“No.” he shook his head. “I mean, yes, I’ll happily teach you but you didn't do anything wrong.” Thomas quickly clarified. “I just wasn't expecting it. I give you my word that I won't mention this to anyone.” he assured.
Eleanor nodded quickly. "Thank you. Life here isn't the same as it is out there," she sighed and gazed back out her window. "In my village, there were these two women – Wendy and Helena. Every time I'd see them, they would kiss me on the cheek in greeting and give me sweets." She smiled fondly at the memory. "I suppose I got that reaction from them when I was younger."
“No. Life in here is not the same as in a village.” Thomas agreed with a soft chuckle. “They sound like very lovely women. I wish I could have met them.” he smiled.
Eleanor sighed. "I wish I could see them again." She blinked and sat upright. "I'm the queen," she said quietly as if realizing it for the first time. "I could collect a carriage and go back. You could come with me!" Her eyes began to light up again with excitement at the idea.
“You certainly can.” Thomas smiled, glad to see more of a spark in her. “That would be… That would be very nice. I would like to see your village.”
Eleanor grinned. "I'd love for you to see it with me. He hasn't even seen it." Her smile faded a bit at the indirect but obvious mention of her husband, but she was still excited for the first time in a while.
Thomas’s smile softened a little but he nodded. “I… I’m sure he's seen your village before. It's probably just been a while but that's not an excuse for him not to see your previous home with you.”
Eleanor shook her head. "If he did see it, I don't think he remembers that it was my home. He remembers my name. That's all I can ask for, I suppose. And he has other engagements to take part in rather than visiting my village."
“That’s a possibility.” Thomas agreed. After all, the King had a lot of villages in his kingdom. It wouldn't be a surprise if he didn't keep track of them all. “But I’m sure he wouldn't mind if you went to visit.” he said, trying to cheer her up.
"I'll ask him at dinner," she said decidedly.
Thomas smiled and gave a nod. “Very good, my Queen.” he chuckled. “Is it silly of me to say that I’m already looking forward to seeing your village with you?”
Eleanor's eyes met his again, looking more alive than they'd been since he had first seen her. "No, not at all," she murmured. "I'm looking forward to sharing my village with you!"
Thomas blushed again as his eyes met hers, but his smile stayed sincere. He would never say it out loud but he liked seeing her this happy. “Thank you… Eleanor.”
After weeks of being called nothing but "Your Majesty" and "My Queen" by the other servants and soldiers in the castle, Eleanor melted as he called her by her name. "Thank you," she whispered softly.
Thomas smiled again and nodded. It would take some time for him to be comfortable with addressing the Queen so informally… But her reaction would certainly make it easier.
Eleanor's smile was much more genuine now. "Thank you," she said again, gazing into his blue eyes. She couldn't help but notice that they were the most perfect shade of blue.
“You… You're welcome?” Thomas said, unsure if that was actually the right response. It has just seemed right to use her name at the time even though it had practically drilled into him during his training to use the proper honorifics if he addressed anyone.
Eleanor laughed lightly. "I've told you to call me by my name. If I didn't want you to, I wouldn't have told you. It's been too long since anyone has called me Eleanor. Well, except for Marcellus." As much as it was odd for Thomas to call the queen by her first name, it felt just as odd for Eleanor to call the King by his first name. She knew she was his wife, but they were so detached it felt unnatural.
“I know you did.” Thomas smiled softly. “It’s just… It's going to take me some to get used to call you by your name, rather than your title.” he admitted.
Eleanor dipped her head slightly, a gesture filled with understanding. "I don't mind. And I don't expect you to change right away. I just appreciate you're trying more than anything." She smiled gently at him, recapturing her beauty through happiness that had been diminishing over the weeks of being alone.
Thomas felt his breath catch in his throat as her natural beauty became more noticeable but didn't let himself react. He couldn't. She was still the Queen and he was just a guard… who had perhaps become more of a confidant by accident, but he didn't mind. “Thank you. I will try to use your name but only when we're here and alone.” he assured her.
Eleanor's eyes widened, and she nodded. "Yes, please… I'd prefer for these little exchanges to be kept between us." She knew that as the queen, her repercussions of getting too close with a guard would be punishing, but his punishment for getting too close to her… Too close? What was she thinking? They were only talking. But he was, in fact, quite handsome.
“As you wish.” Thomas nodded with a small gentle smile. It was… nice to be able to talk to someone again. Really talk. Not just salute or bow to when the other person barked orders to him. But he was fairly certain that his life had just become a bit more complicated.
(Lil timeskip to keep it moving)
Eleanor flushed lightly. She didn't realize how low the sun had been beginning to sink in the sky until the golden glow illuminated her room and Thomas's features. "It'll be about dinnertime soon," she murmured thoughtfully. "I don't think I'd like to eat in the dining hall tonight. Could you go and fetch a bit for me? Please," she added hastily, not wanting him to think of her as a queen who did nothing but mindlessly boss around her servants every day.
(That’s fine.)
Thomas blinked, not realizing how much time had passed, but nodded at her request. “Of course.” he assured as he stood back up. “Perhaps… If I say that you are not feeling well, do you think that the King might leave you be for the night?” he asked, hoping that might work since it was obvious to him that Eleanor did not want to… spend time with the King tonight.