Toame had spent weeks as a prisoner in his room at his mother's demand. He was beginning to wonder if she would ever let him out. His lessons were carried out in his drawing room as was his meals. Each day that passed the more he hated his mother. He was fidgeting with his pen and paper when his mother entered. He laid down his pen to give her the attention she would demand of him. "Good morning mother. I trust you slept well." he offered.
"As if you really care," she chided. "Do you know why you have been restricted to the castle Toame?"
"Not entirely, I'm afraid," he admitted.
"I thought not. You never were very bright. I guess you get that from your father." She strode across the room seating herself on the sofa in the middle of the room. She gestured for him sit next to her. "I have punished you because you keep running off. I need you here with me in order for you to learn your place in this realm. You will be king soon enough to warrant closer studies." She petted his hair causing a shiver to penetrate his spine.
"What more must I learn, mother? Have I not completed all of my lessons with Mistress Amidal?"
"What can she teach that I cannot? Goodness son, think for a moment. What makes you think her loyalty is with me? Really Toame, you disappoint me." She arose from the couch and started to leave. "I will begin tomorrow with new lessons for you."
The thought turned his stomach. "Mother?" he called after her. "Is it your plan to keep me locked up like prisoner here?"
"You are no prisoner here. This is your home, son."
"If that is so then I may bid to leave as I wish?" he pressed.
"If you must. You may have one day a week as yours to do as you please," she conceded.
"Then, I choose today." He stood to demonstrate resolve in his decision.
"Very well. Be home by sunset or shall send the dogs for you."
"Thank you, mother. I shall." He kissed her cheek and left her standing in the drawing room.
Amidal appeared behind the queen as she had been listening from the back room. "Have him followed," ordered the queen. "I wish to know where he goes." Amidal bowed in agreement and retreated to obey her will.
***
Amri no longer trusted her son. She felt he would betray her if given the chance. He had expressed too much interest in Bayla's reign and that infuriated her. In her mind Bayla had taken everything she ever cared about away from her; beginning with the farmer and now it would seem, her son as well.
She went into her husband's room where he lay infirm. "How's my precious king today?" she said dripping with phony concern. "Have you had your medicine today? No? Well we had better fix that no hadn't we?" She tottered to the cabinet near his bed and pulled from it a bottle hidden behind some books. She poured a small amount into a small glass and returned the bottle to the shelf. She sat him up in his bed and poured the tonic down his throat.
He tried to fight her but he had no real strength left. The tonic she had been forcing him had turned his body into a non-responsive lump of flesh. He was unable to move or speak, though his mind remained clear. He knew of all of her schemes yet could tell no one. He longed to die to be released from his torture, but alas she had a tonic to keep him alive as well. He hated that woman as he had watched her slowly bring the elfin kingdom down. The elves were once a proud race of nobility and honor. Amri had turned them into a fearful race of shame and disgrace. All he could do was lie in bed a watch as the land he loved fall apart at her hands. He had failed to keep his oath to Bayla. Her crown was no longer safe for her daughter's return. He let the tears flow down his cheeks.
"Oh, dear husband. Don't fuss about like that." scolded Amri. "It doesn't suit you." She tucked the blankets in around him and left him there alone with his grief.