The Lion in Winter Page #4

Eleanor, with both hands

tied behind you.

She is lovely, isn't she?

Yes, very.

Who could I have chosen

to love...

to gall you more?

There's no one.

Time hasn't done a thing

but wrinkle you.

It hasn't even done that. I've

borne six girls, five boys...

and 31 connubial years of you.

How am I possible? There

are moments when I miss you.

Many? That's my wooly

sheepdog. Do you doubt it?

So, wee Johnny gets the crown.

I've heard it rumored,

but I don't believe it.

Losing Alais will be hard,

for you do love her.

It's an old man's last

attachment, nothing more.

How hard do you find

living in your castle?

It was difficult in the

beginning, but that's past.

I find I've seen

the world enough.

I'll never let you loose.

You led too many

civil wars against me.

And I damn near won the last one.

Still, as long as I get trotted out...

for Christmas courts and

state occasions now and then...

for I do like to see you...

it's enough.

I'm famished.

Let's go in to dinner.

Arm in arm.

And hand in hand.

You're still

a marvel of a man.

And you're my lady.

It's an odd thing, Eleanor.

I've fought and bargained

all these years...

as if the only thing I had to live

for was what happened after I was dead.

I've something else

to live for now.

I've blundered onto peace.

On Christmas eve.

Since Louis died, while Philip

grew, I've had no France to fight.

In that lull, I've found how

good it is to write a law...

or make a tax more fair

or sit in judgment to decide...

which peasant gets a cow.

I tell you, there is nothing

more important in the world.

Now the french boy's big enough,

and I'm sick of war.

Do you still need

the vexin, Henry?

It's as vital as it ever was. My troops

there are one day away from paris.

That's a march of 20 miles.

I must keep it.

Henry, dear,

if Alais does not marry Richard,

I will see you lose the vexin.

Well, I thought

you'd never say it.

I can do it.

You can try.

We have a pack of barons we

should look the loving couple for.

Can you read love in that?

And permanent affection.

My Richard is the next king,

not your John.

I know you, Henry. I know

every twist and bend you've got,

and I'll be waiting

round each corner for you.

Do you truly care

who's king?

I care because

you care so much.

Don't fight me, Eleanor. What would you

have me do... give out, give up, give in?

Give me a little peace.

A little?

Why so modest? How about eternal

peace? Now, there's a thought.

If you oppose me,

I'll strike you any way I can.

Henry?

Madam?

Did you ever love me?

No.

Good. That will

make this pleasanter.

Well, I've come.

I'm here.

What was it you wanted?

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