The Shadows of the Past
Summary: This fanfic takes place after King Henry takes Penelope as his Queen. It's Cathry all the way, with lots of drama and secrets. This is an AU. Also, all that stuff about Richard and Catherine cheating on Henry hapenned before this, and I promise that I'll try not to kill many characters, principaly the trouble makers, otherwise the story wouldn't be that great. However, they will eventually fade. The characters will probably behave in a diferent way of the show, but this is fanfiction so... By the way, sorry for any mistakes you might find. I'm portugese and just fourteen, so I'm still learning.
Chapter 1
Catherine sat at her vanity, thinking about the last events. Henry had just taken another mistress... No, not mistress. After all, Penelope was supposed to be queen for a day, so technecally he had taken another queen? Very confusing indeed. Of course it hurted to see her husband with another woman, but deep inside, very very deep inside, Catherine couldn't wait to confront the little bicth.
She looked at her reflexion in the mirror of her vanity. Amber eyes stared back at her, a ginger woman full of freckles. Her red dress made of silk matched the colour of her hair, that just for once wasn't pulled up on top of her head, but that fall as in a waterfall of red curls down her back. They would be departing soon, and it would be most defenetly interesting. Three of Henry mistresses, now that Diane was back to Court, and his wife, all in the same place. And even better, they were going on a picnic at the beach today. A lovely day, this one would be indeed.
Standing from her vanity, the Queen of France headed for her children playtime room. As she walked throught the halls, she could hear what people were saying. It was sure that she did look diferent today, but it was certainly weird that everyone stared at started whispering.
"Is that the Queen?! What happened?"
"Do you think she's trying to get the King back on her?"
"She looks so... Diferent. Warmer..."
"She looks just like when she arrived at the Castle all those years ago."
Catheine knew that the old lady who spoke was right, but it wasn't intentional. After all, there made no sense to use make up or make complex hairstyles when going to the beach, so everyone could see her skin full of freckles and her long hair. Also, she looked smaler, without her high heels. She allways was very small.
Turning the corner, she started hearing the voices of her kids. They were so excited. When she entered the room, all the heirs of House Valois jumped on her, talking ones on top of others.
"Mama, look at my dress! It's pretty isn't it?"Margaret gave a tuirl, falling on the ground.
"It really is very beautifull, darly."
"Mama, do you think father will play with us?" Charles eyes were full of hope.
"Of course he will. You know your father loves to play with you."
"Then why is it that he is never here with us?" little Henry asked innocently.
"Well, your father is a very busy man, you know? He is King, after all."
"Ok then... But he will have to play with us today!"
Together, they walked to the Coutyard where they would meet with the rest of the group. When they arrived, Mary an her ladies were alredy there. However, Mary wasn't paying much attention to the conversation, she was interested in something else. Following her gaze, Catherine found Francis talking to Bach near the horses. His blond hair was all messy, but that just made him look more handsome. Just like his father. Thought now Henry is bald...That made the Queen giggle, atracting attention to herself. Joining the Scotish Queen, Catherine was aware of the glances from Kenna.
"Goodmorning Catherine. How you are doing today?" Mary asked awkwardly.
"Goodmorning to you too, Mary. Actually, I'm very excited about this trip. Back when I was a child, I loved swimming." That was true. She allways loved water and the woods. And there was no need to be mean to her future daughter-in-law. At least not for now.
"I didn' knew you had frekles, your Majesty." Lola said, allways the sweetest.
"Yes, well... They are not proper for a Queen, so I just hide them with make up. But I trully like them."
"Does Henry also like them?" If glare could kill, Kenna would have certainly attempted on the Queen's life.
"I don't know. Why don't you ask him?" Catherine pointed to the door.
The King was walking along with Penelope and Diane, one in each side. Behind them was Nostradamus and Olivia, and of course, some other members of the French Court. Her ladies rushed to her sides, and her kids run to their father.
"Father, father! Will you play with us?"
"Look at me father, do you like my dress?"
"C'mon father, we really want to be with you!"
Catherine could see that her husband was strugling, so she walked over to where he stand and placed Hercule on his arms, who hugged his neck.
"C'mon guys, if you speak all at the same time your father won't undersatnd any of what your saying. Sorry about this Henry, they're just excited."
"Oh...uhm...yes sure it's...it's fine." The King was staring at her like he was seeing her for the first time. How could it be that she looked so beautifull? It was in this moments when he missed her the most. He look to the sides, and neither Diane neither Penelope could be compared to his wife. And even better, she was smiling. She wasn't closing her feelings for others, or playing the role of Queen. She was simply Caterina de'Medeci. Don't be stupid, she doesn't love, doesn't have feelings. She cheated on you, remember? Giving himself a mental slap, he recovered from the shock. "Well, we should really start going if we want to get to the beach in time for lunch."
With that, they headed to the cariages. The King entered in one along with is two mistresses. Bash and Francis climb to their horses, while she and her ladies, along with Mary and hers and Margaret entered in the last. The beach was about an hour distant, so there was plenty of time to gossip. Of course, each Queen with her ladies. At least until Margeret ask one of those difficult and innocent questions that only little kids ask.
"Mama, why is father with that girl and Diane instead of being here?" her little eyes were shinning with curiosity.
""Well...ah... You know your Papa is a very busy man. He is just taking care of an issue. I'm sure that as soon as he can he come to play with you." the Queen's voice was normal, but for the ones that knew her better, they could have heard the hint of pain in her voice.
"Then why is she here with us too? You also said that father had many issues to take care with her." Margaret was pointing her little finger to Kenna.
"Issues?! Henry has issues to take care with me!? It's not my fault that he likes me more than his Medeci Bitch of a wife!" Kenna was all red, and Mary looked like she was about to explod from containig her laugh, as well as Lola and Greer.
"Mama, what's a bitch?" this time was Hercule's time to talk.
"It's a very ugly word, and I don't want to hear it coming out of your mouth ever. And you Mary, would do well to controll yourself, and register what I'm telling you: I'm tired of the you treat me. I saved your asses when we were atacked, and you didn't even thanked me. You humilliated me when I was imprisoned in the tower, but you forget something. I'm not one for games. You don't know me. You know Catherine de'Medeci the Queen of France, not Caterina de'Medeci, the itallien woman surrounded by French Nobles. So get ready, 'cause I'm getting payback on you." Catherine's glare was so intense, that Queen of Scotish couldn't stop the shiver that run up her spine.
However, before any other words could be changed between them, the cariege stoped, someone openned the door. Francis helped Mary climbing down, and led her to the beach, in one hand her bag, in the other her hand. It didn't took much time o everything get settled, and soon enough it stasted smell deliciously. The elder man stayed near the food in case it was need some help, while the kids took some of their toys and begun to play with the sand and started running after each other. Almost all women started taking out her clothes, standing just in their swimming suits. All assides from Penelope, who stood glued to the King, in her red swimming suit, went to the sea. The water wasn't nearly as warm as in Italy, but it was the closest thing, so Catherine run and dive right into it,not bothering to don't splash water to others. It felt good. It felt really good. Opennig her eyes, she could see some fishes here and there, some spakling rocks and plants. Reaching the surfice, she took a big louth of air into her lunges. She didn't had time to do anyting else, because right then someone hit the water next to her. Francis was kissing Mary's neck and lips, looking happier than ever. Mary's hair looked even bigger now that it was wet, and her cheeks were quite red. What a sight. Her son had grabbed Mary and run to the water, while holding her bride-style.
More and more people started entering the water, while other just stand near it. Bash had grabbed a ball and was playing with Henry and Charles. Margaret was collecting shells, and Hercule was grabbing sand, trying to decide if it was a good idea to eat it or not. Nostradamos was walking with Olivia. It was good to see her friend finally truelly happy. They were quite a funny couple. Hope one day I'll be just like them, me and Henry, side by side. Glancing over to where he stood, the Queen admired her King. Strong and fearsless, the ages had been kind to him. His perfectly shaped muscles, the scars he had won over the years, from huntings, wars and from the years passed in captivity in Spain. She also had her fair share of scares. He stared back at her, and smiled. She smiled back. He was so handsome... Getting out of water, Catherine headed to where he was. She couldn't let this opoturnity flee. It was one of the rare ocasions when none of his mistresses was hanging on his arms. Diane was sat on a rock watching Kenna, who was playing with her friends, and Penelope was... where was she actually? Anyway.
"Hey there, Henry."
"Hello, Catherine."
"Look Catherine, you... I..." why was it so dificult to speak to her? "I just wanted to say that you look incredible today. You should let your hair down more times. And show your freckles. I like them."
"I'm happy you do. I need to talk to you. It's about Pene-"
She stoped mid sentence, staring at his bare chest. There, hanging from is neck, was a cross. She reached out to touch it. He kept it...
"Why do you still wear it?" her voice had became low and soft.
"It's something important to you. It makes me feel like I still have a part of you with me..."
"Henry, if you could at least tr-"
"Henry, dear, why are you talking with this peasent? Don't you prefer to be with your Queen?" and Penelope had just ruined everything. Again.
"Excuse me? Peasent? How could I be a peasent? I got enough money to buy half o France if I wanted." Where are the limits of this girl?
"Not since you've been disowned." the kitchen's whore smiled wickedly, showing her gap in the midle of her teeth.
"As an oposite to big part of women, I don't like being dependent of someone or something. For your information, I DO HAVE money enough to buy half of France, if not all of it."
"Well, what do you think Henry? Don't you prefer to be with your Queen?"
"I do... I do really prefer being with my Queen... My Queen..." Henry, who had been silent for all the conversation, was staring in wonder at is wife. Smiling triunfantly, the Queen of the Bean pull Henry away, walking to some Nobles.
The rest of the day went normally, and when they got back, Catherine went tuck her children in bed, while Henry went to his rooms, followed by Kenna. It seemed Penelope and Diane were going to have a break. What they didn't knew was that that day had changed both their lifes.
Lying next to a sleeping Kenna, the King's thoughts draft to his wife. She looked so happy today, almost has if we were young again... I wonder what she was about to say when we were interupted. I mean, it's not like she would actually want something with me, not after I have killed her lover...
At the same time, in her own chambers, the Queen couldn't sleep either. Why had Henry kept that cross... It doesn't make sense... It's not like he would actually want something with me, not with Diane, Kenna, and whoever he decides to bed around...
In that night, both the Monarchs of France got very little sleep. After all, it is said that when you can't sleep, someone is thinking about you... And did they barely knew that great changes were about to happen and great truths about to come out...
TBC...
A.N.: So, this is my first fanfiction ever. I just want to say that I won't stop writing it, but I don't know when I'll be able to apload the next chapter.