The Queen's Reign

The Beginning

The Beginning

Arundel, May, 1510

Arundel was the kind of place where nothing really happened. It was a small village on the outskirts of Sussex that had remained quiet and peaceful for nearly a century. Arundel was governed by King Eric and his wife, the Lady Sophia. The two were expecting their first child, and the kingdom was excited and anxiously awaiting the birth of the royal baby.

King Eric was a kind man, and a just ruler. He was the kind of ruler that many of the townspeople had become used to. He never let his people go hungry, even going so far as to lend a hand with harvesting and spending his coins in the local markets before importing goods. Though not many people saw the demons that haunted his mind. Eric was getting older, Sophia and he had been trying to conceive a child for many years and this pregnancy could possibly be his only chance at securing an heir to the throne. And even then, only if the child was male. He worried that if they had a daughter, his fellow leaders would intervene. Or worse an outsider family may try and make a claim for the throne; possibly leading to a war. More than anything else, King Eric worried about the Lady Sophia. She had a delicate mind and was a rather fragile woman, and these days many husbands lost their wives to childbirth. Eric was not ignorant enough to think being royal excluded them from the harshness of the times.

As he paced outside in the gardens that surrounded the castle, he felt as if someone was following him. He turned only to find the Lady Sophia.

"Sophia, my dear, what are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be inside resting?" He leaned in to place a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I'm okay love, I just needed to get some air, besides I shan't let you do all of the worrying. This impacts both of us." Her hands cradled her growing stomach. The baby was to be expected any day now.

"I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to push my worries on to you. I know that stress isn't good for the child," he said placing his hand over Sophia's. "How are you fairing today?"

"As well as can be expected I suppose, although, I do rather feel so large that it wouldn't surprise me if I was giving birth to an army."

"My darling," Eric said gently, wrapping his arms around Sophia, "surely not an entire army, just one brave little knight."

"Or a princess." A look of sadness came over Sophia's face, "Would a baby girl really be such a disappointment to you Ric, I mean, she'll love you just the same, even more maybe that a little boy would."

"Oh Sophia, my love, I will love the child whether it is a son or a daughter, it's only that a daughter complicates things a little bit now, doesn't it. A strong boy ensures our safety, this kingdom's safety. We need an heir Sophia" he said with an irritated tone.

Sophia pulled herself away from Eric, a tear swelling in her eyes.

"I just wish it didn't have to be this way." She sighed.

The clock tower over the gardens began to chime; once, twice, five times. The fifth chime signalling to them that supper would soon be ready in the great hall. They made their way through the gardens, the scent of lilies and white roses filling the air. Eric stopped briefly to pick a white rose from the garden for Sophia. She smiled as he handed it to her.

"Do you remember walking through these gardens during our courtship?" she asked.

"Of course, I do," he chuckled, "I was so nervous, I nearly tripped over my own feet a few times."

"Yes, you did. But it wasn't your charismatic abilities that won me over, it was your heart; so kind and good. I miss those days sometimes. Things were simpler then. Back when we had time, it seems like we're running out lately doesn't it. Poor baby, Sophia caressed her stomach, not even here yet and already do much pressure on you."