The King's Study

I had awoken early to arrive at stirling to do my duties. My wild raven hair had been pulled back into a tight braid which hung stiffly to the side. My father and two brothers had died on the battlefield; trying to save Scotland for the english. I was so easily tempted to burden my troubles onto the new queen; who held the kings ear more than anybody at the moment. I wasn't happy that I had to see the king and I was hoping he would not be here.

James was hunched over a table with one of his council members, a map spilled over the table. The parchment, depicting the country, covered the entire expanse of the desk - painted by the same architect who was working on Linlithgow. James and his friend Thomas, rested their hands on respective sides of the table, occasionally pointing to a part of the map. The guard - who was meant to be on watch - was encouraged to contribute to the task. Both James and Thomas asked for his opinions on their suggestions, indulging in friendly competition and allowing the restrictions of their positions to disappear.

Then, interrupting them from the task they were quite engrossed in, a young woman appeared in the open doorway. The guard was bashfully apologetic she had slipped past, but James was quite unfazed - insisting he had done no wrong.

"Milady, may we help?" he asked and stood up straight, a head or so taller than his friend, who had already began to roll up the map.

"If your majesty is busy I can come back at a more suitable time." Although my voice was sweet with my glaswegian accent. I did stand tall; their were important matters that needed attending; and it was clearly obvious that the king was far more interested in foreign matters.

James glanced to Thomas who already had the map rolled up and held beneath his arm. The pair exchanged a fraternal nod, smiling the way close friends would - with no words required. The guard was already standing to attention, holding onto his blade formally.

James turned to the girl and shook his head, adjusting his shirt a little, "No, it's quite alright."

The guard and Thomas left the room, shutting the door only so it was left slightly ajar, "Do be seated, Milday...?" he said kindly and gestured to the chair opposite his side of the desk, wondering her name and cause for visit.

"Hamilton; lady Hamilton your majesty." I wasn't to sure of how long this conversation would last. I heard that many other young lasses had tried to speak with the king; but he never listened to their cause for a mere five seconds. "My father fought with your father at the Battle of Flodden. I never knew who he was." I looked to the perfectly painted stain glass windows; in the distance outside a stag was scarely wandering.

James frowned immediately, expelling a deep sigh as he took a seat opposite her - landing heavily upon the chair. She was in nearly the exact same situation as him. Her father's death prayed upon James' natural sympathies and he felt an instinctive sense of kinship.

"Then you and I alike, my lady Hamilton. I am sorry - truly - but...I hope you know how grateful we are for your father's sacrifice. Naturally, should you need anything, you should only ask," he had ensured widows and orphans had ample incomes to provide at least some financial consolation for their loss.

I tried not to laugh when he said we were alike as we were not. We both had suffered the same loss; yet ranks and royalty were the only thing to seperate us. "We were looked after as we had his pension. And then my brothers fought in battle. To cut a long story short; my stepfather is selling me of for marriage." I guess I was being too upfront with what ails me; I had tough skin so could take on the wrath. "Can you please put a stop to the bans of marriage being read out."

James frowned, it happened too often and many times - forced promises, dragging young girls to church against their will. Indeed, his own marriage was against his childish will. However, it was his own joy that now - after finally meeting his wife - he consented to their union freely and wholeheartedly.

"Please do tell me who your stepfather intends for you, lady Hamilton?" he asked, "Is your mother's husband at court?"

I shifted in my seat trying not to catch his gaze. It was hard to be honest; he was a king I had to be honest with him. "The man I am to marry is no friend of the king." I could feel my flesh burn with a cold singe as the words came out of my mouth. It was humiliating to admit such a thing; that all I was worth was an outlander.

James tilted his head, somehow managing to still convey sympathy through his furrowed brow - meanwhile, his mind tumbled over the names of those who had not fought in Flodden, who did not attend court, those who had reason to draw suspicion.

"You have no reason to fear your safety," he replied tentatively, leaning over the desk, "You do not have any obligation to marry him...but I do ask you provide his name."

"He is an outlander I do not know his name." And that was the truth I looked at him; as I held up my hands. I was in a very tiresome situation; I either married the man or face my entire clan; locals turning their backs on me and being branded a traitor. Not every folksmen were loyal to their king. These things happened in every country; only Scotland was much more brutal. "Will you forgive me your majesty. For bringing such a burden to you're crown."

He shook his head in disagreement. To be sure, he was aware of certain disquiets but he knew that the English king was more despised than him in Scotland, indeed, for a King - James was well liked. He would send his men out, employ the outlandish rebellion to more useful pursuits - wild men, as James always said, bred the best soldiers.

"It is no burden, you were right to tell me and I thank you - wholeheartedly - for your honesty, despite, your natural fears for your safety," he paused for a moment and scratched his beard, leaning back in his chair.

"Therefore...I offer you a place in my wife's household. She shall have to agree - of course - but she has a kind heart and I have no doubt that she will look upon your case with compassion. You are at will to decline, but, your safety and income would be guaranteed. A Queen always sees that her ladies are eventually well married too."

The situation seemed to go from one bad scenario to another. What was I meant to do fall to my knees singing songs about how gracious he was. I knew that taking a posistion at court would cost me my mothers love. I was more likely to be preyed on at court than living it rough with a man running from the crown itself. "That is very generous of you to offer but, why should my mother suffer for me." I raised an eyebrow it would be my mother who bore the brunt of my actions. She was meek and mild certainly a woman who deserved no harm.

He frowned, "How should your mother suffer?" he asked rather perplexed and stood up.

He walked over to a small cabinet and poured them both a cup of wine. He took a sip of his and added, handing the drink to her, "You say she has your father's pension and she has her new husband. The only suffering I can imagine is displeasure at you not marrying this unknown man and most mother's are displeased with their children at some point in their lives."

He didn't think she was exactly polite in her manner, yet, part of him respected her for not being ostentatiously reverent like most people, he did not think he owed her respect simply because he was King. He was before his time in many ways and unlike most men in court, he had never believed that women were unequal to men and so he accepted her candour with ease.

"I have never found cause to displease my mother as of yet. I don't want to start now. But then if I don't take the place that you offered then you are displeased" To not seem rude I took the goblet of wine; gently swishing it around the goblet. I wondered if I could become dizzy on just one gobletful. I bet the king had some whiskey but probably kept it for his men.

He took another sip of the wine and sat down in his chair. Clearly she had a strong sense of filial duty and this he could only admire. He felt a genuine sympathy for her situation and although he was a soldier above a counsellor - he willingly listened to her, and hoped in earnest to help and provide comfort.

"Well, it may be wise to speak with your mother about being a lady in waiting for the Queen. If she approves then all that remains is for you to meet my wife and she can decide how to proceed," he suggested and added reassuringly, his tone warm and almost brotherly, "If you decide that you would prefer not to be in her household, then that is your decision. Neither the Queen nor I shall be cross."

He spoke to me in a fatherly manner his voice warm and reassuring; as though anything was possible. Most importantly I felt at great ease in his presence. He didn't demanded respect you just naturally gave it to him. "You have a comforting tone like my father did. I will support you as a king as my father greatly believed in the future of Scotland." I rested the goblet in my lap not one for drinking unless I absoultely had to. I guess their would be no harm in meeting the future queen. You could tell that the king was amoured by her arranged marriages never really seemed to work out.

James smiled warmly and finished off his cup of wine, setting it upon his table.

"Then I am glad of it. Flodden was a bloody battle and your father - I have no doubt - fought well. I will not forget your loyalty, Lady Hamilton."

He glanced to her cup that she kept in her lap, "I could call for some...tea or something different, if you like?"

"A whiskey would be much better for me if your majesty has no objections." The only wine I had ever drunk was the offerings given at mass. I wasn't perfect far from it but I liked to choose my own sins. A warm smile appeared on my lips as I realised that I was growing more at ease in his company. "Am I allowed to meet your with."

He raised his eyebrow and chuckled - rather impressed and a little amused. He always admired women who were a little different from normal and didn't follow the courtly conventions. It was normal for the men to imitate him and likewise the women with the Queen. Yet, she had only come to court and so she was set apart from the others.

He rose and walked over to the cabinet again, taking out a crystal decanter and poured him and her a glass of whiskey. He walked over to her and handed her the drink, already taking a sip of his own, "So where do you come from originally?" he asked and perched on the side of the table.

I gladly took my whiskey trying not show my discomfort at how close he was. I slowly drank my whiskey placing the glass down on the table. "Another please your majesty. My entire mothers side of her family come from Kirkton of Glenisla. My father comes from Edinburgh it was a marriage between clans." It was hard to be yourself in the presence of a king so I had to restrain my natural self a bit.

He took the decanter and poured more whiskey in her glass, doing the same for his once he had had one glass. He placed the bottle on the table and took his seat again, "Well," he began thoughtfully, "The Queen is taking a trip to Lithlingow imminently - perhaps you can meet her then and visit your family while you are there? I'll provide you with a royal seal. So...should they force this marriage on you it will be an act of treason too."

He finished the second glass and added, "If you like."

He made me nervous his words made me nervous. I didn't show it but I felt it at the pit of my stomach. It was his words they held so much power in them that I knew whatever he wished to be done it would be granted unto him. I was aware that I was sitting opposite a man who used to go to brothels to help him with parliament duties back in the day. "You would give me a royal seal of protection." He may construe this as being rude but I couldn't help the laughter that arose from me.

He shrugged plainly, fiddling distractedly with the elbow of his shirt, "Yes," he mumbled casually,"You don't need to take it but you can...if you wish."

He glanced up as she laughed and he grinned benevolently, "I have amused you?" he said, more of a question than a statement.