The Twins

Chapter 4: The Letter

"He is not a boy anymore, he deserves to know!" Elizabeth's voice shouted from behind a closed door. Thomas stood on the other side his closed hand hesitating to knock. "You can't continue this secret Grog. People know, do you not hear the comments? See the looks they give? Stop leaving them confused!"

"Do not tell me how to raise me boy! Ye know nothing of the world beyond your throne!" Grog yelled back, a loud thud and broken glass being heard from the other side of the dark oak door. "Ye went behind my back with that letter, I be trying to protect the boy!"

"He is not just your boy, we are doing this together! I should have a say in this decision as well!" The Queen yelled back as more slamming was heard beyond the barrier.

"Oh ye already made the decis-" The door swung open wide as Thomas stood there with balled fists looking between Grog and Elizabeth. The room had been torn apart, chairs and tables laid overturn and remnants of glass ware dotted the floors. The two elder adults turned white in silence as the realization of what just occurred washed over them. "-Thomas." Grog said as he took a step toward the young man.

"No! Stay back!" Thomas snapped back as he slammed his fist into the doorframe. "Firstly, you are not my father and never will be! And you," Thomas turned to look at Elizabeth. "are not my mother. So stop acting like it! You both make decisions, and keep secrets from me! I'm a man now and I deserve to be treated like it!"

Grog and Elizabeth stood silent for several moments as their eyes looked upon each other and then toward the floor. Breathing deeply Grog took the first step forward as he bent down to pick up a chair. "Come and sit." He said to Thomas. "Elizabeth...the letter."

Elizabeth nodded softly and went to an end table, pulling its drawer open. Within was a piece of parchment with the Queen's seal broken upon it. Thomas entered the room slowly and sat down in the chair that Grog stood beside. The older man looked down at Thomas and placed a hand upon his shoulder, only for it to be shrugged off and met with a glare. "Don't touch me."

Elizabeth walked across the room and held out the letter to Thomas with a shaking hand. "Here... I'm sorry." She said softly taking a step back from her adopted son.

Thomas looked up at Elizabeth and noticed the water welling up in her eyes as he held the note in his hands. Hesitating for a moment he flipped open the folded parchment and read over the words. His eyes themselves began to tear up as well.

'Captain Patricks,

I am sending this letter ahead to you beyond my better judgment. I know you are to make port in Fha a few days after this reaches you, however I have a favor to ask of you. My husband Grog and I have taken in a child these past years by the name of Thomas. He is such a lovely young man, full of potential; but he is troubled. At times Thomas closes himself off to the world and takes on the moniker Margo. I am unsure as to why my child does this, but when he does it is as if he's a whole new person.

I remember you from when I was a child, and it fascinated me as to how you could also be two people as well. When I was told  that you were to make port I had hope that you could help my dear Thomas. I love him but as the Queen people are beginning to question my rule. They doubt that I can fix Fha because I can't fix my own child. So I send this letter to you to ask for your assistance. You are the only other person I know with this type of impairment, and if he can't be cured; perhaps he would live a better life upon your ship.

When you arrive in port please speak nothing of this to my husband. I wish this to be kept a professional matter between you and I; he does not need to know about our dealings. Grog cares too much for our child and I don't want his feelings to get in the way of helping our son.