The frail white haired woman pushed and pushed as the guards tried to block her from getting to the king's chambers. After several more pushes she slipped passed the guards and made it to the large wooden door. Her hand hesitated as her mind tried to decide what was the best action to take. Should she knock or barge in risking her life? No king would be kind to a peasant entering their chambers unannounced. Her right hand twitched and she knocked, but she couldn't wait. So her hand grasped the handle and ran into his chambers. The king saw the strange woman. Anger was easily seen in his walk. He hurried over to her with his teeth clenched. Fear jolted through her body. "Your head can be mine. Who are you? I hope you have urgent news to tell." The old woman nodded quickly with a hard swallow. The king saw fear and panic in her eyes "Out with it!" the king barked. "I-I know the Queen of Scots well enough to risk my life to save hers. I heard talk from the man I serve. He was talking along with some men in the darkest hours of the night. They spoke of dark things. I think they are the devil's bastards with their talk. They had spoken of Mary's troubles since her childhood. They talked of killing her and blaming the English for her death. As you know this would cause much blood to spill of French and Englishmen. I would not come if I did not believe they were going to commit treason. Where is the young Mary? She needs to be protected! Now!" The king paced rubbing his upper lip. He was cautious of her words, but given everything that has happened to Mary in the short time she has been here under his care he had to take the threat seriously.
"I will take this threat seriously, but understand this if you are lying you will be committed of treason. As for Mary I will make sure she is safe and as for you, you will be watched. The king watched as the woman walk away. The king realized he needed to send men to track his bastard son Sebastian and Mary. They fled on horseback more than three days ago and he believes they have no intentions on returning. If there was some type threat on her life she would not stand a chance with just one man, his son, no matter how great he is, to protect her. He shouted for his guard to come. His guard hurried to his side. "Your majesty?" "Gather any and all men able to ride. We need to get both Mary and Sebastian back to the castle as soon as possible. They are in grave danger. Go now! Make haste!" The guard sprinted out of the king's chambers. King Henry II struggled with the question of telling Francis. He knew his son was foolishly in love with Mary. At times this kept his son on the straight and narrow for his kingdom. Yet, at other times his son put Mary's wellbeing above France's. Was he willing to risk his son's life to save Mary's and Sebastian's? He walked cautiously out of his chambers and towards Francis'. Before he could make it ten feet from his chambers he heard "Father! Father!" Francis was racing to catch up with his father. "I saw the guards. What is going on? Why are you gathering able men? "Francis's eyes were wide with worry. "It is time for the future queen of France and your brother to come home. It has been long enough. If they will not venture back on their own then we must get them ourselves." The king couldn't hurt his son's heart even more by telling him the woman he loves may be dead in the next few days. His son nodded at his father's response. The king began to walk when Francis yelled to him "I will ride." His voice was strong and determined. The king swallowed hard and kept walking. His actions told Francis all he need to know. His father and his king was allowing him to ride. His father knew that his son was not going to back down. He also knew his son would be their best option in saving them.