Disclaimer: I do not own the names to any character from the movie but Ellie and Lance are mine and may not be used without permission
This is my first attempt at fan fiction. Have read many different stories and have decided to make my own continuation of the story. Please review and let me know if worth continuing on from here.
From Pauper to Princess Chapter 1
It had been a month since Rodmilla and Marguerite had been stripped of titles and sent to work in laundry. Rodmilla not to keen on the idea became very unruly and attempted to murder a royal page. The king not too happy with this display had her shipped to the Americas on the first boat out. Marguerite, alone, scared and humbled, continued to work in laundry but was also given other tasks including helping her sister, Jacqueline, as her maid.
Jacqueline was engaged to the handsome captain of the guard Laurent. He proposed just a few days after the incident with her mother and sister. The king and queen insisted she remain in the castle until another manor could be built for the couple. Jacqueline was also given the title Baroness Jacqueline de Ghent.
Danielle and Henry we enjoying each other's company as most newlyweds do. Most days were spent in the gardens or Amboise. Lately Henry had been getting up before dawn to meet with his father and would not return sometimes until after lunch. Our story begins on one such morning.
Danielle awoke and reached over to Henrys side of the bed only to find him not there. Saddened, she decided to get up and find her beloved husband. As she walked into her dressing chamber she was startled to see her lady in waiting, Elizabeth. Ellie, as Danielle had started to call her, was also startled. She was in the process of setting out the princess' dress for today and was so startled she bumped into Danielle's make-up table knocking over a bottle of perfume.
"Oh, your highness. I am sorry. How silly of me. I am so clumsy. I will clean it up at once."
"Nonsense Ellie. It was my fault. I did not know you were in here. It will be ok. We will clean it up and all will be fine. Now help me get dressed so I can find where my silly husband got off to again this morning."
As she was dressing she thought about Ellie and how much she reminded her of herself at that age. Ellie was only 15, which was very young to be a lady in waiting to a princess. Her parents had died at the hands of gypsies when she was only 10. Her parents were personal servants for the King and Queen and when the Royal Party was ambushed all the servants in the carriage were killed. Ellie would have been killed to but the Queen had insisted she stay with her in her carriage, as the Queen was quite fond of her. The Queen felt responsible so she insisted that Ellie be raised in the castle and be trained to be a lady in waiting. When Danielle first came to the castle, she was staying gin the guest quarters and was assigned to Ellie. Danielle immediately took a liking to her and insisted she remain her lady in waiting. Ellie was a very strong young woman who in her spare time loved to read and spend time in the gardens. Danielle and Ellie had become great friends.
After Danielle was finished dressing she knew it was getting close to lunch so she decided that she would go look for Henry in the dining chambers. When she opened her door she said her good morning to the guard posted outside her door. How she hated the guards. Always following her wherever she went. She was never alone. But Henry insisted they be with her at all times and if that was what Henry wanted than she was only more than happy to oblige him.
"Good Morning Lance."
"Good Morning, your highness. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes Lance. Thank you. You haven't seen my sneaky husband this morning have you?"
"Sorry your highness. I just started shift a few minutes ago."
"Thank you Lance. I trust then you will be with me the duration of today?"
Lance only bowed. He had been a member of the Royal Guard for 5 yrs. He most recently was promoted to guarding the princess when Captain Laurent was looking for more men to take on positions guarding the princess. He was chosen for his superior swordsmanship and gentle manner, as only the best made it by Prince Henry's rigorous standards.
Danielle smiled at her guard and continued to the dining chambers. She waved and said hello to everyone she saw in the castle. She was beginning to grow weary of castle life and wished for the time when she could go to the manor and get her hands dirty. Henry had told her that they could spend a month's time there when it was finished being repaired as years of neglect had taken its toll on the Manor de Barbarac.
As Danielle entered the dining hall she was quickly scanned for Henry and was crestfallen to find him not there. Queen Marie was there sipping on tea and noticed the sudden change in demeanor in Danielle.
"Danielle dear, whatever is the matter?"
"Good morning mother. I'm sorry. I was hoping I could find Henry in here."
"Don't worry dear. Henry and Francis will be along shortly. They are just finishing up some work." She though quickly as to what would cheer her beloved daughter-in-law up.
"Danielle, I forgot to tell you. I invited Jacqueline and Laurent to lunch with us this afternoon."
Danielle instantly smiled. "Oh mother! It has been days since I have seen Jacqueline and Laurent. Thank you so much." She walked over and gave her mother-in-law a hug. It felt so good to have a mother.
At that moment Jacqueline and Laurent walked in the door. "I hope we are not interrupting anything." Laurent said as he bowed.
"Of course not. We were just discussing you actually." Danielle went over and hugged her stepsister and her handsome fiancé. "How have you been? Are the wedding plans coming along?"
"Oh yes. My gown is coming from a dressmaker in Paris and will be ready next week. I feel it may have to be taken in again though as I seem to be losing weight rather quickly." Jacqueline said shyly. Danielle took another look at her beloved sister and agreed that she had lost weight.
"I see love has done you good. I always knew you would find happiness." Danielle smiled at her friends. "Lets sit down shall we?"
As they were sitting down at the table Henry and Francis burst through the door and were in an animate conversation. When they realized they were being watched the both sheepishly quieted down and looked at each embarrassed.
"HENRY!!" Danielle jumped from her chair and into Henry's waiting arms. "I missed you this morning. I thought you promised you would stay in bed this morning."
"I'm sorry milady. I had important issue that couldn't be put off any longer. I promise it will all be made up in due time. I know this is hard for you. But do understand I am the future king and have to attend to my duties."
"I understand, milord. It is very lonely to wake up and find a cold empty spot in the bed."
King Francis couldn't help but over hearing the conversation between the young couple. He looked at his wife and she gave him a slight nod and a smile and he knew he was making the right decision.
"Henry, Danielle, I think it is time you had your honeymoon. Henry's work with the Spanish treaty is almost complete and you haven't had any time together. Danielle, you have been moping around the castle missing your dear husband. So in 2 weeks time you shall go away to Paris and spend a month on your royal honeymoon at the chateau."
Henry looked at Danielle who was shocked. Did the king just tell them they could spend all the time they wanted together for a month with no work interruptions? She was beside herself when she realized something.
"But father. We will not be here for Jacqueline and Laurent's wedding. Is there anyway to push the time back?" Danielle had a look of extreme worry at the thought of missing her sisters wedding.
Jacqueline cleared her throat and said, "If I may tell Danielle your majesty." Francis nodded and she continued, "Danielle, Marc and I have decided to get married in 2 weeks. We also will be celebrating our honeymoon with you. The chateau is large enough and you won't even know we are there. Of course if you would rather…." She was cut off by Danielle hugging her and saying "Jackie you will do no such thing. Henry and I would love to share the chateau with you. It will be lovely."
Queen Marie cleared her throat and asked, "Can we eat now? My tea is getting cold."
After lunch, Henry and Danielle were walking through gardens on their way to there favorite spot to read Utopia. They were chatting about the manor, the upcoming wedding and of course the honeymoon. It was all Danielle could think about. She finally was going to be alone with Henry whenever she wanted. She was also excited about the manor. She knew Henry had a surprise in store for her at the manor but she had no idea what. She hadn't seen the manor in almost 2 months and missed it terribly. But leave it to Henry to make it up to her.
As they reached there spot Henry nodded to Lance and he bowed and stood out of earshot but close enough to know if something was wrong. Henry took his wife into is arms and hugged her tight. How lucky he was to have finally found his perfect match. He would give his own life for hers.
"Danielle? I love you. Do you know that?" Henry spoke tenderly.
"Yes, milord. I do. You tell me everyday. And I love you too."
"Well then I have news that will make you love me more." Henry returned with a gleam in his eye.
"I do say milord I don't think that is possible but you can try." She said curiously.
"What would you say if I told you that tomorrow you and I were going to spend the entire day together at the manor?"
"If your are lying dear husband then I shall slug you." She giggled "But if you are sincere than you have made the happiest woman alive."
"I am sincere milady. The manor is just about ready and I feel it is ready for us to visit. I hope you like the small changes I have made."
Danielle looked into her husband's eyes and say them glittering with joy and love. She kissed him over and over. He returned her kisses and soon they were lost within there own world of passion and love for each other.
That's it for now. This took forever to write but the ideas are just flowing. I am currently working on Chapter 2 and will continue the saga as long as I can and as long as response is good. Stay tuned for Chapter 2: The Manor de Barbarac
