Beyond Time (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I can't believe that you'll still on a mission to challenge him." Dylan said as they stepped into the courtyard with Ballas at their heels. "You're simply too stubborn to sit down and talk with Henry and Elizabeth."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I talked to Henry, and he told me he'll forgo tradition if I beat Lothair. That's all he said." John turned to face Dylandra. "I haven't talked to Elizabeth yet "

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't you think you should? Stop being so thickheaded." Dylan said as she placed her hands on her hips and stared at her friend. "Do you think that she's really going to let you fight someone for her hand in marriage? She'll probably be just as mad as I would if I were in her shoes."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She might be mad... But I'm not just proving myself to her. I'm doing this for myself too. I want to know that in tradition and love, I'm worthy of her." John sheathed his blade.

 

[heartofcourage]

"John, this isn't a fairy tale. This is real life and there is a possibility that you could get seriously hurt. What happens then?" Dylan asked, struggling to reach him and show him that this isn't something that he should really do.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Fairy tales always have Prince Charming come through. Lothair's the prince, not me. I'll be okay. And if I get hurt... well, I'll learn from it, won't I?" John came over to kiss her cheek. "I'm touched that you're worried for me, and I understand that you think this is crazy. But my mind is made up. If Lothair pursues Elizabeth, I'm going to duel him."

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan watched him move to get cleaned up. She was upset that he was being stubborn enough to persue this crazy idea that he needed to fight for Elizabeth's hand. Still, she also knew that she simply needed to let things happen. When Ashien's arm wrapped around her waist, she let out a long sigh.

"I know you said that we shouldn't get involved, but it's hard." She murmured, glancing over at her husband. "I want to beat some sense into him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't stop you," Ashien shrugged. "But I think we both know it won't work. He's a stubborn man in love. That's about the worst there is. Though he's not quite as bad as my brothers. Or my sisters, for that matter." With a kiss, he walked on with her into the palace where Henry met them with a fairly concerned gaze.

"Is John really-"

"Mhm," was Ashien's simple reply, and Henry sighed with a roll of his eyes. "Blasted boy. I was hoping to scare him out of it by bluffing. But I suppose it does my heart some good to see such dedication, and to know he's will in to fight for her. Of course Lothair is no danger to my daughter, but I believe John sees him as a danger to Elizabeth's dreams."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Henry, we can't let him fight. What if it causes an international problem?" Dylan murmured as Ballas bumped against the king's leg in greeting. "If Elizabeth tells Lothair that she isn't interested in marrying him, it would save a lot of heartache in the end."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've yet to meet Lothair, so I don't know what kind of man he is. For all I know, he'll be angry if Elizabeth refuses him. But just let things run their course, things will work out," Henry assured her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth was sitting in the garden, working on a piece of embroidery when she saw John approaching. He looked slightly upset about something. She had noticed he was distant with her lately but she just assumed that he had other things going on in his life. He had been spending more time at Darkwood with Ashien and Dylandra and it was apparent in the muscle that he was putting on that he was working hard.

"It's been a while since I've seen you around." Elizabeth said with a sincere smile on her face. "I was beginning to think that you didn't want to see me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not at all, I just, uh..." John then shook his head, knowing he needed to get his mind and his courage together. "Listen... I'm gonna be honest with you here and you'll probably hate me at some point, but... I know about Lothair's suit." Of course Henry had discussed it with Ashien, but he'd never said he'd told John. And Ashien wouldn't have told him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth was a little big stunned when he brought up the suit that was being brought for her from the Holy Roman Empire. Carefully, she put her embroidery aside and let out a short sigh as she turned towards the man that was her very good friend.

"How did you find out about that?" She asked him, wanting honest answers from him after so many weeks of hiding from her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I noticed your dad looking a little worried about something, so I asked what was up and he told me about Lothair. When I told Ashien I knew, he told me who Lothair was, and... This is why you're gonna hate me... Dylandra tells me I shouldn't, but I'm going to challenge him if he wants to court you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Why would you challenge him, John?" Elizabeth asked, a little taken back by the passion in his voice about the situation. "He is nothing but another man trying to ask for my hand. There have been other offers before him that I have turned down."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've decided I won't if he doesn't push it. But there are other people pushing for it. I might not know a lot about monarchy or marriage alliances, but I do know some people are set on joining England and the Empire, and it might make some people angry if Lothair's turned down. And I feel like it's high time I proved myself." John reached out to take Elizabeth's hand. "I just want to prove that I'm not the wrong choice. To more than just you and Henry."

 

[heartofcourage]

"John, you don't have to prove anything. We know what kind of man you are." Elizabeth told him as he took her hand in his own. "I don't expect you to have to fight for my hand. You make me happy and that's what is most important to me when I choose my future husband."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know you all know, but what about other people? If you do choose me... They all ought to know I'm capable as I am roguishly handsome right?" He asked with a charming smile. "But I won't challenge him if he doesn't push it, I promise."

 

[heartofcourage]

"What does it matter to anyone what I see in you?" Elizabeth asked as he gave her that charming smile. "No one else here in England would have to be married to you but me. I hate that the rest of the public should have any say in who I decided that I want to spend the rest of my life with. You'll find, John, that I'm not someone to shy away from getting what I want."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So I don't get to be reckless and stupid?" John asked, his smile only widening as Elizabeth told him she would get what she wanted, not what anyone else wanted. Though he still felt the need to prove himself, he was more willing to listen when it was the woman he was planning to fight for.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would prefer that you didn't. I would hope that my possible future husband would be in one piece when the wedding came." Elizabeth murmured, her cheeks growing pink as she looked up at John's charming smile.

 

[KieranSoares]

John's smile softened and now he took both her hands. "Elizabeth... Would it be okay if I kissed you?" He'd never been the sort to spring the first kiss as a surprise, not with how spontaneous he usually was otherwise.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think I'd like that." Elizabeth said as he asked to kiss her, taking both of her hands in his own. "You're sweet to ask, John. I don't know of anyone else that would even take the time to ask me that."

 

[KieranSoares]

John grinned as she welcomed him, and he leaned in to press his lips to her own for a long, soft moment. It wasn't the huge explosion of fireworks or a tidal wave of emotion. It was a quiet, beautiful moment of warmth washing over them both, the balance against John's usual high energy. "A smart guy doesn't just kiss the girl of his dreams. He puts a lot of thought into it," John murmured when their lips parted, his expression gentle as ever.

 

[heartofcourage]

As John leaned in and pressed his lips against her own, Elizabeth felt her belly warm. She let out a soft sigh, her lips curling into a smile as he kissed her with a gentle passion. It ended far too soon for her liking but she still smile up at him.

"I'm sure you've said that to dozens of women in your life, you rogue." Elizabeth said with a small laugh, her joy evident on her features.