You held them back for a few years, Margaret. You bought us a few years’ peace. You barred the door against war with your own arm. Here’s to you.

She raises her glass.

MARGARET and parliament disappear.

RAMSAY enters JAMES’s room. JAMES is reading a letter he’s written.

RAMSAY. Your Majesty… We’re in danger.

JAMES. Yes probably. (The letter.) I’m petitioning Rome to have her made a saint. She probably wouldn’t want to be a saint. I couldn’t think what else to do. I couldn’t think how to give her anything else, now.

RAMSAY. James, Your Majesty, are you listening to me?

JAMES. She’d no business dying so quickly. She was strong. She was healthy… she… We could have had one more conversation. Just that at least. Who can I talk to now?

RAMSAY. James… I’ll always be here for you. My whole life…

JAMES. You don’t even understand my jokes! You just laugh!

PHEMY. What’s going to happen? What’s going to happen now?

ANNABELLA. Nothing you or I can help, Phemy. Nothing we can stop. We’re two wee souls and the world is rolling over us.

ANNABELLA shakes her head. She turns away. PHEMY follows.

RAMSAY. You have to get ready to defend yourself, Your Majesty. Please. They’re going to bring war on you!

JAMES. Are they? How staggeringly unimaginative of them.

RAMSAY. The traitors are coming for you now. They’re gathering round your son. We have to go now, Your Majesty. Please.

JAMES. Yes, yes, alright.

They’re moving down.

I won’t run though. I won’t. What’s the point of that?

RAMSAY. There’s no time to run. They’re on us. Their army is moving against us.

JAMES. Seriously?

RAMSAY. They’re here! They’re here now!

JAMES. All of them?

RAMSAY. Every enemy you have!

JAMES. That… must be quite an army.

RAMSAY. We’re outnumbered. They’ve cut off our escape.

JAMES. Then it’s today, isn’t it? This is the time. No choice then, is there? There never was.

JAMES and RAMSAY exit or move to the battlefield.

The army is gathering, or better, if possible, the parliament is transforming into an army. JAMES and RAMSAY are on one side, a massed force, with JAMIE and JOHN at the back at the other side.

JAMES is standing looking over at the opposing army. It’s a bright, sunny day.

RAMSAY stands behind him.

RAMSAY is terrified, trying to hold it in.

The sound of a huge army. Rhythmic shouting. Drums. Swords beaten on shields.

(Wonder.) Listen to them. It’s like a wave, ready to break.

RAMSAY. Oh, sweet Jesus. I won’t leave you, I’m with you, I’ll stay with you, James.

JAMES kisses RAMSAY.

JAMES. Run. Run, Ramsay. Live. Here they come!

RAMSAY exits. JAMES puts down his sword and waits.

JAMIE. Are you ready? Ready for my command. Charge!!