Stream to the Thames

She smiled after his passionate kiss and nodded.

"Okay then Anthony.. I am looking forward to it."

Elizabeth had decided to take a break from court for a few hours and took a walk to a gentle stream which ran into the Thames. The day was chilly but in the sun it was warm, so she paused by a small bench and sat down, running my hands through my loose hair.

The day was quite chilly but the sun cast a warming glow over everything. It was a pleasant day for a walk, and as I did I came across a young woman I thought familiar. "Lady Elizabeth... Patmore, is it?"

Glancing up upon hearing a voice address her, Elizabeth held her hand above her brow to shield her eyes from the sun. As she did she saw a familiar face and grinned happily. She replied playfully, "And I think you a Seymour...Edward was it?"

She then stood and laughed, flipping her golden hair away from her face "It has been a very long while, Edward. How are you?"

"I'm very well, thank you. And yourself? Enjoying this fine day?" I glanced around at the trees, the ever-flowing river.

She grinned, pleasantly and bright, "Very well and enjoying the day all the more now for you company."

She began to walk along the river beside him, "Are you staying at court now?"

The frosted grass crunched beneath my feet with every step. The icy crystals covered everything: casting a dreamlike effect upon the world. Wrapped up in my furs and with my cloak draped around me, I was cocooned against the winter winds in a swathe of soft fur and warm brocade. Most of the court had joined Henry in France: others had returned to their estates and homes but some had stayed: remaining at Whitehall as I did. With neither Henry or my sister present, I was the highest ranking member of the royal family at court: despite the fact we had a Queen and Princess of Wales... Which was distressing to me. The estrangement between my brother and his Spanish wife seemed to great to be healed. His heart was set upon the Lady Anne: much to the detriment of my niece. I stop for a moment: taking in the break taking view of the stream and woods that I found myself in. It was beautiful... Just as the forests around Poissy had been in the winter: a world of snow and ice. Part of me had desired to join my brother in France: to be with my family and in the nation I spent my childhood in. Adjusting my furs and cloak, I continue on and as I think of Henry: wondering about his words and their meaning. He wished to talk of my future. And what would my future hold. Having reverted to my title of birth, I was once again Princess Katherine. It felt as though I was stepping back to step forward. Sighing, I strolled gracefully along the stream, lost in my thoughts and dreaming of the reunion with those I loved best.