Roswell Fanatics

Isabel

"What's going on here?" I hear Kivar come out of his office "Vilandra?"

Tearing my eyes away from Nicholas's face I look at Kivar,"He was threatening me." I say in a calmer tone "And I did nothing but make my position clear.No other queen would put up with his insolence."

~KIVAR~

I'm startled at that. "Insolence? This is the first I've heard of such. You are well within your rights, my queen, but is this the first time Nickolas has treated you in this manner? Perhaps we should discuss this in my study," I suggest, looking at the guards meaningfully.

Isabel

Kivar looks surprised when I mention Nicholas being insolent to me,"Insolence? This is the first I've heard of such. You are well within your rights, my queen, but is this the first time Nickolas has treated you in this manner? Perhaps we should discuss this in my study,"

I realise he doesn't want the guards to hear any more than they already have so nod my head in agreement,"Fine." I walk back in to his study,pacing the floor.

~KIVAR~

Nickolas and Vilandra step back into my office and I've never seen Lonnie so upset. I sit behind my desk, placing my elbows on the armrests and placing my fingertips together. "Now, you two want to tell me what is going on? Vilandra, is this the first time you feel that Nickolas has treated you badly?" I hope to put some peace between the two of them. Nickolas is my most trusted advisor as well as being my son, but I love Lonnie with all of my heart and soul.

Isabel

I resent the fact that Kivar wants to hash this out instead of reprimanding him,"Now, you two want to tell me what is going on? Vilandra, is this the first time you feel that Nickolas has treated you badly?"

"He's always treated me wiht disdain and I know he hates me for whatever reason.But I just cannot take his contempt anymore and there's no need for me to put up with his rudeness when I have always been polite to him."

I go and sit donw in one of the chairs,"He says that I am manipulating you and when you realise that you'll put me in my place."

~KIVAR~

I am disappointed and shocked at this revelation. I hide both, however, and simply raise an eyebrow at Nickolas. "Is this true, Nickolas? Do not try to lie to me, I will see through it."

~NICKOLAS~

I fold my arms across my chest. "Yes, it's true, Kivar. I do not trust this Antarian Princess and I feel that she is indeed manipulating you. She makes you weak and would make you forget your obligations!" I say loudly before I realize who I'm talking to. I decide to turn to pleading. "I have only the interests of Your Majesty and the people in my heart and mind."

~KIVAR~

I sigh softly and rub my head which is starting to ache again. "Vilandra, you were right to take whatever measures you felt necessary to correct Nickolas," I say. When Nickolas gasps in shock, I hold up a hand. "However, in the future, if he continues to treat you in such a way, come to me with it. I will deal with him and put him in his place," I say pointedly. Turning to Vilandra, I give her a small smile. "I will not tolerate his or anyone else treating you that way. If you will allow me to discipline him, I will do so. Is there anything else you want to say about the matter? I would like you to leave the room before I reprimand him further."

Isabel

Kivar seems shocked at what I have to say but Nicholas,the snivelling little weasel that he is pretends to be subservient.

"I will not tolerate his or anyone else treating you that way. If you will allow me to discipline him, I will do so. Is there anything else you want to say about the matter? I would like you to leave the room before I reprimand him further."

I get up and move to the door,"No,I think I have had enough of him for one day.I'll be in my chambers resting if you need me." I reply quietly and return to my room where I sink down on the bed,clutching my pillow close to my body,silent sobs wracking my body.

I am beginning to hate this place.I have no friends besides Tess when she does visit and certain people hate me for no apparent reason.

~KIVAR~

The minute I feel Vilandra's presence fade away down the hall, I raise my hand and pin Nickolas to the far wall, cutting off his breath. Standing, I walk calmly towards her. "I warned you once about the way you talk about her, Nickolas. Now there will have to be consequences," I say in a low tone.

He gasps for breath and pales and struggles but it is of no use. "Kivar," he croaks. "She is a beautiful woman and I will treat her with the respect her position as your wife befits, I swear!" I study him for a moment and keep him there. He's about to pass out when I finally release him and he drops to the floor, gasping, coughing and sputtering.

"Do not think that now that you have made it to your high position in my circles, Nickolas, that you do not still answer to me. You will respect Vilandra as your queen. I expect you to do something special for her to apologize."

I turn my back on him as I come the realization that he knows not how to trust people...just like his father. "I'm sorry that you cannot understand how my relationship to her will benefit our people but it will...as well as myself. I need her Nickolas. She is like one of the delicate flowers out in the gardens. Proud, beautiful, needing tender care to stay flourishing, but watch out for the thorns and if you mistreat her, she will whither. I hope that you will understand one day. I will have to punish you for your actions," I say regretfully. "Will you take your punishment like a man?"

I turn to look at him and he still looks a little angry but resigned. "Yes, Lord Kivar, I will take whatever punishment you see fit."

I walk over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "You will give the queen some sort of peace offering along with a note of apology. You will also receive 10 lashes of the whip and will play a silent role in the next two council meetings. Am I clear?" He does not meet my eyes but mumbles an agreement. "Good. Now go. Get back to your own duties."

After he leaves, I hang my head and grab my hair with both hands, ready to scream. Taking a few minutes to compose myself, I send a message to the keeps below the palace that Lord Nickolas is to receive 10 lashes before leaving my office and making my way to Lonnie's chambers.

~NICKOLAS~

I cannot believe this! She has more power over him than I thought possible. I storm back to my own quarters and smile as I decide what to send Queen Vilandra. Kivar doesn't know about a lot of flowers. I call my personal valet and have him send her a small cluster of black orchids, the flowers usually reserved for funerals, along with a note. "My sincerest apologies and a peace offering. I hope for a better future for all of us and will show you the respect that befits the queen. Lord Nickolas." My throat still burns from Kivar's hold and I will have bruises from being thrown against the wall, not once but twice!

Isabel

I hear a knock on the door as I lie in bed and I don't bother getting up,"Come in."

"My lady,Lord Nicholas sent these flowers for you along with a note." says Veronica

I sit up in surprise but I immediately take note of their colour first of all,their meaning not lost on me and then reach for the note as Veronica stand by my bed quietly,"My sincerest apologies and a peace offering. I hope for a better future for all of us and will show you the respect that befits the queen. Lord Nickolas."

"Send these back to him Veronica." I reply,crumpling up the note in anger
As she's about to leave the room I stop her,"Wait." I go to my desk and quickly write out a note "Thank you but I can do without the 'good wishes' from the likes of you." Passing the note to her I say,"Give this to him."

Thoroughly disgusted by the way this day has turned out I decide to take long hot soak in the tub before dinner,"And Veronica,I don't want to be disturbed until dinner,unless it's by my husband and Queen Ava."

I enter the bathroom and shut the door behind me.It does strike that I should have been the bigger person and taken the high road.May be I shouldn't be so petty and should have just accepted the flowers but Nicholas has from day one when I first set foot on Taggora,been nothing but hostile towards me.I have tried ignoring it but what he said earlier was the last straw.If he thinks I am going to be fooled in to thinking he is actually sincere in his apology then he's got another thing coming.I am not going to take things lying donw anymore.I wasn't like that on Antar.

Shutting my eyes I sink in to the hot water,sighing in bliss.I wish I could go home for a little while.

~KIVAR~

I go down the hall and to Lonnie's chambers. One of her ladies-in-waiting is coming out and curtsies before me. I notice that she has something in her hands but I don't pay much attention. "Is the queen inside?" I ask her.

She keeps her eyes lowered as she nods. "Yes, Your Majesty. Beggin' your pardon, sir, but she is in a bath at the moment. She might not hear you if you knock."

I smile a little and thank her. No, I won't knock. I quietly and quickly enter her room, careful not to make one sound. I hear water lapping in the tub in her bathroom. I remove my shoes and my cloak and make my way into the bathroom, very quietly. Coming up behind her at the tub, I kneel behind her and lean over to kiss her neck gently and tenderly, my hands moving to rub her shoulders.