Author's note: Prepare yourselves! This chapter turned out much longer than I anticipated... I apologize but I promise it's worth it ;)
Everything fell to pieces all at once, the people had caught wind of the fact that there had been an attempt on Elena's life again and that one of her ladies had died instead of her. This angered them for perhaps a day or two until they caught wind of the disturbances between the councilors and their queen. A storm raged outside the palace of people petitioning to come in and speak to the queen, others simply came to rage and yell for the injustice that had been done to them. Not all of it had been caused by Elena but the people saw fit to blame her, a woman on the throne, for everything that had gone wrong. Elena couldn't open a window without hearing the crowds roaring against her and now she was beginning to wonder whether everyone had been right. Perhaps she was too young, and too inexperienced to rule a country by herself. When everyone had left her room for the night she curled up by the fireplace and tried desperately to think of someway she could escape from this unscathed. She needed the love of her people and she wasn't entirely sure what she had done to lose it.
After thinking on it and watching the fire die down somewhat she threw another log on the fire and picked up the letter from Damon. She hadn't read it yet, she'd been too tired, too upset. She'd expected to find endless words of advice from a man who knew how to establish himself as a sovereign and she wasn't looking forward to more guidance.
My dear Elena,
While these days may feel endless please do not lose faith in yourself or your people. We are all allowed to make mistakes. Most especially when we have looked to others for guidance...
Open your mind, examine your choices, and your honesty will take you through the storm.
I promise that you can do this work, and do it well. You have courage and heart, and remember, you said it yourself; you are stronger than you look...
My dearest Damon,
You asked me once, if you could be of help to me. And I, so proud and confident of my great powers replied 'not yet'. But since that day so much has changed...
Elena sat in her gardens, it was the first time in weeks it was quiet, the people had stopped rioting at the gates but they were still unhappy and Elena was unhappy alongside them.
"I'm not forgiven yet." She said unhappily to Ambassador Saltzman, he smiled gently at her and nodded.
"Not yet your majesty. But they will forgive you, your people love you." She smiled at that, his gentleness, his care for his words made him a brilliant ambassador and a person she always felt she could count on to give a good but honest opinion. Her aunt Jenna had always relied on him to bring her news of the court and news of the courts abroad. He was a tall man, sandy brown hair and green eyes, he was quiet by nature but intelligent. Elena could understand what Jenna saw in him. He was so different than her previous husbands who had been slightly abusive and extremely manipulative.
"Are you still courting the lady Petrova?" The ambassador seemed slightly taken back by the question but Elena simply smiled and stood up to walk through the gardens. She put her hand in the crook of his arm as he offered it to her and Elena was pleased to see that he blushed slightly at the question she had put to him. "Perhaps you aught to make it official someday soon Alaric." He stopped walking and it was Elena's turn to smile gently, she patted him on the arm. "You would have the queen's permission. It's a good alliance and I do believe it would make my aunt very happy." Alaric scratched his head for a moment looking absolutely flustered before he smiled.
"I suppose I can't stay a bachelor forever."
"You most certainly cannot!" Elena breathed and laughed for the first time in weeks.
"But neither can your majesty." Elena narrowed her dark eyes but smiled at the older man. She shrugged her shoulders for a moment, a gesture she knew was entirely French, as they turned to walk through the gardens again. "Has your majesty considered what to do next?" Elena nearly rolled her eyes at this question. Alaric was being too tactful in his prying for her next movement. She didn't doubt that her aunt had told him to find out as much as he could.
"I have demanded reports on living conditions of the people, parish benefits, the condition of the churches, housing, all of it. And by the end of the month. The council was none too happy."
"Why is that?"
"They do not have a very high opinion of ordinary people. They believe it is not our place to see to the welfare of our people. If it is not our place Ambassador Saltzman, then whose is it?"
"Your majesty it sounds like you are on a mission." Elena giggled and they walked past the little pond that had swelled since it had rained so much lately.
"Yes well, something needs to be done to restore what has been broken." She said more solemnly as they reached the entrance to the gardens and she turned to look at Alaric again. "And one more thing, I have invited King Damon of Naples for another visit. I shall be counting on you to make him feel welcome."
"Very good your majesty." Alaric bowed over her hand before she turned, instead of going back into the palace she went towards the stable-yards and called a page to send for Bonnie and Caroline. She would enjoy herself today, she resolved. She hated the rain and the cold and she was still frazzled by her people rising against her, but she was finished feeling sorry for herself. She would resolve all of it herself if she had to listen to every person in the country one by one.
England had finally turned cold. The frost had started to come in so that when you stepped outside in the morning your feet crunched in the frozen grass. Elena breathed in the winter's air and thought that at least it wasn't raining today. The sky, although grey as always was clearer than it had been before. The sun was even peeking through whatever clouds were hung over them as she made her way through the stable-yards to her horse. She rode a black Russian-Arabian horse now. She had bought it when she realized that her old horse was no longer young enough for the hunt, especially with this relentless young court. Her horse was older and not fast enough and so she had given the horse to the horse-master and told him to use him to teach the younger children at court how to ride. Her new horse looked more frightening than he was, his name was Halim, a name given to him by his original owner, it was Arabic for gentle. And though most English women would have changed the name to something more Christian, Elena thought it suited him immensely. His height was misleading in making him look fearsome when he was truly gentle. When he saw Elena he would push his nose to her and nip with his lips at her dress to see if she'd brought him anything sweet and he was extremely obedient and intuitive.
Her small entourage usually stayed away from him, another thing that made her giggle was that most people genuinely assumed that he was dangerous because of his size. They stayed away from him. Only she and her stable boys knew the true meaning of his name and his real character and she left it that way. Everyone was mounting their horses and getting ready to ride out, Alaric Saltzman who was -after a bit of prodding- now officially her uncle was riding out with them, she needed people with her that were officially neutral. Mathew and Tyler had decided to stay behind but Jeremy was with them and he was none too happy about it. He had been locked in his room for the better part of three weeks. With the death of Vicky he had become incredibly sullen and Elena didn't know what to do to bring him out of it. She was afraid he would hurt himself the way he'd been behaving lately, Tyler had been trying to keep an eye on his younger friend but Elena could see the resentment that Jeremy bore towards him and she wasn't sure where that stemmed from.
She forced herself to stop thinking about Jeremy, and about the court, about the unhappiness of her councilors now that she had put down a plan for the benefit of the people's living conditions. They were none too happy about the fact that some of the elected officials, like the mayor and the sheriffs were to be granted more authority and resources. They were elected by the people and so Elena felt they were the ones who could best represent what the people needed. Her councilors, though they realized the need for all this were extremely reluctant about the entire situation. But by some miracle they were beginning to relent a bit towards the issue of the church. Elena didn't know how it had happened but she left it alone for a bit, she was careful not to press them too hard, she was afraid of moving things too quickly and losing whatever general approval she had received from them.
She let it all slip away from her when they rode out. The trees were entirely bare, the ponds and streams, even parts of the river were completely frozen over. She hoped it would snow this year, Christmas would be wonderful if it snowed. She could organize games for the Christmas feast and they could go outside and skate. Elena had never tried it before but she knew that it was most popular in France and Russia. She wondered slightly amused, how Damon would react to the coldness of England at the moment. He was used to winters in Naples, where it rained instead of snowed, everything was milder than it was here in the winter. She smiled as she took off, galloping down the road and into the woods. She followed the narrow trail, her guards behind her as she sat up straight in her saddle and felt the sun glimmering through the clouds and the bare branches of the trees. She huddled in the hood of her cloak lined with sable furs and trimmed with goldsmith's paws and jeweled eyes, she felt the cold wind flow through the trees making the branches shift and crack.
She smiled as they came to a halt in one of the clearings at the very edge of the city, they were supposed to wait here but as she stood there, her horse stomping his feet from impatience and the cold she wondered how much longer it would take and she began to fidget.
"I should have worn the green." She mumbled when she finally got down from her horse and went to stand next to Caroline. Her blue gown was trimmed with black lace and only slightly visible under her dark blue hooded cloak.
"Hush you look beautiful." There was a sound of drumming hoofs and Elena slowly turned to look as Damon came riding in. He wore black, as usual but he had changed, his fabrics were richer and his adornments were in solid gold instead of the silver that he'd worn before. Elena smiled and turned towards him without waiting for the groom to announce his presence. She moved forwards and let her hands fall into his before she gave him the kiss of peace. When she stood back she remembered, how blue his eyes were and how terrible she found that smirk of his but she smiled secretly to him before turning her eyes down and feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
Caroline walked behind Elena and Damon for about the fourth time in two weeks. They did this often, walking in the gardens, talking with their heads so close together you would think they were either sharing secrets or conspiring against someone but when you came close enough to overhear them you learned nothing. Caroline had only ever heard them talk about politics or philosophy and religion. Elena and Damon were the strangest couple she'd ever imagined but in their own way they made sense. Elena and Damon disagreed on a lot of things, that much Elena would share with her and Bonnie but Caroline had already realized that the only reason they would argue about something is because they were both equally passionate about it. Caroline couldn't help but smile when Elena would become slightly outraged at something Damon had said or done. Bonnie was less than happy about this new development between the two sovereigns. Caroline had tried to convince her that it only made sense, they understood each other better than anyone else could explain but Bonnie was convinced that Damon was bad news.
"He's dangerous, he's too daring and he's careless about what other people think. He's nothing like Elena"
"Don't be silly, they're exactly the same. They're both equally passionate and stubborn, just about different things they need each other to stay grounded. Who else is going to tell him that he's being too daring and who else is going to tell her that she's being too forgiving?"
"You think he's the type of man who will be governed by a woman?" Bonnie huffed and Caroline shrugged, the truth was she didn't know what Damon was capable of, that was part of the reason she guessed that Bonnie didn't like him. She couldn't tell what he would do next and it was frustrating to her.
"Am I interrupting you ladies?"
"What if you were my Lord Suffolk?" Bonnie was witty as ever today and she turned to look towards Elena and Damon. Tyler feigned being stabbed in the heart which was met by giggles from Bonnie. Caroline simply kept walking behind Elena and tried to ignore the fact that Tyler smelled good.
"Might I steal away your friend for a moment Mistress Bennett?" Tyler asked and stopped for a moment, he held out his hand to Caroline who looked from him to Bonnie. Bonnie blinked for a minute and smiled gently at Caroline before curtsying to them both and walking away. Caroline hesitated only a moment before taking his hand. She hadn't spoken to him since she'd found Vicky's body, the memory still haunted her at times. She pushed away the memory of that night. She had been feeling much better ever since the funeral, even being around Tyler was somehow more bearable, Mathew was incredibly busy with lord only knew what. Elena had gotten him to work out a budget to consider the living conditions of the people or something. Caroline wasn't very good at numbers and mathematics. She left it to Mathew, even if it kept him at Whitehall while the rest of the court was in Westminster to prepare for the Christmas feast.
"How may I help you Lord Suffolk?" She ignored the warmth of him as he put her hand in the crook of his arm, she wanted to crawl closer to him since he was clearly so much warmer than her but she fought it and was determined to keep all this civil.
"I wanted to apologize." She stopped in her tracks, she hadn't expected that, she turned to look at him, her blue eyes questioning and entirely confused.
"For what?" He smiled, in a way he hadn't in a while, at least not in front of her. Caroline hated it, she felt like she was getting a glimpse of the person he used to be around her and she missed it. He had changed though, something in him was more calming, he had been so reckless before he'd left in the summer. A bit wild and dangerous but now he was more controlled and just, calmer.
"For my behaviour towards you. I don't know what I was expecting- but it was unfair to expect anything."
"Don't apologize, the things I said before you left- they were hurtful. And in light of what happened, I was worried-"
"Worried? About me?" He smiled for a moment as they followed Elena and Damon through the gardens. It really was terribly cold.
"Don't let it go to your head." She joked and he smiled and for a moment she felt blissfully normal again. Tyler put his other hand over hers and she felt her arms starting to warm as he did that. To anyone else they would have seemed like a couple and Caroline wished she could lean her head towards him the way Elena was doing with Damon but she was afraid of what they would look like if she did. Instead she just counted her blessings that she could at least be around Tyler without having the urge to cry anymore.
"They're getting on well. Do you think she'll choose him or Prince Stefan?"
"Him. She might think she loves Stefan but it's him. Stefan's too docile."
"Naples and England. That's a powerful alliance."
"Of course that's what you would think of."
"I can't help it Caroline. I'm a politician." this time she smiled. They walked for awhile discussing Elena's possible marriages. Caroline hoped it was true, as close as she was with Damon she seemed to truly be enjoying Stefan's company as well. He had arrived two days later than Damon and she hadn't expected him to receive such a warm welcome from Elena. But she seemed to have forgotten his betrayal when she saw him again. Caroline felt as if she were playing a dangerous game, perhaps it wasn't really a game but Elena would have to decide sooner or later and she would have to break one of their hearts in the process.
"I have some news, it might be better if you or Bonnie share it with the queen in private."
"Oh?" Caroline didn't know what news Tyler might share with her that she didn't already know but she waited for him anyway.
"The attacks on the queen and the king of Naples might be connected. We believe that the French, who pretend to have a claim on Naples is behind it. The French don't want this alliance, according to my sources-"
"Your uncle Mason in Aquitaine." Caroline finished and smiled.
"the king has publicly declared that this marriage would be an insult to him."
"What of Aquitaine?" Caroline asked. "Do the vassals of Aquitaine stand behind their self-proclaimed king?"
"Have they ever?" Tyler laughed and Caroline knew what that meant, if they were against the French king it made France vulnerable, but when Aquitaine had been a domain of England it had been impossible to rule by anyone other than someone who had been born there. It was said you had to have the south in you to rule Aquitaine. Aquitaine was one of the most beautiful and largest regions in France with some of the most rebellious lords to go with it. If they stood against France, along with the armies of Naples and England's navy, Elena and Damon could reign over a domain vaster than Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Caroline worried about that as well, conquering other countries wasn't really what Elena had been interested in when she was crowned but a creating an empire like that would make her one of the most renowned sovereigns in history. Caroline frowned but let it go for now, she would tell Elena what Tyler had said, without expressing her own worry and opinions.
"What are they talking about?" Tyler nodded towards the royal pair that walked before them and Caroline smiled and without looking at Tyler she replied.
"They're discussing theology. The reformation of the church." Caroline shook her head and wasn't surprised to see Tyler frown and look surprised.
"They look like they're lovers already, whispering secrets to each other."
"Which is why she will choose Damon, not Stefan. They have an intimacy that she doesn't have with other people, and a fire. God you should see her, they get each other all riled up before they come to an understanding."
"And with the prince? I heard she's dined with him twice already."
"That's milder, he's sweet and kind and patient. He doesn't push his opinions on her but she gets frustrated because she can't tell what he wants." Tyler chuckled and shook his head.
"I suppose we'll have to wait and see. But she won't want a husband that orders her around. She's too stubborn and independent herself."
"Is that so wrong?"
"No, that's what we need in a queen, but how many husbands would allow their wives to be like that? Stefan would be more acceptable as a husband for a queen, but Damon would be more efficient as King consort of England, and the people would like him better."
"King consort? You think she'll allow him that title?"
"I don't think he'd accept anything less do you?" Caroline frowned and knew it was the truth, Damon would want to be equal to her in everything, King consort might even be below him and Caroline wondered how much Elena was considering this. It was probably the reason that she was waiting to choose between the brothers. Because Caroline could see blindly that she and Damon had a fire in them that drove them to be good rulers. Something she didn't see in Stefan. He was caring and helpful, and wanted desperately to do the right thing but there wasn't always time to hesitate and wait and plan out the right thing to do.
Jeremy was hidden in the library of Westminster Abbey. He had no intention of joining the privy council today, he was happy holding his thick books and browsing through them until his eyes got tired and he lost the light of day. He wouldn't drink tonight, he couldn't even be bothered to do that. It had been weeks since Vicky's funeral and being around court made him think of her. Tyler made him think of her. It wasn't really Tyler's fault, Jeremy doubted that Tyler would do anything to encourage Vicky's behaviour when he knew how Jeremy felt about her but she had threatened him by saying she could just as well marry Tyler. Jeremy had been furious and now he wished he hadn't tossed her out the room. He'd yelled at her for the umpteenth time, trying to get her to stop drinking, certain that she would die of consumption if she kept up this behaviour. He had said those things because he was worried and then she'd gone out and done something so stupid. He couldn't believe her stupidity, stealing one of Elena's dresses. His heart clenched again. He loved Vicky but he couldn't imagine what he would do if Elena had died instead. He leaned his head back against the bookcase and took another sip from his goblet of wine. Elena was like a sister to him, he wouldn't know what to do without her, he knew she hadn't approved of his relationship with Vicky but she had let him have his way anyway. For the time being anyway. Jeremy wasn't sure what the book he was reading was about. He turned for a moment to put it back in the shelves when a small stack of books came tumbling down his way.
Jeremy simply frowned and sighed as he moved to pick up the books, only to find that another book came down on his head.
"Bloody-" He tried very hard to refrain from swearing as he rubbed over his scalp where he'd been attacked by the book. He turned around to look at the offending object when someone appeared in front of him. A young girl, younger than him he guessed. She had the palest skin and black hair, incredible hazel eyes and rosebud lips. He was less than interested and he was peeved at the fact that some girl was wandering the queen's libraries.
"I am so sorry!" she exclaimed rather loudly. "One book was wedged between the other and I pulled and then 'kablunk kaboom' Are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine." Jeremy reached down to grab the book, apparently she did at the same time causing another hit to his head. "Ow!" That hurt more than the book. Jeremy frowned as he leaned back to sit on the floor again. The girl rubbed over the spot that had impacted with his head and giggled. Jeremy couldn't help but laugh at that, she was pretty when she smiled.
"I'm Anna."
"Jeremy." Her hazel eyes widened and she looked frustrated.
"Jeremy." She repeated somehow a little angry as she stood up then, her cream gown billowing beneath her and she curtsied. Jeremy wasn't so sure what he had done to startle her but clearly she was frazzled. He was about to tell her there was no need for that but then she spoke first. "Forgive me your grace, I did not mean to disturb you." She said shortly and then walked away. She just walked away. Jeremy felt as if he should feel guilty at offending her or something but he wasn't entirely sure what he'd done to deserve it.
Elena sat in her study with her ladies, one of the girls was singing while the rest of them were sewing or reading, Elena had deliberately taken a seat close to the fireplace. Westminster palace wasn't kept as warm as Whitehall and she missed that at the moment. But she would endure it, she needed to be in Westminster, it was still the political centre for everything that went on in her country. Most officials and ambassadors kept houses nearby and so it was important that she stay here. If only to receive news more quickly. Elena was watching the hourglass, she was waiting for someone important to be introduced to her. She didn't want to sell it short, Damon had told her about the late Lord Rochford's widow coming to see him and requesting safe passage to England since she could not afford it on her own. Elena vaguely remembered seeing a picture of Pearl somewhere, her beauty was known all over England. She had been one of the most desirable women in the country before she'd been carted off to France with her husband. Having Pearl or her daughter as one of her ladies would silence the council's request that she not be too partisan in her household, all her friends were the older members of council or their wives. She only prayed that she was slightly more amiable than the other women who were in Elena's household now. The other women constantly watched her as if she were committing crimes by sewing a tapestry. She didn't like being spied on, let alone being spied on so obviously. When the groom finally introduced Pearl and her daughter, Elena stood up to receive them, she straightened out the creases in her dress and waited with her hands carefully folded in front of her.
Pearl was a tall woman, her daughter was so much smaller in comparison, but they were both immensely beautiful. Elena made sure that she was standing straight, her shoulders back and her neck much exposed. She hadn't worn a necklace today, only earrings and a matching crown. She wore and emerald green gown because it was made in velvet and it kept her warmer than some of her other gowns. Pearl and her daughter were both wearing red, a bold colour but it nearly brought a smile to Elena's face, she already liked this woman. She was wearing jewelry; real pearls around her neck and in her ears, Elena supposed they were the most valuable things she owned at the moment but that wouldn't be the case for much longer. Pearl and her daughter both curtsied perfectly synchronized as if they had practised it and Elena held out her hand to the woman. After she kissed it she pulled Pearl up and put her hand in the crook of her elbow, pulling her into Elena's private meeting room.
"I am sorry for the death of your husband my lady. I wish you had written to me of your distress, I would have brought you here sooner."
"We had things that needed attending in France your Majesty. And I have known the king of Naples, whereas I hardly know you. I did not want to press my own sorrows onto you in your young reign." The woman spoke like a politician and Elena imagined she was probably more shrewd than most of the men on her council. She could probably rule the country for her if she needed it.
"Well in any case I am glad you are here. I know you have come expecting a place among my ladies in waiting but I am afraid I am going to have to disappoint you." The woman's eyes widened and she nearly took a step back but Elena took a firm hold of her hands. If Elena hadn't had a plan she would have been frightened of the look she was receiving from Pearl.
"I have summoned you here today to discuss something a bit more serious than that. Surely you and I both know that your talents would be wasted among the frivolities of my ladies. Women are much put upon in this world my lady, it is my desire as much as I can to promote their interests. Which is why your daughter will be permitted to be a maid in waiting in my household but for you it is my desire to make you Marquess of Pembroke."
"Your majesty." Elena smiled at her surprise but held her up when she tried to curtsy.
"Any children belonging to you Lady Pembroke, will be of noble blood, by birth." She spoke a bit quieter and directly to the woman as she bade her to sit down at the table with her. She smiled gently, she had no intention of leaving this woman to fend for herself, her husband had died in service to Elena and the least she could do was allow her to live comfortably and be secure in the knowledge that her daughter could find a good husband. "Furthermore, you have my permission to find a husband for your daughter, and yourself if it suits you." She finished and the woman regained her composure, she laughed at Elena's comment and leaned back in the chair, disregarding good posture and looking as if she were close to tears.
"I have no intention of remarrying. Not now anyway." Elena smiled. "Your majesty is too kind." She said and sat up straight realizing where she was again.
"We shall go over the details of all this after the ceremony. In the meantime, your daughter can join my ladies in waiting and you can get settled here. I have had apartments made ready for you in the palace. A marquess can't be expected to share chambers with other ladies now can she?" Elena and Pearl stood up and Elena kissed Pearl on the cheek. It was a sign of good faith, and friendship and she hoped it wasn't all in vain. She wanted desperately to trust this woman and she hoped by granting her freedom she would feel some understanding towards Elena.
Jeremy wasn't surprised to find her in the library again, he was surprised however that he had the sudden urge to talk to her. He wanted to know what precisely it was that he had done to insult the girl. He still didn't know who she really was, Anna was such a common name that she could be anyone's daughter. It surprised him a bit that she had been gnawing at him, he wasn't sure what to think of that. The memory of Vicky was still fresh in his mind and it hurt to speak or even think of her but for some reason he couldn't simply walk away from this girl without knowing what it was that he'd done.
"Well hello Miss Anna." He stepped in front of her and she slammed the little book shut. It was a small book, it almost fit entirely in the palms of her hand as if it had been made for her. Instead of answering she curtsied at him and he rolled his eyes.
"Good day your grace." She turned and was about to walk away but this time he walked behind her briskly, it wasn't difficult to keep up with her, she was much smaller than him.
"Don't you at least want to know my name before you completely reject me?"
"I'm fine without it."
"You are fine." she rolled her eyes and Jeremy smiled. He still thought of Vicky but it bothered him that he made her angry for some reason. "It's Jeremy Gilbert by the way."
"I know who you are Lord Rochford." He detected just a hint of a French accent in her voice.
"Oh now, see that's not fair. You know my name and you know who I am but I have no idea who you are." She hesitated and frowned at him. "Oh come now, if you don't tell me your name I'm going to have to make one up for you." She rolled her eyes and smiled for the first time since she'd bumped her head against his.
"Then you'll just have to make one up won't you?" She frowned again and turned to walk away, Jeremy didn't follow her. She had an impressive sway to her hips as he watched her go down the hall, her little book in her hand.
"I see you've met Anna." Tyler appeared next to him, and though he wasn't entirely pleased to see Tyler it was the first time in weeks that he didn't feel like decking him.
"Alright what have I been missing?" Jeremy grumbled, he didn't think he'd been that absent but apparently he'd missed a great deal.
"Elena appointed some woman the Marquess of Pembroke."
"You mean she's Marchioness." Jeremy was beyond surprised he turned to look at Tyler who simply shook his head seriously. "No, my friend Marquess, in her own right as a woman. That's her daughter Annabelle, though she goes by Anna. And that's not the best part."
"What's the best part?"
"The new Marquess of Pembroke used to be Lady Rochford, she's the late lord Rochford's widow." Jeremy suddenly felt like a fool. Naturally the girl knew who he was, he had received her father's titles when he'd died, but he didn't understand how she could still be angry with him. Her mother was now a bloody marquess. She was more powerful than the Earls and that would not sit well with them but luckily she still fell under the submission of the Dukes of England which included himself and Tyler and most of the men on the council. A marquess was a highly honorable title since it meant that she was being entrusted to protect a march, a domain of land that was at a border of England. Pembroke castle was an extremely large fortress that was surrounded on three sides by the river Cleddau, an extremely formidable stronghold and the fact that it was now entrusted to a woman. Jeremy hid his doubts about all of this, his own cousin was the queen of England all by herself and he didn't doubt her abilities to protect England but Elena was an exception he felt.
"I'm an idiot." Jeremy said instead of voicing his worries to Tyler. He shook his head and Tyler looked puzzled. "No wonder I bother her, I have her father's titles and his lands." Tyler smiled and clapped his hand on Jeremy's shoulder.
"I suppose you are an idiot." He smiled and for the first time in a long time Jeremy managed to laugh at Tyler's joke and stand to be around him for longer than a few minutes.
"Stefan is to be her dance partner tonight." Caroline rolled her eyes at the sound of Tyler's voice behind her. Caroline was dressed in a blue gown, and she had Glory of the Snow flowers woven into a coronet into her hair, the flowers were a blue that matched her eyes and they were star-shaped. The coronet had been a gift from Bonnie since the flowers usually only grew at the end of the winter season. Caroline wouldn't have known the difference if Elena hadn't told her but she was grateful for it. The blue colour of the flowers stood out in her hair and made her eyes shine brighter even though she was exhausted from helping Elena plan the Christmas feast. She turned to look at Tyler for a moment and then turned her eyes back on the display that was happening. One of the noble families were presenting their gifts to Elena. Caroline wasn't the only one to notice that Damon had once again stepped back for the benefit of his brother. Caroline wondered what they were up to, they were an odd pair. Stefan and Damon seemed to genuinely dislike each other and yet they would stand aside for the other's happiness.
"I know, but I don't know why."
"See how he hovers around the pretty butterfly with a net."
"Look at the other lords present. I don't think I've ever seen so many families present at court. Every duke with an eligible son is hoping to catch the queen's eye. They think her more frivolous than the late king."
"If they think she'll marry an Englishman they are severely mistaken." He smiled and Caroline felt as if she'd been a courtier for years instead of almost a year. She found it easy to recognize those that were vying for the queen's eye, or those that were whispering about the princes. She knew there was some gambling going on around the marriage of the queen. Some chose between Damon and Stefan, others said she wouldn't marry a foreigners, and then there were a few who were willing to bet money on her not marrying at all. Caroline had nearly laughed at the idea of it. Elena though independent had no intention of being alone her entire life. She was too passionate, and Caroline knew she got too lonely. "and you Lady Donnovan? Who will you dance with in the absence of your husband?" Caroline didn't grimace though she wanted to. She missed Mathew a bit, especially now during the festivities, she wished he were here to dance with her. He might not be the best courtier but he wasn't a terrible dancer and Caroline missed dancing. Instead of truly responding Caroline simply turned her blue eyes up at Tyler and smiled coyly, a dangerous game but she was in good spirits. Elena was happier than before.
There had been a small uprising in the north but it hadn't been against her, and once she had sent an emissary to intervene it had been quickly resolved. But the people were quiet this winter, they weren't as jubilant as they had been past Christmastides and Caroline didn't want to think too hard on why that was. Elena would be eighteen this coming year. Most women would have been married and with child already and here she was trying to choose a suitable husband who wouldn't govern her too much and who the people would like.
Jeremy came to stand next to them and he smiled, he kissed Caroline on the cheek and stood on the other side of her as they watched Elena receive more gifts.
"What do you think Jeremy? The prince or the king?"
"The king I hope. He's better company than prince Stefan. He's so sullen and serious you would think he was a monk." Caroline laughed and Tyler joined her. The new Marquess of Pembroke came in, she was wearing a dark purple velvet gown with an intricate petticoat whereas Anna wore green velvet, she had little red flowers worked into her hair, it made her flushed cheeks and lips look perfectly pink and her dark hair stood out more. Caroline smiled, she and Bonnie and Elena had chosen the dress for her. It had been a Christmas gift to the girl who didn't own much and was trying desperately to get used to her new life at court. Her mother was never too far away which gave everyone the impression that she was a quiet chaste girl when in reality she was simply subdued around her mother.
"I don't know whether to hate or admire that woman." Jeremy scoffed, Tyler was frowning too, Caroline imagined it must have confused them quite a bit that she had become Marquess in her own right. Most women would have been dubbed Marchioness but instead she had received the title as if she were a man.
"Fearing her, would be more appropriate don't you think?" the three of them laughed and turned towards the hall where there were a great deal of officials walking around and being civil to each other before they returned to their corners to plot against each other.
Caroline turned away from Tyler and Jeremy when they started discussing the political implications Elena's marriage would have and she decided it would be a good time to present her gift to the queen. It was simple, her real gift had already been given to Elena earlier, this was simply a formality, nonetheless Mathew had spent a good deal of money on it. French lace and the lightest of white silks, and ribbons they hadn't been sewn into sleeves yet because Caroline imagined that if she were to marry soon they could use them for Elena's trousseau. Elena saw them and smiled at Caroline knowingly and thanked her formally. She accepted the last of the gifts, among which she received a beautiful gold clock from Tyler and sable furs from Jeremy.
Caroline was pleased with the tumblers and the masque that was presented, wine was flowing freely among the guests and Elena was truly entertained as she fluttered between her officials and council members and guests from abroad. Anna and Caroline spent most of their time at her side, smiling and Caroline tried her best to engage in conversation with the girl but she was perpetually quiet under the gaze of her mother. Caroline noticed Jeremy watching the girl a few times and she smiled to herself, wondering if men could really get over a woman that quickly.
"I hear you have met the Lord Rochford." She smiled and the girl turned to look at her.
"I have."
"He's quite enamoured by you. Or should I say, he's puzzled." the girl sighed and shook her head exasperated.
"What did he say?"
"Oh not very much only that he wonders why you're so angry with him."
"He holds my father's titles and lands. My mother and I were nearly destitute because-"
"The queen gave him those titles." Caroline gave a little laugh and looked at the girl honestly. "Jeremy would never demand a title from his queen. You understand that no one here at court wishes to harm you Anna."
"No one?" She turned her eyes to a few of the lords that were whispering amongst themselves, the two women never stopped smiling but Caroline knew what the girl was thinking. It wasn't difficult to tell.
"Your mother has been appointed a powerful office. Such a title can't go to a woman without making her powerful and also hated by others whose ambition would seek to destroy several people."
"I'm no fool Lady Donovan, I can see very plainly who my enemies are at court." Caroline's smile suddenly became genuine. The girl couldn't be much older than fifteen or sixteen and she was as shrewd as her mother. She was quick, like herself or Bonnie, Caroline suddenly felt as if she were looking at a younger version of herself.
"Then you'll know that Jeremy Gilbert would make a powerful friend. If you let him."
Damon had watched Elena before among her court but this was somehow different. She had established a new sense of comfort and there was an entirely different energy about her court. She was no longer surrounded by the people that were loyal to her, and her court no longer consisted of a younger generation. Damon could tell that she'd had no choice but to concede to some of her councilors but she'd told him that the people she had admitted to her council or into her household were there for a reason. She needed to keep them close so she could keep eyes on them. She kept them close because she didn't trust them, Damon was surprised at how much she'd changed in only a few months. She was no longer young and confident in her naivety but she was more calculated, and secretive than she had been before. She spoke very little about her council, including those members that she had believed to be extremely loyal to her. From what Damon could tell she kept them all at arm's length and he understood why. He knew the dangers of allowing them to get too close, she would not make herself vulnerable to anyone anymore, but he had noticed that in her behaviour towards him too.
He had thought her strong and independent before but now there was a determination in her that he hadn't seen before. She thought carefully on the things he said and she considered people's words carefully before she responded to them. Damon was grateful that there seemed to be a silent understanding between the two of them, they understood each other's troubles but neither of them sought to meddle too much. Damon was immensely amused by this new Elena though, she was a little more outspoken and she had clearer opinions on what needed to be done in her country. They would debate over theology and the reformations of the church and the injustice of the papal laws, and they would get angry with each other. Something that surprised Damon to no end, no woman had ever gotten under his skin so deeply, when Elena was angry with him he loved and hated it at the same time. He didn't like angering her but he enjoyed listening to her opinions, even when they clashed with his. They had a respect for each other that hadn't been there before and Damon found himself looking forward to speaking with her.
The music started up as the masque ended and Damon turned around from his conversation with Alaric to look for Stefan. He was supposed to dance with Elena tonight, something that gnawed at Damon. It bothered him to no end, he couldn't stand the thought of his brother stepping into his game but Elena wasn't fastened to either of them at the moment and so he had to let it happen.
"Where is your brother?" Alaric asked in a whisper and Damon shook his head, frowning. He didn't know where Stefan was, nor could he think of an excuse to leave Elena waiting. She was pretending that she didn't notice but Damon knew she would take offense, even be hurt if he didn't show up soon. He didn't show up for the first dance and when the music changed Damon sighed and put down his cup of wine.
"Would you care to dance your majesty?" Damon bowed in front of Elena who looked at him curiously before a smile played on her face. She turned her head in a most seductive way, her dark eyes were full of something Damon couldn't recognize but she took his hand.
"If it please you, your Grace." Damon couldn't help but return the smile, he smirked at her and flashed his ice blue eyes at her in a teasing way. She nearly rolled her eyes but giggled instead. Damon saw her eyes widen when the music changed and the musicians began to play a Volta. He smiled fiendishly and turned in front of Elena she looked at him as if he wouldn't dare but Damon followed the beat of the drums and blew her a kiss as he began the steps. He knew them perfectly, and he danced around her clapping his hands together as if he were summoning her to him. Elena was light on her feet, she looked as if she floated above the floor as she took the little leaps and danced around him, when they finally came together in the middle he reached down and picked her up, those that were watching gasped a bit. To lift her Damon had to place his hand under her pelvic area and she had to jump while he twirled her. They stood dangerously close and when she came down she giggled, Damon couldn't help but stare down at her lips. The urge to kiss her was pressing on him but he forced himself to focus on the steps of the dance.
"You said you couldn't dance." He lifted her again and smiled at her mischievously when she came back down.
"No, I said I didn't." He lifted her one last time and she tilted her head back, revealing her neck and smiling very obviously, her eyes were never darker than they were now and she had never been so seductive to him. He stood close to her, taking in her scent and the flush that was on her cheeks. They took the last few steps and then as the music died down Damon did what he was taught to do. He circled around her and stood behind her, put his arms around her gently and kissed her on the cheek. He saw her blush and smile as she walked away, completely dignified but he was well aware of the fact that every courtier that hadn't been dancing with them was staring at the two of them. The hall was filled with whispers as if he had publicly proclaimed that their queen was his.
Caroline had watched Elena and Damon out of the corner of her eye but she'd quickly been distracted by her own dance partner. He twirled her around, high into the air and when she came back down each time she was captured by the safety of his arms and the warmth of him. He held her close even after the dance was over and he waited for the next set of music to play. It was Caroline who grew tired first, she turned and pulled Tyler to the side of the room, taking a cup of wine as they moved away, she was thirsty and tired but she hadn't felt so light and happy since she'd heard that Tyler was ill.
"Do you still think Stefan is most likely to be married to her?" Caroline mused as she turned her head to where Damon and Elena were giving each other meaningful looks across the room to each other.
"I should have known better than to wager against you Lady Donovan."
"A wager? What have I won?" Caroline laughed and smiled up at him as she narrowed her eyes a bit.
"What do you want?"
"Another dance."
"My lady." He bowed incredibly exaggerated and took her hand pulling her back onto the dance floor. Caroline's head was spinning with wine but she let him pull her and guide her, she turned in a circle with a group of other women, everyone was laughing and lightheaded but in good cheer. Caroline couldn't believe that she hadn't missed a single step even in her dizziness. There were more masques and plays planned for later in the evening and Caroline had to wilfully determine to stop drinking because she would forget her steps in the masque. No one realized that Elena was going to perform in the masque as well, she was supposed to have danced before the prince Stefan but no one had seen him all night. It was an insult to Elena who had invited both the king of Naples and his brother but Elena was feigning indifference while the rest of the court merely whispered as to the cause. They were more intrigued by the fact that Damon and Elena behaved as if they were already promised to each other.
Jeremy moved towards Anna and bowed to her, stealing her away from her mother with the permission of his cousin the queen. He pulled her to the side and handed her a cup of wine. She looked over at her mother who wasn't watching her at the time and took a sip before she turned to Jeremy.
"I must apologize my lady. I'm afraid my behaviour towards you was a bit careless."
"Please don't apologize. It was not your fault. You could not have known who I was and I should not have behaved so coldly towards you." She spoke beyond her years and it surprised Jeremy. "It's only that I find it hard to determine who my friends are here at court. I find there are not many people here I should trust." Jeremy leaned in closer and smiled.
"Your mother has lived in France most of your life, upon her sudden return she has been given the title and lands of a Marquess in her own right. Every lord here wanted that title and every lady is wishing they were her. You may have inherited some of your mother's enemies but you should remember that there are a few here at court that you may trust."
"And you know who they are?" She didn't seem to trust him either but he smiled and turned her gently to face where Caroline and Tyler were dancing together.
"Lady Caroline Donovan is one of the queen's oldest friends and Lord Tyler Lockwood, the Earl of Suffolk. They are both indebted to the queen for their good fortune. Tyler simply doesn't see you or your mother as a threat, and Caroline is like the queen. She will do anything to empower women in this world. Bonnie Bennett-"
"The moor girl?" She sounded surprised and she narrowed her eyes but tilted her head to look at Bonnie who was standing across the room, she wore a cream and gold gown that made her skin look lighter and her eyes darker.
"You'll soon learn that Bonnie and her grandmother have many talents. I wouldn't cross either of them to save my life. And Bonnie has the ear of the queen like no one else."
"What about the queen's aunt? Lady Petrova?"
"Lady Saltzman now, she's married to the ambassador Saltzman of Bulgaria. They are both influential but they do not usually interfere. They'll advise the queen when she requests them, though they don't usually come to court, they are aware of everything that goes on."
"And you?" She finally turned to look straight at him, her hazel eyes were questioning as if she could see through him. Jeremy just smiled wearily.
"I am no threat to you my lady. Ask anyone here, I would rather paint and write poetry than be involved in the violence of politics." He bowed over her hand and walked away then, having said enough. He hid the fact that being around her reminded him too much of Vicky. She was so immensely different from Vicky, he admired her but part of him couldn't stand the girl. He left before the festivities were over but the loss of Vicky gripped him when he least expected it to. When he least wanted it to. He took a goblet of wine and took it out into the halls as he moved to go up to his rooms.
Caroline stood up finally, she was tired and Bonnie had left her rooms half an hour ago. Tyler was putting away the cards and Anna was leaving. The girl seemed slightly more amiable than she had been before but Caroline could see the caution in her eyes. She was very careful not to talk of anything that might harm her or that would give them ammunition against her.
"She's afraid."
"Can you blame her? She's new to court, her mother has obtained a powerful position, half the women in England wish they were her, and the others wish to harm her." She smiled at Tyler but she was tired.
"I'll leave you then. You look tired."
"Goodnight Lord Lockwood. Merry Christmas." She turned to go to her rooms, calling out for the maid that usually helped her undress but her rooms were completely silent, the candles were very low as was the fire. Caroline sighed and moved to put another log on the fire. When she got to the mirror and she had pulled out all the flowers from her hair she suddenly realized her problem. She could only reach about half the ribbons on her back to escape from her gown. And she wanted out. She started anyway, in the hopes that perhaps she could find a way to undo the rest without help but when she reached halfway up her back she was lost and tired and growing frustrated. Caroline couldn't help but notice the humour in her situation, she wasn't sure if it was the wine or the fact that she was tired but as she tried every which way to reach and untie the rest of the ribbon she found herself giggling as she almost gave up.
"Let me help." There were hands on her waist suddenly and she recognized the smell of Tyler. She took a step forward in shock but Tyler had a firm hold of her.
"Tyler."
"Shush let me help." His hands went to work on the ribbons and the bodice of her dress was loose very quickly. It was so simple when she had someone to help her. After that he began undoing the tight stomacher, he loosened it revealing the linen shift underneath it, Caroline moved her hair to one side so that Tyler could finish at the top of the stomacher, she took a deep breath when it was completely loose but Tyler's hands didn't stop there. He began running his fingers up and down her ribs, massaging the place where the stomacher had been too tight and had left marks in her sides. She let his hands wander, let him feel her through her thin linen shirt. She let him kiss her, her breathing quickened and her skin grew hot where his lips had been only a moment before. Her eyes shot open suddenly and she shook her head.
"Tyler. We shouldn't-" Tyler didn't listen, he kissed her shoulder and her neck and placed his arms around her. His warmth enveloping her and Caroline felt herself leaning back into him, turning around and waiting for him to kiss her. It wasn't like before, she thought she would have felt guilty, upset and torn but there was only Tyler. His lips touched hers and Caroline shook in his arms. She sighed at his touch, his hands were coarse from riding and sports but they were gentle and warm. Her skirts disappeared so that she was only standing in her linen shift. She moved so that her hands found the buttons on his doublet and she undid them faster than she thought she could. All the while Tyler was kissing her shoulders and her neck, nipping at her jawline and shedding more of his clothes. Caroline breathed into him, daring to let her hands wander more and more. She pulled him closer and let her hands roam over his perfect chest. He began pulling her shirt up and that was when Caroline hesitated. She was breathing as if she'd run a marathon and she pulled away just a bit. She had never been naked in front of anyone but Mathew, she realized that now was the wrong time to feel embarrassed but she did.
Tyler didn't press himself on her, he smiled gently and brushed her hair over her shoulder.
"I love you Caroline. I know I shouldn't but I do. I love you." Caroline wasn't sure what it was that he could see, he was still wearing his trousers and his shirt but something in her made him change his mind as he kissed her on the top of her head and took steps back to leave. Caroline felt a sudden rush of loneliness. She wished she knew what the right thing to do was but she didn't, she couldn't understand why in this short distance, when Tyler stepped back from her she missed him so much more than she would ever miss Mathew. She physically felt robbed and hollow without his touch on her. She missed him. She took steps forward and took hold of his hand, forcing him to turn around and her lips met his. It was the first time that she had initiated a kiss from him. He didn't hesitate again.
She was afraid to break the kiss, she held onto him tightly wrapping her arms around him, letting her hands run through his hair and over his now bare back. The thin layer of clothing that was separating them disappeared and the two of them tumbled onto the floor. Caroline locked her legs around his waist, her skin searing at his touch and the need for him growing inside her as if it was some compulsion. His grip on her grew firmer and Caroline could feel the same desperation in him mirroring her own thoughts. Tyler pulled back for only a moment, his brown eyes were filled with something completely incomprehensible and yet it felt so familiar to Caroline that she smiled. Tyler matched hers and kissed her fiercely, more passionately than before as he entered her and Caroline had never felt such an immense intimacy with anyone before. Tyler moved so they were sitting and Caroline was straddling him, his lips were on her collarbone and neck and earlobes before he found her lips again and Caroline felt herself being swept away by the emotion of being near him. Of being part of him, of loving him, she wasn't afraid of this new intimacy, the intensity of it and the new pleasure it brought with it. They would sit for moments at a time, breathing into each other as Tyler stared into her blue eyes and told her again and again how much he loved her. Caroline just held onto him, she kissed him and loved him and caressed every part of his body with hers as if she would never get the chance again.
The thought of never being able to be with him again only made her passion for him, her love for him grow more fiercely, it was at those moments that she would hold onto him and rock her hips into his while staring into his impossibly warm eyes. She refused to let tears fall, and she refused to let anything ruin this time that she had with him, however short it might be. Tyler finally tumbled on top of her and began pushing into her harder than before, Caroline would have thought that it would hurt but instead it sent her head reeling. She felt as if the room might spin, her core started to heat up further and it reached down building between her legs with every time Tyler moved inside her. Her skin was burning and every time he touched her she thought it would leave a scar she became so sensitive to him. Caroline felt herself grow tense, her toes curled and her heart beat so fast she thought it might stop, every nerve in her body was being excited and finally she laid beneath Tyler trying to catch her breath.
Tyler didn't stop kissing her, even afterwords when Caroline's lips felt sore and swollen she smiled as he placed kisses all over her face and neck. She caught sight of her gown lying on the ground not too far away from them and she giggled, forgetting everything else around her except for Tyler.
"I suppose that's one way to take off a gown." Tyler chuckled as Caroline settled into him and closed her eyes while he drew little patterns on her ribs and she fell asleep more satisfied than ever before.
Author's note: OOOOOKAY so that was an incredibly long chapter, I'm sorry for those of you that don't usually sit in front of your computer this long... I really really am, but I wanted to get some good smut into this chapter. I think you've all been waiting quite long enough, and to be frank I'm getting a little tired of writing about the politics of the sixteenth century, however interesting I think it is, I realize not all of you share the same interests... So obviously there was some Tyler/Caroline goodness in this one.. I hope you enjoy...
I realize now after editing this that there is a lot of couples development going on in this chapter... Damon and Elena and Stefan yikes when are they NOT complicated... Jeremy and Anna... now here's something new that took me a while to figure out. Since I'm not working on the vampire themes here I needed to figure out a different obstacle for them to overcome together. In the show it's that Anna's 'home-schooled' and they work together on the vampire project... Here it's the fact that she's new and powerful and she doesn't know who to trust.
For those of you that are wondering... a Marquess (pronounced Markee) is a person of high nobility that was appointed one of the highest honours of watching over a 'march' meaning a piece of land that borders with a foreign land. In this case it borders with Wales,... Pembroke Castle was an impressive fortress that was Strategically very important. This is a title that was NEVER given to a woman, sometimes but very rarely she would inherit her husband's title but she would be called a Marchioness, and she would be forced to relinquish it to her husband's heirs. The only woman to ever receive the title of Marquess, in her own right as a woman was Anne Boleyn. This way she was declared one of noble blood so that she could marry King Henry VIII.
Anyway I'll leave you all alone now... sorry for the length of this chapter. I've pretty much been writing two days straight, which is why this came so quickly after the last chapter...
TO BE CONTINUED...
