On The Way

It was a calm and clear summer day, but five year old Elizabeth Weir with her shoulder length curly brown hair and her shining hazel eyes was anything but calm. As she rode in the coach with her mother, Queen Victoria she played absentmindedly with the gold heart shaped locket that was hung around her neck. It had been given to her by a visiting prince, the very same prince that she was on her way to meet.

You will love him Elizabeth dear, Queen Victoria had told her daughter sympathetically. He was your age when you were born and I do believe that you will be the best of friends.

But Elizabeth wasn't sure.

Despite her concerns she kept quiet like the good and dutiful daughter that she was and just smiled. But as every mile passed, her smile began to falter and it was something that her mother noticed.

"Cheer up child." She stated firmly as she looked up from her needle work. "We are almost at the castle belonging to King William and-"

"And Prince John as well."

Queen Victoria nodded. "Yes child. Prince John will be there."

"I don't want to meet him mamma."

"Well I wish you would." Queen Victoria stated with another sigh. "He is your betrothed after all."

"Betrothe?" Elizabeth asked looking up in confusion. "Mamma what is that?"

"It is a state of engagement." She explained half-heartedly before she saw the continuing confusion on her daughters face. "It means little princess that you are to marry Prince John."

'Marry?!' The word was so strange to her and while Victoria continued talking, Elizabeth sat there in utter shock. 'How am I to marry, I am only five!'

"Of course the actual ceremony will not take place until the both of you are much older." Queen Victoria continued with a bemused smile. "I expect that by your sixteenth summer together or so you both shall be wed."

"Sixteen?" Once again, Elizabeth was at a loss for words something that she had rarely experienced in her five short years.

"Of course my darling," Queen Victoria assured as the carriage rumbled to a stop. "You do not think that I would be sending of my baby girl did you now?"

"No." Elizabeth lied as the carriage door was opened allowing light to flood in. "No of course not."