Earl of Leicester

"Knowing that this special love we share Will guide us each and everyday. I don't think you could ever feel All the love I have to give And I'm sure you never realize You've been my will to live."

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen‌:

“Yes” Margery said nodding her head at his statement, it was true they had always been friends. That was his entire point of it all. “Risk thy freedom and life for love?” she asked him as if it where the craziest thing she had ever heard. “Robin” she said looking down, her head hanging low at his words. “Thy love for you runneth over!” she stressed as she looked up at him. “Thy love for you is at each moment the same” she told him desperately. She begin to cry again sniffling hard as she did, this was a aching displeasure. This thing they had was a headache and more so heartbreak for her, and she was sure for him the exact same. “I love thou Robin. What doeth I? I have no way to honor our wish” she told him honestly. 

Robert raised his head, jaw tightening as bitter selfish words fell from her perfect lips.  He took a needed step back, placing space between him and his hearts desire.  As she turned aside, treading tearfully onto the brittle ground of truth, he realized his error. No! it was his selfish desires, that made him always, always forget propriety in the her presences. He swept this sword to the side and went to one knee.  Then dejectedly, to both, before he to prostrated himself fully to the floor in front of her.  With only his lips, he kissed the hem of her skirt, then her shoes. Pressing his lips into each delicate slipper fully.  “Shh...” He said against her slippered feet. “Always the fool desperate for thy love. Yet, you confess it so openly. I drink it in though I do not deserve it.”  He confessed shaking his head. “You continue to be. You continue to rule.  You continue to be strong.” he said a kiss granted to her feet with ever sentence.  “I shall continue to serve, be at you right hand. And to give you all thy love and strength.  Always and forever I am yours. And for now that is enough.” 

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen:

Margery parted her lips though nothing came out initially, and she inhaled deeply before she exhaled thereafter. “What would I have of you?” she repeated back to him. She didn’t want to answer the question he was posing, because the truth was never as easy to accept as a lie were. And the truth of the matter is, much like Romeo and Juliet they just couldn’t be, it was a disaster destined to secure their demises. She assumed he wanted her to pour her heart out to him in ways she hadn’t in the past. But the peculiar thing about her was, she would never. To make him aware of just how much she truly loved him, made her weary. She always knew what he’d be capable of daring if she did. Besides, she put on a show but was always forced to backpedal for this exact reason. That is why banishing him to his wife came to be so easy and effective. She could clear her mind and find some peace within herself all while avoiding this question. Banishing him meant she’d still carry her crown with her head high and no remorse or pity was spared but sitting before him was a different story her crown and strength had fallen the second she had gotten angry with him. She felt the need to tell him her feelings but she couldn’t find the words. “Friendship” she finally told him closing her eyes as she did, it was a lie, the hardest one she always had to tell. 

Robert smiled softly, thumb caressing her full bottom lip. It was to much of a liberty, but what was life without risk. “Yes... It’s not so hard a question?” He said, he japed, more hope in his tone then he felt in soul. He loved her face, so much beauty and wisdom. Yet young and fair, his fingers moved to twirl in her dark coils, his eyes love struck. In his soul he begged her to give him leave. Demand the right to claim him out right. Leave these courtly games behind.  Heartbeats after breath, she remained still, consumed in thought.  Why? Why should it take more then a moment to speak true? Unless a lie lay at hand. Her uttered word, burn like fire. “Friend is what we have always been...”  He cut off and removed his fingers from her hair.  He watched the life pool from her and swallowed. “You mean to say that’s all you require of me. Is that right Majesty? He said, uttering the title as if it were lead.  Letting it hit the chamber floor heavy and hard. 

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen:

To be perceived to be weak in the eyes of others was unsatisfactory in her own mind. What would the people think if they knew their Queen was far to focused on the matters of her heart when there was so much to be done. She sniffled again at his words, wiping her own face dry as she looked up. She didn’t necessarily look at him, his words could be both off-putting and endearing. In so many words he acknowledged that she was a mess however, she was his mess. Her eyes traveled to meet his slowly. What was there to say? She’d watched her father throw women away, even her own mother for an heir. Her father was so grotesque in his rein that she vowed not to let love play a hellish part in her own. However, despite her fight against it love seemed to biggest battle she faced of them all. It was a foul and dreary thing yet the bug had bitten her, long ago. He was a friend, a confidant mainly, someone she trusted immensely, he saw her at her worst practically days before her death he’d been by her side, she watched him blossom into the man he were to day and she figured in retrospect he’d done the same. But, no matter the feelings they had, he was a friend in everyone else’s eyes and he had to be in her’s as well. So bottling up her emotions were the only true option she had. 

“Is it so hard for majesty to look upon me? Never avert your gaze. I wish to always know that I’m but a blink away.” Robert tilted her head back. long lightly sun touched fingers, held her chin as if she were glass threatening to break in his grasp. “What would you have of me lady?” He said the words omitting all honorifics. He was not speaking to a queen. Not now in the empty hollow hall.  It was to the woman. Dividing that which was duty from what was cardinal.  The counsel sought a match that could equal her. Robert knew the problem with that logic. It lay in the heavens for all to see.  If they but turn their eyes to the sky. The moon, no matter how resplendent, would never rival the sun.  So, it had learned the trick of survival long ago.  As had Robert.  Bath in its light, be warmed by its rays, but never seek to dominate it.  And it would give you leave, to shine for it at night.  Would that she understood that truth… He had hopes that one day, she would forsake her own oaths and truly succumb to him.  ‘Time,’ he reminded himself.  Everything with Margery took time.     

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen:

At his words she kept her head low, sniffling slightly as tears continued to pour from her. As quickly as it came the anger always left and she was left with her guilty thoughts of hurting him so even if she hurt all the same. She understood she had no right to treat him or anyone badly over her own emotional outburst but the rage always took control. “No” she said in a quivered whisper to him as she wiped her tear stained cheeks, power covering her brown face smearing in the process she had to look a awful mess before him. Which was something he was probably all to far familiar with.

Robert’s thumb circled her cheek then stopped to cup her face in his strong hands.  The ‘No’ left him to wonder, as his eyes searched hers. Would she wait forever?  Would the crown demand she take another? No… Her word would save him from the heads men, he was sure.  His claim to her was only bond by her passion, but when would duty win out over love? He touched her soft lips in a wonder. And all other thoughts slipped away, gone.  His mind succumbing to being so close to his beloved.  “You are a wonder, far beyond reason. Your heart takes you through all the season of emotion. Yet, your tenderness, still captives me. “ He said low. He saw all of her and love her more for it.

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen:

At his words her blood boiled, was he undermining her and questioning her level of intelligence all at the same time? Se snapped, back handing him before she truly realize she’d done it “I could have thy neck severed” she said screamed at him. “You are nothing” she confirmed. “My country wishes to see me marry and I cherish thy countries cares” she told him spitefully. Who were she joking, she wouldn’t marry anyone, she probably wouldn’t even marry him if she could. She was never into pleasing people based on what they thought contributed to the great works of a King or Queen, but rather what they knew. He father married many yet he was still a horrible ruler. Marriage didn’t define anything to her, it never would. Standing her ground as she always did never came easy with him, at some point she’d always crack. She dropped her head without another word, tears cascading down. After all, she was a woman, a very emotional yet equally as jealous, woman. 

Robert’s pale fingers touched his cheek lightly. He swallowed, the bitter taste of blood causing his to him to grimace. His formidable queen, her outburst only flamed his fires.  She gashed at him with a razor tongue so sharp, it would have torn many others to shreds. But he seemed almost born to stand against her knife. They were only words, passionate ones. What man turned away from who raged so openly for them? She would succumb to him one day, and truly become his. She had given him more than he deserved already, but he was greedy when it came to her. He wanted all her passions. He cast his eyes low, as she moved to tears. “Would that you willfully marry another? To doom us both to and eternity apart when together is the better? No. Better that you send me to the gallows. Then to leave me to die a death so cruel.” He said as he reached to take her tear stained face.

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen:

As everyone removed themselves, leaving her sight she lowered herself back into her seat. There he was still at her feet, it was a sight she hated to see but it was rightfully done, at her feet is where he should be. “Traitor like the men whose name you carry” she said looking down at him. “Twas not your actions the burden of your last banishing?” she asked him. “I take thee upon my bosom and show thy loyalty yet you repay me by treating me like the feeble mares you tame to your will?” she asked him angrily. “I am a woman Robin” she said as she rested her hand upon her head “thee heart and will of a man but a woman born” she told him. “I feel Robin” she told him. 

Harsh words spilled from her lips, yet no lie did she offer.  “My sire’s name is a burden. Yet, even  if he were honored in these halls, I would be nothing still.” He raised up from the floor. “How is it that I treat one so high, lowly? I am at your call and command. You know whom I seek, eternally, yet you deny me always? What does that child have to off compared to thee?”

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen:

Margery looked to the pathetic girl begging and wailing at her feet, if she wailed every time she desired she’d have no time to rule the country. Tears bothered her none, not in the least bit. The life she lived had been a challenging one and not many tears were shed in the wake. She just watched the girl as she stood there, she had no sympathy and no other words to offer. “Leave me” she told her coldly. She didn’t want the girl in her sight. As Robin surfaced to lay his pleading case on her she squinted at him, as if to work hand and hand with the young girl to spite her. Her nostrils flared, as her chest heaved and she balled her fist tightly at her side as she continued to watch him bend to her will. “Leave me” she said again and this time her booming voice was projected at everyone in the room but him. “Get out of my sight” she screamed at the women as she stared at him with fire in her eyes. As they scurried away, despite herself she wouldn’t fold, these were the things that got him banished and she wouldn’t hesitate to banish him once more. How could he protest to love no other but her, yet have a wife and several onlookers ready to kiss his very feet. 

Robert did not move as she screamed her disapproval to the hall. Even as all within ear shot. Hazel, the rest of the ladies in waiting, Dukes and Earls a like scattered like ants from a kicked anthill. He stayed, continuing to kneel at her feet. She would banish him again if he pressed to hard, but what was he to do. King, nor prince was he. So he was left to be that which he was born, a man. A man who reached for the heavens. Whom dared to touch the sun, and would gladly lose a hand to behold it, if even for a moment.  

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

bthegoodvirginqueen:

Margery’s eyes moved back to her book, and she read a few words off the page as the girl moved towards her. When she bowed respectfully and addressed her as such, the woman continued to read her book for a moment. Her eyes never left the page even as she said “the Earl of Leicester…” raising the book a bit to block her view of the man she wished so badly to banish once again. He woke things within her yet sucked the very life from her all at the same time. She hated him, yet loved him so dearly. Sometimes love exceeding hate but more often than not hate exceeding love these days. “He be but a dream to you?” she asked the girl looking up at her. “The perfect prince whom charmed thee away from thy chambers where thee was sought to honor thy beckoning call? Though he be nothing of the sorts. Prince nor King, nor will he ever be” she asked her, she tried her best not to seem so upset she had no right to be. However, she was. You could feel the heat fuming from her skin if you were to touch her she’d burn you easily. “You stupid girl” she said barked “he but a man, a family man, whoms wife stops at nothing to wail for just a glance upon his face while he away, honoring his country for thy name. Do thee wish to kiss a man, whom does not belong to thee?” she asked her. “Do you? Do you wish to, be caressed by his rough hands to feel alive again?” she asked her feverishly. The room was as quiet as a mouse, pairs of eyes glued to her brown face that was ever the shade of cherry, her hand was clutching the book so tightly she’d torn a page in the process of her rage. “Thy twinkling eyes say touch my pale dull lifeless skin” she edged “touch my frail little useless body” she snapped tossing the book to the ground as she stood before her. 

Hazel eyes shift, painting the floor with a deep seeded worry. The Queen had summoned her but then left her to remain bowed far past what was considered, appropriate. Her faces burned, and chest heaved she new this Queen's anger had been awaken but why? The question began and she was no longer unaware of her crimes. Hazel quivered shaking her bowed head, 'no' against the hard cold floor. “No your highness,” she blurted unable to give her responds fully before another question was hurled at her. Tears ran down her rosy cheeks as she pleaded on, scooting close enough to grab the feet of the queen. She jumped, startled by the book hitting the ground, but kept her back bent, ‘Please don’t send me away from your sight.”

Robert continued a pleasant conversation with the Duke of Windsor. “Your tongue is to swift for my feeble mind to comprehend your amalgamations.” He chuckled looking towards the queen. There on the floor, bowed before the queen was Hazel.  Margery begun to draw the attentions  of the hall as her tightly bond anger uncoiled.  Robert’s face flushed as the insults rained down. They were meant for the girl but nicked his countenance in the process.

Robert started across the chamber boots thumping  loudly in the quiet hall, moving toward the furious queen. “Is it not my virtue so brightly stain by accepting a pitying glance from one so fair. I beg thee, take my own neck  to bend at your will and pardon this youth. For I am as your wisdom dictated...  An old, fool, with little and less to offer any in this hall.' He opened his arms baring his chest.  "Unless it be my wicked tongue... He eyes glinted, let the words linger in the air, eyes fixed on the queen. “To spin useless tales. Or my decrepit legs,” he bend at her feet, “Only useful in training the queens mares..”  He bent lower with each word. “Pity her for she knows not my heart. Who rules this old ragged flesh. And that you in your wisdom are trying to protect that owner.”

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Face to Face: Enlightenment.

[earlofleicester]

thegoodvirginqueen:

Looking to her ladies in waiting, Margery eyes flickered lightly at one. She gripped the book in her hand tightly as she continued to glare at the woman. She thought to herself for a very long time, eyes never leaving her, the girl who enraged her so with just the slightest action had to be dealt with. She was fond of Robin, Margery could see it with every twinkle in her eyes when he passed, and every attentive attempt she made to straighten out her gown, or to fluff her hair. It made her skin boil from the inside out, how dare she be so careless with her feelings. Though Margery supposed, Robin was not hers, and their secret love affair was just that, a secret. “Hazel” she said lowly as she peered into the girl still.

Robert made his way around the hall, a hello there, a bow here. Pretenses.  The Queens chastity must be guarded, even from the rumor mill. Rumors of bedroom antics given to much merit could dethrone her as easy as her death.   He groaned annoyed with the ever present eyes of Hazel. She was so openly enamored with him, and outwardly pretty.  He couldn’t just spurn her advances.  He stared openly at her, braking his gaze when in conversation but always returning to her face with a smile or a nod.   

Hazel’s porcelain fingers covered her cherry lips hiding a giggle. The lively chatter all around her focused on one thing. The entire  court did actually. The return of the of Earl  Leicester. Her laughter was a ruse, however. She split her attentions between casually eyeing the Earl and waiting for the queen to summon her. She started as the queen's voice finally cut through the hall. White hand moving to her stomach, she floated forward. Once at the royal's feet, she bend herself, lowering her head as to not meet the queens eyes, “Your Majesty?”

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Love Rekindled.

INVOLVED: Queen Margery & Earl of Leicester. TIME FRAME: 1600s. LOCATION: Royal Palace; Greenwich, England. NOTES: Margery awaits the return of her beloved Earl, the rekindled relationship sparks the indulgence of two souls.

Keep reading

[earlofleicester]

Letter to Her Majesty the Queen

Majesty,  

To read the words, written by your hand, is the greatest treasure I have ever received.  I am but a  ghost of myself without your majesty's guiding light. Sadly, I must already beg your forgiveness. It pains me to be contrary, but I feel I must. There is no struggle in you. You know the currents of your mind and steer them boldly. I only offer that which has always been yours, my friendship. My thoughts have been ever with you, and I admit I desire nothing more than to be in your presence as well. As for the  council, they are not wrong. The country needs an heir. Yet, they forget that you are a wise and capable sovereign.  You know the needs of your country better than any, because you love her more then we, your subjects, can fathom.  

It grieves me to know you have been unwell, especially due to the burden of worry. I fault myself for not taking better care with my words and actions.  I implore you to take your rest. Remember, you are the country and the country is you. Alas, as the body cannot function without the spirit. So, your  nation, can not function without you.  It is my duty, as that of all your humble servants, to gladly bend my knee to the will of the crown. But it is as your friend that I quicken my steps and rush to honor your most gracious request. I shall be your most obedient servant and tarry here no longer.  Honored one take care until my return.

Your Majesty's most faithful and obedient servant,

R. Leicester

[thegoodvirginqueen]

Keep reading

[garettphotography]

“All in the golden afternoon Full leisurely we glide; For both our oars, with little skill, By little arms are plied, While little hands make vain pretense Our wanderings to guide.” -Lewis Carroll // Chatsworth Garden | GarettPhotography

[thelovejournals]

With you, intimacy colours my voice. even ‘hello’ sounds like ‘come here’.

Warsan Shire