I do not own the WWE or any of the characters associated with it. I only own Rose and her family.
Chapter 19
Dinner was an affair to remember. Marcus had pulled out all the stops. The table was dressed in the finest fabric and he was wearing the most glorious velvet. She sat next to him as was custom and since they were still married, there was no reason to have another marriage ceremony. This seemed to do well for the both of them.
"Comfortable?" Marcus asked as they sat down. Rose nodded. "You look lovely this evening."
"Thank you, my lord." Rose replied shyly. "You look very handsome this evening."
"Rose, I want you to be comfortable. I only said the things I said because I was angry. I have a very bad temper. You knew this when we first met; when I forced you to say my name." Marcus began. "Let me finish please. I want you to have a good life. I know I've done some horrible things, but I want you and I to start fresh. I want us to grow and love each other. I might not age, but I promise you that I will take care of you and look after all of your children."
"Marcus, that's very kind of you. I think we do need to start fresh and I think that you need to realize that Richard is almost, if not more hotheaded than you. He is your son after all." Rose smiled. "He told me once that he wanted to be just like you. He didn't care that you were cruel. He said that he always treated Mother with respect and I'll be so with my wife."
"Richard is an exceptional young man. He has skill and I would love to train him to be my successor. I want him to come home Rose. Do you know where he would have gone?" She shook her head. "I hope he comes home soon. I know your heart can't take not knowing where he is."
"Marcus, I don't know if I can take you two having so much animosity between you." Rose sighed and sipped her wine. "The fact is that he thinks you are a monster because you murdered the High King in front of his wife in cold blood. He cannot easily forgive something of that magnitude. No matter how much we might wish for it."
"I'm not going to kill my only son." Rose looked at him. "You shouldn't have any more children. You have had childbed fever six times. A lesser woman would have died with the child."
"Marcus, I am stronger than I look."
"I know, love. I just wish the other children would look on me as a father and not a monster."
"They think you are a monster because you seemingly banished their elder brother. Marcus, you can be a strong ruler without being cruel. Don't give your minions the run of the land. Don't let the people live in fear of you as they once did. Evelyn was reduced to slavery because she displeased you."
"She insulted you." Marcus seethed.
"It may be, but you didn't have to take such drastic measures. A day in the stocks would have been enough for her to learn her lesson. Now she scrubs floors and cooks the meals for the other servants in the castle." Rose replied softly.
"You have a good heart Rose. The children need that and I hope you can teach them to have a good heart." Marcus smiled at her.
"I hope so too, Marcus. There need not be animosity between us."
"You are the peacekeeping queen, aren't you?" Marcus quipped.
"I have stopped many a young knights thirsting for bloodshed in the High King's court. I hope to be the same to you."
"Of course. Rose, I always will need you." Marcus confessed. "That must not leave this room."
"Of course not, my lord. I keep your counsel as I kept Richard's." Rose got up from her place. "I would like to retire if that is fine with you, my lord."
"Good night, Rose. I'm going to look over some parchment and send out decrees." Marcus looked at her. "I love you."
"I love you too Marcus."
-:-:-:-
Five years had passed, the High Queen Rose had died of some sickness. The doctors could not save her and King Marcus had been devastated. The kingdom was in a state of mourning and no one but Theresa could console the King. Prince Richard had not been seen for years.
The royal children wept for their mother. Theresa, at almost sixteen, became advisor to the King much like her mother had. Maria at fourteen, was entered into marriage negotiating with the Scots to the North and Vivian, at thirteen was learning to defend herself with a sword from an older Lord Adam. Edward, at eleven had been groomed to be the new heir if Richard didn't return in such a time for Marcus to step down from the throne.
"My lord, I wish to go for a walk. This afternoon, the Scots are going to ask for Maria's hand and you must give them an answer." Theresa advised gently, dressed in a red gown.
"Your mother was your age when I first laid eyes on her." Marcus said absently.
"Father, it's been almost a year. You must carry on. The kingdom needs you. We need you." Theresa smiled gently. "Please, for the sake of your people."
"Of course. You're right. You have a wonderful heart, Theresa. Of course you may go for a walk." He turned to look out the window. "Take your dagger with you."
Theresa curtsied and left him in the throne room. On her way out, she found Vivian and Edward having a duel while Lord Adam looked on. "Be careful you two."
"Where are you going, Theresa?" Vivian asked, parrying her brother.
"To the town." Theresa replied, putting her cloak hood up. The black suited her raven hair and her father always said she looked more like him, but with her mother's spirit.
Losing her mother had been hard, but perhaps, she could smile that the Goddess now looked after her mother. Maria had been hit very hard by it and asked her King to put off marriage negotiations until she had properly mourned. The King had obliged and Vivian helped her older sister through the loss. Vivian had always been the strongest of the girls after Theresa herself. At least Maria was going to the North, which was a fortnight's ride if there was good weather with the carriage.
Theresa walked down the path, her red gown glistening in the morning sun. She came to a stall and looked at the riches it had to offer.
"You don't want to buy that, my lady." A voice said.
"Why not?"
"This merchant works for the King."
"Why would I mind that he works for the King?"
"The King is a tyrant."
"I see. What basis do you have for your information?"
"Follow me and find out." The man stepped from the shadows and beckoned her to follow him once more, leading her into the forest. Drawing her dagger and knowing better, she followed, wary of an ambush.
"What have you brought me, Tristan?" A voice boomed. It sounded familiar.
"A court lady, Your Grace." The stranger answered.
"A court lady. My, my. I'm sorry that you were treated harshly, my lady. Let's give you a once over, shall we?" The voice threw back her hood and she braced for jeers, but none came. "Theresa?"
"Who are you? How do you know my name?"
"It's me. Richard." The voice stepped closer to her and into the light.
"Richard? Where have you been? We were worried sick and when Mother died, we were sure you would come home to us." Theresa held out her hand. "Come home, Richard. Father will forgive you, I promise."
"What are you his new lackey now?" Richard sneered.
"I have the job of doing what Mother did. I am the peacekeeper of the court. Maria is going to Scotland in a few days and Vivian will probably go somewhere else. Edward is heir to the throne."
"You have no marriage prospects?" Richard asked, amused.
"I have no interest in marrying outside of the court. Father is happy for that."
"I can't go back, Theresa."
"He grieves for his wife and is suffering since you left us." Theresa looked into his eyes. Her green eyes piercing his soul. "I know that you have suffered so, but you need to take your place as heir. This kingdom needs a good leader after Father and Edward is not strong enough." Theresa seemed to really want him to come home.
Richard pondered for a moment. "I'll come home on your birthday. When is it?"
"Tomorrow. Father would want his spirits lifted. There will be a joust with the younger knights. I'll choose you as my champion. Here." She handed him a ribbon. The same ribbon that her mother had handed Lord Adam a very long time ago. "That is your token. Go to the joust field and find Lord Adam. If you show him that, he will happily oblige your every need."
He looked at her. "Why are you being so nice?"
"I'm the peacekeeper, Richard. It's my job to be nice."