I am horrible I know, and I am sorry. Thank you to those that still decided to stay and read my story :)

Chapter 10: Consummation

It has been weeks since Allannah last saw Sebastian and Mary. For her and Isobel's safety they limited contact to only a letter per week. She missed them both dearly and Francis too, but she had no idea where he was. Once she heard the news of Catherine possibly losing her head she had a feeling Francis will turn up sooner or later. Despite all horrible things she had done she was still his mother.

Young Isobel was growing up nicely. Luckily for Allannah she had Diane to help her out because Isobel turned out to be quite a handful. Princess loved the little girl to death and wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. They both became attached to one another and there was no chance she was letting anyone tear them apart.

All three girls were starting their usual morning routine when Diane looked up from the piece of parchment she was holding in her hands and said,

"A letter from Sebastian arrived this morning"

"So soon?" Allannah replied adjusting her arms so Isobel was in a more comfortable position.

"Yes. He and Mary agreed to meet you just outside of castles grounds. There is a small church there that is rarely used these days"

Small smile appeared across princess's face as she heard the good news; however she wasn't certain it was safe for her to return just yet so she kept her enthusiasm to the minimum.

"Do you think it is safe to go back? I know Catherine's time is almost over, but knowing her she probably still plots and will do so until the day she dies"

Diane looked thoughtful for a moment while she neatly folded the letter and placed onto the table. She had more experience with the Court than Allannah so she would know what to do.

"I think that now might be the best time for you to return. Catherine is busy saving her own head so she won't pay much thought to you if any at all. You will be able to return discretely without raising any fuss from the nobles or Henry"

"I think you might be right" younger woman agreed lowering her eyes to look at Isobel who was happily playing with the lock of Allannah's red hair "I just want what is the best for her right now and solve the mess around Mary and Sebastian. I think if they don't find the way out of the whole mess soon they will have to marry whether they like it or not"

"That is exactly why they want you back" Diane smiled "They will be meeting you at that abandoned church, my guess will be that they want to get the stories you'll tell the court straight. There can't be any differences in them for you to be allowed to keep this little angel"

"I just wish her mother was here, despite that I have grew to love her as she was mine. I am not her real mother and I will never be"

Diane stood up from her chair and walked over towards Allannah placing one of her palm's on the girl's shoulder,

"You are doing a splendid job raising her, I am certain that Isobel would be very pleased with you. And remember dear, you are the closest thing that little girl will ever have to a mother"

-ASM-

She always loved winter, even as a child. Nothing could compare to the landscape that rested beneath thick snow blanket. Even blood wood didn't seem as eerie. She loved the sound her boots made as she walked and the cold air on her cheeks. The only thing she was concerned about was Isobel. She didn't want her catching a cold or getting sick so she made sure that she was warm once they exited the carriage.

She hadn't been so excited in a while and she couldn't wait to see her sister and Sebastian again. She was even happy that she will be back at court again, which was something she was sure would never happen.

As she got closer to where they were supposed to meet she could hear voices. At first she thought it was Sebastian and Mary having a very loud conversation, but later she was sure that there were two men arguing and she could recognize both voices anywhere in the world. She quickened the step to reach the church before things got out of hand.

"I am going to tell you something" she could hear Francis start "and it will hurt. I know you are here to elope with Mary"

Excuse me..! If she hadn't got a letter from Sebastian she would be freaking out at this point as well. She almost had but then she remembered why they were all here.

"You don't need to marry her. All that nonsense about the prophecy is gone now. My mother let it go for some reason. I am going to tell Mary, she will talk to my mother and she'll be convinced"

"She won't trust Catherine; I don't even trust her and Francis I…"

"You know she turned to you because she had to it was only a marriage of convenience" Francis's voice sounded different it was the kind he used when he was really upset. Allannah cursed herself for deciding to wear a dress which kept slowing her down, she needed to break them up as soon as she could.

"Francis please calm down" she could hear Bash plead his brother. She was almost at the edge of the forest just a few steps more "It's not what you think… it's nothing…"

"Don't you dare call Mary a nothing" Prince snarled just as Allannah reached the clearing. She saw him take quite strong punch towards his brother's face. Force of the hit made him fly backwards and land in a pile of snow. Before Francis could jump on him she called out,

"Francis! Don't!" Her voice was enough to make him stop and look at her. Realizing she had his full attention she started walking towards them and saying calmly "It's not what you think, they are here for me and not for some secret wedding"

"For you?" he breathed looking at Allannah with wide eyes. He kept darting between her face and the baby in her arms that began to squirm at all the loud sounds. She didn't like all this excitement at all.

"Yes, they came to take me back to the castle, not to get married" Allannah said quickly before kneeling on the ground next to Sebastian. With her free hand she gently turned his face around marking sure the damage done wasn't too severe. With a soft tone that was meant for Sebastian she said "I think your nose is still intact it might bruise a bit but it didn't break. As for you" she turned her attention to Francis "We had a similar discussion before hadn't we? Francis, anger isn't a good emotion to be let a full control of yourself to. It will be your doom especially when you are a king"

"Where did the baby come from?"

"This isn't the place for explanations" replied Bash as he was getting back on his feet "Once we get back to the castle everything will be explained"

Allannah looked around searching for her sister but she couldn't see her anywhere. Focusing her attention back to Sebastian she asked

"Where's Mary? I thought she would be here as well"

"She wanted to come but she was held up. Your mother came to visit"

"That's just great" she groaned. She handed baby Isobel to Sebastian since he was her uncle of a sort and he hadn't seen her for a while. Little girl was delighted to see a new face and someone giving her completely undivided attention while Francis still looked extremely confused.

"That's not your baby, right?" blonde finally managed to ask. Allannah worked really hard to suppress her smile when she saw his equally dumbfounded expression.

"Of course not"

"I didn't ask you, Bash"

"It isn't hers or mine for that matter..." before Sebastian could finish he interrupted him,

"Then whose is it and why do you have it?"

Wrapping her cloak more tightly around herself Allannah walked towards Francis saying quietly,

"Her name is Isobel and I can't tell you much more here, as I already said"

"She is right" Sebastian agreed stopping next to her "Let's get back to the castle and we will answer all of your questions"

-ASM-

"So let me get this straight…" Francis started with a serious tone "While I was gone, Bash's cousin was brought here under false accusation and heavily pregnant. Then you two and Mary got her out of the castle and she died shortly after giving birth to Isobel?"

"That sounds about right" Allannah nodded her head "Only thing that needs to be added is that we have been in Paris with Diane this entire time, since we didn't want to raise any suspicions around Isobel if I am to keep her"

"You want to keep the baby?" previously crowned prince asked with a hint of disbelieve in his voice. Sebastian gently wrapped his arm around Allannah's waist pulling her closer to him as he answered instead of her,

"She does. Marry and I support her and it was my cousin's dying wish to keep the baby safe and loved so we will do everything in our power to keep our word"

"Besides, give her a day or two and she will steal your heart too" Allannah added smiling at Isobel that was now happily sleeping on quickly improvised cot. They hadn't had the time to find her a real crib yet, but it was one of the things Allannah wanted to get done before the day ended.

"I see…" Francis said slowly studying Allannah's face. His eyes moved to Sebastian few times deciding what he wanted to do "So your goal was never to get married to Mary?"

"Of course not, brother. She only did and said things that she thought would save both of our lives. She truly believed that the prophecy about your death was true and our father wanted to execute me, and she didn't want to let that happen."

"It might have not been the best solution or the easiest one, but it kept you both safe" Allannah added gently "You said something about prophecy not being in the way anymore?"

At that Francis's face brightened up,

"Yes, I talked to mother and she believes that we can get married"

"Then why are you still here? Go find Mary. I am sure she would want to hear about it as well" she urged him and Francis needn't to be told the same thing twice. After a hastened goodbye and promise to catch up later he walked out of Allannah's room and went to search for Mary.

As soon as Francis was gone she turned around and nuzzled close to Sebastian chest. He happily clasped his other hand around her whispering,

"I have waited for this to happen for weeks"

"I know, we have been away from each other so much in the last few months" she agreed "I like it more when you are here with me"

Kissing her forehead gently he said,

"And so do I. Now that I have you and Isobel both back I don't want to let you two out of my sight again soon"

"I am sure Isobel won't mind having another person to fuss over her" she paused for a while breathing in his scent and taking all the time in the world to enjoy the moment. Over last weeks she missed him dearly despite them never talking about what they are or what they truly mean to each other, but for now she was happy that she was back in his tight embrace.

"When do you think they will get married?"

His question caused her to open her eyes and pull back slightly so she could look in his eyes,

"Something tells me they will get married today. My mother being here isn't any coincidence, she came to make sure Mary will be married today"

"I doubt they will mind it that much"

"I am sure they won't" she smiled, one of her arms brushing across his face gently "Does it hurt?"

"The punch from Francis?" he asked when she nodded he shook his head "Not really, it wasn't a particularly strong one"

"You are such a bad liar"

"Am not"

"Oh but you are" Allannah grinned "and you can't convince me into believing anything else"

He returned a smile but it wasn't as bright as she expected. It almost looked a bit forced, like a sudden unpleasant thought crossed his mind. Her expression changed into a worried one as her hand found its way back to his face, her thumb stroking his cheek gently,

"What troubles you Sebastian?"

"I… I just want to keep you and Isobel safe, make sure none will ever harm you"

"We will be alright; we are safe and sound here and I know you will be always here for us…"

"That's not the only thing I want…" he continued, his eyes looked distant "I couldn't ask you to… I am nobody, a bastard son with nothing to offer"

"Don't ever say that. I don't care about your title and your wealth and neither will Isobel. You matter to me as you are. You matter to me as a whole person, your flaws and your perfections… I…" she almost slipped an I love you, but she stopped since she didn't want to make the situation any tougher.

"It's just seeing Francis get married to love of his life makes me wonder if…" he stopped for a bit his eyes locking with her "maybe we will be able to get married too"

"You know there isn't a thing on the world I would want more, and no better person to get married to. I trust you with all my heart…"

"I do too" he breathed holding her face gently between his hands "But father will never allow it and your mother…"

She closed her eyes slowly letting the words sink in. She knew what he said was true; there was no way King Henry will ever let them marry. Her mother wasn't such a big issue since it was up to Mary to decide.

Without opening her eyes she leaned forward escaping Bash's hold on her cheeks and threw her arms around his neck burying her face in his chest. She could feel his hands reassuringly stroking her back as she whispered,

"I don't think we have a chance while Henry is still a King but maybe once Francis gets the throne… but that could be months or even years, I could not ask you to wait for so long…"

"You don't have to ask me since this is something that I would do in a heartbeat" he said with a strong voice "You are worth waiting for…"

Allannah looked up at him with a small smile appearing on her lips, "So it looks like we have reached an agreement"

"That we have your highness" he replied kissing her forehead "Now tell me what have I missed since Isobel and you joined my mother in Paris"

-AMS-

Like Allannah predicted Mary and Francis got married the same day not without her mother having something to do with it. She made sure King Henry received false news of England Queen's death sparking up his greed and allowing the wedding to happen on the same day. Allannah was relived since he seemed to had forgotten about her and his absurd idea that she would be getting England for him. She couldn't shake the feeling like something was off, but she convinced herself that it must have been her absence from the court that made the King seem unusual and that in time everything will work out.

Much to her surprise no nobles were complaining over the fact that she had taken in Isobel. Diane was once again right, they had so much other topics to gossip about and surprisingly King Henry didn't even acknowledge Isobel's presence. Princess couldn't decide whether that was a good sing or not.

Mary's and Francis's wedding was a beautiful ceremony, something everyone had been waiting for so long. She was happy for her sister and one of her closest friends that they finally were able to wed each other. After they had all been through they deserved all the love and happiness they could get and Allannah wouldn't mind having nice or nephew to look after either. That was at least Isobel would have someone to play with.

"How long will you two be gone?" princess asked her sister as she helped her pack all sorts of different clothes.

"I have no idea Allannah, maybe for a month or two?" Mary asked opening one of her closets "We surely won't be gone for more than two months"

"I hope so, since I am not sure I can survive here without you for so long"

Mary glanced at her sister's sour expression and smiled,

"Of course you can, besides you won't be completely alone. You have Sebastian and all of my ladies in waiting still here"

"I am not sure what will happen to Sebastian…" Allannah started frowning at the thought "It is a miracle we managed to convince Francis and that he wasn't more upset, however, the King is something else. He made him watch your consummation ceremony…"

"Oh dear…"

"I think Sebastian will try to stay clear of his father and most of the nobles. I still don't know how Francis managed to convince his father not to banish him"

Mary walked towards her sister placing one of her hands on hers,

"You know I would never let that happen" she waited for Allannah to look at her before she added "You care about him and he is my friend as well as my husband's brother and if those reasons aren't enough to make sure he is alright I don't know what is"

"Thank you" was all Allannah could say. Mary shook her head with a smile on her lips,

"No need, I should be thanking you, you took care of Francis while I was gone and kept him out of harm's way. I know how temperamental he can be"

"You have that one right… you'll have to train him you know" replied Allannah with a grin "as a King he will have to keep his temper in check"

Mary laughed lightly at her sister's comment "I have the rest of my life to make sure he'll behave. I will miss you and Isobel though. I can't believe I will miss out on two months of her life"

"We will still be here when you get back"

"I know, but two months? She probably won't even recognize me anymore" Mary sighed walking over Isobel's crib and lifting her up "She is an angel… I can't wait to have one of my own"

"As you said, you and Francis have enough time to create a family for yourself and I can't wait to meet my future nice or nephew. I will make sure they will be spoiled rotten"

"Oh no… that sounded more like a threat than a promise" Mary laughed. Allannah approached her and Isobel with a sad smile on her lips. She pulled her sister in an awkward side hug she couldn't hug her properly since she was holding Isobel,

"You make sure you enjoy your honeymoon as much as you can and come back here in once piece since Isobel will need her aunt as well as I'll need my sister"

"I promise" Mary whispered in reply.

P.S.: Hope you enjoyed! It isn't as long as I would want though…I'll try to write longer chapter next time. I am also looking for a beta (if you are interest let me know through PM or review, doesn't matter)