The King's Bedchamber

He barely let her finish before he leaned over and kissed her forehead. There was no lust in his kiss, only the purest of loves and affection, "I know it, Mary," he said reassuringly and truthfully,"You were meant to be a mother."

He touched his hand against her cheek with a sigh, looking at her lovingly...and also as if she were a puzzle to be solved. He hadn't considered the possibility of not having children by her, he took for granted that sons and daughters would arrive. However, the pressure was fairly distributed between them - she would be given the blame should anything go awry. He shook his head, as if to get rid of the idea - her in pain was something that brought him more fear than death brought the average man. No, he thought, he was quite convinced that it would happen and they would have children.

"You are my wife," he said determinedly, "-and I love you. You did not marry the English King - you married me and I will not get rid of you. You are my courage, you are my heart...it would not do for us to be parted.”

I'm sure we shall have many many children together. I took comfort from his words and love crawling into his lap as my back faced him. I wrapped his arms around me keeping my eyes closed as I felt his warm embrace rush over my body.

"Eventually, a ghràidh, "he added with a smile, his voice a deep whisper as he rested his chin upon her shoulder.

He embraced her in his strong arms, feeling the gentle warmth of her near him. There was no rush for him, he didn't want the transition to Scotland to be any harder for Mary than he was sure it was. A new foreign land with strange people who spoke a different language and had different ways and traditions. A husband who she barely knew and the burden of a crown. They would move gently together - side by side.

Tomorrow my love I wish to be crowned tomorrow. I rested my head against his arm knowing that I could fall asleep in these arms. He held me like he was my shield from the entire court. Only he was allowed to treat me in such a way I never even let my mother or governess hold me the way James did.

He peered over her shoulder and pressed his lips against her cheek, "Very well...tomorrow," he said with a smile.

James then lay back, gently pulling her back to lie with him. He allowed himself to shut his eyes as her head rested upon his shoulder, his hand touched her tousled hair.

I grinned like a cheshire cat as I fell gently back into his arms. Sleep lets sleep now. I kissed his hand not moving from our embrace. This was the most comfortable I had felt in a long time and I loved the way he loved me. My salvation that was what I would call him.

He moved a little and collected the sheets to cover them. As she lay in his arms, he began to caress her bare back - slipping gently into slumber. He thought as he fell asleep, that there was no greater joy than to be loved by her.

I could feel an tight embrace restricting me from moving on closer inspection I realised it was James arm. I rubbed my nose against his trying to coax him awake. James wake up my love. I kissed his muscular arm my cold feet running up his leg.

James shuffled a little beneath the sheets as he felt her foot travel up his leg. He mumbled a little still not quite awake or entirely in slumber. As Mary’s nose brushed against his and her voice whispered to him, he wearily opened his eyes. His tired eyes drifted around the room, then fixed on her face - they blazed clear and pellucid with intelligence as a smile formed on his lips.

"Good morning, wife, " he said warmly, his voice deeper in the morning and a little broken.

Untangling myself I turned in his arms letting my chest move against his chest. His lips in the morning were slightly chapped and rough but I didn't mind. This is my favourite part of the morning waking up to you. His bristly beard prickled against my smooth chin, causing me to recoil slightly.

He laughed dotingly at her words, cupping one of her cheeks in his hands. He noticed her skin was a little warmer than usual yet her eyes still as bright.

Before Mary, James would already have risen; normally already out riding or in council and not feel fatigued in the least. Yet, he now slept so soundly, so contentedly that it was almost as if he had to climb deeper out of sleep than before. Her presence in his bed beckoned him deeper into sleep, the smell of lavender upon her skin, the gentle sound of her breath and he affection touch...

"How did you sleep?" he asked and kissed her nose tenderly.

I was in no rush to get up today. Shortly after noon I would be Mary de Guise, queen of Scots. Most importantly I loved James first and foremost, his love was more sacred and precious then any title. I sleep like an angel just by knowing that I have you. His lips tasted like malted whisky with unspoken words ready to be said at any given moment. You have untied my soul, taken the cover off my eyes to reveal a fine specimen of a man that is you.

He laughed warmly, a gentle noise and brushed his nose against hers affectionately. He needed nothing to build his confidence, it was already there but there was something about having the love of a woman - the love of Mary that inspired something in him. It was something to fight and live for, things had a purpose and he now carved the image of his life with her in it.

"I think it is me, a ghràidh, who is the lucky one, " he replied earnestly.

We are living in a time where true loves is all but a dream. You and I are bound to an emotion that we have never experienced before. I removed the sweaty white sheet away from my body. The room was very humid and I felt like I had not slept at all.

James shuffled in the bed and sat up. As he did he touched her cheek gently, "'Tis no dream, love. It's as real as you and I are," he replied warmly and kissed her upon the forehead.

He moved from the bed, collected his breeches from the floor and moved over to the window - opening it a little to let in some fresh air. He glanced out, and beheld the main entrance of the castle. Courtiers were arriving, dressed in their finest garments, merchants were setting up their stalls of silks and books, stable boys were gentle guiding the horses to rest.

All the while the sun - for a pleasant change - was already high amongst the clouds, breaking through the grey and blanching the land with it's golden rays. It was strange to see the world go about it's business, people carrying on with their lives. Yet, in the room, time stood quite still.

I placed the back of my hand over my eyes, willing myself to get up. What is going on in the outside world today. Gathering myself up from the byed, I went over to James wrapping my arms around him from behind. The cool air from outside sweeped across my skin making me feel fresher.

"They await their Queen," he mumbled and held her hands as they wrapped around him, smiling at her affectionate display.

He kept his gaze out the window for a moment and then turned on his heels so he faced her, cradling her face very gently in his hands. Her eyes shone brightly and her face was colder for the breeze coming in the window, "Your face is my heart, and the love of you is my soul.”

I am glad that you find such affections in your future Queen. My eyes went to the cross around his neck, it was the very first item that had bound us to one another. I best get dressed don't want the courtiers to see their Queen in the nude. I moved swiftly away from the window, placing my hair to the side as I let my nightgown fall over me. I shall see you later when I am scrubbed and prepared to be crowned.

James nodded reluctantly, wishing they could prolong their detachment from the world. Yet, their titles dragged them from their bliss and into the duties they were bound to. As she pulled on her nightgown, he retrieved a satin pouch from the table beside his bed.

"Before you go," he began and strode over to her. When he was at her side, his hand lovingly touched her slender waist - his free hand took hers.

He placed the velvet pouch in her little palm. In it contained a token he had saved for some time, "I have your cross and so you shall have this. It's a wren," he said as he revealed the brooch, his dark eyes briefly glancing to hers with that habitually intense gaze, seeking her approval, "It cannot be caged. A symbol of hope, of freedom...and of my love."

I picked the little wren up by it's tail as though it was an alive bird. Thank you your majesty! I notice that this little wren has the same blue eyes such as I. I kissed his cheek, a thank you for the delicate little wren he had given me. May I invest in some actual real birds. I had them in France and my room is rather quiet here. They shan't be loud just tiny little birds.

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing both her cheeks individually, "Anything you wish as long as you never call me Your Majesty," he replied playfully.

He could imagine it already - her rooms lighter than his, filled with the smell of her perfume and the sound of her sweet voice and the birds that she would have.

I swayed my hips as he brought me closer to him. I shall have to call you it in public. Otherwise people shall think I am defying my own King. I let the little wren drop onto the bed, as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He smiled a little to himself. He recalled his mother referring to his father as 'His Majesty' - never 'husband' or by his name. James had supposed - from inference and tales - that his parent's marriage was political even behind palace walls, his birth was luck and he was borne out of duty...not love. If there was one thing that delighted his heart it was Mary calling him by his name, a familiarity that was so unusual for him.

"You are the only person in the land who is allowed to defy me," he said mischievously.

Taking hold of his breeches, I ran my hands slowly up and down them tempted to snap them off! Their was no need to please James he was by the way I could tell already happy with me. But I was well aware what foreign strangers would think to our familiar name exchange. Then you can't call me Queen in public I think it is only fair. I want us to be equal to one another in all that we may embark on. I whispered against his lips as my nose nudged his.

His hands dropped slowly from her waist and he held temptingly onto her rear, "I shall," he began and kissed her lovingly. Open mouthed and wet, mouth firm against hers, his tongue sliding past her teeth.

"But just for today," he breathed, his lips still brushing against hers.