A half hour later the carriages were on their way. Henry was not speaking any more and neither was Francis. Marie knew how hurt her husband was. If only Henry could see that he was trying to change. Danielle, on the other, was not as understanding. She was fed up with Henry's childish ways. When night fell, the carriages stopped and tents were set up...one for the King and Queen and one for the Prince and Princess. Marie pulled Danielle over to the side when their husbands had gone in to sleep for the night.
"We have to do something about this, Mother. It's getting out of hand."
"I do not understand why this is such a big argument. Really, Danielle, Henry needs to know that Francis is trying his best to compromise. We both want you to have a wonderful honeymoon."
"I know. It's just his overprotectiveness of me, I guess. He doesn't want to leave me."
Marie smiled at her. "I understand, my dear. But this thing with Spain really does need to be worked out...if it's not, well, Francis is afraid that there could be some major consequences."
Danielle knew what her mother-in-law was speaking of without Marie having to put it into words. She sighed. "I will try again tonight. If he does not agree, I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do."
Marie squeezed the young woman into a hug. "I understand my dear. You are the best thing for my son right now. Go spend time with him. We will deal with Spain when we get there."
Danielle smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you. Goodnight." She went into her tent and Marie made her way over to hers. As she entered, she found Francis still awake, the lantern still lit.
"M'lord, I thought you would be asleep by now."
"I cannot sleep. There's too much to think about." Marie made her way over and sat on the cot next to him.
"Really Francis, we have three days until you have to meet with the King of Spain. Why not enjoy yourself until that time comes?" He looked at her and sighed.
"Why must you always have the right answer, m'lady?" She shrugged her shoulders.
"I have to make sure you do not wear yourself out. It's my duty as your wife." He smiled for the first time in awhile and put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her gently against him.
"Thank you, Marie. I do appreciate your input. Now, I believe we should get some sleep. We shall have much to discuss in the morning." Laterns were extinguished as the Royal Family went to sleep for the night. The guards eyes were carefully watching the surrounding fields. And another pair of eyes was watching the tents, watching every move that was made.
At dawn the next day, Marie awoke, finding Francis not in his cot. She got up and dressed for the day, a maid coming in to help her with her hair. She questioned the maid as to his whereabouts.
"His Majesty was speaking with Captain Laureant when I entered, Your Majesty."
"Thank you. You may go now." The maid curtsied and left Marie to her thoughts. She wanted to make sure she knew just what to say to Francis during the carriage ride to Spain. She knew how frustrated he was with Henry. He loved his son very much but also wanted to make sure that France was stable. She stepped out of the tent and breathed in the fresh air. It was nice to sleep outdoors sometimes. She found Francis speaking with Captain Laureant. The Captain bowed when he saw her.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
"Good morning, Captain. Are the Prince and Princess awake yet?"
"No, madame, they have not come out yet." Marie noticed the worry lines across Francis' forehead. She linked her arm through his.
"M'lord, don't you think it's time for that walk you promised me?" she asked sweetly. Francis looked at her confused but then nodded.
"Yes, it is. Excuse us, Captain." Captain Laureant bowed once more and then watched the King and Queen walk away. Not a minute later, Henry and Danielle emerged from their tent.
"Good morning, Your Highnesses." They both returned the Captains greeting.
"When are we to be on our way?" Henry questioned.
"As soon as the King and Queen are back from their walk."
"Oh, a walk sounds lovely. Let's take one ourselves, Henry." Henry really did not want to follow his parents but agreed. Danielle took his hand and smiled. This was just what she had been waiting for. They headed off in the same direction the King and Queen had taken.
Marie looked over at her husband and sighed. He hadn't even questioned her as to why she had lied about him promising her a walk. He was just silent.
"Francis, what is troubling you?"
"You know what is troubling me, Marie. I feel no need to explain it further." She stopped walking and he turned to look at her. "M'lady, I am too old and tired to be dealing with his childish games."
Marie's gaze softened as she saw the look of hurt in his eyes. She touched his cheek gently.
"Francis, I thought we agreed you wouldn't deal with this until we arrived in Spain." He clasped her hand in his and looked down.
"It is not that easy, Marie. I fear for the well-being of the people of France. If we do not attain this treaty with Spain, there is not telling what will happen in the next few months." He squeezed her hand. "I am afraid I have run out of answers." He pulled her towards him and looked her straight in the eye. "Tell me, Marie....tell me what to do!"
She couldn't stand to see him look so broken. She wanted to tell him that everything would work out, that Henry would come around. But she couldn't. Because she knew her son. And she knew that his love for his wife came first, not second to the people of France. She simply shook her head. "I do not know, Francis. I am sorry."
He sighed heavily. "I guess we will have to pray for the best." She nodded in agreement.
"Yes, we will." He raised her hand and kissed her fingers.
"Thank you for taking a walk with me, Marie. I'm glad you suggested it," he said, smiling for the first time that morning.
"I thought you would need one, m'lord." He stepped forward and pulled her into a cautious hug. She hesistated but then slipped her arms around his neck as he pulled her tighter. She feared for his health and his emotions. This was very unlike Francis.
"Mother, Father! There you are!" Francis quickly pulled away and turned with Marie to see Danielle walking towards them, dragging Henry behind. "We did not know where you had gone. The carriages are almost ready to leave."
"Thank you, Danielle," Marie said, noticing Henry's angry look. "How did you two sleep last night?"
"Oh, wonderfully. Didn't we Henry?"
"Yes, we did."
"And how did you two sleep last night?" Danielle questioned.
"We slept fine, thank you," Francis answered.
"Mother, walk with me back to the carriage won't you? I have something I want to talk to you about," Danielle said, letting go of Henry's hand and linking her arm through Marie's. Marie cast Francis a look of hope before walking off with Danielle. Francis heard Henry sigh heavily and turned to his son.
"What?" he asked. Henry looked at his father and then looked away as he began to walk towards the carriages.
"I was just wondering why Danielle insisted on taking a walk this morning. Now I know."
"So you would be stuck walking back with me, right?"
"Father...I do not want to get into a fight with you this morning."
"And I do not want that either." Henry stopped and looked at his father. Usually, the King would have insisted that they talk this matter out once and for all and get it over with.
"You don't?"
"No, I don't."
"Then why did Danielle bring me here?"
"I do not know why your wife brought you this way. I cannot speak for her."
"Why did Mother bring you here then?"
"Your Mother and I simply went for a walk. There was no other motive behind it." The two began walking again, silence coming over them. They were almost to the carriages when Henry stopped his father.
"Father, are you feeling alright?"
"Of course, why?" Francis asked, surprised at Henry's concern.
"It's just...well, nevermind."
"Nevermind? You cannot just ask me a question like that and then say nevermind. Out with it boy."
Henry cautiously approached the subject. "Well, on any other occasion, you would have insisted that we discuss the matter with Spain. But, you did not force me into it this morning. I was wondering if something was wrong."
"You think a man cannot change his ways, Henry?"
"Father...that's not what I meant."
"That is precisely what you meant. You think I am a mean-hearted old man who only cares about politics. Well, sir, I am afraid you are wrong," Francis yelled, anger permeating throughout his entire body. Marie and Danielle, who had been chatting at the carriages, heard him shouting and looked over.
"Oh dear," Marie sighed. "This is not good." They saw Francis storm away from Henry, headed straight for the carriage. He got inside and slammed the door shut, leaving a stunned Henry to walk over to his wife and mother alone.
"Henry, what happened?" Danielle asked.
"I...I do not really know. Mother, is he alright? I just asked how he was feeling and it just all blew up from there."
"Henry, is that all you said to him? He usually does not mind when someone asks about his health."
"I simply explained that he would usually force a subject on me, even when I did not want to talk about it. And this time he did not so I wanted to make sure he was feeling alright."
"Oh, Henry! How could you?" Danielle exclaimed. Henry looked at her, completely bewildered.
"What? What have I done now?"
"Henry, you seem to think that your father cares only about France," Marie answered softly.
"Well, that is how he acts most of the time!" Marie simply looked down.
"I see. We will see you two when we arrive in Spain." She walked away and climbed into the carriage. Henry turned back to look at his wife, whose face was red with anger.
"And why are you so angry, m'lady?" She grabbed his arm and forced him into the carriage. She climbed in after him and looked him straight in the eye.
"We are going to have a long talk, sir."