Catcisse pairing, on the way back to France Catherine's ship gets wrecked…when everyone is told of her apparent death how will they react when she returns intact?
"Have a safe trip home, thank you for coming to see me. I've missed you so much." Mary smiled, embracing the French Queen in a tight hug.
"I've missed you too, I hope everything works out and if you ever need anything you know where to find me." She hugged her back.
"Thank you again, and please give my regards to Claude and Charles."
"I will, and I hope to hear from you soon."
"You will." Mary agreed, helping her back to the boat.
"Goodbye Mary."
"Goodbye Catherine."
The French Queen reluctantly climbed onto her ship, waving at the Scottish Queen who stood on the shore below. Mary waved back, smiling brightly until Catherine could no longer see her. Nonetheless she stood there, watching Scotland and it's Queen fade away. Even when all she could see was the ocean she stood at the railings, wondering if she would ever see Mary again. Distantly she could hear the men on the boat chattering and she thought she heard her own name a few times. Sighing and snapping out of her thoughts she turned and walked up to the captain, "When do you think we'll arrive in France?"
"Five hours at the most your Grace."
"Thank you." She nodded and turned away, going back over to the railing and watching the sea once more. It was the perfect shade of blue, the color that Mary always loved to wear. Groaning she let her head droop for a moment before taking a deep breath and straitening up once more. Turning away from the sea she focused her attention on the crew of the ship, who had apparently been staring at her. Narrowing her eyes in a threatening glare she snapped impatiently, "What are you looking at?"
One man had the nerve to actually answer her question, though he stuttered considerably, "We…we just…you Grace seemed…upset."
"I am upset!" She snapped again.
Swallowing hard the man refused to look at her, "If I may…why?"
"Tell me, have you ever loved someone with all your heart and know that you may never see them again?"
"No your Grace."
"Good…I'm glad." She even managed a small smile at the man. After a moment, "Say, do you have any wine?"
"No Your Grace…but we do have ale."
"Ale will do."
The man returned shortly with her ale and she took a large swig, it wasn't nearly as good as the wine at Court but she took what she could get. After the glass had been emptied she felt oddly calmer and defiantly less depressed. She looked towards the sky and realized it was growing dark…but it wouldn't be night for another three hours or so. Walking back up to the captain she gestured towards the sky, "Is there a storm coming?"
"I believe there is Your Grace."
"Then turn back."
"I can't, we just made our way through a dangerous patch of rocks, to turn back now would be stupid."
"Will the ship be strong enough to withstand the storm?"
"It all depends on how violent the storm is but I have faith we'll be okay."
She nodded and turned back, watching the sky anxiously. Slowly it grew darker and rain started to fall in increasing speed. The wind was biting at the back of her neck and whipping stray curls into her eyes. The clouds were swirling above her and at the first rumble of thunder she couldn't help the small yelp that escaped her. The sky flashed blinding white as lightning began it's show. She would've watched in awe if it had not been for the fact rain and wind were blinding her and thunder roaring in her ears.
When the first small wave washed over the deck, licking at her leather boots she started to panic. She called out over the storm but no one seemed to hear, they were too busy rushing about trying to secure the ship. It was only when lightening struck the water and she screamed that anyone turned a eye her way. Someone rushed to her side, it was the man that had been concerned about her earlier. Without hesitation he grabbed hold of her, keeping her steady as he led her over to a pole to hold onto. She barely had a chance to thank him before he'd rushed off again.
The waves were licking at the edges of the deck and Catherine was holding on for dear life. She cried out in panic as one of the ships men practically flew overboard a few feet away from her. She was too close to the railings and she knew it but she couldn't move. Letting out a scream she lost her footing and slid backwards knocking over a multitude of people on her way. If it had not been for her close shave with death she would've been highly embarrassed.
As she scrambled for anything…or anyone to hold onto another wave crashed onto the ship. Salty water washed over her flushed face and soaked her to the bone before it was gone and she had slammed into the opposite railing. Coughing and clawing at the floor she slid across the deck again she vaguely heard someone shout that they saw land. If she could hang on a little longer she would be safe. At that moment there was a loud crack and the mast fell, barely missing her as it smashed through the railing. Another ruthless wave swept over the deck, sweeping her towards the broken railing. Even as she cried and screamed her body was thrown into the churning ocean.
As the icy cold waves engulfed her the first thought that crossed her mind was Stephan. The cool water swirling around her were his arms, strong and relentless. Specks of sand tickling her skin like his kisses, touching every inch and leaving her breathless. The hungry tides his hands, freeing her hair from it's prison of bobby pins and ripping at the fabric of her gown. How she craved this cool touch on her flushed skin. Even as she thrashed and tried to see his love blinded her, drowning her until she could no longer breathe nor see. Every passionate scream and frenzied move slowly falling away as she let herself drift away.
