((Author’s Note: I was forced to write a short story for creative writing class and had no ideas so I went on the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) site and stole a dare – that’s where the first quote thing came from. Except instead of an army it’s the advisor. And the ending sucks because I didn't feel like writing it well because I was lazy and working on my novel. Alrighty, have fun!))

Forgotten Love

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, digging the heels of my palms into my eyes. “‘Because it’s funny’ is not a good reason to turn the King’s Advisor into a bunny.” I said in the sternest voice I could muster. I looked at the young man in front of me. He was cradling a startled white rabbit in his arms.

“But,” he began, looking crestfallen.

“No excuses.” I said, still trying not to laugh. “This isn’t the first time you’ve done something like this, Tobias.” A few months ago, he had enchanted the practice swords so that whenever their bearers tried to attack each other, the blade would jump out of his hand and fly off in a random direction. And then there was that time when he had bewitched an ancient tapestry so that it would shriek and flail about whenever anyone walked by it. It took weeks to persuade the servants to go in that hall again. They were still thoroughly convinced a malicious ghost haunted the tapestry and they gave it a wide berth when they passed it.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm. I just wanted to see you.”

I looked up at him. His sparkling blue eyes, usually full of laughter, were filling with tears. My heart broke in that instant. I hadn’t meant to make him cry.

I stood up and leaned over the desk. I pressed my lips against his forehead. “When will the spell wear off?”

“In a few hours.” he chocked through his tears.

“I want you to apologize to Lord Hawke when he turns back and then come see me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” He turned to go, looking even more forlorn than before.

“Wait,” I commanded. He halted. I walked around the desk and kissed him gently. “It was pretty funny.” I whispered in his ear. He looked up at me, a bright smile flooding his features, before exiting the room.

I grinned to myself and returned to the hard, wooden chair. Tobias was the King’s wizard. My wizard. He was barely over twenty, and he acted like he was five.

I had asked him, once, why he acted so childish. His answer had surprised me. I closed my eyes, wrapped in the memory.

I finally caught him, both of us out of breath from the chase. I scowled at him, and he laughed back at me, his eyes dancing with delight, his long, brown hair spilling over his shoulders and down his back. His dark blue robes rested crookedly on his small frame.

I snatched his hand and led him over to a tree. I sat down against it and he plopped down next to me. I ran my fingers through his hair gently, relishing the rare moments we could spend together.

“Why do you always act like this?”

“Like what?” he murmured, leaning against my shoulder.

“Like a kid.”

“Oh. That.” He paused for a moment and, when he spoke again, his tone was measured and emotionless. “It’s because of the Academy. I was taken there when I was very young. I don’t even remember my parents. There, they didn’t care about the life a child should live. It was always discipline, work, practice… they would tell me, ‘No, you can’t go play. You are to stay right here for three days as punishment for performing that spell imperfectly,’” he paused, glancing away from me as he took a deep breath and said, “They would hit me if I broke the rules.”

I remembered how my heart jerked at his soft-spoken words and how my hand had tightened around him protectively. I had hated the Academy for what they had done to him.

The door creaked open noisily and my head jerked up. Lord Hawke stormed into the room, his face purple with rage.

“My King, how--”

“Now, now, Lord Hawke, have you so soon forgotten your manners?” I interjected.

His eyes widened in disbelief. He bowed stiffly, and gritted, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I request a word with you.”

I put my elbows on the table in front of me, lacing my fingers, and said arrogantly, “Yes, what is it?”

“Your Majesty, your wizard--”

“Yes, what of him?” I interrupted again.

He took a breath, obviously flustered. “Your Majesty, how can you allow such disrespect to your advisor?”

“I fail to see what you mean.”

“He turned me into a rabbit!”

“Personally, I think being a rabbit suited you better.” I smiled inwardly.

“My lord!”

“What else do you need? I’m busy.” It was only half-true.

“My lord, please, listen to me. The nobles are talking. Why do you keep that wizard around? They’re drawing conclusions, Your Majesty. You need a wife to disprove what they’re--”

My anger flared up in me, my voice colder than ice as I said, “I don’t need anything. Leave.”

“Your--”

“Now.”

He ducked a bow hastily and scurried out of the room. How dare he suggest that… that…

The door creaked open again. I looked up and saw Tobias standing in the doorway. My rage disappeared instantly when I saw him, his face cast to the side, his long, brown hair falling over his beautiful face. His hands were clenched so tightly in front of his body that his fingers had turned completely white.

I walked over to him, my bare feet padding across the rich rugs that lay over the stone floor. I traced my fingers along his jaw and coaxed his gaze upward. There were tears in his eyes again.

“They can’t take you from me that easily,” I promised, drawing him gently into my arms.

He buried his face in my neck and wrapped his own arms around my waist, his hands tightening. I felt a tear trail down to my shirt. “He’s right,” he mumbled. “You need a wife and an heir. There is no one to succeed you.”

“I need you.” I kissed the top of his head briefly, stroking his hair soothingly. “Are you hungry for dinner?” I asked him abruptly and he shook his head in response, still clinging to me in a childlike manner. Oh, how my heart lurched. Was it love? I wondered, but I didn’t know. I had never loved anyone before.

“This won’t last,” he murmured into my neck.

“Then let’s make the most of it while we can.”

Spending the night with him was beyond what words could describe. He was beautiful, and there was nothing I’d rather do than hold him in my arms forever, running my fingers through his hair, hearing his voice, simply being with him.

He fell asleep curled next to me, his gentle breath even and peaceful. How long would I be able to hold him as I did that night? A day, a month, a year? I could not stand the thought of being parted from him, yet I knew we would be. The demands of a kingdom always came first.

Oh, my beautiful lover… I mourned our parting already. The nights we spent together were laced with the fear that it would be our last, but the passion was not diminished. I treasured every moment I spent with him.

I ran my finger down his spine and smiled slightly as he pressed himself closer against my body without waking from his sleep.

“I… love you, Tobias,” I murmured softly. If only it could last forever. He would be torn from me, from my body, from my heart. All for the sake of a kingdom that would never return my love.

“Your Majesty?” Tobias said sleepily, shifting slightly.

“Shh, go back to sleep.”

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”

“Tobias,” I said firmly. “Call me Kien.”

“… Kien,” he whispered and pressed his lips to mine. “Kien,” he said again, just as softly. “Will you promise to remember me when I am gone?”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

“Yes, I am. You need a wife.”

“No, I need you.” I brushed my thumb across his cheek, catching a single tear. “Only you.”

He leaned forward, pressing his face into my chest. “Don’t say that. Please, don’t say that.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s not true,” he whispered, his voice choked with tears. “You need a wife.” He pushed himself away from me and rose from the bed. I jumped up after him, grabbing his arm before he could leave the room.

“Let go,” he said, his voice completely controlled. My hand slipped from his arm.

“Tobias,” I began hesitantly.

He shook his head. “Don’t speak. Just promise me that you’ll remember me. Please, just remember me as your son walks onto the battlefields, leading your army. Proud, Kien, he will be proud. And too swift to act, but he will make a good king one day.”

“What are you talking about?”

He gave me a sad smile. “You’ll see, in time. He will be a good son to you, and a good leader for your people.” He raised himself on his toes and kissed me, his hands on my shoulders for support. He broke the kiss too quickly, turning away from me and walking to the balcony.

“Do you think I can fly?” he murmured.

“No. Tobias, NO!” I shouted as he threw one last serene smile over his shoulder and stepped off the balcony.

I stood in shock, unable to believe, comprehend, think, think, gone, dead, gone, gone, gone, gone… he was… gone.

I collapsed. No… no, it couldn’t be. It was just one of his tricks. He was fine… fine…. I crawled over to the balcony and looked down. I felt bile rise in my throat. I turned away and retched.

No… no… no… no… Why did you do this to me? I screamed at him, sobs wracking my body. Why… why… gone… dead… vanished… broken… mangled… blood…. I rocked back and forth, back and forth.

Gone… dead… gone… forever.