*Author's Note: Story does not follow canon, though some events will be similar and some dialogue familiar. Hope you enjoy!

Masquerade

Chapter 1

Bash saw the carriages approaching the castle as he walked towards the entryway. He knew one held Mary, Queen of Scots, his half-brother's betrothed, and the other the young queen's ladies. He wondered if Mary would remember him from her time in the castle many years ago. They had played together briefly before Catherine put an end to it, feeling it was unsuitable for a queen to befriend a bastard.

He stood behind his mother as he watched Mary's ladies step out of their carriage. They seemed excited and nervous to find themselves at French Court. The second carriage rolled to a stop and a hush of anticipation came over the crowd. The door opened and Queen Mary stepped down from the carriage.

Bash's next breath stalled in his lungs; the sound from the crowd completely disappeared and he was struck dumb.

Mary was a child no more. She had grown into an incredible beauty. Her eyes sparkled as she greeted her friends; joy radiating from her. Every move was utterly graceful. Bash felt his fingers twitch as he watched her brush her dark hair from her amber eyes. He had a sudden longing to touch her raven tresses.

He came back to himself all at once, realizing he was gawking. He had never had such a reaction to a woman before. He had to get himself under control. She was the Queen of Scotland and he the bastard son of the King of France. He could never hope to have her as his own.

Mary and her ladies sat in her new chambers, servants scurrying around them to make sure the room was perfect. They giggled as they discussed Mary's impending marriage to Francis.

"At least he's handsome," Greer said reasonably. "And you were fond of each other as children. I'm sure you will be very happy together."

"That brother of his sure is handsome," Kenna mused, twirling her hair. "Too bad he has no title."

"Kenna! A title isn't everything!" Aylee said, playfully hitting Kenna with a cushion.

"We can't all be as rich as you, Aylee. We have to be very picky for the good of our families."

"They are both nice to look at, at least" Lola said, trying to avoid an argument.

All of the girls burst into giggles again, and the lighthearted mood returned.

A page entered the room. "King Henry wishes to speak with you, Your Grace."

The ladies rushed to stand as the French King entered the room

"Ladies, I hope you are settling into the castle easily. I wanted to announce that we will be hosting a masquerade ball to welcome you to your new home."

Mary's friends exchanged excited glances.

"That is very generous of you, Your Grace. We look forward to it."

King Henry nodded, "I'll leave you ladies to finish getting settled."

As the door closed behind the king, Mary's ladies erupted in a flurry of excitement. Mary smiled as she watched them gesture wildly as they spoke of dresses. She hoped the ball would help break the ice with Francis and make him remember the fondness they once felt for each other.

Catherine inspected the bottles in Nostradamus's workshop impatiently.

"Well?" She finally asked, unable to take the seer's silence any longer. "Have you had a vision of their future? Will they be happy? What about children?"

Nostradamus turned to the French Queen with an apprehensive look in his eyes.

"What?" She asked worriedly. "I demand you tell me!"

Fear coursed through her, turning her stomach as she watched his trepidation play out over his features.

"If Francis weds Mary, he will die soon after."

Catherine felt her limbs turn to stone as she sat heavily on the chair behind her. "How does this happen?"

"I do not know. The vision did not show me that detail."

Catherine looked grimly at the seer. "They must not wed then."

"How do you expect to accomplish that? Your husband desires this alliance with Scotland."

"Yes, he sees Mary as a way to gain more power, but Francis isn't the only male issue of my husband who is of marriageable age. Perhaps the bastard can be of some use to me after all, but first I must push a larger wedge between Mary and Francis." She smiled, a plan forming in her mind. "I think we may have an unexpected guest for the masquerade ball."