Sherlock sat patiently on the sofa next to Molly, holding her hand. He was curious as to what his brother meant in regard to the future of their two kingdoms.
Mycroft began to speak. "Sherlock, Molly, you have a great decision to make. With Prince Culverton's death, the future of Bartonia may be different than it would have been, had he remained alive and wed to Queen Ruth. As you know, I have no desire to wed, and your marriage has assured Bakeristan a future monarch through you, rather than myself. In time, upon my death, you or your firstborn son would inherit the title of king. However, the death of Queen Ruth's husband has now opened up different options for you."
Sherlock looked at Mycroft uncomprehendingly. Different options? What could he possibly mean? "I don't understand, Mycroft."
"I shall allow Queen Ruth to explain the laws of Bartonia, as she is the one who obviously is most familiar with them." He nodded at the queen, who began to speak.
"Under the laws of Bartonia, the firstborn child, whether male of female can inherit the title, just as Queen Victoria is the queen of England due to her bloodlines, rather than the next male heir in line."
"I know that, Mama," replied Molly. "I understand that eventually I would become queen."
"Yes, Molly, but you could not be queen of two kingdoms at once."
Sherlock listened to his mother-in-law and suddenly realized what she was saying. "So, if Molly had married my brother, and become queen here, her claim to the throne of Bartonia would have been negated?"
Molly's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Sherlock. "I never thought of that - is this true, Mama?"
"Your husband is correct. I believe that is why Culverton was so insistent that you marry the king, and why he was so upset when you married the prince. You see, by our laws, your husband, unless a king himself, would be eligible to be crowned king of Bartonia with a coronation ceremony, rather than just be your prince consort as my husband was. Culverton could never become king because you were already heir to the throne."
"Do you understand what the queen is saying to you, Sherlock?" asked Mycroft.
Sherlock answered, "I believe so." He looked at his mother-in-law. "Are you saying I would be eligible to become the king of Bartonia with Molly as queen? Surely that would not occur for many years anyway. You are still queen."
Queen Ruth responded, "If Culverton were alive, that would be true. However, now that he is gone, I can choose to step down from the throne in favour of my daughter - and you."
Sherlock could not believe what he was hearing. Could he really rule a different kingdom? He knew very little of his wife's country. He felt Molly squeeze his hand and he looked at her.
"Sherlock, if you are willing, I know my mother and I would both be willing to guide you if we were to rule together."
"But what about Bakeristan?" he questioned, looking at Mycroft. "If I were to leave, would you not be in the same predicament of requiring an heir?"
"That would depend on you, brother mine."
"How so?"
"As ruler of Bartonia, your firstborn son would be a von Hooperstein, to preserve the lineage of the Bartonian royal line. Your second son, however, would retain the right to be heir to Bakeristan, my heir, as it were. You would relinquish your own right to the kingdom because you would be king elsewhere."
Sherlock tried to process this information. "If I choose to not go to Bartonia?"
"That is of course your right," responded Mycroft. "However, your wife would need to renounce the throne in Bartonia, and her nearest living male relative would inherit the title upon her mother's death."
"I think my wife and I must have time to discuss this in private," said Sherlock.
His mother came over and took his hand. "Sherlock, I know this is a big decision. I would be very sorry to not have you close by, but you must follow your heart."
Mycroft said solemnly, "I wish I could give you more time, but I will need your answer by this evening, because Queen Ruth will be leaving at that time to return to Bartonia with her husband's body. If you are to accept the throne of Bartonia as is your right, arrangements will need to be made for your coronation there."
Sherlock nodded. "I understand." Taking Molly's hand, he exited the drawing room. "Let us go into the garden and discuss this," he told her.
They exited the castle and went to the gazebo, sitting on one of the benches inside it. "What do you think, Molly? What do you want to do?"
Molly took his hand in hers. "It must be your decision, my love. However, if I may say so, I think you would be a fine ruler. I know how brilliant you are, and how quickly you could learn about our country and its laws."
"And you would be willing to relinquish one of your sons to become ruler here, away from you when the time comes?"
"Our son," Molly reminded him. "I know how important it is for Bakeristan to also have a future ruler. I am prepared to do whatever you wish, relinquish my right to the throne if necessary, or relinquish our son to the throne here when the time comes. As long as i am with you, I am completely content, wherever that may be."
"My love, with your support, I believe I could do anything," Sherlock declared. Then, taking Molly in his arms, he kissed her until he could feel the heat rising within himself, the need to be closer to her. "I will go to Bartonia, my love. But for now, all I wish to do is go to heaven, with you in my arms. Let us retire to our bedchamber until dinnertime, and we shall give our answer."
Taking Molly by the hand, they made their way into the castle once again. "You know," he confided, "I really dislike the two bedchamber thing. When we are in Bartonia, we shall share one room always."
"Of course, I would like that above all else, but for now - which bedchamber do we use?"
Sherlock chuckled. "I suppose we shall have to take turns. I believe it is my turn to come to you. Summon your lady's maid to assist you to undress and get into bed. I would undress you myself, but I should probably wait a little longer until my shoulder is fully healed. Last time, I experienced a little discomfort afterwards, and that corset of yours is a most irritating thing to unlace."
He left her at the door to the bedchamber and went into his own, summoning Wiggins as usual.
Sherlock found his shoulder was not aching much anymore. He still favoured that arm a little, but it did not prevent him from enjoying the delights of Molly's exquisite figure.
After Wiggins had helped Sherlock to remove his jacket and shirt, he dismissed the valet and removed the rest of his clothes himself, then put on a dark red velvet robe. He allowed a few extra minutes to make sure Molly's lady's maid had finished with her mistress, then slipped through the communicating door to her bedchamber. He drew in his breath at what he saw.
His naughty wife was on the bed, rather than in it, and she was completely naked. His heartbeat accelerated immediately as his body responded to the sight. His eyes raked over her figure hungrily.
"Do you like what you see?" she murmured seductively. He had never seen her so...wanton.
"Oh, my love, you continue to surprise me," he managed, discarding his robe immediately and settling his own naked body on the bed beside her.
She opened her arms for his embrace and he kissed her hungrily, allowing the flames of passion to burn brighter and brighter, feeling her own response as he caressed her body, and together they touched heaven as Sherlock made her his again in a union so perfect it could only have come from God.
Later, when they had got under the covers to rest, and Molly was encircled in his arms, Sherlock asked, "Are you sure I could be a king? I never wished for the position when Mycroft constantly plagued me about it. Of course, that was when I did not think I would ever love anyone the way I love you."
"You will be a wonderful ruler, Sherlock, and our two kingdoms will grow closer as a result."
He kissed her hair. "You shall have to pray for me, my darling. I know God answers your prayers."
"As He can answer yours as well, my love."
"I suppose I will have to keep my promise."
"What promise?"
He chuckled. "Well, not a promise exactly. I just decided if we should be fortunate enough to be allowed to be together, that I would go to church."
She giggled. "I'm glad. I want our children to know God as well. It is important to me."
His arms tightened around her. "And what is important to you is important also to me."
They slept then, until it was time to dress for dinner. Once they were both ready, Sherlock offered his arm to Molly and they walked downstairs.
Their mothers and Mycroft were already there and they looked at the couple expectantly.
"My wife and I have discussed matters," said Sherlock, "and we have agreed that what is best for our kingdoms is that I shall go to Bartonia."
Queen Ruth clasped her hands together and said, "Oh, I am so glad! I know you will make a fine ruler, and I am sure my daughter can teach you anything you need to know in order to rule wisely and well."
Sherlock's mother looked at him. "I am proud of you, my son, but I shall miss you. And of course I will be sad to be so far away from my grandchildren."
"Then you must visit often, Mother," Sherlock responded with a smile.
"That is settled then," said Mycroft, with an approving nod. "Queen Ruth, would you be amenable in allowing my brother a last week here to say farewell?"
"Of course," she responded graciously. "It will take at least three months to deal with the legalities of me stepping down from the throne and arranging the coronation of my son-in-law, perhaps four. In fact, it will need to be a double coronation, because my daughter will become queen at the same time. There will be many documents to sign, dignitaries to invite and the like. Once the prince arrives, he can meet with our royal advisors and learn the duties of the king."
Mycroft nodded. "Very good. I see there will be some busy months ahead of us."
After Molly's mother departed for Bartonia later that evening, Sherlock asked Molly, "Would you like to come to Holmes Village and see John and his wife? You can meet their baby daughter, Rosie."
"I'd love to," enthused Molly. "It would be nice to see a baby, especially if we are to have one of our own in a few months."
He smiled at her. She was such a caring, sensitive woman. Molly would be a wonderful mother.
Upon arrival at the Watson cottage, the housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, opened the door to the prince and showed the young couple to a small sitting room.
John looked at his friend curiously. "Sherlock. How have things been going? And you too, Molly?"
"Exceedingly well, my friend," responded Sherlock. "Is Mary here, and the babe?"
"Of course. They are in the back garden."
"Can I send Molly to them? I should like a quiet word with you. Molly is most anxious to meet the baby."
John gave him a shrewd look. "Is that because she hopes to have one of her own in the near future?"
The prince flushed. "Well, we are hopeful that Molly is already with child."
"You certainly didn't waste any time, did you?" commented John with a grin.
Sherlock huffed. "Is it so unusual I should wish to have a child with my wife?"
"Not at all. I'm still getting used to the fact that you have a wife at all, and that you fell in love after all that nonsense about being married to your work."
"I had no emotional context from which to draw any other conclusion, until I met Molly," he defended.
"Fair enough. I'm very happy for you anyway, mate. So what's so urgent you needed to come up and see me tonight?"
"Well," Sherlock hesitated. "Have you ever found life in the village to be a bit dull? Have you ever longed to see more of the world?"
"What's this about?" his friend asked suspiciously. . "Does it have something to do with the death of that awful stepfather of Molly's?"
"Ah, you heard about that then?"
"Word gets around; nobody knows how it happened though."
"Suffice to say, his death was a welcome one, and richly deserved.
Anyway, in answer to your question, I am here indirectly as a result of the man's death."
"Go on," pressed John.
"Well, with the prince consort's death, it appears the throne of Bartonia can have a king once more."
"What do you mean? Spit it out, old chap."
"Queen Ruth has decided to step down in favour of Molly assuming the throne - and I shall be the king, after a coronation ceremony."
John looked at him in astonishment. "You? I thought you hated the idea of being a king?"
"It is not a position I would seek, but I am willing to do it for Molly's sake. This move will give greater stability to our kingdoms, and strengthen our alliance."
"I can understand that, but what does it have to do with me?"
"I wanted to know if you would consider moving to Bartonia, to be the royal physician? I trust you with my life, and I would trust you to deliver my child as well, when the time comes. Of course, you would be given a much larger cottage than the one here, and you would be well paid. To be honest, you are my best friend, and one of the only ones I have. I'd miss your company if you stayed here."
John seemed to be finding it hard to know what to say. Finally, he managed, "I'm honoured that you think of me that way. I'd miss your company too. I would be willing, but I must speak with my wife about it first. If she is agreeable, then yes, we will come."
"Of course you must speak with her," agreed Sherlock.
The men walked together to the back garden. Sherlock saw that Molly was holding little Rosie and his heart leapt at the sight. She seemed so comfortable with the baby, a natural mother, he thought.
John went over to talk with his wife, while Sherlock did the same with Molly. "How's my goddaughter today?" he inquired of the baby, who merely dimpled up at him and tried to grab a lock of his hair.
"She's your goddaughter? Even though you did not believe in God?"
"Silly, is it not? John insisted. I shall endeavour to do better at it from now on. Holding a baby suits you," he said, and she blushed.
"Sherlock, I so want to be a mother."
"I have asked John if he will be the royal physician at the castle in Bartonia. If he agrees, he will be there to deliver any babies we have. That is what he is talking about now with Mary."
"Oh," she said softly. "It would be lovely for you to have a friend close by, and I would like to get to know Mary better. She seems very nice."
"Indeed." He took the seat next to her and they waited in silence, both fascinated at the way Rosie continued to tug at his hair and try to pull it into her mouth to suck on it.
Soon afterwards both John and Mary walked to them.
Without preamble he said, "We'll come."
Sherlock was delighted. He knew what a big decision it was to uproot oneself from the only home you had ever known, as he was doing it himself. "I am well pleased, John. Thank you - to both of you."
Mary smiled at him. "We are rather fond of you, Sherlock, you know. I have no family, and John's sister lives close to the border of these two kingdoms. It will be an adventure."
"It most certainly shall be,"agreed Sherlock. "Take as much time as you need to settle things here. Molly and I will be leaving in a week, but the coronation, I am told, will take months to arrange."
"I think we should be able to leave in less than a month. I have been training a young man who will be able to take over from me, so the timing is most fortuitous. I will introduce him as my successor and then we will travel to Bartonia."
"Excellent," approved Sherlock.
Soon thereafter, he and Molly returned to the castle.
The next few days were spent in a frenzy of packing and saying goodbye to the various tenants of farms in the vicinity. Of course, Sherlock and Molly spent many an hour alone as well. The princess's trousseau, the last of which was delivered only two days before they were due to depart, was also packed for the journey.
And finally, amidst tearful in the case of the queen mother and stoic in the case of the brothers' farewells, Sherlock and Molly left for Bartonia to start their new life together.
Author's note: Sounds like a nice end doesn't it? Well, it isn't, quite. I just have to do the coronation, an epilogue - and of course, Molly waking up. Almost done though. I hope you've been enjoying the ride.
Do you like the idea of Sherlock becoming a king and ruler? I hope you also enjoyed seeing John, Mary and Mrs. Hudson. Rosie of course, is obsessed with Sherlock's curls, as all females are.
Did you like the insertion of canon? Gotta keep it an authentic Sherlock story rather than a generic romance!
Would you like to see more of this type of story from me?
Revisions made for better flow 7/2/18 Switching to italics as this is a dream.
7/28/19 Removing italics because italics are a pain to read! Minor corrections made.