apter 9
-Edinburgh, late winter 1562-
Elizabeth arrived safely, fortunately, though nobody tried to kidnap her so they were no closer to discovering the traitors. She was heavily guarded, but she had a pretty free roam of the castle which surprised her. She had always heard horrid things of Scotland and while she preferred England, Scotland had its charm. Her favorite part though was being around people again, especially Mary's ladies who she was getting to know better in the nursery. She wasn't allowed actually near the court but being in the palace is enough. In the nursery Elizabeth look at Francis's son John, Greer's son George, Kenna's Alban, and even James; if she played her cards right any one of those boys could be Anne's betrothed. She knew James was a long shot but if Mary trusted Elizabeth enough it would be a way to bring their bloodlines together, preventing future wars between the lines. She was still depressed over giving up another chance to be Queen but she refused to leave her daughter the same way she lost hers. She unfortunately hadn't seen much of Mary for she was too busy for much of anything dealing with the Scots and this rebellion.
One day she was walking through the gardens enjoying the first sunny day since she arrived when she heard something bushling in the gardens. She began to panic when she heard a giggle, the voice sounded familiar so she decided to investigate; but she did not expect to see what she found. She rounded the corner to find Lady Kenna and Lord Bothwell in an...intimate embrace.
"Oh, oh lord I'm sorry!" She exclaimed turning back around.
"Oh no, Elizabeth wait!" Kenna yelled fixing her dress and chasing after the former queen, "let me explain."
Elizabeth waited for her friend, "Kenna you really don't need to explain, truly I am the last person you have to explain too."
"Bash and I are estranged, it's why I am here and he's ruling England until Marie de Guise's return. He and I have an agreement and James treats me well and.." Kenna didn't know what else to say.
"I'm sorry to hear about you and Bash but I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy. Truly I am not judging you, just be careful." Elizabeth said smiling. She then left her Kenna and Bothwell behind to themselves. As she walked through the garden she was surprised to see Francis come looking for her. "Your majesty, how may I help you?"
"Queen Mary is looking for you, I thought I would escort you to her." Francis said.
"This doesn't have anything to do with me walking in the gardens is it? Think I'm trying to run?" Elizabeth joked.
"Well you would really leave Anne and Robert?" Francis chuckled holding his arm out for her. They arrived in the office Mary and Francis shared; it used to be her father's and no one has used it since his death.
"Elizabeth!" Mary smiled, "please sit."
"Is something wrong cousin?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, actually it's incredibly right. I have news for you, a lot actually so I'd like for you to let me finish before you comment." Elizabeth nodded as Mary took a deep breath."We have discovered who was behind the plots, unfortunately we can't tie any of it to Knox but we discovered it was led by Lord Ruthven from inside. He hasn't been found yet though Painfully to me it was the Scottish, not the English who planned this. This ordeal has revealed a lot to me. So here's the deal: you are clearly loyal but you are still-" she was cut off by the sound of her remaining guard barging and blocking the door.
"Hide," was the only thing got out before spitting out blood and collapsing. Mary stood up and grabbed Elizabeth. Her father and the Kings before her used this office because it has an escape route. Elizabeth just disappeared behind the curtain when the door burst open. Mary stepped away to ensure Elizabeth's safety and grabbed a sword while Francis pulled his off his side. She wasn't the best with a sword but Francis had at least taught her to defend herself. She wasn't sure letting Elizabeth go was the best idea but it was too late.
Five men burst into the room surprised to see only the two royals there, "Where's the bastard queen?" Ruthven demanded.
Mary looked at them for a moment, "This was your plan all along. Kill all three of us and then what?"
"Raise your son to be the King we want him to be." some random man replied.
She laughed a little. "you think James Earl of Moray, Catherine de Medici, and Marie de Guise would let you keep my son? You really thought we wouldn't be able to discover your treachery? Maybe if i was just Queen of Scots, but not with the world watching. You are pathetic."
"You dare to speak to us like that whore. We are patriots" Ruthven snapped.
"Queen. She is your Queen. This is treason making you a traitor. Surrender now and we will hang you instead of being drawn and quartered." Francis replied moving in front of his wife.
Before anyone could say anything else there was a noise only Mary could hear from her spot. Elizabeth strutted straight into room and stood next to Mary silently. Next came James, Bothwell, Darnley, and about twenty guards. Another 20 stood behind the main entrance.
Elizabeth was the one to speak, "I'm sorry Ruthven but this plot and any future plots of yours are officially done. You are a weak, petty man.."
"I'm weak?! You gave up your crown, this concept of you both living peacefully is unnatural!" Ruthven roared.
"I made sacrifices for peace and while it pains me everyday, i miss it everyday, but I made the right choice. There isn't a day I regret that choice. You will regret this one. I promise you that." Elizabeth hissed.
Mary had never seen this side of her cousin before. "Guards arrest and torture them. Make sure there aren't more of them." Everyone but Mary and Elizabeth left.
Once they left Mary hugged Elizabeth, "Thank you so much. You could've left us for dead."
"I miss being Queen but family is something I craved long before it was even an option for me to rule." Elizabeth replied.
"Well then, go ahead and sit back down I want to finish what I was saying. Unfortunately you are still a threat, but i believe loyalty deserves reward and you have far past earned some. I know you have been left in an odd position:a dowager queen with no title or income. I am recreating the title Marquess of Pembroke and restoring Robert as Earl of Leicester. With your permission I want to set an engagement between your sweet Anne and Francis's John. Ensuring your children will always be of high ranking. I also want to slowly allow you back to court. Unfortunately I can't lessen how watched you are so you will remain in Eltham for now. You may only leave when invited to court which will start here in Scotland before we ride to France together. I hope in the next few years our nations will accept our arrangement and I can give you many more freedoms." Mary said trying to gage Elizabeth's reaction. She was almost in tears staring at the peerage. Her mother Anne was the first to hold this title in her own right, it should've been Elizabeth's before her father had her mother beheaded. This alone meant so much she barely registered the rest of the information. John may have been a bastard but he was claimed, a baron, and expected to rise. She was secretly hoping for James but John will do nicely. As for returning to court on occasion, she couldn't believe. All that could come out was a distorted thank you before she broke down in tears. It had been a lonely year and finally her suffering was paying off. Mary rushed to hug her cousin.