Prompt: When receiving that emerald tie pin, Holmes finds out that a certain monarch has a fondness for Watson's stories

By: Domina Temporis

Dear Sherlock Holmes,

You are invited to come to Windsor for the day. Her Royal Highness Queen Victoria wishes to speak with you in regards of the Bruce Partington Plans, which you recently recovered. I of course, will be in attendance and am looking forward to seeing you again. A cab will come in an hour after you receive this letter.

Yours sincerely,

Your loving brother,

Mycroft Holmes

I sighed as I looked at the letter that had been sent. It was typical of Mycroft to be so formal, even to his own brother. Now I pondered should I go? I decided that I would. But, what about Watson? He wasn't up yet, and I doubted he would wake up anytime soon. Mycroft hadn't mentioned whether or not he was allowed to come. So in the end, I opted to just leave him here and also leave a message with Mrs Hudson. She was much more reliable than a scrap piece of paper with scrawls on it, as I have discovered in the past. Speaking of Mrs Hudson, I summon her in ask for a relatively light breakfast.

…

About three quarters of an hour later, I was ready. I was just about to go and leave a message with Mrs Hudson for Watson when I heard someone plodding downstairs.

"Holmes? Where are you going?

He was standing in the door to the bedrooms. His hair was unkempt and his night garments were askew.

I smile fondly at my Boswell. "Oh I'm just going out, old chap. I'll be back in a few hours, so don't bother to wait for me."

He nodded, a yawn attempting to escape at the same time.

"I am going out to see Mycroft." I say. At least equivocation exists. I'll tell him what happened later on.

"Fair enough, old man." Watson replies and he gives me a warm and sleepy smile.

…

Soon I arrive at Windsor, where Mycroft is waiting for me.

"Ah, Sherlock!" he exclaimed. "How have you been, brother mine?"

"Well enough thank you."

"And the doctor?"

"He is well also."

"Why isn't he with you then?"

I glared. "I was under the impression that this was a private visit, Mycroft." I growl.

"My apologies. Now shall we go inside? Her Highness has been expecting you." He offers me an arm.

I sigh formidably, but accept Mycroft's extended arm, and we walk in together.

….

"Good morning, Mr Holmes" The queen extended a hand towards me. Now, I held insufferable loyalty to the Crown, so for the first time in a very long time, I felt nervous as I extend a hand also. What if I did something wrong?

"Good morning, Your Majesty." I say, with a handshake and a courteous nod- and she winced.

I immediately blanched.

"Pardon me, but did I do anything wrong?"

"Well, not intentionally I'm sure the Queen Victoria murmured in reply, looking down.

I followed her gaze and saw that my hand had rather a firm grip on hers.

"I do apologise." I say with an unusual stammer, and I withdraw my hand.

Oh, that's alright Mr Holmes," she replied, breezily, "though I never thought that you would… perspire so easily."

My face was as red as a beetroot whilst my brother offered the Queen a clean new handkerchief which had not been used. I had thought it best not to mention this incident again since.

"Now Mr Holmes the younger, I invited you here so that I could award you for the outstanding work you have performed for the country very recently, by recovering the Bruce- Partington plans."

"It was nothing, really." I remark, waving a hand dismissively.

"Sherlock! Don't be so rude!" Mycroft hissed, from where he had been standing on one side from Queen Victoria's throne.

However, she took no notice.

"Although, I didn't solve this case all by myself." I added, feeling a slight tinge of… guilt, for taking all the credit.

"Oh?"

"I had assistance from Watson, of course."

"As in, Doctor John Watson, the doctor who isn't in today?"

"Err, yes." In my head, I was thinking: What does she want with Watson?

"Well actually, I wanted to tell him how much I enjoyed reading his stories." She gushed, for lack of a better word. "They sound so very exciting you know. Not like the boring, old assassination attempts that a royal Monarch lives through."

I felt disgusted. She liked Watson's accounts?

"I don't see how anyone can like one of his accounts, Your Majesty. They are too… romantic for one of my profession."

"Sherlock!" hissed a venomous voice.

But the Queen only laughed.

"I am very fond of them Mr Holmes. My Albert is too, as a matter of fact. Although, I do think you should support your friend. He has been through a lot more than what you can deduce."

I pondered over this for a moment. I filed it into my memory so that I could dwell on this later.

"Now, I believe I promised you a reward."

I feel a burning sensation creep across my neck and my hands begin to break out in floods of moisture.

"Oh no I really must decline. I possibly couldn't-"

"Mr Holmes, I am a woman of my word, and as Queen, it my duty to reward those who deserve it most. I hereby bequeath a thousand pounds and a knighthood to your honourable name."

"I do not deserve so significant a reward." I told her, boldly. "I would rather I was not given at all, though I do not mean offence by my declination of this offer."

The Queen thought about this, and I felt highly nervous. After all, she was the Queen. I was a mere detective, though I was the best one in London.

But in the end it turned I had nothing to worry about.

"Very well then, if you do not wish for so high an honour, then I shall drop the subject of a knighthood."

"Thank you."

"However, I do insist that you accept a reward of some sort. I will instead give you 500 pounds, and this." She pulled out a small black box, brand new. Item inside: tie pin. Handmade by the Royal Jeweller.

Carefully, as if it was made of glass, she handed me the receptacle.

Inside, was a sparkling gold tie pin, which was set with a fine and beautiful emerald.

I was speechless.

"That belonged to my father. She said, speaking in a soft, sad tone. It was a wedding present from a close relative. On his death of pneumonia, my mother owned it. I kept it as a memento, as I had found it one day. Albert was supposed to receive it, on our wedding day, but he confided in me that he didn't want the pin, so he told me I could keep it, and perhaps give it to someone who deserves it more than he. And now, I want you to have it."

"Why th- thank you." I reply. I allow the Queen to affix it upon my tie, which I only wear on formal occasions, such as this.

"Oh, and give this to Doctor Watson, wouldn't you?" She added, handing a white piece of paper.

I stare at the envelope. "I will."

"Thank you. Now, would you and your brother like to stay for tea?"

It was later on in the day when the same cab returned me to Baker Street. I was up the steps and in our rooms before I knew it.

Watson was sitting in his armchair, reading. I guess he must have taken advantage of the time I was away, as I never give him peace and quiet.

"Good evening, Watson!" I call out as I step through the door.

Watson jumped, and dropped his book. "Hello old chap," he replied, before stooping for the object that he had just dropped.

As soon as he was up again, his gaze focused on my tie pin.

"That's an exquisite tie pin Holmes." he remarked, "Did you buy it?"

"No. It was a present from a rather gracious lady, Watson." I replied.

And so that brings that to an end.

Until three days later.

"Holmes? Why is there a letter addressed to me, on your bed?"

Oh great. Now he'll find out that his stories have caught the interests of royalty.

I'm done for.

A/N Well, hope you enjoyed that! Sorry its a few days late, but I've been busy and well. But good news- one more week of school and then I'll be off for two weeks! YES! I can't wait! Cos I'll probably get more stories up. Sorry if anyone was OOC and thanks for reading!