*Author's Note: Hello again! Here is the first chapter of a new story! I am still currently writing it, so updates may be slow in coming. Hope you enjoy this little introduction.
Begin Again
*Author's Note: Story begins after Francis' death in season 3, canon divergent.
Chapter 1
Mary lay in the bed she once shared with Francis, staring at the ceiling. Had he really been dead for two months? Tears filled her eyes as she tried to conjure the feeling of his arms around her. It was becoming harder and harder to remember.
"Maybe to forget would be a blessing," Mary muttered. She knew she had to marry again, and soon. She had to produce an heir for Scotland, something she and Francis had never been able to do. She thought of their lost child and more tears fell. If only she had borne that child successfully, then her re-marriage would not be as important, and she'd have a piece of Francis with her here. Regret filled Mary thinking of the time she wasted with Conde. She was ashamed that she had let herself be seduced by him. The affair had been a mistake fueled by hurt, loneliness, and lust, and she regretted straying from her marriage. She had foolishly convinced herself that she loved the Bourbon prince, but she knew now that she never truly had.
"Mary?"
She turned her head at the voice of her friend. "Greer, I didn't know you were in the castle this morning."
Greer smiled sheepishly. "I came to check on you. I've been worried about you."
Mary sighed. "I was just thinking it might be time to return to Scotland. Everything here reminds me of Francis. I don't feel like I belong here anymore."
"I thought you had promised to stay for a while to help Charles get settled."
Mary smiled sadly. "He doesn't really need me here. He'll have plenty of advisors." Mary shook her head. "I'll stay for the coronation. It's only a few more weeks. After that, I'm going home. Scotland needs its queen and I need to move on from France and from Francis."
Greer ruefully looked down at her swollen belly. "I wish I could go with you, but I don't think I"m fit to sail in my condition."
Mary laughed. "Certainly not! I will be okay Greer. There are plenty of guards who will return with me."
"Come," Greer said, reaching out her hand to pull Mary from her bed. "Let's get you up and go for a walk. We can discuss your plans in the gardens. It's too nice a day to be indoors."
Mary gratefully took her friend's hand. "Some sunshine might do me good. It will help chase away the shadows."
Bash's horse galloped back towards the castle's stables. His punishing morning ride left him feeling exhilarated, something he hadn't felt since his brother's death. Bash had lately found himself thinking of his future. With his father and Francis gone, he felt there was no real place for him in the castle. Though Charles looked to Bash for advice, he didn't rely on him in the same way Francis had. No, with Francis gone Bash felt he had only one reason to stay, and she probably wouldn't be around much longer herself.
Bash sighed. He had tried very hard to lock away his lingering feelings for Mary, but no matter how hard he tried, they always resurfaced. When she had married Francis, it had broken his heart, and instead of staying away and trying to heal, he had returned to the castle where his father had forced him into a marriage with Kenna. There was a brief time where he thought they could be happy together, that they were beginning to love one another, but Kenna's hunger for power and position had gotten the best of her. She fell into the arms of a traitor. When she left, she carried the traitor's child, and eventually sent word asking for their marriage to be annulled. Bash had agreed, and Francis had seen the deed done. Again, Bash had also tried to bury his feelings for Mary with Delphine, but he could never completely trust her either. Try as he might he could never find someone to take Mary's place in his heart. Bash knew that once she left for Scotland, he would not remain in the castle. He would leave and perhaps become a nomad. A solitary life might just suit him.
As he rounded the stables after brushing his horse, the object of his thoughts waltzed into view with Greer. At least Mary still had one of her friends here. Even so, Bash felt she was probably still lonely.
"Hello ladies, out for a walk this morning?"
Mary beamed at Bash, he always managed to put her in better spirits.
Greer eyed Bash speculatively as she replied. "We were just discussing Mary's plans to return to Scotland after Charles' coronation."
Bash felt a curious pain in his chest at Greer's words. "That's rather soon. Do you think you can be ready in time?"
Mary gave him an odd look. "It's nearly a month until the coronation. That's plenty of time to arrange passage."
Mary studied the strange expression on Bash's face, concerned that he had taken ill. "Are you well, Bash? You've become very pale."
Bash shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I apologize. I must be more tired from my ride than I realized." He excused himself and exited the gardens before he could make a fool of himself.
Greer watched as Bash retreated into the castle. Her lips pursed with concern over the exchange she had just witnessed. Mary, apparently oblivious, continued walking in silence. As they walked, an idea began to form in Greer's mind and her lips relaxed into a small smile. If she was right, Greer knew she could make sure her friend arrived safely and happily in Scotland. She just had to nudge everything in the right direction and pray her assessment of the situation was correct. She had three weeks to make sure her friend, her Queen, was well taken care of on her journey home and beyond.