The Rival Kingdoms

Annelise smiled as Liam rushed out half an hour later, covering many topics and getting to know each other better before he decided to watch the knights. She sat down in her chair again and sighed, a bit exhausted trying to keep up with the boy, smiling at Charles and blushing softly.

"He's very sweet.." She murmured, glad that he wasn't resentful of her like she had expected

Ladislaus smiled gently as they walked out of the throne room, what more could he ask for right now? He had a beautiful guild in a strange place, a daughter who knew how to play by herself; yes everything seemed to be going grand for him at the moment. That is until he saw Josslyn standing in the entrance way. He had hoped his Queen would for once do as he asked and stay in Sliabh, after all the treaty wasn’t active yet and anything could happen to the woman.

“Josslyn?” he questioned not bothering to use her full title on his own wife. “What are you doing here?” He said then quickly remembered himself, and introduced Lady Gweneth.

“Lady Gweneth, may I introduce my wife Queen Josslyn.” He said wife with a small grunt like smile on his face. “Josslyn, this is Lady Gweneth Fitzgerald.”

“Now the question stands, why have you come here?” He asked his face still dumbfounded, at the thought that she rode all the way from Sliabh, with only her handmaiden as protection. A Bandit could have easily snatched them of the road, not that Ladislaus cared much for his wife, but still he had to hold some loyalty to her.

“Please tell me you at least have the company of Judith with you?” he asked referring to the captain of the guard who he hoped would materialize with his wife.

"Nay, I beseech you sir. Be not out with me. Content thyself." Guy said to Sir Conán. "Yet do I fear thy nature. But it is the part of men to fear and tremble when the most mighty God by tokens send dreadful heralds to astonish us. Shalt heaven take you when cold steel has taken the life from thy lips? God pardon them that are the cause thereof. I humbly take my leave now, to bring the King's justice upon those who threaten the sanctity of his people. By this sword I shall. Oh, is that envy I see in thine eyes? Then fix thine eyes upon me as I majestically take my leave with my men."

Josslyn's welcome was not as welcoming as she had expected. She was in fact greeted by a very shocked and rather unimpressed Ladislaus. At the sound of her name she turned, mildly concerned, to see her King walking rather briskly towards her with a strange woman. She was expecting this sort of response from him but she was hoping that she could have been greeted by an Abhainn before she had to confront her husband. He was rather direct in his questioning her, at the last minute it dawned on him that they were in company and he managed to gruffly introduce her to the woman who turned out to be Lady Gweneth. Courteous and proper as ever Josslyn gave a regal nod to the Lady.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Gweneth." Her voice gentle compared to her husbands brusque introduction. She was genuinely interested in meeting this woman, as it was curious as to why she was here with Ladislaus rather than another royal member.

But as always her King was straight to the point. Giving a small apologetic smile to Gweneth she then turned to Ladislaus, her palms delicately cupped together at the base of her hip. She made no show of being irritated at his tone or that he was being quite rude. Instead she gave him a look of contempt.

"My King, as we discussed previously I believe that both of us should be at the signing of the treaty, if only to show that the House of Sliabh is strong and in unison." She spoke slowly and deliberately, like her usual manner when there were guests. "As for Judith, I believe she was following on horse, but it seems she has been delayed."

She looked once from Gweneth before back to Ladislaus, interested if he might choose her as an affair. She couldn't care less but it could be a consequence that would break the treaty if he was found committing adultery.

Gweneth and Ladislaus glided from the throne room an air of grace surrounding them, that was until they came to a abrupt halt, almost bumping into a woman. Gwen regarded her cautiously, natural suspicion running through her, she had never been too trusting of strangers. One of the main reasons she agreed to go on a ride with Ladislaus was to get to know him a little better, see if he truly came as a friend or foe of Abhainn.

"Josslyn?" Ladislaus spoke, his tone unreadable along with his facial expression. It dawned on her suddenly, this was the Queen, her eyes widened slightly and she suddenly let go of his arm, if he were her husband she certainly wouldn’t like to see another woman on his arm. With his surprise Gwen came to the conclusion that he wasn’t expecting his wife at Abhainn “Lady Gweneth, may I introduce my wife Queen Josslyn…Josslyn, this is Lady Gweneth Fitzgerald.” Not one to miss things, Gwen easily noted the way Ladislaus voice strained upon pronouncing ‘wife’ which led her to the conclusion that he held some resentment towards the Queen and by the Josslyn looked at her husband she could say that the feeling was mutual. "It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Gweneth."

“Welcome to Abhainn Queen Josslyn” Gwen greeted her in a much warmer manner than she had done the younger sister, offering a small smile “I trust your journey was pleasant?”

Ladislaus looked upong his wife's face as she spoke, he certainly did remember the conversation they had had before leaving Sliabh but he would hardly call the argument a civil conversation between man and wife. (Or perhapes that is the best way to put such a delicate topic.) As he recalls he had sugested to his queen she remain in Sliabh untill he sent for her, when they had a more sound date for the wedding. Of course he knew better then to asume Josslyn wouldn't follow them here, I wounder is she is upset we left without her he poundered as he suddenly realized Lady Gweneth's hand was no longer clutched to his arms.

"Well my dear" he said with a great strain on the word 'dear', "Lady Gweneth was just about to show me the ground, I trust you are far too tired from your journey to acompany us?"

He half hoped his wife was able to accompany them, for her still wasn't entirely sure this peace treaty would last for long and King Charles was just looking for the ideal time to stick a knife down his thorugh.

"I do know how much you enjoy ridding." he added, that was about the vast of his knowledge about his wife, but it was enough for any man he suposed.

Annelise blushed, but had fear that he would not love her as much as he had Liam's mother. "I'd love to.." She replied gladly, wanting to see more of where she'd be living, places she could be alone when she needed it..

Josslyn knew they had differences, she knew that she could never love him and vice versa but must he really be so unprofessional and show that? He could at least be a bit more civil when speaking to her with outside company. Even Lady Gweneth was more polite than her husband. Regardless, she kept a neutral smile on her lips and nodded respectfully at the Lady, showing she acknowledged her.

Her dear husband was now inquiring if she intended to accompany them on a horse ride. She hadn't been on a ride for a while and in all honesty she missed the freedom and the naturalness that is the wild. Josslyn would never miss an opportunity such as that, especially after being cooped up in the jerky carriage.

"I would love to accompany both you and Lady Gweneth, that is of course that the Lady doesn't mind?" As Queen she had every right to come along, regardless of what the Lady wanted or not, but it seemed that she was a woman of influence and getting on her good side seemed like the right idea.

Gweneth soured slightly as Ladislaus extended the invitation for his Queen to accompany them on their tour of Abhainn. She had been hoping to somewhat interrogate the King about this treat him and Charles had in place and also about his sister. Information she knew would not be able for her to obtain but she had her means of persuasion…means, however that weren’t necessarily appropriate in the presence of his wife, even if it was a loveless marriage.

"I would love to accompany both you and Lady Gweneth; that is of course that the Lady doesn't mind?" Josslyn answered her lord and husband before turning her gaze towards Gwen. The blonde smiled politely “not at all majesty” Gwen returned with all the elegance and suave of her upbringing. Gwen had always been an excellent judge of character and she could often tell if she was going to like someone within seconds of meeting them, Queen Josslyn however seemed exempt to this rule, the woman was strong and determined much like herself, she admired the woman for travelling across country against her husbands word, all these traits had told her that she could befriend the Queen but Gwen did not make friends easily, especially with women, most were to weak and feeble minded to even acknowledge and then others were just looking to stab her in the back.

She had yet to decide where she would stand with Josslyn. “We should leave now if we want to return before nightfall.”

Ladislaus looked from Josslyn to Gweneth silently hoping, nay begging that the lady would refuse his wife’s company. He knew it wasn’t proper to do so, but one cannot hide their true wishes too well in this world. However it would seem her ladyship did not reject his queen, the noble choice by far and an elegant execution to boot. It was an excellent quality in a woman he had to admit, and one that he respected a woman for, and yet the thought of not being able to flirt with such a delicate young creature made the smile he held so perfecting transform into a frown.

“Well then let’s not waste any time!” he exclaimed and offered his arm to Lady Gweneth once more, then remembering his wife extended his left arm to her without thinking of any social educate. The thought of two women despite his feelings of the one, on either of his arms put a smile on his face.

Matilda sat in the courtyard with daisies in her hair and lilies in her hands. She was making a flower wreath for her father. She loved her father dearly, yet she was still too young to understand the circumstances of her birth. From the day she could talk she referred to The Queen as mother, even if she was later scolded for it afterword’s. She was only six after all; she didn’t understand the concept of “bustards” yet along were babies come from. She still had the fantasy of a stork brining babies to their parents as infants. One day, she thinks she will be Queen of Sliabh, but the very definition of a “Queen” is ageist her on that.

((Medieval Definition of Queen: The wife of a King.))

((OOC: Just so you know I’m going to be away for a few days, coming back Tuesday!))

Gwen accepted Ladislaus arm with a happy smile as she lead them out of the palace and towards the stables, it was a relatively quick walk, taking them through the court yard; the servants bustling around, moving in and out of doors carrying various items, all ready for the banquet this evening, which was in honour of the royal visitors.

Glancing back at the castle, she briefly wondered what Charles and his soon-to-be bride were up to. Her and Charles had always been close; she had first come to the palace when the fever ravished her home and had remained there for many years, during which she and Charles had developed a good friendship, of course for her it was something more, Gwen had fallen in love in those three years. Call her a hopeless romantic but how could you not love such a great man?

They arrived at the stables, Gwen immediately moving to her beautiful speckled grey thoroughbred, patting the studs long nose with an affectionate smile "hello old boy" she whispered kindly.

Annelise smiled, grinning in awe as she looked around and hesitantly stepped inside, feeling out of place even though she knew she belonged here. "It's beautiful.." She murmured, turning to look up at him.