The Golden Harrow Tavern

He smirked and took a large drink of the ale, "I wouldn't be a very good King - or indeed man - if I didn't care for those I'm sworn to protect," he smirked and added teasingly, "I took a vow - I have no choice."

He was concerned that she would think she owed him - he didn't want her simply moving from one trap to another. That's certainly not as he saw it. They were a little more than acquaintances now and he hoped in considerate earnest that they would be friends. While others may think something improper in friendships between men and women - James had never conformed to such antiquated societal views. He developed a genuine interest in her welfare and would see her well eventually.

He shrugged, "If you insist but you will have the protection of guards either way," he said with a smile and ran his hands through his dark hair.

"If you wasn't a king then I can just envision you on some sort of rampage around Scotland." I nudged his arm in good measure as I scratched the surface that man was still their inside him. A slightly more tame version of who he was today nonetheless he was still their. "Two guards and if you add anymore than that; then you can stay and clear up. I wish you wasn't the king."

He smiled and swayed slightly as she tapped him playfully, "I do," he replied and finished his ale, "Just not as often as I like. I am wandering about now am I not?" he asked mischievously, "-And no one knows."

It was not so much the travelling that he enjoyed - it was the fights and adrenaline that he preferred. Of course, fighting for the vulnerable and claiming justice - he would not fight if it was for a wrong cause. However, it was the putting all on the line and winning, that he revelled in. That feeling of victory - which was familiar - had never lost it's shine. He could not give that up, would not give that up; King or not, even with Mary - it was part of him.

"One should suffice," he replied and pointed one out to her, "He drinks the least - you may have him for your protection."

"Let's us agree to disagree on this matter. Aye you are gladly going about your lesiure freely but it cannot be an easy job for you." Taking his empty mug I started to gather them up in a neat pile ready for washing. A slight frown came to my lips as I couldn't help but wonder about certain things like ladies do. "How are you getting back to your home on horse or foot? I can't imagine seeing you ride back half light headed."

He shrugged and replied with a smile, "It has it's perks."

As far as James was concerned though - it was more than an occupation. No other job, not even the clergy would last someone's entire life. The curse of King, James thought, to never see his son crowned. The throne was his birth right, he had been anointed and the rightness of his reign was proven in the loyalty from his people and his victory in battle. He begrudged it but he knew it was his duty, evenings like this were times that he could forget duty and so they were very welcome.

He laughed at her feminine concern, "I have had much more drink than this and managed to get home safely," he replied, "I shall walk - I wouldn't force my horse from the stable this late."

"I wouldn't want the life of a royal I have always been sucha unruly child. I used to hate it when my mother would take part of the sheet; dampen it then roll it in my hair. Count yourself lucky to not go through such things." Seeing his melancholy thoughts I sat myself opposite him trying to think what could cause such sad thoughts. "If you have a few moments to spare would you like to help me make the bonfire."

He chuckled, "At least she took a care for you," his mind flickered to his hazy memories of his mother when he was just a boy. 'Come for your Lady Mother's blessing' she would say as he went to bed, he remembered the smell of rose water upon her and her thin hair pulled beneath her hood. He couldn't say he had a memory of her smiling or laughing - his children's memories would be different.

"Bonfire?" he asked curiously, "Whatever for?"

Their was bitterness in his voice when I mentioned mothers. "We light a bonfire so those travelling through the night can stop in for some food and ale. You don't have to help but it seems better than sitting here drowning your sorrows in ale." I blew out the remaining candles leaving the ones where he sat and where his friends sat.

"What sorrows?" he asked with a chuckle and stood up, brushing down his breeches and adjusting his shirt - unwittingly Mary's cross tumbled from beneath the linen. He ruffled his hands through his damp hair and glanced about the room. It was still busy but not as rowdy - the conversations had become hushed, men professing deep profundities while they clutched ale.

His friends had stood as he did, looking to him for direction. He passed a glance to Isabel, "One minute," he said, not quite wanting to head home yet. He asked one to remain behind to keep watch over Isabel and make sure she came to the palace the next day. He agreed willingly while the others patted him upon the shoulder in a brotherly fashion, vowing to see him soon while making bawdy jibes about he and Isabel. The friends parted with chuckles and smirks, James returned to Isabel with lingering grin, "Do you have wood prepared?" he asked and rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

"Aye it is outside already chopped and ready for the taking." I walked ahead of him noticing a light drizzle falling onto my dress. It wasn't hard drops of rain just a few drips and drabs passing through. "Shall I stack them up while you start the fire? A man like you must have light many fires in your time." Going over to the chopped logs I became to place them down on the dark piece of grass which we always use. Through my eyelashes I allowed myself one lingering look of him whilst be was not looking.

James collected his heavy cloak from his table, slinging it over his arm as he ventured out into the night. It must have been near to the eleventh hour, he thought, noticing the sky was now shrouded in cloud and partial darkness. There were little patches of light and the sun set late in Scotland during the summer months but it was almost always dark by midnight. He could see her nose grow pink with the biting wind and extending his arm for her to take his cloak, still warm from being close to him, "Have it," he said simply with a simply and bundled it into her arms.

He perched near the wood as he set about his business of lighting the fire - eventually blowing carefully onto the smoking embers - a victorious grin upon his lips.

I was about to protest but he placed the cloak very quickly into my arms. I had never known the smell of a man before and here it was lingering in my arms. I admired him from a far as he lit the fire; my hands outstretched as I warmed them in the growing flames. The orange redish flames shadowed against his skin making his darker eyes even brighter. "Can you stay around for a few more moments. I'm not ready to be left alone just as yet."

He tentatively placed bits of wood into the growing fire, pausing each time for the flames to engulf each piece of dried out bark. He felt her brush near him as the flames grew, her hands coming over the flames, "Careful, Isabel," he mumbled casually as he concentrated on his task - unaware of how familiar he sounded.  

Finally, satisfied with the fire he stood up - stretching as he did with a sigh, "Of course," he replied and looked down to her with a warm grin. He noticed how unaffected she was by the city - she could have been a girl roaming around the hills with how she looked: cheeks flushed in the cold and hair billowing about her face. Other women would have been too consumed with how they looked to enjoy lighting the fire and he appreciated that she shared his enjoyments.

An old tree stump near the fire caught my eye and I gently tugged on his arm as I nodded my head over to where it was placed. Walking over I laughed at how familiar I was acting in his company it felt very unreal. I still kept a part of me alert just incase he changed moods and demanded that I treated him like the king he was. Deep down a silent part of me knew all so well that I was too close for comfort he was after all a married man a loyal one at that. "I enjoy your company more than I think I should."

He leaned against a nearby tree, taking shelter from the drizzle of rain that began to drop upon the land. His hand resting upon the hilt of his sword - a natural instinct and one he was entirely unaware of as he glanced about them. The men stumbled out of the tavern, clutching onto each other's shoulders and singing bawdy tunes - their deep voices echoing through the quiet streets as they plodded home.

"What do you mean?" he replied with a playful smirk and glanced down to her, "What is in a conversation between two like minds?"

I watched as the men merrily came out of the tavern singing to themselves and generally being men. I wondered why us ladies couldn't be the same helping one another out as we danced out of the tavern high on ale and other things to intoxicate us. "You are too kind and I do not deserve such kindness even if you are a king; of the land I live in. Maybe it is because you are kind that I enjoy your company too much." I stared straight back at the fire. When I squinted the flames just moulded into one big one the colours certainly turning yellow. "You had best get back to the palace before the queen worries. Besides you might find one of your men collapsed drunk in the hedges." I smiled with amusement as normally waking up early you would find drunken men outside their houses.

He shook his head and folded his strong arms across his chest, her dark eyes peering down to her, “Nay,” he said warmly, his tone deep and almost soothing, “You have earned my respect and kindness. I may not be a very good King in many ways,” he confessed frankly, “But I am not of the opinion that Kingship warrants cruelty.”

As she stared in the fire, he noticed the few freckles on her skin - her face lit up by the flames. They could almost be talking together in the afternoon for so brightly did the fire burn. Only a gentle ember but now dancing wildly and driving away the darkness. James added kindly, “And I enjoy your company very well, Isabel,” he said with a sigh - a benevolent smile on his lips, “No doubt...The Queen shall too."

He chuckled a little at her comment, dipping his head to catch her gaze,"If I cannot convince you to come the palace with me?"

I jumped out of my skin as he approached from behind. My scream could still be heard as it echoed around the forest; my voice bouncing of every tree around us. "Why would you do that." I placed my hand on my chest as my heart beated like the sound of a doomful drum. I couldn't slap him as he was a king but in my mind my fingers had already slapped that pretty little face of his.

He chuckled heartily, "Do what?" he asked rather perplexed, "Have you been drinking the ale while you have been working in the tavern?" he joked playfully.

He was quite convinced the tavern was unsafe for her - particularly as she seemed so on edge. He had reinstated the laws of the land but there were of course those who did not abide by the royal mandates. The men were rough and hardened by the rugged land - James had their respect and loyalty...but a woman on her own was vulnerable. Sure, she would have his brother in arms to protect her and he was just as capable a fighter as James - she would be safe...yet, he had a concern for her wellbeing none the less.

"It was the way you came behind me I knew you were their but still it frightened me." Since I first met the king I had suffered for seeing him. So tightly had my hands been held against the ground the very marks were still here on my wrists. "If I had of drunk the ale my inhibitions would be let's just say a lot more free and more relaxed."

He smirked mischievously and took a few theatrical paces back, "If I make you uncomfortable, milady, then I shall leave," he suggested with a playful tone in his words.

How strange he thought it was that he felt so comfortable in her company. He decided it was her honestly with him, she would not lie to spare his feelings and he admired her greatly for that. Grown men were too afraid to speak their minds to him - it was only she and his brothers in arms that spoke with such truth.

"Or," he said with a chuckle, "You could drink some cups of ale and loose you inhibitions...for I confess mines are long gone."

"Challenged accepted." I grinned as I held out my hand for him to take. He had no idea of the tornado; which was me; that was about to hit him. Never again would he be able to look at me again in the same way. Why did I want him to be displeased in me! I could not help but to search for a reason on how to keep him away from me and I him.

He chuckled as she replied - glad with her response. She was like him - beneath her face, her flushed cheeks and smile; there was mischief. How much mischief - however - he had yet to discover. He padded towards her again, sauntering over playfully and extending his arm out to hers as his eyes looked into hers with a roguish glint. Eventually, he took her hand into firm yet careful hold, pulling her up from the trunk.

I jumped up from the trunk stepping just a few steps forward. Like the flickering flames so did the mischief flicker behind my eyes. As my gaze dropped so did I drop my hand from his. I looked back at him as I went and fetched two jugs of ale one for both of us. "I think I would like another toast if I may." I handed him his jug a tiny grin shaping my lips. "Here is to tonight and whatever comes with it."

He lingered after her and followed her as she collected the jugs of ale, his eyes glancing over her silhouette as she collected the ale. She moved quickly, no sooner did she disappear than had she come back - bright and mischievous. He could not help but grin upon seeing her smile - there was something consuming about the atmosphere. Though, he had already been drinking and was fuelled by the merriment with his friends.

"Whatever comes with it," he repeated with a wink, taking a drink and then laughing good naturedly.