Chapter 21

March 1560
Marie 8 Years
Francis 10 Years

"Marie where are you going, you're supposed to be going to needlepoint," he smirked. She waved him off, "I get to choose what we do today, remember?" she teased "and I choose to skip sewing," she laughed making a face. He knew she disliked that class.

Marie walked out of the castle with Francis at her side, as soon as they were clear of the door she was off and running with him at her side. She ran straight to the stables, "she had missed her horse, Rose, over the winter, and she had brought her treats.

"Francis, where is Rose? She is not in her normal stall," she said worriedly.

He smiled, as he walked her over to a different stable and her eyes lit up as she ran and hugged her. She talked to her for a few minutes, petting her nose and feeding her the treats.

"Why is she housed here and not where she normally is?" she asked him.

"Well that is a surprise," he told her. "You're not going to be able to ride Rose for at least a few more months," he explained.

"Why not? Is something wrong with her?" she asked worriedly.

"He shook his head, "she's going to have a foal in the next few months," he announced.

"Oh really?" she asked excited.

Francis nodded. "Which means I get to gift you another horse and you will be the proud owner of two horses and a foal in the spring!" he told her gleefully.

"Francis, you don't have to do that, I could buy my own horse," she told him.

He shook his head, "I have far too many horses, I can't ride them all and you know I prefer to ride the same horse."

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "besides I enjoy giving you things, let me have that pleasure at least?"

She smiled, "alright." They walked back to the first stables which were all of Francis' horses and he told her to pick one. The one she was most drawn to was a giant black stallion. He was strong but took a liking to her right away and she laughed. "May I have this one Francis?" she asked.

"Are you sure Marie? He will be much harder to handle than Rose, and a great deal stronger and faster."

She nodded, "He is the one, I know it!" she said laughing.

Francis ordered the two horses saddled and they walked a short distance to retrieve some guards to escort them.

"It will be different riding in a saddle again," she told him as he helped her up. This horse was much taller than rose."

"Ah yes you rode bareback for the most part while you were gone, didn't you?"

She nodded, "it is a lot of fun, you should try it sometime," she said laughing.

They started off slow so the new stallion and Marie could become accustomed to each other. "He felt so powerful under her but he seemed to have a gentle touch with her. After awhile she looked back at Francis laughing, "let's do it!" she took off like a bullet and she felt like she was flying!" She beat Francis easily and she laughed as she pulled up to wait for him.

"Francis I love him, he's amazing," she giggled.

He shook his head, "you love him because he allowed you to beat me," he smirked.

She shook her head, "no I felt like I was flying! It was amazing!"

They decided to let the horses cool down so Francis helped Marie off her horse and they walked over into the shade.

"What will you name him?" he asked.

She thought about it for a minute and then said, "His name is King!"

"Why King? Francis was curious. Usually girls named horses are things in nature or things that meant something to them.

She smiled, tugging on his hand to come sit by her.

"Because he was given to me out of love by you, and you will be my King someday. And because he reminds me of you, strong and powerful but gentle and compassionate," she told him.

"That's beautiful Marie, I'm honored," he told her, the love he had for her shining out of his eyes.

They stayed for a few minutes longer and then headed back to the castle. The dance lessons would start soon and they were both looking forward to those.

They entered the ballroom a few minutes before the instruction was to begin and Marie immediately noticed all the girls begin whispering.

She smiled softly at Francis, "I think they are jealous," she laughed as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.

"Let them," he said. "I have everything I want right here," he assured her.

"Will you be joining us today, your majesty?" the instructor bowed.

Francis smiled, "Yes, I will be attending dance class with Marie until she is finished from now on."

Marie smiled, "dance class might just be fun now," she whispered.

"Once you have mastered dance class perhaps mother will allow you to come to more parties," he encouraged.

He saw her look of excitement and he shook her head.

The instructor started and Marie was sure she didn't hear a word he said, the moves seemed to come automatically today. She was lost in Francis' eyes as they spun and twirled gracefully. The only hitch was in one of the dances where you had multiple partners and one of the girls tried to hang onto Francis. She laughed when he swatted her off like a bug and returned to her like nothing had happened getting them back up to speed in no time with the other dancers. She laughed throughout the class and couldn't believe the two hours went by so fast. He bowed and she curtsied as the class ended.

They were having a drink from the table before leaving when the instructor came over to speak with them. "Marie, you were much more focused today and you danced beautifully!" he encouraged her. "Perhaps we just needed the right partner for you," he murmured. Marie smiled catching Francis eye, "Thank you," she said.

Francis noticed the other girls standing in a corner and it looked like a few of them were trying to get the courage up to come over and speak to him.

"Marie, are the other girls friendly to you normally here?" he asked curiously.

"She shrugged, "none of them have talked to me or invited me to join them she said. I thought maybe it was because I am a Queen but now I'm guessing its because of you," she laughed.

"Shall we show off a bit?" he asked her.

Her eyes glowed and she nodded "yes'.

"You remember the hand dance we've been practicing that you love?'

She almost squealed in excitement, "that dance is beautiful," she told him. "It's my favorite."

"I know and its two years ahead of where you are in class now, so not only will we show off how beautiful you are but we will also show your instructor how advanced you are and maybe those girls will stop trying to encourage each other to come over here," he laughed.

"Let them come over here, I'll protect you," she promised.

"I have no doubt," he told her as he pulled her to the floor ordering the music he wanted for them from the musicians.

Her instructor looked flabbergasted and impressed at the same time even before they began.

Francis kissed her knuckles as she did his. They joined their hands, palm to palm, elbow to elbow, first one and then the other. He gracefully twirled her around bringing her back to him before they raised their arms above their heads to meet, dancing smoothly. Marie kept her eyes on his smiling. She twirled out once, twice, thrice before coming back to him where their hands met behind her back. It was like each knew exactly what the other was going to do and when. They were fluid and graceful.

Francis smiled, she was a beautiful dancer already and they always got lost in this one, it was also his favorite with her. He put his palm on her cheek as she did on his as they stared at each other, showing the other with their eyes how much they loved each other and at the end he went down on one knee, looking up at her with great respect and she placed her hand on his cheek which he covered with his own as he stood up again, covering both of her hands with his.

They looked over at their audience for a moment before bringing their eyes back to each other.

"Bravo! Marie!" The instructor rushed over and praised her again. "That was very impressive, that is the last dance we teach and you have learned it perfectly with no formal instruction."

Marie smiled as she looked over at him, "thank you," she said, "but I had a wonderful teacher," she said looking back at Francis."

He smiled as he held his hand out for her to escort her out of the ballroom which she placed into his as they left. Marie saw out of the corner of her eye a couple of the girls giving her a mean glare while the others were standing with their mouths open.

As soon as they were out of earshot they laughed heading for the nearest exit and running to their favorite spot near a tree.

Marie was giggling and couldn't stop, "that was great fun Francis! Did you see the looks on all of their faces?" she asked.

He smiled, "all you needed was the proper motivation," he laughed "and yes, though I fear you have made a few enemies."

She waved her hand, "those girls don't want to be my friend and I'm not naive enough to think they would. You, on the other hand, they definitely want to be your friend," she giggled.

"Why would I pay any attention to them when I have the most beautiful girl dancing with me?" he asked seriously.

She smiled, "I think I'm going to look forward to this part of my week from now on," she promised. "It's lovely outside today, should we read your book out here?" she asked.

"That sounds wonderful," he said. They walked back to retrieve the book and were on their way back outside when they ran into his mother.

"Marie! I've just had a raving report from your dance instructor. He tells me you were much more focused today and danced beautifully" she beamed.

Marie and Francis both smiled as she nodded in agreement. "It's difficult to be focused when your partner is always stepping on your feet and fumbling," she told the Queen, and especially, when the others are laughing at you through no fault of your own."

"Indeed,' she said. "And why haven't you brought this up before? This kind of behavior is not tolerated and you know it."

She shrugged, "Don't worry, Francis has agreed to come to dance with me from now on so it won't be an issue," she said smiling widely. "The other girls definitely don't want anything to do with me anymore, just him,"Marie laughed.

"Yes," the Queen said dryly, "Francis is quite thoughtful, especially when it benefits him."

She laughed with her son eyed her suspiciously.

And," the Queen went on, "He tells me that Francis has taught you one of the more difficult dances and you have mastered it, I'm quite impressed!" she said.

Marie nodded, "It's our favorite dance so far," she said excitedly.

"Very good, why don't you and Francis attend the ball we are having in a few weeks time, King Henry and I would like to request your presence, and you two will perform the opening royal dance." she told them both.

"That would be lovely!" Marie said and Francis nodded his head in agreement as the Queen went on her way.

They headed back outside with the book and found a comfortable spot under their favorite tree and Marie began reading from the beginning. They came into a rhythm where he would read the right page and she the left, helping her with words she didn't quite know yet.

They sat, holding hands, stopping every so often to feel the wind in their hair and watch the sun move across the sky until it was too dark to read.