A Princess's Burden: The Trials of Elizabeth of Avondale

chapter 3 The Thief's Redemption

Elizabeth smiled warmly at her young brother's earnest attempt to soothe their baby sister. "You did well, Arthur," she said softly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you go back to bed? I'll take care of Alice."

Arthur smiled, relief evident in his eyes, and with one last glance at Alice, he shuffled back to his room. Elizabeth gently lifted Alice from the cradle, rocking her back and forth as she whispered soothing words. The baby's cries began to subside, her little body relaxing in Elizabeth's arms.

Suddenly, Elizabeth heard a faint, familiar tap at the window. Her heart quickened as she recognized the signal. Carefully placing Alice back in her cradle, she moved to the window and opened it just enough to let in the figure standing outside.

In the dim candlelight, the rugged features of Thomas came into view. He was dressed in dark, weather-worn clothes, his face partially obscured by a hood. Despite his rough appearance and the life he led, Elizabeth's heart swelled with affection.

"Thomas," she whispered her voice a mix of relief and concern. "It's dangerous for you to be here."

Thomas stepped inside, closing the window behind him. "I had to see you," he said, his voice low but urgent. "I heard Alice crying, and I couldn't stay away."

Elizabeth's eyes softened as she looked at him. "She's alright now," she assured him. "Just a little restless tonight."

Thomas approached the cradle, looking down at the now peaceful baby. His expression softened as he reached out a hand to gently stroke Alice's cheek. "She's a beautiful baby," he murmured.

Elizabeth's heart ached at the sight of him with Alice. "Thomas, we need to talk," she said, her voice tinged with worry and urgency.

He turned to her, his eyes narrowing slightly, a mix of defiance and tenderness in his gaze. "What is it, Lizzy? What's wrong now?"

Elizabeth took a deep breath, her hand moving instinctively to her belly. "Thomas, I'm pregnant," she revealed softly. "We're going to have a baby."

Thomas's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, a myriad of emotions flashed across his face. He took a step closer, reaching out to touch her belly. "Lizzy, that's... that's wonderful," he said, though his voice carried a hard edge. "But it's also incredibly dangerous. How could you let this happen?"

Elizabeth's eyes welled up with tears. "I didn't plan this, Thomas. But it's happening. We need to figure out what to do."

Thomas sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Do you have any idea what this means? For both of us? For the baby? The risks we're taking? Your father will kill me if he finds out."

Elizabeth nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I know. But we can't just run away from this. We need to find a way to be together, to keep our baby safe."

Thomas's face darkened with frustration. "You're too naïve, Elizabeth. Your father is the king. He has power and influence. He will do whatever it takes to protect his reputation. He won't hesitate to have me executed, and you know it."

Elizabeth flinched at his harsh tone but held her ground. "I know it's dangerous, but we can't just abandon our child. There has to be a way."

Thomas's frustration boiled over. "You're not listening, Lizzy! We can't stay here. We need to get out, now. Every day we wait, the risk grows. We need to act before it's too late."

Elizabeth felt the pressure of their situation weighing down on her. "And where do we go, Thomas? How do we escape without being caught? Your plan to go to the New World is risky. We need to think this through."