Welcome Sir Nicholas

Yes ... our hostess.

*raises a brow*

What is it that you imply my dear one?

Nothing, Nicky. I know how much it pains you when I say anything against your beloved Elizabeth. So I shall refrain.

How was thine weekend?

*cracks a smile* I appreciate your concideration

My weekend was hospital though lonely *charming smile*

Yours?

Well. I wrote some letters, went to mass, confessed my sins and fell even further in love with you. All in all, a most wonderful day.

*smiles*

that sounds most lovely. So are you going to at last enlightening me to your schemes?

I had thought thou hadst forgotten. Well hereth it goes:

Mu country (Scotland) is split between the Catholic Pro-French party and The Protestant Pro-England party. My last husband was an English Catholic, he was also immature, stupid, vainglorious, cruel, bi-sexual and a traitor. However you are much more level-headed, cunning and reserved. With an intelligent Catholic on the throne who is English I can

1. Keep Elizabeth happy, convinced that you have her and England's best interest at heart
2. Keep me happy, because thou art not a heretical Protestant.
3. Keep my Nobles in check by out-weighing the Protestant majority, and using your charm.
4. Not incur factionalism, as the Scots have never heard of you, much less made an enemy of you.
5. Keep the people happy, with your charm and good looks.
6. Keep the state running well with your intelligence and wisdom.
7. Keep Elizabeth from harming me, because by doing so, she will harm you.
And last but not least 8. Possible present me with more children, which will strengthen my position vis-a-vis the English succession.

There thee art, Nicky.

It seems you have it all worked out then *frowns*


But there is but one problem ... you can not place me on the throne of Scotland

*looks bewildered* Why not?

My love do you not think it will seem odd that the King of Scotland never grows old, in fact he does not age at all?

My Lord, I never thought of that. ...

I must go Nicky.

My God, my love or my people. *Cries*.

*calls after her, pleading*


Marie ... please dont go ....

*Miserable, Nicholas throws himself in a chair*

I am truly cursed *he mutters*

Nicky ... are you there? *Has obviously been crying*.

I am here. What it is wrong dearest?

That I must either give up you or my people.

That I may never see my friends and family again, my ladies-in-waiting who have served me my entire life, my cousins who have held me when I could have fallen, the Crown and Country that my mother (god rest her soul) died preserving for me.

*Starts crying in hysterical anguish*.

I admitt and regret I had not thought of this before, caught up in emotions the thought did not occur to me that our union would place me on a throne.

But surely we can find some arrangment, there must be. You shall not have to give up your family or Country and I shall not give you up

Elizabeth is discussing that with me right now in her privy chambers, but she hath dismissed all non-royal persons. I shall tell you what comes of it.

I know you have little trust for her but I do believe her to be very clever and to have our best intrests at heart

MY BEST INTERESTS AT HEART! *Is now in full-blown scene causing mode*. ART THOU INSANE ! THAT UGLY TUDOR BITCH HATES ME! SHE'D GLADLY HAVE MY HEAD ADORNING HER WALL, YOU ARE THE MOST INCREDIBLY OBLIVIOUS KNAVE IN ALL OF BRITAIN! MY GOD!

*clearly wounded*

Oblivious knave? Really? What a charming way to reference tp your future husband.

Maybe you should go and marry your beloved Elizabeth instead of me! Everyone knows how much you adore her, Lady Woodville even told me that you had feelings for her and I should give up!

*CRIES*.

*sighs and take a deep breath*

Elizabeth is my friend, nothing more. She as much as saved my life. So yes I do having feelings for her but not in the sense that you fear.

It is you I wish to marry

Oh, okay. *Deflates in about 3 seconds, so quickly it's almost as if nothing ever happened*. Art thine parents still living?

*is still mystified how she can change emotions and directions so quickly but is starting to expect it. And adore it.*

No, sadly my only relation left alive is th emost undeserving of life, my brother