A/N: You guys probably won't like me after this chapter, but I enjoyed writing it! Thank you to all who have reviewed and please continue to do so! It gives me inspiration to write more! Hope you enjoy chapter 9! -Emma
Disclaimer: If I owned Reign, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction, this would have actually happened.
Mary and Francis strolled along the paths in the garden. Their arms were interlaced and they basked in the sunlight. They took a path that would be away from prying eyes and the servants who worked in the garden. Although the servants were discrete, Francis and Mary still valued their privacy.
"That went well," Mary commented. "Better than I thought it would go."
Francis agree. "The envoy gave me the impression that Elizabeth would accept this proposition."
"I think that as well, but we should know soon enough. When is he scheduled to return?"
"The day after tomorrow."
"And has there been any word of Sir Nicholas?"
"No. My guess is that he has returned to England by now. He most likely was here to deliver the missives and then fled, but orders will stay to bring him in if he is ever seen in France again."
"I will just be glad when we put all of this behind us and are able to move on with our lives. Hopefully we can have peace, for a little time at least, this is French Court after all."
Francis chuckled. "Peace sounds lovely. And with peace, we can spend more time together." Francis stopped walking and turned Mary to face him. "Alone. In our chambers. Naked." Francis placed a kiss on Mary's neck.
"That sounds wonderful," Mary smiled and her hand came up to stroke the back of his head. "And then, we'll have little royals of our own, hopefully."
Francis pulled back and smiled, "Not hopefully, we will. We just have to give it time."
Mary sighed, "Yes, I know. But I still worry. I worry that I can't bear a child for you, for our countries."
"It will happen Mary. It happened once before, it will happen again. I will be… vigorous, in my attempts to make it happen to put your mind at ease."
Mary giggled at the word he chose, recalling when she had used that same word. "I trust you to do so," Mary's smile faltered. "But, there is a physician who is celebrated for his knowledge of these problems in Beauvais."
"And you want to visit this physician?" Francis asked patiently.
"Yes. I know I can't visit him for a few weeks as we just got back, but I would like to visit him. It would reassure me."
Francis looked at her, he didn't think they needed a physician but would do whatever it took to make his wife feel comfortable and happy. "We," Francis emphasized, "can go in three weeks. Once this business with England has calmed down, your shoulder is completely healed, and things at Court have calmed."
"Thank you," Mary whispered. She reached up and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. She was extremely grateful that she had a husband who was patient and put her first. It was more than she could have ever hoped for, especially as a Queen who only could marry for her country. Mary was thankful that she had also married for love.
"Greer," Mary began after the door shut to Greer's chambers at her tavern. "I would like to ask another favor of you and your ladies."
"Of course, you know my ladies and I are always at your disposal." Greer responded cheerfully.
"And I am extremely appreciative of that, your ladies have proved quite useful." Greer beamed, proud of her ladies. "But I would like them to be on the lookout for any news about Lord Nicholas, the old English envoy to France."
"Done. May I ask why?"
"It was Lord Nicholas who gave the assassin the missive to kill me. Francis and I both think that he has gone back to England, but I want to be sure. If he is on French soil, he will answer to his crimes."
"Just like he should. He's threatened a royal, that itself calls for his head."
"Yes." Mary paused in hesitation. "There is one other thing as well," Greer didn't say anything, just looked at Mary expectantly. "If possible, I need your ladies to find out how many of these missives have been distributed. And, if they find any, to report it to the castle guards so the person in question can be dealt with."
"You believe there are more people who will try and kill you?"
"I know there are," Mary responded, unwavering. "Our spies have confirmed it. We just don't know how many and who."
Greer felt sorry for Mary. All her life, Mary has been threatened and been in danger. Greer just wanted her friend to feel safe for once in her life. "I'll tell my girls as soon as possible. Oh Mary, come here." Greer pulled her friend in for a hug. "I hate that you are in constant fear for your life."
Mary smiled at her friend's sympathy. "It is nothing new. I'm used to it by now. I am Queen of two nations after all. Plus, I have you and Lola, my friends, and Francis. You all protect me and make me feel safe."
"Yes, but still, oh Mary. Why don't you stay for a little bit? we can sit and just talk."
"That sounds lovely, thank you Greer."
Greer led Mary to her bench next to the window that overlooked the street outside. Mary sat down and looked out the window while Greer got each of them a glass of wine. Greer handed Mary her glass and plopped down beside her with a huff.
"It wasn't too long ago when we had just returned to French Court." Greer reminisced. "I remember stepping out of my carriage with Lola, Kenna, and Aylee," both friends gave a sad smile at the mention of Aylee, "there were servants, nobles, and crowds of people lining the path, but we just wanted to know where you were. We hadn't seen you since you left for convent. Then when you arrived, we hugged and were all happy to be with each other again. And then you got right down to scolding me for the amount of clothes I brought."
Mary had been sipping on her wine and nearly spit it up from laughing when Greer mentioned that. "And you said that you were making up in clothes for what you lacked in station." Both girls laughed at their younger selves.
"Yes, and then the King and Bash walked forwards. Kenna couldn't help but comment on how good looking he was, oh the irony of it now." Mary burst out laughing again. "And then you saw your Francis and just rambled on to him about how everything was bigger."
"I acted like a fool, but I guess he found it endearing." They both snickered. "We are happily married now."
"You're so happy, and I am happy for you." Greer sighed at the memories. "When we had arrived back at Court, neither of us had even been kissed, and now look at us! I run a whore-house and you are the Queen of two nations and have a very passionate relationship with your husband."
Mary snorted. "I like your description of our lives. You make everything seem so much more simple than it really is. It's never really been simple for us, has it?"
Greer shook her head. "Well, my life has been a breeze compared to yours. But still. French Court mucked it up, and it doesn't help that we're women in a man's world even though you are a Queen of your own nation."
"No, being a woman does not help. I am reminded of that fact daily. By the nobles and men who think the only usefulness I provide is to warm the King's bed."
"Well, you don't mind doing that," Greer said offhandedly and Mary snickered again.
"Greer!"
"What? It's true. I'm not saying that that's the only use you have. Trust me, I know you are many times more useful than that, I'm just stating the facts." Greer casually sipped her wine, trying to hold back her laugh. She was unsuccessful and both women kneeled over with laughter.
"You are correct, I do enjoy it, but that's beside the point," Mary conceded as soon as the laughter died down. "Thankfully, Francis reminds them that he and I are equals and he will not tolerate for them to disrespect me."
"He is amazing," Greer complimented. A comfortable silence fell over the pair as they sipped their wine and gazed out the window, watching the passing people. "I've got word from Kenna," Greer remembered.
"How is she?" Mary asked.
"She is well. The family she is staying with is very kind to her and excited for the baby. She hasn't started showing when she sent the letter, but it should be any day now."
"That's wonderful. I'm glad she's happy."
"Yes, I am too." Greer took a sip of her wine. "She did tell me to ask you if she could return to Court once she has the baby. She understands if you say no, but she wanted to try."
"Of course she can come back. She is my friend and one of my ladies. We may have had our disagreements but I would be truly happy to have her back."
"I'll let her know. She also wanted to know how Bash was doing."
"Bash?"
"I think she still loves him Mary. I think she wants to start over with him once she has the baby. She didn't say this much in her note, but you and I both know Kenna."
"Yes, she was happy with him. I will ask Bash of his feelings and inquire to see if he would be open to doing the same. I suspect he will, but we must be sure to save both of them from further heartbreak."
"I completely agree. I just want them to be happy, they both deserve it." Mary nodded, after their disastrous wedding and King Henry playing with them like dolls, they most certainly did.
"Thank you for the company Greer," Mary hugged her friend goodbye, "and thank you for your help with my requests."
"Of course. I am happy to help you in any way I can, what else are friends for?"
Mary laughed at the comment, "Goodbye."
"Bye," Greer bid with a smile.
Mary stepped out of Greer's tavern. The sun was beginning to set and Mary wanted to get back to the castle before it was dark. Her carriage was waiting for her, not far from the entrance with guards posted around it and two with her. She gracefully walked to her carriage and many heads turned to watch their Queen. Mouths hung open at her beauty and whispers rang through the crowd about getting the chance to be in the presence of the Queen. One man approached Mary with a bouquet of flowers.
"Your grace," he bowed. Mary's guards stopped him from getting to close. "My children picked these flowers this morning and they were hoping I could present them to you as a gift."
Mary smiled at the man and gestured for her guards to let him present her with the flowers as he was not a threat. The guards let the man get closer to the Queen. He bowed and handed her the flowers. "Thank you, they are beautiful. Tell your children thank you as well, for me. I very much appreciate it."
"Of course, your grace," the man stood up right. Mary noticed at switch in his character. His once smiling and pleasant face was replaced with a wicked smile and dead eyes. His timid posture, now stiff. Mary took a half step back but the man was too quick for her. He lunged, a knife appearing in his hand from the depths of his sleeve. Mary tried dodging the attack but he caught her on the side. Gasps were heard in the crowd as the people saw their Queen being attacked. Mary's guards grabbed the man and detained him as soon as he lunged, but he was still able to get in the one stab to Mary's side.
Mary gasped in pain. She tried to hide it as much as she could but she couldn't help but let out the small gasp. Her mouth falling open and her hand clutching her side. The open wound stained her gown and Mary felt the blood running between her fingers. More of her guards had already come to her aide and were helping her back inside of Greer's tavern. It was too far for her to travel back to the castle, especially as the Queen.
"What happened?" Greer cried as the guards burst in, supporting Mary's injured form.
"The Queen's been stabbed," a gruff response came from one of the guards holding Mary up.
Greer wanted to freeze. She wanted to stop and worry over her friend but knew she couldn't. She quickly shifted into a commanding mode. "Bring her up her," Greer led them to her room. "Put her here. You go find a physician." Greer instructed the first guard before turning to the second. "And you send for the King. And make someone takes the prisoner to the dungeons of the castle." The guards nodded and swiftly left. Greer turned her attentions back to Mary. "How are you feeling?"
"It hurts," Mary told, underplaying the pain. "And it's still bleeding."
Greer grabbed a cloth that sat next to the basin. "Can you sit up?" Mary nodded and sat up with a wince. "I'm going to undo your corset and then I'll put pressure on the wound." Greer quickly undid the tight bindings of the corset and slipped Mary's dress and corset off her upper half so the wound could be tended to. "Okay, lay back down and try to slow your breathing." Mary did as she was told and Greer laid the cloth over Mary's chest to give her some privacy for when the physician would enter. Greer then rushed to grab another cloth that she pressed to Mary's wound, trying to stop the blood flow.
"Thank you Greer," Mary uttered, taking deep breaths to work through the pain.
"Hush, save your strength," Greer moved Mary's hair out of her face with her one free hand while her other kept pressure on the wound with the cloth. Greer petted Mary's head, trying to comfort her in any way she could. It wasn't long before the physician arrived and attended to Mary's wound. Greer stayed by Mary's side the whole time.
Francis was meeting with his nobles. They were updating him on things they've heard, food supply, and any matter big enough for the King to hear. Francis could tell the real thing they wanted to talk about was Mary abdicating her claim but he wouldn't have it and made that clear to them earlier.
"Your majesty," Lord Narcisse spoke. "If I may speak to what all of us are intent are discussing, we would like to know the reason behind the abdication."
Francis gritted his teeth. He wanted to avoid this conversation but he knew if he did, they would keep asking. The better solution would be for him to address it head on and put it to rest then and there. "I will speak, you all will listen," Francis sternly began. "This war with England has been a drain on all of our resources and we cannot continue it. The reason we are at war with England is because the English Queen sees Queen Mary as a threat to her throne. Both Queen Mary and myself have agreed that the only and best way to end this war is for her to abdicate. Queen Mary's life has also been in constant danger because of her ties to the English throne and this should help rest the constant threats she receives. We have made this-"
"Your majesty," Francis's head whipped to the guard who came bursting in, gasping for breath and had cut him off. "Pardon for the interruption but it's Queen Mary."
"What is it?" Francis barked, ignoring everyone else in the room.
"She's been stabbed. By a man in the nearby village. She's being attended to in Lady Greer's tavern."
"Get me a horse," Francis shouted to his other guards. "Now!"
Francis ran out of the room, desperate to get to Mary.
