Thomas

Each day Thomas and Annalise grew closer with each hidden secret and each shared moment. Soon Annalise turned 16 and suitors lined the halls. Each one tried to pierce the heart of the fair Annalise to no avail. Annalise could never be found when the Suitors came calling. Their caravan bursting at the seams with jewels, spices and rich smoked cuts of exotic meats; all gifts to lure in the angelic heart of Lady Annalise as well as her great kingdom and massive gold stores. Each “prince” would protest to Annalise’s tardiness and lack of respect for men. Annalise had better things to do, she spent many happy afternoons off galivanting with Thomas. These were the best years of Their lives.

One sunny summer’s day Thomas quickly completed his chores his feet couldn’t keep up with his need, Thomas couldn’t wait to see Annalise. Her face was all his mind focused upon as Thomas’s feet flew upon the cobbled streets sending him soaring ahead to the library, nothing could stop the boy on a mission. As Thomas approached his destination he saw a sight that stopped his heart cold. Thomas had never felt so empty inside as he did the moment his eyes caught sight of Sir Deter.

Annalise was in the embrace of Sir Deter the new suitor her father arranged. He whispers in her ear and suddenly the twinkling laughter that used to be reserved for Thomas burst from her soft pink lips. Thomas stopped and watched as his heart broke. His lungs filled with heavy air like wet sand choking each breath, sending fired throughout Thomas’s heaving chest. Annalise giggled and flirted, Thomas died a little with each gentle caress, each heavenly laugh and with each salacious look Thomas’s heart turned cold and dark as the anger boiled up in his veins. Annalise looked to the Library’s window her heart stopping as she saw Thomas’s ocean blue eyes gazing angrily at Sir Deter. The hurt that danced savagely behind a veil of tears sent shock waves of pain through Annalise’s body. Before Annalise could react to the new developments Thomas turned and ran his feet pounding the earth. Thomas’s breaking heart pounded ferociously drowning out all sound other than his pain. Thomas made it to the river’s edge each pounding step fueled his anger and broke his heart as his bones shook from the concussion of the pain-filled escape, he slumped down his, heart crumbling in his chest. The beating of his heart rapidly aching with each thud, thud, Thomas felt as if death had a hold on his soul. Suddenly amidst the sound of the babbling brook and his blood beating in his body he heard soft foot beats upon the ground. Thomas whipped around to see Annalise her sweet face streaming with tears. Thomas’s body ready to spring filled with pain and anger he stood staring straight into the green pools of tears that have replaced Anna’s eyes. Annalise stood before Thomas a lingering silence filled the surrounding forest. Breaking the pained silence Annalise unleashed a scream that shook the very roots of the trees, her body weak with rage and pain she fell upon the ground and cried to Thomas, “WHY NOW! Was the only word she screamed, Annalise sobbed relentlessly. When Thomas thought she was all but lost her voice softly quivered as she spoke her heart to him. “Thomas, I waited and waited for you.” Annalise pulled away from Thomas and looked up into his concerned gaze. “How could you be so blind? Now you want me! I have waited for you for so long, Thomas. I have thwarted so many suitors and disappointed my father time and time again. All this I did for you, so you would see me, not only as your friend. Now, Thomas I am 18 and I must marry to save my kingdom. My heart no longer in control of my decisions. You wouldn’t understand you don’t have any responsibilities to this kingdom. You only think of yourself Thomas,” Annalise once again placed her small face upon Thomas’s chest her final words a soft pained whisper, “Don’t make me choose.” Annalise collapsed crying beside Thomas. Annalise’s body shook with each sob her heart was breaking and Thomas could see her pain. Annalise’s word shook Thomas to the bone, how could he have been so ignorant, this heavenly angel princess never belonged to him, the love they shared was always fleeting, for a princess must honor the code of royalty and maintain her duty to her kingdom. Thomas held her while she sobbed. Annalise knew this was the last time she would be Anna the stable boy’s playmate, this was Annalise’s freedom drowning in her tears. This moment they shared was the last moment Thomas would ever breath in the sweet smell of lilac water and warm sunlight upon her hair. This is the last time he would feel their hearts beat as one, they sat embracing each other for the final time, one last love affair.

Thomas spent the next few days preparing for his long journey. Thomas called upon his debtors and with the money in tow he packed his final supplies. The day came when the King announced that Lady Annalise and Sir Deter will be married, Thomas looked up at the castle he once called home and left at the news of Annalise’s wedding day. Thomas’s final duty before his departure was to bid his mother farewell. “I will return when I can make you proud Mother, I love you always.” Thomas kissed his mother’s wet cheek and left without another word. Before she could clear her tear-filled eyes her son he was gone, vanishing into the sunlight, her aching chest filled with the screams of pain she can never release she whispered, “You already make me proud.” Mary cried for days her heart breaking. Without seeing his mother’s anguish, Thomas moved forward his heart frozen. Without heart, without direction Thomas escapes his shattering heart leaving behind, Annalise.