Hello, Goodbye

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd

Warnings! This chapter contains some dark material!

I was awoken some time later by  soft knock on my door. It took me a second to come to but I could tell that this knock was not one that Claude would use. I got up slowly as not to repeat yesterday mornings mistake. I yawned as I made my way to the door. I opened it and saw Dimitri standing there in his night clothes, a pained look on his face. "Dimitri? What's wrong? Are you alright?" He looked at me and I couldn't read what look was in his eyes. "I'm so sorry Thalia. I know it's early but could you spare a moment to talk? Please?" His voice held desperation. Desperation of which I could not deny. I motioned him inside and closed the door  behind me. "Of course I can spare a minute for you. What's wrong?" He sat in the chair at my desk and I noticed that his hands were shaking. Out of impulse I reached for him and held his hands in mine. His eyes widened in surprise but he didn't jerk or move away from me. 

"The nightmares. They won't stop. Thalia...your parents. How did you lose them? You don't have to tell me, I just... I want to know." I lowered myself to my knees, his hands still in mine.  I took a deep breath before I began my story. "When I was nine my village was raided by thieves. But they weren't just any thieves. This particular group ran a child trafficking ring in the city surrounding Almyra's capital. They would destroy entire villages just to sell children. It was worse with the girls who were abducted though. My parents were killed right in front of my eyes and I was taken." I could feel tears sting my eyes, threatening to make themselves known. However, I fought them back. "Three months after my captivity I was raped. They would use me and the other girls for their own pleasure. It went on like this for almost a year. One night me and a few of the other children were taken to an auction to be sold. A traveling merchant saw our caravan and alerted some local mercenaries who took out the gang on the spot. In a fit of terror and panic, I ran. The next morning I found myself in front of Holst Goneril. He took me to Duke Riegan and I've been there ever since."  I only then looked to Dimitri and noticed the look of sheer horror in his eyes.

"Thalia...I'm so sorry you had to go through all that." I could tell he had a hard time forming his words but I was okay with it. I didn't go around purposefully asking for pity. "It's fine Dimitri. What's on your mind? You were talking about nightmares. What nightmares?" He looked as if he had completely forgotten why he had even came to my room in the first place. The look of anguish that graced his face nearly broke me. I gave his hands a gentle squeeze to let him know it was okay and to talk when he was ready. "I lost my parents four years ago. We were on our way to Duscur to help resolve some conflict there. When we arrived we were ambushed and attacked. My father and stepmother, as well as everyone else that was with us was killed. I was the only one who survived. I often dream of them. I can hear their voices calling out to me. Crying for me to avenge them. Their cries ring loud in my ears. I just... I don't know what they want from me Thalia."

His voice began to crack as he spoke and I lost all sense of composure. I stood up, pulling him with me, and brought him into my arms. His hands wrapped around my waist as he cried into my chest. I was heartbroken for him. Our lives were similar in ways. The only difference being my particular situation and him being haunted by those who are no longer in this world. "Thalia...I'm sorry. I shouldn't be burdening you with this." I pulled back to look into his deep blue eyes. "Dont you apologize for this Dimitri. It does you no good to bottle all these feelings and emotions up. I told you that you could talk to me and I meant it. This was good for you and me both." I walked him over to the bed where we both sat. He took a deep breath before he spoke again. "After my father died small skirmishes began to take place throughout the kingdom. And I am completely helpless to them, as I am not of age yet to take the throne. My people are suffering because they do not have anyone to rule."

He laid his hands in his lap and began to figet with his fingers. He began to nod off slowly and I could tell he was exhausted. "Dimitri, your wore out. You need rest. Do you think it would help any if you stayed here? So you wouldn't be alone?" He looked at me with surprise in his eyes. "Thalia... I can't ask that of you. This is not your burden to bare." I placed my hand on his shoulder and pushed him back onto the bed. "First off your not a burden. Second off if it helps I'm willing to try. I'm going to be up for a bit longer. Try and get you some sleep okay?" He nodded sheepishly and closed his eyes. I sat at my desk and pulled out my journal.

Day 3

To say the least things have gotten pretty interesting. The young boy I met my first day here is being haunted by something horrible. We both have been through our own tragedy and to say the least I feel for him. Even now he is struggling and goddess knows why, but I feel myself being drawn to him. There is darkness in his heart but I feel like maybe I can help. I may be wrong but I wont stop unless I have tried. I refuse to see any more suffering than what is necessary. So, I will be there for him when he needs me.

I closed the journal and looked at the young prince. He had fallen soundly asleep and had rolled over next to the wall. I walked over to check the lock on the door. A smile graced my face as I slowly climbed in bed next to him and pulled the covers over us. I closed my eyes and let sleep take me as one final thought crossed my mind. 'You will survive this Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. Even if it's the last thing you do.'