Snakes In The Garden

Many Meetings

Rose POV:
I took a deep breath as Margaret thought about what we had said. Luc had asked for permission to marry me and she had gone silent. When she spoke it was to ask a question.

"I love little stories like this! So romantic, full meaning. I do have a question. Does Anne know about this?"

"Oh yes, of course." I said smiling. Luc had agreed to let me do most of the talking.

"You said you met through Count Dagon. Are you a cousin of his?" I held my breath as Luc answered.

"No, your Majesty. My grandfather was a high up servant of his manor."

I internally winced at her reply. "I see..... Well in would love to hear more!"

I was surprised and about to speak, but she beat me too it. "Although, I believe Anne was looking for you, my dear."

"Of course." I nodded and stood giving Luc a smile, but as I walked out it turned into a frown.

Anne POV:

I walked slowly down to the waters edge, enjoying the feeling of the cool breeze in my hair and the soft, damp grass under my boots. My lean dog, Jack, nudged against me as I ran my hands through the edge of the lake. "Hey boy." I smiled at him and ruffled his fur.

I sat down on my knees, trying not to smudge my dress too much in the dirt and looked at the pebbles. There were all, kinds of them; grey, white, black, and even some blueish ones. Suddenly a thought struck me.

I began gathering up some of the rocks. Focusing on the ones that were shiny or had swirling patterns etched on them. Just as I had my eye on a nice, smooth black one Jack barked loudly. I dropped the pebbles I was holding and stood up, scolding my dog until I realized he was running away.

"Jack!" He kept running towards the woods on the far side of the castle grounds. "Jack!!! Come back!" I pulled my skirt up a bit and began to run after him, still yelling his name. Jack now high tailed it straight into the woods.

I sighed and ran after him, thinking he couldn't have gone far. Suddenly there was a shout behind me "Stop! Your majesty, stop!" And a firm hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back onto the lawn.

"Its my dog he-" Sebastian, the kings bastard was staring at me through fierce, bright green eyes. I stared back into his eyes, but shook myself away and pulled back. He looked so angry and it scared me, honestly.

He kept hold of my arm. "Don't go in there. Do you understand. A young lady shouldn't go into the woods alone."

"But, my dog! He just ran off and won't come back!"

He sighed and the fierceness left his eyes, leaving them darker with worry. He looked straight at me and I froze. "Don't go into the woods. Do you understand?" I nodded and he let go.

"Sebastian..."

"Call me Bash. Everyone else does." He interjected.

"So Bash," I tried it out. The name seemed to fit him in a way. "I guess we haven't been really introduced."

"No, we haven't." He smiled. "I'm Bash. Francis' half brother."

"I know." He raised his eyebrows. "I'm Anne, queen of Scotland."

He nodded before looking at my feet. "You have rather Muddy boots on.... Anne."

I held back a laugh at his straightforward way of talking and I failed to act queenly. "You're cheeky!" I couldn't hide a smile.

"So you like mud?"

I pursed my lips and thought back to playing games like *soccer in the old days* at the convent. "I like the way mud feels underfoot, actually."

He smirked at this. "Is that so?"

"Yes, it is." At this I nodded regally and walked away to pick up my stones I had dropped, but remembered Jack.

As I turned to ask him about it he was already speaking. "I'll fetch the dog."

I stopped. "You'll.... You'll go get him?"

"Yes." His smile made his eyes twinkle like emeralds.

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Part two is coming soon! Why do you think Anne can't go into the woods? What was she planning on doing with the rocks? Let me know in the comments.
Mad Hatter