The Balcony

The night had become dull and I was going to retire for night until I saw a young lady standing at the balcony. I wanted to see who she was "Don't lean over to far, you wouldn't want to fall now." I said as I waited for her to turn around.

Jane walked out to the balcony to get some fresh air. Everything seemed to be closing in on her. She was anxious and she felt so alone. She stood at a solitude spot and stared out at the brisk, starry night. She hoped something would change soon.

Benjamin Baines wrote:

The night had become dull and I was going to retire for night until I saw a young lady standing at the balcony. I wanted to see who she was "Don't lean over to far, you wouldn't want to fall now." I said as I waited for her to turn around.

Anne glanced over her shoulder to reply to the soft voice she heard. She smiled at the handsome face and placed her shoes firmly on the ground and smiled,"I'll be careful,"she replied.

Wrapping a shawl around my shoulders; I step out onto the balcony and breath in the fresh air. My golden hair tumbling down my back, my gown trailing behind me as I make my up to the bannister and lean. With a sigh, I look out across the landscape and glance at the stars.

"Charles came on the balcony to take some fresh air. He saw Katherine standing there and approached her slowly"

Katie...how are you? Sorry for the other day...but Anna needed me...

"He said apologetically"

I turn around and smile. "Not at all, darling...I understand!" Kisses his cheek. "I'm very well thank you!...And you?

"Charles smiled. He looked at her taking slowly her hands in his"

I'm good...what about you, rather? How your pregnancy is going?

"He asked, glancing at her belly"

Looks down, a warm smile crossing my face. "I purge myself each morning but other than that; all is well."
Breathing in, I turn my gaze out towards the surrounding landscape. "I used to long to see this...so desperately! To be here with all of you; and to gaze at the stars shining down on us..."

"Charles smiled. He followed her glance around landscape"

You look very happy with Francis. And now...you're even Queen of Navarre. Have you ever dremt about all this when we were children...Your Majesty?

"He asked tenderly and jokingly"

I smile brightly at him "I could never have dreamt of this...any of it!¬ I would never have dared to!" Taking his hands gently "I am so glad I got to see you again....."

"Charles turned towards her smiling warmly"

And I'm happy seeing you finally happy. I...was not keen, at the beginning. But I admit Francis is a very good man...

"He said leaning his hand on her arm"

"He is very good to me!" Smiling with great joy, I look at him with true happiness. "You and my family are all I ever wished to have by my side before...but now; Francis is there and I am fulfilled!"

"Charles smiled her back"

Is he happy about becoming father? Now he has an heir for his throne. You're a Queen, now. So...the birth of your baby is a matter of state...

"He said looking tenderly at her"

I smile at him brightly "I hope so...I truly hope he is!" Smiling more coyly "But that's enough about me...How are you? How is Catherine? I still haven't met her you know" I giggle naughtily.

"Charles smiled looking into her happy, bright eyes"

Oh Catherine is very well. She is with child too...

"He said proudly"

With a gasp, I erupt into happiness! "Congratulations darling!" Kisses his cheek and the I step back; beaming with pride and excitement! "You, both, must be thrilled"

"Charles laughed and nodded"

Thank you, Darling. We'll see ver soon our children playing together in the garden. Unless you don't have to go in Navarre with your husband...

"He said hoping she would stay"

I walk out onto the balcony and stare up at the sky. The Night's sky was the same; in England and in Scotland but to me it wasn't a Scottish sky....It wasn't brooding and powerful, here it looked graceful and even serene. Lost deeply in my thoughts and the endlessness of the sky, I stood there. I just stood there.

I look down, unable to meet his eyes as I say it. "Francis wants us to leave...He wishes to return to Navarre." Sighing quietly, I felt my heart break as I said the words. I was being taken from everyone I loved...all over again. Just as they have been restored to me, I was being ripped away from them. It like part of my soul was being torn out....Slowly I looked up and met his eyes.

"Charles looked back into her eyes. He sighed"

I knew this would have happened, one day. But what about you? Do you want to leave?

"He asked almost whispering"

"I have to do as my husband wishes...." Looking down again, the words cut through me as I say them. "Being a queen isn't about following your heart, it is about doing your duty." I utter in the merest whisper. Holding back the tears, they begin to burn my eyes.

"Charles took her hands in his"

I know what you mean. But if you talk with Francis, I'm sure he will understand. You have all your family here. This is your life and your place...

"He said smiling, trying to catch her blue eyes"

"There is no where else on Earth I would rather be than here with you and my family....but I can't!" Still trying to avoid his eyes, I close mine. Feeling the tears burn harder still against my eyelids. "Francis is a King now....and I, his Queen....We have duty and no choice in it." My bottom lip starts to wobble. I bite it; desperately trying not to break down. "I must act as queen's do....I must intercede on my peoples behalf, I must bare heirs and I must patronise the artists of my adopted nation..." My lips can't be stopped as I let it wobble, and then the tears begin to flow gently down my cheeks. "but...even with all that; the pieces of my heart will always...will always be here with you all! Where it was broken...in this moment." I turn my body away from him, to avoid him seeing the full depths of my despair.

"Charles sighed deeply. He leaned an hand on her shoulder"

Don't cry, darling. You're with child. It would be better for you if you would stay here. For now, at least. I'm sure your husband won't force you doing something you don't want...

"He said with low, tender voice"

Still looking away from him "If Francis wants this baby to be born in Navarre; then it shall be born in Narvarre." Drying my eyes and taking a deep breath, I turn around again and face him. "I'll be alright! I am always alright..." Takes his hand and smiles faintly.