A Prince, Long Forgotten (Discontinued)

Memories Restored (Part 1)

Tommy watched the scene before him with wide eyes. The woman he now knew was his mother had to be the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. But what confused him the most was their location. Why the hell would my mother bring me to the Nether? Why would she be here, unarmed? He continued to watch as his younger self reached his hands up towards something resting upon his mother's head. His mother giggled, a warm honey-sweet giggle, "You want to try on the crown again, big man?"

Crown? Tommy raised an eyebrow. Now that he was looking closer, he could see a golden circlet resting upon her head, crimson jewels embedded within the delicate golden ornament.

Nodding eagerly, the young version of Tommy reaches up again towards the crown, "I want to wear the crown! I'm a big man, like papa!"

Timmy smirked at his younger self's words. Even as a four-year-old, Tommy knew he was a big man. Four...wait! I was four when Phil found me! Icy dread consumed his senses. Is... is this what happened before I was alone? His mind was racing as he resumed his watch. His mother smiled down at the four-year-old in her arms; reaching up with one hand, she removed the crown. She carefully placed the crown upon her son's head. Evidently, the crown was much too large for him. It slid down, covering his eyes, causing the boy to pout.

Tommy began to laugh at the toddler before him. Even if he was technically laughing at himself, he still found the situation hilarious. The laughter of his mother joined his own. We have the same laugh. He smiled as he watched the pair before him. Yet, he couldn't shake the nagging thought that something terrible was coming. He couldn't explain it, but he knew that disaster was approaching.

Ignorant to the impending doom, he watched as his mother began walking away, carrying her son in her arms. Tommy stepped towards them, intending to follow them. But as his foot made contact with the ground, the scene around him changed.

Tommy found himself standing within a massive chamber. Blackstone pillars supported a high arched ceiling. Red Netherbrick lined either side of a polished quartz aisle that lead to a raised platform. Upon which sat three tall chairs. The center chair was the most extravagant. It was made of gold, with red velvet cushioning on the back and the seat. The chair to the right was just as beautiful, but it did not rise as tall as the center. The one to the left was smaller than the previous two. It did not appear to have been designed for show but primarily for comfort. All three thrones held a familiar crest, engraved upon the gold or sewn into cushioning. Tommy stared blankly up at the symbols upon the thrones before turning to gaze at his palm. The symbols matched precisely.

A door to the left of the thrones swings open suddenly, jolting Tommy from his thoughts. A group of people began filing through the open door, heading towards the thrones. Tommy recognized two of the figures. His mother and himself. She carried Tommy in her arms before reaching the leftmost throne. Gently setting Tommy down upon the plush throne, she smiled. "Alright, Tommy, can you sit here quietly for papa and me? Here," she handed the boy a small plush dog, "You can play with Clementine for a while. This is a very important meeting." The toddler hugged the stuffed dog to his chest and nodded, already determined to keep quiet. His mother smiled at the toddler before making her way to the rightmost throne.

Tommy turned his gaze to the man who sat upon the center throne. He was a tall and muscular man with long dark brown hair that brushed the top of his shoulders. A well-trimmed beard softened his sharp features. The man's appearance was exactly like what Tommy imagined King Arthur would have looked. The man smiled towards Tommy's mother before they sat down simultaneously. The man smiled and gently took his wife's hand. Intrigued, Tommy moved closer, wanting to listen in on the conversation.

The man sighed softly, glancing to his wife, "Kalliopa, are you sure you want to be at this meeting? The other three kingdoms aren't renowned for being merciful or understanding."