The Beowulf's Charm

   Amelia Isilee climbed silently through the window, trying to sneak away from the ghastly ball.  As she stood straight, she felt for the necklace lying on her chest.  It wasn't there.  In a sudden panic, she scanned the ground for the necklace.  After a few frantic moments, her eyes met the charm, and she sighed.  She leaned down to pick it up, and fastened it behind her neck.  "Stupid old clasp."
   Once it was secure, Amelia rushed around the corner trying to escape, but she stopped.  Thacia, her lady-in-waiting, stood in the corner, studying her delicate sword.  "Leaving the ball so soon?"  she asked.  "You have so many gifts which could benefit some-specific- people."
   Amelia was surprised to see her, but she quickly recovered, and pulled her own sword out from below her dress.  Thacia did not even feign surprise as she glanced at her sword.  "My my, it appears you have changed from the wimpy little princess, who always begged for help."
   Amelia lunged forward, and Thacia deflected her strike.  They fought for a few moments, Thacia clearly underestimating Amelia's ability.  After a few moments, she admitted Amelia's skills.  "It appears I actually have competition."
   Thacia cut toward Amelia's throat, and she blocked it, locking their blades.  "Give me the necklace."  Thacia demanded.
   "Never."  Amelia said, barely above her breath.
   Amelia leaned into Thacia, and held her into a death trap.  "Yeild, and your life will be spared."
   She hoped with all her heart, that Thacia would yeild.  But Thacia glanced down at the charm which lay across Amelia's chest, and a new rage was kindled within her.  She waited patiently for Amelia to relax her grip, then carefully freed herself from the trap, and attacked her with all her anger.  She tried everything she could to kill Amelia, and each time she blocked Thacia's attack.  Amelia suddenly felt her necklace slip from her throat, and to the ground.  She glanced down for a moment, then slowly began to crouch.
   Her fingers were only inches away when Thacia kicked Amelia in the shoulder.  She sprawled backward onto the hard cement floor.  Thacia crouched down, and snatched the necklace, firmly grasping it within her palm.  She laughed with glory.  She spoke softly to it, "You are mine now.  I am your queen and protector."
   Suddenly, Thacia's face contorted in pain.  Behind her, Amelia slipped her sword from Thacia's back.  She fell to the ground dying, still clutching the necklace.  Amelia leaned down and took the necklace from Thacia's hands.  She spoke sadly, on the verge of tears, "I am sorry, Thacia, my dear cousin.  But as protector of the Beowulf's Charm you left me no choice."
   Amelia sang a lullaby as she watched Thacia die.  A few minutes later, after Thacia took her last breath, and Amelia grieved, she stood and left.