CHAPTER 2: THE GATHERING.

(POV: Thomas.)

After my encounter with the cloaked foe, I sat off for home. This mysterious passageway was just a ten minute walk away from where I found those golden roses for Lady. As I walked down the trail, I began to really be deep in thought about the princess whom I loved.

"It's been a few months since Lady and I did that Christmas exchange." I thought. "It's hard to take in that she is 17 now. I think I better get my act together and tell her how much I love her during the gathering, or I'll miss that chance."

"THUDD!"

"OW!" I then exclaimed as I walked into a tree. "I'll be feeling that tomorrow. Argh!"

As I then opened my eyes once more, I noticed something odd about the particular tree that I had walked into.

"Is that a seal engraved into it?!" I thought, as I then looked closer. "And the Allcroft crest just above it?"

I then looked around and saw something odd between the openings of the trees that stood on the sides by the one I ran into.

"There seems to be a barrier of some kind." I thought. "Knowing Lady, she would want to see this."

As I then smiled at the mere thought of bringing Lady here, I began to leave some special markers nearby these particular trees, so that hope could actually happen.

(POV: Mysterious Narrator.)

Later, as Thomas then arrived back at the mansion, he found his family looking quite worried.

"Hey guys!" He greeted. "What's up?"

"Oh, Thomas!" Tanya sighed in relief. "Thank goodness you made it back in time. we were worried that we may have to leave without you."

"But would you though?" Thomas asked cheekily, as Timothy came over.

"If you were late enough we might." Timothy sniggered as he proceeded to rustle his brother's hair.

"Hey! Timothy!" Thomas snapped as he then swatted his brother's hand back.

"What?" The man in silver quizzed. "Am I not allowed to do that now?"

"When I need to look my best, you are not!" Thomas said indignantly.

"Ooh.." Timothy said with a cheeky expression. "Are you planning to impress someone?" He asked knowingly.

"Um... Uh..."

Timothy chuckled, as Thomas then looked back at his parents.

"Um... I'll go get ready. Don't go out the door just yet."

As Tanya and Howard then nodded, Thomas ran up the stairs, and into his room, to go and get changed. Meanwhile at the Allcroft's Palace, Lady was doing final touch ups as Proteus helped her with doing her hair. As he did this, a concerned look went across his face.

"Lady," He quizzed. "Aren't you going to tell dad about your feelings for Thomas?"

"I don't know, Proteus." Lady replied. "Dad was so excited over the fact that there was another magicborn of the royal class living on Sodor, that he probably wouldn't care."

Proteus sighed as he continued on with the braids.

"Lady, at least try to spend some time with Thomas if he ends up coming here, tonight. You don't need to do anything serious, just chat, joke, even dance if that option is available."

"I'll try." Lady responded as her voice sounded slightly less solemn.

About an hour later, the gathering was in full swing, and all the Billintons arrived on time. Thomas was sporting a sky blue frock coat with red lapels and cuffs and a red tie upon his white shirt. As Thomas entered into the palace, he noticed something... different about it. There were guards who were all decked out in golden uniforms and swords on their sides. However, before he could say anything, he felt a familiar hand placing itself gently on his back, as if the owner was trying to get his attention. As the teen then turned, he smiled at the girl whom he saw.

"Lady." Thomas greeted. "You look great."

"Thanks." Lady replied as she smiled and blushed slightly. "You do certainly look dashing in that frock."

"Really now?" Thomas replied as he chuckled slightly. "I honestly don't think that I am full of any charm."

"And yet your personality and compassion grants you many friends." Lady inquired. "I say that you do have quite a bit of charm if you ask me."

"I suppose you have a point." Thomas sighed in defeat, as he and Lady edged slowly to one another.

However, before either of them could get romantically close, a man of the age of 17-18, whose black hair had blond highlights, and his attire navy blue, stepped in between Thomas and Lady.

"Uh... Allen!" Lady exclaimed as her face frowned. "What are you..."

"Just checking up on you, my love." Allen replied. "I can't have you be too careless around strangers."

"Thomas is NOT a stranger!" Lady retorted. "He's one of my Sorcerer Knights, and I trust him greatly."

"Oh he is?!" Allen exclaimed with hidden sarcasm. "Oh I do apologize." He said as he then whispered something into Thomas's ear. "She's mine, you rat! So stay out of places you don't belong."

As Thomas then just stood where he was, he watched Allen grab Lady by the hand and lead her away from him. As the nobleman looked down, a tear came from his eye, as so did Lady's, for Allen was trying to separate them.

(To be continued...)