Thank you for the reviews, I was so surprised to see them!
Robin Hood Reader- Thanks for the review.
The Dreamer - (i) Yes, perhaps I should have taken things a little slower, but he was the one to make the move not her. (ii) Ha Ha, yea I guess so. I know I should keep the story with her family and Robin going, but I really like fluff! (iii) I promise there is a reason behind her mother being so cruel to her, not that it makes it right. But there is a reason, which you'll find out soon!
"Bernie?" Lord Terrence walked into the room he was sharing with his wife and youngest child, Bernadette was sitting brushing her hair, "Is Aiden asleep? We need to talk."
"Sounds serious, love. Yes, he's asleep." Bernadette smiled. "What is it?"
"Well, King Richard just had a word with me, about Matilda."
Bernadette stood, "What has she done now? No, forget it. I'm going to talk to that girl!"
Terrence took hold of his wife's arm as she tried to move past to the door, he sat her down on the bed and took her hands in his, kissing them.
"No, Bernie. The King enjoys her company."
"Matilda? Are you sure? She can be quite bland."
"Bernie, don't. You know I hate it when you speak of her like that." Terrence took a deep breath, wondering how she would take this. "Bernie, if you want to go home, take one of the carriages and go. In a few days, you can go; but Troye, Jon and Matilda will stay here with me."
"Terrence?"
"Bernie, King Richard asked if he could court Matilda."
Bernadette was silent. Why would that be? Matilda was nothing but bland, she didn't do as she was supposed to, she didn't act like a lady. Had the girl acted like a wench? Had she promised the King things, worse...had she already given in to the King.
"Matilda? But why?"
"He likes her Bernie."
"It would give us great position." Bernadette smiled.
"Bernie, he likes her. I'll speak to Matilda about it tomorrow, before I give my answer to the king."
"No, go and tell him yes. Tell him now." Bernadette urged.
"Bernie, your father spoke to you of me. I will speak to Matilda as well."
Terrence stood, and left the room. He left his wife to think about the proposal, he was aware then Bernadette did not like Matilda and he hated the way his wife treat her, but for now there was nothing to be said on the matter. He understood that he should really try to get good matches for his children, wealth and position were important, but he wanted his children to be happy. Terrence walked down to the lower level, where the Queen Mother sat by the fire with her son.
"Your grace? May we speak?"
"Of course, Lord Terrence." Richard spoke, as Terrence sat down. "I trust you have spoken to your wife, I was just informing my mother about my offer to you."
"Yes, your grace we spoke." Terrence started, " It seems like a great opportunity; and I mean no disrespect your grace, but I feel I should give you my final answer after I have spoken to Matilda."
"Yes, seems fair."
"I was wondering your grace, if you would care to break your fast with Matilda and I tomorrow, when I shall inform her of your offer?"
"He would love to." The Queen Mother answered.
"Thank you, your grace." Lord Terrence stood and bowed to the King and his mother, "I bid you a good night."
Richard and Eleanor sat in silence whilst Lord Terrence went to his room, Eleanor thought about what had happened over the past day or so. Richard was eleven years older then Matilda, and although she knew something like that wouldn't detour him. Eleanor was almost amazed that after all these years of trying to find a wife for her son, one was now found. It wasn't that Richard was stuck up when it came to women, he could just through all their lies. He knew that they only wanted wealth, they only wanted him because he's the king. With Matilda, it was different. She felt totally at peace with him, and often, even he, would forget he was king with her. He just felt like another man with her. Eleanor was happy that she would see her son married and happy, and the family was a good one. She enjoyed Lord Terrence's company, remembering him from her younger years. He had always been friendly, and that had shone through into his children. She'd heard that Troye was his number one, his pride and joy because Troye was the first born and first son; but then she had seen Terrence with Matilda. He may never admit that he favors one child over the others, but it was clear that Matilda was the apple of his eye.
"Do you support me, mother?"
"Yes, Richard." Eleanor smiled, "Do you think Robin would spare us a messenger? I think we should inform your brother John."
"I'm sure Robin would not mind, he's been a wonderful host thus far."
Matilda woke uncharacteristically early. Hearing Sally moving about to get dressed, she tried turning over and cuddling into Henry but sadly, she couldn't sleep. Matilda sat up, her sleepy eyes squinting at Sally who laughed at Matilda's messy hair. Sally's hair was already brushed and neat, she had put on a green dress that was decorated with tiny blue flowers. She turned to her sister, showing her the back, Matilda could see that Sally was having trouble tying her laces. Matilda moved closer and started to help her sister with her dress, after tying the laces, Matilda sat on the bed as Sally pulled out the hairbrush and sat behind Matilda. Sally started to brush her older sisters hair, something she loved doing , when Matilda allowed her to; the young girl's happy humming was interrupted by a small knock, followed by their father entering the room.
"Matilda, I didn't expect you to be up."
"I know, it's strange,isn't it? Matt isn't normally up so early." Sally giggled.
"Hush now," Their father spoke, "Don't wake little Hen. Sally, why don't you help your sister dress? I need her downstairs as soon as you can manage, sweet child."
"Yes, father."
Terrence left the girls together and Sally finished brushing Matilda's hair before braiding it loosely. She went over to her sister's trunk and rummaged around before she found a dress she liked. It wasn't often that Matilda was be so sweet as to let Sally play dress up like her, like she was a doll, so Sally decided not to pick anything too bad and opted for a white dress. The white dress had two red crosses (+), on the arms at the shoulders, along the cuffs and the bottom seam was a thin, red pattern. Sally lent Matilda a red sash to go around her waist, tying it in a bow at the back.
"Matt? Will you tell me what father wants? I'm guessing I should stay in here with Henry for a bit longer."
"We'll see Sally, put it this way though," Matilda leaned closer to Sally, as Henry began to wake up, "You can play dress up with Henry now."
Matilda left her two sisters, who would no doubt struggle between each other, and walked past her mother's room and downstairs, seeing her father sat at the table. He was ready to break his fast, she walked over to her father, leaning down to kiss her father on the cheek and sat next to him.
"Why do I feel like I've done something?"
Terrence laughed, "You haven't done anything, my child. But there are some matters I wish to discuss with you."
Matilda opened her mouth to reply as her father stood quickly, pulling her up by the elbow.
"Your grace."
Lord Terrence bowed to the king as Matilda curtsied. King Richard walked over to the father and daughter, he shook Terrence's hand before offering his hand to Matilda, taking her hand and kissing it. Terrence watched his daughter blush, very unlike her and the three of them sat down and began to break their fast. Lord Terrence could see that his daughter was confused by the king's presence, she had expected to have a simple talk with her father, so why was the king joining them? Had she done something to upset him?
Terrence wiped his mouth, noticing Matilda had only ate a few slices of apple and took her hand in his, "Little dove, the king and I need to speak with you."
"I didn't do it." Matilda said on instinct.
"I know, sweetling." Terrence laughed, and glanced at the King who smiled at her answer."You haven't done anything wrong. King Richard spoke to me last night of you, about the time you spent together. Matilda, the king would like to court you."
Matilda was silent. Now, this she definitely hand't expected. "Court...me?"
"Yes, Matilda."
"And what have you said?"
Terrence leaned in close to his daughter, whispering in her ear. "Only if it would make you happy?"
Matilda was silent.
"Does it? You have spent time with him. Do you like the king?"
She nodded.
"Were you happy in his company?"
Again she nodded.
Terrence pulled away, kissed his daughter on the cheek before turning back to the king. "Yes, my king. We would like to accept your offer."
Richard smiled at the two. "Thank you."
"I think I best go inform my wife." Terrence stood and left the two together.
Richard smiled at Matilda, and took in her dress. Her hair was pulled back from her bonny face. "You look beautiful today, Matilda."
"Thank you, your grace."
"Richard, while we're together. Call me Richard."
"Yes, your gr-..Richard." Matilda smiled. "Well, may I ask? Would you call me Matt?"
"It's rather boy-ish, is there nothing else?" Richard was slightly honest with her. He found it alright for her friends to call him 'Matt', but he would rather not.
"Well, Hen and Aiden call me Tilly." She offered.
"Alright then.."
"Tilly!" Matilda turned hearing Henry call her and the small girl ran over, throwing herself onto her oldest sister. Henry was wearing a pretty pink dress, ribbons half tied in her hair. "Tell Sally! She won't leave me alone! I don't want ribbons in my hair!"
Matilda laughed. "Sorry Hen. I did tell Sally she could dress you up!"
"What?!" Henry gasped, jumping out of her sister's arms, "You? Traitor! Judas!"
Matilda shook her head, giggling, as her sister ran off. Richard chuckled at the youngest sisters antic's.
"I wonder where she learnt that from."
"It wasn't me! It was James, Jon told on him for something and he started the whole Judas thing." Matilda took a sip of water, "It went on for weeks."
Richard smiled at her, now that everyone was waking up, his time with her would be cut short. And then there was the fact that he would have to tell everyone, he was fine with the idea of everyone knowing, and since his mother had wrote to his brother John and would be sending the message today, he knew that his tyke of a broke would tell everyone he could. Richard sometimes thought that John was a worse gossip then some of the maids. Despite his eagerness for people to know, he still felt somewhat nervous of telling his mother that she had accepted. It was odd for him to feel such ways, Richard was by no means an arrogant man, but he was certainly confident; and to be nervous of such a small thing was new to him. Not that his courting Tilly was a small thing, it was big and joyous and now he was second guessing himself...what was this girl doing to him?
Late that afternoon, the three sisters wandered around the fair, stopping at different stalls where the three of them would play games, often resulting in Matt taking charge to win a small prize for one of her sisters. Matt and Sally had redeemed themselves with Hen, and the eldest sister was now taking as much time as could to spend with her sisters. News of the courtship had spread like Wildfire, only because Troye, whom had barged into their parents room had overheard the news and told everyone in the manor; Matt was still aware that this night, King Richard would stand before all and relay the news onto everyone again, hoping for their blessing. Troye and Jon had found their sister, forwarding the news that the three of them and their father were stay longer with Robin at the manor; their mother and the younger children were to go home. It was rare that the three sisters got on so well, but with the news that her younger sisters would be leaving soon, Matilda did all she could to keep them happy.
Sally, although only ten and two years, was an observant child. A proper lady in her mothers eyes, although secretly jealous of her father's affections for her older sister, but loved them all the same no matter what. She had come to the conclusion that Matilda was keeping something from her, and knew that it had something to do with the king wanting to speak with her that morning, she had heard a few rumors fly around, but would believe nothing until the truth came from her sister. This however did not matter to her, Matilda was acting strangely, she took no side when Sally and Hen argued and instead separated the two, keeping the peace. She waited until it was Hen's turn to throw the ball at the cups before she tugged on Matilda's sleeve.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong Sally, I just want to spend time with you and Hen."
"You know something."
"Didn't mother ever tell you being suspicious isn't proper?"
Of course mother had told her, but that didn't mean she was going to let this go. Sally knew something was being hidden from her.
"Didn't mother ever tell you not to keep secrets?"
"When did I ever do as Mother said?"
Sally smiled, it was true. It was incredibly rare that Matilda would listen to her mother, always opting to do as her father would tell her. Again, Sally knew there was something that she was not being told when it came to this, but she had the feeling that none of her siblings knew this secret. There was something odd in the way their mother acted with Matilda. Sally had seen other mothers be strict with their daughters, but that was different to how their mother treated Matilda. It made the young girl sad to sometimes catch the disgust in her mother's eyes when she looked at Matilda. Sally had asked her brother, Jon, about this, not wanting to upset her sister.
"Jon? Can I ask you something?"
"You just did.." He snickered.
"Jon!"
"Alright, alright. What is it?"
"Why does our Lady Mother look at Matilda as though she is no more then dirt?"
Jon was quiet. He hadn't expected this, of course he had seen the looks as well but he did not know why. It upset him, that their mother would even do such a thing. For a while he had thought about it. "Because father loves her."
"I don't understand. Father loves all of us."
"When Matty was first born, I remember father bringing her out to meet Troye and I. Troye asked why father was looking at her like that. He looked so happy, and kept staring at her, smiling. And father told him 'When I looked upon my sweet girl, I felt as though I were falling in love all over again.'"
"Mother does not like this?"
"He didn't mean it, how he loves mother, but...I don't know, Sally. It's difficult. But the way mother looks at her isn't nice. Sally, you mustn't ask Matilda. It upsets her, even if she says it doesn't."
I'm sorry this was such a short chapter but I promise the next one will be longer!
I did have a thought about writing this how GRRM writes ASOIAF; if you don't know how I mean. It would be a third person point of view of what was happening with particular characters. But focusing on one particular character, going in depth of how they felt. I think I might definately do it for Matilda and Richard, and perhaps her brothers and Robin; As for characters like Sally or Lord Terrence or Lady Bernadette I might write them as one shots.
So you might get this chapter again but from Sally POV.
Again sorry about the shortness, but it will be longer next time.
UmbraLunae