paradisa | 68; dictated/action

( Frodo )

[Generally speaking, Spike has an excellent ability to put off things that he finds uncomfortable, largely by pretending not to notice them at all. It just so happens that the subjects he's most uncomfortable with are popping up so often lately that he's struggled to keep his record down. (Especially with his new found handicap.) And unfortunately, when the distractions of unexpected nights out at strip clubs and failed car races are over, he's back to the same issues he had a week ago.

Telling a queen about her own downfall isn't something he ever expected to be his responsibility. He can pretend that he only agreed out of spite, but what he knows is a lot more disturbing that he's ready to admit. It's days after he roped Frodo into helping with the research, on that same queen's orders, that he thinks it's about time they got back together.]

Hey. Are you around?

[The tone makes it obvious why he's calling, and that he's not thrilled about it. Hopefully Frodo had an easier time translating history books than he did.]

---

[He's about to close the journal and stand up to make his way to the library, of all places, when he nearly trips over a small dog that gets in the way of his foot. When he catches himself on a table, he glares down.

Ein...]

I thought I told you not to do that. [To which Ein tilts his head and stares innocently. It gets worse when Spike actually looks at the bag he brought home to find the contents spilled across the floor while he wasn't paying attention. (How hard was he concentrating, anyway?)] You know, if you're that hungry, you really need to learn how to use a can opener. [More staring.] What? ... [Ein nudges the journal that's still open on the table, picking up his one-sided conversation.

Smart ass dog.

Like he even cares if anyone hears him talking to himself. Then the dog's stomach rumbles audibly, and Spike sighs.] Yeah, yeah. I'll get it before I leave.

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[ Frodo knows how to comfort Sam when the Gaffer was being terrible and saying mean things to him or his other cousins when they have bad days, but not a monarch hearing about the betrayal that would lead to her death. He feels out of place, out of line, but then the sentiment isn't so new.

He has his guesses, but those aren't good enough to turn the blame on anyone but the terrible King. ]

No, Your Grace. I could only know whatever was put to paper.

[ And of course they would only put to paper what they wanted the masses to believe. It is a fact she loathes, but one that both monarchies and the papacy abuse in full.

Adultery. After all those times she was jealous of Henry, he dares to act so towards her and condemn her? Anne swallows a lump in her throat, eyelashes fluttering and chin lifting in an attempt to keep it from being obvious that she's resting her head against the back of the chair. Best to look regal than broken. There were other things she wanted to ask, other important details. But it all feels so distant now, and she can't organize her thoughts.

He said it was quick. Dare she believe him? He could have tried one lie in an attempt to comfort, not that she fears the pain. She has known torture herself, in that Event Horizon. It is the symbolism that matters. The prophecy. ]

...Was I burned?

[ At least in this he can be entirely truthful, as true as the books might be, which is none at all if his judgment counts for anything. He knows too little of her to say but it was easy even for him to see who benefits from her death when the King does it again and again and again. But that isn't for him to say. ]

No, you were beheaded, quickly, and you were kind and gracious till the end.

[ She clamps her lips shut again, focusing on keeping her breaths from becoming too hurried and shallow, but the buzzing is only growing louder, and she is truly pale as a ghost. But she can't stay silent long, a scoff being released as she settles her hand over an arm rest, gripping it tight.

She isn't burned, then. And the news carries no relief. ]

How did... How did His Majesty care for the Princess Elizabeth once my— [ A sharp inhale. Release. ] Once my sentence was carried out? I know of her eventual grandness, and how Mary did her utmost to keep my Elizabeth from her rightful throne. But...how did her father handle the case of his own, sweet daughter?

[ Why does she even ask? She knows, she already does, for Mary herself is a prime example. She was treated so unkindly and her mother was only banished. For Elizabeth to have a mother who committed high treason? However could she have remained loyal to her mother, when Henry himself did not? ]

[ He turns his gaze to her hand on the throne, contemplating taking it but she seems to want to appear strong and if that is what it takes to help her then he would let her be. Maybe he is more like Spike than he would admit, and still he clenches his jaw and bows his head again at the question, even if this one has a happy ending, does it not? Despite the long and winding road to it. ]

She was declared illegitimate but the King still saw to her care and her education. She grew up in places called Hatfield, Cheshunt and Ashbridge, which all seem pleasant, though you must know better than I do...

[ Anne wishes now she hadn't eaten anything at all, because it's difficult to keep it from coming up again. No surprise, no surprise. So why is she surprised? Even before she left, Anne had already begun to watch her life collapse around her, and Henry's resistance to planning Elizabeth's future.

She had thought her heart already broken, but there is are still more cracks to be made before it completely shatters, it seems. And still, outwardly, she merely stares ahead at nothing, her voice sounding distant to her own ears. ]

For he had a son, did he not? The legitimate heir His Majesty so prayed for. But not by me. [ The baby that had been in her belly when she was brought here, she will have to lose a second time, won't she? Anne is starting to think she can't feel anymore for any new revelations. There is just too much. ] Who gave him male issue? The name of the next Queen of England?

[ The little bastard that dared to replace her daughter for a time? And then Mary, how could he? She won't even ask if he legitimized her, it's clear enough as all the pieces are beginning to fall into place. ]

[ Frodo loathes giving up the names of her enemies, because they are, aren't they? He thinks terrible things might happen to them if he tells her and then their blood will be on his hands, when he would rather no one hurt anyone at all. If he could, he would stop it with him, as best as he can.

He is careful when he speaks, knowing full well how close to the edge Anne is, despite all her control. ]

You asked me to tell you of the events leading to your death. And I have done so.

[ Anne's eyes visibly narrow, lips pale they purse so tightly, and nails dig into the arm rests to keep from slapping the half-man's face off. ]

Leave. Send in Mister Spiegel.

[ Frodo steps back from the menacing look in her eyes, afraid but reminding himself that this is only a woman. She is only angry and terribly sad, but not fearsome. Still, he gives her a little bow before walking slowly back to the door, as asked, opening it to see if Spike is still there. ]

[Spike is still by the door, unfortunately listening to everything that's said. So he knows, before Frodo says anything, why she's calling for him.

At least she didn't strangle the little guy. Spike offers a wan smile when he steps back out to cover for the pained look his face may have had a moment ago. She's going to make this as hard as she can on herself.]

68; dictated/action

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