Tree near a stream

Louis smiled, the soft touch of her skin-he wrapped his fingers around her delicate hand.

"Well...the pope right now has at least three children. Do think I say this is bad for he is a good man, of that I have no doubt. Rather, it is the church that is bad for condemning his beloved to be a mere mistress instead of wife. He is a just ruler of the church, indeed I hear he is most intrigued by the arts-as am I. With the new faith; a cleric could take a wife and have a family whilst still being loyal to God. The church right now, strips its followers and enforcers of their basic human desires."

She was truly intrigued as she listened to him and she gulped a little "There must be more on this faith." she whispered and she squeezed his hand before smiling at him "I should like to..join this new faith." she admitted to him and she blushed a little.

Louis smiled brightly, noticing her cheeks glow pink again and then glanced at their intertwined hands.

He laughed gently and joked, "Perhaps I should become a cleric-preach the new faith if conversion is that simple! At least I'd finally be pleasing my father!"

She laughed softly "If only." she said to him "I would support you along the way." she admitted to him with a small shrug "Then you could teach me and guide me to the new faith."

He smiled, "And the weight of the responsibility would be lightened with you...by my side."

He then looked at the trees around them, "But alas...back to England you say you must go."

She laughed and she shrugged "I would stay in France for a longer period of time." she admitted to him "If I had a reason to stay."

He smiled warmly and glanced down, almost like a bashful school boy, "I can say to you honestly, I should like that very well."

She wrinkled her nose playfully and she squeezed his hand again "And why would you like that, mon seigneur?" She asked him and she tilted her head, her curls falling to one side.

He smiled and tugged her a little closer to him, their foreheads nearly touching, "I'm sure you know very well."

He then glanced up at the darkening sky, "My dearest Anne, I'm afraid this is where we must part-but I have greatly enjoyed meeting you. Perhaps we shall see one another again."

She looked at him and she nodded again "I believe that I could quite like that." she admitted in a soft voice and she took a deep breath "Au revoir, mon seigneur."

Thomas had ridden for almost a week to finally reach Versailles. He was tired from all the riding his mind was thinking about Catherine is wondering why he had not heard from her. To be honest his pride felt a little bit hurt too. Here was a woman that he so desperately wanted to marry yet she was holding off on the thought. Noticing a stream nearby Thomas dismounted his horse gracefully leading it to the stream for some rest.

My mind was still swirling from my journey and the chance meeting in the nobles salon I needed some clear air, it pained me greatly that I was away from the people I trust.

I walk through the garden and head towards the stream, upon reaching it I kneel at the waters edge and gently place my hands in the cooling water then bring them to my face.

In the corner of his eye Thomas could very clearly see a figure crouched down by the lake. Not sure whether it was a man or woman that share the same presence as he did. Thomas made his way over to the crouching figure placing his hands on the trees to help him down the muddy path. "Excuse me". He simply called out to the crouching figure his French a little jumbled to even try to talk with.

A voice startles me and makes me lose my footing, thankfully I fall backwards onto the muddy bank. The fall also loosens my hood of my cloak letting my hair tumble around my face and shoulders, I turn to face the voice and see a man who looks vaguely familiar.

"Sir" I exclaim indignantly as I try to regain my footing, my feet catching in the hem of my dress and cloak making my face flush red with embarrassment, "it is improper to scare a lady in that way"

Thomas had to stifle his laughter relieved to find himself in the presence of a lady. "Here Madame, let me help you". Thomas diligently made his way to where the lady was his riding boots covered with thick chunks of mud. "I did not mean to frighten you it was hard to tell you were a lady. If you beg me pardon my lady".

I take his hand and look at him, that sense of knowing him somehow now even stronger and I find myself grateful that he is English, I notice his effort to conceal his merriment at my misfortune

"I am indeed a Lady Sir" I whisper as I stand and face him

"Yes I can tell". Thomas very swiftly let his eyes advert over her womanly shape just as he did with every lady he came across it was a force of habit. But her hair was white like a fair maiden like you hear about in fairy-tales. "I am Thomas my lady". He smiled while crossing his hands behind his back.

I blush further under his gaze and watch his moves closely, I smile as he introduces himself "Thomas" I repeat quietly afraid my voice would betray my own interest, his well fitting clothes showed his muscular frame - he is indeed a perfect example of an English gentleman.

"Mary Dawn" I reply with a small curtsy

"It is nice to meet a fellow Englishman out here in the middle of the forest". Thomas studied her facial features for a while trying to think if he had passed Mary Dawn at any time. The name did stand out in his mind.

"Indeed Sir, it is" I smile at this chance encounter "Is this your first time in France?" I enquire trying to avoid his eyes "I have never visited before due to being busy at the Royal Court"

"Greeting madame welcome to Versailles I am prince Henri heir to the throne.
"You look cold."
I nod to my guards and they throw a coat around her to warm her.

I give a deep curtsy "Your Royal Highness" I gasp as the guards place the cloak around my shoulders "I am most grateful Sir"

"Please dodo come inside out of the cold and tell me what brings you here"

"You are most kind Sir" I reply looking towards Thomas waiting patiently "I do hope you do not think of me as rude and ungrateful Your Highness but I am here with my friend Thomas" I breathe deeply and remove the cloak and hand it to one of the guards

[OOC]

Henri

I should have said something when you first interrupted the story line between Thomas and myself can you please stand aside and let our story continue thank you