Rose fountain

Frederick walked out into the gardens and he took a deep breath as he embraced the open air. Although it was not the one of his homelands, it would do. His icy blue eyes searched the garden before he walked through out it again, his hand on the hilt of his sword at his hip.

Henry had come to Bavaria to escape the clutches of the Howard family. He had chosen a place where he would least expect to ever find himself a kingdom entirely unknown to him. It was perfect. Here Henry found that he could blend in without even raising suspicion by those he came into contact with. Wrapped up in his warm furs Henry sat on the edge of the fountain carving a piece of wood.

Ameli had been cooped up inside all day with her tutors, and while few things could take her mind off her studies, she became restless during her Latin lesson and quickly retreated to the fountain soon after. Wrapped in her warmest velvet and fur, she walked to her favorite hiding place and found someone already there. It was a man, someone she'd never seen at court. Tentatively she approached him, smiling. "Good afternoon. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Henry heard a sweet melancholy voice with a swift turn of his head, he was greeted with a pleasant view. There was something formidably striking about her, she was not bland or dull looking as most English women were. Hastily Henry dropped the piece of wood he was carving standing up to his full height, hoping she would not feel intimidated. "No my lady you are not disturbing me at all. In fact, I would like to enjoy your company if you are not busy," Henry smiled a little normally the company of women was a daunting experience for him mainly because they wanted him for his rank. In this country, though he was unknown free to travel around like a thief in the night.

One of the first things she noticed was how tall he was, not the usual height for men of her country. And his accent was English. There was an influx of English people in Bavaria since they started on the path to the Reformation. "I have nowhere to be. I would like to be in your company." Tentatively she sat on the fountain's edge. The water had frozen over and would not splash onto her clothes, which she was always getting in trouble for. "Winter can be such a lonely time, don't you think?" she said, motioning him to sit next to her. "But it can also be very beautiful. I can't believe I haven't given you my name. I'm Amelia."

Amelia the name reminded Henry of a sweet scented flower blossoming in spring. "I am Henry son of a simple maiden," He stood smiling slightly as he towered over her impressed that she was not frightened by his height. Often people called him the giant because he was so tall and broad back. A trait he got from his father. Sitting beside her Henry begun to feel slightly shy the tips of his ears was burning. Being this close to a real lady was a rare event you could tell she was a real lady. The way Amelia spoke with such pleasantness was as if she could prize open all the budding flowers around us. "I like the end of winter as it means the start of spring is coming. I like cozy nights in front of the fire, but with the early sunrise means I can spend more time in the woods,"

"That is exactly why I love the end of winter as well," she said with surprise as if he'd read her mind. She stretched her legs before her and the toes of her fur lined slippers peeked out from the hem of her dress. "So what is it that brings you to Bavaria? I can tell quite easily you aren't from here." She smiled to show he was welcome "And what do you like to do? I assume that because you like the woods that you hunt. Or do you simply find beauty in nature?"

"I am hiding from my father," he replied most honestly. He knew that a marriage contracted would soon be prepared for him with some relative of that Boleyn woman so he fled. As a young boy, his father had shown him the greatest of affections, then Anne Boleyn came along and all that had ended so young Henry rebelled in the best way he could. He ran away from his land making it impossible for him to be found until he wanted to be found by his father. "Nature is a second home for me,"

Amelia smiled at the young man who stood before her, she completely understood what he felt and nodded "I have not yet wed myself, but perhaps I may one day be so fortunate although I would rather wed for love then politics" she looked upon his face noting he was a handsome man "You say your father wishes to wed you to another, is this maid not be to your liking?" she asked curiously, she could not help but ask "forgive me, my questions, I know what it feels like to be of such nobility and at the mercy of ones parent but I would like to spend some time with you if you should permit such a occasion, it would certainly make me smile having someone to keep me company" she told him but often wondered if she may ever marry as she was the youngest of the children born to the Duke of Cleves and his wife but she was much different but more so polite to all around her.