I must say a HUGE thank you for everyone who reviewed and chastened me for my long update. I do apologise but Uni work will always come first…sorry! Anyway thank you reviewers you push me to continue ...but did you have to throw me down the stairs!

Chapter Thirteen – Announcement

Thom watched with amusement as Emilie kept glancing at the ring on her left hand as they made their way to the mess hall for dinner. Every few seconds she would beam, lift her hand and try to catch the dying light to make it sparkle and every time Thom would laugh at her ritual.

"It's not going to disappear", he said as he bent his head to let more sunlight hit the diamonds.

"I know", Emilie sighed in complete bliss, "but I still feel like this is a dream, a fairytale…it so sudden but perfect…it's…it's amazing."

"No," Thom interrupted, "you saying yes was amazing."

As Emilie gazed up into his violet eyes with so much love, Thom could only beam at his fiancée before ducking and capturing her lips in a quick kiss. He could feel her hand lingering on his cheek and the lustful look that he received as he broke away made Thom wish that they were getting married right now so that he could show Emilie the several ways he loved her.

The only thing stopping him was knowing that they had the rest of their lives to understand each other completely. He smiled as he dreamed of the many things that were waiting for them in the future – the first born, kids, grandchildren, having grey hair …the list would have gone on if Emilie had not tugged on his arm so forcefully.

"Thom!", she called, "are you listening?"

"Sorry love," he replied rudely, "to busy envisaging our happy ending."

"Well that's all well and good mister but unless you start hearing what I'm saying then it's going to end pretty quickly", Emilie stated with jest.

Thom chuckled and hugged her around the waist and left his arm there, finding it comfortable as he met her stride for stride. "I'm already receiving the nagging that occupied with marriage life?"

"Of course, the quicker I break you in the less time you can complain about it", Emilie retorted before sobering into seriousness. "How will we tell my parents? They could refuse, saying that they don't accept the match…I don't think I could bear that."

Grabbing both of her hands, Thom winced slightly. "I forgot to mention that they already know. I took upon myself to think ahead and asked their permission before heading to Fort Hope. You're not mad with me?"

"Never." Emilie went on her tip toes to kiss his forehead. "It's a relief really, I'm glad you faced them. I still have to reveal to them about my real job at court and from the way that Neal handle it this morning then it isn't going to be a pretty sight."

"I'll be there to protect you", Thom giving her his most manly look, flexing his arms which made her laugh out loud, releasing all the tension from her body.

"You probably be more of a hindrance if you start pulling those kinds of faces."

Thom looked mocked wounded which had the couple in fits of giggles as they arrived at the entrance of dinner.

"Let's tell Neal in private first", suggested Thom as he detangled himself from his beloved, "we don't want him to lose his stature by squealing like a young small girl in front of everyone."

"Good idea." Emilie smiled, hiding her left hand in her shawl as she went through the doors. Before he could enter, Thom tried to compose himself. His stomach was full of butterflies flying at high speed, his face had a permanent smile etched and his body longed to be near Emilie's. Taking a gulp of air, Thom followed his heart and headed in.

Thom cursed his inability to stick to his plan, as he subconsciously moved towards the end of the table where Emilie and Sir Merric sat. Finding a space next to her, Thom slipped in beside her and tried not to look so annoyed that she was perfectly happy chatting away with the red-headed knight.

She is so much better at this than me! I don't like her at all…in fact why did I propose? Thom knew that he was being a bit of a spoilt brat who just lost his favourite toy but he knew he could be using this time doing a lot more than talking. I really need to work on my court mask…I'm sure that Emilie can give me some private lesson…yes that would be the best way. Thom smirked at the back of Emilie when he thought of his plan then forced his head to make progress with his meal.

The taste of a good stew in his mouth, Thom remembered the lack of food that he had had on his travels and realised that he was starving. It didn't take too much encouragement to go up for seconds which he received by flirting slightly with the dinner ladies on duty. As he returned Neal was sitting across from him and Emilie had moved further down the table to her cousin, Dom.

"I did not know that Dom was up here too", remarked Thom as he dug into his stew with some bread. "It feels like a family reunion."

Neal chuckled. "Believe me when I start hearing Meathead on a daily basic, I get slightly worried. Though it's nice to see Emilie…she has grown up in every way."

"Yes, I know", Thom wished he could rip his head off and throw it far away at this precise moment. Neal raised his winged eye-brows in a silent question which Thom met with a passive expression.

"I see."

"See what."

Neal smiled in amusement. "Thom you're not good at hiding things."

"Really?" Thom still trying to appear that he had no idea what Neal was going on about.

"You just happened to passing the same route that Emilie had taken…a pure coincidental...you're going to help Emilie with her little 'quest' I suppose," Neal asked, "I bet you played a pitiful lover's card to the King."

"Yes…no", Thom cursed inwardly, then muttered, "my pet hate are the Queenscove cunning way of revealing things!"

Neal's eyes danced with mirth. "Thom, I'm glad you haven't changed!"

"But I have", he protested, slightly hurt at Meathead's comment. "I'm certainly a lot taller and the women just love me!"

Neal snorted into his cup as Thom sat straighter in his chair, combed his hair with his fingers pompous and winked at Neal, trying to be suave.

"Please stop Thom, I'm going to have a stitch in my side", Neal choked out as he held his right side.

Dropping his pretence of being a courtier, Thom grinned at his old friend and joined in the laughter. After regaining air to his lung, Thom asked, "Neal would it be possible that Emilie and I have quiet word with you later?"

Neal sobered up and nodded. "Yes, in fact now would be a good time."

"I'll get Emilie!" Thom said a little too eagerly as he jumped up from his seat.

Bemused expression crossed Neal's face before he replied, "Meet me in the medicine room as soon as you can."

Like an excited puppy, Thom literally scrambled all the way up to Emilie and pocked unceremoniously in the back. As she turned round, Thom caught a glimpse of happiness which was quickly replaced with a querying mask. "We need to see you brother now, Emilie. He's waiting for us."

Without waiting for her reply or saying goodbye to Dom, Thom grabbed hold of Emilie lifting her out of her seat and swiftly hurried both out of the hall into the falling night. As they walked across the open area with a coolness in the air, Thom instantly moved closer to Emilie, wrapping an arm round her shoulder to protect her from the cold.

"I love you" he uttered simply into the air. It feels right to state it out in the open he thought to himself as he allowed his mind to drift at sharing a few hours with Emilie until they needed to go to bed…separate beds of course.

"I love you too", Emilie replied snuggling into his black robes, "and don't you forget it."

Her hands wandered across his chest as they finally settled around his waist. The sensation was playing havoc with Thom's body, he couldn't breathe and thought that if she didn't find a place soon for hands, he would have to intervene with some interesting comebacks.

"You're not being very lady-like at the moment", Thom stated huskily as he brought his lips to below her ear, kissing it softly where the pulse was. It always made Emilie's defences crumble.

"And you are not being a gentleman", she murmured as she grabbed onto his robes pulling his head down for a kiss. Thom was thrilled at Emilie's increasing comfortableness of shows of affection but he knew that he would have to stop this before it got out of hand…or before he got out of hand.

With every ounce of willpower, Thom drew back and peck Emilie's cheek and straighten up and his clothes. When he glanced at Emilie who looked totally confused at Thom's actions and he could tell that she was hurt from it.

Thom cursed himself, trying to smile and wrapped an arm around pulling her close. He was immediately engulfed with her unique scent – oranges. "Do you know why I stopped" Thom demanded huskily and forcefully controlled his hands not to move to cup Emilie's face.

"No." Emilie said with no emotion which Thom had to wince at.

"Because if I hadn't ripped myself your delicious red lips", Thom commented casually, "then you would have found you modest being compromised against that wall." He pointed to a down corner between two small buildings which were woodmen's workshop. "And that is wrong and not proper for a lady."

"Oh," came the soft reply, "I thought…you might…think…I was disgusting…" She trailed off as she tried not to make eye connect with Thom.

"Emilie", he whispered as they continued on to their destination, "Emilie look at me…", she reluctant lifted her eyes which were dark green of worry, " you are wonderful in every way", he said pointedly giving in and kissing her swollen lips for a quick time, "and you are a great kisser…of course you have an excellent partner."

Emilie laughed and tightened her grip around his waist, "What would I do without you?"

"Nothing interesting, I can tell you", Thom winked as they headed to the room which Neal had told Thom to meet him. "Here we go…the lion's den."

Shock was a definite understatement. Neal had not spoken any words for a good ten minutes and then only croaked out congratulations.

Both Thom and Emilie had found this completely amusing and took it upon themselves to alternate giggling as all three of them walked back to the hall to spread the good news. The quick walk had allowed Neal to gather enough of his brain cells to start giving out withering looks at the couple making fun of him. He contained his remarks, barely.

As Neal took it upon himself to collect everyone's attentions with loud coughing then revealed the news with his usual dry comment.

Suddenly Thom and Emilie were surrounded by well-wishers who slapped Thom on the back heartily and kissed the bride-to-be. In all of the happy commotion Thom stuck next to Emilie, refusing to let go as the crowd became impossible to move. She smiled up at him as his hand squeezed hers to reassure her and him that this would be all over soon however something caught Thom's eye and he froze.

I can't believe…no this is not possible…what is she doing here!

Standing at the entrance the happy couple had walked through was Natiala. Thom pulled Emilie closer to him feeling the need to know that she was perfectly safe. A dreadful feeling started to grow in his stomach. A small gasp from his beloved revealed that she had seen the new comer and was as surprised as he was.

"What is she doing here", Emilie murmured although her face was plastered with a smile as someone remarked what a beautiful couple they made.

"I have no idea", Thom looked down at Emilie and gave her a worried look.

XXXx

Ta-da! What can you say about this then! Two updates in a week…hurray! Anyway thank you for the people who point out the mistakes I take them with a bowed head and offer my profound apologises. Thank you for every kind remark that you guys have said…they really brighten up my day. Hope you are having fun!