Archery Field

Thank you Margery I reply I shall also send a message to Lady Mary asking her to be there also

I make my leave to return to my chambers when I feel a chill down my spine and stop quickly and look around, spying Margery's concerned look I whisper Do you ever feel as if you are being watched?

I looked around to see if anyone from the distance was watching us. This was an open space area if anyone was to spy on us it would be from very far off. No why do you feel like there is someone spying on you.

Just a feeling I shiver as I look around It must be my imagination after all the events recently

Katherine Elizabeth came back home but felt alone. She set watching the people in the Archery Field.

"Charles was looking for a good thing to do after the royal wedding. And he thought to come in the Archery field. Maybe he could invite his friend Anthony. But while he was thinking about that, he saw the King's daughter. He approached her respectfully.."

My Lady...

"Your grace." She said softly looking down.

"Charles smiled"

My Lady...hope I'm not disturbing you. Are you not at the Summer Party? I heard that half court went there...

"He said in order to make her feel comfortable in his presence"

"I don't feel like being at a party."She said looking at him.

"Charles smiled weakly. She looked a bit sad"

Why not, my Lady? If I may ask...

"He said with low voice while sitting at her side"

"I feel a bit of out place and alone in court."She said to him.

"Charles frowned a bit"

Uhm...well, this can happen, when you're King's daughter. You know...I have a daughter of your same age. Maybe you both can be friends. Oh..I also have three sons...but last one is too much young for you..

"He added joking, hoping to make her smile

Her hand touches his leg. Something about him made her want to touch him and even be touched by him.

"Charles looked at her hand upon his leg. This made him feel embarassed. He frowned showing a forced smile"

My Lady...

"He whispered simply, glancing around"

"Don't be embarrassed."She said smiling.

"Charles looked at her"

Lady Katherine...I appreciate your interest in me. I feel flattered. But...I have a beautiful wife whom I'm in love with. And...I think you're too young for such things, my lady. Don't you agree?

"He said still trying to smile"

She looks down sad.

"Charles noticed her sad expression and sighted"

It was not my intention to hurt or offend you, my Lady. I'm sorry..

"He said, looking at her"

She looks up at him.

"Charles smiled kindly at her"

You are a very sweet young lady, Lady Katherine. I just think you should focus your attention on someone worthy of you. I'm saying that..for the respect I have towards your father, of course..and towards my family. I'm sure you understand..

"He explained, trying to be kind"

Small tears roll down her face.

"Charles noticed her tears and looked surprised at her. He didn't know what to do"

Oh please...don't cry, my Lady. I'm terribly sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you. I see you're very sensitive and good young girl. That's why I'm talking for your sake, Lady Katherine..

"He said, wondering if he wasn't making her feel even worse with his words"

She looked down at the ground.

"Charles sighed deeply"

Please...say something, my Lady. I need to know if my apologizes are accepted...

"He said with low voice, turning towards her"

She nodded her head to him. But was still wishing for his touch she couldn't explain it.

I stood alone. For once unattended and free from the claustrophobia of court life, the air filled my lungs like wine in a drunk man's cup. As I released the arrow, sending it soaring towards the woven target, I smiled. The swift swoosh filled the silent air. And then a crash as the arrow collided with the painted wicker. After three attempts, I had finally struck the centre and a gleeful yelp escaped my lips.

"Yes!" I cheered.

There was no one around to hear it. My ladies and attendants had gone about their duties, were fawning over my daughter or had at least remained inside at my instruction... I couldn't breath with so many around me. It was silly, really. Since the day I had been born, all those years ago in the Tower of London, I had been served and surrounded by people. Even raised far from my father and his court, my Aunt Catherine ensured that I was raised as a princess was. Just as she had been. Even at Poissy I had never been alone. Such was the life of royalty; to never know peace unless you stole it. But even then, you could not escape it for very long.

As a princess, your life was never your own. You belonged to your country as well as the men of your family. And though I fought and struggled against such control, I could not escape it. There was no escape from it. Ever.

I knew my reprieve would come to a halt sooner rather than later. That had been why I hurried outside; to be out in the clean air, with nothing but the sky above and my thoughts to fill it. Otherwise I would have been inside. Embroidering nightshirts or an altar cloth, sat in my great chair beneath my cloth of estate. The canopy, richly decorated and glittering in the candlelight, was my right as a dowager queen - a symbol of my illustrious status and my constant reminder of my powerless position. All the majesty of a queen, with all the rights of an unmarried sister.  

Plucking another arrow from my quiver, I drew my bow once more. I fully intended to steal as much freedom as I could. There was plenty of time to ponder and wonder about the future. The fate of myself, my future and the plans of my brother. The fate of my homeland's soul and the break with the Holy Mother Church. The rise of ambitious upstarts and the games of courtiers seeking to rise further. All these could be worried about later and many hours could be whiled away doing so...

But for now, I was amongst the fresh air, there was an arrow to loose and a target to strike. A moment of bliss I intended to savour.