Hey guys so yeah it's been a LONG while since my last update almost a month. But my laptop crashed and life has been super crazy for me right now. I'm planning a wedding and trying to everything going for that. I have written chapters I just haven't been able to post them so yeah. That is why it's been a while. Anyways I hope you guys like this chapter and also if you have any ideas please let me know. Okay see you at the bottom.

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2 weeks later -3 months later

The first letter arrived to Mary just two days after Thomas DE Rivers arrived in France. The writer of letters informed Mary of Thomas DE Rivers orders from his father and the Duchess. Almost at once Mary informed both Frances and Bash of this letter and then sent guards to bring the Duchess Linwood back to France for questioning. Then as if someone were watching DE Rivers every move more and more letter started mysteriously coming to Mary. The letters were always just signed you loyal subject. Nothing more then that.

As if DE Rivers wasn't the only problem France had to worry about. The problem between the catholics and protestants were growing worse by the day. It seemed as thought the french protestants no longer wanted anything to do with their catholic royals. France had no choice but bring in help from Rome and the Vatican to be of some help in the matters of this problem. Only the help from Rome seem to be nothing but making the problem with the protestants worse the anyone could have though it would get.

Frances had order Bash and his men to ride about the countryside close to the castle and keep an eye out for any protestants threats. Kristina hated being apart from Bash it hadn't been easy for her the last two weeks. With Bash away from the castle so much she found herself spending more and more time with Kenna, Lola, Mary and Catherine. She also found herself being called upon to visit with DE Rivers.

It was late after noon of the third week since Bash had left that yet another letter had come to Mary and she had though this one should be shared with Kristina. Up until now she though to worry her god sister about such matters. But this letter mention something James and Mary though she should be told at once. Kristina and Mary were in her chambers having tea when the young Queen though now would be a good time as ever to bring up the letters she'd been receiving to her god sister.

"Kris I'm sure you've heard about the strange letters I've been receiving over the last two weeks." Mary began.

"Of course Kenna told me about them. Who do you think could be writing them I mean the guards saw no one come into the castle with DE Rivers unless it's one of his own men."

"Well who ever it is knows about James."

"James? What does my brother have to do with this?"

Mary sighed and reached under neither the tea tray and produced the newest and latest letter from the mystery person. She past it to Kristina who looked at it and then back to Mary.

"Read it. I believe you will find some very shocking news in there."

"Are you sure Mary it says it's for you only."

"It's about James and as his sister you have a right to know what this person knows of James death."

"Very well Mary." Kristina sighed as she sat down her tea cup and open the letter and began to read it.

To her majesty Queen Mary of Scotland,
Your majesty as you know I have vowed to write you a letter each day to assure you know the real reason for Thomas DE Rivers visit to France. As I have reviled in my last few letters. Sir DE Rivers has come to France not only to seek the hand of your god sister the Lady Kristina Linwood. But also to kill your brother in law the King's Deputy Sebastian. I must now tell you something that might both shock you and anger your highness even more.

Your god brother Sir. James Linwood of Scotland is not dead. But alive and well in a small village on the borders between Scotland and England. Thomas DE Rivers and Sir James Linwood were traveling with Lord and Lady Beachump to England to visit Lady Beachump sister who had just lost her youngest son in child birth and also to visit the good Lady's family there since it had been such a long time since she had been home. They had just reached the border of England when they were attacked by highway men.

This was not true it was DE Rivers own men dressed all in black in order for the others to believe they were indeed highway men. Sir James Linwood was left for dead on the border when the others left him there after he had been hurt almost to the point of death. DE Rivers is the one who told everyone James was dead.

Only I know the truth. Your god brother Sir James is not dead your highness. He has been living on the border of Scotland and England for almost five years. No one in his family has known this. When Sir James heard that DE Rivers was going to France to marry his only sister and to kill your brother in law the King's deputy he followed him. I can not tell you where he is or how you will know of him.

You must trust me majesty for Sir James will find you and his sister the lady Linwood when he believes it is safe. That is all I can tell you for now your highness. Until I write you with more news of DE River real plans.

I remain your most loyal subject.

When Kristina finished reading the letter and looked up at Mary she had tears in her eyes. Mary returned to god sisters side and sat next to her on the window sill. She wrapped an arm around the younger women. Who was sat very stund and in shock.

"James...is... our James is..."

"He is alive Kris.. and his here in France."

"Have you... did you... Did you write to my father?"

"The very moment I got the letter."

"Mary we have to find him and bring him here. This letter for all we know could have been written by James himself. If he is alive and we bring him here then you and Frances can lock DE Rivers away from good and then we can expose his family and my mother for what they are traitors to the crowns of Scotland and France."

"Kris you have to understand. I'm not sure that James wrote this. But who ever did wants us to know the whole truth and if this letter is true and James is alive then we will find him and bring him here."
"Does Frances know about the letters? About James?"

"He knows about the earlier letters but he has no idea about this one."

"We can not keep this from him Mary. If James is alive and in France then maybe just maybe Frances can send men to find him and bring him to the castle and then we end all of this."

Mary gave her god sister a soft smile as she took her hand and patted it. The last thing she wanted to do was to give the younger women false hope. It was hard on both of the them to think of James being alive and in France. Even though it wasn't likely who ever wrote the letter was indeed James himself. Still though if there was a chance he was in fact the writer of the mysterious letters then he would in fact be brought to the castle.

"Kris listen to me we can't..."

"Forgive me majesty, Lady Kristina." a guard said walking into the room suddenly.

"What is it?" asked Mary

"The King and his brother would like to see you both in his majesty chambers at once." replied the guard.

"Very well then. We will join them at once. Come Kris lets go see what is so important that are being called away from this matter."

"If both Frances and Bash want to see us then that could mean Bash has returned home finally?"

"You miss him don't you when he is away?" asked Mary as the two fell into step behind the guard who was leading them to France's chambers.

Every since Thomas DE Rivers arrival at the castle Mary and Kristina hadn't be allowed to leave their chambers without a guard around them at all times. Kristina hated it but Bash had almost begged her to understand how he'd feel better if she did have extra guards around her.

"I miss him something terrible. Not to mention ever since DE Rivers show'd up it's as though I feel like he will kidnap me right from under Bash and take me some where and force me to marry him."

"That will not happen Kris I promise you that."

Kristina gave her god sister a smile as the two reached Frances chamber then guard open the door and the two ladies walked in to find France, Bash, DE Rivers and Lord Stonewall all waiting for them. Kristina felt her pulse quicken in fear and she looked almost at once to Bash who crossed the room and wrapped her in his arms then stood next to her keeping one arm around her waist. Mary went and stood next to Frances who was sitting down at his desk looking grimly at the two other men in the room.

"What is all this about Frances?" Mary asked her husband.

"It seems as though Sir DE Rivers and Lord Stonewall have confessed to the real reasons they've come to France. I told them that we knew of their plans already. That someone had been writing you letters. That had explained everything."

"So why was I ask to come here?"

"They are subjects to Scotland. Your subjects Mary. I have no say over what happens to them only you do." replied Frances.

Mary looked very quickly at the two men and then to Kristina and Bash who had stayed at the far end of the room. She could see how shaken Kristina was by just being in the room with the two men and how Bash was doing his best to try and comfort her without having to take her out of the room. DE Rivers and Stonewall both looked grave as if they were waiting for Mary to tell them they would be sitting the jails of Frances until they're death by be heading or hanging or something much worse.

Putting on her best Queen face Mary summoned Kristina to her side with a motion of her hand. Kristina looked to Bash for a second and he nodded. Pulling away from him Kristina went and stood next to Mary fear, pain, loss, heart break and anger were clear as a cloud less day in her eyes and Mary knew that having Kristina standing her when she told the two men what she planned had been a good idea.

"Gentlemen, as you both know King Frances has no say in what happens to you. You are both loyal subjects of Scotland and should have come to me with your confessions instead of the king. But you did not. Their for I have questions that need answers and depending on those answers depends on what shall be come of you two."

DE Rivers and Stonewall only nodded and waited for Mary to start her questioning. They knew this could be a good thing or a bad thing. They both just hoped the Mary was as merciful as they'd heard. For if she wasn't their lives were in danger of being over the second they step out of this room.

"Sir Thomas, were you sent to France to kill my brother in law the King's deputy and to marry my god sister the Lady Kristina at the orders of your father or my god mother the Duchess Linwood?" Mary asked starting with DE Rivers.

"The orders came from both your highness. My father and the Duchess Linwood. I was told that in order for me to win Lady Kristina's hand in marriage I would have to kill the King's Deputy and make it look as though he was killed by protestants." admitted DE Rivers.

"Did you have knowledge of these plans when you came to France, Lord Stonewall or did you lie to both the king and myself that night at dinner?" Mary asked the Lord.

"I knew of Thomas's orders majesty but I had no idea how it linked to the Duchess Linwood as I told you that night at dinner. I just knew that Lord DE Rivers had given the order." confessed Stonewall.

"Second question and remember gentlemen this question will either save you both or get you both killed. Was my god brother Sir. James Linwood actually killed on the border of Scotland and England or was he left for dead and yet lives? Answer this question carefully both of you because I have said before it will either save you or kill you." Mary reminded them.

"James died that day your grace I was sure of it. But when I went back to check I didn't find his body. It was a month later that one of my men told me he'd been saved by a local villager and taken to his home. I didn't tell anyone this because my father ordered me not to." confessed DE Rivers.

"Lord Stonewall did you know about this?" asked Mary.

"No your grace. All I knew was the story that James had be killed that day on the border I had no idea that he was still alive." said Stonewall.

Mary looked over at Kristina who was still shaking with fear and now anger. She then looked to Frances and the back to Kristina. The silence in the room with deafening until finally Kristina spoke up.

"Sir DE Rivers you say that you came to France at the orders of your father and my mother. Yet my god father the Duke of Linwood did not give you orders to come here. Do you not find that strange?"

"At first yes..."

"Then why come here at all? Why not just tell your father that the wishes of a mad women and of a man who wanted nothing more then to take her to bed would un doubtly get you into trouble with her highness the Queen of Scotland and France?" asked Kristina.

"I..."

"I can tell you excatley why you didn't think to report this news to my father. Because you were told that if word got back to my father about my mother's plans for me then my father would more then not have her locked away and stripped of her titles and divorce her. Well I'm sorry to break this news to you Thomas DE Rivers. But my father has already divorced my mother and she is no longer the Duchesses of Linwood." Kristina announced to the room.

Mary, France, Lord Stonewall, Sir DE Rivers and even Bash were in shock. None of them had even had the slightest idea that the Duke had divorced the Duchess. This was new to everyone expect that is to Kristina who had been to tell the whole room after all. Mary was the most of all. She remembered telling her god mother that if she ever spoke ill of Bash again she would strip of her titles and allow for divorce but to find out that her god parents were already divorced shocked her.

"Lady Kristina when did you receive such news from your father?" Frances asked in place of Mary.

"Only a for night ago. About the same time her majesty started receiving the letters. I wrote back at once to my father and asked him if it was indeed true. For I didn't not believe it and he at once replied that it was indeed true. He found out that my baby sister was in fact the bastard daughter of Lord DE Rivers and that it turned out my mother and his lordship had been seeing each other while my mother was staying with the Sisters. That her majesty asked to watch over my mother." explained Kristina.

"How long had his Lordship been visiting your mother?" asked Mary.

"Not long after she left France and went into the sisters care. One of the sister named Maria I believe wrote to my father and told him that my mother had visitors two men more then once a week and that he would stay well into the next morning." answered Kristina.

Mary, Frances and Bash all three turned to DE Rivers and Stonewall. Both men were pale with fright for they had no idea what was about to happen to them. All DE Rivers knew was that if his father had been visiting the former Duchess then it could only mean one thing. He'd gone against his Queen and tried to have her brother in law killed by the Duchess orders. The silence in the room remained for a short amount finally being by Frances standing and moving to stand in the middle of the room.

"My wife and I both will think upon this matter further. Until which time both Sir DE Rivers and you Lord Stonewall are ordered to in your chambers and to not leave them until you are sent for. Two guards will be outside your doors at all times. If you have to leave the chamber these guards will go with you. And the men that your brought with you will be the only people allowed in or out of your rooms. Do we understand each other?" asked Frances.

"Yes your grace." replied Stonewall and DE Rivers in stereo.

"Good. Guards!" called Mary.

The door soon open and two guards step inside waiting for orders.

"Please take his lordship and Sir DE rivers to their chambers. See that two of our men are outside their doors at all times and the ONLY people allowed inside their chambers are their own men. If they have to leave the chamber then two guards are to be with them at all times. If there are any letters or any news for them it is to be brought to the King or myself. Thank you." Mary ordered the guards.

The guards bowed low and then open the door waiting for DE Rivers and Lord Stonewall to leave the room. Once the guards and the two men had left. The tension in the room seem to die down a bit. Kristina almost at once ran to Bash and started to cry. It wasn't tears of sadness it was tears of joy. At least as far as she was concerned they were.

"Kris.. it's almost over sweet Kris he will not harm you anymore. You are safe now." Bash said as he lifted her chin with his finger and gave his famous half smile.

"Is it really over Mary? Can Bash and I finally be free of this nightmare?" Kristina turned to asked her god sister.

"I should think so. When I wrote to your father about the letter I received he write back saying he would be on his way to Frances at once. I believe that once he is here and we've cleared all this up that this whole trouble will be behind us." replied Mary.

"One less trouble to worry about and then there is the war." Kristina whispered.

"War is always happening my sweet Kris. For now let us be happy hum." offered Bash.

Mary and France both looked at each other and nodded as they slipped out of the room leaving Bash and Kristina for a while. They both knew that now there was a chance they were out of this nightmare they should be allowed to enjoy each other. While Mary and France dealt with the other nightmares that loomed over the french court.

"Now that my mother is no long duchess and no longer my mother. You and I will have no one standing between us." Kristina smiled up at Bash.

"You would dismiss your mother so soon?"

"She was never my mother at least not after James married Lizzie. She became a women who wanted nothing more then to have her lover back in her life. A man who just like his son is nothing more then a monster."

"Sweet Kris I..." Bash was cut off by a guard walking into the room.

"Excuse me my lord, my lady. There is a message come for you Lady Kristina." the guard said.

"Who from?" asked Kristina.

"There was no name my lady but the letter is addressed to you." replied the guard.

"Give it to me." ordered Bash at once.

The guard passed the letter to Bash who then dismissed him. With a bow the guard left the room. Bash turned the letter back and forth in his hands a few times. Then he passed the letter to Kristina who looked it over once or twice and then looked back at Bash.

"It's in the same hand writing as the letter Mary has received for the last two weeks." Kristina commented looking at the letter.

"Open it and see if anyone has signed it." suggested Bash.

All at once Kristina open the letter and began to read it. It was in fact written in the same hand writing as the letters that had been arriving for Mary.

Lady Kristina Linwood,

My sweet lady Kristina. You probably do not remember me for it has been such a long time since I have seen you. Your brother James was my best friend since childhood and beyond that. I'm writing to you because I'm sure that her majesty Queen Mary has told you of the news of James being alive and living on the Scotland England border. I'm writing to tell you that this news is indeed true and that your brother is in deed alive and well.

I'm also highly aware that you and his majesty King Frances brother Sebastian have become quite the talk of the french court. James would approve of Sebastian sweet Kristina. I can not tell you how long or why but before he left for England with Sir Thomas DE Rivers. Your brother asked me to watch over you as my own little sister. When I found out that you and your parents were going to France I wrote and told your brother at once. Then when your father returned home and I found out that you had stayed behind at the french court as a lady in waiting to her highness.

I wrote at once to your brother and told him. He asked me to come to France and watch over you from a distance. When I heard the news that DE Rivers was coming to France and his plans I though to almost at once revile my self to you and their graces. I watched from a far trying to figure out how I might come about doing so.
Then I learned from your father of Lord Sebastian and I knew now was not the time. Only after DE Rivers had come to Frances under false pretense did I began to write letters to her highness Queen Mary and tell her of DE Rivers plans. I plan on very soon coming to court and tell you who I'm. I can only pray that you remember me.

Until such time my lady.

A Friend and loyal subject to her royal highness Queen Mary of Scotland and France.

Kristina looked at Bash once they had finish the letter and she began to pace. She was trying her hardest to remember James's friends. He had many but it was hard to remember then all. Then suddenly turning back to face Bash. Kristina remember just who could have possibly written then letters to Mary and then letter she had just received.

"Milo."

"Who?"

"Lord Milo Colla. It has to be Milo. He is the only friend in the world James kept in touch with even after he joined Mary's guard back in Scotland."

"You believe this Lord Milo Colla could be the one sending the letters to Mary?" asked Bash.

"He is the only man I can think of." answered Kristina.

"How close were your brother and Lord Colla?"

Kristina then began to explain how James and Lord Milo had meet each other as children. Both of them had the same tutor and had grown up together. Lord Milo's family and the Linwood had become fast friend due not only to their sons attending the same school. Also because Lord Milo's sister the Lady Alexia had married Kristina's cousin Mark the only son to her Uncle Matthew.

Bash listen closely as Kristina told him all about this Lord Milo Colla. He knew that they would have to inform Mary of this letter. But also he had to asked her about this Lord Colla and if his family were indeed as close to Kristina's family as she claimed. He knew that would have been easier to asked the Duke once he arrived but Bash didn't want to waste any time if the Lord Colla was a friend and loyal subject to Scotland then he could help them figure out what to do about DE Rivers and his plot.

"Bash are you alright?" Kristina asked suddenly snapping Bash out his own thoughts.

"Yes, sweet Kris I'm fine. I was just thinking if it is indeed this Lord Colla who has been writing don't you think we should inform Mary and Frances about this?"

"Well of course but do we have to do it now? I was hoping to spend some time with you alone. I have missed you while you've been away."

Bash just smiled as he reached out and pulled her closer into his arms. He couldn't lie to her and say he hadn't missed her because he had. Being away from Kristina for so long had pained him something horriable. He had missed their morning rides and afternoon practices and the times in between when he wasn't so busy with things about the kingdom. He liked being the King Deputy of course. The only thing he didn't like was the fact that it took him away from Kristina so much and Bash knew that when and if they married. Then he really would have a hard time leaving her behind when he had to go on business for Frances and Mary.

"It was a rough two weeks without you. I hated knowing I was alone in this place with DE Rivers and Stonewalls walking around so freely. I almost never wanted to leave my chambers for fear they would and do something to do me."

"I know it was hard on me as well. Hopefully soon though things will calm down enough that we can spend more time together."

"I can't bare to think about how hard it will be on us to be apart when we are married."

Bash felt his breath hitch at that. Neither of them had ever mention the word marriage not in the three months since they started courting you could say. Sure he had though of about marrying Kristina. He'd even spoken with her father about it when they'd first arrived he just never though that the subject would come up like this. It wasn't that he didn't want to marry Kristina. He'd be a fool and liar if he said that to anyone.

He wanted to marry her without any question. The only probably he had was knowing rather or not France and Mary would approve. Mostly Mary. He knew that Duke Linwood approved he'd written to Bash a few times and the two had become good friends. Not to mention the Duke had said that he wanted Bash as a suitor for his daughter. He just didn't know how the Duke would react if he asked for his daughters hand before discussing it with him first. Not to mention he had no idea what Mary and Frances would say in that matter.

Kristina regretted suddenly saying the word "married". She hadn't mean to say it out load anyway but it had come out and Bash had suddenly gone very rigid and fear ful. Kristina knew already that Bash loved her hopefully as much as she loved him if not more. Mary had almost pushed them together because the Queen had though to two would make a perfect couple. Her father approved whole heartley of Bash. As her grandfather and grandmother Wayland who she'd written numbers letters to about Bash. The only thing she didn't know was if Bash himself wanted to marry her or not.

"I'm sorry.." Kristina whispered softly

"Sorry for what?"

"I didn't mean to the say the m word Bash. I wasn't even thinking I mean you and I have only known each other for three months and two weeks. So I'm silly to be wishing.."

"Kris you are not silly to be wishing something like that. I've been thinking about it myself. Only now is not the time to be talking for such things. Maybe when all this with DE Rivers is over and after I have asked permission from Mary, France and your father of course. Then perhaps we can talk of marriage plans hum."

"Of course your right Bash I'm sorry."
"There is nothing to be sorry for. Now come we should tell Mary about this Lord Milo Colla and what she believes of him writing letters and passing along information to her and not telling her just who he is."

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Who is this Lord Milo and why is he writing letters to Mary and Kristina? You'll have to wait till the next chapter to find out and I promise it won't be that long.