The Lion and the Thistle
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or take any credit for it
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
"It's like this Lady Caroline" Mary Queen of Scots said.
Mary showed Caroline how to do the dance properly. It was a fast paced dance and she'll have to get it right by next week. They were doing a masquerade about the seven deadly sins. There were seven of them who were each one of the sins and it's now these sins make themselves into the world. It's supposed to be an artistic comedy that was written by the Queen herself. Caroline was playing lust, which made her a bit uncomfortable.
Elena was playing envy, the Queen was playing pride, Mary Seton was greed, Mary Fleming was sloth, Mary Beaton was gluttony and Mary Livingston was wrath. It was going to be a huge event. Some of the men from court were joining in as the men they've got to tempt. Their costumes hadn't been made yet so at the moment they're just practising their dance techniques.
"That's more like it Lady Caroline" the Queen grinned.
They practised until their feet simply couldn't dance anymore. Caroline loved dancing but she was nervous about performing in front of the entire court. Eventually the Queen had to go and meet the new ambassadors. Caroline felt herself blush when the Queen mentioned him. He had been handsome and kind but he was English and if it's one thing that her father taught her it was never trust an Englishman. She didn't think her father would approve of her being friendly with an English protestant but then again her father wasn't here!
...
The Queen greeted the new English ambassador in the throne room. Her court filled the room waiting to witness the exchange. Mary's faithful advisor and brother, James Stewart was beside her. His dangerous bad boy looks were spoiled by the frown that appeared on his face with the Klaus walked in. He remembers that man from last night and took an instant dislike to him. Klaus walked in the room with his head held high. The Queen looked bored like she'd rather be somewhere else.
"May I present the new English ambassador, Lord Klaus Mikaelson of Kent?" the man announced in a booming voice.
Klaus bowed to the Scottish Queen before standing straight. He'd never admit it out loud but he thought Mary Queen of Scots was more beautiful then his own Queen but good looks don't make you a good Queen. He'll need time to try and sniff out what kind of Queen she really is. If it's one thing that his father taught him it was never trust a Scot.
"Welcome to Scotland Lord Klaus" the Queen, said diplomatically, "I hope your stay is long and merry"
"I thank you your Majesty" Klaus smiled his court smile.
Klaus' attention briefly flickered to the Queen's court of arms that was behind her. It had the English royal coat of arms. He remembered Elizabeth going crazy when she found out that Mary Queen of Scots was going this but then again she had the Royal French coat of arms on hers.
"How fares my cousin?" Mary asked.
"She is well your Majesty and wishes you health and happiness" Klaus gave his usual court speech, in real life the Queen would be more than happy if she'd drop down dead tomorrow.
The next new ambassador was being introduced. Klaus stood on one side as the next man came in.
"Introducing Stefan Salvatore, the ambassador from Milan!" the man yelled.
Stefan was a good-looking young man who strode into the room with confidence. He had brown hair with the eyes to match. He was wearing expensive cloth and a gold ring on almost every finger. A lot of the women were giving him satisfied looks. The Queen looked impressed with him.
"I greet you warmly to Scotland"
...
It was a beautiful night in Scotland. The stars shone like precious diamonds in the clear night sky. There was a comforting breeze in the air but it wasn't cold, in fact it was quite balmy. Caroline knew she had to make to most of the weather because nothing was more miserable then a Scottish winter. It was the night of the masquerade and she was in full costume. Her black mask had lust in Latin done in silvery letters.
She was wearing a black silk dress with a sash that was glittery and silver. Her friend Elena had a black silk dress as well but she had envy written in green on her mask and a green and glittery sash. They all had different colours; the Queen was pride and insisted on purple because it was the colour of royalty. Mary Seton was wearing blue as sloth and Fleming was a bright yellow as greedy. Beaton looked a bit insulted at being given grey by the Queen but she didn't say anything, she playing gluttony and then Livingston was red as wrath.
Nobody knew whom the men were that they were meant to tempt. The Queen wanted it to be a surprise. The whole court was watching the entertainments as they fell quiet when the Queen and her ladies entered to start the masquerade. The new ambassador from Milan was watching the entertainments when his eyes fell on a girl in green. She was beautiful and exotic. The woman didn't look Scottish, which made her mysterious.
The narrator was in the middle of the room dressed half in white and half in black he was a gentleman from the court.
"Here they come now!" he said in a loud and clear voice, "Pride, Sloth, Wrath, Greed, Envy, Lust and Gluttony"
The crowd gave mock boos that was mixed with laugher.
"Here are our brave knights!"
All of the men came in dressed in white as the crowd cheered. Caroline didn't like that the girls were the sins and the men were the heroes but she kept that to herself. If she ruined the Queen's masquerade then was would be ruined. The Queen began to sing and dance with her dance partner who was Bothwell. Caroline and the other ladies backed her up with a song. Then it was Elena's turn to dance and sing.
The other ladies stopped singing as Elena came forward and began her song she was dancing with Lord Kol who looked like he was enjoying himself. Elena looked a bit hesitant to be dancing with him; it was almost like Elena had been set up. Caroline looked back to the Queen who was wearing a nasty smirk on her face. What was all that about? Elena look relieved when her part was over but she still looked like she was too close to Lord Kol for comfort.
After the other's had had their go it was finally Caroline's turn. She entered into the centre to see the man was going to dance with. To her surprise it was Klaus Mikaelson. She tried not to let her surprise show as she began dancing with him. The song was played on as they danced barely touching of course but close enough to tempt. The dance was meant to symbolise lust and how to conquer it. So the dance was choreographed like that.
Caroline felt like she was in a dream as she danced with him. It was like the rest of the court wasn't there; it was just they and no one else. That was until the music ended and everyone began applauding. Elena was desperate to be away from Kol so as soon as she could she made her way over to Caroline. Kol grinned wickedly and left to go talk to the Queen.
"You were great Caroline" Elena beamed at her.
Klaus had left to go and find Kol and for some reason that made Caroline sad. Elena looked a bit anxious so Caroline took her to one side and asked her what was wrong.
"What troubles you so?" Caroline inquired.
Elena looked conflicted for a moment.
"I can't tell you all the details but Kol and I have a troubled past" Elena revealed, "Can we please talk about something else"
"Of course" Caroline agreed in a worried voice.
Across the room Kol was talking with the Queen who was still glowing from the dance.
"Thank you for pairing Elena with me" Kol thanked in his fake accent.
"Anytime Kol" Mary blushed slightly.
Klaus bowed at the Queen and a stiff nod at his brother who had to pretend he didn't know. He could tell that the Queen was incredibly fond of his brother, which was good. The Queen had to trust him completely. It was slightly amusing when the Queen introduced Kol like they've just met.
"This is the new English ambassador, Klaus Mikaelson" Mary smiled.
"Welcome to court" Kol said in return.
The Queen left to talk to someone else so the two brothers were left on their own. Klaus stood next to him and whispered so quietly that only Kol could hear.
"It seems like she trusts you" Klaus remarked.
Kol whispered back in the same tone as the music increased and people started going to the dance floor to dance.
"She does, the Scots Queen is putty for me" Kol grinned, "Poor darling"
"Before I left the Queen wished you to know that she's pleased with your progress" Klaus told his brother, "I'll meet you at the clock tower around midnight"
"I'll see you then" Kol said before leaving.
Stefan was scanning the crowd for that mysterious girl from the masquerade. It took him a good ten minutes but he eventually spotted her talking to one of her friends. She looked so beautiful and kind. Stefan asked his half-sister who that girl was because she was quite knowledgeable about these things.
"Who's that girl?" he asked Sarah in their home language.
Sarah had long black hair and clear skin. She was a typical Italian beauty. Sarah giggled at her brother's expense before answering him.
"She is beautiful isn't she?" Sarah laughed, "Your lucky Damon isn't here because he'd eat her for breakfast; she's just his type"
Stefan didn't laugh at his sister's joke instead he gave her a harsh look.
"I thought we agreed not to talk about Damon" Stefan said sharply, "Do you know who she is or not?"
"Lady Elena" she told him, "She's from Bulgaria"
Stefan summoned all his courage before going to talk to her. He was always nervous when it came to women.
"Go get her tiger!" his sarcastic sister called after him.
Elena was still talking to Caroline when Stefan approached. Stefan's Scottish was good but there's a difference from learning it in a classroom and using it in practise. He gave a quick bow when he'd reached them. Caroline smiled and said she had business elsewhere. Elena and Stefan were left alone.
"Good evening" Stefan greeted, "My name is Stefan Salvatore and I'm the new ambassador from Milan"
"Milan?" Elena smiled, "How are you coping with the weather?" Elena giggled.
Stefan smiled a shy smile; this girl was really pretty!
"It is difficult but I will adjust as I'm sure you had too" Stefan replied.
They made witty small talk for at least twenty minutes. All the while Kol was the looking at them in a predatory way. It was true that Kol had a history with Elena. He didn't like her talking to that boy so he decided to interrupt.
"Good evening" Kol said as he joined their conversation.
Both Elena and Stefan's smiles dropped the minute Kol decided to barge in. Elena gave him a sharp look before leaving the feast behind. Stefan looked at Kol with a sour expression before leaving. Kol decided to follow Elena out of the hall. The sound of the music was getting fainter as he made his way along the gallery. He could see Elena in front of him trying to run away.
"There's no need to run away" Kol said when they were in the garden's where no one could hear them.
Elena stopped and approached him she looked angry beyond words.
"You don't have to use your fake accent here!" Elena sneered, "Nobody can hear you"
Kol and Elena were close so he brought her to him and kissed her fiercely. Elena managed to break free and stepped back from him. The night was clear and she heard a bird above fly to some unknown destination. Elena was jealous of its freedom.
"Are you mad!" Elena spat, "I made it clear that I want nothing more to do with you. So what do you do? You make sure I have to dance with you at the masquerade and then you interrupt a nice man from talking to me. What's wrong with you?"
He tried grabbing her again but she dodged his advances.
"I said no!" Elena cried, "Remember Kol, I know your secret"
"But you can't tell the Queen for reasons we've already discussed" Kol looked smug, "So I guess your stuck with me for a while, Darling"
Kol left her to back to the party, Elena ran all the way back to her chambers.
She hated it when he called her Darling...or did she?
...
It was the end of the evening and Caroline was walking back to her chambers. It was well past midnight when she was walking up a corridor when she spotted Klaus sitting on one of the benches. Caroline smiled at him and wished him a good evening as she walked past.
"Will you sit with me for a while?" Klaus asked her.
Caroline looked a little confused but sat down next to him anyway. She was so tired from all the dancing and socialising that she just wanted to fall asleep. Caroline turned to look at Klaus who was looking intensely at her.
"Caroline, you are close to the Scottish Queen aren't you?" Klaus wondered.
She nodded sleepily as she waited for Klaus to continue.
"My sister is coming to Scotland" Klaus began, "I would like a place for her as one of the Queen's Ladies-in-waiting"
Caroline was suddenly wide-awake and very suspicious. She was looking at him as if she was sure of his purpose.
"You want a spy in the Queen's circle" Caroline guessed.
Before Klaus could get a word out she slapped him hard before standing up. Klaus joined her and met her eyes, which were clouded with anger. He never thought such a beautiful and delicate creature could be so angry.
"How dare you assume to know my true motives?" Klaus yelled at her.
"How dare you assume that I would be so stupid?" Caroline retorted, "You don't want to mess with a Scottish lass!"
Caroline hit him again hard before storming off. Did she just hit him? He couldn't help but grin as she went out of sight.
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