The Lion and the Thistle

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or take any credit for it

Scotland 1562

Lady Caroline of Moray was soon to leave her home for court to be a lady-in-waiting to Mary Queen of Scots herself. Caroline had been brought up in Auchindoun Castle, which was near Dufftown. She's rarely ever left Moray in her life, now she was going to the capital to serve the Queen who's returned from France. Excitement and dread filled her up all at once.

She was sitting next to a lake as a refreshing breeze blew past her. Caroline was finishing her embroidery outside because today was actually vaguely warm and she intended to make the most of it. The lake rushing past her at a fast pace, there was all sorts of plant life there with the occupational frog. This was the last day before she goes off to her new life. Caroline was going to miss coming to her favorite spot by the lake.

Caroline was curious about this new Queen because she hasn't been in Scotland since was a small child so she's practically a stranger here. Her father who was James V of Scotland and he died was she was a baby so she's been Queen for most of her life. Obviously a baby can't rule so her Mum who was Mary of Guise ruled in her stead. The Queen was sent to marry the sickly Francis who was the Dauphine of France but he died shortly after becoming King. This is why the Queen came back home but for how long?

Scotland was mostly protestant but the Queen is a Catholic so she's in the minority. Caroline's father was one of the rare Catholic Lords in Scotland. Personally Caroline doesn't care if you're Protestant or not just as long as you've got a good heart. She savored the day because tomorrow everything will change.

…

Lord Klaus who is the new English ambassador for Scotland who was currently making his journey to the Scottish court. Klaus was a staunch protestant who wholeheartedly believed in the reforms to the English Church. Klaus had been good friends with key reformists. He'd grown up in King's Henry VIII and King Edward VI's reign. Klaus's parents had been good friends with Thomas Cromwell. He's never been to a Catholic mass in his life.

During the reign of Queen Mary Klaus was forced to leave so he stayed in Germany for five years and then came back when Queen Elizabeth came to the throne. He was also a proud Englishman and didn't care what he had to do to save Queen and country. Klaus wasn't partially fond of the Scots so he hadn't begged for this position but now he's got it he plans to do the best job he can. Klaus has already got a spy right at the heart of the court.

…

"Lord Kol you do make me laugh" Mary Queen of Scots giggled.

She was in her throne room and she had her favorites around to keep her entertained. There was Lord Kol who was from the Highlands, Lady Elena who was from Bulgaria, her half-brother James Stewart and of course Lord Bothwell who always made her smile. Mary spoke in a French accent and was a religious minority. All of her favorites apart from Elena were Protestants, especially her brother. It was very strange after living so long in Catholic France. When she'd came back to Scotland she'd told them that she was happy to be home but that wasn't true…France was her home.

There was a spy in that room and Mary had no idea. She also didn't know that Kol wasn't Scottish in fact he was English. He was Kol Earl of Kent who was currently passing information to Queen Elizabeth of England. What's more is that his elder brother is Lord Klaus. He passes valuable information about his Queen's rival. Kol had always been good at faking an accent. He could so a Scottish, French, Spanish and Irish accent fluently. Kol was also fluent in Scottish Gaelic, French and Italian. So he was the perfect man for the job.

…

Winsor Castle, England

Rebekah had an audience with Queen Elizabeth today. She was waiting in the audience chamber as the sun streamed through the windows. Lady Rebekah was recently married to a rich noble but she felt lonely because all her family was abroad. Klaus was the new Ambassador in Scotland, Elijah was still a prisoner in France, Kol was currently spying on the Scottish Queen and Freya was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen of France. The only family left was her brother Finn who married her off to someone she hates; they're parents were long gone.

After what seemed a lifetime the Queen finally came in. Rebekah and the attendance all bowed as the Queen sat on the throne. Rebekah had a secret that she kept from everyone. She was a secret Catholic but Catholic's were untrustworthy in the Queen's eyes so she kept her faith to herself. The Queen vibrant red hair was curled and mostly hidden by her golden headdress. Elizabeth's magnificent gown was adorned with jewels and other expensive material.

"Lady Rebekah" the Queen smiled as Rebekah rose.

"Your Majesty" Rebekah lowered her eyes respectively.

"You are probably wondering why I summoned you here today" Elizabeth pondered.

"Yes Majesty" Rebekah answered.

"I would like you to accompany your brother in Scotland" she announced.

Why would the Queen want her in Scotland? Rebekah must have looked confused because the Queen laughed softly.

"I want you to join your brother in Scotland and I want you to gain the Queen trust"

"Isn't my brother already doing that?" Rebekah mentioned Kol.

Elizabeth was surrounded by her favorites some of them include Lord Robert Dudley, William Cecil and that cousin who looks a lot like her, Lettice Knollys who was one of her ladies-in waiting. They both had ginger hair and the same kind of face. Lettice's grandma was Mary Boleyn who was once the King of England's mistress and sister to the infamous Anne Boleyn it's said that Lettice's mother was conceived during Mary's affair with the King so Elizabeth and Lettice might be more than just cousins.

"A woman can get closer to her" Elizabeth argued, "Will you serve your country?"

"Of course your Majesty" Lady Rebekah bowed.

…

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

The court's merriment was in full swing on the 1st of May. It was the May Day feast and everyone was wearing green to celebrate. All the great men and women in the land danced to the folk tunes of the lute. The hall was decorated with reefs and woodland themed decorations. There had been performances, music, masquerades and plenty of food and wine to celebrate. This was Caroline's first day at court and she was smiling at this amazing site.

Caroline hasn't been introduced to the Queen yet but she was nervous and excited at the same time. Mary Fleming who was the Queen's Lady-in-waiting took her over to the other side of the room to meet the Queen. This woman was incredibly tall for a woman; she had to be six foot at least. Caroline felt incredibly small in her presence. The woman was beautiful with auburn hair and hazel eyes on her heart shaped face. She was dressed in a long green gown that had a tartan sash.

She bowed to her Queen and then rose when she was told to.

"This is the new lady-in-waiting" Fleming told her mistress, "Lady Caroline of Moray"

"I welcome you to court Lady Caroline and I hope your stay is long merry" the Queen welcomed in a strong French accent.

"I thank your Majesty" Caroline bowed.

"Enjoy the festivities" the Queen smiled before joining to dance once more.

Caroline was happy that this mistress seemed to be kind. She hoped she was here for good. She hadn't been alone for five seconds when a man with black hair and pale skin came to stand next to her.

"Lady Caroline I believe" he said in heavy Scot, "My name is Lord James Stewart, I'm the Queen's half brother"

He was handsome enough but he seemed very full of himself, which instantly irritated Caroline. She suddenly wished she were somewhere else. James was the son of King James' mistress and many people wanted him to be King but since he was a bastard that seemed unlikely.

"Would you like to dance?" James asked her.

"Of course my Lord" Caroline agreed politely.

The song was a fast one so they danced to a traditional Scottish ballad at a fast pace. This was fine with Caroline because that meant he barely touched her until the song started to slow down. His hands strayed a little too low for her liking and she prayed the song would be over soon. James also held her a little too close until an Englishman butted in.

"May I have this next dance?" the Englishman interrupted.

Lord James frowned at the interruption.

"Who are you?" James asked rudely.

"I am the new English Ambassador" he explained, "My name is Klaus Mikaelson"

Before Lord James could say anything Caroline instantly agreed. So James reluctantly left leaving the both of them alone. When the music began they continued dancing. This song was slow so she had time to thank him. Klaus handsome with blue eyes and brown hair. He was wearing a green suit with a rose in his jacket. Caroline was wearing an emerald green dress with thistle sown in.

"Thank you for saving me" Caroline thanked him.

She's already made a mental note not to cross him again if she could help it. Klaus didn't venture where James had dared so she was more comfortable dancing with him. Klaus thought that this woman was beautiful with her angelic face and her long blonde hair that shone like a halo. Her skin looked so soft and perfect. If he knew this kind of beauty was at the Scottish court he would have come a lot earlier.

"Is this your first time at court?" Klaus asked her conversationally.

"Yes" Caroline told him, "I'm the Queen's new Lady-in-waiting"

Caroline sounded so proud when she said it that Klaus couldn't help but smile at her.

"Is this your first trip to Scotland?" Caroline asked him.

"No, but I was once here in a military capacity" Klaus told her awkwardly.

When Klaus was a teenager he fought at the Siege of Haddington in the late forties. It was a defeat that Klaus never forgot. It was England against Scotland and France. Scotland and France have always been close allies. Klaus still had a scar on his shoulder from a sword fight during the siege. Himself and his brothers had managed to escape back to England with their lives. It was Klaus first taste of battle but it was hardly his last.

"Oh, yes" Caroline grinned at his awkwardness, "So this must be your first time at the Scottish court"

"Indeed it is my Lady" Klaus smiled back until the song ended.

They both went to get a glass of wine, which was spicy but warming. Klaus wasn't looking forward to the winter. He'd heard that Scottish winters were harsh but he'll find a way to stick it out.

"What part of Scotland are you from?" Klaus inquired.

"Moray" Caroline answered him, "That's near Aberdeen. So what part of England are you from?"

"Kent" Klaus answered her, "The garden of England"

Caroline let out a light laugh that made Klaus smile as well. She was so adorable when she laughed.

"It's true," he confirmed.

They moved on the other things, Klaus found her quite fascinating to watch. He was defiantly going to enjoy his time here. They only got to talk for about an hour before Caroline was called by the Queen to attend her. Klaus said goodbye with a little sorrow in his heart.

…

Chateau de Vincennes, Paris, France

Elijah was still stuck in the same dank cell that he'd been when he was captured in 1558. He's been here for four years now and he was a shadow of his former self. He'd been captured during the siege of Calais during the Italian Wars. Calais had been an England's stronghold in France since the Hundred Years of War. Most of the French lands were gone but Calais still remained. That was until that fateful night in 1558.

He'd been one of the main men there who ran Calais. His brother Klaus was too much of a Protestant to stay in England during Bloody Mary's reign but Elijah was more flexible. He didn't care what religion the Monarch was just as long as he served his country. To his shame Calais fell under his watch he was captured and has been in France ever since.

His family had tried to ransom him but the amount was never enough so it looked like he was trapped here until he died, which was a scary thought. Suddenly Elijah heard the locks being opened revealing a guard with a girl in his arm. He threw this girl roughly to the ground and grinned at him.

"You've got company Englishman," he said before leaving.

The girl he left behind didn't look French, Bulgarian maybe? She had long brown hair with the eyes to match. Her olive skin was clear and smooth and her face looked beautiful. A lesser man would have taken advantage but Elijah wasn't that type of man; this woman fascinated Elijah.

"What's your name?" he asked her.

"Lady Katherine of Bulgaria"

Please Review!