Title: the Lady's Favor
Pairing: Mary/Francis
Spoilers/Warnings: Future, slight spoilers for 1x04 {Heart and Mind}
Author Note/Disclaimer: the Lady's Favor is a trope where a female usually gives her love interest (or knight) a trinket (usually jewelry, handkerchief) for good luck either when he goes on the quest,a tournament of some kind. Also I don't know all the details regarding tournaments stuff during this time. I was just watching a Knight's Tale when I was writing this. Also I don't own Reign.
Summary: It is a bit of a custom for lady to give a trinket of some kind to kind. Usually before a tournament, or a quest of some kind. But Francis will always have favor.
~x~
She knows it was a bit of a custom to give a knight or any participant in the tournament her favor. Usually a trinket of some kind, a piece of jewelry or cloth.
Occasionally having some sort of sentimental value, but she knows on occasion that isn't always the case.
She will admit, she has her favorite participant. Somebody who gets her favor each time her future father-in-law hosts these events.
After all, it was a bit expected the future king of France to participate in these events. Even though, she knows Sebastian, and occasionally King Henry participates as well, despite the risk of injury.
Personally she has always found it a bit hard watching these tournaments. Especially in the jousting event, she has seen several men get injured and most of the time needs a surgeon.
However she knows that Francis rarely participates in the jousting event, and most of the time only participates in sword fighting or archery.
She silently watches him. She knows that he would be participating in the archery event first today and doesn't necessary need to wear armor compared to some of the other events in the tournament.
"Be careful today," she says softly tying a crimson ribbon around his naked wrist.
"I always am," he replies briefly pressing her lips against his. "Cheer for me?"
She smiles lightly, remembering the first time he asked her that. It had been when engaged to Tomas, he had asked her to cheer for him before an archery competition.
Both of them knew it was probably wrong for him to ask her that. Especially when she was currently engaged to another man.
But at the time despite the fact she had chosen duty over love. Even though, she knew in her heart, she would always love Francis.
She is grateful when things ended the way they did. Especially with the rumors surrounding Tomas, not to mention his alliance to the English.
"Always," she replies.
Francis smiles brightly at her, before heading towards the stadium.
-fin