September 1549
Marie 7 Years
Francis 9 Years
It was a crisp September morning and the summer days were winding down, already it was cooler in the mornings and Marie knew she was going to miss the warmer weather. She and Francis had come into a routine of riding each morning. She could tell that she had become a more accomplished rider as she could stay in the saddle for hours and she could jump her horse over just about anything she wanted. She looked back, laughing; Francis was still far behind her though she knew it wouldn't take long for him to catch up to her.
Just ahead she saw something, she motioned to him, the guards not far behind. They rode together up to the edge of a large structure. The sign said it was an orphanage but as the royal couple rode through they frowned…so many children but they were so dirty and the conditions of the grounds outside were bad, Marie could only begin to guess what the inside looked like. Her heart went out to those that lived here and she looked at Francis with sad eyes, she could see he too didn't like what he was seeing.
The guards stayed back a bit. Francis motioned a couple of them forward as he dismounted, tying his horse up before he helped Marie down. They looked around them as some of the children gathered around them.
They both said hi to the children but nobody responded. Francis took her hand and they walked inside, the stench was so bad they could not stay long. He ordered the guards to investigate the interior while he and Marie spoke to some of the older children. Most had clothes on that no longer fit, they were filthy, clothes and skin.
"What has happened here?" the Dauphin asked of some of the older boys.
He frowned when he went unanswered, they seemed skittish around Marie, that's when he noticed all of the children were boys, no girls.
He turned back to Marie putting his hand on their joined ones, "Marie will you wait for me by the horses please?" he asked.
She nodded with a half smile. She went over and pulled a couple of treats out for the horses and fed it to them while Francis talked to the boys. He came over a few minutes later.
"It seems they have not seen many girls," he smiled at her.
'What? How is that possible?" she asked.
"Some of the older ones have said there were a couple of girls here a few years ago but one left to get married and another died of sickness. There has been nobody to care for them for a long time after the mistress died of the same affliction."
'They are all alone?" She looked at one group of boys in particular, one held a toddler in his lap and the other a smaller infant. "That's awful, we must do something to help them Francis!"
He smiled "we will, but in the meantime we need to take them back to the castle. There are a lot of them though and we don't have enough horses."
Just then the guards came back, "your majesties, the mistress and a few others are dead inside. We have removed their bodies to the back to be buried and opened the windows to clear out the stench."
Both Francis and Marie nodded, 'thank you," they murmured.
Francis looked around, "I need to go back for horses and men, we are not far from the castle but I don't want to leave you behind Marie."
She smiled, I will be fine. "Leave four of the guards and you take the rest with you to get horses and men and let the King and Queen know about the situation. I will see if there are enough supplies to make them something to eat while you are gone and the guards can bury those that need to be laid to rest. We need to take them to the castle though so they can get properly cleaned and be checked out by Nostradamus. I'm especially worried about that infant over there. Have Lola and Greer come with you, they both ride well and they can help with the boys."
Francis nodded, he gave her a hug, 'I'll be back soon," he told her with a smile as he rode off.
She looked around, the stench would be too bad in the house. She called the guards over and ordered one to go into the storeroom and find her some meat for a stew while she sent another into the house to fetch all of the food supplies so she could see what she had to work with.
There was an outdoor cook area and so she gathered the boys around. "Are we hungry?" she asked smiling.
The boys began smiling back nodding. "We will need to build a fire," she indicated the outdoor cook area. "Will you help me gather wood and peet?"
They nodded eagerly taking off. She offered to take the baby from the one boy and he gave him to her reluctantly. One of the guards has just finished bringing her the food from inside the house and she asked him to find her something for the baby to lay in, preferably a basket with some blankets.
Meanwhile Marie set to work and was pleased to find carrots, onions, parsnips and more veggies that could be used for a stew. Two guards stayed within sight of her at all times, they would not negotiate with her saying it was the Dauphin's orders. She sighed, "very well, 2 of you go start digging graves please. We'll have more help as soon as the Dauphin returns."
Marie placed the baby in the basket and he started to fuss. She looked around and saw a goat, she assumed that's how the baby was surviving and she had one of the other boys milk it and feed the baby while the others were gathering firewood. Soon the fire was roaring and she asked for someone to bring water so they could clean out the large cooking pot as she began cutting up veggies and slicing meat.
Afterwards, the boys sat around the fire enjoying its warmth and the aroma coming out of the pot.
Marie was holding the baby and feeding him when Francis rode back up with a dozen men, 6 servants and her 2 ladies as well as many horses with extra guards.
The boys around her became skittish, "It's alright," she told them. They are here to help." She assured them.
"Marie!" Lola and Greer ran over to her. Marie smiled, "Here Greer can you finish feeding him?"
"Of course."
"Lola if you can help me stir the stew and then we can begin serving soon."
Marie sent one of the guards into the house for dishes as she went over to speak with Francis. "One of the boys told me they have been alone since winter's end," she told him as they strolled along. "The baby was left here about a month ago, abandoned. Some of the older boys have tried to hunt but they have been surviving on meat alone as none of them know how to cook."
He nodded as they went over to the guards, "four of you go help bury the dead," he ordered. They bowed and went to do as he asked as he told the others to form a perimeter for security.
"My parents are very upset this has happened and that nobody has deemed it necessary to inform them of the state of the orphanage,' he told her.
"I was thinking Francis, what if we take this project on ourselves?"
"In what way?" he asked curiously. "You can't mean to take care of them?"
'No of course not, we have other duties to our people, but I mean financially and to gain some recognition and supporters for the upkeep of the facility. I was thinking of a charity ball and festival," she said. "I'm sure your Mother and even your Sister Elizabeth would help out," she smiled.
He smiled, "your love for my people touches me deeply,' he told her as he cupped her cheek.
She smiled, "they are our people," and they are only here because of such tragedy, to lose one's parents so early in life. We are the lucky ones, to have been born Royal without a care in the world usually."
He nodded, "let's see if we still agree it was luck to be born royal later in life," he teased, making her laugh.
"The stew should be ready, I'll get Lola to help me serve the boys."
After the boys ate there were many smiles on their faces. Everyone went to say prayers over those that had been buried and then the group began organizing for the ride back to the castle.
"The children that could ride were put upon horses, the ones that could not were put with some of the men leaving the guards free to defend if necessary.
"Mount up!" Francis ordered as he helped Marie into her saddle. He stayed there looking into her eyes for a moment.
"What is it?" he asked.
'Nothing, I'll tell you later," he promised.
She smiled as he mounted his own horse and motioned for them to move out. They went at a slower pace and as they neared the castle Francis ordered 2 guards to ride ahead and let the castle know they were close by.
As they entered the castle Francis saw his Mother and Father watching from a doorway as well as many other royals who had come out.
"Henry how did this happen on our watch?" his Queen asked him.
"We're going to find out," he promised.
The children were ushered inside into the west wing of the castle where there were no occupants. Pallets were made up and baths ordered so that the physicians could look the children over after they were clean. Marie and Francis assured the boys they would be looked after and they would return shortly as they went to join his parents in a private parlor so they could discuss the situation.
Francis and Marie relayed the information they had gleaned as well as the status of the property. "Those poor boys, all this time with nobody to care for them," the Queen said.
Marie looked at Francis and he nodded.
"Francis and I would like to hold a Charity Ball and Festival" she told them both. "All proceeds will go to fixing up the house and property of the orphanage as well as its upkeep and supply and of course caretakers."
"That's a wonderful idea, Marie!" Katherine said.
She smiled, "I have some ideas but I was hoping you would help me and perhaps Princess Elizabeth would like to help plan and coordinate as well?"
The Queen nodded, "of course. Let's discuss it tomorrow in more detail."
"Francis, are you hungry? We missed breakfast," she asked.
He nodded, "Yes, we didn't eat the stew as the boys finished it all," he told his mother.
"Stew?" she asked.
"While I came back to the castle Marie made a stew to feed the boys. I'm sure they would love more to eat though, many of them look malnourished."
"So thoughtful Marie and I had no idea you could cook."
She smiled, "I often watched the kitchen staff in Scotland, and it's much colder there for longer periods of time than here in France. I mostly wanted to have the knowledge in case I ever need to survive on my own," she confided.
"Well, let's hope we never need to test that," Katherine told her. "You two go get something to eat and then we'll go check on the boys, shall we."
Marie and Francis went to the dining room where Francis asked a servant to bring them something to eat.
"Francis do you want to help plan the charity ball and festival or would you prefer I do it?" she asked.
"I'm not sure I'd be much help,' he confessed.
She laughed, "very well, I will coordinate with your Mother and Elizabeth. However, I do have a request of you…"
'Yes?"
"Would you make the arrangements and be in charge of security for both events? There's nobody I trust more than you with our protection and that of our people."
He smiled, "Of course, thank you for finding me something I could do to help. I was feeling bad about leaving everything to you."
She giggled, "that is a Queen's work,' she said being sassy, "a king's work is protection, security and stability, and of course to support his queen as she does him."
"Is that all?" he asked raising an eyebrow watching her laugh.
"What did you want to tell me earlier that had to wait?" she asked taking a drink of water.
"Only that I was very proud of you today Marie. You heart is so big and you always help no matter what. Your compassion for the people makes me love you even more and they see your kindness as well."
"Oh Francis," she hugged him. "There are so many in need, I wish we could do more to help."
"Perhaps I could speak with my parents and we could start visiting villages to see where help is needed most?" he asked.
"I would like that," she said. "Do you think they will allow it?"
"With enough precautions, yes, and I heard my father saying just the other day that the people love seeing us and it seems to be boosting morale and providing more stability for France as they get to know us."
"Maybe we should bring that up after the Charity events," she suggested.
"That, my dear, is a brilliant idea," he laughed as they began to eat.
Afterwards, they checked on the boys who were all clean and most were resting on a pallet. She smiled, "it feels so good to help," she told her best friend.
He agreed as walked back out letting the boys adjust to this new environment.
"Father wants me to sit in on a council meeting so I must go," he said. "I'll see you later?"
"Of course," she said, "have fun!"
Francis rolled his eyes, "someday I'm going to figure out a way to sneak you in and we'll see how much fun you think they are then."
She smirked, "maybe don't work very hard at that plan," she snickered watching him walk away.
Marie went to find her Ladies, she wanted to talk to them about the Charity Ball and Festival.
"Kenna!" Marie called. "Will all four of you meet me in my chambers?"
Soon all four ladies were gathered around their Queen making plans for the Ball and Festival.
"For the festival I'd like a main event to be a horse race but just for children."
"Lola you can race in it too so I won't be the only female."
"Marie you are a queen you can't horse race!" Aylee told her.
'I sure can and I will," she laughed. "I'd also like to find a high end raffle item to give away to a lucky winner to raise money," she told them.
"King Henry just bought 50 Arabian Horses, maybe he would donate one for the raffle," Greer told her.
Marie pulled out a piece of paper and began writing ideas down so she could present them to Katherine tomorrow:
Charity Ball
Male Raffle Item:
Female Raffle Item:
Ball Entrance Fee:
Donation Chest:
100 Levers to Dance with any other 'unattached 'person of choice; Engaged couples have the option of declining.
Charity Festival
Children's Raffle Item:
Horse Race Prize:
Festival Entrance Fee:
Relay Races
Obstacle Course
General Prizes
"Excellent girls! I hope you all will help me coordinate this with the Queen and Princess Elizabeth."
They all nodded excitedly. "Alright Greer, you coordinate Food & Beverages, Aylee & Kenna, Ball decorations and Lola Festival Booths and decorations. Sound good?"
The girls all nodded laughing, racing away to get started.
The next day Marie found Queen Katherine and they sat down to look over plans for both events and a day that would work to hold both.
"We will donate one of the Arabian horses for one of the prizes,' she said, "and we have a lovely vanity table and mirror that was just refinished for the women's prize. As for the children's general prizes I'll have some of the servants go through toys and stuffed animals in the attic. For the horse race, why don't we offer up a horse for the first 3 winners."
Marie smiled, "that would be lovely. I would like the horse races to be the main attractions. There will be a distance horse race and also one with jumps. The orphans may ride if they wish for free but there should be an entrance fee for everyone of noble and royal birth. I am hoping it will attract a lot of attention since Francis and I will be racing."
"Marie are you sure, it's not quite becoming for a female let alone a royal to horse race. I'm not saying you cannot, just think about it please."
"I am an excellent rider, don't worry Katherine. Francis has taught me well, you will see."
Afterwards, Katherine took her hand, "my dear, I know you are excited to be holding these events and you want to help and that is admirable but I need to talk to you about something else as well."
'Of course," Marie said looking up at her. "What is it?
"We've uncovered a plot in recent days that was a threat to you, assassins were sent but caught and detained. I've already told Francis, my dear but we need to add extra security to you and will have to do even more so with these events."
Marie nodded sadly, 'I understand, what do you require of me?"
"You will have 2 guards with you at all times while here in the castle, even if Francis is with you. Double the guards outdoors."
"That seems excessive," she said warily. "Did something else happen?"
"These are just precautionary," she told her, "but during the ball and festival we would like to you to be with someone else at all times. Francis, will of course be at your side but if you two should need to separate perhaps your Ladies will accompany you?"
Marie nodded, "I will see to it," she promised. "I've felt safer in France than I ever did back home in Scotland, thank you, Katherine."
"It's our pleasure dear, you are like a daughter to us and we are eager to welcome you into our family when you Francis are wed," she smiled.
Marie gave her a kiss on the cheek . The festival and ball would be held in a week's time a few weeks before the harvest festival. That gave her and the girls plenty of time to shop, organize and decorate.
She was walking back to her chambers when she heard footsteps behind her. Expecting Francis or one of her ladies she turned around and was startled to see 6 men advancing on her.
'Guards!" she yelled. She backed up and started running, still calling for guards wondering why nobody was coming. She ran into her room securing the door just barely before they reached it. She looked around seeing no escape, and then she remembered the secret passageways. She and Francis explored them together a lot, she raced to the entrance and closed the door firmly. She hadn't thought to grab a candle and it was very dark but she moved quickly. She knew Francis was in with his father and their advisors, she headed down the passageways to the hall that connected the war room and slid in, thankful it was hidden by a tapestry.
She revealed herself walking into the room, to see the King and Francis and 6 other men in the room. "Marie, what is it?" Francis asked rushing over to her. He knew she would not interrupt unless there was something wrong.
"Marie, are you alright?" King Henry asked.
She shook her head and the King dismissed the advisors. When they were gone she continued, "6 men tried to grab me on my way to my chambers a few minutes ago,' she said trying not to show how scared she was. "I called for guards several times and nobody was around. I was able to get into the passageways and this is the only one I remembered without having a candle," she admitted. "I'm sorry to interrupt," she said softly.
Francis hugged her, "you're okay Marie." He watched his father rush out of the room to deal with the situation. "You did well,' he smiled, "you got away and that is the most important thing!"
She nodded. They stood there for a moment before Katherine rushed in, "Marie are you alright?" she asked looking at them both.
"Yes, I got away. I didn't mean to interrupt the King but I didn't have a candle in the passageways and this is the one Francis and I have traveled the most."
"Don't you worry about that," she comforted her. We're just glad you're alright. King Henry has sent guards to apprehend those men and you're guards will be punished for not being at their posts. 'Come, let us go visit Elizabeth and we'll talk more about your events," she said trying to distract the young girl of the evening's events. She nodded as Francis took her hand and led her out of the room to go visit his older sister.