Intrigue in the Spanish Court

[Morgana]

This idea is based on a Verdi opera called "Don Carlos" which, in turn, has a historical basis.

Time & Place: Spanish court; 1500s

Characters:

Elisabeth Valois: French princess brought over to Spain after a bargain was made between her father and King Phillip. She is to marry the Spanish prince, Don Carlos. She meets Carlos and there is an instant attraction. Before the pair can develop their romance, King Phillip announces that he himself (Carlos's father) will marry Elisabeth. (Age: 20; blonde hair; blue eyes; angelic looking)

Don Carlos: Heir to the Spanish throne. In love with Elisabeth. Wants to pursue a relationship with his "step-mother." Tries desperately to deny his feelings. (29 years old)

King Phillip: King of Spain. In love (or lust?) with Elisabeth. Marries his son's intended. Seeks comfort from Elisabeth's coolness in Eboli. (56; distinguished, intense)

Eboli: Lady of the Spanish court. Mistress of King Phillip.
Thinks Carlos has feelings for her and then realizes that he loves Elisabeth. Should she betray their secret to the King? (24; dark hair and dark eyes. Exotic and beautiful)

If anyone has any other ideas for characters, feel free to post them. I'd like to keep the thread to no more than 6-8 people maximum.

I'll be taking the role of Elisabeth. All other roles are open. Anything that I did not specifically put in the character descriptions is up to you.

Once I have the princpal characters, I'll begin the story, that is, if enough people are interested in this kind of thing.

This is my first effort, so please bear with my inexperience!

 

[Balthezar]

Don Carlos

If you would like, I'd enjoy playing the role of Don Carlos. I really like this idea.

B

 

[Morgana]

Great!

OOC: Glad you like the idea! Thrilled to have you aboard.
The role of Don Carlos is yours. We just need a King Phillip and an Eboli to start and we're all set.

 

[FeatherLight]

I'm up for Eboli. *grins* Nice idea!

 

[mr spikey]

King Phillip

OOC: I would be willing to play King Phillip.

 

[Morgana]

Elisabeth Valois

It is my wedding night. I can hear the evening bells ringing out
in triumphant celebration. I can feel a maid’s fingers undoing the
buttons of my wedding gown while another woman, the lady Eboli, unpins
my hair and soft blonde waves spill down my back. Someone applies the
exotic scent of jasmine to my wrists and neck. They dress me in an
ivory colored silk nightgown and undergarments. I slip my arms into a
matching robe with an elaborately emroidered train. I glance briefly in
the mirror. How different I look from these olive skinned, onyx eyed
Spanish girls! My complexion is fair, my hair blonde, and my eyes light
blue--almost transluscent in some lights. I envy the vividness of their
beauty, especially Eboli, who is like an orchid in a lily garden. She
is sensual and confident and I want to ask her things about the night to
come--but propriety and unfamiliarity hold me back.

I said my vows this morning to the King of Spain, to Phillip the
II himself. My lips still felt as if they were burning from Carlos’s
kiss the day before when the world made sense. It was just a kiss. My
first real kiss. A princess’s virtue is guarded by the court like the
most precious of crowned jewels. My virginity is a commodity, and
coupled with my title, was auctioned off to the highest bidder.

I would have been Carlos’s wife. I came to Spain with the
agreement that I would be his. We had never met before but there was an
instant connection and in the brief time we spent together in those
first few days, I felt the first stirrings of love. He kissed me in the
gardens with the scent of orange blossoms in the air and on his lips,
and my fears melted like snow beneath the first kiss of April.

But I must forget Carlos! It is not to be. Just before my
brother returned to France with the bride price, Phillip offered a new
arrangement. He told my brother that he would bestow the highest honor
upon me, that he would make me Queen of Spain. A greater sum was
offered and I was ushered in to sign the marriage contract. I was not
told until afterwards that a slight change in plans had been made. I
was being given to Phillip instead of to Carlos, a man old enough to be
my father!

I danced with my step-son at my wedding, the man who should have
been my husband. I could barely meet his eyes and I wonder if he could
hear the way my heart thudded in my chest. What does he think of all
this? Does he despise me now?

Eboli nods to the maids that all is finished and she blows out a
few candles so that the room is dimmer. I long to confide in her but
she is cool toward me and I get the impression that she does not like
me, although I do not know why. My stomach churns with anxiety as I
watch her go and I am left alone in the room.

Alone. To wait. To wait for my husband.





[Edited by Morgana on 03-29-2001 at 07:12 PM]

 

[mr spikey]

King Phillip II

At last I receive the message I have been waiting for, she is ready to consumate our marriage. It had been arranged for my son to marry her, but after meeting her I decided that she would make a beautiful queen. Why should she have to wait for me to die and my son to ascend the throne. I could make her queen now. So I changed our arrangement with the King of France. It cost a few more gold sovereigns, but she was worth it. Too bad for Carlos, he was obviously taken with her. Instead she would now be his stepmother.
We had said our vows and received the reception in all good order. Now the moment that I had been waiting for had come.I strode down the long hall to my bedroom. Wearing only my robe. I entered the room and saw her sitting on the bed. She was wearing an ivory robe. I walked towards the bed and stood looking at her. I knelt at the edge of the bed and kissed her hand. I looked into her blue eyes and said " My fair Elisabeth, you are certainly the loveliest Queen this country will ever know. Tonight we consumate our marriage. It is the responsibility of every Queen to bear the King a son. I hope that we will have many sons together. I know that you are still chaste and I promise to be very gentle with you. All that I ask is that you love me as much as I love you." As I finished, I stood up and took off my robe, revealing my nakedness to her. I sat down on the bed and told her to stand up and disrobe.

 

[Morgana]

Elisabeth Valois

Phillip gazed at me expectantly, gently, and with desire. My eyes swept over his nakedness with innocent curiosity, for I had never seen a naked man before--at least not at this proximity. France is not a prudish country, and of course, I had seen some of the servants once bathing in a lake far out on the Castle grounds, giggling shyly with my ladies-in-waiting over which one had the comeliest physique. But the watchful eyes of my parents and chaperones had really kept me an innocent.

His words were reassuring enough. Many brides did not have the benefit of a patient husband. I stood up and lowered my robe to the floor and stood wearing only my nightgown. There were tiny ribbons at the collar and my fingers trembled so much that I had a hard time untying them. Phillip chuckled softly and made fast work of them, brushing his fingers against my neck and pulling the nightgown over my head. Trying to look as casual as possible, I slipped off my undergarments and they lay on the floor with the other scattered clothing.

I felt even more vulnerable in my nakedness but I willed myself to relax as I met Phillip's eyes.

 

[Balthezar]

Prince Carlos sat, watching the revelers in the square. A celebration like the marrage of a King was a rare event indeed, and the townspeople would celebrate long into the night, indeed, if not through the next day. Carlos, however, was in foul spirits. He sat upon the balcony, a bottle of the finest wine in his hand, and he brooded, cursing the cruel twist of fate that had denied him from his love.

He remembered his first glimpse as she was formally introduced in court, a heavenly figure that trapped his breath. Indeed, it was some before he could summon up the courage to approach her away from the formalities of court. And last night...last night was bliss. Carlos had arranged for her servants to be delayed, giving him all too brief moments alone. He professed his love, no longer able to hold back, despite what the Fates had in store for them, kissing her with a passion he knew he could never match with another.

Perhaps, had he not been so awestruck, he would have noticed his father's lustful gaze. He could have acted to prevent his love from being stolen from him. But now, there was nothing left to him but the wine imported from his love's homeland and the cheer of the people below. He realized, as befitted the Crown Prince, he should be entertaining guests from various nations and provinces. Carlos, however, just couldn't bring himself to care any longer. He stood, and a tear rolled down his cheek. He may no longer care, but by God, he was still Prince of Spain. If his love was denied, then he all that remained was his honor.

Slowly, he adjusted his clothing and left the room for the crowded Halls below.

(Carlos is a young man, tanned with black hair. He is athletic in build, and dresses in clothing befitting a Prince, with his hair pulled and bound back. He keeps his facial hair neatly trimmed. He tends to carry a fencing blade and main gauche, save when decorum dictates otherwise.)

 

[mr spikey]

King Phillip II

She stood and took off her robe, revealing an ivory colored nightgown. She fumbled with the ties of her gown at the neck. I chuckled softly as I helped her untie them and sat in awe as she turned around. She was gorgeous, perfectly shaped breasts and ass. I reached out for her and pulled her down to the bed. I slowly inched closer to her face and kissed her. I could feel her nipples touching my chest, as we layed back on the bed. I kissed her passionately, my tongue slipping between her lips and into her mouth. I stroked her shoulder with one hand and began to move down to her breast. Slowly, I kneaded the soft flesh of her breast. I teased her hard nipple, pinching it softly and rolling it between my fingertips. I kissed her neck and licked my way up to her earlobe. I sucked and nibbled on her earlobe. I licked my way down to her breast. I licked the hard nipple, wetting it with my saliva. Then, I sucked the nipple into my mouth and gently nibbled it. My hand moved down between her legs. She was wet with excitement. My fingertips spread her lips apart and began to press against her hymen. I whispered " This may hurt a little." I gently applied more pressure unitl my middle finger burst through. She gasped as her hymen was broken. I waited for her to relax. Then, I inserted a second finger and began to push in and out of her wet pussy. She started to respond to my fingers being inside her. I licked and sucked her other nipple, as her breathing increased. Finally, she arched her back and groaned as I felt a wetness flow over my fingertips. I smiled to myself and thought ' Yes, my sweet. You will learn more about the pleasures of your body.' I reached for her hand and guided it to my hard cock. She was nervous at first, but I showed how her how to stroke it. Her hands were soft amd smooth. Her touch was electric. I rolled her over onto her back and bent down to kiss her again. I whispered " Now, my sweet. It is time to consumate this marriage."

 

[Morgana]

Elisabeth Valois

His hands and mouth on my breasts created sensations in my body that I had never felt before. When he slipped his hand between my thighs, to that most intimate of places, I felt a mixture of panic and pleasure. There was a brief, hot pain as I felt his finger break the seal of my virginity. As he pushed his fingers in and out of me, I experienced a fluttering pleasure unlike anything I had ever known.

He guided my left hand to his cock and showed me how to touch him. I rubbed the tip between my thumb anf forefinger and stroked him rhythmically up and down, experimenting with different pressures. His cock seemed to throb and pulsate in my hand.

Phillip turned me over onto my back and parted my legs, running his hands over my inner thighs....

[Edited by Morgana on 03-31-2001 at 01:49 PM]

 

[mr spikey]

King Phillip II

I pushed her legs apart with both hands. I inched forward and rubbed the head of my hard cock between her wet pussy lips. I slid the head up and down, coating it with her juices. I flicked it across her her clit. I applied pressure again between her lips and the head slipped inside her. Slowly I slid in her wet opening, stretching her opening. Finally, I was all the way inside her. I leaned down and kissed her. Slowly I pulled out unitl just the head remained inside and then I pushed all the way in again. I began a slow rhythm of pulling out and pushing in. She began to respond to my rhythm and started to match my in and out movements. She would push forward as I pushed inside her. I began to quicken my pace and her breathing became ragged. I whispered in her ear ' wrap your legs around my waist and help pull me inside you'. As she did, she arched her back and I could hold back no longer. I pushed in one last time and shot hot cum inside her pussy. I continued pulling in and out, spurting out hot cum as I pushed inside her each time. At last I was spent and collapsed on top of her. I whispered in her ear ' tomorrow night, I will teach you even more, my sweet'.

 

[Morgana]

Elisabeth Valois

I realized that my body had betrayed me in those moments with Phillip. I wanted to hate him but the way he touched me and the pleasure he gave my body left me confused. I turned over on my side and he wrapped an arm around my waist, burying his face in my hair, his eyes closed. The regular pattern of his breathing told me that he slept. I could still feel the hot liquid of his seed between my legs, coupled with my own juices, and the thought crossed my mind that even at that moment I might be carrying his child.

How I missed my homeland in those moments as I lay there awake! Beautiful France! I wondered when I would see my parents again and my younger sister, Vianne.

But most of all I thought of Carlos and the hours we had spent together alone in the garden. I thought of the way he had made me laugh and the way that fortune seemed to smile on us. I wanted him. I longed for him with a kind of dull ache in my heart and in my body.

I knew my thoughts were sinful and I awoke early the next morning to go to chapel to pray for God's guidance. I dressed in peach colored silk with tiny rosettes at the collar, my breasts pushed up against the fabric, as was the style of the day. With my rosary in hand, I tiptoed out of the room and rushed across the grounds toward the tiny chapel that was almost part of the castle itself. I had left a message with one of the servants to tell the king that I would be at Church if he asked about my whereabouts.

I deliberately passed through the garden where the orange blossoms were in full bloom, and I sat down on one of the benches. It was the only place where I felt at home.

 

[Neale]

[Edited by Neale on 04-01-2001 at 10:34 AM]

 

[mr spikey]

King Phillip II

I awoke in the morning to find myself alone in bed. I inquired about the Queen and was told that she had gone to church. Very well, I thought. I must attend to matters of state. The alliance that I sought to make between Spain and France was progressing. Even though I had taken the Princess Elisabeth as my bride instead of Carlos had complicated affairs. It would serve my purpose in the end. To conquer England, I must have an alliance with France. Carlos would have to wait to serve Spain in another way. I found that I looked forward to that night, when I could teach my Queen even more.

 

[Balthezar]

Carlos

It had been a long difficult night for the young prince. Had he not been so practiced in hiding his emotions behind the facade of regality, he was certain that he would have spent most of the time alternating between raging anger and utter depression. Eventually, however, the foreign wines dulled the edge from the pain and he was able to collapse into a fitful sleep. He dreamt, that night, of his father, touching the woman he loved, imagined her attempting to resist before being forced into a loveless coupling. Carlos woke angrier then when he had retired. Moving from the canopied bed to where a bowl of water lay on a nearby table, he began to wash, the cool water calming him slightly. Once finished with his hasty wash, he moved to the open balcony, breathing in the air as he threw open the doors, and it was there, he made a decision. He needed to be away. His father would object, but Carlos knew the old man could be convinced. Once he was away from Madrid, perhaps in one of the countyside manors, he could further work out these emotions. Turning, he began to walk. There was one thing he needed to do first.

Carlos had not expected to find Elisabeth in the garden. He would have assumed that she would have been fully occupied with the King, not wandering these gardens that had meant so much to him. Hope flared in his chest. Did she still care for him? Had she come here to wait for him? His mind began to swim with possiblities, of taking her and fleeing. Of dashing off into the night with his true love, and abandoning their duties to the winds. But could this be simple coincidence? Coming up slowly behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, feeling her start underneath him.

"My Queen," he steeled his voice, "What are you doing here?" Desperately, he waited for the answer he longed to hear.

B

 

[Morgana]

Elisabeth Valois

I felt hands on my shoulders and I flinched, thinking that the King had found me. But then I heard Carlos's voice and my heart leapt in profound joy! I stood up and turned to face him, nearly throwing my arms around his neck-- but then I remembered where we were and I restrained myself from the un-motherly display of affection.

"I was hoping...I wanted to talk to you," I stammered, "Please don't hate me, Carlos, for what I did. I had no choice. I had to marry him. The alliance between our countries depended upon such a marriage."

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm so unhappy." I looked into his eyes and did not hide the love that shone in my own.

"I love you so much," I whispered, "I betray France and Spain with that love, but I cannot deny it." I frowned bitterly, "And anyway, I was promised to you--I should have been yours!"

My mouth was only inches away from his and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek.

 

[Balthezar]

Carlos

In that moment, he saw everything he could possibly wish for come true. She stared into him with unabashed love, unshed tears in her eyes. Carlos could not hold back, the facade of formality he had used in an attempt to cover his true feelings slipped away, and he threw his arms around her, drawing her near to him.

"I feel the same, my love. In this garden, at least, you are still MY love, and never his." Carlos could feel her body pressing against his as they embraced, her skin softer than any silk, or rose. He sighed, knowing that this was not the time, and hastily began to rearrange his plans. With difficulty, he forced her back from him, holding her at arms length.

"We cannot stay long here, as my father may well be searching for his new queen. Regardless of that fact, you were mine before, and you will belong only to me again, treason or no." He pulled her to him, kissing Elizabeth gently upon the forhead. "I will come up with a way for us to be together, this I swear." With that, and a furtive glance, the Prince began to retreat, calling as he left. "Meet me here again, tommorow, and always keep me near your heart."