Disclaimer: I don't own Reign
AN: So this is essentially a version of what could have happened if Mary and her ladies had escaped through the passageways as planned in the episode 'Left Behind' (1x07) and Catherine was left to be her BAMF self alone.
The halls were heavy with an eerie silence and the sense that something lurked in the dancing shadows cast by torchlight. Henry hastened his pace, outstripping even the youngest and fittest among his men and hitting the door to the dining area at a run.
At the sound of screeching door hinges, Catherine's hand clenched around the dagger on the table before her. Relieved at the sight of her husband and his guards back in the castle, she allowed her eyes to droop closed. She leaned back and exhaled deeply.
"What happened?" Henry peered around, bewildered. There were a dozen bodies strewn about the stone floor in pools of blood.
Staring ahead, she attempted a laugh without managing a smile, "I made a bit of a mess."
I met Francis on the king's road. He said men had taken the castle, that everyone had made it out through the tunnels… Everyone except you."
"The boys? They're safe?" Her stare was fixed, distant.
"Everyone is safe. The rest of my soldiers are transporting them back here as we speak. Whose blood it that?"
She looked down, surveying herself. Her hands, her gown were drenched in blood. The stickiness she detected on her neck indicated that it was covered in the spray as well. She could taste it on her lips.
"His, mostly." She gestured to the dead Count that lay crumpled on the floor next to her. Henry stayed her hand as she reached to refill her goblet with wine. Jerking her hand away, she glared up at him.
He swallowed his pride, "I think you should be seen by Nostradamus."
"Why? You have never trusted him."
"I don't, but you do. Perhaps he could-"
She interrupted, looking him dead in the eye, "I trust no one."
Henry turned to the guards scattered around the room. "Remove the bodies. Start clearing the room."
"DON'T!" Catherine's hoarse shout echoed, as she spoke to the man who was now frozen in place, positioned over the fallen chest of gold. "It's poisoned."
Henry smirked as he guided her towards her chambers, her ingenuity never failed to impress him. She wobbled a bit on the steps. That and the near-empty tankard of wine indicated that she had downed more than usual. When they arrived at her chamber door, she halted.
"Much as I appreciate the escort, I believe I can manage from here."
"The servants are still straggling in, most rendered useless from terror and exposure. You're a bit… unsteady. I will help you prepare for bed."
She shot him another glare, but voiced no objection. As he began rummaging through her wardrobe in search of a nightgown, she settled herself on the window seat and stared into the night.
"I suppose you require a bath?" He was uncertain how to address her.
She laughed again, the hollow sound reverberating off the stone walls. "You wouldn't know how to begin drawing a bath."
"I will figure it out. You aren't the only one blessed with intelligence, my dear." He spoke lightly, hoping to coax her into conversation. She stared on in silence.
Henry caught a servant on the staircase and enlisted her help. She instructed him on how to prepare a bath before he dismissed her to the infirmary to seek treatment for her injured ankle. Catherine observed as the King of France worked industriously to heat the water and fill the tub one bucket at a time. Her gaze softened a bit as her husband labored for her benefit.
"There," he panted. "It's ready. It may be a bit too hot, though. Perhaps you should let it cool for a while."
She rose and tested the temperature. "It feels fine. Thank you." How long had it been since she had thanked him? How long had it been since he had done something to warrant her appreciation?
"Let's get you in then."
"I can manage from here. If you should happen upon the children or their nannies tell them that I will be along shortly."
"Once you are bathed, we can go together to check on them. I am going to stay and make sure that you are taken care of."
Suspicion clouded her countenance, "I assure you, I am fine. The amount of time it took you to draw the bath and this conversation is enough to sober anyone up."
Henry sighed, he needed to proceed with caution. "I don't mean to imply that you are drunk or incapable. I simply have some questions."
"Mary and Francis can fill you in on the details." She unpinned her hair.
"I have questions that they cannot answer."
"So a condition of my bath is that I must satisfy your curiosity? How very relaxing!" She cast her earrings at the vanity.
"Catherine, please."
What a night of firsts. First, she thanked him, now he is saying 'please'. She felt herself nod. He turned, providing her privacy as she stripped off her blood-stained clothing and slipped into the tub. He remained facing the fireplace as he spoke.
"Francis sent a rider to us. He was blessedly lucky he didn't end up strung up in the woods. He told us of this Count. I sent half the men on to suppress the peasant uprising while I led the others back here. When we encountered Francis on the road he said that Mary knew a way out through the tunnels, but you remained behind so that they could escape."
"Yes." She waited as he mulled over the events in his mind.
"You poisoned the gold? That's how they died?"
"Mmmhmm," Catherine assented as she scrubbed her blood-encrusted fingernails.
"How did you come to be covered in blood?"
"Every one of those greedy bastards clamoured for fistfuls of gold. All except Count Vincent." She held her breath and plunged into the hot water, allowing it to swallow the tears that threatened to fall.
When he heard her gasp as she reemerged he asked, "And?"
"And I killed him."
"Catherine…" He pressed his face into his hands, frustrated.
"He was furious when he realized what I'd done. He was going to… to kill me." She fought to maintain control of her breathing. "I saw the candlelight glinting off of the dagger in one of the dead men's fists. Could you fetch my robe?" She tried her best to keep her voice light.
He passed her the scarlet robe as she stepped out of the water. He hadn't meant to look. Redness stood out across her throat and arms that would surely be bruises tomorrow. Noticing his lingering gaze, she quickly donned her robe and backed away from him.
"Does that conclude your interrogation?"
"Are you alright?"
"As I said, I'm fine."
"Catherine…"
"I need to go see my children. I won't sleep until I see them safe and sound with my own eyes." She laid out a simple gown.
"Get dressed. Let's go."
"Henry, you are no lady's maid. You needn't attend to me." She hoped that this would squash the pitiful look in his eyes.
"I wish to see the boys as well… Catherine, I am not ashamed to say that I was scared today. More than scared, I was terrified. I thought I might be too late. I still fear that I am."
She seemed to ignore his every word. "Turn so I can dress."
Catherine raced through the hallways, her mind intently focused on seeing her boys. She couldn't explain it but the weight in her chest swelled with every step. Rounding the last corner she collided with her oldest son. Rather than pulling back she enveloped him in a tight embrace. He laid his cheek on top of her head, hugging her back.
"Mother, I'm so glad you're alright."
"Has everyone returned safely?"
"Yes. The boys are in bed. Mary has all of her ladies in her chambers, even Olivia. She is so gracious and clever. How she figured out those tunnels is beyond me. The servants are back and Bash has been released from the tower. They are all a bit shaken, but will recover."
"And you?"
"I'm just fine, mother. You know, Mary talks as though you're a saint now." His eyes shone playfully.
"She's right, I am." She teased, "And you talk as though she's an angel." Catherine kissed his cheek before letting him go.
"Mama!"
As they stepped into the little boys' chambers, Catherine saw a flash of blonde as she was nearly tackled by Little Henry. She swept him up in her arms and cradled him against her chest. She stooped and kissed Charles' brow and then smoothed little Henry's hair out of his face to plant a kiss on his. Sitting on the edge of the bed with Henry nestled in her lap and Charles on his father's knee she comforted her little boys with snuggles and warm words.
Little Henry scooted himself around in her lap to face her and raised himself up on his knees. He placed his tiny wet lips in his mother's brow.
"Thank you, darling. What was that for?" Her children had always kissed her cheek.
"Whenever I'm upset you kiss me right there." He pointed to his brow, "So I kissed you there. Why are you upset? Are you scared because of the bad men?"
Catherine smiled, blinking quickly, and lifted his chin to meet his gaze. "I could never be anything but happy when I look into these beautiful eyes."
Never wanting to miss out on mother's love, Charles took her hand and rested in both of his. She ran her hand through his hair, "Or this dashing smile."
An hour later all four were huddled together in one bed. Little Henry's lashes fluttered against Catherine's chest. Charles was cradled into her side and had hold of his father's hand. The two little ones slept soundly in the comfort of their parent's arms.
Catherine opened her eyes as the tips of Henry's fingers whispered across her skin. "I didn't know this kind of peace was real." He gently twisted a ringlet through his fingers.
She gave him a small, but genuine, smile. "You're not too late, Henry."