AN : Heyy ) Thank you so much to everyone who support(ed) my other fanfics, I hope you'll enjoy this one as much as the others. (Especially Ruby since I've been teasing her with this forever ;) sorry… but not too sorry dearie ;) )
Here is another one shot : It's set in 1x21 Long Live the King. I wanted to develop the conversation between Francis and Henry when they were going hunting. I wanted to see a real father & son conversation, I wanted Henry to realise what he had missed…
Disclaimer : I own nothing and no plagiarism is intended :)
Father & Son
Francis was on his horse beside his father, while sitting on the saddle, he thought of the things they had gone through in the last few days. The hunting trip that was initially meant to last only a day, was in fact lasting since more than a week. In Northern France the weather was cold in winter and the snow had made all roads back to the castle impassable. They were sleeping in small tents since several nights, Francis even slept with his father because, thinking they would go back to the castle before night, they had not brought enough furniture. The night air was biting cold but these were among the best days the Dauphin had ever lived. Here, away from politics and demanding people, he had the chance to have his father to himself.
The King, sat on his horse next to his son, he too was thinking of the situation they were going through. The trip was lasting more than it should have but Henry wasn't bothered by it. In fact, helped by the fresh air, his sanity, that he had felt slowly slipping away, seemed to return day by day. He must admit that he enjoyed this time away from court and all his responsibilities… Time to clear his mind, to have a new perspective on things. Time with his son, he had realised a few days ago, that he really should have spent more time with his boy and that he didn't deserve the admiration he saw shining in his heir's eyes.
When Henry came out of his thoughts, he realised that the sun was beginning to set behind the trees.
"Francis – he called his son, taking him away from his own thoughts – the sun is setting, I think it's best if we stop here for the night so we wouldn't risk to be trapped by the snow here in the woods."
"Yes, father" Replied Francis, smiling at the King.
For the next hour, the two Royals and the few men they had brought with them installed their camp. As every night, the King and the Dauphin put up their own tent. Once done from driving the last tent peg, Henry got up and smiled at his son. "All set, and in ten minutes, we are quite the team of tent builders – he said while looking towards the guards who were still struggling."
They both laughed at this comment, but Henry didn't realise how much, him saying that, meant to Francis.
Later, when the night had fallen, they all gathered around the fire and sat on tree trunks. The guards were discussing together a little further away and the Royals were eating side by side.
"Ah ! There's nothing quite like a freshly killed stag… Back at court with all their complicated and elaborated meals… pff… they're ridiculous."
His father spoke with such nonchalance that Francis couldn't help but laugh.
"But it's the truth… ahh… what do you want ? It's court after all…" Continued the King and the Dauphin laughed even more.
"I thought I was the only one to think that…" Admitted Francis between two laughs.
"Oh no" Answered the King and joined his son's laughter.
The dinner went well, they had nearly finished their meal and the two men were having a joyful conversation but something was bothering Francis… he had not yet talked to his father about his plan to conquer England. He didn't know how to address that issue with him. The King seemed to be quite recovered from what was affecting him back at court but… even in normal time, his father was not someone to be toyed with or to contradict too much.
But before the Dauphin could twist his thoughts into knots, the King intervened while looking straight into his heir's eyes with that piercing stare of his : "Maybe once we are alone you'll manage to tell me what you've been trying to say since eight days ?"
Francis was stunned, his eyes were wide open and he hadn't realised he was gapping until his father broke with laughter. "Francis, you thought I didn't notice ?" he asked, still smiling.
"Ahh Francis, you can't teach an old dog new tricks." The King said while getting up and placing his hand on his son's shoulder before going into their shared tent.
Francis smiled when he heard Henry's words, but worry came back in him the moment he thought about the impending conversation he was about to have with his father and King. The only thing that reassured him a little was that he had heard no hint of reproach or suspicion in Henry's voice…
A few minutes later, when the Dauphin had sufficiently thought about the best way to address the King, he got up and took a deep breath before entering the tent.
When his son entered their shared accommodations, the King was just sitting on what served as a bed. He had just finished to change into what he used as his night clothes and was waiting for his son.
"Why don't you change first and then we can address whatever it is you want to talk to me about." Suggested Henry.
Francis nodded and did just that. Then, he too sat on his plank bed and tried to gather the courage to speak.
"You can speak freely Francis – Henry once again interrupted the Dauphin's mind – I won't eat you, I promise – he tried to lighten the atmosphere. *What could possibly be so dire that he was so afraid to talk to him ?* thought the King." His last words succeeded in putting a slight smile on the French throne's heir and to finally make him speak.
"Why do you push so hard to conquer England ?"
"Oh forget about England, it was a poisonous thought my advisors had put inside my head. Now that I've had the occasion, thanks to you, to see things in a different view, I realise that it is in no way the right time for that." While he spoke, Henry saw relief flood all over Francis's face.
"But, to answer your question, I suppose I am more ambitious than most Kings – he hesitated before continuing, knowing that this subject would not remind him of the happiest time of his life – It was my father who taught me to push hard… oh he expected a great deal from his sons…"
Seeing his son's silent face, the King decided to continue with his story, the story of his childhood, the story of his life.
"Did you know he was captured by the Spaniards ? – he looked into his son's eyes and immediately saw that he wasn't aware, how could he be ? He had never told his story to anyone – I was six or seven at the time, they imprisoned him in Madrid, under the cruellest conditions – the King averted his eyes from his son's, the memories too painful for him to relate while looking into Francis' gaze – One day, my brother and I were taken to visit him, he saw our boat, he ran to us, I ran to him… – he explained, seeing his younger self running towards his father as if it was yesterday – he passed us by and jumped on the boat – he took a deep breath before continuing slowly – we've been traded as hostages, for his freedom – he looked back towards his son but never met his gaze, he couldn't ..."
Francis who listened to his father's story attentively, asked the question that was burning his lips and to which Henry had trouble responding. "Why did he let that happen ?"
The King exhaled before responding : "He was the one who arranged it…" He then finally looked back towards his son. "Sons must sacrifice for their fathers, this is it the lesson – he once again averted his eyes and inhaled before going on – I learned it with my brother… beaten and starved for three years – his tone became stern and cold when he thought about it and forced the words out of his mouth."
The Dauphin who had remained silent until now averted his eyes, clearly shocked by what he had just heard "Father…"
Henry decided to finish what he had started, else he feared he would never speak about that again "When we returned – he visibly struggled to utter the next words, barely above a whisper – there was no loving embrace – emotions rose in him and he had a hard time maintaining himself composed."
Francis was stunned, never had he seen his father so near to cry…
"He was a hard man to please…" Finished the King while looking back towards his son.
After a few moments, the Dauphin spoke, now he understood more of the complicated puzzle that was his father "Father it wasn't right – the emotions dancing in Henry's eyes disturbed and unsettled the young man, never had he seen his father, the strongest man he knew, like that – What he did to you, it wasn't right."
*Father* he had called him, thought Henry. How many years had he waited to be called like that… and now, he had wasted it all… he was becoming like his own father… "Francis, I'm sorry." These words passed Henry's lips without him noticing.
The young Dauphin was afraid that if he opened his eyes wider, they would leave his orbs. Was he dreaming or had his father just apologized ?
Upon seeing Francis' face the King explained further "I'm sorry not to be the father you deserve. You must believe me, I never wanted it to be like this between us."
"Oh – emotions rose in him again – how many years have I waited to be called "father"… I remember the day each of you and your brothers and sisters were born as if it had happened yesterday. But you… I think I haven't ever been happier than the day you came into this world. Oh, I remember it so vividly, your mother gripped my hand so tightly when she pushed to give birth to you that I thought she would break my fingers. And when, after two days of labour, at night, we finally heard your cry… after ten long years… we realised we had done it, we had a child, we had a son, we had you…
After nurturing you, your poor mother was so exhausted that she didn't have the strength to hold you anymore, she needed to sleep. But before she could give you to the woman who would then become your nanny, I took you in my arms… I stayed seated on a chair beside Catherine's sleeping form during the entire night. I held you for hours, not able to sleep or to tear my eyes away from the perfection that you were and that you still are. I couldn't believe that this baby was mine. You were the greatest thing I'd ever done, all the treaties I've made, all the wars and the battles were nothing compared to that. Nothing compared to what I felt when I held you in my arms for the first time."
Francis was speechless… of all the things he had imagine before having this conversation with his father, nothing could have prepared him to that. Such were his emotions that his eyes glistened with tears matching the brightness he saw in Henry's gaze.
"I beg of you to believe me Francis, I'm sorry, I never wanted to become my father… I…" that's when his son cut him and went to sit beside him.
"You're not him, father. You are absent but you're not him. You didn't send any of us away to be taken hostage in your place. You would never have done that." Francis was more than surprised by his father's words, he certainly had not been present enough but he couldn't let him believe that he became like his father, especially after what he had just told him.
"I… I don't know what to say… I'm unforgivable… despite what happened between your mother and I, it was never your fault or your siblings' and I never should have distanced myself like I did… I regret it so much…" he rubbed his face with his hand, after all the time he had lost, he didn't know how would be met his pleading.
He looked up into his son's eyes before uttering : "Do you think you could be able to give me another chance to be a proper father to you and every one of your siblings, not just a King ? I know I don't deserve any of it but…" before the King knew it, he was hugged by his son, at first he was surprised but quickly hugged him back.
"I've missed you, father" Said Francis, his words muffled by his father's shirt. Henry closed his eyes for a moment when he heard his heir's voice cracking with emotion. The King then comforted his son by caressing his hair "I'm here, now, I'm here."
Francis hugged him tighter, "Don't leave".
"I won't, ever." He had never realised until now how much his children had missed their father. "I'll make it better, I swear to you Francis."
When Francis released him to look into his eyes, to Henry it was like seeing his little boy once again. His little boy who, when he was younger, used to run towards his throne to go sit on his knees. His little boy who he used to take on rides around the lake. His little boy to whom he had learned archery and swordsmanship. His little boy who literally adored the ground he stood on and who loved him more than anyone apart from his mother, but how could he ever blame him for that, despite their differences, he couldn't have wished for a better mother to his children than Catherine… His little boy who he loved and would always love beyond all measure.
"How proud I am of the man you've become, I love you Francis, never forget that." Henry smiled at his son.
Francis answered with an even brighter smile "I love you too, father."
Both man once again hugged each other, maybe now everything would be alright… they didn't know, but they hoped… they hoped with all their hearts…
AN : So here it is ;) I hope you like it ;)
Ps : I'm a little bit out of my comfort zone so I hope what I wrote was alright…
As always, tell me what you think :)
Stay safe
Laura D.
