The Chapel Royal

*Elizabeth breaks out into full laughter for which she ist frowned upon by both men of the cloth. Irritated by the interruption at such a difficult moment (following both the latin and English texts at the same time to keep track) , the Bishop doth chide both of them for not taking the subject of holy matrimony seriously. He then realises to whom he is speaking and looks to the Priest for back-up*

I do apologise. I canst assure thee we are most serious in this matter.

*she clears her throat and thinks of God and her realm*

Continue.

(OOC: Remember you asked for it!)

*Marie strides in, festooned in the most glorious jewels even Elizabeth has ever seen*.

I knew this day would come! I had to brain 3 guards to find my way in, but you could not keep me from your wedding dearest cousin!

*cocks an eyebrow*
Have a seat, then, your Grace.

(OOC: oh crap ... Nicholas is going to be fed his balls for keeping this secret lol)

*being as this event is more his department than anything that hath taken place thus far, Sir Francis doth offer the Queen of Scotland a seat beside him, hoping for once that chivalry will be enough for her*

Your Grace? Why have you demoted me to a Duchess? I am her Royal Highness!

And YOU! *Looks at Sir Nicholas* You had best take a step away from my cousin, so that I will not accidentally hit her with my shoe as it goes crashing into your skull!

Oh, thank you Francis, as soon as I am finished murdering THIS English Catholic husband, I shall gladly take mine seat.

*Elizabeth doth feel that this ist now too much for her and begins to come over quite faint*

Good cousin, you may be our third witness. I fear we have already started and would implore you to settle yourself and allow us to continue with the ceremony afore any other matters be addressed. ...we are full nervous and would appreciate thine loving support.

*Elizabeth doth look upon Marie with nervous hopefulness.*

Let's not murder anyone until after the wedding. We are after all on holy ground.

(OOC: oh yeah ... he is in trouble lol)

*Nicholas says nothing so as not to disrupt the ceremony further. But he does cast Marie a pleading glance asking for a chance to explain later*

Oh, yes. *Suddenly, with a mood swing only a pregnant Stuart is capable of, I sit down and begin fingering my Rosary and smiling encouragingly*.

*the sight of the rosary in the Queen's own Chapel doth distract the bishop such that the next section of the ceremony ist conducted by the Catholic priest.*

*more giggles, then a whisper*
I am sorry, but I cannot help myself.

*Marie smiles, delighted that she has finally delivered a blow to a Protestant, any Protestant*.

*Whispers* Do not worry, the first time is the easiest.

*Laughs quietly*.

*Elizabeth doth smile back at Juan, but catching sight of the Spanish Ambassador taking furious notes she doth snap out of it and roars at him with fuill Queenly strength.*

Are thou attending our wedding my lord ambassador or attending to thine studies?!

*Francis doth reach across and confiscates both his parchement and quill*

*this very nearly brings Juan to full-on laughter*
Come now, Don Pedro, surely you can remember this event well enough. Write to my father and brother later.

*strengthened as always by winning a round with the Spanish Ambassador, Elizabeth confirms - with more determination than she ever thought possible - that she doth take Juan as her husband*

*getting control of himself*
I do *resolutely*

*the lady in waiting doth rise to provide the rings for the last part of the ceremony to take place afore the complicated matter of the mass.*

*As the small congregation doth split into two sections to partake of the mass and the holy communion, everything doth seem to settle and more communion/holy wine ist consumed than normal*

*listens intently to the Mass, alongside the ambassador, with a slightly dazed look on his face. the ambassador looks miffed.*

*when it is Nicholas time to partake of the body and blood of Christ he doth seem eagar.


*bows his head as the Priest doth utter* The Body of Christ

Amen *so fast is he that the holy sacrament seems to fall apon his tounge but instead it slips down his sleave*

The Blood of Christ *The preist hands him the Golden Goblet but he takes not a sip*

Amen *Nicholas smiles and retreats*

*a prayer ist read by the bishop, blessing the marriage. Then another prayer ist read in latin sanctioning the marriage afore the couple are declared man and wife, Queen Elizabeth Tudor and the Prince Consort of England*

*the clergymen do embrace in brotherly relief that all ist over and Sir Francis ist seen rubbing his eyes and muttering about incense causing them discomfort.*

Well, querida, we have survived that, at least.

*Elizabeth doth lean against him and sob a little into his red sash with relief*