Road to the Castle

With my hair free and sweaty I hurried out to meet my lady mother. I had no time to wash properly but the way I was walking I could just pass it of as that. The carriage door opened and sitting happily, well sort of happy was my mother. Welcome to scotland mamma. I looked back at the castle knowing that any moment James would appear.

James stifled a yawn as he lingered behind Mary, chatting quietly and in a familiar way with a guard as he waited for her to arrived with her mother. He'd barely had time to pull on his clothes he had on that day and so he stood, a little more dishevelled than normal - wearing just his shirt and breeches. He had remarked how beautiful Mary looked as they made their way to the entrance together, her hair longer than he remembered and her eyes shone in anticipation.

Eventually, after a brief wait, he decided to approach. He jogged to where Mary was - slowing down to a confident stride as he saw Mary open the door to the carriage. He reached Mary's side, placing a discreet hand on the small of her back as he nodded respectfully to her mother, "Bienvenue," he greeted, clearing his throat.

I relaxed when James came to my side as I felt my heart in my throat. James looked normal but what did I look like I cast a look to him. Not at all lady mother we were just... Out horse riding which is why we are out of sorts. This is James king of scotland he has looked after me very well. I pressed my hand in his back trying to make him step forward.

"Not at all, madame," James replied in a friendly manner, nodding in agreement with Mary's story. Her mother was a tall woman, her features sharp but there was a wisdom in her eyes - almost the same as Mary's. He could not help but smile to see Mary reunited with her mother, glad she now had someone from home to comfort her.

He brushed his free hand through his hair, his other still touching Mary as he took a step forward. He took a deep breath and bowed more formally. Once he rose, he was nearly a different man. Almost taller in appearance, his smile serene - playing the King was a reluctant part for him but one he could act very well.

"You're daughter is a very accomplished rider," he said, hoping secretly he would make Mary laugh at the double meaning of his remark, "I could barely keep up with her...when we were exploring the land."

I looked up to the sky hoping the cold air would stop me from laughing. Yes James would you say that I was a keen rider. I smiled innocently at my mother while my eyes undressed James. I called to a servant to prepair a room for my mother to rest in. Shall we all go inside, lady mother you shall enjoy scotland very much. Stirling is a beautiful palace a place where we see as our home rather than a castle.

I noticed how silent James had become and lowered my head like I had displeased him somehow. Of course lady mother, follow me inside we shall warm you up in no time. I had wanted to hear James reply but I looked back at him, scared things would change between us now.

James smiled reassuringly at Mary when he noticed her look into his eyes, there was an air of apprehension around her. His hand gently caressed her back as his warm eyes gazed upon her. He could understand why she perhaps felt overwrought - they had both had a long night and now her mother had arrived.

As Antoinette walked ahead of them, he brought her hand to his lips quickly before her mother could see, "Tha gaol agam ort," he whispered against her cold hand, knowing only Mary would understand - a shrouded intimacy in his words.

I put a tender arm on my lady mothers arm, knowing how hard it had been on both my parents since the death of Peter three years ago. We can only do our best you are much welcomed here whenever you want. You may stay as long as you like.

My Edit: Sorry I mean sibling Antoinette became a nun.

"I do not plan to stay long my child. I have other children to see and since you are married to a king our family life has very much changed." Antoinette sighed as they continued walking towards the palace. Being married to Claude was not an easy task. "Your father has problems with his battle scars in the winter ~ his body seizes up causing the wounds to become sore. Twenty two wounds and yet he still survives to tell his tale."

"Opiates help. I would be happy to provide you with some to take home," James interjected, knowing all too well the pain of battle scars and wanted to make a good impression upon Mary's mother.

He suffered little now, only the pain at the time of an injury caused him trouble. Except perhaps the scar upon his shoulder which erratically throbbed from time to time. Yet, he was lucky and young, some men were less fortunate, "Heat too. Standing by the fire soothes the pain."

He nodded respectfully, gratified that he seemed to have made some kind of good impression. He knew little of the relationship between his mother-in-law and Mary's father, yet, he assumed they were on good enough terms for him to show concern for her father.

"I like it very well," he replied genuinely to Antoinette, pausing for a moment to wink at Mary.

"I could think of no greater wife to have by my side - your daughter is the most courageous and kind woman I have known."

I don't think that anyone is to blame lady mother. It's a tricky situation you bore children in your later year's and they all came at once. I added to try and cheer her spirits but was inwardly frowning. I made a note to myself to go to the waters first thing in the morning before anybody was up. Determination was my key to not having a life like my mother's constantly being hailed as a disappointment when it came to having children.

James took a breath and stayed quiet. He didn't much care if Mary and he had children quickly, now he had grown to know her and love her - he waited in anticipation for their first child, which he was sure would shortly follow. He could imagine her as a mother, spoiling the child and doting upon them - teaching the infant French while he taught them how to fish. His dreams were perhaps simple but they were ambitious in their optimism, he always assumed it would happen and never expected any trouble.

Although, he noticed that Antoinette spoke he same way Mary had spoke before. They were women and so of course more of the pressure was on them - yet, there was a worry in her words which did not cause him to worry for heirs...but for Mary. She was such a delicate thing and he worried that she could be weakened by giving him a child. He touched the small of her back tenderly and protectively, "Madame, we are both young," he said gently, "By God's grace, children shall follow."

Would you like to see your bedchamber lady mother. James personally saw to it himself that it was all set up and prepared. Maybe in time they would get along more better and children were a sensitive subject for everyone involved even James. I feel that my body is too young to deliver children so early on in marriage. If the council and Scotland in happy with me and my duties as a queen. Then, I think me and James could have a few years of marriage to ourselves. I smiled as I looked up at James it was no secret that we both wanted each other.

"Likewise, madame," James replied sincerely with a gallant smile, bowing his head respectfully.

Despite his expression - calm and untroubled as ever - there was something in Mary's words that stuck in his mind. It planted a seed that took root in his thoughts and consumed him quite curiously. However, now was not the time and his seemings did not blind him to the obvious. Mary and her mother had been parted for a long time and so it would be only natural they would wish to speak in private.

"I shall leave you both," he said and caressed his hand tenderly across Mary's back before bowing once more and striding back towards the palace. Wine, he thought, wine and good company to discuss his thoughts.