*Author's Note: So sorry for taking such a long time to update. The holidays have been crazy, and I got a little stalled on my writing because I had another fic dancing around in my head. Hope you enjoy this chapter, I already have more written!

Chapter 11

The horses galloped fiercely across the hilly landscape, and the castle rose quickly in front of them. The guards at the gate had noticed them from quite a ways off and stood prepared to challenge them as they approached. Mary and Bash slowed their horses as they neared the gate.

"Who goes there?' One of the guards stepped forward challenging them.

Bash looked at Mary and smiled. She grinned back and swung from her horse, meeting the guard head on. "I am Mary, Queen of Scots, and I have come for my throne."

The guard looked at her, shock registering on his face. Shock quickly turned to fear, then skepticism. "How do I know you're really the queen?" He looked down on Mary's petite frame in defiance.

"You dare to question me?" She asked, her tone regal and her eyebrow arched.

Bash saw the guard gulp in fear and he dismounted to try to ease the tension. "I assure you, the lady speaks the truth. Look at the signet ring on her hand."

The guard glanced quickly at Bash, before returning his gaze to Mary. Mary lifted her hand to let the guard examine her ring. The man's eyes widened, and he turned quickly to the other guard. "Go, get the Earl. He can make sure this is the queen."

Mary removed her hand from the guard's grasp and let Bash lead her back to their horses. Both of them mounted as they waited for Mary's brother, James, to arrive. Mary's horse shifted anxiously, obviously feeling her nerves. Bash gave Mary an encouraging smile. Time seemed to stretch immeasurably as they waited for James to appear. Mary looked at Bash wryly as they continued to wait.

"He isn't a prompt person is he?" Bash asked.

"He has a general disregard for royal protocol, just like someone else I know."

Bash grinned cheekily. "I have no idea who you could be talking about."

Mary returned his grin, and then returned her attention to the castle gates. "Someone's coming."

"Your brother?"

"I can't tell yet." Mary squinted at the figures as they came closer, a smile relaxing her face when she recognized her half-brother.

"Mary?" James shouted, as he caught sight of her. "My God, it is you! I thought for sure we had an imposter on our hands." He casually dismissed the guards around him as he strode up to Mary's horse. He lifted her easily from the horse's back and embraced her excitedly. He turned to Bash, who had dismounted his horse and come to stand beside Mary. "And who is your escort? I believe I recognize you from my brief time at French Court."

"Indeed you do." Mary answered taking a deep breath before she dropped the unexpected news on her brother. "This is Sebastian, King Henry's eldest son, and my new husband."

James' eyes widened with shock. "We've had no news of your re-marriage. When did this happen?"

Bash answered this time. "There was no news sent because it only happened recently, on the journey from France."

James began to speak, but Mary interrupted him. "We were married by the captain, so we'll need to see a priest to bless this union in the eyes of the Church. Do you think you could send for one?"

James cringed. "A Catholic priest may be hard to come by. There have been many skirmishes between Catholics and Protestants lately. Some of the priests have fled or gone into hiding."

Mary's face turned stony. "And what of the priests who were unable to flee or hide?"

James bent his head, unable to look his sister in the eye. "Two priests were killed. We've been trying to root out the men who were responsible."

"Good. I want it known that I will not hold with religious intolerance on either side. The people of Scotland are free to worship God as they wish, but they will not persecute those who worship differently."

James looked astonished. "So you will accept all religions?"

"All reasonable Christian religions. I will not have Paganism and Witchcraft run rampant in Scotland. I've had enough dealings with Pagans to last my lifetime."

James looked at Bash questioningly. Bash shook his head. "That's a long story. Perhaps another time."

James looked from Bash to Mary. "The Privy Council has been discussing who you should marry, but I suppose that's a moot point. There are many at Court who will be unhappy about this. The Catholics wanted a marriage with Spain, or to perhaps strengthen our alliance with France by having you marry Charles."

"Well, you see, I have strengthened our alliance with France. King Charles has always been very fond of his half-brother, and he has signed papers agreeing to the continued alliance of France and Scotland. In fact, he is sending an additional regiment of troops to assist the Scottish forces at our borders with England. They should arrive within the week."

James merely nodded at the news, before turning and leading Mary and Bash through the castle gates. "That is good to hear, still, you'll most likely face heavy opposition to this marriage." James looked at Bash. "And I don't mean this to sound disrespectful to you, but you are not the sort of match anyone planned for Mary."

Mary stopped walking, forcing James and Bash to do the same. "And that's exactly the problem. Everyone else seems to think that I can't decide for myself what is best for me and my country. Am I not the Queen of Scotland? Do I not rule this land?"

James frowned. "Do not be deceived, Mary. You are the queen, but there are many here who do not wish you to be. Mary, you aren't safe here."

Mary gave him a steely glare. "I have never been safe, James. Never in my life. My life has been threatened every day since birth, but I refuse to hide any longer. I will meet my enemies face to face, even if they are my own countrymen." Mary marched herself toward the castle entrance, leaving her flustered brother behind.

Bash gave James one last glance before he followed after Mary. James shook his head and hurried to follow his sister. Her stubbornness was both her strength and her weakness. The Privy Council had no idea what kind of fight they were in for.