A royal bride

[Gandalfus]

Rather than waiting for Wenceslaus of Bohemia to arrive and bind England in another unsavoury alliance with the House of Luxembourg, Gaunt set about pursuing his own ideal marriage for Richard, one that would better suit Lancaster's policy of bringing England closer to France, their once bitter enemy. In the past, this had provoked severe tensions within the Kingdom; after all, the Appellant crisis had been based around Richard's secret treaty with Valois. Emissaries and letters were sent to the courts of Navarre and France, with two brides in mind for England's king: Joan of Navarre and Isabella of Valois, respectively. Though both children, they would certainly bring more benefits than the King's last marriage, which brought with it a cumbersome alliance and a humiliating bridal price. It was Lancaster's own hope that one would be wed to Richard and the other to his own grandson, Henry of Monmouth, who would, God willing, one day take his place as Duke of Lancaster.

[Oznerol]

Charles III, the good king of Navarre, whose father had so deserved the ill-fame that carried his name, sent word to Gaunt as soon as he landed in Biscay, being forewarned of his intent, and a scort to lead the royal duke to his presence. The castle of Olite was king Charles' favored residence, and he had purchased extense track of lands and houses to rebuild the complex into something far more splendid than the old palace of the counts of Champagne, built by the trobadour king, Theobald, more than a century ago. Charles himself was intend on building something grander than even Gaunt's own Kenilworth or his cousin Valois' numerous and splendid residences. Many draughtsmen, architects and artists had been brought from Castile, Aragon and France, to work in the palace and the building's shape was already recognizable, with tall towers in French style and the intricate decoration that was fashionable in the Castillian court, with stone being sculpted in the most wondrous ways. Charles greeted Gaunt in the hall of the old palace, the walls lined with courtiers, including Peter, count of Mortain, his brother and some of his most prominent vassals, like Arnaud Raymond, lord of Agramont. The Queen, Eleanor of Castile, was none but the aunt of the young Henry III, Gaunt's son-in-law, and she was reputed as an ambitious woman who incesantly ploted in Castile to enlarge her demesne and influence over her paternal inheritance. For the time being she resided at Olite with her husband, but the proud Eleanor prefered to live on her own across the Navarrese borders, profiting from her nephew's minority.

Charles III, King of Navarre and Duke of Nemour was plain. Compared to his sly but rather handsome and auburn-haired father, Charles was every inch a Valois. He had the large nose, the prominent chin and the weasely appareance of the French royal dynasts. He was rather plump, plesant and somewhat easy-going but his eyes were astute. The king greeted Lancaster in French, after Gaunt was introduced by an herald.

"My Lord of Lancaster, again we meet, God has preserved you well"

Charles was only his father's heir back then, but he had been to England with the Bad King and was there when Gaunt ploted to gain Castile.

"We are now related, my nephew, His Grace the king of Castile, is married to your noble daughter, Catherine. God bless them both"

"Indeed, the mighty blood of Lancaster mingled with mine own"

Added the Queen, a fair-haired, cold-eyed woman on her thirties.

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster, wrapped up in dark, flowing robes, answered the monarchs with a respectful bow from the waist.

"Majesties." The Duke began, "God bless thee. I am pleased greatly to see you both in fine health." Charles made Gaunt feel old. It seemed like Kings came and went... Juan of Castile had been much younger than himself and in fine health when last they had spoken.

"A fine match, and I pray to become a grandfather again." Gaunt allowed himself a slight smile. Perhaps it had been a mistake, to sign away that claim. He now had a son to place that crown upon, if he so wished to. "It is fitting that we speak of marriage, for that is what I come from England to discuss, if the gracious sovereigns would hear me."

[Oznerol]

"These matters of marriage we can discuss... in private. Come, Lord Lancaster"

Charles gestured for the chamberlain and the courtiers were dimissed as King Charles, his wife, his brother and Gaunt moved to the royal antechamber, a smaller and more private chamber. The king took seat in a throne with his queen, while Mortain remained standing with Gaunt.

"What do you have to offer, my Lord? We know you never come empty handed or without a good reason. Is our daughter's hand the one you seek?"

He ventured to guess. Charles wasn't a fool, that was known.

"For whom? This could be a dangerous match"

Said the count, Peter.

[Gandalfus]

"You are correct, Majesty." Replied Lancaster coolly, paying a momentary glance towards Peter of Mortain. "I have come seeking a bride for both my nephew of England, God bless him, and my grandson, Henry, who I pray shall succeed to both mine and my son's estates some time in the future." Gaunt kept his hands by his sides, restraining a powerful urge to fold his arms.

[Oznerol]

"You want to make my daughter the Queen of England?"

Said Leonor, surprised.

"A worthy match"

His sister, Joan, was already Duchess of Brittany, having his daughter as queen across the Channel could ensure France would keep its hands off Navarra.

"But, brother, our lands... We only recently adquired those"

"Indeed, it's a dangerous match without the consent of our lord, His Majesty, King Charles, or that of our uncles of Berry and Burgundy"

Charles III scratched his chin. Nemours had only been granted as a pale compensation to his Norman estates, but it was acompanied by a handsome stipend; considering how reduced Evreux's income was he couldn't simply give away that allowance. Plus, the patronage of Berry had brought him great influence in Gascony. Navarre was already considering Joan's, Richard's intended bride, marriage to the count of Foix, the all-powerful neghbour across the Pyrenees.

"We could only agree to this if your king swears to uphold our rights in France and our interests in general, shall we have a fallout with our cousin, God wills not"

He said, making a reference to his duchy, but it the sentence was vague enough to include Evreux itself.

"You must know our uncles and cousins struggle to gain the reins of government. Also, our royal sovereign is somewhat erratic, he rellies too much on his brother Orleans. This match could go terribly wrong if it does not sit well with any of our kinsmen"

"Indeed"

Said Mortain.

"But who is the intended match of your son, my Lord?"

[Gandalfus]

"The princess could be a worthy match for my grandson, if you'd prefer." Gaunt gave a wry smirk and shrug. "If you want to make her queen, then I suppose we shall have to secure the permission of His Majesty of France, who is fortunately on good terms with my dear nephew of England. I am certain Richard would be able to defend the interests of his father by law."

[Oznerol]

"We planned to travel to our cousin's court this spring, anyway. Your Lordship can join us in the way to the North. Your presence could be benefitial if an agreement is to be signed as a representative and uncle to our cousin of England"

Said Charles.

"If the French king gives his consent, promising not to take any measure in retaliation, measures concerning our estates, we shall grant our daughter in marriage to your king Richard"

[Gandalfus]

"Excellent. I shall be honoured to keep your company, Majesty." Gaunt nodded, hopeful of being able to secure a worthy bride for both Richard and his own grandson. "If God wills it, it could strengthen the friendship between the three kings of England, France and of course your noble majesty."

[Oznerol]

"Of course. However, in any case a preliminar contract could be redacted and signed. If our cousin Valois rejects the proposal, no-one would know, but it has sufficient legal ground to be contemplated later on, if businesses are concluded successfully"

Replied Charles.

"I will remain behind. Cannot leave my estates in Castilla unattended for such an extended period of time, my good and noble nephew might need my counsel and advice"

Navarre almost rolled his eyes.

"Of course, wife mine, I wish you good fortune in your endeavours. We will depart next week, at the earnest, heading for wherever our sovereign decided to be entertained at, probably one of his brother Orleans' castles"

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster thought it passing strange that it had only just occurred to him just how close to him his daughter was. He loved all of his children, of course, but he had not overly loved his second wife, King Pedro's daughter. Catherine had preferred her mother to him, Gaunt knew, and the Duke of Lancaster was content to leave Edward in the care of the nursemaids, the child's whining proving extremely distracting when organising affairs of state. Children were not so special after having eight of them.

"I look forward to it, Majesty. Give my regards to my daughter, my lady, should you speak with her at my good son's court." ​

[Oznerol]

"I will, Lord Lancaster, she will be glad to have word of your Lordship's wellfare and health"

Assured Eleanor.

"If you wish so, my Lord, you may now retire, lodgings befitting your lordship will be prepared and readied"

Added the king.

-------------------------

The week after, they departed for France, arriving at Foix's lands soon thereafter. Orthez, which had been Phoebus' prefered residence, was the place chosen by Navarre and Foix to entertain the duke. The formidable Gaston Phoebus' heir was his cousin, Matthieu, a most ambitious man of great stature and imposing presence, who was married to none other that Joanna of Aragon, king John's eldest daughter. The red-haired count, the greatest occitan lord, along Armagnac, awaits the royal comitive in the middle of the graceful bridge crossing the river Gave de Pau. Unknown to any of those present, the count did resemble a man of high birth that lived long before any of those present were born, Robert III of Artois, whose sister had married the count's ancestor. His wife, the princess Joanna, was a extremely proud woman, with a high forehead, shaved eyebrows and cold eyes, clad in finery worth the daughter of a king like Aragon's. Her father, John, was a complete wastrel, whose health was at most fragile and more concerned with hunting than ruling. Noneless, he was king of one of Christendom's greatest realms, and his brother, Martin, was the ruler of Sicily, and his daughter Joanna could potentially inherit everything. Thus, Matthieu was hungry of powerful allies that could back that claim, in the eventuality the French Queen of John wouldn't father any sons.

"Be welcome to my lands, Your Majesty"

Said Fox with a bow.

"And we are glad to receive such a lord into our domain, my Lord of Lancaster"

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster inclined his head to the well renowned Occitan lord. Phoebus' demesne was located not far from the borders of English Gascony, and he was well known to one who had spent a good deal of time there such as Gaunt.

"Lord Foix, it is an honour to be received by thee." Lancaster wore a splendid scarlet houppelande and chaperon, resembling more a monarch in splendour and stature than a mere duke.

[Oznerol]

"We presume your Majesty and your Lord of Lancaster are heading North, to meet our royal sovereign"

Asked the count, who wore a richly embroidered gown. Charles III wears a robe completely embroidered with fleurs de lys, like only a prince of the blood could do.

"Indeed. We have matters to discuss with our cousin France. Matters that involve our duke of Lancaster"

"Splendid. I offer you both an ocassion to hunt the game populating my lands. That's something we do not lack, as my cousin Phoebus, God pardon his sins, was mad for the hunt, but... who isn't?"

Said the count with a boisterous laughter, one to shake the ground.

"Unless you prefer to continue the road North. I have heard His Majesty is currently at Blois, his brother Orleans' castle"

[Gandalfus]

"I am not averse to a hunt." Lancaster smiled thinly, having expected to indulge in some sort of pastime during his sojourn on the continent. Especially when visiting Phoebus. He looked to Navarra, wondering if Charles would join him. "If his majesty wishes to, of course. It is at his pleasure that I am a guest here."

[Oznerol]

"Aye, aye. I suppose we can indulge ourselves with hunting, moreso considering none but Phoebus' heir is our guest..."

Matthieu was only count of Foix because Gaston Phoebus had killed his own son. After that son tried to poison him. At the behest of his uncle, who was none other than Charles II, Navarre's father and predecessor.

"You may change your attire in our residence my lord and king. But as I had prepared this beforehand it will take us little time to join the thrill of the hunt"

"Of course, my Lord. Lead the way"

[Gandalfus]

"Yes, let us go." Lancaster agreed, eager to get back into clothes that were less bothersome and more practical. The long, flowing robes were cumbersome, clinging to legs as one walked. ​"The hunt waits."

[Oznerol]

Soon thereafter they were riding through the woody, ragged lands of Foix, brimming with ample game, specially deer and venison, whose hunt Phoebus had dubbed the game of princes. Matthieu's huntsmen were pretty skilled and he had scores of magnificent hounds, some of those bred originally by his predecessor. Navarre's horse was a purebred Andalusian steed, brought from Castille, while Foix prefered another, but almost as fine, breed. Barks and galloping break the silence of the forest, only ocasionally interrupted by the birds singing. Now, deers ran, pursued by agitated and excited hunters. The red-haired count was a passionate hunter, and Navarre, still on his thirties, devoted himself to the game as pasionally, likely tiring the twice as old duke.

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster found himself panting to keep up with the two, an unwelcome reminder of how old he truly was. Red faced he sped after them, sat atop one of his finer horses he'd brought with him from England. Lithe and lean, it was much more suited to the hunt than the rider. Gaunt nonetheless was enjoying the exercise and fresh air, though on occasion he experienced a shooting pain in his chest and arms, stifling cries of pain so he did not look weak. They bagged a few deer, the hounds bringing them down for the hunters to finish off. It was an enjoyable sport, though Lancaster could not help but feel a little irritated by his own body's limitations. Twenty years ago, he'd be outrunning these scoundrels, but now his thighs and stomach were burning from the exertion.

[Oznerol]

The sun had almost yielded the day before the night when the hunt came to an end. The many slayed beasts were laid on the floor, in an orderly fashion, by the huntsmen and attendants, preparing them to be carried all the way to Orthez, where they would soon feast with the spoils of the game. Foix, casually approached Lancaster while Navarre was busy elsewhere.

"My Lord of Lancaster, may we speak?"