Not Yet A Faerie Queen

[i_am_elizabeth]

I am riding, the task to which I set most of my time here, and gladly so for the weather is fair and England has a lengthy stride and a constitution well suited to barreling both through jungle and over stretches of sand. Today we have been putting ourselves to the former, the abundant lengths of my wig tied in many tight loops at the back of my

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[strandedseaman]

"Majesty," Horatio said in surprise, springing up from the shade of the tree he'd been resting beneath. It'd taken him some time to rouse - the horse's steps were muted by the grass, and though Edward was growing with every day, there were still nights in which he kept both his fathers awake.

Horatio stifled a yawn and bowed to the best of his ability. "You've found the stage."

[i_am_elizabeth]

"Horatio," I return, pulling myself away from the stage to face him where he was so recently slumbering.

"It seems I have, and an officer of His Majesty's navy as well. How fortuitous an outing this is."

[strandedseaman]

Horatio coloured, though he suspected her words were polite at best, for who would be pleased at finding him there, yet unwashed from his morning patrol?

"Are you a fan of theatre, ma'am?" He seemed to be having some trouble with his feet and hands - where to put them in particular. At last Horatio decided on setting his feet apart, hands clasped smartly behind his back. There now. That was what Commodore Pellew would surely do.

[i_am_elizabeth]

"I've a mind to be," I say thoughtfully, standing back to take the stage in in as much of its entirety as I may.

"I have yet to feel truly moved, however, by anything that has been played for me. Amused, perhaps- the ardour of my academia pricked, but no more. Yourself?"

[strandedseaman]

"I'm afraid I am not entirely qualified to say," admitted Horatio. "My fellow lieutenants have been in several productions, both of which I enjoyed very much. But beyond that..." Horatio made a gesture that might have been a shrug, had his posture not been so very rigid. "I've not seen a play that was not performed here."

[i_am_elizabeth]

I clap my hands together in delight, eyes lighting at the prospect of Lieutenant Bush engaged in pantomime.

"That is something I should very much like to see." A year ago at the utterance of those words it would have been so- done and ready for my pleasure in a day's time.

"Are these frequent occurrences, these plays?"

[strandedseaman]

"They were, ma'am," said Horatio slowly, only just realising their absence as he spoke. "But not in the past year. The man responsible, Geoffrey Tennant, he is still here. Perhaps he has something in the making."

Horatio suspected that a bit of prodding from the Queen of England would be very stimulating indeed.

[i_am_elizabeth]

"Geoffrey Tennant," I repeat, drawing the backs of my fingers thoughtfully beneath my chin.

"He is the Master of the Revels, here?" I would hope for an Englishman that my word would have more sway. Regardless, I fully intend on having our acquaintance made.

[strandedseaman]

"He is," said Horatio, suppossing the title was apt enough. Something niggled at his brain, and Horatio only just stopped himself gaping in horror as the realisation of his omission began to crystallize.

"He has an office here," he said, only a little wild. "And we live in the same hamlet, if your Majesty would like me to show you."

[i_am_elizabeth]

"Lieutenant Hornblower, I would command it!" I say, outright grinning at my poor, proper sailor. My wit and my moods have taken many stalwart ambassadors by surprise. It is why my favorites have been so few and dearly chosen over the many years of my reign.

"Which do you believe would hold the better chance for us of discovering him this day?"

[strandedseaman]

"The Hamlet, I believe," said Horatio. He had not seen Mr. Tennant in the office before falling asleep beneath the tree, so unless the other man was hiding....well, he was odd, but Horatio did not believe him to be that odd.

His eyes journeyed to the horse, still grazing, and wondered if in this, too, he would prove himself a fool. "Shall we go now, Majesty?"

[i_am_elizabeth]

I nod, tucking the cuffs of my sleeves higher against the pale skin of my forearms as I stride to England who has raised his head and turned about and now waits with gracious stillness for me to mount.

"At your lead, Horatio."

I stop beside my horse and look to the lieutenant, expression not expectant in so much as the turn of my head is. It does not occur to me until I notice his sideways look that even as a naval officer Horatio would be anything less than magnificently versed in horsemanship, and I dismiss it out of hand. Certainly at the least I have never not been offered the cup of one of my officer's hands to stirrup.

[strandedseaman]

For a long moment, Horatio merely stared at her. Surely she did not mean for him, too, to ride? There were a good many things of which Horatio did not consider himself a master, but at horsemanship he was truly wretched.

But no...with a start, Horatio realised she had merely paused for assistance, and here he stood, keeping her waiting. He rushed forward, offering her his hand to steady her ascent. "Forgive me," he managed. "Perhaps sleep has hold of me yet."

[i_am_elizabeth]

"In that case," I say, stepping the tip of my slipper into the brace of his hand as more formality than aught else, as I am well capable of drawing myself to horse even at so daunting a height as England poses, and fling myself up to saddle with an ease I fancy gives not a hint to my age. Possibly this hope is in vain- but the day I cannot ride is the day I leave this Earth and go to God's arms with utmost eagerness, "I shall let you set our pace instead of England."

[strandedseaman]

Horatio nodded with no small amount of relief. He forced his long legs into a quick stride, lest he do something so horrid as to force the Queen of England to a long, slow journey beneath the hot sun.

"May I ask what sort of plays your Majesty favours?" he asked after a bit. "Mr. Tennant has thus far kept himself to the plays of William Shakespeare."

[i_am_elizabeth]

"Shakespeare," I repeat, sitting easily as England falls into a gentle, loping step beside the long legged lieutenant. For their questionable ease of each other, they are well matched in this way.

"I have not heard of him. For your question, I cannot think how I might answer. There is no single work I may profess to love- I have enjoyed many of the distractions Tilny has brought me. If I did not, someone else would have his title. They are amusing- Lyly writes pleasant enough discourse. But none above any other has captured my favor."