(😁)
“You’re too kind.” Thomas replied, matching her tone as he realized that they were in fairly similar situations of helplessness. Of course, she was still the Queen and a very powerful woman, in that regard, but… her comment about just obeying reminded him of what was really expected of him as a guard. He wasn't supposed to ask questions, of any kind really. Not his superiors, not about his orders… but he was good at that.
Eleanor smiled weakly. "As are you, Thomas," she murmured, looking back up at him. She found that just the sight of him, another human being who understood her, was enough to relax her. But when she looked back at him, she noted the helpless look behind his eyes and reached up to caress his cheek with her hand. "Are you alright?" she asked quietly.
Thomas’s eyes widened as he froze like a deer at the soft gentle touch to the point where he almost missed her question. After a moment he finally blinked and gave a slow nod as he registered her words. “I’ll be alright.” he nearly whispered.
Eleanor noted his reaction, and for a moment, she wondered if she should withdraw her hand. But she didn't. It felt… right. She offered a weak smile at his response before softly replying, "That wasn't my question."
Secretly, Thomas was glad that she didn't pull away. He would have hated it if he had made her uncomfortable because of his reaction. Besides, he kinda liked her touch… He let out a quiet huff and managed a soft smile at her concern. “I… I suppose it wasn't.” he admitted. “But I am alright now. I was just thinking about… something rather sad.”
Eleanor's thumb absently began to stroke comfortingly over his cheekbone. She returned his smile before listening intently to his words. "I'm sorry… what were you thinking about?" Her eyes reflected the genuine nature of her question.
Thomas sighed at the new action and closed his eyes for a moment. “Don’t apologize. It's not your fault.” he assured, shaking his head slightly. “I was just thinking about my father. Growing up on the farm, he was… a good man, loved his family, but he was also fairly strict. In a way, that sort of prepared me for being a guard and not asking questions when I'm given a task or an order.” he told her.
(Um… hey lol. I'm back!)
At his words, Eleanor lowered her hand and let it rest in her lap. "Oh, I see. I suppose we are similar in that way. My mother raised me to never question a man's authority. She's terribly indebted to a patriarchal way of thinking, and I believe that's why I have such a difficult time refusing Marcellus." She parted her lips for a moment to sigh softly. "I wish things could be different."
(HEY!!!!! Welcome back! 😄)
“So do I, my Queen.” he nodded. “But in fairness to your mother, I think many are indebted to that same line of thought. It has been this way for… a very long time.” Thomas almost chuckled at the vagueness of his statement. Though it wasn't one of humor. “Yet, I still believe that does not excuse the King’s behavior towards you. I wish I could help more…”
(I'm so glad to finally be back! ♡ :))
Eleanor laughed dryly. "So it has been…" She straightened slightly. "You can help by not mentioning it," she whispered. "Rumors spread like a plague here. I've learned that far too quickly. Some of these other guards can be…" she hesitated for word choice, "degrading, at times."
“Of course.” he bowed, understanding. “I am your guard. Unless you say so, I will not breathe a word of anything we say. I know how everyone gossips when they think no one is listening.” Thomas admitted.
Eleanor nodded. "Indeed. I think several of my past guards thought me to be deaf. They spoke gossip and blasphemies around me with complete disregard for my status." Her expression turned more serious. "So when I tell you that my royal title has as little meaning as a single flower in a wide meadow, I mean it."
Thomas scowled, clenching his jaw at that. “I swear to you, Queen Eleanor, it won't be that way with me.” he proclaimed fervently. “Your title may mean little to them but I will follow you. No one deserves to be treated that way.”
A shiver ran down Eleanor's spine with the determination and urgency he said her name and pledged himself to her. She sat up straighter and lifted her chin a bit. "Your dedication means more to me than you truly know, Thomas," she murmured.
Thomas smiled softly back with a hint of pride at her reaction to his oath. He had meant it too. Every word. If anyone dared to say or do anything disrespectful to her or about her again, he would deal with them. “I suppose I've always been this way. Dedicated to something, I mean. First, it was my family and the farm. Then it was my training as a guard… Now, it's you.”
(I wish you could've seen my reaction to reading that lmaoooo It's so cuteeeee!)
Eleanor's face softened instantly. Without thinking, her eyes darted down to his lips, then back up again to meet his eyes. No, Eleanor, you can't do this. You can't be… falling in love with your guard. She nodded briefly. "Thank you," she breathed.
(I wish I could have too!)
“My pleasure.” Thomas smiled again, matching the gentle look on her face. He wouldn't deny that he admired the woman in front of him, and respected her… But it was too early for him to know if there was more to it. He would protect her. There was no doubt of that in his mind… Despite there being one exception he could not touch.
Eleanor couldn't tell if it was desperation to be with someone other than the king or if it was because she finally found a person who was treating her the way she deserved to be treated her entire life, but she was quickly falling for Thomas. She knew she had to put a stop to it. It was a silly notion. Still… she wanted to spend more time with him. "Thomas, do you ride?" she asked lightly.
Thomas raised a brow slightly, a little caught off guard by the change in topic, but nodded. “Yes, I can ride. It was part of my training.” he answered. “Do you enjoy riding?”
Of course, it made sense that riding was part of his training to be a guard… and Eleanor's eyes lit up against her own better judgment. "Yes, I adore it! Would you like to go for a ride around the castle grounds with me?" she asked.
Thomas smiled, glad to see his Queen come alive about something. Especially after how this morning had started. “I would be honored to.” he said sincerely.
Eleanor rose to her feet, wincing slightly and turning her face away to hide it. "Lovely. I'll have our horses prepared immediately then." She looked down at her flowing dress and pressed the fine, silky fabric between her fingers. "I need to change into more suitable clothes, though."
Thomas instinctively moved closer when she moved, hoping that she was alright, but nodded at her comments. “Of course. I can wait for you in the hall.” he offered, already moving towards the door.
Eleanor nodded once. "Yes, thank you," she said softly. She closed the door behind him and sighed with a smile as a blush painted her face. As quickly as she could, she headed over to her wardrobe and slipped into something a bit more practice for riding.
(Something like this?? https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/f8/89/bff889c82e2425b6a512df2f7ff4674b.jpg)
(Very nice!)
Once the door was closed, Thomas let out a deep breath to try and steady his heart. It had been racing almost all morning and he didn't fully understand why. At first, he assumed it had to do with encountering Eleanor in the hall. But then he remembered being angry at the King and how he treated her… Now? He wasn't sure why it was still pounding.