Chapter 4: Timothy

Inside the dim lit carriage, Kyle was tired out and slept on mom's lap. I was still unruly as ever, leaned against the wall of the carriage drooling. Dad had his eyes closed staying silent. The horses neighed.

"Your majesty?! We have arrived at the royal capital of the elven kingdom," the knight said from outside.

"Hm?" Dad opened his eyes slowly. He noticed mom awake and looking at Kyle. He cleared his throat. "I see you enjoyed the trip."

"Yes I did, they had so much fun together. With us," mom said softly.

"Yes I agree to that..." Dad paused a bit. "But you must remember that they are 15 years old now and their birthday will come by the end of this year. At least treat them properly."

"Wow, you are one to talk," mom said smugly.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Should I tell your dear boys that you are such a softie?"

Dad stayed silent and faced away.

"That must mean yes."

"I don't ever recall agreeing to that request."

"And you never seem to agree to anything... not now and not when she was there." She set Kyle to sit up.

Dad raised his palm against her.

"Hm, I see..." She looked at us.

"We have arrived at the capital now, you may do as you wish."

The carriage came to a halt, and the knight opened the door.

"Please make sure you take Kyle into the palace to be attended to so that he may be up quickly and enjoy himself," Dad said.

"I will..." mom said.

Dad stopped right at the door. "Oh and Emily?"

"Yes my king?"

"Forget." He walked away.

The carriage continued moving.

I groaned in my sleep.

Mom knelt beside me. "Hmmmm my boy...."

"Knock it off mom," I mumbled in my sleep.

Her eyes softened as if about to cry but she wiped her tears and smiled. "Wake up dear son."

"Hmmmm no way..."

Mom opened the curtains, and the sunlight entered the carriage.

"Wake up the two of you its morning..."

"Aaagh!!! My eyes..." I rolled off the seat.

"Woops! Timothy?!" mom said.

I opened my eyes and saw mom smiling. "Its you mom."

"Yes its your mama, now come here give your dear mother some love." She spread her arms.

'A morning hug? Finally what I have always wished for, my mothers embrace. Don't get me wrong most of the time she forces me to train but now...' I thought.

"Oh you didn't think for a second I would let you off the hook now..." mom said.

"Eh?" I was shocked and confused.

She chuckled cunningly and pulled out her whip. "See I noticed that you havent done much of your strength training"

"Oh uh you see..." I said.

"See what?"

I turned to the door but I fell. "What?" 'Oh no she has my leg.' I thought.

"Where do you think you are going?"

'No! Someone help me.' I thought.

Later, in a town filled with elves and humans, I walked beside my mother. Captain knight Martin carried Kyle on his back.

I scratched my head. 'What is it with this woman? Did anyone tell she has a mental issue?... A real serious mental issue.'

Mom glared down at me.

I trembled and hopped away from her. 'I just felt chills down my spine.'

"Where are you going dear the royal palace is through this gate," she smiled.

I stopped. "Did you say royal palace mom?"

'Woops, I have to stop talking.' I thought to myself, because I could see it on her face.

"I am very sorry..." I turned to leave.

"Guards!" mom shouted.

Knights blocked my path.

"What do you think you are doing?" I turned to her.

"What? We are here to drop off Kyle as a family so that we can seem normal."

"There is nothing normal about the decision you just made."

"I just realised that a few minutes ago..."

There was a slow, cold silence.

"Nope." I turned and the guards pointed their spears at me.

"Like I said, we came to drop off Kyle as a family," she said.

"You boys really think a bunch of needles can compare to the darkness behind that fence? I refuse to throw my life away," I told the knights.

"Is that so?" mom said.

"Yes... now if you will excuse me."

She snapped her fingers and the knights carried me with them. "I DON'T THINK SO sweetie."

"No please don't take me there," I gasped.

15 minutes later, the knights dropped me at the doors of the palace and they left.

"Thank you boys so much for helping me," mom said.

I groaned while looking up at the huge door. "No... no no no no why are we here?"

"Awww don't be afraid you are friends after all..." mom smiled.

'Look at her, I bet right now she is having the most fun in her life right now. Huh? So is that whats going on?' I thought.

"You boys of the present have too many things going on in your head," mom chuckled loudly.

I smiled with a rotten look.

"Why are you looking like that? As if you just cooked up some evil scheme," she gasped after she noticed me.

The doors of the palace opened slowly.

"No is that?" mom said.

A woman dressed in a royal green attire stepped out. She had a lot of flashy accessories and her blonde hair made it all stand out.

"Is that you Emily?" she said.

Mom was shocked and speechless.

'Look who's trembling now. Ha serves you right mom? Woah.' I thought.

"Is that you dear Timothy?" the woman said, hugging me.

'Oh right I forgot. She is also a nagging mother, this is the queen of the elves and wife to king James of this land her name is Sylvia...' I thought.

"Its such a joy to meet you again." Sylvia walked to Emily and hugged her. "And Emily my friend its such a pleasure to meet you." She sniffed. "I see you are still using that old perfume of yours."

"Yes and I see that mouth of yours hasn't lost its taste," mom said, smiling but looking like she is about to snap.

"Oh no, it would never lose its taste... hehhehehehe," Sylvia said.

'Yep solid tension. See what I am about to say goes for my mother and I... we just don't like the royal family of elves plain simple. We have our reasons for this...' I thought.

A voice emerged from the doors.

"Is that you Tim?" the girl said.

I turned slowly with a nervous smile. 'Now there is someone I didn't want to meet... hey there Soph-' I thought.

I got hit with a slipper.

"Oww!! What is wrong with you damn brat?" I got the slipper and shook Sophie by the dress.

"Someone help me!!! I am being assaulted," Sophie said.

"Oh this is more than assault, I should have you executed in the piggery," I said.

"This family is hopeless..." Martin sighed.

"You got that right.... the humans have no shame," Sylvia said.

"Hey hey, I think he meant your family," mom said.

"Sir Martin hurry and dispose of this filth," Sophie said.

"Filth?! I will have you know that the slipper you threw at me happen to be gifts for the animals at home."

"You rotten fool..." Sophie gasped.

"The only thing that's rotten is your sense of fashion."

"Alright you two that's enough! Spread my enemies out before me.... wind blast." Martin held out his hand and a gush of wind separated us.

"Hm, fine." I walked back to mom.

Sylvia walked back to the doorstep.

"I guess we can stop for now... what brings you here?" she said.

"Martin!" mom said.

"Yes your majesty," Martin said. He let Kyle down.

"Oh Kyle what did they do to you?!" Sophie gasped. She ran to Kyle and Martin.

"I see bold move on your side... using my daughters love to satisfy your demands..." Sylvia said.

"Now if you would be a good family and take care of your son in law... off we go dear," mom said.

'I guess I have no choice.' I chuckled nervously.

Mom and I walked to the gate.

"Now hold on a minute, when will you be coming back to get him," Sylvia said.

"Oh well you know..." I said.

"We will come back as soon as we get tired," mom said.

We exited.

"That woman is just on a whole other level of irritating," Sylvia sighed behind us. "And you? Will you be remaining with the young prince?"

"Yes your highness," Martin said.

Mom and I entered the carriage.

Mom hummed happily.

"You seem happy..." I said.

"Oh yes I am."

"Where are we going to get your perfume from."

"Well a town not so far from here..."

"Not so far, how long will it take us to get there?"

"Maybe a day or two...." she said.

"You are the worst mom," I said irritated.

"Oh yes indeed... and while we are at it we can do more strength training..."

"No way.... I am out." I tried to open the door but it remained locked.

"Awwww wanting to leave already... but the trip just began," mom said, smiling.

"Oh that's it I am done." I looked hopeless and sat on the chair.

"You might want to rest in advance. To prepare you for whats coming," she smiled.

'Well Kyle enjoy your sleep.' I sighed.