Private Chambers of Sir Nicholas

*Nicholas face automatically lights up with Marie enters the room. She has never looked so beautiful. A smile touches his lips as he looks at her, even though he knows it may be the last time.*


*In his mind he curse Francis, he had wanted to spend this moment alone with his one true love if he intend have to give her up he thought he deserved it. *


*Unsure exactly how he should properly address her in her husbands presence he bows deeply*


My Queen *his eyes are full of saddness he tries to hide

*Extends my left hand for you to kiss, placing the ring you gave me right by your lips, and begins addressing you in English a language Francis does not speak (OOC: Hint, hint. Lol.).*

My Lord Albany. *Deliberately greets you by your Scottish title, letting Francis know indirectly that no matter what may or may not be, you are still mine*. *Looks around the room at the discussion, and sees the cloak in the chest before clearing my throat*. Are you going somewhere?

*kisses your hand softly, lingering longer than nessesary*


*also speaking in English* It was my intent to leave, but even the thought of leaving breaks my heart. I was only trying to spare you the pain of a choice you should not have to make.

Do you wish me to stay?

How could I possibly answer that question? Either I offend Elizabeth and the Emperor, or I offend the King of France. Either I give my children a father who is not theirs, or a father who still may not be theirs. Either I break my heart, or I break my heart. What do YOU want?

*speaks forcefully with passion and conviction* I want to stay I want you to choose me ... I want to be your husband and a father to our children. I can not lose you Marie.

But do I have a choice?

If this man were anyone else I truly think I would have killed him already to make you mine. But I could not do anything that would hurt you.
you loved this man in your past and I know you love him still. And as much as I desprately wish that were not so ... *sighs sadly*

I know you love me, I know how this must be tormenting you, I wish so much it were not so.


I do want to stay, I want be yours in everyway ... but beyond my hopes and desires I wish for you to be happy.

Not to mention the fact that if he has been alive all of this time, our marriage is illegal and bigamous. But there is one thing you have not yet considered ...

What is that my darling?

The Pope. Only he has the authority to deliberate on Royal marriages. Furthermore he issued each of the dispensations so that I could marry each of you. ... Though even he will be flummoxed.


*Casts my eyes around at the destruction you have left, the door in splinters and the lovely bed hangings left torn*.

*follows your eyes about the room then lowers my head slightly in shame*

I am sorry ... I .... *shakes head* I should not let my emotions stir me to such anger

So the Pope shall decide our fate?


This is torment .... I want so much to hold you, to love you ....

Marie... I did tell Nicholas that he could be married to you and be 'Prince Consort of France' while I am King and you are Queen of France...

But he insists on LEAVING

Trust me... if he does... that is it

He is gone for good... he will not be allowed back into France... Scotland, that is your choice... but if he comes into France after leaving he will be attacked by 50,000 mirrors all shining the sun's rays which will kill him

Do you understand Nicholas?
Marie?

My only insistance was that I disscuss my future in this country with Marie before any final choice be made.


Believe me when I say it is not I that I wish would leave *frowns*

Very well, I believe you...

I hope YOU and MARIE can come to a decision... and I hope WE can put aside OUR differences and be friends... MARIE, after all, can raise the children with you

if you cannot... I will have to do it for you

*Raises an eyebrow at Francis*. My Lord, watch how you speak to me. I am no subject of yours, but a Crowned Queen in my own right. And you know that if I leave it to the Holy Father, it is not you he will choose. So, please, be careful how you speak.

*Turns to Nicholas*. Yes, but with the Emperor's choke-hold on Rome, it is almost certain that the Holy Father will choose you. His Imperial Majesty will not wish to increase the power fo France, or place the King of France on the Scotch throne a position, from which, he shall be able to threaten his son John. This is now going to become purely political. And we are forgetting one thing. Elizabeth. She will sooner kill me than see me marry Francis.


And my own nobles hate the both of you.

I can not deny this pleases me and fills me with hope ... strange that for once the politics I usually do not have a taste for are working on my favor.


*Thinks very carefully, trying to put my words in a way which you will not misunderstand*

Politics aside ... I would have this end in a way that makes you happy ... if there is anything I can do to ensure that you need only say it and it is done.

*casts you a look that says ANYTHING*

Actually, between Elizabeth, the Pope, the King of Spain, the Emperor and the Protestant Scots Lords and France's Civil wars, you have an excellent chance.


But Francis is the King of France. And the Scandanavians, Italians, German Princes and Catholic Scots Nobles will back him. And I love him dearly, as I do you.


*Narrows my eyes*. Are you offering me a bribe?

*frowns*

No, of course not. I think you know me better than that, or I had hoped you did.

I meant ... if it was not I you wished to be with I would do what ever I could to ensure that politics did not keep you from what you truly wanted.

You do understand that if I choose you (Nicholas) I will gain nothing. And the people who support you only do so for political reasons, and naught else. And it would be inhuman of me to choose you while the loss of your Lady mother is still fresh in your mind, to take away your wife and children ...


*Looks slowly at you*. If I do not choose you ... will you ... hurt yourself?

*nods solumly* I know you have naught to gain by choosing me save my love, and Francis can give you love and much more.


*pauses for a moment to choose my words carefully, avoiding your question in the process*

I wilst not lie and tell you that loosing you wuldst not devastate me, you know well you and our children are the most important things in my life and all the family I have left but believe me when I say that if you choose me when in your heart it is Francis you wuldst rather spend your life with it wilst hurt me far more.

*Rolls my eyes*. Do not answer me as a Knight in shining armour. Answer me as a man fighting for his wife.

If I do not choose you, will you find it in you to go on?

*sighs*


*reluctant to answer, affraid that that by doing so will only make her torment greater. But finally answers genuinely*

To be honest .... I .... my life would not be worth living with out you ... I would have no will to go on

None? None at all? How did you live before you met me?

*his words are spoken honestly, there is underlying saddness in his voice but he speaks calmly explaining himself genuinely*

Before I met you my life was empty .... I was searching for something and a part of me was not even sure what. And there were many times, after this curse was laid upon me, that I did concider taking my life. I think this is why Elizabeth begged me to return to court.


And then I met you and everything changed ... I found love and in it I made peace with what I am ... you helped me to do that when no one else could. You gave me my life back.

*Stops myself from crying so that my make-up will not run*. Nicky I ... I don't know what to say.

... I am truly honoured.

*shrugs slightly*

Its is true my darling *no longer caring if calling you such is proper or not*

*chuckles softly* I know you have often become angry at me for having no ambition other than being in love with you and making you happy *smiles at you fondly* but this is why. Not that you were not right of course *laughs in spite of himself* with out your nudging I would not be re-building my family business.

But it tis true ... you asked for honesty and there it is. You gave me my life back, and with out you ... *shakes head* With out you I do not know what I will do ... tis selfish to say but it is the truth.