The Beloved Izabel

Dreams

May 20, 1574

Lorenzo and I have a strict professional relationship. After everything that happened with him and Emilia and Sebastian and I, we decided that it would be better for us to leave our relationship behind. He finally gave me the rosary that was given to me by Elizabeth. I wear it each day that I pray. Sebastian and I have been writing to each other, I can't wait for him to come back. Soon, he'll be my husband.

I think it's time for me to write to my cousin.

Elizabeth,

It has taken some time for me to write back as I do not know what to say. I am grateful for the rosary of  Queen Catherine of Aragon. I keep it close to my heart. It seems to me that we both are fearful of each other. We both have the power to destroy one another, but I would like you to know that I am not after your crown. I have my own which is rightfully mine. I hope that one day we can see each other eye to eye and speak our tales of being Queens. I send with this letter a portrait of myself, I hope that you will look at it and see not a queen but your cousin and sister.

Your dearest and loyal cousin

Izabel Valois, Queen of Scots

"Send this letter to Elizabeth." I have been feeling under the weather lately and decide to go to my chambers. "Your majesty, are you alright?" Margot asks me, as she feels my forehead. "You are burning up!" I hear her yell to Claude asking for the physician before everything goes dark.

"IZABEL! WAKE UP." I open my eyes and see a garden of beautiful flowers. At the end of the row I see a man facing the opposite direction. "Who are you?" I say. He seems to not hear me so I start walking towards him. The closer I get, the farther he seems. "WHO ARE YOU." I scream and he finally turns around. It can't be. What is happening right now?! He walks towards me and I take a step back. It isn't. "Izabel, I have waited so long to see you." It's my father. He hugs me and I hug him back. "Father?!" Letting all my tears escape.

"My sweet girl do not cry, I am here to tell you that it is not your time. You have so much to accomplish." I can't let go of him. I never want to let go. "Father, I am so scared. I don't think I can do it. Mom is going to die and I can't do anything about it." He faces me towards him and kisses my cheek. "Let's take a walk Izabel." He grabs my hand and leads me through the garden. "Izabel you are a Queen, I watch over you each day. It is what you were born to do. You have a whole life to live, it has only begun. As for your mother, she has lived her life and is ready to face what is thrown at her. I see her, she prays for you and James everyday. She wishes she could be with you." I can't stop myself from crying. I need my parents. I need my father.

"Father I cant. Please. Just let me stay here with you." We stop walking and he kisses my forehead. "You will not have an easy life, but you will always conquer. Izabel, you are my daughter. A daughter of a King and Queen. I know you are brave and can face anything." He hugs me one last time, "I love you Izabel. Rule the kingdom your mother and I never got the chance to. We'll be waiting for you, when it's your time." I want to tell him that I love him and I wish so much he was here with me. But before I can do any of it, it all goes dark again.

This time I wake and I see Claude and Margot praying at my bedside. Lorenzo is pacing back and forth speaking to the physician. I start coughing, and I cough to my side and blood leaves my mouth. I cough more blood until I'm throwing it up. "HELP HER!" I hear Margot say, Lorenzo rushes to my side and cleans me up. "You are fine, your majesty. Everything is going to be fine." Lorenzo continues to tell me and pushes my hair out of the way. Before everything goes dark again, I hear them all asking the physician what is wrong.

As I open my eyes I hope to see my father again but I do not. I see a stone wall and it is very dark in here. "Hello, is anybody there?" I see a lady painting, turn around and look at me. "Izabel?!" She comes towards me and grabs my face, "Mom." I hug her. I've missed them so much. My parents. "It has been so long. You look more and more like Francis. He would be so proud to see you." I decide to not tell her I've seen my father. I sit with her. "Mother, I'm scared. I have nobody. I wish you and father were both here." She kisses my cheek.

"My dear child, to be Queen is to be lonely. But you will find a person who will always love you, just as your father did for me. How I wish I could see you and James one last time. But I know my fate, I am to die here. But I do not die in vain, my children will be the first of the Stuart line to rule England. I love you and James.." I cry and hug her. I need her to know that I love her. "I love you so much. I look after James. He is such a great boy. I love him with all my heart." She seems about ready to cry.

"I knew you would. Both of you, care for each other. I need you both to know that I love you with everything I have. I will see you both. Not soon but know that one day we'll all be together." She kisses me and grabs my hand leading me to stand up.

"Queen of Scots, long may you reign." She bows to me and looks up at my with tears in her eyes.

Then I wake.

Francis I of France

Mary, Queen of Scots