The Chapel Royal

*attended by but one lady, Elizabeth doth enter the chapel. It hath been placed under heavy guard and strict instructions given that no-one must enter other than those strictly specified by Her Majesty. Not even Cecil wilt be permitted to enter. No disturbance canst be made and no emergency can call her out until tis her own will to leave.*

*There ist a little time afore others wilt arrive and so Elizabeth - trembling with nerves - doth kneel at prayer. Asking God for his divine guidance she prays that the thing done this day will strengthen her and permit her to better serve her people*

*strengthened by prayer she prepares herself for the wedding. All beloved jewels from past suitors are removed from about her person and replaced by items she hath chosen herself. Her costume ist adjusted to one more spectacular than she cudst have walked through the corridors wearing without arousing suspicion. Now ready, she draws a deep steadying breath allowing her to draw upon her Queenly strength, then she doth take a seat and awaits the first arrival.*

*Dressed in rather severe black velvet in the Spanish fashion, but with a bright red sash and elaborate collar of the Fleece, Juan arrives, trailing behind a rather sleepy priest along with the Spanish ambassador and one of his servants. After firmly closing the door, he says to them:
No one tells my father what goes on here but me. Any man who does other will go to the galleys- he may be displeased at the haste, but I would not have you punished for obeying my orders.
*Leaving them at the back of the chapel, he approaches the altar, crosses himself, kneels beside his bride to be, and begins to pray*

*without looking up, and in badly accented English*
In my life, I have faced many things, but I tell you this, my lady- I have never been more nervous than I am now.

*Through a secret passage in the Chapel wall, Nicholas doth appear suddenly from behind a giant painting. He is dressed in the lavish Knightly dress of his order, now adorned by the mantal of the Golden Fleece. As his eyes fall upon Elizabeth his breath is suddenly caught in his throat, so beautiful is she.*

*He composes himself quickly and steps forward to bow before first Elizabeth and then before the future King Consort of England.*

Your Majesty *he address Elizabeth with a warm smile that does portray his happiness for her* I have come as requested, I swear on mine life and honor I hath told no one and that no eyes set upon me as I traveled here.

*Elizabeth takes hold of Juan's hand and whispers*

"I find myself feeling the same my lord, however we shalt get through it together. And that, I believe, is what God intends for us."

*Elizabeth stands and embraces Nicholas*

Thank-you my lord. We are full pleased to have thee here.

*she doth whisper*

We are set to marry and are full afeared of the journey ahead of us. It doth comfort us to have thee here.

As always I shall do what ever thou requires of me, tis long been mine oath as a knight but more so of a dear friend. *smiles*

An oath and a friendship which wilst now extend to thine husband as well.

*As he ist admitted to the Chapel, Queen Elizabeth's Spymaster doth find himself in the peculiar position of not knowing what ist going on. He ist started by the presance of a Catholic Priest and the Spanish Ambassador in her Majesty's chapel but doth hide it as best he can and approaches the Queen with a bow.*

You hath requested mine presance Majesty?

*Elizabeth issues a smile of thanks to Nicholas and turns to Walsingham with full Queenly command*

Walsingham! I notice tis thine choice to cut it fine and arrive at the very last minute. However, I suppose thou hath been hard at work at our Tower Of London as usual this night, taking care of important business.

*Walsingham doth give a slight nod of his head in both agreement and apology*

Tis our intention to wed this night and we would have thee as our witness.

*Turning so that she doth also face Nicholas she doth speak in the direction of both men.*

We would have liked Lord Cecil here, but fear our emotions cannot withstand his fatherly looks of concern this eve. Therfore one of you subjects of England must give your Queen away to a son of Spain.

*Elizabeth notices Walsingham pale almost to the same colour of Nicholas. At this moment her clergyman doth arrive and Elizabeth crosses to address him.*

We thank thee for attending us at such an hour, you are here to make us a wife.

*Elizabeth lets the man gape for a moment before resting a kindly hand upon his shoulder.*

We would suggest thou beginnest by consulting with thine brother of the cloth over there. *motioning to the Catholic Priest that Juan hath provided* I myself shall not be taking the Catholic mass but otherwise shall take part in whatever concoction of ceremony the two of you canst provide. ...if you are not well versed in the Spanish tongue may I suggest you refer to the latin verses and pointing to passages in the bible. *she pushes the poor terrified man in the direction of the Spaniards and doth turn back to her other subjects.*

..well?! Whom shall it be?!

And I will not partake of the Protestant, so combine we must, or have two.
*then grins, at Walsingham's discomfort*

Worry not my lord, my church ist not in favour of puritanical protestantism for I wilt not allow it. I hath but removed the baubles and the curious intoxicating smells, and asked for much of the Lord's teachings to be told in the tongue of mine country so that the uneducated canst still be enlightened by the word of God. As I am well versed in latin and thou art most impressive in thine English neither of us wilt have trouble with any part of the service. ...mayhaps they canst take it in turns?

In mine mind it wast much less complicated... *her voice wanders with her train of thought, then she doth determine herself that all will be as she wishes it.*

Really much ist the same so if our men of the cloth do but share their duties all will go perfectly. We will make them see that they are but performing the same task. See here we have a communion table where the stone altar would usually be found, we do kneel at our prayer and we do bow afore the name of the Lord.

While you do partake in the mass with the holy bread, I will partake in the communion and the communion wafer. The wedding ceremony otherwise ist unchanged.

Doth that sound suited to all?

It does, indeed.
Although I do quite like the symbols and baubles and smells, but my faith is a simple one. My Latin is good, thanks to the good office of my foster mother. Your idea suits, I think.

As to the issue of who shall give the bride away, tis vexing indeed. While I like the idea of my brother Knight fufilling that role, perhaps having a Protestant do it would be more politic here.

As my parents were both Catholic at birth and my dear sister was deeply devoted to the faith I care not whether I am given away by a Catholic or a man of the Church of England.

I do but wish that a loyal subject of England would willingly hand me over to thee. Tis but a sentimental wish from a Queen devoted to her people above all else.

And when we are wed I shall look forward to us finding ways to accomodate both our religions in the same space. The majority of mine ministers wilt be sent quite insane by the idea... and that makes it all the more appealing.

Now that I hath had to take control of arrangements a little more I feel more grounded and ready.

Mayhaps we should just begin and I canst but kick someone when the minister doth ask for whom ist to give me away? *laughs* Ah, but tis not the way to gain favour for our wedlock in the eyes of God.

...if masters Walsingham and Rhodes do not make a decision I shall defy both and be given away by the Spanish Ambassador! Oh to see thine brother's face whenst that news ist relayed! *roars with laughter*

No, it cannot be the Ambassador, for then we three should have to sail to Spain and tell Feilpe of it in person. I am sure neither of us could resist the delight in it.

Doth thou think me terribly wicked for these thoughts husband-to-be?

*Steps past Walsingham with out hesiatation and bows before Elizabeth, hand over his heart*

Twud mine greatest honor to give thee away my Queen, my dearest friend

I think those thoughts are wickedly wonderful and am well tempted to deliver the news myself. For Felipe will be shocked, and that is a rare enough thing he may even show some emotion.

Thank-you Nicholas, that would please me greatly.

Well then my lords, let us commence.

*Elizabeth doth smile a little nervously at Juan and signals for the even more nervous men of the cloth to begin. A quick glance back at Walsingham informs her that her usually unshakable Spymaster ist looking decidedly terrified and with a nod to her lady in waiting, Francis ist guided to a chair.*

*nods permission to the priest, and beckons the ambassador to sit next to Walsingham.*
I too thank you, Sir Nicholas.
*Juan has a distinct look of supressed nervousness about him, which he channels into a slight but constant bouncing on the balls of his feet.*

*Offers Elizabeth his arm with a broad smile and whipsers* If there were more time I might ask thou why we few are gathered here in secret at this hour to celebrate a joyous union that shuld take place for thine whole Kingdom to see and rejoice in. But then again I probally wuldst not *chuckles*

I know thee to be of sound mind and thou knows always what tis best for thineself, thine kingdom and even thine friends. I support you always and wish you every happiness.

*offering Nicholas a genuniely grateful smile, she thanks him, then approaches the Communion Table when the men of thr cloth do stand poised for either action of iminent death through terror.*

*Now alongside Juan and realising his nerves, Elizbeth doth lean and stroke his arm soothingly, whispering to him with a nervous giggle.*

The dancing and feasting ist for later my lord.

*She doth then look straight ahead, raises her head and in a commanding voice she doth speak.*

Master Bishop, if thou wudst begin instead of hoping for thine new Catholic friend to step into the fire first we may have a chance of reaching the end of this service afore mine betrothed and I do die of either old age or nervous energy.

*the Bishop begins with a rather terrified clearing of his throat but soon the two clergymen do fall into their decided pattern. The Bishop adressing the items pertaining to Elizabeth and the Catholic Priest addressing Juan. The muddles do but occur with the bits imbetween.*

(OOC: anyone feel free to jump in. I am almost as terrified as the characters. Marrying off the Virgin Queen seems blasphemous in some way!!!)

*whispers as the priests drone on*
I know the dancing is for later, but I am nervous now!
*after which, he too giggles*

*Nicholas smiles, watching the couple. He knew the match was political in nature but it doth seem to his eyes that true affections hath grown between the pair. It pleases him greatly. And so with out a heavy heart he is able to give away his best friend to another man with joy in his heart*