As Thomas stood over David, his sword’s blade slightly caressed his neck as his was pointed at Thomas’ heart.
He knew with one swipe it would be all over but his heart would not let him do it.
His hands felt weak and his sword fell aside. David could have killed Thomas but he lowered his blade.
“What could I have been thinking?” Thomas thought.
“Could becoming King have taken over every aspect of my being, so much that I would go this far?” He added.
A feeling of shame-filled him.
Thoughts of what he did to his Father overcame him.
“David is my brother, his same blood flowed through my veins.
At no time, he coward to me, he was ready to die, if death came his way, through my sword or any.” Thomas pondered.
David may have thought the next event spared his life but truly Thomas did not have the courage to kill his brother. He was all he had at this point. And even after this fierce vicious fight with him, he knew he would proudly stand by him and protect him against anyone, if need it be.
Suddenly a loud sound like a crash and rolling thunder startled us.
As David and Thomas looked, Amelia’s horse Toby came rushing out of the brush towards them.
There was no remedy but to move out of his way.
Something had spooked him.
But that was not what concerned them.
How did Toby get all the way to Willshire without a rider, without Amelia?
Thomas quickly yelled at him to stop, Toby slowed down and slowly galloped back towards them.
David looked at Thomas and said, “What is Amelia’s horse doing here?”
Thomas grabbed its bridle and answered, “Amelia must have followed me here but where is she?”
This was so unusual, Amelia cared for her horse like it was her child, she would never leave him unattended or stranded.
They began walking towards the direction Toby came from.
There was nothing, no sign of Amelia.
It was as if Toby just appeared from nowhere.
David walked up behind him and said “What is going on, Thomas? Where is Amelia?”
Thomas was confused, he had no answers.
“Our childish conflict will have to wait. Something is very wrong.” David added.
Thomas agreed but he needed to find Amelia before David did.
Thomas handed David the bridle and stated “You return Toby back to Landford but ride along the outskirts to see what you can find. Check if anything is suspicious. I will head straight to Landford in the direction Amelia would have taken.”
David agreed and said “I will meet you at Landford Castle.”
Thomas commanded his men to follow David as he returned home.
Thomas rode fast but vigilant.
There was no sign of anything.
As he passed Schillingburg, all seemed quiet there. Their soldiers were in their usual positions. He rode passed a few special places where Amelia and he would have gone, to see if she was there but there was no sign of her. As he arrived at Landford Castle, he yelled for Amelia as he ran up to their quarters. As Thomas entered, the room looked in shambles and Amelia was nowhere in sight. He called for the night maid who thought Amelia was with him. He ran through the castle, looking through every place he could think she would be and still nothing.
He began to panic. He rode throughout the grounds, the stables, the garden, nothing. Even the dungeon was empty.
In the distance, he could see David approaching with his men. He rode towards the stable and
began to put his horse away.
David rode in behind him and asked “Is she here?”
Thomas nodded no.
“Where is she?” He continued.
“I do not know David, I left her here” Thomas yelled.
“I have searched the entire castle and its grounds and there are no signs of her anywhere.” Thomas added.
David paced back and forth.
“Something is definitely wrong Thomas. Amelia would not be out after dark unless it was an emergency.” David continued.
“Did you quarrel with her?” David asked.
Thomas shook his head.
“I always quarrel with her, she has never left the castle, especially at night.” He answered.
“Maybe she followed you to my home,” David said.
“Impossible” Thomas mumbled.
“Why impossible, do you not know Amelia by now?” David asked.
“She was in a deep sleep” He whispered.
David laughed and added “Come on brother, you know Amelia. She always fooled Mother and Father. It looks like she has fooled you too.”
Thomas thought to himself.
“There was no way, I gave her the tea with a special sleep potion in it and I was assured she was not going to be able to function after drinking it.”
“Do not concern yourself, David, I will search throughout the castle again, she has to be here somewhere,” Thomas said.
“I will return in the morning and Amelia better be here or things between you and I will definitely
take a real turn for the worse.” David threatened.
“What does that mean?” Thomas replied.
David walked towards him and pointed at his chest and whispered “I will not play fight with you as I did earlier today, I will kill you, if Amelia is not found.”
Thomas grabbed his cloak and tried to walk away.
“How are you not concerned Thomas, she is your Queen!” David shouted.
Thomas turned to him and replied “She is my wife, NOT my Queen, and I am concerned, what do you expect me to do?”
David suddenly came at him and said “Father anointed her Queen, Thomas and I know how much you wanted to be King! If you have you done something to her, I will kill you”
“Father, FATHER! David please, Father is dead! Why must in death he still run our lives? I have not done anything to Amelia. She is the only one I would not bring harm to. But I would
not think twice before having you imprisoned again dear brother so be on your merry way while you still have the strength and will to do so.” Thomas responded.
“I have warned you, brother. I will be back in the morning.” David repeated.
Thomas walked away in haste.
As he entered the castle his first officer stopped him. “My Lord, I found Queen Amelia’s shawl by the creek.” He said.
“By the creek?” Thomas thought.
“Find some men and go search there, maybe she is hurt.” He commanded.
Could she have followed me? He asked himself.
He saw her drink the tea and fall asleep.
So he thought.
He sat at the window looking over Landford, hoping to see her in the distance.
No matter all that has happened between them he could not see his life without her.
“What was I to do? I cannot just sit around and do nothing. I must go out and bring back my Amelia.” Thomas said to himself.
Meanwhile in Schillingburg…
King Erich was elated with his new capture. He really did not know what he wanted to do with her. All he was sure of was that this was the perfect vengeance against Thomas.
“Maybe we can do an even trade, Amelia for Landford?” King Erich thought and laughed.
“Charles, CHARLES!” King Erich called.
“Yes my liege?” Charles asked.
“How is our lovely Lady Amelia?” He asked as he paced back and forth.
“She is as good as she could be considering her situation, my Lord.” Charles answered.
“Do you know what is the best part of having her here?” King Erich asked.
Charles nodded.
“Thomas and David do not even know she is gone, too busy with their own squabbles, pity, pity.” He replied.
He stopped and motioned to his subject to approach him.
“Assure yourself that Amelia is comfortable. Take her warm clothes, food and drink. Tend to her injury and most of all be respectful, she is a Lady.” King Erich said as he turned towards Charles.
“I have nothing against her, my fight is with Thomas and she is just a pawn. A wonderful pawn plus I do not want her to think I am a bad host.” He laughed.
Amelia had no idea what was going on. One minute she was riding to Willshire, next minute she is in a dungeon cell.
She paced as she waited for someone.
She did not recognize anything or anyone, not even the view outside the small window of her cell. She could not remember what got her into this predicament. She was still a bit groggy from the tea and injured due to her fall off her horse.