The Star King

The Sweetest Dream And The Worst Nightmare

Elisabeth limped into the tent her head slightly spinning. She stopped looking around. The tent was huge a lot bigger than she had ever imagined. Everything was neat and ordered. A simple wooden double bed sat in one corner of the tent she blushed as she stared at it and gave a small giggle. At the end of the bed was a beautiful ornate wooden trunk.

A large oak table dominated the middle of the tent with a gigantic map of France on with little wooden pieces and arrows marked across it.

Henry stood by a small desk. She could see parchments littered across it. He picked up a golden, ornate jug that sparkled in the dim light. The crystal blue and green gems reflected brightly. Henry poured red wine into two golden cups. He didn't look at her. She watched him, enthralled by him, even pouring a cup of wine he somehow managed to make look seductive. She felt herself go red again and shook her head trying to banish such thoughts.

"You wanted to see me" she stopped unsure if to call him Hal or Lord so she said neither. Unsure of what to do next she gave an unsteady bow.

He strode slowly towards her with the cups in his hand.

" You may rise".

His tone was so formal it shocked her a little. She wondered if she had done something wrong as he handed her the cup.  Their fingers brushed and the familiar warm fire spread through her body as her brain remembered the kiss they had shared earlier. She looked down at the red liquid and took a sip, it was warm and fruity.

Henry turned and strode back towards the desk and suddenly with a force that made her jump he slammed down his cup, making her spill most of hers, she stared at him wide-eyed. So far he hadn't even glanced at her once, a sinking feeling came in the pit of her stomach, something was wrong.

" What is it, Hal?".

He didn't turn or answer he just stood, staring intently at the walls of the tent facing the table. His hands now outstretched as he leaned over the table, lowering his tawny head.

Elisabeth felt so confused. She desperately wanted to comfort him but didn't know what was wrong. He suddenly turned towards her and looked at her with a look that pierced her heart.

His ocean blue eyes glistened in the candlelight. They were filled with sorrow and pain she wanted to run to him and throw her arms around his neck and kiss him but instead, she just stood with her cup in hand suddenly feeling very sober.

After a long silence where he just looked at her intently, she spoke again but found her words meaningless.

 " Hal. You have just won a battle and yet you look like you have just lost one."

She waited for him to respond but he just sighed, turning his head away for a moment before striding past her to the flaps behind as he passed her she felt a slight breeze on her skin.

He barked some orders at the guards not to let anyone in under any circumstance then he shut the flaps again pulling them shut roughly. Striding back past her as if she didn't exist he walked back to the desk and poured another cup downing it quickly before pouring another.

Feeling slightly fed up and wanting to know what was going on Elisabeth spoke again.

" You wished to see me and yet you won't talk. Please just tell me what it is that you are trying so hard not to say, otherwise I shall have to leave my Lord."

With that, he set down his cup and strode back towards her standing so close that she could smell the wooden smell of the fire on him.

 " Please don't go, please don't."

His eyes still glistened as she looked up at him. He looked as if he might cry. Elisabeth felt her heart crack. He took her hand and kissed it softly. She felt the stubble tickle her gently, then he drew back slightly still holding onto it as if it were made of glass.

" I love you".

 He said quietly after some time. She stared at him feeling her cheeks go red.

  " I know".

 She whispered back. He broke away, dropping her hand instantly making her feel cold.

" I want you to understand. No, I need you to understand, that I have never said that before to any woman and really meant it, but with you I..".

 He ran a hand through his hair turning away.

Elisabeth looked back down at her cup of wine almost forgetting that she had one. Her heart was pounding and she suddenly felt very afraid of what he was about to say.

" Elisabeth, my Uncle has promised my hand in marriage to Charles's daughter Catherine."

 He said almost to himself. She gulped trying to keep calm, feeling her heart slowly crack. Like glass, she felt the lines appear.

  " And so you should, it makes sense". 

She stopped. She couldn't quite believe that she had just said that. He looked up, shock written on his beautiful face.

She wanted to run at him and cry in his arms but she had lost all nerve and the pain had come back into her leg. This dream had turned into a nightmare. She had known from the start that it was impossible to love a King but she had been so happy, especially when he had asked for her hand in marriage, now she was suffering and everything had become an absolute mess.

" You can forge a relationship with France and put an end to all the fighting. England needs peace".

Her voice almost faltered as she battled with the tears that threatened to come. She downed her cup refusing to cry and admit that her heart had broken into a thousand pieces.

" I should go" she whispered and looked at him, determined not to show how hurt she was. She could see him struggling with her reaction, he hadn't expected this. He gave her a sad smile.

"You are right. You speak wise council.  I would expect nothing less from you. I am truly sorry Elisabeth."

Elisabeth set down her cup giving one last bow she went to leave.