Sir Nicholas, Marquis of Pembroke Private chambers

*Sir Nicholas enters his chambers in the darkest apartments in the Castle. He has seen himself well fed and his pale skin sparkles with the color of his victims blood. Outside the sun has risen and he feels his body calling him to his rest. He looks to his bed with its towering canopy draped with heavy curtians of plush velvet. Sleeping in a coffin has not been a nessecity for him, the heavy drapes and darkened apartments granted him by his hostess being suffient to allow his rest from the light. He is thankful for that at least. *

*he knows he should rest but finds his thoughts will not allow it. He stands instead before the ash filled hearth, he had requested no fire to be built. It could warm him not anyway. He stood there stareing and let his thoughts invade him ... His future with Marie and her plan he suspected to regain the throne of Scotland, making him a King a postion he not only did not want but one that filled him with terror. He thought of the letter he had left for Elizabeth signing a man's death warrent he had never met. He condemmed this man to death because of Marie's claims that he raped her, abused her. But what if Nicholas was being mislead. He knew the man deserved to die for his sins against Elizabeth's kin as well, but the thought did little to ease his conscience. Did he condem this man to death for selfish reasons? So he could marry Marie all the sooner? And if it were true was his motive out of love for Marie or his need to be away from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth ... his thoughts turned to her. He had offered to stay at her side even if only as a friend. He knew he could never have more and would be content to just remain with her in the only way he could. This he would do until the end of her days if only she asked it. But she had declined the offer in rage, reminding him painfully that he was not worthy of her.

Nicholas then though of Elizabeth Woodville's words to him ... that he did not love Marie, that his heart belonged to Elizabeth. As he moved from the hearth to throw himself broodily in a chair, he wondered if she were right*

*correspondance marked with the seal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I of England is posted under the door of his private chambers*


My lord of Pembroke,

I thank thee for thine wise council and wudst offer thee this gift befitting a subject of thine loyalty and status.

The unusual and intricate carving is I believe venitian in origin and I think it fitting as an expression of both thine world travel and thine love of fine and beautiful things. The jewels contained within do but pale in comparison but I hope they are to thine liking sir.

Your ever faithful and thankful Queen,

Eliz R.

*when the seal is broken is wilt reveal a fine jewel which secretly encases an image of the Queen herself opposite a phoenix, the symbol of sacrifice and rebirth*

Sir Nicholas awakens from his chair, stretching the ache from his neck. His eyes fall on the missive by the door and he gets up and crosses the floor to retrieve.

When he sees the seal, his first reaction is a frown in anger wondering what command the letter whould impose on him. He quickly deminishes the thought for what it is, an unfair reaction caused by his own pain and embarrasment. The weight of the envelope suggested it held something more than the folded parchment of a letter. A another wedding present perhaps. His frown deepens.

He crosses the room and take his seat once more. He sits for several moments, the missive in his delicate fingers. Finally, with a slight sigh, he gingerly opens the envelope so as not to tear the letter inside.

The sparkling jewel falls out in his hands. It is breath taking, more so because of the barer than any quality of the peice. He reads the letter not once but three times before carefully folding it once more and placeing it saftly back in its envelope.

He turns the jewel over in his hands for a few moments, looking for the secret he hoped it hid. He was quickly rewarded. Inside was the tiny likeness of his dear friend aside the Nicholas left his chair and approached his chest of drawers. Taking out a small wooden box from one of the he unlocked it, placed the letter inside, then locked it once more before placing it back in its place of saftly once more.

The jewel he carrys to his cloak, an article of clothing he is never with out. As he picks up the garment his fingers brush the embroidered heart that Marie had place there. He is struck by a pang of guilt. He kisses the jewel then places it side a small hidden pocket with in his cloak where none should ever see it but him. Somewhere where it will be with him always.

*knocks on Sir Nicholas's door*

*starts at the sound of the knock on his door, it is not often if ever anyone visits him*
*he places the cloak back in its place then moves to open the door*


My Lady Woodville
*bows, somewhat shocked, but then somehow he almost expected her visit*

Please, wont you come in? Please forgive the lack of a warm fire, I have no need of it and I do not very often have company down here.

That is quite alright, you forget Sir Nicholas - I am a child of the waters. *coy smile*
I just stopped by because I was wondering where you are retiring to when you leave court?
I understand if this offer is not to your liking but you and Marie would be most welcome at my court. I doubt Marie would be very pleased there, but I would pay her all respect she deserved. I expect it is unsuitable for your situation but nevertheless you are most welcome.

That is a most generous offer *smiles genuinely*

It would please me very much though I am afraid she is making plans for us already *tries to hide his frown*

But I will surely see if she can be persuaded. You I am sure understand why if I must leave here I would much rather find a household under whoose protection I can trust. I can honestly say that next to Elizabeth you are the only one.

I dont think Marie quite understands my ... condition or the needs it causes.

Yes your offer suites me well and I thank thee again, I can not explain how much to means to me to have your trust. I will do my best to persuade my future wife.

The pleasure's all mine *smiles*
Although I think Marie is going to need plenty of work *laughs*

Indeed, she will not warm to the idea quickly but I shall try

*Knocks on door* Dearest, Nicky. May I enter. I promise I shall keep my hands to myself *crosses fingers behind my back*.

*opens the door and seeing with out a chaporone frowns*

Tis a great pleasure to see you but you should not visit me here unattended, think of the scandle it will cause if you are seen.

Elizabeth and her advisors have already destroyed it. And I have a chaperone. *moves aside and 2 guards walk in* I just had to enter first because of precedence.

Why art thou not happy to see me?

*moves aside so she can enter*

Of course I am happy to see you, but you must realize I do not very often recieve visitors here in the bowels of the castle. Few venture here.

*smiles*

Nicholas I have a problem, which I shall bring us too immediately.

Why dost thou not use the title I gave thee? Art thou somehow ashamed?

Of course not, any gift from you is treasured greatly but .... *sighs and chooses his words very carefully*

I am afraid I am a very proud man, despite being robbed of my families fortunes and our good standing. I shud not want to arrive in your court with a title I did not earn that was given me so I could be made worthy to wed.

I see.

I wish for thee to know, that I gave you that title not out of pity or for my selfish pride. I gave it to you because, with your unconditional love, thou hast already given me the greatest service you could.

Please do not take offense, I know why you gave it me, I simply do not think those of your court will see it in the same light. They will use it against me I fear.

Finally thou art growing more cynical, it seems I have corrupted thee! *Grins wickedly*.However, I see that thou durst doubt me, Nicky. And that you would post your doubt where everyone could see, compounding my humiliation.

my intent is never to humilate, you must believe that dearest.

And can you honestly say you have no doubts of me? Of happiness?






(OOC: be back in like 30 minutes hehe )

No, I cannot say that, Nicky. But to broadcast your doubts where everyone can see them? I wouldst never do such a thing to thee!

(OOC: I actually have to go, lol.).

I did not broadcast them ... I was having what I thought was a private converstion with a friend. I was taken with emotion at the time and they seemed to run away with me.

I love you Marie, I do, and I want nothing more than to marry you and be away from here, away from everything and everyone who threatens to tear us apart.

*moves forward to sweep her into his arms*

And if I have doubts it is only because I am so very afraid

*slightly agitated Elizabeth calls through.*
Sir Nicholas. I have called for you, did you not receive my message? Come to my private chambers ASAP.

What art thou afraid of? I would never hurt thee!

I know that. *smiles and caresses her cheek*

I see all the heartbreak and misery that surrounds us ... look at your past, at mine, I am so afraid something is going to come between us

* Thinks "The only thing coming between us, are these clothes which I long to rip off of you with my hands"*

On, Nicholas, you are right. But if you have learned anything about me, it should be that I am truthful. I long only to be with you, please. Forever ... or slightly less in my case.