetry than immortals."

Emilie laughed as she glided in and perched herself on one of the pupils tables. "Jealousy is a hard thing to overcome", her mouth twitched in mischief, "I'm sure your heart will heal with time at not being the apple in your students eyes."

Thom gave mock glare and returned to filing the homework that he was given, waiting patiently for Emilie to spill whatever had brought her here straight to his classroom. He was not going to break the silence; it had become a game with them, trying to see which one would crack first under the unknown pressure. Emilie always won but it didn't stop Thom from competing.

Then Thom flung up his arms to admit defeat from his table and asked the inevitable, "What brings you here?"

"43 to your minute 6, I believe," said Emilie beaming at Thom, if she didn't have a good court mask then Thom guess she would be smirking. "Anyway, putting aside these childish games, I have came with the invitation in hand to the annual High Priestess dinner in the city for the end of the month."

"That's nice of her", commented Thom not sure where this was going, "I hope that you enjoy it."

His mind was working pretty quickly to piece it all together with the help of Emilie putting on her pleading face too. Only a certain number of distinguish ladies were asked to these dinner parties which was held once every year. His mother had been asked several times but had only managed to go the once, if he recalled correctly. It consisted of women in Tortall who had brought something significant to Tortall. Thom's purple eyes glazed over as he stared at Emilie's quiet begging.

She wants me to go with her! He was amused to find that he was thrilled with the prospect of sharing a night out with Emilie. But only as friends…like we are! He told himself sternly however before he could block it, though it wouldn't be bad if I wanted something more, would it? She is a very courageous person as well as beautiful and her smiles make me feel…Stop it! Friends only!

"I know that you would rather spend your time in the library, searching something up", said Emilie, "in fact so would I but it is the third time that she has asked and I can't get out of it! Please Thom, I begging you here…you don't want me to grovel?"

Thom's mind was still wandering but came back into focus, when Emilie appeared kneeing on the floor in front of him in her cream day dress and placing her hands on his knees with her sparkling green eyes finding themselves to his.

"Please?" she whispered.

Not wanting to analysis what his body wanted to do, Thom grabbed Emilie's soft hands off of his knees, which he believed were quaking with anticipation, and helped her up. Stilling grasping her fingers, Thom's thumbs began to make small circles to ease Emilie's distraught mood. "Of course I will come with you." He exclaimed, "as long as you don't feed me to those other ladies like you did last week!"

Emilie gave a sly look back at him and replied very innocently, "But I thought you would enjoy all the attention, particularly the ladies who were well endowed."

Thom cringed in embarrassment as remembering his fumbling for his glass behind him which happened to be a lady's breast and though he apologised profoundly, the lady did not mind, as she saw it as encouragement from the handsome, young, black robe magician. Thankfully no one got wind of his 'incident' except for Emilie who loved teasing him about it and Thom had threatened to silence her forever if she ever mentioned it again which she had but Thom loved the sound of her sweet voice so let is slide.

"But I promise to be your shield," said Emilie solemnly as she laid a simple kiss on Thom's cheek. "Thank you Thom. See you later."

Thom couldn't hide his slightly flushed face or the silly grin that appeared as he watched Emilie leave to catch up with Prince Roald's fiancée, as they were heading to do more wedding planning. His father, Baron of Pirate's Swoop, came in suddenly to the room in time to notice his son's changed demeanour and laughed at the changes openly, realising the connection instantaneously.

"Father!" Thom cried as he headed to give his father a hug, "what brings you here? How are you?"

"I think I should be asking you about Lady Emilie, son," said George in a mock seriousness.

"I don't know what you are suggestion, Da", replied Thom smoothly, "Emilie and I are only friends. In fact she has been helping me solve my problem with mother's request that I should find a wife."

"Ahh," emphasised the Baron, "from your expression a moment ago, I thought that you had made your decision. Hmm."

It had been several months since George had looked at his oldest and he noted good changes. Thom had always been a stubborn boy but hated the attention given by people because of his eyes or his mother's fame. Thom was so much like his mother, he mused. However he could feel a radiance of a gentle ease in Thom's behaviour as Thom bustled round the room, fixing it for the next lesson, and he was more openly cheerful and witty person to converse with. George approved the difference, it had been a fear of both his and Alanna that Thom would become a recluse like his Uncle.

"I sense that Emilie has no idea about your thoughts then son?", asked Geogre softly as he continued to watch his Thom with amusement as Thom coloured again.

Thom hunched slightly as he turned round to his father and walled back to the front of the classroom. His father looked at him with a fatherly eye and smiled.

"I have no insight on my own feelings father," commented Thom sorrowfully, "I do not want to chance losing a dear friend over a moment of fancy. She has helped me so much to adjust here that I own her more than infatuation."

"You are wise son, I have no doubt about that," announced George as he clasped his son's shoulder, "so I will leave your private life alone. However your mother will not and she asked me to see it that you will make it to a small gathering at the end of the month as she will have to come in from the field and report to the King."

Thom grimaced at the thought of attending such an evening while his father laughed at the expression. Thom really dislike his mother's input to his love life. It was clear that she thought that a strong woman with formidable character and clearly into fighting would match his opposite of thinking and a love of reading and researching. His mother believed that type of woman would reframe him from going into a downward spiral. Unconsciously his mind wandered to Emilie.

"I can not make it", said Thom suddenly, "I have another engagement." His father raised his eyebrows into a question which Thom guessed he already knew the reason. "Emilie has just begged me to attend the High Priestess party and I can not go back on my word, even if it is to spend some delightful time in mother's company and other ladies."

George's mouth twitched, nearly heading for a small smirk. "I see."

"Nothing like that", protested Thom.

"Like what?" innocently asked the Baron before grinning it his son openly.

"You are just as bad as Emilie when it comes to teasing", muttered Thom very annoyed that he fell into his father's trap. "Maybe you should a group and plan ways to torture me daily. I'm sure you will both be happy."

"I think Lady Emilie is doing well on her own", stated his father.

A cross expression filtered to Thom's face before sticking out his tongue at his father.

"You certainly mature Thom," chuckled George, "I will tell your mother that you are indisposed but she will eventually catch up with you, dear boy and by that time I hope that you at least find a way to cushion you ears."

They embraced again and Thom waved his father, that he respected so much, as another class filled into his room, waiting with an eagerness at what Lord Thom was going to teach them today.

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I do apologise that this is shorter than the rest but I didn't want to leave you on a cliff-hanger for two weeks because it is cruel! I hope that you are enjoying the holiday (or at least the sunshine) or if you live in the southern hemisphere hoping it is snowing! See you soon!