Characters: Victoria/Melbourne
Summary: What happens when a fall reveals the truth. Set before 1-4 and Albert's arrival.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I'm just taking them out for a spin.
Victoria had just gotten Melbourne back as her Prime Minister and was excited for the future that laid ahead; at least the future that she wanted, not the one that her Mother and Uncle had planned for her. Her mother had informed her just that morning that her cousins would be arriving in a few days from Coburg; without an invitation. It infuriated her to no end that her Mother and Uncle sought to control her every move; and as long as Sir John was still around he never stopped trying to gain power either. Lord Melbourne was her only source of comfort it seemed, after what had just happened she knew that when he did have to leave and a new Prime Minister came in one if not both of her ladies would be gone as well and that would mean the loss of her friends. Lezhen was there of course, but she could hardly confide in her the way that she could her ladies or even Lord M.
The day was nice, the weather was warming a bit and she decided that after she and Lord M finished the boxes that they would go riding that afternoon, and then of course he would have to stay for dinner. Just as Victoria finished dressing she went to the study where Lord Melbourne was waiting for her, a smile on his face and his hand ready to take hers and kiss it as was the tradition.
"Lord M, you have arrived before me this morning."
"There is much to discuss your Majesty, more news from Afghanistan and of course we still have some things to discuss in regards to the coronation."
"The only part of the coronation that I am even remotely looking forwards to is the ball. You will dance with me, will you not Lord M."
"If my Queen commands then I have no choice but to obey."
"Quite right, after we finish I wish to go riding, will you join me Lord M?"
"I cannot refuse." He said with a slight smirk and then followed her to her desk where they went to work on the boxes.
The time passed quickly as they worked together to complete the work that had been delivered. As soon as they finished, Victoria went to change into a riding outfit, one that would keep her warm; but would also draw the eye of her Primer Minister. During his absence it was all she could but think of him. There was constant pressure coming for her to marry, but she wanted to marry for love and not for duty. If only her uncles would see it that way.
Lord Melbourne waited outside by the steps for her majesty, he managed to turn just as Victoria descended the steps and made her way down he couldn't help but catch his breath. This creature was beguiling to him and took his breath away and made him feel young again with just one look. He knew that after everything that had happened with Caroline and Lord Byron that it would be pointless to have feelings for the Queen. That was the thing with feelings they didn't care about rank or station they just felt and his feelings were going to betray him one day if he wasn't careful.
"Ready Lord M?"
"Of course."
The ride started slow the grounds around the palace were extensive and there was plenty of places for them to explore, even though they had already explored most of them. When the two went out the guards did not follow as they used to, he assumed the Queen had said something to them at one time or another. It was just them, he knew that she enjoyed this time, he could see the stress of the palace almost melt off of her as they rode about. It was one of things that he noticed that had him slowly falling for her. He was so focused on watching her that he hadn't heard when she began to speak.
"Lord M, are you quite well?"
"Forgive me Majesty I was just thinking."
"Please share, I always wonder what people are thinking about when they are around. I know Sir John wonders how he can get rid of me and put mama in my place. My Uncles wonder which cousin I will pick or if I will die giving the power to them. The people wonder if I am qualified enough and Parliament wonders why I refuse to let you go as my Prime Minister. But I'm afraid I do not know what you think about Lord M."
"I must confess my thoughts are of you and how relaxed you look as we ride out in this beautiful weather."
"I feel like that is only half of what you are thinking about."
"Well somethings must be kept to ourselves other wise there would be nothing to talk about later."
"With you Lord M, I think I could never run out of things to discuss. I find I am myself when I am with you. I feel like you are the only one who truly knows me."
"I believe that once you find a husband of your choosing that you will feel the same about him as you do with me."
"What if I already know who I want my husband to be?"
"I think that is something that perhaps you should give more thought. You are still young Majesty, there is time to find a husband later."
"Tell my Uncles that." He could see her put more force into the kick of her horse. He had upset her, but before he could utter an apology he saw her horse neigh and rear itself onto its back legs, throwing the Queen to the ground with a thud. Quickly he dismounted his horse and rushed to her side.
"Victoria!" The use of her name was not proper but he didn't care as he watched her laying there. "Victoria, please open your eyes. It's going to be alright."
"Lord M, please it hurts." She said as she went to move but instead her head fell back to the ground causing her to wince in pain.
"I will get you back to the palace. Please hang on." He said as he lifted her small frame into his arms and standing from the ground. "I'm so sorry."
"William, I…I love you." She said as she grabbed his hand and then fell into unconsciousness.
"Victoria….Victoria" When she didn't respond he tried to jostle her and still no response. As gently as he could he lifted her up onto his horse, hers had started running back as soon as it threw its rider. For the first time in years he successfully mounted his horse by using only the stirrup and not a step. Adrenaline filled his veins as he adjusted her position so that she was cradled in his arms as he held the reigns, as quickly as he could he pushed his horse to a soft run. Soon the palace became clearer in sight, but he still doubted that anyone within its walls would be able to see him or his passenger. If they could they would say it was improper for a Prime Minister to hold the Queen so close, much less have her riding his horse.
As he got close enough, he could see the guards that normally stood at attention tense and start moving towards him as he pulled the horse to a stop right at the steps that lead into the palace.
"Help me, her Majesty has fallen. Help get her down." He said as the two young guards dropped their staffs and came to get the Queen from the grasp of her Prime Minister. One took hold of her feet the other under her arms as they slid her off. Melbourne made quick work of dismounting his horse as soon as she was clear. Then just as quickly he managed to take her back into his arms as he climbed the stone steps towards the interior of the palace. Emma and Harriet were walking down the hall having heard some of the commotion of his arrival from the study.
"Lord Melbourne, what has happened?"
"The Queen, her horse threw her. Send for the Doctor at once I cannot wake her." Emma turned and went in search of a steward to fetch the doctor while Harriet walked as fast as she could behind Lord Melbourne as he made his way up the hall and towards the Queen's Chambers. Propriety would have to wait this time as all that mattered right at this moment was the Queen and her health. Melbourne figured the best place for her to rest and the doctors to examine her was her bed and that was just where he took her.
"Lord Melbourne, you cannot enter her Majesty's bed chambers!" Baroness Lezhen exclaimed as she was almost knocked over on his path towards the normally closed off room to him. Melbourne refused to listen to her as he kept his path and then gently deposited her onto the bed. Normally his mind would betray him and his thoughts, but in this moment all he could think about was that Victoria needed a doctor and soon.
"Forgive me Baroness, but I doubt that you would be able to carry the Queen thus far. Now tell me has someone sent for the doctor?"
"Yes Emma has gone, but now so must you. The Queen's chambers are no place for the Prime Minister, given that she is in such a state, I'm sure she would quite agree with me if she could." Melbourne wanted to say he thought the Queen might disagree with her, but chose to take his leave and wait in the Salon for the Doctors to arrive and ask him what had happened so that they could best treat her Majesty.
"Yes Baroness." Once he was in the Salon, he sat on one of the chaise lounges and held his breath. He felt as though he were the reason for the accident and that there was no way that she would forgive him. It was then that his brain reminded him of the words that she had spoken before she succumbed to her injuries. She loved him, that was a dangerous thing, there was no way that he could love her in return; not when everyone wanted her to marry a Prince.
The thought of loosing her to either her injuries or even to someone else was like a knife to the heart. He had already lived through Caroline and losing her and Augustus; William wasn't sure if he could handle losing the woman that he loved again.
Soon the doctors came in and started asking questions about what had happened and how long had the Queen been unconscious. Once they had their information, they turned and returned to where the Queen lay. Melbourne called for a steward and sent a note to Sir Peel informing him of the Queen's accident. Parliament had to be informed it was his duty to his country, but the duty in his heart said not to leave Buckingham Palace until he was certain that the Queen would recover. He only prayed that she would.
A/N: I know the title says a Happy Accident, I promise it will get there.