Anne Boleyn (thekingschilde) wrote in thykingdomcome, @ 2009-12-21 21:46:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | anne boleyn |
Who: Princess Anne and Richard
When: Early morning, just before sunrise
Where: Anne's apartment, Nonsuch Palace
What: Goodbye is the hardest word
Rating: PG
Open/Closed: Closed
There were days Anne would never understand her father. He announced to her she was betrothed to Richard Zeeman, and then sent Richard off on what Anne thought was a suicide mission. It made Anne's feelings for Richard all the more confusing. On one hand he was aggressive, unrefined and seemed to get a great deal of satisfaction out of making her angry. But he was also kind, an amazing lover and Anne felt connected to him. She could blame the bites, of course, and she more than likely would. After all, she was a Toreador, a Princess, and the patron of the arts. She wanted a man whom she could be his muse, not a man who would take and possess her, right?
She sighed and stared out the window of her bed chamber. She didn't want him to leave, and that scared her. Why did she have to want him? She was much better off when she just played princess.
The news of Richard's upcoming departure weighed heavily on his mind as he walked through the halls of the castle that was to be his home. It was still strange that he was going to marry Anne, he couldn't help but think if fucking had anything to do with it. It had been a rather awkward conversation with Henry and Charles after their little escapade, but it was too late to be sorting through the what might have beens. At least there was something to come back to, depending on how their mission went. There was regret that he couldn't escape, regret that he was having to leave Anne so soon after their engagement. He already knew he would miss her though he would never tell her that.
Reaching up to run his fingers over the bite he paused at the doors to Anne's bed chamber, after their betrothal it made getting back to her room a lot easier. He didn't bother knocking, instead he entered the room closing the door behind him. "Good afternoon, Princess."
Anne looked away from the window when she heard Richard's voice. She wanted to slip on her mask again, but after last night, and the fact they were to be married once he returned, she felt she owed him more than that. She dismissed her ladies and shut the door behind them, her heart racing just a bit. She wasn't sure what to say to him, to be completely honest. "I hear you are leaving me in the morning, Richard," was her soft reply. This wasn't fair, and it was driving her insane. She walked a few steps toward him, waiting to see what he would do.
"I suppose I need to start planning the wedding. Father will insist we marry once you return." It was a logical topic of conversation and much better than what was really on her mind.
Richard watched as the ladies left the room, waiting till the door was shut to move closer to her. Just seeing her made him not want to leave, but he had to do his duty for the king and his pack leader. Reaching over he placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "You heard right, Anne." After a moment he stepped away from her, looking around her bed chamber.
"You should, I think I should thank you Father for this. It gives me an opportunity to escape any part of the planning process." It wasn't exactly a lie, he didn't like planning these kind of things.
Anne was a bit disappointed when he stepped away, but she tried not to let it show in her face. "Only betrothed one day, and you are already trying to escape me?" There was only a small twinge of bitterness in her voice. Had he volunteered for this mission, to leave her behind? She thought after last night things were different, that Richard would at least not run from her. But it seemed perhaps that was the case now.
She returned to her perch on the window seat, looking back at the courtyard. She would quickly say her goodbyes and go back to her book. It would be easier that way, after all.
Richard turned, following her over to the window seat then sat next to her. He felt bad when he heard the bitterness in her voice, maybe this wasn't a good time to try provoking her. "I'd never do that willingly." He looked down then sighed, reaching for her hand. "This doesn't change a thing. I meant everything I said that night we spent together. I don't want to leave you, believe me when I say that."
There it was, he broke first. He didn't want to be the one to do it but he knew there were times he needed to swallow his pride and put Anne first.
Anne was actually a bit impressed. It took more than she had for him to admit that. She let him take her much smaller hand in his and she leaned against him, feeling both better and worse. Better, because last night wasn't some sort of game, some sort of joke, but worse because that meant she would have to deal with real emotions when it came to his absence. She didn't want him to go now, and she knew that arguing against her father would be fruitless. "I don't want you to go, even though I know why you must."
She looked up at him, "I promise, I will find the most comfortable of clothing for you for the wedding." She sighed softly, "I don't want you to be as uncomfortable as I am."
"If I could stay you know I would, but the sooner we make sure the pilgrims understand their roles the sooner I can return." He offered a small smile, lifting her hand to kiss it. He never thought he'd see this side of her but there she was and the only thing he could do was try to protect her.
"Thank you, I'll take your dress off you as quickly as I can when it's over." He chuckled, "And then you can give me royalty lessons."
Anne tried not to laugh. He really had no clue what he was up for. "Richard, I promise that you are far better off letting my ladies undress, and then we have to be put to bed, and blessed and then..." She shook her head, "They will stay outside the door to ensure we consumate the marriage." She wasn't sure how he would take that, to be honest. It was expected, it was tradition and it would be done no matter how much either of them argued. "Besides, my underthings are a bit complicated, Richard." She didn't want him to get frustrated with her clothing.
She enjoyed him just being there and wasn't keen on him leaving. "You will have a heroes welcome, I am sure, and once you return, I think Father will make you a peer." A noble title would only make sense, after all. He was about to marry a princess. "I will make sure you have quarters prepared and hire your grooms while you are gone."
Richard blinked a few times as he listened to Anne, he knew there was certain things to be expected since it was to be a royal wedding but certainly not any of that. "They... listen to see if we... do that?" It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with the sex itself, he just didn't appreciate anyone listening. "One of these days you're going to have to teach me how to disrobe you."
"Will you be at the heroes welcome?" There was so much more to this mission than he even wanted to admit. Taking care of the task would be easy, all the emotions that went along with it was another story. It both enraged and saddened him but he knew he'd have to keep his emotions under control. "Thank you, and then we will be married and sleep much better at night."
Anne nodded, "If we don't consumate the marrage, then it can be declared invalid. Father will insist, to make sure there are no problems." Mostly the fact that Richard could petition for annulment, which would endanger the treaty between their two kinds. There were more things to factor into this than their own comfort, but the fates of both of their races.
"I will be there waiting for you," she said before pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You and I will have many things to discuss and plan once you return to me. You will have a new wardrobe, everything will be ready and waiting. You will soon be Prince Richard." She liked how that sounded, as odd as it seemed. She looked him in the eyes, "Din with me tonight, and then stay with me." She didn't add the final part of her thought - just in case
"We can't have that, it's not going to be a problem but isn't that a bit... you know." Richard didn't know how exactly to phrase his next statement but decided just to drop it. He wasn't going to let the marriage be declared invalid. Just another case of him needing to conform to this new way of life. He was almost afraid to know what the future would hold if there was this many things going into the wedding alone. Mainly he was afraid of the precious balance their marriage meant for everyone else.
He closed his eyes briefly, putting his arm around her to pull her close. He enjoyed how she felt, her cold matched his warmth. "Prince Richard, that's still going to take some getting used to. Thank you for taking care of the clothing situation for me." He looked at her for a moment then smiled, "I will stay as long as you will have me, Anne."
----------------------------------------
The morning light was coming, and Anne could feel it as she curled up closer to Richard. They had dined, made love and now she had him curled around her, his arms incredibly warm against her pale, cool skin. She would miss him, and she would worry. She tenderly kissed his hand and sighed softly, not sure what to say. She only wanted him to be safe, to come back to her. She had faith he and Charles would be able to quash the pilgrims and be home before she knew it.
"It's almost time for you to leave, love," she finally said. "And time for me to sleep for the day."
Richard yawned stretching out some with Anne's wake up, a smile crossing his face with the kiss on the hand. If this was what he had to look forward to with Anne then he wouldn't mind it one bit. After growling low he sighed, realizing she was right. He did not have a choice about going if he wanted to keep Anne by his side. Pulling her closer to him he began to nuzzle her gently.
"I don't want to go. Tell your father to let me stay a few more days."
Anne wished that she could convince her father of just that, or to never send Richard. But she knew that if Charles was going, Richard must go as well. It was the nature of their lives now, and besides, she had much to do to prepare for a wedding and make sure Richard's life was comfortable and she would be able to teach him to be a royal. She would mold him into the man he would have to become once he returned to his heroes welcome. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. She had refrained from biting him last night, knowing he would need his strength.
"The sooner you leave, the sooner this problem will be taken care of and the sooner you can come home."
"And we can get married." Richard kissed the back of her neck. He knew she was right about that, it still didn't make leaving any easier. He could just imagine what he'd come home to, especially if... when Anne got her way. He'd finally be a married man to someone he was finding out he did care about. He sighed then let go of Anne and got out of bed, starting to gather his clothes.
"In fact I won't even argue about royalty lessons or dancing."
Anne sat up, pulling her nightdress back on. She stood up and watched him, her heart feeling very heavy. She didn't want him to go. She was actually a bit frightened, but she didn't want him to worry so she put on a brave face. "I noticed you didn't mention the clothes. You will have a new wardrobe at your disposal for your return." She would take a pair of these jeans he loved so much and see if her tailor could not find a way to make them suitable.
She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him once he was dressed. She knew any moment her ladies would begin preparing her chambers for her daytime slumber. "Come back safe to me, please."
.
"No, I think I am looking forward to the new wardrobe, gives me a chance to try news thing." He paused, realizing what he'd just said, "Not that I'm not looking forward to dancing with you... the lessons though..." Turning to face her he knew as the moments ticked by it was getting harder and harder for him to leave. They still had so many things to talk about, questions that needed answered. He knew the only way to do that was to come home, and by God he'd do that.
"I will come back to you, I promise." Wrapping his arms around her, he leaned down to kiss her forehead. Holding on to her for a few moments more before letting go. "Until then."
Anne let herself be enveloped in his warmth one more time. "I'll take the lessons with you. After all, you need to learn to dance with me, and I am a very talented partner." She was trying to think of anything other than the fact this was it, he would be gone in a few very short moments. She would sleep and begin her plans as soon as she awoke from her daytime slumber. Keeping busy was the key to not feeling lonely.
She felt his arms leave her and suddenly she was very cold. "Be safe, Richard." She turned back to her bed, not wanting to watch him walk away.
Richard offered a smile appreciating her compliments, "I would be honored to dance with you, Anne." He frowned when she turned away from him. It upset him in ways he couldn't understand, he knew he needed to leave but to see someone he cared about just turn... Shaking the thoughts from his head he started to head towards the door, then stopped, realizing there was one more thing he needed to do.
Growling he turned quickly and dashed to her, pulling her into his arms he leaned down to kiss her deeply. "I want you right in front when I return."
Anne was surprised when he came back, when he pulled her to him and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him, almost clinging to him. She was going to have a very hard time letting go this time, and she didn't want to start crying. After all, princesses do not cry. Still, that didn't keep her fingers from balling into his shirt. "I'm going to be planning the whole thing, Richard. I can't promise Father won't push me out of the way though."
She gently stroked his cheek with her other hand. "But regardless, I will be waiting."
"I know my duty is to your father but I will speak to no one else until I have spoken with you." Richard tried hard to keep the emotion out of his voice but he knew she would see right through it. She could cut to his core the way no one else could, but he needed to stay strong. If nothing else but for her sake.
Reaching up he placed his hand over hers, "Never before that ball did I ever think I'd miss you, or even sadden at the prospect of leaving you. Yet here we are."
Anne laughed softly, "I am not going to complain about this very fortunate turn of events. Missing you is far better than being truly alone." She closed her eyes and tried very hard not to cry. It took everything she had not to run to her father and beg for him to let Richard stay.
"I promise I will be the first one you speak to, and I will be counting the days until you are home and safe where you belong."
Gripping her hand he lifted her hand to his nose, inhaling her scent one more time. It brought a smile to his face. "I'd have to agree with that, at least I won't have to return to an empty home." Shaking his head he stepped away and headed to the door, knowing he'd really have to leave this time.
"I will see you in my dreams until we are together again." And with that he was gone.