♔ un || christmas eve

[ensorceler]

[ Written most elegantly; ]

My Dearest and Most Beloved Elizabeth,

I bring you the most blessed of tidings. Can you guess? I will let you take a few moments to make use of your wit and figure it out while I continue on. (Come now, surely it would be obvious to you!)

Your father, the King, is doing quite well. He is of good cheer and fine health, God bless His Majesty. He asks after you, and I promised I would send word of his love and ever present concern for you, my sweet rose.

And speaking of such, while we were in the gardens just recently, I discovered the most beautiful of roses. Though the King insisted I not touch it for the thorns it bore, I daresay I had it cut anyhow! And wouldn't you know, the thorns harmed me not. It reminded me of you, and so I had it pressed as I read of once in a book. It is my sincerest wish that you look upon it and know of my eternal love and devotion to you.

Oh, I cannot keep silent on the matter any longer! Have you guessed yet? No? Well then, I will tell you, but only because such tidings should be shared. You will soon have a little—

[ The writing is drawn to a sudden halt, interrupted by the sound of a woman's soft sigh, and then the clattering of odds and ends being dragged off the table by said woman as she slides to the frozen floor with a thump. ]

[ ooc; Any journal comments will be responded to after Anne's been awoken by Elizabeth and had the 411 dished out! ]

Comments

[ensorceler]

[ Anne looks up from a paper in her lap, quickly folding it to slide into her dress. With a little smile, she stands, and though Anne is not a tall woman, her posture makes it seem otherwise.

But her gaze is light, and playful, as she gazes upon this girl. She had expected a commoner, but what strange clothes indeed! When Anne is through with her story, she will have to ask about the country she comes from.

Stepping forward, Anne holds out a hand covered in rings, lowered for the girl's benefit. ]

Bright Clementine. You are most welcome to my chambers.

[willrememberthat]

[She's even prettier standing! Clem approaches, a little shyly, and isn't really sure what to do with that extended hand.

She does do a little curtsey before going ahead and taking it, though.]

It's nice to meet you in person, Your Majesty!

[ensorceler]

[ Wow, that attempt at a curtsy was abhorrent. She's a little disappointed it doesn't come with a kiss, but wherever this girl is from, she clearly hasn't been taught how to handle royalty.

But she is trying, and she's still polite, so Anne kneels down in front of her, skirts spreading about, and takes that little hand to kiss her knuckles. A lesson coupled with her own gesture of kindness ought to do it. ]

And you as well, little one. Please sit. I fear the lack of true servants makes for a sorry means of entertainment, but you may feel free to 'wish' for any snacks or drinks you like.

[willrememberthat]

[Clem giggles a little at the kiss, then wanders over to the pillows to plop down. She wishes up a juice box.]

Do you want one, too?

[ensorceler]

[ Wow she wasn't kidding! Anne settles herself upon the pillows as well and simple nods, trying not to stare overly. What on earth is that and what is in it? Going by what little she sees via the straw... ]

Wine with water?

[willrememberthat]

[Clem laughs and shakes her head.]

No, wine is for grown-ups. I'm not allowed to have any. [You're a grown-up, why don't you know this?] It's fruit punch. It's a lot of different fruit juices mixed together. You should try it.

[ensorceler]

For grown-ups?

[ This girl is more and more backwards every time she opens her mouth! Anne is a little wary, but then again it's not like she has to worry about poison in her dream.

So she tentatively holds out her hand to accept. Since the girl's obviously poor, maybe it's more like an ale or cider. ]

Who is it that says you are not allowed to partake? Is it for lack of coin? You need not worry about such things with me. You may drink what you will.

[willrememberthat]

[She hands over the box.]

Don't worry, it's good.

It's the law. You're not allowed to drink alcohol until you're twenty-one. You'll get in trouble if you do it and get caught.

[ensorceler]

[ Curious, she takes a sip, and her eyebrows go up in pleasant surprise. Wow, it's good! Now she doesn't want to give it back...but she does.

And instead tests the castle by wishing for a tray holding a pitcher of her favorite wine. Her smile is one of youthful glee, and she even claps a little as it appears. ]

I have never heard of such a law, sweet child; I fear you have been misled. Here, perhaps you can try it mixed with that juice of yours.

[ She pulls over the two silver goblets on the tray, filling one and only half-filling the other, to hold out for her. She tried yours, now you try hers! ]

One of your station might not have ever known such a fine quality wine as this, but it is not only your right to drink it when offered, it is expected. I do not want you to be sick, after all, and this is safer than any water or juice you may come across.

[willrememberthat]

[She smiles when it looks like Anne enjoys the juice. How weird it is that she hasn't had it before! But royalty is proving to be very different from the life she knows.

Knew. Hmm.]

Really? I guess I can try a little...

[She doesn't think she's been misled, because her parents know (knew?) best, but if a queen says it's alright, it wouldn't hurt to try, right? She takes the goblet and smells it.]

It smells nice. Not like the other stuff.

[She caught whiffs of Kenny when he had been drinking, and she didn't like it at all. She takes a tiny sip!]

--it tastes funny!

[Not quite like juice, but not quite like that smell of alcohol, either. She makes a face, but doesn't spit it out. That would be rude.]

[ensorceler]

[ The reaction should probably insult her, but it just makes her laugh instead. There are times when a child's honesty is lacking in charm, but this is not that time. Anne is in too good of a mood, or at least intent to remain so. ]

As I said, you may mix some with your...juice, but truly, you will be accustomed to the flavor in time. You have many to try. I wonder if cider would be more to your liking.

[ Wanting to see how far this wishing goes, Anne claps her hands and calls out another desire. And look, there's a pitcher with cider instead! Of course, she will have to wait for the girl's goblet to be empty, first. She then asks for a tray with grapes, peaches, and oranges spread out. ]

Now this is a proper setting for a story. What manner of tale would you like to hear?

[willrememberthat]

[Clem carefully squeezes some of the juice box into the goblet, then takes another sip. That's a lot better!]

Mm, it's okay with the fruit punch. I've had sparkling cider before, on special occasions. Sparkling apple cider, I think.

[Ah, so much stuff! Clem may or may have not taken huge advantage of the castle's instant food, wishing for pizza, burgers, sweets, and anything she could think of within her first few days.

That ended with a bad tummy ache. So for now, she just takes a grape.]

I don't know... you have a king, right? What's he like?

[ensorceler]

[ Sparkling apple cider? She assumes Clementine is speaking of the same thing (but she'll soon find that this type, while spiced and sweet, is most definitely alcoholic).

At the mention of her king, Anne's smile lights up even more, and she takes a drink of her wine. But despite her cheer, she also takes the moment to bow her head in reverence when she utters his name, as if announcing his presence might cause him to walk right in. ]

His Majesty Henry the Eighth, by the Grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and of the Church of England.

He is by all rights the most honorable and beautiful of men, and beyond brave. You have not heard of him in your land?

[willrememberthat]

Uh-uh. [She shakes her head, no. She hasn't been in school long enough to memorize anything about European history! But she's paying a lot of attention right now, soaking up everything Anne says.

... but she does take note of that bowed head.]

Do you miss him?

[She misses a lot of people.]

[ensorceler]

[ She looks up, and her smile is a touch sadder. ]

I can hardly bear to be apart from him, for he will always have my heart and soul in his keeping. I trust that we will be together soon enough with our daughter.

You wish for a story of kings? There is a great king that His Majesty has always looked up to.

[willrememberthat]

[Oh, she's a mom. Clem scoots a little closer. Just a tiny bit.]

I like queens better, but we can start with kings.

[ensorceler]

[ She chuckles and leans over, as if they are conspiring some great secret. ]

Queens have their place, as all well and good, but it is the kings that ride to battle. Are you prepared for war, child? This is not normally a story for a girl, but you do not seem easily scared.

[willrememberthat]

[Clem leans in, too. A war story? After some of the things she's seen, she doubts a war story will be too much for her. But she just nods her head.]

I'm not. I'm ready.