Badfic Manor

[Having spent a substantial amount of time on the beach with Ichabod, the pair had finally gone their seperate ways in order to find their respective tents. The Princess, starting out optimistic, began her search by just peeking into any tents that were open, just as she'd left hers earlier that day.  However, as about half an hour passes, her hopes begin to drain; with only the dim latern lights to aid her in the darkness, she begins to lose hope in ever finding her 'room']

Oh, this is ridiculous! Surely they should have put numbers outside, or something to differentiate between each one..!

[Her voice is hushed and annoyed, the night air now quite chilled against her exposed flesh. Since she hasn't been to her tent all day, Elizabeth is still only wearing her bikini-wrap-around-combo. As she mutters in frustration to herself, her arms wrapped aorund her torso, she trips suddenly on on of the tent pegs, causing her to fall rather splendidly to the ground, grazing her arm on the sand]


Ah!...oh, this is just wonderful! Well and truely...
 

[She stops cursing to herself when she notices the inside of the tent she just tripped over; clothes were strewn neatly across the floor and bed, and it's then she realises that they're hers]


..well that was certainly lucky..


[Heading in, she leaves the 'doors' open as she sits on the bed and examines her superficial wound with care; it wasn't deep, but it stung like crazy, little grains of sand embedded in her skin. She winces as she tries to get some out]



Aah..alright..well, first things first I suppose..



[After a moment, she gets back up, and tries to find something to put on her tent; something to identify it as hers. Eventually finding a pen in the trunk of bits and pieces, she finds a white T shirt of some description, and, with difficulty, writes her name across it. Heading back outside, she eventually succeeds in wrapping it awkwardly around one of the poles holding the structure up. Going back it and ignoring the smarting pain in her arm, Elizabeth then changes into a dark blue halter-neck dress. Satisfied with the results, she continues to her next mission; finding food.



Upon discovering the cooler of snacks, she thinks briefly back to Ichabod]
 

[On her travels, a rather confused and overwhelmed Elizabeth has found her way out to the grounds of the manor. With Embry padding along beside her, she tries to work out everything that's happened so far...]


But how is it possible?


How is what possible, your highness?


[She glances down at the big cat in irritation; she still wasn't used to having him follow her everywhere, let alone having him talk. He merely looked back at her with his large dark eyes]


The fact that I'm here! The fact that Lady Kathryn is here and alive! And that my father is...[she trails off]...


Truely, this is a strange situation indeed, a trying one. But, you've been through much harder times that this before, your grace; surely this is merely an obstacle to be overcome? After all, you are Queen of England...


Well apparently not anymore! If my father truely is here, then he is King, and I am back to merely being a Princess..


[A long silence follows, Embry allowing her to vent her steam in her own time. Eventually, she slows her pace, her fingers laced together in front of her. As she goes to speaks, she fans them out so only her fingertips touch]


I was only thirteen when he died, you know...I never thought I'd see him again, but..apparently, I...


I understand, your grace...do you remember what Cecil used to say to you...?

[She smiles fondly at the memory of her dear friend and advisor. Her voice becomes quieter]

Spirit..

He used to tell you that you must be both King and Queen; to have the heart


and stomach of a man..yes, I remember that well...


Try to put that into play now, Your Highness, and I'm sure you'll find your fears are nothing more than just that



[Appreciative of the kind words of wisdom from the feline, Elizabeth extends her arm and pets his head gently. He purrs deeply, and they continue through the gardens]