Sunken Garden

She loved him—already couldn't bear the thought of being parted from him.

I shall eagerly awaiting day of your visit

One last time she inhaled his scent and with it his strength and love. Her hand had been at the locket at her neck, which she wore round her neck at all times. She slid the chain over her head, and put it in his hands.

It'll remind you of me... and in that way we'll always be together even if we are not.

Thomas took the locket from her as he felt his heart heavy with sadness of leaving her. He held her close inhaling her every scent. "I shall keep this close at all times" he said as he placed his hand under head pulling her toward him and kissing her with full passion.

Her heart felt too heavy within her, knowing that this maybe be their last time of being together. The kiss stole her breath away and breathed life into her just the same. She clung to Thomas and the promise in his kiss, as she pressed her body closer to his, wishing they could stay here in the snowy garden forever.

He held her close, breathing in her scent of rosewood and another he could not define. He could not for tell the future, however he knew that the fates would not give him this love and then take it away, or would they? So many many thoughts races through Thomas' mind as he held her; the one thing he knew for sure was the love he had for her. Looking at her, and cupping her face in his hands, "Catherine, my sweet Catherine you must go to your mistress now before it's too late." he said and kissed her lips passionately taking in every once of her before her departure.

She should leave; she knew she ought to leave. But how could she? When the only thing she wanted was to stay into his arms forever. She kissed him back, wanting to savor every moment of the feeling. Within moments it would be over and she'd be left with nothing once more.

I really do care for you and will miss you dearly, but you are right, I need to go...  I shall never forget you and hope you will never forget me.

She said, then kissed his lips passionately making sure he would remember that kiss for a long while, before she run towards the palace, with a heavy heart.

"Shh..don't talk that way, we will see each other again. I will visit you and announce to the Queen herself that I am in love with you and bring you back with me." Thomas kissed her hand "I make you this my solemn vow! I will not lose you Cathy ever." He said knowing he must let her go this once but it would never happen again. "Now go before another moment is pasted and I think of another reason to keep you here with me." With that he kissed her cheek not bearing another from her lips, and watched her walk away with his most guarded possession; his heart.

*Young Catherine had received word from one of the tutors here at court, that her mother wished to meet her. So far Catherine was having a lovely time at court. Everyone was polite and kind giving her smiles where ever she went. She had one precious memory of her aunt placing her headpiece onto her head she truly felt like a young princess!*

Mary sits at the edge of the fountain feeling a little depressed while thinking of what to say to her Catherine. She sees Catherine walking towards her with a smile on her face.""Catherine, My own heart." Mary says with open arms.

It was mid-afternoon when Gabriel found himself wandering through the gardens at the bottom of court. There was no strict rule, he reasoned, which stated soldiers could not take in the pleasure of Whitehall’s many gardens. Although, he was not exactly in the gardens to take in the scenery...

Now that he was onshore he had the opportunity to catch up with many old acquaintances - some friends made in passing, other distant family friends. This acquaintance was William Stafford, a man whom Gabriel had met only a few times but had always thought rather highly of.