Unspoken

Jane x Archer - One Shot

"He's more myself
than I am.
Whatever our souls
are made of,
his and mine
are the same."

― Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

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Lady Jane Grey and Archer are characters from "My Lady Jane" a web series by Amazon Prime Video. Lady Jane Grey was the crowned queen until Mary usurped the Throne. Archer is the cult leader of the Ethians. The chemistry between those two characters was unexpected and made me realise that the showrunners should have explored it more. This scene is a hypothetical take on what could have happened after the end of season 1.

Enjoy!

~ Alex ~

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Edward has started to rally troops against Mary. The only reason that Archer attended these meetings was to see Jane, although she never shot a glance at him. She stayed like she never knew him. Archer was hurt. Nevertheless, he understood her silence. She must have been devastated after their last conversation. As a leader, he wanted to do the right thing for his people. Except, he secretly wished they met in a different world. Perhaps in a world where Verities and Ethians are respected alike, they could have had a better story; A story where a girl and a beast could live happily ever after.

The meeting ended as always. They must get more men and make new alliances to win this war. At the end, Edward looked at Archer and nodded at him. He already knew that Archer had plans to leave. Susannah was already a part of Edward's council. Archer was uncertain about Edward. But he trusted Susannah. Her charms and wit made her a good leader. She will protect their people.

***

Archer was no stranger to packing up and leaving. Ever since he was a boy he had been running away from one place to another. He always knew what to take and the things that he needed to leave.

Archer could hear that someone entered his tent. He had been an Ethian for a long time. He could always sense when an animal is nearby. Yet he didn't lift his head.

"I heard that you're leaving"

There she was alone. She was the most interesting woman he had ever seen- His queen, his weakness. A part of him was thrilled to finally have the opportunity to speak with her.

"Yes," He gave a short answer. He could feel the anger bubbling inside her, but he didn't look in her direction. "I'm leaving tonight".

"Why Spain?? Out of all the countries in the world you picked Spain where all the Ethians were wiped out of existence? Do you know how dangerous –"

"This is my choice Jane" he was calm. "Even though King Philip declared that it was "Ethian-free" there could be Ethians hiding in the countryside. Someone needs to help them"

"Huh, well that's interesting. Where were you when I was about to die" Archer could hear the tremble in Jane's voice.

"I am sorry. What I did was unforgivable. But I told you, I didn't want my people to die for Verities. That was not their fight. It was a clash between you and Mary for the throne ... and Edward" he paused for a moment "Do you know how many laws were introduced when Edward was the king?" Jane stared back. But Archer didn't want to stop, he could feel all the emotions that he had been bottled up for a long time were about to break out. He gazed at Jane, who appeared to be both sad and frustrated. "Edward was not a toddler. He was an educated royal, just like you. But he never understood the consequences of the laws that he established."

"Anyway good for him. Not everyone is as fortunate as the former king." he dumped the dress shirt angrily into his pack. The one he wore when they met for the first time- a memory that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

"The kingdom had forgotten his sins and ready to extend their fullest support to save England from Mary", he spat.

As he turned around, he noticed the tears in Jane's eyes.

"You never came", she quivered. "I believed in you."

"Do you think only Susannah came to rescue you?" he said softly, "I was there, even though you didn't notice me" he looked into her eyes, "You never saw me Jane. But never forget this. I will always be there for you ... until my last breath".

Archer lifted his pack. It was light but he could feel his heart weighing him down. He couldn't bring himself to look at Jane; he felt too vulnerable.

As Archer started to walk away, he could feel his heart yearning and tears welling inside his eyes. But he did not turn back. He was almost at the tent door when he suddenly felt the sharp point of a dagger on his back.

"Stop"

Jane's voice was shaking but he could hear the authority of her voice.

***

If this was a different story this could have been a funny moment. A cute little ferret was challenging the mighty bear. He could've crushed it with one blow.

"Please," she added softly.

Archer stopped and slowly turned towards her. "You have your people, your family, and your friends. They are going to win England back and everything will go back to normal - just the way you want. Until then you have everyone you love, right here Jane", he whispered.

"Except you"

Jane could not believe that she said it out loud. Was this love? Or lust? Perhaps her mother was right. When did she start to fall for Archer? She loves Guildford. This was something different- a feeling she couldn't put into words. They were the soul mates whose hearts and minds were bound to each other.

Archer slowly dragged the point of the dagger towards his heart and looked at her gently. "I cannot stay. I think you know why". Jane could feel the tears rolling down her eyes. She dropped the dagger and came closer.

***

Archer wanted to kiss her. This could be his only chance. But he was afraid of himself. He had been an animal for a long time. These emotions were something unknown to him. He had no idea what was going on in Jane's head right now and he did not want to take any risk. He had already hurt her feelings once. In order to protect her, he must leave the girl he loves. It's for her own good. Jane has a life in England. She is a royal. She is already married and has a family. He was just a passing presence in her life, and now it is time to leave.

He kissed her hands slowly and pressed his forehead against her.

"Promise that you will come back... for me?" she whispered.

Archer did not say anything. He closed his eyes.

Then Jane kissed him.

***

Maybe it was just for a few seconds or perhaps it lingered for a few minutes. But Archer felt that kiss lasted for a lifetime.

He opened his eyes and looked at her beautiful face. "Farewell... my queen" he murmured.

And then he took off.