The Lion and the Thistle
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or take any credit for it
Stirling Castle, Scotland
The hunting season was almost over but the Queen was anxious for one more hunt before the autumn began. It had been two weeks since they'd left Glamis Castle. The Queen wanted new surroundings so the whole court has moved to Stirling Castle. It was obvious that autumn was almost on its way. Some of the lush green leaves were turning brown already but the summer was not over. It was still warm and pleasant outside so the young Scottish Queen was making the most of it.
"Will you not join us for the hunt, Lady Caroline?" Mary asked her subject.
"I am not a hunter your Majesty" Caroline smiled, "I will stay behind and continue reading"
Queen Mary nodded and told her ladies to follow her. When they'd left Caroline sat down and got on with her Le Morte d'Arthur. It was a novel about the mythical English King. Caroline was enjoying it immensely as she read her well read copy. It was about handsome knights, damsels in distress, evil witches and magic. Caroline was half way through when a messenger came in with a letter in his hand.
"A letter for you Lady Caroline" said the slim boy of 12.
"Thank you" Caroline thanked the boy and she took the letter.
She paid the boy and he ran off to do some other errand. Caroline recognised the seal immediately it was the seal of her Father. Her interest was peaked so she opened the letter and read it's contents.
My sweet daughter,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. Your Mother sends her good wishes and hopes your settling in. I am writing to inform you that your Mother and I will be visiting the court next week. We are both looking forward to seeing you.
There is other news that I think you should know about. I am considering an appropriate husband for you. You are of age and it is high time to married. I hope you are being charming to the important men at court because many of them could use a wife like you.
Your loving Father,
William Forbes of Moray
Her family were coming? Caroline should be happy but she wasn't. She certainly didn't want a husband yet. Caroline was 17 and more than old enough to be married but she wanted to wait until she was at least twenty but apparently that wasn't to be. One of her servants came in and gave her a slight bow.
"There is a Klaus Mikaelson that's asking to come in" the man informed her.
Caroline didn't want to see him so she was about to shake her head but then curiosity took over her. Why was he coming to see her? Did he wish to explain himself? She decided to nod her head instead. The man went out and came back with Klaus. He was wearing a mix of green and red. The servant went out and left them alone.
"Did you not want to join the hunt?" Caroline asked him.
"I've already found who I was hunting for" Klaus grinned.
She tried not to smile but Klaus noticed her lips go up slightly.
"I wanted to explain about Lockwood" Klaus told her.
"Then explain"
Klaus and Caroline both sat down on the chairs by the window. The sun was bathing them in sunlight as Klaus began his story.
"Lockwood and I met in Germany when I was exiled during Bloody Mary's reign" Klaus began, "He was a loyal friend as we were both exiled from our homeland. We both soon became fast friends. What I didn't know is there was a plot to kidnap me and drag me back to England. It turns out that Tyler was working for them all along. I was so offended that I lashed out and killed his mother"
Caroline had been listening intently to his story. She did feel sorry for him because his friend betrayed him but then again Klaus should've lashed out at Tyler and not his Mother. The poor woman hadn't done anything wrong. Caroline could never understand why people blame someone on their family's mistakes. Your not responsible for what your family does.
"Why did you kill Tyler instead?" Caroline asked him.
"Because I didn't want to kill him" Klaus looked hurt at the memory, "I wanted to hurt him for betraying me"
"Well" Caroline said softly, "Thank you for being honest with me"
She seemed to be processing the information. Klaus could tell that she was conflicted in what she was feeling.
"I will leave you to your thoughts" Klaus said, "I just wanted you to know the truth"
Klaus kissed her softly on the lips before leaving. Now Caroline was more confused then ever.
Chateau de Vincennes, Paris, France
"What do you miss most about the outside world?" Katherine asked Elijah.
Katherine has been his cellmate for a few months now and he was enjoying the company. Elijah had been in this cell for four years with nothing but his thoughts. So you can why Elijah thought Katherine was heaven sent to relieve his intense boredom and despair. When he was free he was a man who liked to stay active, he wasn't the type to stay in one place for too long.
What did he miss the most about the outside world? Sometimes his former life seems like a dream that that this hard, cold grey walls of the cell were the only reality. Elijah sometimes felt like he was slipping into madness but he always kept it at bay by thinking of his family. Elijah remembered saying goodbye to his family before he left for France. Everyone but Klaus of course who had been exiled in Germany at the time. He's heard of the old Queen death from some of the guards. Her sister must be Queen now of course and that means Klaus was back in England.
"I miss my family and I miss the feel of sunlight on my skin" Elijah replied.
They were sitting next to each other in that depressing cell. Katherine was great company to while away to endless hours. He really thought that he'd grown to have feelings for the pretty girl. Suddenly they heard the sound of the door being unlocked. Elijah was confused they never opened the door so late in the afternoon. One of the guards came in with a familiar female. It was Freya Mikaelson, his sister.
"Your free brother" she told him with delight.
Stirling Castle, Scotland
Caroline greeted her parents as they arrived at the castle. She and some of their attendants were waiting outside. There was a slight chill in the air as her parents got out of the carriage. Lady Elizabeth Forbes was dressed in a dark blue dress while her husband Lord William Forbes of Moray dress in a rich yellow that practically glowed in the sunlight. Both of her parents greeted her warmly as they went inside the have a drink of warm ale by the fire.
She told them almost everything about court life so far. Everything accept her relationship with a certain Englishman or Sassenach as her father could have called him. When Caroline was finished talking her father suddenly looked serious as he began to speak.
"As I said in my letter you are now old enough to marry," her Father said sternly, "I have been thinking about some candidates for you to wed"
Caroline was 17 and more than old enough to be married but she didn't want to marry just to further her father's political power. There are plenty of couples that get married before their 12th birthday. King Richard II of England's second wife Isabella of Valois got married when she was only seven years old! Of course by church law they have to wait until they're 12 until they can consummate the marriage. The English Queen's own great-grandmother, Margaret Beaufort had Henry VII when she was just 13. So at 17 Caroline was ripe for marriage.
"Who are you thinking of?" Caroline asked in a worried tone.
Her Father looked a bit irritated at her clear lack of enthusiasm.
"First of all" Caroline Father said slowly, "I want to know if you've been courting anyone"
What should she say? Caroline knew she couldn't mention Klaus, as that wouldn't go very well. She didn't want her father to marry her off to some man she barely knew but that was life for woman. Many didn't meet their husbands until the wedding. Marriage isn't love like it is in romantic poems, marriage is just business.
"Nobody Father" Caroline lied.
"I have been thinking about few possible matches but I'll try and find someone I can trust to take my girl"
...
Lombardy, Milan
Damon and his rescuer were walking through the chaotic markets of the city centre. Everything from bread to priceless jewels was being sold as the citizens bought and traded their goods. A mix of the poorest to the richest was on the prowl for a good deal. The sound of the sellers voices advertising their goods rang clear amidst the sound of people.
The Spanish troops were among those in the market. Some were guarding and some were buying. The Spanish has occupied Milan since 1535 it was part of their huge and ever expanding Empire. Damon and the guard didn't buy anything in the markets they went directly into one of the city's many taverns. It was the usual smell of people and alcohol that greeted them when they came in.
It was packed with people who was either drunk or who soon will be. There was the sound of an old folk song playing that had many drunks dancing but Damon and his rescuer left all that for a private room in the back. In this room was a table but no windows. There was an old candle placed in the middle to give them some light. There was someone already there; it was a face he knew well. His rescuer was none other then Bonnie.
Stirling Castle, Scotland
It was James Stewart's birthday and every noble family in the land was invited to the celebrations. His sister has planned a masquerade and various other entertainments for her brother. The Queen loves to plan parties so she took up all the party planning herself but with some help from her ladies in waiting. All the foreign ambassadors would be invited of course. Mary was keen to make this a grand occasion. If it was up to James he would celebrate with a private dinner with his closest friends and family but his sister was having none of it.
James Stewart was currently in his office. He wasn't too fond of his sister was French in all but birth. James didn't think it was right that someone who practically a stranger to rule Scotland. He didn't like obeying a woman, especially a woman with a French accent. If he could he would get himself legitimised so he could be King. These were treasonous thoughts that had to be kept at bay...for now.
One of his servants came in and announced that William of Moray was there. He suddenly remembered that he was Caroline's father. Caroline was beautiful and graceful. He did like her but he didn't think she had much of an interest in him.
"It's great to back at Court" William after he's sat down in front on him.
"It's is great to see you back" James told him, "I've noticed your daughter at court. She is as beautiful as her mother"
"That's very kind of you to say so" William nodded, "I think it's time that she were married"
"Did you have anyone in mind?" James asked him.
"A few" he admitted, "She said she hasn't been courting anyone-"
"That's not true" James interrupted.
So the girl lied to her father? This conversation was going to be interesting. William looked a shocked. Surely if his daughter had to lie to him the man must be someone he'd never approve of.
"Who are you speaking of?" his voice was as cold as ice.
"Klaus Mikaelson of England"
...
Caroline is sitting down on the warm grass it was a sunny day and the ground was warm and welcoming. She closed her eyes and breathed in as she felt nature around her. The gentle wind was softly slapping her cheek and roughing up her hair. Caroline loved to escape from the court intrigues by being alone with nature. Her solace wasn't for long because she felt and heard someone sit next to her. She opened her eyes to reveal Klaus sitting on the warm grass.
"Why are you here?" Caroline wondered.
"To see how you are" Klaus answered.
"Do you kill other people's mother's often?" Caroline asked him.
Klaus couldn't help but chuckle at the question.
"No love" Klaus explained, "That was the first and only time I lashed like that"
He began gently stroking her hair as he came closer. Caroline didn't fight this time as he slowly began kissing her. It began slow but moved on to become faster and more desperate but before they could do anything else they were interrupted by Caroline's Father.
"Get off my daughter Sir!"
Stirling, Scotland
In Stirling itself was a wool merchant's house that lay close to the city centre. There lived a couple in their forties. Mr and Mrs Dunn were reasonably wealthy people and a happy couple who had married for love at fifteen and have been strong together ever since. Lewis Dunn was a successful merchant and a well-respected man about town. Martha Dunn was known to be a great beauty and for having a kind heart. The only sorrow in their lives was that they could never have children.
One night almost 1 year and 9 months ago a Bulgarian woman who was about to give birth landed on their doorstep...
Stirling, Scotland 1561
It was a freezing January night and the Dunn's had just finished eating their dinner. They had a cook and a cleaner such was their wealth. The cook was cleaning the dishes, as the Dunn's were about to retire to the parlour. Martha Dunn had always wanted children but it was not to be. She was 45 now so it was too late for her. This made this kind woman incredibly sad. Little did she know that God had answered her prayers!
A young woman was banging at the door. It was pouring with rain outside so Martha opened the door to reveal a Bulgarian girl was frozen to the bone. Her clothes were expensive but ruined by the rain. It was obvious that this girl was of the nobility but that's not what made her gasp. This girl was heavily pregnant and by the painful sounds she was making the girl was about to give birth.
"Please let me come in!" the girl begged.
Martha nodded and let the girl come in closing the door rapidly behind her. She called for Joan (the cook) and Greta (the cleaner) to come an assist her. Her husband also came to help as he ordered Joan to make up the spare bedroom and for Greta to find a midwife. Both girls rushed to do their tasks. Lewis and Martha helped the young girl up to the bedroom. Inside Joan was frantically making the bed comfortable. When she was done the Dunn's gently put the girl on the bed.
The girl screamed and some water came out on the bed. Martha has been present at enough births to know that the girl was about to give birth.
"What's your name?" Martha asked the girl.
"Elena" was all she said before screaming again.
A few minutes later Greta came back with a midwife. The midwife was well into her fifties she had a stern no nonsense demeanour and she skipped the niceties and went straight to business. The girl was short but painfully Elena struggled by Martha and Lewis were calming her and bring her hot drinks to warm her body. The midwife was stern but effective. Elena gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
The baby was handed to her and Elena never thought she could love anything that much. It was tiny but completely helpless the baby's father had wanted to kill it but Elena had managed to runaway. She's gotten as far as Stirling but then she started having labour pains so she knocked on the nearest door. Elena knew she couldn't raise her child and it made her sad. Elena didn't want Kol to know that their child was still alive.
"What's wrong dear?" Martha asked.
"I can't raise my child and not just because of the shame" Elena cried, "There are other reasons why I can't"
Martha's heart broke to see this poor girl. Then a solution popped inside her brain.
"We are childless" Martha explained, "We could raise your child for you and you can visit her anytime you want"
Elena began crying all over again. She was overwhelmed by these people's kindness. She nodded and then hugged her tightly. Martha was having mixed emotions. It was tragic that this woman couldn't raise her child but then again she was overcome with joy at the prospect of raising the child.
"What are you going to call her?" Lewis wondered.
"Katherine" Elena smiled, "After my late sister"
"I think that's a wonderful name" Martha beamed.
Stirling, Scotland, 1562
Elena knocked on the Dunn's door and waited for a reply. Martha Dunn opened the door as smiled at the young woman.
"Come in" Martha said welcomingly.
"How is my daughter?" Elena asked when she came in.
Without Elena knowing Kol had hired someone to follow her and he'd heard every word...
Please Review!