The Truth

I don't own Reign!

Ella sat with her head in her hands, Lady Violet had just told her everything Mary had said about her. She was close to tears.

"Why?" She asked "Why say such terrible things about me? Why does she hate me? I spared her life! I took in her lady who would have been disgraced if it were any other queen!"

"I don't know my lady." Violet said sadly. "What shall we do?"

Ella stood up "We shall leave. We won't confront Mary. Let her feel the guilt of driving her husband's oldest friend away. Begin packing and inform the other ladies. I will tell Francis."

Violet called on the other ladies and told them to begin packing up the jewels, shoes, and gowns. Kenna was weeping silently, she had expected to have more time with her friends.

Ella went to Francis and explained to him that she was leaving court. She had to visit her new country of Russia and establish her rule. That was the lie she told. She would be going to Russia, but not because she had to show that she was their ruler, because of what his wife said. She would leave in a week, once transportation was arranged and her things packed up.

Francis was devastated at the loss of his friend, he knew she wasn't dead, but he felt like he had lost her forever. That night he didn't go to Mary's rooms and sleep on the couch near her. He wanted to be alone.

Bash held a weeping Kenna who was afraid that she would loose everything and everyone she loved. But Bash was glad to go with Ella, even if it meant leaving behind his brother.

Several years passed (in my version Francis survives and everything is okay) Mary had told Francis the truth about what she had said about Ella and how that was why she left.

Four years later Ella has returned to visit her friend and French court. She sent troops when Louis of Conde attacked but beyond the occasional letter had little contact with her old friend.

Ella stood on the deck of a ship, about to depart for France. Bash came up behind her, he had become her most trusted advisor and he and Kenna had repaired their relationship and now had a healthy two year old baby boy.

"Ella," he asked "are you sure you're ready to go back?" He now knew what had happened to her and why she had left France four years ago.

"Yes Bash," Ella smiled softly "I think now Mary has grown and matured. She is no longer a spoiled child who hates me. Francis told me in his letters that she feels true remorse for what she said."

"Alright. If you're sure." Bash sighed

Time skip

Francis and Mary waited with Cathrine on the grounds as Ella's carriage rumbled up the path. When it arrived out stepped the beautiful, raven haired Empress. She wore a gown of dark green with golden leaves embroidered on it.

She was now 23 and still unmarried. But she had adopted children from every country she ruled. Poor orphans who would be dead if not for her kindness. She had brought one little girl with her, her name was Lady Hannah. She couldn't be called a princess because she was not her true daughter but she was the oldest at 16.

Ella stepped out of her carriage and embraced her old friend and his mother who had been so kind to her. Then she looked at Mary and smiled sadly. She didn't speak to Mary just yet but she looked at her and nodded kindly.

Bash and Kenna hopped out of the coach behind Ella's. Kenna ran into Mary's open, waiting arms. Ella smiled happily at her lady-in-waiting and told her to go and be with her friends. To talk and gossip, but to be back at their rooms in time to prepare for the party that night. Kenna was overjoyed and hugged Ella tightly, it broke Mary's heart to see how happy Kenna was with the Empress, but she put on a brave face and led Kenna to her rooms to Lola and Greer.

When they reached Mary's rooms they hugged, laughed, gossiped, and cried together. Kenna told them about her travels with Ella. To Rome,

"It's so amazing, the architecture and oh! The fashions! I got this dress there!" She twirled around showing off her new chocolate brown gown with diamonds sewn around the hem.

To Greece, "The old temples where they used to worship their gods were covered in jewels and gold. We saw such fantastic people and I can now call myself fluent in Greek!" This was particularly impressive as Kenna was never one for study.

To Russia, "Of course, it's awfully cold in the winter, but in summer the gardens flower like there is no tomorrow!"

And to Africa, "The people are the most amazing you will ever meet! They have such culture and pride! But they accept Ella and love her as their queen!"

That talked for hours before Kenna had to leave to get ready for the party held in honor of Empress Ella.

Meanwhile

Ella sat with Francis, Cathrine, and Bash laughing, talking, and joking. Bash bounced his two year old boy, Charles, on his knee then held the boy when he fell asleep. Ella, the proud godmother, smiled.

"How are you?" Cathrine asked "Truly? Are your scars healing well? How is Russia? Are your people good to you? Did Kenna adjust well?"

Ella sighed "I'm fine Cathrine, really! My scars are nearly healed, Russia is cold but beautiful, my people love me, and Kenna seems to be most happy now that she and Bash have fixed their relationship."

"Good," Francis said, releasing the breathe he had been holding. "We were afraid we would never see you again, after what Mary said."

"Old friend, I would never let something as silly as mere words come between us and destroy our friendship. I just couldn't stay here, not with your wife hating me so much. I had to get away. Thank you for understanding." Ella said, eyes welling with unshed tears.

They all embraced and then Ella left to get ready for the ball.

That night Ella wore a silk gown of soft pink with flowers sewn into the dress.

It floated around her as she danced, smiled, and listened to gossip. Her ladies, including Kenna, wore gowns of pale mint and looked like angels descending from the heavens. No one could be happier than all of them.

Francis had his wife, his oldest friend, and his brother. Cathrine had the girl she loved like a daughter. Bash had his brother, his child, and his wife. Kenna had her friends, child, and husband. The only one who was not happy was Ella, although she put on a great show of seeming happy.

But no one could have guessed that she was unhappy, after all, happy is what happens when all your dreams come true. (I couldn't help myself! I had to throw a Wicked reference in there!) She was loved by all she met, she had her friends, and she had the children she considered to be her family. She smiled and laughed and drank like nothing was wrong, but deep down she wasn't truly happy. And she knew exactly why.

Word count: 1239 words

Little cliff hanger! I'm sorry! Yes I made a musical theatre reference in there because I'm a huge theatre nerd! If you didn't get it look up Wicked! It's amazing! Please comment, vote, and add to your reading lists! I love hearing from you guys!

Lots of love,

The author.