Transcript of The Avalon Legacy 1.6
2.
- The new Prince was the pride of the kingdom, and the King and
Queen doted on him constantly.
3.
- Be careful with him now,Queen Abigail laughed.He's likely to
spit up on you!
4.
- Oh, your mother doesn't want us to have fun, does she
Thomas?Very well then, I suppose it's time for your nap
anyhow.
5.
- The infant Prince slept in a bassinet at the foot of his
mother's bed, rather than in his nursery.She had even turned away a
wet nurse, for on her home island of Avalon, the women always
nursed their own babes.They believed it promoted greater health and
happiness in the newborns.
6.
- And though the new parents loved spending every moment with
their son, the Queen's friend Lady Eloiza Somerset finally
convinced her to take a much needed night away.She and her husband
Lord Richard came over for dinner to give the royal couple some
adult interaction.
7.
- It's so good to see the two of you.I haven't had a real
conversation with a grown-up in weeks!Forgive me if I slip into
baby talk!
8.
- Oh you poor thing!You should let your nurses relieve you more
often!Ah, but I remember how it was with my firstI wouldn't let
young Richard Jr. out of my sight for a moment!
9.
- Indeed you didn't!I felt like I didn't get my wife back for
months!But your first childisa very exciting thing.
10.
- It certainly is, Richard!We feel very blessed.But tell me, how
have this season's hunts been running without me?I look forward to
getting back out to the countryside!
11.
- It doesn't take long before their talk turns to the hunt, does
it?Queen Abigail winked.But tell me about the rest of your
children, Eloiza.I should love to meet them...
12.
- It wasn't long before winter arrived again, and the first snow
had fallen on the palace.
13.
- The royal family prepared to celebrate Christmas, and the birth
of another little prince or princess as well.
14.
- Here darling.I can't wait until tomorrow to give it to you. I
want you to open your gift tonight!
15.
- But it's only Christmas Eve!Well alright, you don't need to
convince me to open a present, butwhat's this?Pictures of
horses?
- Yes my dear.I've bought you the most fabulous hunting
stallion.He will keep you safe and fast out in the field!
16.
- You knew I was looking for a new steed!I can't wait to meet
him!And now I suppose you expect me to give you your present early
as well!He gave her a wink.I've been thinking...now that our family
is growing, we need a more suitable residence...
17.
- But what could be more suitable than what we have?We have room
to spare here!
- I suppose that's true my love, but this is only a country
estate.My father stopped holding court after my mother died, and
it's time we got back to it!
18.
- King Eric continued, I am having our main palace at Hampton
Court renovated to it's former splendor.It won't be ready for
awhile yet, but it signifies our legacy, and the legacy of our
children!
- Oh Eric, that sounds very exciting!But I've never been to court
before.And I do hope it won't be too ostentatious!
19.
- Don't worry about that, my dear.This palace will spell the
birth of a new age.Our family, born and unborn, will call it home
for generations.
20.
- Isn't that right, my son?He tickled Prince Thomas.Now you
little one, will have to wait for your presents until tomorrow, for
Father Christmas has not yet had the chance to stop by!
21.
- Prince Thomas loved spending time with his parents.They read
him stories, and taught him to play.
22.
- His mother made sure he could walk and learn his words...
23.
- ...But his father was more interested in teaching him to
ride.
24.
- Prince Henry was born in late winter, as the sun poked through
the gray sky and the snow began to thaw.
25.
- There, there, my little prince.Now the men truly outnumber the
women in this household!
26.
- A few weeks after Prince Henry's birth, the King and Queen
finally found time for some romance.Ah my darling, alone at
last!
27.
- They don't tell you how difficult it is to find time together
when you have children!But tonight...
28.
- He kissed his wife passionately.All of the sudden there was a
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock* at the door.
29.
- Good god, Christopher!Are you mad?You know we are not to be
disturbed!
- Indeed your majesty.I apologize, but we have just received an
urgent message from his grace, Don Lorenzo.He requests your
presence at once.And that of the Queen as well.
30.
- Oh dear, is everything all right?What did the messenger
say?
31.
- Lorenzo?Requestmypresence?That is a laugh.Besides, he's not
even supposed to be here.He has been visiting his family in
Italy.Does he mean for us to travel to Italy tonight?King Eric
asked, sarcastically.Whatever the issue is, it can certainly wait
until morning.
32.
- Apparently he has returned to England quite suddenly, your
majesty.The messenger would not supply more details than that,
however he did say he was instructed not to return home without
you.I am sure his grace would not call for you if it was not truly
urgent.
33.
- Eric, this worries me.Queen Abigail touched her husband's arm.I
think we should go to him.
34.
- But darling!Tonight...isournight.He sighed and lowered his
head.But you're right, I am worried to.Bygodhe has terrible
timing!
35.
- It is the right thing to do.Prepare the carriage, Christopher,
and send Hannah up to help me dress.
36.
- They traveled to Don Lorenzo's estate as quickly as they
could.
37.
- My Lady, his majesty the King and her highness the Queen have
arrived to see your Lord.Where may we be received?
38.
- Certainly, your grace.My Lord is expecting you.Allow me to show
you to the salon.
39.
- Please make yourselves comfortable.I shall alert my Lord of
your arrival.
40.
- And tell your Lord to hurry.I am not accustomed to making house
calls.The King answered, grumpily.
41.
- What could he possibly need to tell us?The Queen wondered.And
in the middle of the night!
42.
- I haven't the slightest, but you don't know Lorenzo as well as
Iif history tells us anything, he has gotten himself into some kind
of trouble, and now he needsmyhelp getting out!
43.
- I'm afraid you are too familiar with my antics, dear
King.Lorenzo laughed.
44.
- Lorenzo my friend!It has been too long!
45.
- Alright, now out with it!Let's cut to the chase, it is past the
Queen's bedtime!
46.
- No 'welcome home?'How long must I be gone for you to miss
me?
47.
- Alright, I did miss you.A year is a long time, although I
expected you to be longer still...
48.
- Don Lorenzo sighed.As did I, until I ran into some...other
plans.But look at this, you are keeping me from my Queen!Lorenzo
brightened again.Excuse me, sir...
49.
- But I must tend to our Great Lady.My Queen, I have missed you
most of all.
50.
- Oh Lorenzo, you are too much!Don't tell my husband, but I have
missed you dearly as well!
51.
- I knew it!I shall take you to a faraway land where we may be
together at last, my sweet!Don Lorenzo joked.
- King Eric cleared his throat.That's quite enough,
Lorenzo.Really, it is getting late.
52.
- I apologize, your majesty.You are right.If you would excuse me
for just a moment...
53.
- Don Lorenzo walked to the doorway and called out softly in
Italian.Tesora, ti aspettiamo qui.
54.
- A woman joined Lorenzo in the doorway and he brought her into
the room.Your majesties, please allow me to introduce...my
wife.
55.
- She was visibly nervous, but managed a skilled curtsey to the
royal couple.
56.
- Your wife?Is this some kind of joke, Lorenzo?And is
she...?
57.
- With child!Queen Abigail gasped.
58.
- Don Lorenzo spoke with difficulty.The Contessa Francesca de
Medici, formerly Dama Francesca Valenti of Florence.And myself,
formerly a Don, am now a Conte.A little wedding present to us from
my uncle, the Doge of Venice.
59.
- Contessa Francesca was obviously intimidated by the
proceedings, and Queen Abigail's heart went out to her.Oh my dear,
you seem to be about halfway along.I have two little ones myself
now.
60.
- Grazie...Thank you, signora.Contessa Francesca smiled at the
Queen appreciatively.
61.
- She is still learning English, and working very hard at
it.Conte Lorenzo smiled at her, and she returned it,
uncertainly.
62.
- I suppose this is where I need your help.He took a deep
breath.I know how this looks.I just want to find a way to introduce
her to our society here without too much fuss.She doesn't deserve a
damaged reputation, and you know how the other ladies can
be...
63.
- They were quiet for a moment, when Queen Abigail suddenly had
an idea.I know!Lady Eloiza Somerset and I were going to plan a
garden party for all the ladies of the realm...
64.
- The Contessa could attend as my guest of honor!No one would
dare treat her ill when she is by my side.
65.
- My dear, that is a wonderful idea!
66.
- Indeed!We are most thankful to you!
67.
- Now that that's settled, do you ladies mind if I steal our new
Conte away for a moment?
68.
- Certainly not.The Contessa and I shall get to know each
other.
69.
- Very well.Come with me to the library, your Majesty.
70.
- King Eric settled into a side chair, and Conte Lorenzo bent to
start a fire.
71.
- So Lorenzo, you must tell me.How did this happen?
72.
- Oh I think you know the story.Boy meets girl, boy beds girl,
boy finds out girl is the daughter of the Duca di Firenze.
73.
- He laughed.I always knew things would catch up with me sooner
or later, and from the sound of it so did you!
74.
- This is no matter for jest, Lorenzo.This is a respectable woman
we're talking about here!And soon a child!You alone are responsible
for their happiness!
75.
- Lorenzo was annoyed.Don't talk down to me because you fancy
yourself a domestic expert, Eric!
76.
- You may not want to hear it my friend, but you know what I say
is true.And be careful you don't forget yourselfthis is your King
you're talking to after all!
77.
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.Lorenzo sighed and his shoulders
dropped.I've been so overwhelmed.He said after a moment.
78.
- Lorenzo, my friend.Look at me.You know that Abigail and I are
here for you.We will help you through this, but you need to show me
you are committed too.
79.
- I am!At least, I'm trying to be.I want to do well, it's just
all so new and sudden.But I suppose all I can do is try.I thank you
for your friendship and your support.This has helped me.
80.
- The men came back to the salon to find their ladies chatting,
and the King and Queen made ready to leave.
81.
- Now Contessa, I shall be in contact with you about our garden
party.This has certainly been a pleasure!Let me know if you require
anything!
82.
- The Medici's big their guests farewell, and by then it was
quite late.My Lord, may we retire?The Contessa asked shyly.
83.
- You may do as you like.Conte Lorenzo replied quickly.I feel the
need for a walk.I have much on my mind.
84.
- Don Lorenzo walked past her out into the night, and the
Contessa tried to hide her tears.
85.
- Conte Lorenzo's emotions were a storm inside of him.He heard
her sob as he stepped out the door, but he continued walking, and
did not look back.
86.
- The morning of the garden party arrived, and the Queen's guests
were all assembled, awaiting her entrance.
87.
- Thank you all for waiting patiently!I'm so happy you could make
it.As you may know, I have a guest of honor I should like to
introduce to you before we begin this afternoon's festivities.
88.
- Please allow me to present the newest member of our circle, and
my personal friend, the Contessa Francesca di Medici, wife of Don
Lorenzo di Medici.
89.
- The women were taken aback.They all knew Don Lorenzo as the
last person to take a wife, but following the Queen's lead, they
quickly recovered to welcome Francesca.
90.
- It wasn't long before Francesca was regaling them with stories
from her home in Italyher English had much improved, and Queen
Abigail noticed that the women seemed excited to have a foreign
visitor.
91.
- The Baroness Regina also made an effort to participate, which
Queen Abigail appreciated.
92.
- This was also a chance for Queen Abigail to be introduced to
some noblewomen she had not met yet, like the Countess Margaret of
Pembroke.The two got on easily.
93.
- As the afternoon ended it was time to leave.Contessa Francesca
hugged Queen Abigail and whispered Grazie!The party had been a
success!
94.
- Baroness Regina returned home in high spirits.It was not often
that she was able to enjoy the company of other women.She was
greeted by her daughter, Matilda.
95.
- Mama!I'm so happy you're home.How was the party?Did you see the
Queen?
- I did indeed, my dear.It was very much fun.I shall tell you all
about it, but first let me find your father.
96.
- She found the Baron Marcus in his study.He didn't look up at
her when she came in.
97.
- So, did you have fun at your party?He asked, with a hint of
sarcasm.
98.
- I did my Lord.It was enjoyable to get out of the house.The
royal gardens are beautiful this time of year.
99.
- I suppose they are. And did you see the Queen's new son?How
lucky we are to have such a prolific royal couple.She continues to
produce sons, yet I still have none.It's strange you haven't even
been able to conceive since Matilda.
100.
- The Baroness was taken aback by this onslaught.My Lord, as you
know I have tried everything...
101.
- Yes, yes.That is what you like to say.As you can see, Regina, I
am very busy this evening.If that is all, you may leave.
102.
- She turned and walked out of the room, trying to wipe her tears
away so Matilda would not see.
103.
- It was late summer at the royal palace, and Prince Thomas was
growing fast.
104.
- King Eric tried to spend as much time with him as he could, and
nurture his son's interests and talents.
105.
- What are you two doing out here?It's almost time for
dinner!Thomas, run inside and wash up, or Maria will be after
you!
106.
- Darling, could you hold Henry for a minute?My back is hurting
again!
107.
- My, she loves to kick!She's more rambunctious than the other
two ever were!
108.
- She , huh?And how are you so certain it's a girl?
109.
- A mother can always tell, darling.Besides, If I get another
mischievous boy in this house, I'm leaving!
- Be careful what you wish for!Any daughter of yours will be as
mischievous as these boys, and more! King Eric laughed.Come now,
let me help you inside.
110. The End