Disclaimer: I own nothing of 'Ever After'. This story is for fannish enjoyment and no copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: After the events of 'Reflections - So Life Goes On', Captain Laurent and Jacqueline de Ghent marry. Now they are making their wedding trip to visit the Captain's family.


Tapestry of Echoes

Chapter One

"I shall miss you," Princess Danielle held tight to Jacqueline's hand through the window of the coach.

Prince Henry stepped to his wife's side and said quietly, "They have to go now, Danielle, if they are to make their first stop tonight."

Danielle nodded and stepped back into the noise and commotion of Hautefort's stabling yard. She stood beside Henry and the unusually quiet Leonardo; all three of them waving as the Laurent party left.

The coach, baggage wagon and horsemen reminded Danielle of the day so many years ago when her father had brought the de Ghents to the Manor. She shuddered inwardly at the memory.

"I wish I could go with them," Danielle sighed.

Henry chuckled, "Dearest, I don't think they want to share their wedding trip with us." He took hold of his wife's hand and kissed it before he added, "Anyway, Normandy in Winter is not the warmest place in the world and from what Marc's told me his Grandmother's Chateau is very draughty."

"Yes, but five months is a long time at my age," murmured Leonardo while he watched the rear of the baggage wagon disappear into the dust cloud.

"Signore, was there something you wanted to show us?" Prince Henry smiled at the artist.

"What? Oh yes, a new invention of mine." Enthused by the Prince's prompting, Leonardo led the couple back into Hautefort.

~~~~~~~~

Marc Laurent held out his hand and assisted his wife to step down from the coach.

"We'll stop here a while and give the horses a rest," Marc smiled at his bride as he led her towards the side of the dirt road. "Not too shaken up in there?"

"No," Jacqueline smiled, "Although I do wish you'd let me ride." She looked up at her husband and saw the long-suffering expression on his face.

"I know, I can't ride well enough yet to travel so far or deal with the 'unexpected' you're always warning me about." She sighed, "It's just so boring sitting in there, Marc. It's only been four hours. I don't know how I'm going to stand four days."

"Or longer, if the weather doesn't hold," replied Marc. He grinned at the look of horror on his wife's face.

"October is too early for snow, is it not?"

"Generally, but it's almost November." The Captain squeezed her hand. "It's the autumn rains that may slow us down. You know it's the snow and rain that will stop us getting back out until March."

They walked along the roadside for few minutes before turning back towards the rest of their party.

"I hope your family is nice," Jacqueline smiled nervously at Marc. She was a little afraid of meeting Marc's family. Not only was she going to spend five months with strangers but with strangers who hadn't come to their wedding. The few members of Marc's family who had turned up were those at court or nearby. Marc had avoided the subject when she'd asked him about it.

"They are all right, once you get to know them." Marc stopped then turned and grinned down at her. "I've just thought of a cure for your boredom." He led her back to the coach.

~~~~~~~

Jacqueline was miffed. When Marc had said he had a cure for her boredom she had assumed it meant a cuddle in the coach. Instead he had led her back to the coach, helped her in, and walked off towards the baggage wagon, calling orders to the coachman and the outriders as he walked.

A few minutes later the coach door opened and Marc climbed in. Under his arm he held a bundle wrapped in oilskin. He smiled at his wife and proceeded to undo the bundle.

Jacqueline's was no longer miffed. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her.

She watched her husband while he removed the oilskins from the parcel. It was so strange to see him wearing clothes other than his uniform, although the soft brown and red clothes suited him well. She wondered if she'd find it strange to see him back in uniform when they eventually returned to Hautefort.

"There you go," Marc leaned over and placed a carved wooden box on the seat beside Jacqueline. "That lot should keep you busy."

"What is it?"

"More than you ever needed to know about my family," Marc smiled and stood. He kissed her lips and said, "Start with the ones on the bottom, they're the oldest."

Jacqueline nodded absently as Marc stepped down from the coach and went to his horse. The coach started moving. Jacqueline sat back in the seat and opened the box. She reached down into the pile of folded letters, pulled out the bottom bundle and closed the box.


~ 30 August 1494
To Master Marc Laurent
Chateau _________
Normandy

Grandson,
The Duc's man has just delivered your letter. I am glad to hear that you are doing your family proud. We are all sure that you will do your best for the dear Duc. His Grace was certain that you would make an excellent pupil.

I know you will do your utmost for the family honour,

Your loving grandmother,
Comtess Monique D'Argent
Chateau D'Argent
Normandy ~


"Hmm, she doesn't sound too loving," Jacqueline murmured. She wondered what the Comtess D'Argent was like but her imagination kept bringing her back to an image of her mother. Jacqueline shrugged and picked up the second letter in the bundle.

The letter was written in a sprawled hand that was difficult to read.


~ 30 August 1494

Dear Marc,
We all miss you very much. I hope you are being a good boy and helping the Duc. Please wear the warm clothes I packed for you now that Autumn is here and be careful with all those swords and weapons. Remember to clean any cuts you get very well.

Everyone here is healthy. Papa and Julien are in the town for a few days. Claudette is nearly sixteen and is becoming quite the young lady. Michel and Monique miss you in their games - Michel turned fourteen last Wednesday and is growing very tall, he must take after Grandpapa D'Argent. Adrienne, Domenic Luc, Etienne and Suzanne are all annoying nanny and making a lot of noise. I believe that Grandmamma has gone to speak to them about playing in the house. Your baby brother Raymonde is growing well. He will be one next month. I will give him a big kiss from you on his birthday.

I have to go now dearest. The Duc's man is waiting for my letter.

You are always in my prayers.
Yours with love,
Mama ~


"I wish my mother spoke like that to me." Jacqueline sighed and folded the letter carefully. Jacqueline ran her fingers over the creases and marks on the parchment. This letter was obviously Marc's favourite in the bundle. 'If I had a letter like that it'd be my favourite too.'

Jacqueline smiled and waved to her husband. He rode closer to the window.

"Still bored?"

"No."

"Good." Marc looked forest around them. "We'll be stopping again soon. I don't want to push the horses too hard this early in our trip. Although I could wish for a safer spot." He saw Jacqueline's concerned expression and cursed himself for worrying her. "We'll be all right. Go back to your reading."

Jacqueline did as she was bid. The date on the note grabbed her attention. It felt strange to read something that was written when she was barely two and a half years old.


~10 April 1495
Dear Son,
Happy birthday for April 20. Your mother sends her affection. All your brothers and sisters send their best regards, when they are not squabbling.

Please give our regards to His Grace the Duc and thank him again for taking you on,
Sincerely
Domenic Laurent~


Inside the letter was a note was written in an elegant hand and on heavy parchment.


~20 April 1495
For Master Marc Laurent, Squire, in recognition of his 13th birthday and in the hope that he doesn't grow out of them by Christmas.
Louis, Duc __________ ~


Jacqueline noticed that Marc had written 'full suit of clothes and boots' on the back of the note. She giggled and imagined her husband as a quick-growing thirteen-year-old boy. All knees and elbows and clothes that didn't quite fit.

Marc saw her grinning and rode over. "What's so funny?"

"Did they fit until Christmas?"

Marc caught sight of the note and the next one on the pile. The smile disappeared from his face. "I think we'll stop for a little now. Why don't you pack up the letters until later." He rode ahead to speak to the coachman.

Jacqueline picked up the next letter. Just seeing it had distressed her husband. Curiosity got the better of her and she flicked the letter open. It was poorly written - the writing was hastily scrawled across the page.


~ 15 May 1495
Marc,
Come at once.
Your mother is gravely ill. She is asking for you.
Papa ~

To be continued