Title: False Prophets Revealed & True Love Prevails
Author: C. Rosevere (chrisrose)
Written: Dec. 15, 2013
Genre: Humor/Romance/Drama/Parody?
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Reign episodes 1x01-1x08, set soon after 1x08 "Fated".
Summary: Mary returns! Nostradamus reveals! Catherine rages! Mary & Francis reunite! Author admits an aversion to angst!
FALSE PROPHETS REVEALED & TRUE LOVE PREVAILS
by: chrisrose
Chapter 2: True Love Prevails
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"Ahem."
Catherine cleared her throat delicately.
"I said, AHEM!"
Mary and Francis broke apart from their passionate embrace. Francis looked positively besotted. Mary giggled.
Catherine rolled her eyes. Her expression quickly shifted to one of benevolent indulgence.
"For heaven's sake. Wait until you're married, you two," she scolded in a gently teasing tone.
For some reason this advice made Francis look a little uncomfortable. Mary also seemed flustered. Then the full meaning of Catherine's words hit them.
"Does this mean..." Francis began in wide-eyed wonder.
"You approve of the marriage?" Mary concluded, squinting suspiciously.
"Of course, my dear! Not that you need my approval. The King's all for it, as you know."
Catherine approached Mary with arms outstretched, and enfolded her in a hug. She squeezed a little too hard, then quickly let go. Mary gaped at her.
"What's the meaning of this, Mother?" Francis demanded. "You've made it very clear you don't want me to marry her. Why have you changed your mind?"
"Haven't you made it clear you'd never forgive me for interfering? Besides, I could ask the same of your fiancée," Catherine replied smoothly. "Didn't you break the engagement, Mary? What changed there?"
The young Queen blushed. "Well, yes, but only to protect Francis, but I was silly to believe Nostradamus..."
"Extremely silly!" Francis cut in sternly, furrowing his brow. Mary pressed her lips to her hand, and her hand to his forehead.
"There now! No more angry wrinkles!" Mary exclaimed. Francis gave her a goofy grin.
"You were saying, Mary?" Catherine gritted her teeth at the revolting display. Luckily they were too wrapped up in eachother to notice.
"Oh, I just couldn't stay away. I missed Sterling too! My poor neglected doggy."
Francis looked a bit put out at this. Mary smiled at him reassuringly.
"Of course I mostly came back for Francis! Bash helped! He realized he was wrong about the Lion and the Dragon prophecy coming true when Tomas was killed. He was using a different sword that day! And there might not have been poppies around after all. It's a long story..." Mary trailed off.
"I see. Well. I'm so glad you're back, dear. My son's happiness is everything to me."
Catherine turned to Francis with a confiding air.
"Has she told you how we bonded during that dreadful palace invasion by those Italian ruffians? Yes, I do believe Mary and I have come to an understanding. We both have your best interests at heart."
Catherine's head whipped back towards Mary.
"You have my support. And I hope I shall have yours if Henry, for instance, doubts my intentions. I'm sure you'll remind him who saved your life - and virtue - from those murderous rapists, hmm?"
Francis nodded his head enthusiastically at Mary, who took the hint. "Oh, definitely! I'll put in a good word for you!" She promised.
Catherine's left eye twitched. "Excellent. Well then, you have my blessing!"
"This is...most perplexing...but..." Mary began slowly, in a hesitant tone.
"Most pleasing news!" Francis finished quickly. He nudged Mary's shoulder. She nudged back. Francis tickled her side playfully. Mary swatted him away, giggling again.
"Chil-dren!" Catherine called. They went still. She smiled serenely. "I have other news for you, unfortunately far less pleasant. It's about the tragic death of your lady-in-waiting, Aylee."
The happy couple immediately sobered.
"Poor Aylee! I haven't forgotten her! She's the main reason I believed the prophecy about Francis and broke our engagement."
Mary sniffled. Francis scowled. Mary kissed his forehead, directly this time. He instantly looked blissful.
"Nostradamus predicted one of my Ladies would die...and then it happened!" Mary shivered at the memory. "But I'm hoping that was a coincidence? Since he was wrong about the Lion and the Dragon after all..."
"Yes. You mentioned that," Catherine interrupted. "I'm quite sure you have nothing to worry about. Definitely a coincidence. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if Nostradamus picked up on... gossip... among the servants. Yes! Fragments of conversations. People plotting things, like murder and so on."
Mary's eyes widened.
"And then his addled brain rearranges these puzzle pieces into prophecies! Once in awhile, he guesses correctly. Why, anyone could do it!" Catherine chirped. "I do hope you'll let Henry know that you were fooled by Nostradamus, as well. We Queens have to stick together, right?"
"Um...Okay..." Mary agreed, somewhat dazed. "But what does this have to do with Aylee? I feel so guilty planning my future with my true love when..." She got choked up and Francis put his arm around her comfortingly.
"I'm sure she would want you to be happy, my child," Catherine continued brusquely. "Our medic has determined the true cause of death. Nostradamus may not be much of a prophet." the Queen forced a rueful smile. "But he is a good medic. Nevertheless, I have called in other experts to confirm his findings... out of respect for you and your beloved friend. I know how much she meant to you."
"Mother, don't keep us in suspense! Can't you see Mary's suffering?" Francis admonished.
Catherine clenched her fists, hidden in the folds of her gown. She composed herself.
"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this. It appears that Aylee did not die of a simple fall down the stairs. The fall hastened her death, but she was, in fact, already dying."
Mary gasped. "Why...What do you mean?"
"She was poisoned."
Francis murmured soothingly in her ear as Mary began crying.
"H-how could this happen? Who on earth would want to harm Aylee?"
"Indeed, it is impossible that anyone should wish death upon such a sweet girl." Catherine agreed solemnly. "We suspect the poison was not intended for Aylee."
"Who then?" Mary demanded.
"Another of your Ladies. We have questioned them all and confirmed that Kenna received an herbal tonic she did not drink herself, but offered to her friends. Aylee was the unfortunate recipient. Kenna witnessed a cat drinking from the same goblet."
"And the cat died too," Francis stated. His mother nodded.
"But who would attempt to kill Kenna?" Mary's face was ghostly pale. Francis tightened his grip to support her.
"We believe it was... Diane de Poitiers."
The lovebirds were focused on eachother, so Catherine allowed herself a satisfied smile.
"Bash's mother? Dear God." Francis groaned.
"Poor Bash!" Mary moaned.
"Yes. Diane and Kenna were rivals for The King's affections, as you must be aware." Catherine replied stiffly. "And the morning after Aylee was poisoned, Diane was discovered to be gone. Ran away! Most suspicious."
The Queen smirked. How lovely to be able to pin this crime on Diane. They'd never know she had ordered Henry's mistress to leave, threatening to reveal Diane's plot to have her son, Bash, legitimized - a treasonous act against the rightful heir, Francis. Catherine had in fact encouraged Diane to poison Kenna - hoping to be rid of both mistresses, but the coward had declined. Still, she'd take the blame for it now.
"Kenna will confirm that Diane felt threatened by her...youth and beauty. She is distraught over Aylee's death, and, naturally, fearful of further attacks against her person. Yes, Kenna has been...most talkative." Catherine said with a faint trace of contempt, if anyone was paying attention. Nobody was.
Mary was kissing Francis on the forehead again, and Francis was kissing Mary's chin - this area being most conveniently within his reach at the moment. "It's alright, my love. It's all over," he was saying between kisses. "Soon we'll be married, darling," she vowed. "Nothing's gonna stop us now!"
"Best be very soon," Catherine muttered. "I'll tell Henry to bump up the wedding date."
Oh lord. They had progressed to nose nibbles.
"I'll just leave you two alone then." Catherine shuddered. "Alone, with a chaperone. You there! Guard!" she bellowed. "Keep an eye on them!"
Then, skipping the dramatic flourish since no one was watching, Queen Catherine hurried out of the room.
