Bound

Hampton Court Palace

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN REIGN!! Also I'm taking some liberties because I can ☺️. I apologise for my grammar I am terrible at it, always have been. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy x

On a normal day the journey from Holyhead Palace to Hampton Court Palace (or any of the other London palaces that the Queen and her court chose to reside in) took 4 days. However, this was no normal day, when one receives a command from the monarch it is best to do it, or God help them there would be hell to pay. On this occasion, Matthew had completed the journey from Holyhead Palace to Hampton Court in a record 2 1/2 days only stopping to change horses.

Tired and weary, Matthew stumbled from his horse. Taking a second to regain his balance and gather his composure, Matthew threw the reigns to the nearest stable hand and rushed up the steps to the servant quarters. Trekking in a trail of black, oozing mud as he did so. His attentions were briefly diverted by the aromic smells that wafted into his path as he passed the large palace kitchens. A loud grumble came from his stomach, painfully reminding him that he had eaten little more than stale bread and water in 3 days. Fear of death overruled hunger, after all one cannot eat if one is dead!!

Matthew headed for the Queen's throne room. Rushing along the corridors filled with the bustling courtiers, crushing several velvet slippers in his wake. The speed at which the rowdy Scotsman pushed through the crowds did not escape the attention of the Englishmen as he passed. Within the hour word would spread of the messengers arrival and his desperation to speak with the Queen. It is a topic that would cause much speculation and would be a topic of gossip for several weeks to come; everyone determined to find out why this messenger was so desperate to speak with the Queen.

As Matthew entered the presence of the English Queen, he could not help but draw comparisons between the two monarchs. Seated on a ornate throne carved from English oak was Elizabeth 1st. She had the same fire kissed hair as her cousin, tied back into a tight bun, adorned with a crown of silver and diamonds fashioned into a series of roses. A tribute to her Plantagenet forbears and the emblem of her dynasty; a dynasty her father fought so hard to preserve. The delicate crown was paired with a dress of pale green velvet that made her hair ever more vibrant, but the most alluring feature of the English Queen her eyes; they were like hooks to the soul that once a victim was ensnared they could never escape. A feature that she had inherited from her late mother, Anne Boleyn. Although not your typical English rose, one could not deny that the English Queen was not beautiful.

Matthew humbly approached the monarch who he had heard so much about. Remembering the correct way to address a monarch he swept into a low bow, trembling as he did so whether from fear, awe or lack of sleep he was not sure. Most likely a combination of all three. It was the Queen who spoke first, "So do tell me what brings you this far south of the border in such haste."
In a low Scottish burr Matthew replied, " I have an urgent message from her majesty Queen Mary of Scotland. She sends her greetings and asks that you give you this letter and that it is for your eyes only."
This captured the Queen's attention, "very well then, hand it over." The Queen took the letter as she went to open the message she glanced up noticing that no one had moved.
"You are all dismissed, even you Robin" she cried in an authoritative tone, "I will send for you once I have a reply." She directed at the messenger. And so the court left the Queen to peruse the letter in peace. One question was on everybody's mind. What did Mary Queen of Scots want with Elizabeth 1st?