I do apologise about my dreadful grammar mistake…there is no excuse (unless you count illness gastric flu …do you?). Anyway hopefully you will like this chapter too!
Chapter Twelve – The Famous Couple
"Welcome Lord Thom", shouted a very tanned Lady Knight Kel, over the noisy building of the extension to the medical wing, "would you please follow me and I will show to your room."
Thom smiled gratefully to the tall Lady Knight as he climbed down from his bad tempered brown mare who had not made the long journey delightful. "Please call me Thom…being called Lord makes me feel old and that I should be mature." He scanned quickly around the Fort and found himself amazed at the industrial speed at the work being done. Must be wanting it completed before the winter sets in…it feels homely. In the evening sun, Fort Hope was filled with a strong glow which glanced off the wooden structures making the buildings shine like gold.
"Then you should address me as Kel" she smiled up to the black mage and gestured with her hands, "Shall we?"
Giving a nod, Thom matched the Lady Knight's long strides and quickly they reached his temporary quarters which were in the main quarters for the dignitary. As he roamed around the room fully satisfied with a wide bed, sturdy table and side-room to freshen up in, he turned to Keladry and beamed. "It certainly pays to be a black mage…but then I am put to your disposal for two weeks."
Kel chuckled and Thom felt an instant delight that she had taken to him so well. Most of the time, knights and common folk run away at the double when they realise what I am! Good…I might have a new friend in the making."
As casually as he could while looking out at the view from his window, "I hear that Lady Emilie is visiting also…" His heart was thundering at being so obvious and hoped that he had concealed it well.
"Yes," Keladry nodded, "she arrived early last week to see Meathead… I mean Neal."
Thom laughed. "Poor Neal, still being called that! Dom and Emilie were quite hard headed in childhood nicknaming him!" He breathed easily inside. He had planned and dreamed of what he would do when he had arrived at the Fort. Trying to stay calm was very difficult.
"Well, if you excuse me Thom I need to head back to duties."
"Yes, sorry to have taken to up your time," Thom apologise as he moved towards holding the door open for the fort commander.
"It was my pleasure. You will be able to meet everyone at dinner which is served at seven in the food hall. There has been many guests staying with us recently, I feel extremely honoured," Kel bowed slightly and strode down the hallway leaving Thom to his own devices.
Can't wait to see Emilie! I bet she will be furious! Thom gleefully rubbed his hands together and decided that after un-packing that he would familiarise himself with the surrounding and see if he would bump into anyone he knew, particularly a green-eyed lady.
It took a full two hours for Thom to come to grasp with the lay out of the Fort and by the end of it he was tremendously impressed at the whole set-up. Everything was build in a logical manner, working best for the people who occupied the stronghold and because of this many dwellings had sprung up for permanent residence.
Following his mental map the area, Thom directed his feet to the medical facilities where he hoped he would find something that he needed. Thom's face was splattered with a comical smile as he thought of the shock expression gracing his beautiful Emilie when she saw him. Subconsciously, he tapped his breast pocket where a letter from his mother would explain his mother abnormal behaviour; he hoped that this would finally put all obstacles out of the way for Emilie and him to be together. However he could not shake off a feeling which was becoming a rather large annoying itch in the back of his head.
Taking a deep breathe, Thom had reached the front door of the medical building and put his hand on the door before stepping through. Firstly it took him a few seconds of blinking for his eyes to become accosted to the dim lighting and then he was surprised at the relative emptiness of the beds. Disappointment seized him at the thought that he had missed Emilie but then he heard voices from a room stationed at the back of the long hall.
Quicken his steps, he reached the door which was slightly ajar and from his position he could see his beloved, Emilie, sitting in a comfortable chair while her brother was pacing quite furiously from one end to another. Although Thom knew that it was rude to eavesdrop, he was very interested in what had got Neal rattled and why Emilie looked close to tears.
His heart swelled in anger at the thought of Emilie being distressed yet before he could do anything Neal interrupted his thoughts.
"Why, in Goddess' name did you accept this!" snapped a Neal, "you can get yourself killed."
"And here I thought the knights of the realm stayed in door when there is a threat to the kingdom", Emilie replied coldly.
"That is different!", continued Neal, "I'm a trained warrior, for Mithro's sake!"
"And you believed that the King would send some frivolous court lady into a situation which could cause a war if I fail", questioned Emilie sharply, "think sensible Neal, I'm trained for this."
"I'm not allowing it", Neal retorted and stormed to the other end of the room, "how can you put yourself in this situation…don't you think our father and mother haven't been through enough…what if you die!"
"I overwhelmed at your confidence in my ability", Emilie seethed icily, "and don't you dare use our brothers' death…you are a hypocrite…you dropped out of medical degree to become a Knight because of that stupid gold book!"
Both Queenscoves' were silent as they stared at each other with a mixture of anger, guilt and sadness. Each held their tongue and waited for the other to start up again, however Thom could not take the waiting patiently and knocked loudly on the door before walking through as if he hadn't been standing there all the time.
Their heads swivelled round to meet the visitor and Emilie was the first to response.
"Thom, what are you doing here?"
"Just passing," Thom smiled as her lovely face blushing from her neck to her cheeks, "I wanted to nosy in all the buildings before dinner."
"Thom! I can't believe it!"Neal ushered Thom in and placed him into a seat next to Emilie and went to get cups for a strong brew of tea. "When did you pass your examinations?"
"Roughly a year ago", Thom replied pleasantly as he took the cup which was thrust into his hands hastily. Neal turned around to find some biscuits which gave Thom the opportunity to make eye contact with Emilie. She gazed steadily at him with her assessing look and Thom knew that he was in trouble so he quickly faced Neal.
"Well Thom this is a surprise," Neal exclaimed as he settled himself behind the desk. "What are you doing in these wilderness parts?"
"The King's business", he replied with a slight grin as he heard the intake of Emilie's breath.
"Is that all you can say?"
"I'm afraid so Meathead or I would have to kill you", Thom nodded sadly and sipped the tea.
"It is Sir Meathead now, Thom", stated Neal mockingly snobbishly which got a light laugh from both pair. "Now if you excuse me, I do have to check on my patients before dinner." And with ushing hand movements, Thom and Emilie were unceremoniously pushed out of the building although Neal whispered he wanted a further word with Emilie later when he was free.
Out of hearing, Emilie immediately rounded on Thom, stopping their walking progress. Her eyes were flashing with suppressed rage and she was breathing heavily to contain herself from shouting. While Thom knew that he was in danger, his brain made the mental note of how beautiful she looked and the way her chest rose up and down and the way her red lips were slightly parted.
"I know that you overheard the argument Neal and I were having so don't deny that", she said pocking him in the chest as she stepped closer, "What are you doing here?"
"No, Thom I love you and a kiss?" Thom replied cheekily as Emilie growled in frustration.
"Don't deviate."
"I do have a confession to make," Thom said solemnly as his itching hands moved to her waist which she quickly slapped away, "I'm not only here for the King…I'm here for you too."
"Confident aren't you", Emilie noted sourly, "there is a little problem called your mother, remember the disaster dinner or were you to engrossed with Natalia to notice?"
"My dear you wound me so", Thom placed his hands over his heart and sighed theatrically which produced a small smile on Emilie's lips. "But this will explain everything." With a flourishing bow Thom handed over the letter from his breast pocket.
Emilie stared at the letter apprehensively and looked for a hint from Thom.
"Gone on…I have never heard of a letter biting back."
Emilie glared at him, opening the message and scanning the contents became very still and thoughtful. Thom took this chance to creep up from behind and wrap his arms around her before laying his head on the shoulder.
"What you thinking?" he sang into her ear before kissing below her earlobe.
"You didn't use magic on you mother to get her to write this letter, did you?"
Thom chuckled in her neck which made her shiver involuntary, "No, she is extremely sorry for her behaviour and wanted to make sure that from now on that any problem between us is my doing."
"That's nice."
"I know, ma can be sweet really when you look pass all her faults", conceded Thom, "but do you know what is even better?"
"No," Emilie, completely puzzled, turned around to face a grinning Thom.
"This." Thom swiftly captured Emilie's mouth in a passionate kiss, crushing her tightly against his chest and did not release her until it was necessary for their lungs to have air.
Emilie looked dazed while trying to gain her breathing while Thom just stood there and admired. Her lips were swollen from the punishing kiss which pushed Thom to return and tease her by catching her bottom lip and tugging softly onto it. Her gasp pleased him greatly as he deepened the kiss fulfilling his dream of being equal matched in love.
However his attention were stopped when Emilie tried to push against his chest, wanting to break away.
"What's wrong?" Thom demanded huskily, "Did I do something?"
"No," Emilie stated quickly, "it's just nearing dinner time and I would not want Neal to walk on us."
"Why?", Thom had to admit that he was a tad annoyed.
"Because he will tease me mercilessly and I know that it is a coward way but Neal is a rock when it comes to subtle," Emilie would have continued to ramble but had to stop when Thom kneeled in front of her grabbing her left hand. "What are you doing?"
Emilie of Queenscove," Thomstated loudly, "will you marry me?" And with that he brought out a small red box from the enfolds in his black attire that he had been thinking about all the way on the journey. He lifted the lid to show a very simple ring design – white gold with small diamonds all the way round the band.
Emilie's eyes bulged and kept on looking from Thom to the ring and back again.
"Emilie you are killing me here!"
"Oh, sorry…yes…Yes!"
Thom was knocked back into the sandy ground as Emilie leaped upon him and kissed him.
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Ok I am extremely sorry for the slow update! Please review honestly and tell me what you truly think?