The Court of Their Royal Highnesses Queen Marie and King Nicholas.

*laughs* Yes there is no love lost betwen Henry and I. It pleases me that she stands up to him bravely though I hope she brings no harm to herself in my humble defense. I care not what that animal thinks of me.

Anne thou mayest stay here. But PLEASE DON'T BRING ATTENTION ON YOURSELF!

*smiles fondly at Marie, understanding now what she may be risking e gives her a look that shows how very impressed and proud he is of her*


Henry wouldst be wise to stay far from this court

And of course, you are welcome in my lands as well, should it become necessary.

Thank you both I will try to stay as far as I can from that horrible wretch for if we are together I cannot be resposnsible for my actions!

*Looks back at Nicholas with respect and love, and reaches for his hand*.

Henry shall not come here. IF he does, the French will invade England at my bidding. Fear not, Anne.

Thank thee Marie thou are now my true friend and protectoress and truly the only woman in the land who can stand up to Henry and look him right in the eye!

Marie Stuart wrote:

*Looks back at Nicholas with respect and love, and reaches for his hand*.

Henry shall not come here. IF he does, the French will invade England at my bidding. Fear not, Anne.

*takes her hand and entwines her fingers with his own*

Let us hope it doth not come to that. I shud hope Elizabeth will remain on her throne and all that you two hath done to bring peace and unity to both your realms wilt not be lost.

If Henry invades Scotland I shall have no choice. Nicholas, thou mayest be forced to fight thine own countrymen for Lady Anne. This remindeth me most particularly of the Iliad.

And you are welcome Anne. Just remember this the next time thou wisheth to call me a murderess.

*Nicholas frowns sadly but nods in agreement*

The Illiad is not a story I wish to live through. Tis not what I wish for Scotland or England

Oh Marie I have not wished to call you a murderess for weeks now, that is old history! We now have a common enemy in Henry

Yes we do! You shall be safe here unless Henry's decides to invade, in which case we will crush England to a bloody pulp. *Smiles* Is that okay?

And Nicholas, if we wish to grant protection to Lady Anne we must prepare for terrors. This is now no more about friendship, 'tis now about religion, politics and grudges. Be careful what you offer Nicholas, and to whom.

I see that you are right, in the furture I will try to remember this and not be so quite do to what I THINK is right. Though this time I think it IS the right thing to do, these are things we shud discuss first.

What dost thee wisheth to discuss with me?

Oh nothing now, I only wish to say that in the future I shall not be so quick to act with out first consulting you so we may discuss matters and come to a solution together

*Is feeling slightly perturbed about Nicholas presuming so much when he is only King because I graced him in marriage, but says nothing. You know men*.

That sounds very good to me. I have two questions for thee ...

*finds himself still very confuses on exactly what role he is suppose to play in court but is trying his best*


Of course, ask me anything ?

I shall go straight to the point:


How old are you and do you love me as much as you loved Elaine?

*the questions were a surprise but he answers them willingly*


I am 30 and no, I love you more

Really? Than we are the same age. And do you really?

yes I do ... does that surprise you?

Very much. I'm finding you almost too good to be true. Really. Do something bad. Now.

*smiles* I am not perfect, no man is. But I am honest and I try to do right always.

I know, and I fell that In should let you know. I am flirting with your brother to get him to come to court and be nice to you. Trust me and say nothing to him.

I am glad that you did tell me but ... *frowns* You do not have to do that, tis not worth it.


And I hope that age matters not to you, you realize that while we are the same age now we no longer shall be. I will not get any older.