𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄 || 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐿𝑋𝑋𝐼𝐼

~The Land of Might Have Been~

19th of May The Tower of London, England....

"Do you know, Will?" James said, looking across at his cell mate from his straw bed "This place is really starting to smell"
"Well, that's what I get for living with a Frenchman for a month" Will quipped, grinning and James grinned back. Even in their darkest days the man was hardly ever void of a smile.

"I could say the same about living with an Englishman. Perhaps by the end I'll die of your foreign stench"
"You wouldn't dare!" Will laughed "You want to see your nephew on the throne, as do I"
"And I count the days till that dream comes to fruition for I know it will"
"As do I, my friend and regret that we lie here instead of aiding our King"

"He knows we are with him" James murmured "in spirit if not in body"
"I hope my Kate is safe...."
"She is with Connie. In sanctuary the Woodvilles cannot touch them"

"And how long do you think they will keep to that?" Will replied with a sudden grimness "They have already stolen the throne, crafted their own false parliament. They have broken the laws of the land, how long until they break the laws of God? At least you do not have children to worry about"

"That's true....."
"You know, James, you never told me why you came back to England two years ago. You seemed so happy across the sea in Florence"
James sighed, leaning his head back against the wall.
"Yes I did" He said "I missed my sister"
"And that is an excuse to return from paradise upon Earth, is it?" Will rolled onto his back, folding his hands behind his head "Did a woman jilt you? Your mistress perhaps? Remember I have been to brothels with you before so you can't say women hold no appeal for you at all!"

James chuckled, shaking his head.
"I have had mistresses, Will, most men have but not this time. It was...." He hesitated, biting his lip before he continued "a friend....a very good friend who died. That's why I came back but....I would like to return to pay my respects at his grave. At the time....I could not face it...."
"His?" Will echoed "and what was this friend's name, pray tell?"

James swallowed, hesitating again. He'd come this far, he thought, why stop when Will would only badger him until he was in possession of the whole truth. Besides, for some unknown reason, it seemed right.
"Giovanni" He answered "though I always called him Scimmia" Will barked out a laugh.
"Monkey!" He crowed with delight "Why?"
"Because he was as nimble as a monkey and twice as wayward! Or he was....until a fever swept him from me"

"Does Connie know of him?"
"No"
"Why?"
"God, you really are a nosy bastard aren't you!" James cried, making Will laugh again. He was no stranger to prying at the best of times but now he was bored and ten times worse! "If you must know I didn't want anyone to know of him! I wanted to keep him to myself and so I did!"