WILLIAM. No. No, I can’t be with your family tonight, James. I’ll have family business of my own to deal with.

The moment holds a beat longer, then JAMES exits. WILLIAM swigs from the bottle.

An armed MAN enters on one side of the stage. WILLIAM sees him and turns to run the other way, but another MAN blocks his exit. They fight but the MEN quickly overpower WILLIAM and pin him. During the fight BALVENIE enters and watches. He holds a heavy stick.

BALVENIE. Hold him still.

He whacks WILLIAM.

I don’t even understand why you did that.

He hits him again, coughs, recovers, hits him again.

I knew you were stupid but I didn’t know you were mad. Why did you do that?

WILLIAM. Because I’m no wanting Jamie’s crown… old man.

BALVENIE hits him again. A terrible fit of coughing seizes him. He tries to raise the stick again. He collapses. WILLIAM struggles.

Dad?

(To the MEN.) Help him! Let me go! Let me help him!

They let him go. WILLIAM runs to BALVENIE.

Dad?

It’s alright, it’s alright. I’ve got you. Can you walk?

He tries to raise BALVENIE. Shouts at the MEN.

Help us!

The MEN help WILLIAM half-carry BALVENIE off.

It’s alright. It’s alright. I’m here, Dad. I’m here.

They exit.

King’s Room, Later the Same Night

MARY and JAMES are on the bed. MEG enters with a cup of posset.

MEG. Now, I know what you’re going to say, but it’s a cold night, I’m going to stand here till I see you drink this.

JAMES (gentle). No. I need to talk to you.

He takes the posset from her. Gives it to MARY.

MEG. What? What is it?

JAMES. Meg, sweetheart, I’m giving you an orchard.

MEG. What? James…

JAMES. I’m too old for mothering now, Meg. I’m giving you a hill full of apples and fields full of fat sheep, enough so you can get the best man that has the sense to love you and make some prettier babies to love than me.

Pause. She takes this in.

MEG. Oh, darling… no… no… don’t send me away. Never send me away.

JAMES. No. Never. You’ll be just outside the wall. I’ll look down to see you every day and if you’re not happy I’ll ride down and carry you off again.

MARY. And I will need you, Meg, when it is time.

MEG is nearly in tears. JAMES is close to her.

JAMES. I’m your bairn if I’m anyone’s, Meg, but I’m no bairn any more.

MEG. No. You’re my King. God bless you. God bless you, King James.

She clings to him for a moment then exits. JAMES takes the posset from MARY and drinks it.

JAMES. Don’t tell William.

MARY. Sometimes I do not like him.