Eleanor Brandon's bedchamber

Eleanor heard a knock upon her bedchamber door and went to answer it. Smiling, she opened the door to see two ladies standing there with gifts it appeared to be. "Good day, ladies. I am Eleanor Brandon! Please, do come in." Eleanor said, moving aside to allow the ladies into her bedchamber.

She curtsied and smiled. "Good day Lady Brandon! I am Alice More, and this is my daughter Margaret." She motioned to her daughter who was usually quite shy.

"I hope we weren't disturbing you, we thought we would come by and pay a visit, make our acquaintances."

Eleanor smiled. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, both of you! No, you are not disturbing me. I would enjoy your company." Eleanor said, closing the door.

"I know -through my husband- your brother the duke of Suffolk. I have not seen him since the funeral of his dear wife, God rest her soul." She did the Sign of the Cross.

Eleanor did the sign of the cross with Lady Alice. "I haven't seen him since then as well. The princess was a great woman and an ever better sister in law. Now on cheerful things, how do you find court, Lady Alice?" Eleanor asked.

Eleanor nodded in agreement. "Very interesting, never a moment without a little intrigue. What is it you do with your spare time here, Lady Alice and Lady Margaret?" Eleanor asked to see if she had anything in common with these ladies.

Eleanor smiled, they had something in common. "Erasmus is one of my favorites, as is a poet named Dante. I love poetry above all else. I do like riding and the occassional needlework as well. Not very interesting for someone like me, but its a good way to spend my time. Would you care to join me on my next ride?" Eleanor asked, happy to have a friend.

Eleanor laughed. "Being able to with verse is my one joy in life. I find it comforting at times." Eleanor was happy to hear that Alice wished to join her on a ride sometime. "It would be a pleasure to have you with me on a ride. If you ever wish to go, just ask me and I will be ready to leave with you."

Eleanor nodded happily. "It would bring me great pleasure to recite some to you anytime. The weather is deadly. A cooler day is a smart idea. I will write to you when the weather eases and is more bearable. Would you like some drink? How is your husband, Thomas?" Eleanor asked.

Eleanor smiled. "We would take ill if we went today and I wish for both of us to be healthy. I am so happy for Thomas and you, you must be so proud with how high he has risen and that His Majesty trusts him with such a position. I remember how proud I was when my brother Charles was given a great position." She smiled, happy that her brother was best friends with the King of England.

Eleanor smiled. "I aspire to be a great lady and do what is right to all around me and to someday be a great poet. I write verse constantly but never feel I am a good enough writer to achieve success. What do you aspire to, Lady Alice?"

Eleanor nodded back. "You are a great woman to, Lady Alice, and I hope God grants all you ask as well. I must thank you for your enthusiasm about how well my verses are, none other have taken any interest. I do hope to be published one day, that would be a magnificent accomplishment."

Eleanor smiled. "My brother is too busy with the King's business than to worry about publishing my works, but I must thank you for suggesting it. I guess one could forget that God is always helping us, but I can never forget that all good things come to you in due time. I give thanks to Him for the gifts He has granted me."

Eleanor smiled. "This is one of my first verses I ever wrote. Its called 'Reflection'."

From the beginning of time
It was always there
No matter how hard I tried
It never left my side
We laugh together
We cry together
We did everything friends would do
It was my ace boom boom
My road dog
Whatever I wanted to do
It was there
It wasn't until it confronted me
Face to face
Who I was really hanging out with
Like I said before
Whatever I wanted to do
It was there
It showed me how we did everything together
I couldn't’t handled it
I didn't’t even know who it was
So word of advice
Think about your actions
Before you are confronted by your own
Reflection