Chapter 25: Let Me Help

One week later…

I walked the wooden steps to the second floor of the cottage; I walked past Thelma's door when I heard a noise. Curious to what it was I slowly opened the door and peaked in, and there I saw Thelma in her thin black robe out of bed reaching for something way to high for her to reach. Her sword.

I quickly rushed in the room stopping her from splitting her wound that was still healing.

"Thelma what the hell are you doing?" I demanded grabbing her gently and walking her back to the bed. All she did was try and shove me away and grunted as she did so.

"I need my sword Erik," she said with weakness. I continued to walk her to the bed and then she began to struggle.

"Erik! I need my sword!" she shouted. I stopped and looked at her, I couldn't deny her. I nodded and sat her down on her bed. I then walked to a shelf and reached up and grabbed her swift sharp sword.

I handed it to her, and the moment her fingertips grasped her sword she stood and swung it around, already looking like she healed and was ready to fight anyone. She then lost her balance and began to fall; I quickly stepped in front of her and grabbed her. She groaned and quickly began hitting my arms trying to make me let her go but I wouldn't.

"No! Let me go! Let me go! I can do it myself!" she hit me multiple times making me groan in pain, she always did contain such strength.

"Enough!" I shouted to her as I pushed her back on her bed. She yelped in pain and quickly I tried to help her but all she did was push me away.

"I'm fine!" she shouted again. "I'm fine Erik," she whispered low. "I want to do this on my own…"

"But you can't right now Thelma you're too weak…please let us help you," I said sitting in front of her. There was silence, she was silent, and I was silent. She then slowly met my eyes. She got closer to me.

"You want to help me Erik?" she asked suddenly getting closer. I swallowed the lump growing in my throat and nodded, of course I wanted to help her, she had saved my life.

"Then help me," was all she said. She got so close to me her knees touched my inner thighs. My breathing went firm as she slipped of her rob revealing her thin white night gown, it clung to her showing her slender body. Oh how I wanted to touch her.

She then stands, unsteady at first then slowly straddles my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck roughly pulls me too her. We're inches apart; I can feel her breath on my lips. Why aren't you stopping this? This isn't right! Stop Erik! Stop!

"No" I suddenly say through rapid breathing. She stilled and backed away slowly with disbelieving eyes. She got off and sat back down on her bed.

"I…I'm sorry I…" she couldn't speak; too much pain was in her eyes. Why must I always cause someone pain? "I heard the fight you and Dreama had, I…I didn't know what to think…I thought that…I don't know what I thought,"

She mustn't be in pain, she must understand. I have caused so much pain, for my love and for her.

"Please Thelma, listen to me…you must understand…" my voice cracked and I quickly stood and faced another direction.

I suddenly felt a shaky hand upon my shoulder, my head slightly turned to see Thelma in the corner of my eye.

"You should be in bed Thelma,"

"Finish Erik what you were saying…please"

I slowly turned to her fully and I could not deny the tears that were begging to be released. They quickly poured out of me, down my cheeks, my lips, my chin, and chest.

"I'm in love with someone who can't love me back…" The tears increased and soon sobs escaped me. Thelma brushed the tears away yet it was no use, she then pulled me close where I wept upon her shoulder for what felt like hours. I wrapped my big arms around her small body and held her tight; I needed so much to hold on to someone, to cry out my emotions.

"I must leave Thelma…I must leave Arthur Barstool…for her…I love her more then anything, I can't cause her anymore pain…I won't,"

I did not need to explain to Thelma my wish to have her take me somewhere far away from here, I could tell she already knew.

Slowly a minute past by, Thelma looked at me and nodded.

"You know already that when I heal I'm leaving to get another ship and set sail again the high seas. You may join me, and you may depart as soon as you find a place you wish to stay and make your home." I nodded in agreement; Thelma was already talking in an emotionless voice. I don't know why but I always know that she never means to offend me when she talks like that.

My tears had now stopped, I regained myself and made sure Thelma was back in bed.

It was set; when Thelma leaves I will leave as well. My last day here will be when the villagers do a goodbye party; it will be not only for Thelma but me as well…I will never return to break the heart of the woman I love…never.

Hey! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I just moved so you know its been busy, plus my dad was in a car accident so you know he's in a lot of pain now. But I'm doing my best to update, and sorry the chapters are so short, unfortunatly the chapters are gonna be short for a while longer, this story is soon coming to an end and you know...saving best for last! kk enough of me blabbering...laters...

Crystal A.

"Life is a mask, its our job to take it off and discover the journey behind it not in front for there is nothing there but a mask."