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My Love=Your Death
As I walked to the old church that was nearly destroyed years ago, I couldn’t help but think that what they said wasn’t true. At least not until I saw it for myself. I know how much England hated him, but I loved him anyways. I walked into the church and there he was. It was true, Toby my one and only love was dead. There he lay on the floor covered in pieces of wood from the roof. I dropped to my knees right beside him and silently cried for what seemed like an eternity. * * *Two days earlier* * *
I couldn’t help but laugh at his cheesy joke. I loved to watch him laugh. His brown eyes sparkled with joy every time. It was just so easy around him. Little did I know we had a limited time together.
Even though we had only known each other for a few weeks now, I know that I’m completely in love with him. I loved his blonde hair that was almost always a mess, the way his brown eyes constantly shined. He was just ….. perfect.
I know he doesn’t car that the ENTIRE kingdom hated him. It wasn’t his fault his father sold weapons to England’s enemies. I just wonder if he ever feels alone, or how he really feels about being an outcast.
Anyways, like I said earlier Toby was perfect. Except, he was always trying to tell me how beautiful I was. How my brown curls fell just right, how my blue eyes shined brighter than any sea. That my freckle covered face was far more beautiful than anything in the kingdom. I wish I saw that in myself. When I thought of me being beautiful I always wished I was half as pretty as the other girls. Toby didn’t care what I thought of myself. He was constantly trying to convince me of how beautiful I am. But just like my dad, I am very stubborn. Once I’ve made up my mind there is no changing it.
The evening was cool, but warmer than usual for early spring in England. Toby plucked a white daisy, my favorite, from a nearby bush and tucked it in my hair.
“There the perfect flower for the perfect lady.” He said smiling.
“Oh, stop it. This flower is far prettier than me.” I said blushing.
“Please, any flower in the world is a disgrace compared to you!” exclaimed Toby.
And on and on we went arguing about my looks compared to a flower. A flower out of everything in the world to argue over a flower! We kept arguing as he walked me home until finally he screams, “Fine! You win! That still won’t change how beautiful you actually are.”
I smiled saying, ”Thank you. For letting me think what I want.” Then he bumps me jokingly laughing. So, I bumped him back, a little too hard I might add, for he stumbles and falls into a nearby mud puddle. I couldn’t help but explode into a complete fit of laughter.
“So you think this is funny, huh? Well how funny is this?” Toby jump up, grabs my arms, and pulls me down into the mud puddle with him. We lay there laughing talking about how ridiculous we must look at the moment. Then we just laughed covered in almost dried mud for almost four minutes. Toby finally got up and being the gentleman he is extended his hand to help me up. Once we were out of the mud he walked me the rest of the way home.
We walked to my house talking about how much fun we had during our day together, laughing and joking about it all the while. We got to my front door and kissed goodnight. I opened the door walked inside and closed the door gently. I expected them to be asleep since they had a king’s council to go to in the morning. But, as I walked up the stairs I heard my father call, “Elizabeth! Is that you?”
“Yes Father, it is me.”
“Well, come here please. Your mother and I wish to speak to you.”
“Coming, Father.”
So I walked back down the stairs and into the tearoom where they sat. I took a seat on the west side of the room, farthest from my mother and closest to the stairs. Immediately they started talking about my relationship with Toby. Mother said, “See, you being seen with Toby is not good for the family name.”
I asked, “And what do you suppose I should do about that, Mother? Stop seeing him?”
“Exactly!” my mother exclaimed. Her dirty blonde waves bounced as she jumped. Her brown eyes filled with joy at my answer. Even her always pencil straight posture cracked for a moment or two. You see my mother is a very important Lady in the king’s council; my father is a very important Lord as well. Mother always wanted me to be the perfect little lady, just like her she would say. She was always telling me, “Sit straight”, “Drink slowly”, and “That’s so un-lady like.”
On the other hand, my father loved me just the way I was. I was so glad I looked like him instead of my Mother. Although, his brown hair is starting to turn gray. From old age and stress caused by my mother. Father though still doesn’t approve of Toby.
That’s when I jumped up screaming, “Well sorry to disappoint you again, Mother! But I love Toby. And there is nothing you can do to make me stop seeing him! So goodnight!” I kissed Father on the head said, “Goodnight” and stomped up the stairs. That’s when my mother finally noticed my dress.
“What happened to your dress?!”
“I was walking with Toby when I fell into a mud puddle!”
“Well put that gown in the wash and take a bath. You look absolutely ghastly!”
I did as told because I did look quite terrible and took a bath so I could finally relax. When I was done refreshing myself I put on my night gown and went to bed. I fell asleep to the sound of my parents arguing about how to keep Toby and I apart.
I woke to the sound of someone knocking quite loudly on the front door. I then heard someone answer it. It was Mother. I recognized her voice when she greeted the visitor. I was suspicious as to why Mother had a visitor so early in the morning. I waited until I heard the office door close. Then I snuck downstairs and into a secret room I had discovered years ago. It was right behind a rather large closet in the office.
I finally could hear what was going on. They were arguing over a price for something. They finally came to an agreement on a reasonable price. That’s when I heard what Mother said. “Now remember the roof has to fall on him, so don’t do it until he gets there. Oh! And remember, the old church us damaged enough. There is no need to out too much weight on it.”
I froze when I heard what she had said. Toby was going to start rebuilding the old church today! My own Mother just paid someone to kill Toby! I had to warn him immediately.
I waited until I was sure Mother had left for her council meeting. Then I ran upstairs and got dressed as fast as I could. I was out the door in two minutes. I ran to town square, where Toby lives, hoping he hadn’t left yet. Thankfully he was just about to leave. I stopped him and explained what I had overheard. He wouldn’t listen.
“Listen I know you’re worried, but I have to do this. I need the money.”
“I can give you the money. My family has too much anyways!” I desperately tried to tell him.
“No! I won’t take it. I am sorry but I need to earn my own money.”
“Wouldn’t you rather live with money I gave you than die?!” I screamed at him as I started to cry.
“Hey look at me, I need to do this. I promise I will be extra careful. Okay?”
“You swear on my life that you will be careful.” I made him promise.
“I don’t want to, but there’s no sense arguing with you. So I guess I swear I will be extra careful.”
“Okay, then if it’s that important to you, you can go.”
“Thank you. Oh and before I leave I wanted to say, I love you” It as the first time either one of us had said that.
“I love you too.” We had a short kiss and off he went to the old church. I didn’t want him to go, but he was very clear that he was going to do it. I watched him go filled with fret for I was worried he wouldn’t be careful enough.
I later learned that he wasn’t.
I had never been filled with so much despair. He was really gone. Forever! I don’t know what I’ll do without him. I sat there stroking his face for what seemed like an eternity. I finally decided that I had to leave. I gave Toby a little kiss on the fore head before I went. I pulled myself together and walked straight out into the crowd of people that had gathered with my head held high. Even though he was gone I would always love him.
