Lounge

Janet Stewart walked to the home of her half brother the king. With a few of her ladies in waiting.

James had been told of Janet's arrival and had agreed to meet her in the lounge of the estate. He stood by the hearth, warming his hands in front of the burning embers. He had not seen her since he officially took over from the Regents...

Janet walks into the lounge with her ladies in waiting. She curties low to him. "Your majesty." She said softly to him.

James turned around from the fire and smiled kindly, walking towards her. He held her shoulders and raised her from the curtsey. She looked like her mother, that was for certain - her features had matured since last he saw her, but she was dark like him...their father's influence.

"Are you well? What brings you so far up north?" he asked, moving to take a seat.

"I am well I just wanted your company. " She said softly to him.

He grinned, gesturing for the servants to pour them some ale, "I don't blame you, I am excellent company, " he said jokingly, "Although I'm sure you have come here to meet my wife..like the rest of court."

He then laughed, taking a sip of ale, "Where have you been staying?"

"I just arrived here. No just came to see you. " She said softly to him.

James chuckled good naturedly thinking she seemed very quiet, not as talkative as he remembered her. Perhaps it was because he was more powerful now, perhaps she believed she had to be guarded with how she spoke.

"Well you are welcome to stay as long as you wish, " he said.

"Thank you. I am glad to have family who cares for me and a king who is the same. " She said softly to him with a small smile.

James nodded thoughtfully and took another sip of ale, "It would serve no purpose to cast you out...I've never had cause to scorn you. I'm not cruel," he said plainly.

"I just feel alone in court. " She said softly to him while looking down.

"Why?" he pressed. She was much changed from when he last saw her indeed. She was rather sheepish and seemingly reliant on others for company. Janet was spirited when they were children, now she had become affected by court.

"You have your maids and the other people at court..."

"I mean other ways brother."She said to him hopping he understood what she meant.

"Ah, " James mumbled, crossing his legs and scratching his beard. He supposed it was his responsibility now their father was gone to arrange a marriage for her. She was illegitimate but still connected to him, apparently beautiful and talented in her own way. However the thought of her dowry made him wince. He thought of the men of court, around her age - perhaps a little older - who would be suitable.

"Perhaps...perhaps it is time for you to have a family of your own. You are of a...pretty age now, " he said, as if the idea were his own.

"If that is what you wish dear brother."She said softly.

He shook his head, "Well you know it's what I want. I'd rather you lived out your days in the country - free."

He tilted his head, gauging her reaction. Perhaps that is what he desired...freedom in the country. Nay, not James. The country was dull and damp. He harked for adventure. The open seas, duels and women is what he dreamed of, "Yet if it is what you want..."

"I wish to make you happy also brother. " She said softly to him.

He smiled appreciately and reclined back in his chair, "And I am glad you do."

He fiddled with the arm of his chair absent mindedly, his thought flickered to the glenn. He blinked a few times and added teasingly, "Now tell me more of how you have been. What mischief have you been up to?"

"Why do you think I have been up to bad?'She asked with a small giggle as two of her own ladies giggled.

He smiled, "Oh I don't know what you ladies get up to when left to your own devices," he said teasingly.

"I may have seen the men in the river bathing." She said softly to him.

James rolled his eyes theatrically, and asked laughing, "Is there magic in the river here?"

He added, "It's hardly weather for it but we saw some strange woman bath in the river today too."

"How did she fare in looks?"She asked him.

He laughed, "Oh I didn't much notice," he said honestly, she was pretty but so were all women to him. He inwardly recalled his friends reactions and smirked to himself, running his thumb around the rim of his cup.

"Pretty, fair of face."