The Woods

And I love you I whispered as he looked back at me. I didn't have a role when ever we parted, I was simply just Mary. Only with him could I truly shine with a touch of sparkle. Everything I had come to be in his eyes was because of him and how he made me feel. He would never know what he meant to me it was indescribable.

As afternoon came I decided to take back the king horse and collect one of his shirts so I could measure out the white cotton I would need to make his shirts. I didn't ride back I slowly walked with the horse following gently behind me. I was like a giddy young girl high on the rush you get when you clasps your eyes on that one person who makes you swoon. Part of me expected it to be the ale that made me feel such things but it wasn't. I had awoken with them still lingering about me demanding to be heard. I took the long way round; trudging carefully through the long grass as the palace came into view.

James had left the palace in the late afternoon, a cool breeze rushing through the golden, bright day.  The woods were noisy, he could hear the hum of wood pigeons, the prancing deer and vaulting hare - rustling through the leafy undergrowth. Patches of light came through the green trees, now in full bloom, providing shade from the warm day.  James strode through the crunching brambles beneath his feet, his chaplain at his side - them both in deep and hushed conversation.

“Tomorrow morning,” James instructed, "At dawn."

He glanced down the path and noticed a familiar figure approach and emerge from the trees. She had his horse with her, both looking a little tired and out of sorts.

I was about to take a turn around the bushes when I saw James chatting intently to a man. I ducked out of the way loosing the reigns on his horse. I liked how casually the horse pranced heading towards his master as though he himself had found it's own way home. I stayed back not wanting to interrupt the conversation that was taking place.

James agreed with the chaplain to meet at sunrise in the palace, to make the journey to the chapel and to see the deed was done. Reverent and kind, the chaplain - whom James had known from boyhood - bowed and headed back to the castle which stood tall upon the close horizon.

"You decided to come," he greeted happily with a smile at Isabel, but paused as his horse cantered to him. He held it's muzzle gently, hushing the beast into quiet until it pranced restlessly by his side, "Are you well?" he asked and pat the side of his horse.

"No I have come to collect a shirt of yours I'd gladly take the shirt of your back but I don't think that will go down so well." My smiled twinkled as I joked with the man who was a king.

He chuckled and glanced briefly down to his shirt before looking to her, "Nay," he replied with a warm grin, "I have some waiting for you in the palace."

"Besides you wouldn't want me catching a cold, would you?" he asked playful. She was entirely confident with him now and greeted him as a friend he noticed, there was no bow or curtsey - only her mischievous nature.

I looked thoughtfully as I tapped my finger against my lip. "Any other king would have humoured me in my request your majesty." I placed my hands behind my back as I slowly trudged thtough the grass; keeping a distance between us both. "Did your majesty sleep well last night? You appear to be in good spirits. Whereas; I still feel tired."

He chuckled as he nodded in agreement - any other King would have. She was an intriguing girl, he thought, a mystery in her eyes; the English King, he thought, would have supplied her with his shirt in return for her gown. Yet, James was no aged or jaded King; his life was not stagnant, he did not get his only pleasures in life from flirtations...although, there was some thrill in the chase. James clicked his tongue and his horse walked at his side, keeping a loose hold of the reins.

“I barely slept at all,” he replied honestly. He had spent the evening in his study instead of his chambers. By the light of a candle he had granted land requests and wrote to his friends who were travelling the country on business of the crown. He knew if he went into his bed he would feel the ache of not having her by his side and by taking rest elsewhere it lessened his longing, “But I do not need much sleep,” he said with a smile and turned to her.

“I’ve worn you out,” he said mischievously and smirked as his dark eyes looked over her, "Though you still have that look of mischief in those eyes of yours - I think your spirits high too?"

"Oh you think you could tire me out do you? I hardly think so; in fact I recall you seeming very content in my company that you could of easily rested your head in my lap and slept until this very morn." I retorted as I walk ahead of him head held high. My spirits were high as I was in his company I toned it down so it wasn't that entirely obvious. He seemed to know me like I was his favourite book that he liked to read again and again. I couldn't easily read him he was a king it was his talent to disguise his thoughts; feelings in the company of others.

He raised his brows and smiled, looking ahead of them - down the the little path to the castle in the distance, the walls almost looked white when the sun shone upon them. It seemed so very far away even though it was only a ten minute ride back into the fortress.

"Aye," he replied happily, noticing her coquettish tone more that morning than he had the night before, "But that was you plying me with all that ale," he added mischievously, turning to her with a wink.

"However, as you requested," he said and gestured to himself, "We are meeting when we are not influenced by drink."

"Yet their is not that familiar ease between us." All my hopes had been crushed by the hard light of reality. "I don't know I am used to you being supplied with some sort of beverage in your hand. You are less reserved and more free of spirit which makes me feel more at ease." As the palace came into our sight my mind crossed to the path we were on now. And how many people had walked it before us and the extraordinary life they led.

"Course there is," he replied in disagreement and looked down at her with a warm smile. He felt undeniably comfortable in her presence; their similarities, their mutual affection for one another made him feel quite himself. She was a little more than a subject, she did not shrink when she saw him, "Sure I'm not drunk and nor are you - but we are hardly strangers."

He noticed her look up to the palace, "Not so bad, eh?" he said with a smirk and added teasingly, "And to think you would give away the chance to live there."

I raised an eyebrow questionably as he spoke of the palace. It felt like I was an encaged creature when ever I stepped into the beautiful yet suffocating place. "You can't keep me at the palace. And yes I know that it is more fun when I am around as I seem to remind you of something normal. But I can't live here please understand that." A week but sympathetic smile shaped my lips sometimes when we talked I thought that we could both understand each other. Then their was times when it was not so easy to understand one anothers life.

"Then where shall you go?" he asked rather seriously, absent mindedly stroking his horse's chestnut forehead. He still did not like the prospect of her living in the tavern. They had been lucky the night before but he was a regular patron of the inn and he knew what brawls happened, as much as she was industrious, he was quite sure that amongst a hoard of men she would be vulnerable.

"I cannot have a guard watching over you all the time," he replied, "And I cannot have you too far in-case I need shirts in an emergency," he added teasingly, looking to her as he chuckled good naturedly.

He hated to be stifled, indeed, he had spent boyhood trapped in that castle but it was big enough that he could roam as he pleased. He had friends there, he had Mary and he would prefer if Isabel were among the company who made the palace tolerable.

I did not want to get annoyed with him but I was not his problem. Sure I liked the fact that he thought of me but it wasn't the thoughs I so longed to have him think. It just would never happen and I gues I will realise that sooner. "If you should need me I doubt you will. Then send a letter to the tavern and I will meet you here." My steps slowed the closer we got to the palace and I had to fight the urge to run away.

There was a change in her tone, her determined pace slowed and her words were jagged with a strangeness - as if they had only met. It was more than sobriety, the clarity that comes with a clear head and absence of drink. He tilted his head, trying to catch her gaze - perplexed about what had caused her to change.

"What is wrong?" he asked and looked at her, "Tell me what you are thinking..."

I couldn't and wouldn't tell him about my silly little infatuation with him if he hadn't been so down to earth as a king I was certain that I wouldn't feel this way. "My thoughts are about you. That part was true even if I did have to bend the truth just a little. "I was thinking that if everyone saw you like you are in the tavern. Then they may understand stand you so much more." I gently let my hand hit his side as I playfully laughed.

He smiled as she spoke, there was a complete honestly in words - almost a gentility that she had never shown before. He wasn't dishonest with others, indeed, he didn't exactly pour out his soul to her...but they did share a familiarity that almost came instantly upon their meeting.

"Many did," he replied and remembered the months after his coronation, "A few years ago, I travelled about the land after the coronation. You would have liked it, I think," he began and looked at her. However, as he looked at her, he sensed there was something she concealed - she didn't look at him and there was a pink hue to her cheeks.

"And I think...you still keep something from me..."

I pictured it me and him going throughout Scotland people oblivious to who he actually was. The banter with the locals as they poured out their hearts to him not realising he was their king. Indeed; I would have enjoyed it greatly their were parts of Scotland I wanted to see. "No their is nothing else your majesty and one day I would love to here the stories of your travels. Now march off and get me that shirt so yoyr fairy godmother can transform you. I winked with reassurance.

He chuckled and placed his foot into the stirrup, looking at her as he readied himself to mount the horse, "Well, I am an open book," he replied with a grin and sat atop the great beast.

The horse pranced impatiently on the spot, dragging it's hoof against the dirt beneath, "Where shall I find you?" James asked and steered the horse in the direction of the palace.

The horse had the same spirit as it's master ready and willing to go at the drop of a hat. Together they would both be victorious in battle together. "If your majesty is not busy I shall wait here for it. But if you are busy than have a servant send it back to the tavern." Looking up I put a hand over my eyes to block out the sun. He looked exactly like a king; gallant and noble absolutely striking.

He thought for just a moment. Why not, he mused, he could ride quickly and be back with her soon. And so he said, with a bright grin upon his face,“Wait,” his horse danced on the spot, anticipating their departure, “Wait in the gardens.”

He gestured to a little path that diverted from the main track. It was brighter than the main road and would lead her straight to the West Gardens, which his chambers overlooked, “Down there,” he said with a smile and then took off.

His horse flew from the path, spurring his horse on, leaving a cloud of dirt as they approached the castle.

With a bemused smile I trudge the way along to the western garden. He was very cunning to keep me here and I had not even realised it. Yet it was I whom suggested I stay; suggested it in hopes he would say the tavern dear Isabel.

Since the ruin of their friendship I have kept away from the court and any man that was a friend of the king. I couldn't trust myself and the evil that would spill off my lips about him. Over and over I had written letters to Queen Marie nothing containing the truth about her King and how he liked to tease the girls. I was probably one of many that he liked to play with like a big fat cat trying to catch a mouse never rising to the occasion. To get to my destination I had to pass Stirling and where that cruel man lived. One thing I did learn about the French was this sticking a middle finger up at someone meant a great insult. Apparently the French made it to the English many years ago in the war. So with great measure I extended the finger up where his rooms are. About an hour of walking a broken down carriage could be seen the men were desperately trying to put a new wheel on. Looking at the carriage on further inspection; I noticed it was English with my curiosity piqued; I stuck my head in the open window.