Beyond Time (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth nodded and moved towards John as he stood next to the windows of the room and paced. She was worried about him as he seemed nervous about something that he wasn't willing to talk about.

"John? Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked in a soft voice as she reached out and placed her hand on his forearm. "You seem to be in a poor state tonight."

 

[KieranSoares]

John paused and turned to her to quickly quell those fears. "No, no, I'm okay. I'm great, actually, just... really nervous. I'm... I'm waiting for the right moment to do something important," he told her quietly, not letting on at all that it was all about her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"That seems very serious." Elizabeth said with a slight smile on her lips. "I don't think I've seen you so serious about something since you became a knight. Is that what you are worried about? You rightfully earned that position and you wear the mantel well."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No, I..." John sighed then, taking her hand. "I'll talk to you about it later, I promise." He wasn't willing to ask in front of everyone.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Alright." Elizabeth said with a soft smile, her hand going to cup his cheek as he looked so tense and miserable in that moment.

She was willing to trust him and she knew that he knew what he wanted more than anyone else. If he said that he was alright, she would have to believe that was true.

 

[KieranSoares]

John gave her a smile in return, her touch soothing him. "Would you stick around a while tonight? I'll be sure to take you home."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think I can manage that." Elizabeth said with a laugh. "Ashien will watch you like a hawk to make sure that you're honorable. That way Papa won't have to worry about anything when he returns home to the palace."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don't worry, I don't have anything like that in mind," John assured her with a chuckle. "I'm more of a gentleman than that, and not just because your father scares me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My father does have an army and a dungeon. You would do well to always remember that when it comes to me." Elizabeth teased John with a grin and a kiss on the cheek.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As if I wasn't nervous enough," John murmured before kissing her cheek in return with a chuckle.

Later that night long after Henry had returned to the palace, John was getting ready to escort Elizabeth home and they were alone in the front foyer when he wrapped her cloak about her shoulders. "It's getting pretty cold... I asked Kiva to bring out the carriage so you don't have to freeze on the way back."

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth glanced towards John as he told her that Kiva was bringing around a carriage to take her home. She very well could have walked, but something about the moment told her that John needed that moment alone with her.

"Alright. It's a lovely night for a ride." Elizabeth said with a smile as she wrapped her arm through John's.

 

[KieranSoares]

Once they were in the carriage, John sat across from Elizabeth and he was suddenly nervous again, playing with some small box in his hands. The carriage trundled along and John looked to Elizabeth, but he couldn't figure out what to say.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're so nervous that you have me a little worried that you're going to break my heart." Elizabeth said, giving John a small smile as she tried to lift his spirit and take away his worry. "What's the matter, John? You've been out of sorts all evening."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've just been trying to figure out to say what I want to say. I've run it through my head a million times." He took her hands, giving her a smile. "I think you're amazing, Elizabeth. I thought I really knew what love felt like before I knew you. And... I became a knight for you more than anyone or anything else. And... I've been fighting with myself on whether this is the right time, or if I'm rushing... But I'm willing to take the chance. What I want to ask you, is... Will you marry me?" He opened the little box, and inside was a lovely golden ring with a ruby set in the center.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth's heart was racing as she listened to John's words and he finally showed her the ring that he had spent so much time and effort to buy her. She looked up at him, her hands trembling as she reached to touch the lovely ruby that was reminiscent of her red hair.

"John, it's lovely." She said softly, giving him a warm smile. "Have you asked Papa first?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I did, and he teased me mercilessly and said it was up to you," John chuckled, meeting her gaze. "He and Ashien took bets on whether or not I'd be brave enough to ask."

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth grinned as he said that he had asked her father and he had been teased by him mercilessly. It was her decision. She knew that she was very lucky to have the ability to choose who she wanted to marry and have a chance at being happy with her life. Her smile grew warm and her eyes bright as she looked at John and nodded.

"I would enjoy nothing more than being you wife." Elizabeth said with a soft laugh as she offered her hand for him to place the ring on her finger.

 

[KieranSoares]

John felt his heart skip a beat and his body relax when she gave him her answer, and he couldn't help kissing her for all he was worth once that little ring slid onto her finger. He finally felt like he had a future again, a solid heading.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth grinned as she kissed him deeply, her fingers curling in his short hair as they celebrated their engagement. It was a lovely moment, she thought to herself, and she felt her heart swelling with the joy that she had felt ever since she met John.

"I love you, John." Elizabeth whispered as the kiss ended and she pressed her forehead against his own. "With all of my heart."

 

[KieranSoares]

"And I love you... I promise I'll make you happy, Elizabeth, and not just to save my own skin," he chuckled, unable to resist another kiss being so close to her. It felt amazing to be able to love freely again. John had always been a lover more than anything else.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You never have to worry about making me happy, John." Elizabeth murmured as he kissed her again and she whimpered at the heat behind his lips. "You're my knight in shining armor."

She smiled at him, pressing her forehead against his own as she stared into his eyes for a long moment. "Can we keep this secret for a while? I want to enjoy this between us and our families before the rest of the country gets involved."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Agreed. I'm not looking forward to being labeled 'the Princess' betrothed' and nothing else," he chuckled.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sir John Davies is how you should be known. I will remind everyone of that fact if I have to." Elizabeth promised him in a serious tone. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable about anything when you're with me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's okay," he laughed, kissing her once more to chase that sudden seriousness away. "I don't care what people call me, especially if what they call me has to do with you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I love you." Elizabeth said with a happy smile on her lips as she kissed him one more time. "More than I think you will ever know."