The Garrison

The morning had been spent - most of it in bed with Mary, those delirious and balmy hours. The remainder was hearing petitions; a series of pamphlets and parchments to be signed, men bowing reverently and seeking betterment for them and their families. The afternoon had come quickly and instead of retreating indoors for rest of the day, he rode out to the garrison with a few of his closest men.

They were greeted with pitchers of ale as the sound of metallic being forged and benevolent, raucous laughter echoed around the garrison. After catching up with the men, James began what he enjoyed most - fighting. Indeed, it was practice fighting and his objective was to lose as his opponent was not as experienced, he and his men took on the role of teaching the new soldiers themselves. Though, the boy had enough natural skill and so he put up a good enough fight for James to have some gratification, a grin working onto his lips as their swords met in the air.

Thomas was washing up for the evening when he heard a few men fighting with the swords. He put down his towel, gathered a shirt on and headed outside. Well well well look who has returned. He joked as he went to approach James in a brotherly manner. He hadn't seen him here since his Queen had arrived and it was great to see him amongst his men.

James glanced up - still clashing swords - as he heard the familiar bellow that could only be one man. His eyes searched and finally saw Thomas. He laughed heartily, finally ending the fight by swiping the sword from his opponent, pausing for just a moment to tap him on the shoulder and commend his skill.

Then he strode up to Thomas, arms outstretched as he grinned brightly - glad to see his good friend. It felt like an age but he had been so occupied with Mary and the coronation that he had quite neglected the company of his friends. He had already been reunited with most of his brothers-in-arms but Thomas was one of the best fighters he had ever met and one of his most trusted friends - his face was one he was happy to see, "How could I not?" he replied playfully and gave him a brotherly embrace, patting him upon the back, adding jokingly, "You would have been too bored without me."

We heard rumours but I shall not repeat them how is married life. He patted him back it was true we would all be bored without him here. James was always the adventure seeker the ripple effect in the river. As of yet Thomas had not met the new Queen duty bound him to the garrison for most of his days. Married life how is it treating you well I hope. And Mary how is she finding life in Scotland.

"What rumours?" James questioned curiously with a chuckle as he began to walk over to the tables and benches, having worked up quite a thirst from his practice fighting. He perched on the edge of the wooden table and rolled up his sleeves before pouring he and Thomas a drink of cool ale.

"She is...I have never met a woman like her, Thomas," he said truthfully and handed him a cup as he took a drink of his own ale. He ran his hand through his hair, almost bashful as he spoke of Mary, "Even if we were ordinary people, I would have her be mine. She is trying - in earnest to learn the language," he said with a smirk, "I think she likes it...and her mother is here right now - so at least she has family from home."

Thomas laughed putting his hand to his throat as he coughed. We heard that you had not left the bedroom for a uhm awhile. He laughed cheekily as he knew it wrong to listen to such things about his friend. But Scotland was a buzz of talks of James and Mary was seemed to be trying times for our nation happiness of the king came into every conversation. Then it must be serious ig uou would have her if you was a normal man. Since I have known you never have you spoke such about a lady.

James chuckled deeply into his cup and raised his brows, tilting his head with a smirk - unable to disprove the rumours. He took a sip of the ale and cleared his throat as he replied, “Let us just say that the gossips - for once - do not lie…however,” he began playfully, “You, my friend, are one to talk…your list of…bed fellows,” he laughed at the term, “Is becoming very long indeed."

It was a trait shared amongst the ranks of James' comrades but Thomas was rather renowned for his prowess with women - it was at least a topic of bawdy jokes amongst the friends, "You are right. I have never imagined any woman to be with me for life...but now...I am a boring married man," he said with a grin, "Should I warn her ladies in waiting about you?"

Love is hard to find when duty comes first even you must know that. It's not as if I jump from one bed to another every night it's spread out over time. He was satisfied with that answer and nodded as he dwelled on all tge ladies he had met and become lusty liaisons. Her ladies are safe from me for now but if they are French then I think my behavior should be excused on that one moment. He laughed whole heartedly as he pondered the idea of live changing him.

James always admired that about Thomas. He was committed and loyal to his occupation and would not compromise his duty. James - like most his soldiers - placed the highest of value upon fidelity; he himself was always aware of his responsibility as captain of the guard and as King. Thomas, James thought, was the same.

James took a drink of his wine and added with a playful smirk, "Some I believe are...you are - of course - welcome at court to see for yourself. And I will naturally be glad of your company...this is really the first time I have been outside the palace in weeks."

Thomas nodded in agreement knowing that his council were stale old men. What they needed was fresh young men ready to fight for king and country. I'll be their alright especially now that their is a Queen to lavish affection on my good duties I do. He joked but when Thomas done good work he liked the praise and honor that followed with it.

James smirked with a chuckle at his teasing words, "Oh I am sure, Thomas, she will appreciate having the attentions of such a man as yourself," he retorted in an equally joking manner. It would be so pleasant to have his friends about court. It was over run with grey haired dukes and earls, one's who never fought in Flodden through fear - the better nobles died the with the cause...the cowards remained.

"But tell me," James asked and finished his cup, "What have you been up to since we last spoke? I have heard so very little of how you have been."

That was a very touchy subject for Thomas to speak about. It was no secret that the mystery of who his father was remained until this day a complete and utter puzzle that he couldn't crack. I have met many interesting people James on my travels. I even met a lady who for the first time I did not even bed she saw me rather as a brother.

"Tell me more of her, where did you meet?" James replied curiously, refilling his cup and adding to Thomas' one too. He had known that he had been trying in earnest to find who his father was, to have some identity in life. James knew the hardship of growing up without a father...yet, he imagined it would be worse to have never met him and to also know he must still be out there.

"Do you think she has any connection with...you know?" he asked, meaning the situation with his father but not wanting to inflame the delicate subject.

Thomas shook his head as he finally gave in and drank from his cup. No she does not know him but she did question why I still hung around with you lot still. He gestured to the garrison the people they had known for many years and even pointed to James. She was from Sardinia a beautiful young lady who is proud of her heritage and where she comes from. She suggested that I go and find my family. To find my own heritage and discover it's origins.

James sighed thoughtfully. Of course he wondered if one day Thomas may begin to feel the need to discover more of his past. James would never be able to forget his - it had been chronicled and recorded since birth but Thomas did not have those assurances. The garrison would be empty without Thomas, without his talents and his humour...but as his friend, not his captain or his King - James would never and could never keep him trapped.

"And...do you think you shall?" James asked hesitantly, not sure if he was ready to hear that Thomas may leave. He felt as if he were almost brothers with Thomas and so his hopes of happiness for him, out weighed his apprehension about him leaving, "Do you think you shall trace your roots?"

Who knows depends on what mood I am in. He smiled stretching his arms placing them above his head. Their still wasn't enough information to know who on earth his father was. Yet Thomas always found himself asking maybe he should go out and search.

"Well," James replied, smiling a little at his reply, "You have my blessing, Thomas."

He meant it, sincerely. If it meant giving up having Thomas in the garrison and not having him near by - he would. He respected him as a man. There was no badness in him - James suspected he was guided by a just morality. He was a fine soldier and an even better friend - he deserved to know where he came from, he had certainly earned it, "Not that you would ever need it but...if I can help in anyway then tell me."

"Perhaps I can come with you and say it is in aid of a foreign treaty," he added playfully.

Thomas ran his hand thoughtfully through his beard. Where would we even start to look. It's not as though I know a lot about him as I don't. Mixed emotions arose within him when he contemplated what it would be like to meet his father. He had not the patience to search record after record trying to track the old man down. Are you sure you can leave you're queen for a days trip. He was content in seeing his friend so very happy after a long time searching. Every time Thomas was with a woman they all seemed to bring up his heritage their simply was no getting away from it.

James stroked his beard thoughtfully, mirroring Thomas subconsciously. It was indeed a delicate subject that had to be handled with care. While Thomas was great fighter, a loyal friend and a man who triumphed over adversity; he was raised in relative penury compared to James - thanks to his absent parents. As such, James was was determined to reach a resolution for his friend's sake, “Surely,” James began and took a drink of ale, “Surely, those who raised you will have some record of your father - we may start with them and ask where you grew up - at least for a start.”

He would relish the chance to ride about the country again - as he had done before, especially in the company of his kin. While he was a loner by nature, James was a faithful friend and would bear the separation from Mary willingly to aid Thomas, "Course I can," he replied with a grin, "You are my friend and brother in arms - she will be able to do without me for a day or two."

The one thing that I do know, is that he is not of mixed race as that was my mother. Times were hard for people like Thomas. In foreign lands far away from Scotland men and women even children were slaves to the richer people. You forget of the times we live in brother. It is not common for a person of my race to have relations with those who are white. I have always been raised here and if I was not here, I don't remember what I was doing. It was probably the fact that his father did not wished to be found hence why people were so tight lipped about the matter.

James nodded earnestly. He begrudged the way things were in the world - he could not stand the barbarism that Thomas and the like were subjected to. James thought it was nonsensical to judge those who were your fellow country-men, especially ones as loyal and as good a friend as Thomas was. He had never seen a man as skilled in hand-to-hand combat as Thomas, nor one who he could laugh so heartily with. They had both shared many good times together and James thought him to be superior to the lanky, pale boys who plodded about court.

James hoped - banking on his optimism - that his father would be one of the better men who looked beyond prejudice, “He must have loved your mother - at least for a time,” James said tentatively, “I am sure, Thomas, that he will welcome you as his son…when we find him. And we will find him.”

He poured them both more ale and added, "Name where you think it best to start and we shall."

Sometimes love is never enough for a man. Their was no time for Thomas to lose his head in love he preferred action and adventure. It wouldn't be fair on any lady to be married to him he was too much of a restless soul to settle. James could I call upon you for a favour? It is rather a big one. Thomas had never exactly inown where all the records of people exsisted. Perhaps, James could lead him in the right direction then they would both have an idea of where they were going.

James nodded thoughtfully - would he ever tire of love, grow weary of what he had come to treasure? He was restless - that, he and Thomas had in common. There would come a time when laughter beneath bed sheets and balmy kisses would shatter in war and battle cries - he would be shrouded in armour and not Mary's affectionate lips. Yet, this did not worry James - he relished the chance to fight, to prove his valour as a soldier and as King. He would risk it all for this land gladly - no love, no maiden's plea would change that.

"Of course, my friend," James replied honestly, with a look of true generosity of spirit and warmth as he patted Thomas on the shoulder, "Ask and it shall be done."

Their were times when Thomas felt as though it would be asking too much of such a demanding favour. Although he never saw James as king before friend. Thomas respected the fact that duty was always first and foremost. Forgive me if what I ask is to greater task than our friendship shall allow. Back at the palace their are loads of documents, records recording people's where abouts. Would it be allowed of us to perhaps start of our search their. It felt like a witch hunt that they were about to embark on. Not some jovial days of men sitting together drinking and being rowdy like they always did. But their was no greater man he would rather have at his side other than James.