Happily Ever After?

Set three months after the wedding of Danielle and Henry

It was a beautiful spring day outside the castle. Danielle woke up, the sun shining on her face. She rolled over and found Henry was not in the bed next to her. She sighed and got up to get ready for the day. One of her ladysmaids came in to help her get dressed and finish her hair. She and Henry had planned an outing for lunch and she wanted to look extra special. She was proud of her Henry. Ever since they had been married, Henry had become interested in learning what he needed in order to be King of France. She had also noticed that the King and Queen seemed to be getting closer as well. Henry had always said that they never had the closest relationship, but Danielle noticed the little smiles and touches between the two. She hoped Henry was wrong, but only on this idea. She wanted him to learn everything he needed to be King...she knew he would make a great King one day. She was finally ready and decided to try and find Henry who was most likely with his Father in the map room. She was about to reach the room when Captain Laureant made his way over to her. He bowed and then stood.

"Your Highness, your husband requests your presence in the throne room."

"Throne room? I was sure he would be in the map room this morning."

"He said the throne room, Your Highness."

"Thank you." She headed into the throne room and found Henry and Francis, speaking excitedly about something.

"Danielle!" Henry ran over and twirled her around before setting her down and taking her hands. "We have just received the most wonderful news."

"What is it, m'lord?" Henry turned to his father and motioned for him to join he and Danielle.

"Father, please, may I tell her?"

"Of course. Danielle, you deserve to know." Danielle smiled at the King. He had changed the most since she and Henry were married. She was proud of her father-in-law for letting down his guard and embracing his family.

"M'lady, we are going on a honeymoon!"

"A honeymoon? Oh Henry!" She wrapped her arms around his neck as he picked her up and twirled her around again.

"It works out perfectly, Danielle! Father has to meet with the King of Spain to discuss the treaty and then he and Mother and you and I will have an entire two weeks to ourselves...in Spain!"

Danielle walked over and kissed Francis on the cheek. "Did you plan all this?"

"Well...we have to go to Spain anyway. And I felt badly that you and Henry did not have a proper honeymoon, so this just made sense." She hugged the King tightly, surprising him. He wasn't used to the affection but ever since Danielle had been in the house, he had become accustomed to her hugs and kisses on the cheek. He hugged her back and then let her go back to Henry. "I may as well go tell your Mother the news and then you two had better start packing. We leave tomorrow at first light."

Henry and Danielle watched as the King walked out the door before Henry pulled Danielle into a kiss. "I cannot wait until Spain is dealt with and then we have some real time to ourselves," he said he as let her go and took her hand. They began moving towards their suite to get things in order before the trip.

"It will be wonderful, Henry. I think your Mother and Father will enjoy themselves as well."

"What? Oh yes, of course they will." Danielle grinned. Henry was oblivious to his parent's budding romance.

"Henry...haven't you noticed anything different about your parent's?" He looked at her, a slight frown upon his face. He had no idea what she was getting at.

"Well...Father has been much more open to my ideas. That's all though. Why?" Danielle kissed his cheek.

"Nothing."

"Danielle...do you know something?"

"Of course not, m'lord. Would I ever lie to you?" Henry stopped walking and pulled her close.

"No, you would not. But, I believe the question is, would you keep a secret from me?"

"M'lord, I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about."

"Danielle! What do you know?" He eyed her suspiciously as she tried to hide the grin on her face. Before he could ask any more questions, she hurried down the hall to their suite, Henry chasing after her.

Francis first went to his suite and found that Marie was not there. He immediately went to the gardens, knowing that was where she would be. She hadn't been herself the past few days...she was quiet and distant. He was worried about her. Ever since Henry and Danielle's marriage, he had seen his wife in a new light. He saw her for the strong woman she was, the one who had dealt with him for so many years. He wanted her to know how much he cared for her...loved her. He was just slow in showing it. He found her sitting in the midst of her rose bushes, her pride and joy besides Henry. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, causing her to jump slightly. She turned quickly and her frightened look softened.

"Francis...you scared me!"

"I am sorry m'lady. I have something to discuss with you." She motioned for him to sit down next to her. After taking his seat, he studied her closely. There were dark circles under her eyes and her color was pale. "Marie...are you alright?"

"Of course, m'lord. Why do you ask?"

He waved her question away with his hand. "Nothing...now, I wanted to tell you about the trip."

"Trip?"

"Yes, Danielle and Henry will finally have a honeymoon." The smile that spread across her face made him remember just how beautiful she was.

"Oh, Francis! A honeymoon! They will love it...have you told them?"

"Yes, they are very excited."

"Where will they be going?"

"Spain....as will I." Her smile faded slightly as she realized he would be leaving.

"I see. Are you going to discuss the treaty?" He nodded.

"But I was hoping....well, I was hoping that we could make a vacation out of it." She looked up at him, joy in her eyes.

"You mean..."

"Yes, Marie, you're going as well."

"Oh, Francis!" She quickly stood from her seat and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then realizing what she had just done, she quickly pulled away and put her hands over her mouth. "I apologize..." she said as she turned around.

Francis only smiled and stood next to her. Even though they had been married, it was as if they were just falling in love for the first time. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around.

"You don't have to be sorry. Please Marie...it's alright." He put his hand under her chin and lifted it. He smiled at her and after a moment, she smiled back.

"Thank you, Francis...we haven't been away in so long."

"I know. I will be dealing with the King of Spain for a few days so I thought you and Danielle would find something to keep yourselves occupied."

Marie's eyes seemed to dance. "Of course we will." Francis linked her arm through his as he led her back toward the castle.

"I am afraid I will be in meetings with my advisers all afternoon. We need to make sure the treaty will be set up properly." Marie nodded as they walked the rest of the way in silence. He led her to their suite and stopped outside the door. "I should be at dinner, but don't wait for me."

"Yes, m'lord." Francis quickly looked around and saw that the guards were looking the other way for the time being. He quickly kissed Marie on the cheek and left her to go to the map room. Turning towards her suite she couldn't hide the smile that spread across her face. The guards turned back to face her and open the door for her. She thanked them and walked inside, her hand on her cheek.

Danielle and Henry were waiting in the dining room for Marie and Francis that evening. Danielle could tell Henry was getting agitated.

"Do calm down, Henry. I'm sure they're on their way."

"They are never late! They always yelled at me for being late!"

"Maybe they're just giving you a taste of what they had to put up with, m'lord." Henry turned to glare at her, but after seeing her grin, he couldn't help but smile at her.

"I guess you are right." He came and sat down next to her, taking her hand and kissing her fingers. "Thank you for reminding me."

"Only doing my duty as your wife." Henry laughed and kissed her gently. The doors to the dining room opened and the guard from outside walked in.

"Your Highnesses, I was ordered to inform you that the King and Queen will not be attending dinner this evening."

"What?" Henry said, standing up quickly. "What is their reasoning? We always have dinner together as a family."

"I am afraid, sire, that the King is still in a meeting and the Queen said she would like to take dinner in her room tonight."

"What? Why?!" Henry demanded. Danielle stood and placed a hand on his arm, causing him to calm down. Henry breathed in deeply and then looked at the nervous guard. "Thank you, you are dismissed."

The guard quickly left as Danielle and Henry sat back down at the table. "I understand that father is in a meeting but mother always comes to dinner with us."

"Maybe she had some things to attend to before we leave tomorrow," Danielle said. Henry thought over the idea for a few moments and then looked at her.

"You may be right. Why don't we pay her a visit after dinner and see if we can help?" Danielle nodded at her husband's question.

"That sounds like a wonderful plan."

Francis put his head in his hands. No one was coming to any agreement on what the treaty with Spain should state. There were too many conflicts. He wished that he was just going for vacation with Marie, instead of having to discuss politics with a King he could hardly understand. He saw the sun setting outside and knew it was past dinner already. He looked up again at the gentleman surrounding him. They were all still argueing. It was going to be a long night.

Henry and Danielle finished their meal and then headed for the King and Queen's suite. Henry spoke to the guards once they arrived.

"Has the King returned yet?"

"No, sire. He is still in the meeting."

"Is the Queen in here?"

"Yes, sire." The guard opened the door for Danielle and Henry and they stepped in. There was an entire tray of food, untouched, sitting on the table by the fireplace. And there, in the chair, was Marie. Her eyes were closed but immediately opened when she heard the door.

"Henry...Danielle...what are you two doing here?" Henry walked over and kissed her cheek before sitting with Danielle on the couch.

"We came to see why you were not at dinner tonight. It seems as though you have not eaten at all."

"Oh, Henry...I'm not very hungry."

"Now Henry, leave Mother alone. She is just as excited as I am about the trip," Danielle said, smiling at her mother-in-law. Marie smiled back.

"Your wife is correct, Henry. There is much to do before we can leave tomorrow morning. And you know your father does not like to be kept waiting." Henry sighed and nodded.

"What is father doing? He is not usually this late."

"He was debating with his advisers over what to put in the treaty with Spain." Henry saw the pain in his mother's eyes, even though the only light in the room was coming from the dancing flames of fire. He reached over and took her hand.

"Mother, are you feeling alright?"

Marie looked surprised at his question. "Of course...why do you ask?"

"I'm just making sure. You have seemed tired as of late." Marie waved away his statement.

"I am fine, thank you. Now, don't you two have some packing to finish?" Danielle stood, knowing that Marie did not want them to worry about her.

"Yes, we do, Mother. We shall see you in the morning." She kissed her mother-in-law's cheek and waited for Henry by the door. Henry stood and kissed his mother's cheek as well.

"You would let me know if you needed something, wouldn't you?"

Marie sighed deeply. "Of course, Henry. Now go!" Henry smiled, glad that his mother seemed to be perking up. He squeezed her hand before taking Danielle's and bidding Marie goodnight. As the door shut, Marie squeezed her eyes closed to the pain she felt. Hot tears fell down her cheeks as the pain grew worse and she fell into a restless sleep.

Two hours later, Francis wearily walked back to his suite. The guards let him in the door, saying goodnight to their King. Hearing his grunt as a reply, they knew he was not to be reckoned with any time soon.

"Marie!" he shouted as soon as he entered the room. He needed to talk with her to calm himself down. What he didn't know was that the Queen had been sleeping for awhile now. She heard her name being called and woke immediately.

"Francis, what is wrong?" The King looked over and saw her on the chair, immediately regretting shouting for her. He walked over and sat on the couch.

"I am sorry, m'lady. I did not know you were sleeping."

"It's quite alright, Francis. How did the meeting go?" Seeing the look on his face, she asked the question in a different way. "Did everyone agree to your plans?"

Francis looked into the fire as he spoke. "They all agreed after about ten hours of debating. Marie, I do not know how to make them understand how important this treaty is. They still want Henry to marry the princess!"

Marie calmly reached over and patted his arm. "They cannot make him marry her. He has already chosen his bride. It is not for them to decide, Francis." He nodded and clasped her hand before she could pull it away.

"Thank you for that. You always see the logic when I cannot."

"If you would sit down and calm yourself, you would see the logic."

"I'm not going to have a stroke, Marie."

"Maybe not today..." she smiled at him and he back at her. He kissed her fingers and then stood, helping her to her feet as well. Her unsteady balance made him worry. He tentatively wrapped an arm around her waist as they headed for the bedroom.

"Does anything else need to be done before we leave tomorrow?" he asked her. She shook her head no, still trying to ward off the pain without letting it show. "Wonderful. We shall have a wonderful time. I will not let Spain bother us for too long." Marie smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, Francis." She walked into her dressing room to get ready for bed and he into his. He hoped she was alright. He had never worried for her this much before. But, he loved her. And he wanted to show it. He just didn't know how.