Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

Things had begun to get back to normal around the Castle.

Catherine and Henry were returning to some of the less public measures of their responsibilities while there temperaments finished evening out. In the meantime they had the chance to see the children more often, and not just in between their studies or during meals.

Of course now that their little worlds had begun getting back to normal, so had their mischief. Apparently just a little while ago Charles decided to run off on his new governess and she could not find him anywhere.

"Have you checked the stables child? It is his favorite hiding spot because he thinks that no one knows to look there."

The girl was new and young, but bright and eager and showed an aptitude to even keep up with her energetic Sons. Unfortunately they decided to put her to the test straight away and so Charles had run off the first moment she had her head turned.

Her two young Sons would be the death of her.

Actually, Francis was still not much better with his desire to always play the hero. They all made her heart seize in her chest several times a week, and she knew that it would only get worse as they got older.

Terrors every one of them…though she loved them and would never choose to have them any other way.

Speaking of which, it would seem that little Henry had finished with his studies a bit early and had been given some of extra free time. He and Margot were running out in the courtyard in what appeared to be a game of tag. Just that sight gave her more strength than hours of 'resting' ever could. She cherished the unguarded pleasure it gave her.

Henry was her rock and they were her light.

Speaking of which, her rock was currently sleeping just as soundly, even as she pondered his very presence in her life.

She had been blessed with an absolute craving for all things sweet…and nothing else.

He had been sleeping soundly for a week…at all hours of the day.

Fortunately they had both exhibited signs of the toxins leaving their bodies and according to Mary and Francis, their temperaments had been showing a great deal of improvement as well.

To think that someone might use such a method to poison them was…well bold, and slightly ingenious, if not rather despicable.

Thankfully though they were well on their way to recovery.

From what she could tell, Francis and Mary had once again done an impeccable job of taking over for them in their…indisposed states.

Honestly, if she had not lived the past month herself she would not have believed it, not in a thousand years.

Giving up on the mound of paperwork for now, she decided to join her Husband in bed. It was one of the few advantages of their time away, such as it was. At least they were granted ample time to be with each other, even if it was under rather unfortunate circumstances.

Climbing in and snuggling into his side she let out a cleansing sigh.

She often wondered if what they faced would simply become too much.

After all everyone had their limits…she did often wonder where hers and Henry's lay.

Hopefully they would never need to find out.

However, as she drifted off to sleep, she was able to rest in the knowledge that at least for now, they would be fine. Nostradamus had assured her that they only needed to allow the toxins time to exit their bodies and that if they allowed them to do so properly, they should sufficiently recover, certainly enough to fully take up their responsibilities as ruling Monarchs.

Oh the joy.

-/-/-/-

Royals didn't just go on month long vacations without good cause. Narcisse found that despite his initial…less than honorable intentions, he had actually become quite worried for the Queen. The King had been acting more and more erratically, and for them to have left presumably together for an extended time away…

Waiting until he was sure the King was otherwise occupied he requested to see the Queen. Lord Narcisse still wasn't quite sure what he would say, but he did want to make sure no ill had befallen the Queen while she was away.

Approaching her as she sat near the window, some paper scattered on a nearby table and a small collection of empty wine goblets and tea cups. He apparently had his uncertainly written all over his face as his initial hesitation to make any sort of overture resulted in the Queen making an inquiry before he even had one on his lips.

"Yes Lord Narcisse, was there something I could help you with?"

Opening an closing his mouth several times before he finally had anything cohesive to say, he again became worried when the Queen lowered her head to her hand, which was propped on the arm of her chair by her elbow.

"Lord Narcisse, I have just returned from a very long trip and am tired. If you would please make your inquiry I would very much like to conclude my business for the day as speedily as I can so that I may continue recovering from the journey."

Pursing his lips, he decided that the simplest answer might be the best answer.

"Yes your Majesty, I just wanted to inquire of your health as the trip seemed unusually abrupt and your husband the King seemed to be a bit more agitated than usual before you left. Is there anything…"

Narrowing her eyes at her guest, Catherine raised her head and pressed both of her hands against the arms of the chair before standing. "I assure you both my Husband and I are quite well. Our reasons for leaving were private, and my Husband's behavior is of none of your concerned except for in the way that it affects the country. If you are implying…"

Walking up to her with long and strides, Catherine felt the need to retreat. On a normal day she might have stood her ground, but she still felt unsteady because of the remaining effects of the poison and was feeling quite uncomfortable with the proximity that he seemed intent on maintaining.

She moved around the chair and backed away until she was at the edge of her chaise. Refusing to be chased any further she gathered as much of her senses as she could and stood her ground.

"Lord Narcisse if you would please, I am not a maiden to be wooed, and would appreciate it if you would kindly stop approaching me as such."

"No but…" he broke off, choosing his next words carefully. "I know of the letters you were receiving, the ones that were not from the King."

"Lord Narcisse, not that this is any of your concern, but it you think…"

"I know of them because I sent them. Despite his seemingly renewed affections, the King has spent a majority of your marriage rejecting and humiliating you. You…"

Her eyes widening in shock, the Queen could not even believe he had even considered such a thing. She knew that he could be presumptuous, but Henry's temper was well known and well feared. For one of the Lord's to do such a thing…this was certainly not helping her state of fatigue.

"Lord Narcisse, the letters were your doing?! Do you have any idea how enraged my husband became when he found them? How enraged he will still be when he finds out?

"Please my Queen I beg your forgiveness, I…" he pleaded kneeling at the side of the chaise, accidentally toppling her as he went and grasping her hands to emphasize the earnestness of his request. "I know that it was not my place, but it was from the best of intentions, you deserve more. And just before you left, the King was certainly not himself I only wanted to…"

"Lord Narcisse, what are you doing? If the King were to walk in here he would not even spare a moment's thought. You will be dead for presenting yourself to me in such a way!"

"Then I can only ask that you might pardon what I have done. It was only out of concern for you my Queen!"

-/-/-/-

The King had just finished meeting with Francis to be brought up to speed on the goings on at Court. Once again his son and future daughter in law had done an admirable job of ruling in their place.

Henry also relayed his appreciation for the handling of their maddness…discreetly but firmly to preserve both the Court and their dignity.

Making his way back to their chambers, Henry's thoughts were a mix of business and pleasure. Although the poison had left both of them exhausted in different ways, he was glad to be back in his right mind and at the Castle. The time away would have been much more relaxing if not for the reason that it was required. Rest during a time of illness was never as restful as one would have liked.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by one of Catherine's Ladies, calling his name as she approached.

Henry recognized her as one of Catherine's most trusted attendants, although he could not recall her name. Bidding her continue with what she had to say, he continued on his journey as he did not have the inclination or the patience to let anything come between him and his intended destination.

"You Majesty, I have some information that I felt you might need to hear."

"I assume there is a reason that you are addressing me and not my Wife?"

Nodding her head in acknowledgement she continued. "As Catherine was…not quite herself before she left to attend to every detail should would normally have had well in hand, While she was gone I took it upon myself to try and find out the origin of the letters she had been receiving."

Bristling at the thought of the overtures that were made to his wife, Henry simply pursed his lips in response and waited for her to go on.

"It would appear Majesty that the letters came from Lord Narcisse."

Fists clenched and teeth grinding, the King tried to maintain his temper as he knew that it was still so easily aroused.

"And the reason that you are telling me this…now?"

"Because Lord Narcisse was just seen bidding entrance to your Wife's rooms, and while I have no doubt as to where her allegiance lies, I have no confidence that he will not do something that he will later regret."