Almost 300 followers! You all are AMAZING! Thank you so much!
Author's Note: I own no claim over anything but the story line, and realize I am taking a great liberty with history (but that's what fanfic is for, right!) =) And yes, in case you were wondering, the title of this story is in reference to the wonderful 1966 movie starring Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More.
Chapter 10 Music: Peace Train by Cat Stevens
Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come / And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one / And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train / Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come / And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh peace train sounding louder / Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train / Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train / Come on now peace train
Rarely did Henry and Catherine like to occupy the same space, but today it was inevitable. They had received word the evening prior that Mary Tudor had in fact passed away, and how just before her she died she reluctantly accepted the fact her half-sister, Elizabeth, would be her successor. The pomp and circumstance of Elizabeth's coronation would take place at the end of January, and Henry had every intention of attending.
"I plan on leaving for England shortly after Epiphany to pay my respects to the new Queen, and possibly bridge a new friendship with England." The matter-of-fact sentimentality proved to Catherine that Henry was most sincere is his statement.
"Honor that bastard? Really, Henry." The eye roll Henry displayed was almost audible.
"What bothers you most? That she is common in your eyes, or that she is competition for Mary, and therefore Francis, for the English throne? Who knows, she might pass away early too, and Mary would ascend the throne. She could restore the rightful Catholic church to it's place in England. Heaven knows this new Queen will likely destroy it."
Their once loving relationship had definitely reduced over the years to a mere amiability towards each other. Even so, he still knew her thoughts so well. Catherine inwardly smiled at that fact.
"Both."
"Well then, do not worry, my dear. I plan to take Francis with me. He must learn true diplomacy sometime."
The wheels in Catherine's mind began to spin like the well-oiled machine they were. Henry and Francis would both be absent from the castle.
"How long to do plan to be gone?"
"Several weeks, most likely."
"Do you plan to take most of the guard with you?" Catherine hoped her line of questions would not appear suspicious.
"What is with the inquisition, woman? Did you have plans for them?"
Check.
"Of course not, Henry. I just remember what happened the last time you left the castle for an extended period of time." Catherine hesitated to think back on the siege by the disgusting Lord Vincent. She hated to think she had resorted to poisoning her former countrymen; however, the situation had called for extreme measures.
"Ah, yes. Well, I will leave a small number more than I usually do, just in case any rogue Italian Lord decides to make siege on my castle." Catherine did not appreciate his mocking tone. Catherine nodded her thanks, absently staring out the window in the process.
"Sebastian will stay here too. I was going to invite him, but I foresee this feisty new Queen might take offense, being as he is another bastard not in line for a throne. At least not yet." Catherine bristled at these words. Henry liked to push her buttons, but this last statement troubled her greatly.
Check mate.
"I am sure that will make us all feel at ease." Henry could taste the sarcasm dripping off her words, but remained unmoved. After all, he had put up with Catherine for more years than any man should. He looked over at the woman he called his wife, and outstretched a hand in peace offering.
"Come, let us tell the news to the court."
Catherine obediently took her husband's hand, and followed him out of his chambers.
Lola struggled to keep up with Nostradamus' lesson today. Her mind was elsewhere, unfortunately. She has known for a fortnight now that Mary was with child, but the knowledge that the child was Sebastian's drove a stake through her heart. The pain was partly due to a lingering sense of lost love. Though Lola's affections for Nostradamus continued to grow, she was still healing from a broken heart. Most of the pain, however, surfaced when Lola thought about the consequences if the truth be told. Not only for Mary, who could be charged with treason, but Sebastian, and herself. She could be seen as aiding in treason. No one will ever know, she always told herself. Even if the child were to resemble his true father, the brother's shared at least a partial parentage, and a minimal likeness would not be cause for worry.
"Lola, I need you to mix two parts lavender in ..." He looked up, noting her distant gaze. "What is wrong?"
"I am worried about Mary, and the baby." Lola gasped, her hands covering her face in embarrassment. The child was not public knowledge yet.
"Do not worry, I already know about the child." He pointed towards his head to indicate he had seen him in a vision.
"You have? What does the child look like? Is it a boy or girl? Oh do tell me, please." Lola's enthusiasm ran over her sense of decorum. Looking about, Nostradamus moved to close his door, then pulled Lola over to the secluded corner nearest the window.
"The child is a boy, a prince. But before I continue, there is something I need to tell you."
"The Queen already knows this vision, does she not?"
"Yes, but for reasons you would not dare to dream. I cannot divulge the entire vision, nor did I to Queen Catherine, but I need to tell you this..."
Lola's eyes widened as the words flowed hurriedly from Nostradamus' mouth. The Queen's deviousness reached new levels in Lola's eyes. She would have to find time to tell Mary and soon.
Mary found Francis the next morning, on his way to the Great Hall to speak with his father. The burden of keeping the news of her condition had been lifted the previous evening. She relished in the joy of telling Sebastian he would be a father. Unfortunately, she now had to tell the man who would act as the father. Francis should be a good father, Mary thought. As if on cue, Francis rounded the corner to the Great Hall at full speed.
"Mary!" He exclaimed. "Good, we are late. Father has substantial news for us this morning." Francis gently grabbed her forearm, dragging a reluctant Mary behind him.
"Francis, wait." Mary hesitated, attempting to slow him down. He beckoned her onward, not slowing his pace. Finally, Mary grasped his arm and with all her strength, pulled him to a stop. "Francis, please stop."
"Come on, Mary. This news will affect you too." Francis had rolled his eyes initially when she had stopped him. He better learn patience if he is going to be a father, Mary thought and then amended, When he will be a father.
"Francis, I have news myself that I must share with you before we enter."
"Fine." Francis sighed with a huff. "Make it quick."
Mary cringed at his indifference to her needs. It was just one of the many reasons her love for him had waned.
"Francis, do not be angry with me for stopping you. This is news we will want to share immediately." At these words, Francis' ears perked up, and his eyes gazed curiously at Mary. "You see, Francis, I am with child."
The stunned silence was not very reassuring to Mary, until Francis let out a very undignified whoop of joy. Before Mary knew what was happening, she was in his arms, being twirled around. His reaction pleased Mary, but the spinning left her a bit dizzy and nauseous.
"Francis, please slow down. My stomach is a bit sensitive." She chose to say this laughingly, to not hurt Francis' feelings. It was such a rare thing to be in his presence lately, and be happy.
"Oh, good Heavens, Mary. What was I thinking?" He smiled lovingly at her, for the first time in awhile. Gently cupping her face, he kissed her fiercely. "This is wonderful, Mary. Thank you." He held her in his arms, hugging her close. On another day, in a different place, Mary would have been infinitely happy right in this moment. But now, while she was happy that Francis was excited for the news, she inwardly cringed. She had lied to the man she had made a vow to love for the rest of her life. Granted, he had not kept those vows either, but Mary had always assumed she would be the one taking the higher road. For Mary, there was no turning back from her path, from Sebastian, from their child, and nor did she want too. Still in Francis' arms, Mary looked upwards, as if to heaven. I love Sebastian. God forgive me, but I do. She hesitated before adding, God forgive us both.
After a few moments of relishing in their happy news, Francis tugged Mary into the Great Hall, anxious to tell the King and Queen, and the rest of the court.
"Ah, Francis, there you are! Now we can begin..."
"Wait, Mary and I have an important announcement first." Francis rarely interrupted his father, but this was a most opportune time. "Your Majesties, I am proud to announce Mary is with child. Please join us in our happiness." Collective gasps and claps of joy rung out around the Hall. Mary was overwhelmed by the noise, and the court's response. She knew Sebastian should be somewhere in the crowd, but she did not want to meet his gaze. Though he never displayed emotions of jealousy, she understood that deep down, he would want to be the one announcing her child, his child, their child's, expected birth. Mary secretly rued the day she was born to be a Queen. If she had been born to some privilege, as Greer, or Lola, or Aylee had been, or even none at all, a relationship with Sebastian might be possible. He was the son of King. But looking upon the adoring faces of the court around, she could only imagine the horror, betrayal, and disgust if they only knew the truth.
"This is great news indeed!" Henry bellowed. "Page! Come, send word to the Cardinal. The cathedral bells should be rung throughout the countryside, and a special mass be read in Mary's honor!"
Catherine was elated. She eagerly joined in the celebrations as many came forward to congratulate the royal couple. My plan worked, she thought, oh happy day.
The King raised his hand to summon silence across the hall. "While this is joyous news, I must impart some additional news of interest." The court settled down as Henry continued. "Mary Tudor has died, and in her last dying moments, she acknowledged her half-sister, Elizabeth, as her successor."
The gasps of joy for Mary and Francis' news turned into gasps of surprise, and in some cases, horror.
"Her coronation takes place at the end of January, and I intend on being part of the audience. I am sure it will be a grand affair. Francis, you will accompany me to the meet the new Queen. She may prove to be a potential ally, or a horrible foe."
"But with Mary's news, I would prefer to stay close to the castle." For a moment, Mary was touched by the sudden emotional sentiment expressed by her husband.
"Oh come now, Francis. Women have carried children for ages. Besides, I have already promised your mother a few extra guard."
Francis nodded quickly in defeat. This was more like the Francis she knew. In her first days back at the French court, Francis exuded power, strength, and determination in standing against several of his parent's decisions. But as their relationship grew and changed to marriage, he seemed to lose his fire. Throughout his discourse with his father, Mary remained silent and contemplative. Her cousin was now Queen of England, a throne, believed by some, to rightfully belong to Mary. Elizabeth was also a Protestant, thanks to her mother's sympathetic religious leanings. She was known to be a cunning and brilliant young woman. Mary hoped, amongst all things, that she could have an amiable relationship with her cousin, especially with regards to Scotland. But now, Mary was not just protecting her homeland for herself, she was guarding her country for her child to one day rule.
It had been over a week since the news of Mary's condition had been announced. Bells rung out across the country honoring Mary and Francis and their unborn child. Many changes were occurring, and quite rapidly, around the French court. Diane de Poitiers nervously waited for Sebastian to return to his chambers, as she needed to urgently speak with him. The minutes passed slowly before the click of the door announced his arrival.
Sebastian stopped in his tracks, noting he was not alone in his chambers. His initial fear subsided as he realized it was his mother seated by the fire.
"So you finally made use of the key I provided you?" Diane turned her head and smiled at her only son. Sebastian tossed his sword on his bed, eager to rid himself of his royal attire.
"I had not need of it until today." She replied softly, standing to walk closer to her son. She looked at his handsome face, proud of the man he had become. Though her aspirations reached higher than Sebastian knew, she was still thrilled with all he had accomplished in his young life. Being a son of a King held it's perks, but it also presented many dangers.
"What brings you here? You look worried." He noted his mother's eyes darted abruptly around the room, as if on constant alert for danger.
"There have been rumors around the court, especially amongst the guard." Diane started, watching Sebastian's reaction. He momentarily paled, concerned over the 'rumors' which she had been hearing, but immediately fixed his features into a look of indifference.
"Oh?" Sebastian could muster no more words than the one.
"Queen Catherine has been acting strangely lately, ever since the announcement that Henry and Francis would leave for England soon. What I have heard concerns me greatly. There is talk she has been meeting mercenaries in secret." Sebastian frowned at this revelation. Hiring a mercenary could only mean one thing in his mind.
"She is hiring an assassin? For who?" He dropped his words to a whisper, his heart racing furiously. Catherine was crazy, and could harm anyone, except her own children, if she needed too. Sebastian even wondered if she might harm Francis, or Charles even, if push came to shove.
"I do not know anymore than that, but I am worried for all of us. She is using Henry and Francis' departure to meet her ends."
"Do you think she would try and kill Mary and the child?" Uttering those words were unbearable for Sebastian. He would kill Catherine himself before she could lay a hand on Mary or his baby.
"Either Mary, or possibly you. I think she feels threatened now that Elizabeth has the throne in England. A bastard-born daughter on the throne." Sebastian knew his mother implied that Catherine would now consider him a threat, a son who might upstage her own.
"She will never harm my family." The words had left his mouth before he realized their true meaning. Diane raised her eyebrows at her son. Dropping his gaze, he turned away from his mother's intense stare. He knew she had seen right through him, as always.
"Your family? My son, I know you are brave, but are you truly this foolish?" Her mind was racing as she walked around to face him. Diane reached for his hands, hands she had held since they were smaller than the palm of her own hand. They were rougher now, but they still held that same gentle quality. "Are you...is the child..." She could not find the words that would not have a treasonous meaning.
"I cannot answer, no matter what you ask. Take my silence as you will." He leaned in, gently kissing his mother on the forehead.
"Be careful, my son. You are my one and only child. I may have lost Henry, but I could not bear losing you too." A single tear escaped down her cheek.
"I always am."