Nicholas Carew's Bedchamber

After a long day working for the king in the privy council and then practice some jousting for a feel hours. As soon as I entered my room I feel down onto a chair. I hated feeling so tired, I wasn't as young as I used to be and the one thing I hated about getting older wasn't the lines on my head but getting so tired and falling asleep so early. It's wasn't yet nine, I wasn't going to sleep just yet.

"Charles heard that his old friend Nicholas was at court. He hadn't seen him since long time and he decided to pay him a visit. He knocked at his door, wondering for his reaction"

May I come in, my lord?

"He asked, pretending not to know that he was in that room"

I heard someone knock at the door and decided to ignore it until I heard the voice of my friend the Duke of Suffolk. 'Charles is that you, if it is do come on in, you must forgive me for not getting up but I think my legs have died on me, stupid legs'

"Charles opened the door and laughed with joy when he saw Nicholas. He hugged him and patted his shoulder"

My old Nicholas! Come on...it's not because of your leg. You were just too lazy for coming util court to see your old friend...admit it. How are you?

"He asked, looking smiling at him"

I admit nothing without a lawyer present, and less of the old Nicholas if you don't mind, I am just tired that's all, nothing lazy about me when it comes to jousting or women. So how is his majesty, and Catherine, how is the Queen' I asked with real concern. I knew Henry was still chasing after Anne, but my heart went out to Catherine.

"Charles took a deep breath and nodded"

Well...many things happened in the meanwhile. The King declared himself Supreme Head of the Church, and I guess he'll marry lady Anne soon. You know I never liked her...but I can do nothing. The Qeen is heartbroken, as you imagine. And...yes, I recently married my pupil, Catherine. I'm sure you remember her...What about you?

"He asked curiously"

'It will be a sad day in England when Henry marries that Boleyn girl, poor Catherine, but like you say no one can do anything. He used to listen to Sir Thomas More but he only listens to the Boleyn's now. So you did remarry again Charles, well congratulations, from what I remember Catherine was a sweet little thing. Not much has happened with me, oh Elizabeth is pregnant again so will be away from court for a while, that will be child number six, I didn't think we would have any more after Francis, I miss the family but it's good to be back at court, its like always winter when your away from court. So how's the Boleyn's been treating you, with respect I hope, you are the Duke of Suffolk as well as the kings own brother in law'

"Charles opened his mouth rather surprised hearing he was going to have another child. He smiled and shook his head"

Ohh...congratulations, then! Did you know that I'm father again? Surely you remember that I have five children with the Duchess of Buckingham, lady Anna Stafford. The last one is a baby girl. I named her Margaret, like my poor first wife...

"He explained, giving him another friendly pat on the back"

'I knew about your children with the lovely Anna, and congratulations on a little girl, I think that's a sweet idea naming her after poor Margaret, our children should get together one day, with their mothers of course, leave their fathers to enjoy a hunt or joust, I am told I am rather good at the joust until I am up against your grace, then I'm not as good, still it's fun and what would life be without a little fun' I say with a grin, there was other sorts of fun us men liked to do other than jousting and hunting.

"Charles laughed after his words and shook his head"

I think I know what you're talking about, Nicholas. I'm trying to be faithful but...it's very hard, believe me. And...what about you, my friend? Any mistress? You know you can trust me...

"He added winking at him"

I start to laugh and then grin. 'No, no one special your grace, I love my Elizabeth, she is a beautiful woman but new meat can be fun from time to time. I do wonder how his majesty's new lady will deal with that when the time comes, her majesty Catherine always ignored it, believe me Charles one day that Boleyn woman will came unstuck and we shall be the ones laughing'

"Charles nodded in agreement after his words and walked towards window"

Yes...I guess so. Surely lady Anne is no considered a mistress anymore. She is almost the new Queen. Unluckily, the King is madly in love with her. And...I'm happy you're so in love with your wife too, I'd like to meet her...

"He said turning towards him"

'I guess not and I admit, once I was on her side, her being my own second cousin, but after the way she treated you, I see what she really was, I am sorry, I shouldn't be putting you in this situation, we just need to please his majesty. So you up for that joust where you will bet me your grace' I say with a smile passing a goblet of beer towards his grace.

"Charles took the glass and thought for a moment"

A joust...yes, I can talk with the King about that. What is it? Are you in mood on falling on the ground?

"He asked jokingly. Then took a sip from beer and giggled"

I drunk some of my beer and looked at his grace. 'You know I love to joust, just not with you, if you wasn't so good, then maybe I would' I said with a laugh 'Maybe you could ask his majesty to do something, it could be fun'

"Charles nodded again and looked at him"

Maybe sometimes we could have a ride together like old times. Forest around Palace is wonderful...I'd like to show it to you...

"He said pointing his finger at the end of his sentence"

'Yeah I am up for a ride, I am more happy in a saddle of a horse then being in the privy chambers, just tell me where and when, and it would be great if his majesty would join us, although, I will understand if he can't, I do miss the old days, when we would all ride out together and not be back for a few days, oh how I wish to be back in them day your grace'

"Charles nodded while he was talking and sighed deeply as he finished his sentence"

Of course...I miss old times very much. Ehy...do you remember when we lost His Majesty's horse? We were just boys and we weren't brave enough to tell him...

"He laughed"

'Yes I do' I say with a laugh 'I do believe we got distracted by a rather lovely lady of the court while we were waiting near the stables for Henry, I think we left it to a young stable boy to tell henry that his beloved horse had been misplaced somehow, luckily someone found it and brought back, did we ever let on to his majesty that was all our doing'

"Charles laughed and took another sip from wine"

Yes...I remember. And...do you remember my sister Eleanor? She was just a little girl when you saw her last. You would be surprised in seeing her now...

"He said looking carefully at his face"

'I don't really fall, I just do it so the ladies will feel sorry for me and I get their attention, it always works, you cannot deny it' I say with a laugh remembering my past antics. 'yes a joust will be nice'

"Charles finished his wine and stood up"

Wonderful! I'll talk with the King as soon as possible. So we can live all together old times. Well...now it's better I leave, my friend. My wife is waiting for me...

"He smiled and patted softly his shoulder"

I stood and thanked Charles for coming to see me. 'I happily look forward to reliving our younger days, just a shame how fast life goes as we get a year older. I plan on hanging onto my youth for as look as I can, ha Charles you know what I mean' I said feeling a bit tipsy. 'Do come and see me again soon, won't you Charles'
I see Charles out and then decided to take a walk to stretch my legs.

"Charles nodded while smiling back at him"

Of course...we'll see again very soon. It has been wonderful talking with you after so long time. Take care...and see you soon, my friend...

"He winked friendly at him and left the room"