Chapter 2:

Bash POV~

I awoke to the sound of soft humming and the rustle of fabric. I listened for a moment and then opened my eyes, and there she was. Mary walking the length of her room, reading and humming. I shifted to get her attention and not startle her when I spoke.

"You have a beautiful voice your grace."

"Bash! You're awake! You have been asleep for hours. I tried to rouse you for food but you wouldn't budge. A few more minutes and I was going to fetch Nostradamus and make sure you didn't inhale poison last night!"

I laughed and sat upright, running a hand through my hair before speaking again, the joking tone in my voice that is usually so good at making her smile. "Well Mary I am fine! No poison just a tired fellow in need of a good rest in the presence of the sunshine you bring to those around you." The smile that graced her face made my heart beat a little bit faster in chest, and her cheeks were turning slightly red.

"Well I'm glad I could be of service. No one has been here while you were asleep, I know that look, and yes Alec is still outside and the girls are still resting, that seems to be the trend of the day."

"And how pray tell, did you know I was going to ask those questions?" I'm merely teasing and her smile stays.

"You asked similar of Alec every time you left Isobel and I alone in that tent that night, and when you found out about the animal head above my bed you took on similar burdens and asked the same questions." Her smile was still bright, but I could see her sadness for me in her eyes.

"Ahh well, it's a guard's duty to ensure safety, you learn to ask the questions ready for any answer. Have no fear Mary, you are safe under my guard and I am happier in your presence. You bring light back to this dark and dreary court. But I believe I have told you that before."

Her smile reached her eyes this time, and no matter what happened that day, I see she carries my words as happy memories, which makes me happy, knowing I made her happy. I love brining that smile to her face. She sits next to me on the small couch and I meet her eyes and wait for what she has to say.

"Bash, I want to thank you. You have made my stay here at court much brighter, and happier. You ran away with me, risked your life and your neck to help me try and leave. You are doing something so hard and uncomfortable to you to save your brother's life and ensure that I get a treaty with France that will last. You are truly a good man."

"Mary, I would do anything to ensure your safety, I like to know your safe. I like cheering you up, and am glad to know my attempts in the past have been successful. As for my brother, well I don't think he will ever forgive me for helping you leave, for going along with this plan of yours, but he is safe and that is all that matters. But Mary, he will return after Catherine dies. He will want his brothers with him, away from here, and you and I will have to see him again."

Her smile is not nearly as sad as it would have been before, which makes me happy. She looks like she has accepted the fact that she is stuck with a bastard, not the true prince.

"I'm glad it is you that I had to turn to Bash. You are so good to me and I know that together you and I could get through anything. The events of yesterday proved that. You still see yourself as the bastard son, and I know that won't ever really change, but Bash, you are much more than that. You have a kind heart, you aren't afraid to tell the truth, and you aren't afraid to risk your life for your family. You are so noble, and that is going to help you be a great king someday."

She thinks I can do this, she really thinks I can rule two, maybe three countries. "Mary…I…I don't know how to be a king, I wasn't raised to be that, I was raised..."

"Bash, you will learn, and you will be great," She rested her hand on my cheek, "You are so strong, and you are loyal. I know you will honor what you said by Isobel's grave. I know that you will put me first, but none of that matters, I still believe that you can be a great king, you see things so different from the rest of the world, and you are so strong that anyone should worry about what will happen if they cross you, and that will be beneficial to you. It also helps you are not limited as I am. You are not a woman, you will gain power and respect more easily than I ever will. People look at me and see a silly seventeen year old girl, they do not see a queen. Or they see only the queen, and they wonder what it will take to get me to give into demands because I am not a man."

"You're wrong Mary. I see the queen in you, but I also see the seventeen year old girl, and I think both to be amazing. You are strong yourself, and you have no fear of my father, which has never happened, you speak your mind, and I think that makes you a wonderful queen." I put my hand over hers and placed the other on her cheek, "You are so brave and strong Mary, and you are a wonderful queen. I know that with you to help me, we will do great things together, as King and Queen of at the very least Scotland, possibly France, but if you are not ready for the English throne I won't pressure you to take it. I am not my father." She smiled, and leaned in closer. "No you're the man who is going to help me get through all of this, and I thank you for that Bash."

Then her lips met mine and I forgot everything else for a moment, just took a deep breath in to smell the vanilla and rose smell that is Mary and closed my eyes and tried to focus on burning this feeling into my mind so that no matter what I have this moment to remember always.

When we broke apart, I stood, and went towards the door, but before I could cross the room she grabbed my hand, "Bash, I want to ask you something… Will you go for a ride with me tomorrow morning? I just need to get out of the castle for a while."

She is giving me my own reason to leave the castle. So I smile at her, "I would be honored to ride with you, how about we go every morning? Just you and I, no guard's and no plots or anything else."

"I would like that."

From that day on we spent our mornings together, riding, talking, and getting to really know one and another, and it showed. We were systematically pulling nobles aside, lobbying for support for me, and our teamwork was getting noticed, and we had support now. These men were sick of Catherine and her threats and meddling and Medici money, they saw me as a chance to wipe all that away, and no doubt they think they could control a king who hasn't been trained to be one his whole life, but I will deal with that when that time comes. For now I was gaining support, things were getting easier and we were both getting used to the new arrangement we found ourselves in. Catherine remained locked away in the tower, and alone. None of her servants or guard's allowed to see her, and she had nothing in her cell but a bible and a cot. My mother was making her way here from Paris, and she would step into Catherine's place when she gets her punishment at the end of the month. Mary has been gradually letting go of her fear for her life and her ladies lives, but we still spent a vast majority of our time together if we could since we both trusted Alec to help me keep them safe.

The first morning Mary didn't ride was almost a month after that dreadful night and she found me still wiping down my horse from my ride in the stable.

"Mary, there you are. I missed you on our ride this morning."

"I'm sorry. I overslept."

"You were up all night worrying again weren't you?"

"I can't help it, we still have had no news from the Vatican and it's been a month since Henry's return."

"Your worrying will not make the Pope decide any quicker."

"That isn't the only thing on my mind, your half brothers, Charles and Henry, I see there sad faces around the castle and I want to do something to make this easier for them. There is a frost fair in the village this morning and I wish to take them, just the three of us, something special to take their minds off all this."

She is so sweet, and unbelievably kind. And once more I find myself falling more in love with this woman in front of me. I smile and cup her chin, "You are so good, so truly good." Her bright smile was my reward before the kiss we share. I watch her with my brothers and wonder what it will be like to see her hold her own child, to play with her own children, she's so good with Henry and Charles, and they adore her. I can only hope that I get the chance to be a parent at her side, not watching from some sideline as she gets that joy with someone else, once again I have found another reason to pray that I am legitimized.

That afternoon~

After the harassment of my brothers on the road, and Mary telling me they have no friends outside of each other I got the idea to bring the frost fair to them. Here at the castle we can watch them, they will be safe and we can give them some joy as well. So I go to search for them, and bring them to my surprise in the clearing.

Mary is in the nursery with the boys, telling them a story, the story of Camelot.

"There was once a great king, his name was Arthur and he ruled Camelot, and with his Queen, his true love, Guinevere at his side Camelot was the shining light of all the world, but it was doomed from the moment Arthur married Guinevere, for she was destined to love another, a French knight, Lancelot. Lancelot would do great service to Camelot, and would be a great friend to Arthur and try to resist temptation, but it will not work, and Arthur's enemies will use that against him, and Camelot will fall."

"But Mary, why doesn't Arthur just send Lancelot away?"

"Because Charles, he loved Lancelot like a brother, and he trusted him. He had no idea that Lancelot and Gwen were deceiving him until it was too late. Camelot was lost."

Henry was curled up in her lap, and Charles hanging off of every word, so was I at this point. She is a magnificent storyteller, and her voice is wonderful to listen to. She looked so sweet sitting there with my brothers, holding them close like they were her own kin, and telling them stories to help them forget their troubles.

"What happens to Camelot?"

"It becomes a dark place, ruled by evil men. Men who care very little whether their subjects live or die, so long as they got rich, and powerful and fame. But fear not little ones, that was a long long time ago."

"Mary, why doesn't Lancelot just leave if he wants to remain Arthurs friend?"

"He tried, he went off and fought dragons and monsters of all kinds, and was away for months at a time, but every time he came home, to see her again was to remember the love he felt for her and he was under her spell…" She smiled and ruffled Charles hair and dropped a kiss on Henry's head. "I hear your brother is looking for you. Let's go find Bash and see what he wants shall we my knights?"

"Yes!"

I took that moment to step into the nursery. "I was looking for you three! I have a surprise for you boys. Would you like to see it?"

"Yes!"

"Well then let's go!" Charles was on his feet at once, and Henry bounced up, out of Mary's lap, allowing her to rise as well. I offered her my arm, and Charles a hand to hold as we leave to go outside to my surprise. She is holding Henry's hand and slipped her arm through my own. "That was quite the story you were telling them. We don't often hear that tale here in France, it's much to English for my father's taste, though I have always liked it." She was blushing. I wasn't supposed to hear that story.

"It was my favorite before I left Scotland, and I read it again the other day whilst in the library. Now where are we going? What is going on?"

At that moment we turned a corner outside and into the clearing where the surprise was in full swing.

"Is this all for us?"
"Yes, now go make friends and have fun!"

Mary turned to look at me and I took joy in the wonder in her eyes when she looked at me. "How..."

"Their lives are hard, I just wanted them to have this day and have fun and forget about their mother for a day."

She leaned up to kiss me, and smiled wider than she had since returning with the boys and telling me what happened.

"Mary! Come help us with our masks!"

She looked at me a moment longer, before going to my brothers and tying their masks on their heads. She then pushed Charles to a small group of the village children that were here, but Henry clung to her skirts, not wanting to visit. She knelt down next to him and held out a palm and watched the snow fall into it and little Henry did the same, and then held out his own little hand and trying to make snow land in his hands. She was so patient with them and so kind. I watched Charles head bob and weave through the crowd of people and smile, happy they are all happy.

Henry runs to me and holds up his arms, he wants me to lift him as I used to when he was a baby, and I visited them in the nursery. "Up Bash!" I laugh, "Alright little man, up it is!" I swing him up onto my shoulders and feel his arms going around my head. "Mary Bash!" Yes they adore her. I weave my way through people to Mary who is talking with Kenna and Greer. As we get closer I catch drift of the conversation. "Where is Lola gone too? She just said that she had something to take care of?"

"Who does she always have to go get out of scrapes, her brother is in debt in Paris and wrote to her, so she went to him at once. One of these days that boy is going to get them both in trouble!"

I saw the concern crease Mary's forehead, but it was smoothed by the little boy on my shoulders. "Mary!" She held out her arms and he slid off of my shoulders into her arms and was cuddled to her.

"So my little knight, are you having fun?" My brother simply smiled and pointed to the candy line. "Well alright, my brave little knight, let's get you some candy!"

She smiled up at me as they passed, and placed Henry on the ground, but kept a firm hold on him so he wouldn't slip away. I swept the crowd for Charles and found him in the corner with some other young children, mask tilted up on his head, staring in aww at the older man in front of them that was juggling, even in the snow and wind. He looked thrilled. Laughter was everywhere, and the sound of happy children was filtering through the air. The few court musicians I had brought started to play a light tune and the kids began to run and dance and spin to the music. I find the dark hair in the winter white surroundings and see Henry tugging her towards the dancers. Charles joined him in his efforts a moment later and then the three of them were spinning and twirling and laughing in the snow, and it was like Mary's first night here all over again, except I'm in Francis' position.

"Bash come dance! Spin Mary like they are spinning!" He's pointing at the little boys and girls holding hands and spinning in the snow along to the music. I smile and hold a hand out to Mary to my brother's delight. She smiled and put her hand into mine and we began to twirl and spin and her laughter was intoxicating, but the music stopped suddenly when we heard a scream. A little boy near Charles and Henry was being held against a man with a knife to his throat. "Where are they? Where are the Medici brats! Hand them over and you get your child back!"

I step forward, hand on my sword. "My brothers won't be going anywhere with you. You are on the castle grounds, under guard."

"You aren't the Dauphin, where are they! Just hand them over!"

I watch as children flee from around the man as they run towards their parents and I am pleased to see Charles gently tugging Henry closer to Mary who is watching them and the intruder like a hawk. When they reach her, I let out a deep breath.

"You are alone. Did you have a death wish to come after my brothers alone? You were unwise to come here alone. Now let the boy go." My voice left no room for questions, and was ice cold. But my standoff didn't last long. I heard a gasp and then a rag tag group of men surrounded the people here. I saw Mary swallow and felt the need to run and jump in front of her, but the crown on her head signals her out to one of the other men, "This must be the Queen of Scotland, look at the color of her. Which makes the two children closest to her the Medici brats! Let that boy go and get them!" I hear the guards running, no doubt someone slipped away to alert them, but they weren't here yet and things could still go wrong. I meet Alec's eyes from across the crowd and within a moment he had the man who was closest to Mary and the boys in a headlock with a sword pointing at his heart.

"Now no one move until those guard's get here and can deal with you." I knew they weren't going to stay still, and I was right the man who had the little boy in his captivity pushed him away and went for Mary who was holding Charles and Henry to her. If looks could kill the man heading for her would be dead. We all froze when she spoke, the men included. The steely tone in her voice in that moment was so strong and brave.

"Take one step closer to me and I will scream, and you will be accused of trying to kill a queen. That is even worse than kidnapping, and King Henry will have your head. I said don't move! I am a Scot you know! We are all fighters, not just the men!"

She had my brothers slightly behind her, and even though she was bluffing the man was pausing and I took that as my moment to act. I leapt at him and caught the man and held my sword to his neck until Nostradamus and the guards were upon us. I let the guard take over and I went immediately to Mary and my brothers, Nostradamus went to check on the young boy who had been the hostage. I was met halfway with a shaking and terrified Charles and Mary was kneeling to pick up a crying Henry. We locked eyes and no words were needed, we had to get them back to the castle. We both took the boys back to the castle, walking in silence. I left Charles with her at the door, I am going to go talk to the guard and Nostradamus, see what he was doing there and see who these men were and what they wanted them for." She nodded and swept them through the doors.

Two hours later

I found Mary, staring out a window of the castle deep in thought, and knowing the news I brought wasn't pretty, felt awful for adding more weight to the young Queens shoulders. I cleared my throat and she turned to see it was me. "Bash? What did those men want Henry and Charles for?"

"They are all men that used to hold jobs and titles that Medici blood now hold. They heard about Catherine being imprisoned and wanted the young boys to ransom off, and to toy with her. Which is why I have decided to send them away from here or a while. At least while there is so much uncertainty and unrest. As soon as my father finds a suitable home they will be leaving with their retinue. It will also keep them from having to see their mother beheaded."

"Bash! You can't send them away from all they have ever known so soon after something like this, and with their family in the state it is. They already lost Francis, their father never visits and they have Catherine as a mother. You can't take this away from them! It will destroy them!"

"Mary I don't have a choice! They could have easily been hurt today! You could have easily been hurt today! I have risked your life enough in the last few months and I refuse to do it anymore! My brothers will understand!"

"You don't understand! Being sent away from the only home you have ever known, after an attempt on your life is the most terrifying thing to a young child. I should know. The last time I saw my country, I was six, and being shoved onto a boat to come here by my mother's guard and all I had was a trunk of dresses, the promise of safety in some foreign country and my nurse. I haven't been home since! I can't go home! Not without a husband and the promise of France behind Scotland! I may never get to go home again! You can't do that to them I won't let you!" She was close to tears now and I watched her pick up her skirts and run. I was frozen, thinking of what she had just revealed to me. I realized the error of my ways. She thought I was exiling my brothers for their own safety, and feared they would never return.

I spent the next hour searching for her and thinking about how to rectify the situation. I was stopped in my search by the nanny, my brothers were awake again from nightmares. When I reached the nursery I heard the crying and the sobs and they broke my heart. I went in and saw Charles and Henry in the same bed in their night things, shaking and crying. "Shh boys you're alright now. Nothing is going to hurt you. I promise. Now let your nannies put you to bed and get some rest, it will help our brave little knights feel better." I stayed to keep them calm through their prayers until their heads hit the pillow, and then went to check Mary's chambers again. Her door was open and she had changed after earlier.

I needed her to understand that I wasn't going to send them away. I knocked and she turned to face me, "How are they? I just got told they weren't sleeping well earlier, are they now?"

"Little Henry was snoring before the lords prayer was through and Charles wasn't long after that. Both are asleep now."

"I'm going to have to give them a bit of extra attention for a while, between this and their mother…"

"Yes and they will need guard's."

"You mean they are staying?"

"Yes, you were right, they are much better off here where we can both keep an eye on them."

"I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did. I was shaken after this afternoon, and I was projecting. I should have known you would react that way, since I know how you feel about family."

"Mary, I wasn't planning on leaving my brothers out there forever, just until court was safe again. I wasn't going to let them stay here in danger, but you were right. Here at least we can both keep an eye on them, and keep them safe."

"I'm sorry for earlier. I was projecting my own trials, the memories were in full force and I was being put through it all, all over again. I shouldn't have given you demands, and I am sorry."

"Mary it is alright I understand. Does this mean you aren't angry with me for acting impulsively?"

"Safe choices don't always make us safe, I understand that now. Which is why I want you to marry me."

Did she just say…"What?"

"We have been patiently waiting for Rome to give us permission to do what we want. And what has that gotten us? Factions and plots and madness, and what if we do get married. We get what we want. We force their hand. If the pope wants a Catholic queen with the strength of France behind her then he will have no choice, he will have to legitimize you."

"The pope always has a choice. You could be stuck with a landless bastard for a husband."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take. Bash, marry me."

She really wants this. She wants me to marry her! I could have everything I want, but I have to do this right, she deserves that much.

"No."

"Bash…"

"That's not how it's done." I sink to my knee and hold her small hand in both of mine. "Marry me, Mary Queen of Scots and make me the luckiest bastard alive." Her eyes are shinning, she may actually like this plan for more than the politics!

"Yes."

I stand up and pull her closer to me. I kiss her and I put everything I'm feeling, every emotion she just elicited into my kiss, I need her to know how happy she just made me. I'm going to get the women of my dreams and get to marry her, me the bastard, marrying a queen!

I don't know how long we stood there kissing by that fire, but when we both pulled away, she smiled at me and put a hand on my cheek. "Thank you Bash. I know this will be hard for you but we will get through it together." I smiled at the beautiful girl smiling up at me.

"Mary, with you I feel like I can do anything, we will be happy, and I promise with me you can be wild and free, and I will always put you first." Her smile was bright, and her eyes shining with unshed tears and hope. "I know that Bash, and thank you, for not being Francis." I smile and kiss her again.

"When would you like to start your plan in motion my queen?"

"As soon as possible, I want you and I to be a done deal, something they can't take away from me. I'm sick of losing things and losing people. Sick of losing people I love." Did I just hear correctly…she loves me! I pick her up and spin her around. "I'm not going anywhere. Have no fear of that Mary. And I love you to." I put her firmly back down and kiss her again, neither one ready to let go of the other.

For a week we made plans and figured out how to convince Henry we did the right thing after we marry and go to inform him of that. For a week, we got closer and closer together, we were rarely apart anymore, making my request for Alec easier. I was sitting on her couch early one morning a week after that fateful day, and we both heard the trumpets. Mary looked up, that was the announcement of someone with a very high title, Bash… what if that is Francis?" Fear grasped me for a moment but then I replayed the trumpets in my head and let out a breath of relief.

"It wasn't Mary, my father gave each of the boys by Catherine their own special announcement sound. It is someone very high on the food chain though."

We both moved to the window and Mary froze, "That is my flag. Bash, I think that is my mother! But she never told me she was leaving Scotland! I haven't seen my mother in eleven years…"

I smile softly at her, "Shall we rectify that problem? Let's go greet her. What is it? You look worried?"

"Bash, my mother is a very smart woman, she will not be happy with the goings on since I have been here, she will not be pleasant, and I fear what she really thinks of this new plan of Henry's and she is my support in Scotland, if she doesn't back my marriage, I may lose my own country…"

"Mary, she can't take that away from you. She is only queen regent, you are Queen. I promise we will get through this visit, now let's go greet your mother."

We walked to the throne room, which was being overrun with Catherine and her planning of her own death. Mary was silent and I could tell she missed her mother, but she was also worried about why she was here. Great another Queen who won't like my presence in court. I slid my hand into Mary's and gave it a gentle squeeze as we reached the throne room. Henry and a tall slender woman were in quite conversation on the dais. "Mother," Mary breathed it out like she was in a dream.

"Mary, darling how are you? Come introduce me to the young man on your arm. Then you and I must talk just us."

"Mother this is Sebastian de Poitiers, Bash this is my mother, Queen Regent of Scotland, Marie de Guise."

I bowed slightly and then looked at the woman in front of me. I could see where Mary got her hair color and her eye color, and she was obviously smart, she had that calculating look in her eye, not unlike Catherine.

"Ahh so you're Sebastian, pleasant to meet you. Mary may I speak to you? It has been so long since I have seen you in person!"

"Yes mother I will meet you in my chambers in a moment. Bash and I need to speak for a moment." She turned to me and held out a hand, which I took and followed her out into the hallway.

"Mary? What is it?"

She was attempting to be calm but I could see some fear in her eyes. "Bash, my mother is not a lover of bastards. I have a bastard half-brother, and recently in Scotland, the Protestants have begun calling for him to take my crown. My mother is going to be a hard sell, but I promise you I will convince her. I just need you to know one thing." She put a hand to my cheek and stepped closer, "You are not a bastard to me. You are perfect, I told Catherine that night she tried to kill me that I made the perfect choice, and I have. Just know that she will not change my mind." I smiled at her, "Mary, I don't want to cause harm to your relationship with your mother, and I don't want there to be any fallout from this in Scotland. Are you certain this is still what you want? That I am still what you want?"

"Yes, I am certain. Now I have to go talk to my mother. This will probably take a few hours. Can I come find you later? I may need a good hug."

"Of course, I will most likely be in the throne room with father, or I will be in my room, come find me later and you will get your hug regardless." She smiled and kissed me lightly before going off to defend me to her mother.

2 Hours Later

I was trying to focus on the papers my father had given me to look over, but my mind was on Mary, worried about what her mother could be saying to her, to change her mind. I fear that Mary is risking too much to keep Francis safe, and to keep me from death. I was reading the same line on the parchment in front of me for the fifth time when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I was praying it was Mary, and not someone else, here to summon me once more to my father's side. The door opened and I relaxed for a moment until I realized who was with her. Marie de Guise was standing behind her daughter, appraising me as they entered.

"Bash we need to speak with you, is now a good time?" I stood and went around my desk to her and took both the hands offered to me. "Of course Mary, what is it?" That was when her mother stepped forward.

"Mary has told me all of the goings on here at court, and I must say it took some convincing but I will back this marriage and help you with Henry, if you answer some questions for me."

"Of course, ask away your grace."

"Do you truly love my daughter, or are you doing this for power?" I felt Mary stiffen next to me and jumped to answer before she could. "Your grace I was raised knowing I was a bastard here at my father's favor, I never wanted to be king, I just wanted to keep my family safe, as did Mary. And yes I do love her, very much."

"Very well, I can see that in the way you treat her, I just had to be sure. I can't allow a power hungry man control of my daughter's country. Now, how does your father really feel about this plan? Will he be difficult?"

"My father wants England, he wants the English to pay for the blood they have spilled here in France, and he will not stop to think about what he's doing until he has what he wants. He will not be difficult as long as we make him see that this will help him achieve his goal and get him England."

"Well, you my boy, passed. I will support this marriage as soon as it happens." She turned from me to Mary. "Mary, darling I am proud of you. You have found a man who will safeguard not only your country but your heart as well, and that is not something most royalty can say they have in a husband. I am glad you have found a way to make love work with your position. I think you have a good man here, and I trust he will support you more than Francis would have. I know you thought you loved him dear, but you did not. At least not the same as you love the one next to you now, and I am glad. From what I have heard, Francis can be demanding and I fear would have put France before Scotland in all things and we would have to work minor miracles to continue to survive, so I commend you. Now I will leave you to discuss things." And with that the Queen Regent swept from my room and left Mary and I alone.

"Did I hear correctly? Your mother just said she would support us! Mary, we are safe, our plan is safe!" She was smiling, "I told her she just had to speak to you and that it would prove everything I told her! We can be wed now Bash! We can put this whole mess behind us!" I laughed and spun her around in a circle, we had the Queen Regent of Scotland on our side as well! Things were looking up! We finished making our plans, and by the end of the week, I would be married to her, the girl who turned my world upside down in the blink of an eye, from the moment she stepped out of that carriage she had been changing my life.