Doth anyone have the slightest clue what Elizabeth would like for her Birthday?

A book? Jewels? Some new axes? I heard her old ones are going dull ...

I think if you went away and never returned that would be the bestest present ever.

hmmm, my wish list currently contains the following items:

- Robyn Dudley
- a pirate of mine very own
- the pretty head of one who hath vexed me presented upon a spike
- world peace
- Marie's promise to stop signing her consent for plots against me
- the finest gown in all of christendom (Italian styling of course)
- a new translation of the bible covered in embroidery by Marie Stuart's own hand

I admit tis difficult to decide what to give the Queen who hath almost everything and who hast seen four hundred and some birthdays already.

I hope mine 476th year to be my greatest of all.

Bonne Anniveraire, ma plus chere cousine! Here you are, *Hands you a Latin bible embroidered by me, and a promise to stop plotting for your throne if you acknowledge me as your heiress*. I hope you like them!

I shall add a new gown to list of things for thine own pirate Don Juan to bring, in addition to the Titian.

And of course, should my niece win the thrones which are rightfully hers, you shall have Naples along with my son and las Canarias.

Charles dear, make sure the gown is a fine one. If nessacary I will supervise the design.

Of course, madame. I shall leave that to you.

*claps hands* Splendid, it shall be marvelous.

Madame if you are supervising it's creation it will be heavenly. For I see thou art a lady of incomparable taste and style!

I shall try my best to make it as heavenly as you so gallantly see fit to title it.

*smiles*

I feel, as dowager duchess of MILAN which is in ITALY I should get some imput.
*pouts*

Also, you people go to bed too early.

Oh Marie, 'tis exquisite, such fine needlework. And a thoughtful personal choice of the latin bible. I do so love to translate things, maybe I canst write one of mine very own.

To know that thou art my true kinswoman and wudst not take my throne from me by force wudst be the most wonderful birthday gift I hath ever recieved.

If thou wishest Marie, I wudst sign a contract prolaiming you heir to mine throne if I produce no heir. It wudst be on the condition that thou dost not plot against me. Any plotting wudst decalre it null and void... and the throne wudst be given to thine son James.

What thinkest thou Marie? Should I have Cecil organise such a thing betwixt us? (I wudst have hm present to witness out joint signing of the contract just to see the colour his face turns as tis done!)

Yes! I agree! *Cries with happiness and signs it*.

*Elizabeth sits to sign the contract with great attention to the neatness of her writingand a florish of her quill. Sitting back with a sigh and a huge smile across her face she exclaims*

Tis done! Dearest Marie, we art sisters of this realm and tis wonderful in mine eyes to see it be so.

*raising from her chair she opens her arms to welcome Marie come to her so they may embrace as true kinswomen*

*in the corner Cecil has to steady himself and take a seat before he doth fall to the ground*

As long as the good Prince of Scotland follows any issue ofyou and my son, I have no objections to this.

*Marie embraces Elizabeth, trying her hardest not to tower over her, with some success.*

Dost thou mind if I paint a mustache on Ceceil's sleeping face?

*laughs girlishly*

Oh, please do Marie, I wudst see how he looks with a 'tache!

*turning to Charles*

Fret not my lord, this doth but place Marie's line as the current heirs to the throne of England. Any issue of my own wudst automatically come before hers. Twixt the three of us and our descendants the thrones of England and Scotland wilt be most secure.

As the boy is to marry my granddaughter, I am tranquil.

Either way my lord, I see thine grandchildren or great grandchildren wilt inherit my realm. This doth please me greatly as I see your lands presently in very good hands and feel full secure that England is ensured of good rule.

...I admit I doth now daydream of a good daughter who wudst be Queen of my realm after me, and who cudst marry a son of Marie's child James, thus joining the lands of England and Scotland.

*Paints a mustache on Cecil's face and X's over his eyes*.

'Tis most fun! Is Walsingham around?

I believe Walsingham ist in the depths of the White Tower playing with his toys. Best not to bother him I think.

I am lucky that Walsingham ist loyal to me down to the very depths of his soul, otherwise I myself wudst be afeared of teasing him in any way. ...I still hold back a little, just in case.

Walsingham is terrifying! But he would never harm a hair on your head, or say an unkind word about you.

What did Dudley give thee for thine birthday?