Danielle woke to the sun shining in her face. She smiled and rolled over, only to find a note instead of a husband. It read:

"Forgive me, my love. Father and I were called to the treaty talks early this morning. I will be back as soon as I can. If you could, look in on Mother. She is beginning to worry me. I love you darling."

Henry

She smiled to herself and got ready for the day...thinking of Henry the entire time. Her maids finished with her hair and after thanking them, she walked over to her mother-in-law's chambers. She knocked quietly and heard Marie call from inside. She walked in to find the Queen sitting in front of the fire, reading a book. "Good morning, Mother."

"Good morning, Danielle. How are you this morning?"

"Fine, thank you."

"I take it Henry was called out as early as Francis was." Danielle nodded and sat next to Marie. "I am sorry, my dear. I'm afraid your honeymoon is not working out like you and Henry planned it."

"It will in a few days, Mother. As soon as these treaty talks are over."

Marie smiled at the young woman sitting beside her. "You do always look at things in the most optimistic way, don't you?"

"I only try to, Mother. I must say though...the Spanish are beginning to get on my nerves."

Marie laughed lightly and hugged Danielle. "You're not the only one who feels that way, Danielle. I can assure you of that."

"Is it always like this, Mother? I mean...do the treaty talks always take this long? I thought the Spanish wanted this treaty."

"They do."

"Then why is it taking so long? Shouldn't they be agreeing?"

Marie looked down at the book in her hand, not meeting Danielle's eyes. "I am afraid that the Spanish have a different interpretation as to what should be in the treaty. Francis and Henry will not back down."

"What do the Spanish want in the treaty? I wish Henry would tell me."

"Danielle...I am afraid I cannot give you that answer. Henry is the only one who can...that is his place, not mine. But, let's forget about all of that. It is a glorious day outside...why don't we go for a walk?"

Danielle smiled for the first time that morning and took Marie's arm as they headed outside. While walking around the garden, Danielle wondered why Henry was worried about his mother. She seemed to be well in Danielle's opinion. She was smiling, laughing, even telling Danielle stories of when Henry was little. They made their way back into the castle when it started to drizzle outside. Upon reaching Marie's suite, they saw the guards whispering amongst themselves.

Laureant was among them and saw the Queen and Princess arrive.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness. It is good to see you have returned," he said, causing the other guards to snap to attention.

"Is everything alright?" Danielle asked.

"Yes, Your Highness. The King and Prince have just come back and asked that both of you return to your chambers as soon as you were finished with your walk."

"Thank you, Captain Laureant," Marie said. She then turned to Danielle and kissed her cheek. "I will see you later, my dear. Thank you for keeping me company."

"Thank you, Mother." Marie walked into her suite and Danielle into hers, both finding angry, frustrated husbands.

Henry was throwing clothing into a suitcase, not even allowing the maids to help him.

"Henry, what is the matter?" Henry turned upon hearing Danielle and opened his arms. She hugged him quickly, noticing the tension in his body. "What has happened, m'lord?"

"We finally got the Spanish to sign the treaty, but they did not agree to all of our terms. Father is extremely upset. It did not go as planned."

"Why did the Spanish not agree to the terms?"

"Because I am not wed to Gabriella."

"But it was Gabriella who ran away from the wedding."

"Yes, but they are still holding her here, not allowing her to marry the man she loves."

Danielle hugged him again. "I am very glad your parent's are not like that."

"As am I. How was your day with mother?"

"Wonderful. Why are you worried about her?"

"She has not been herself. But, if you say she is alright, then I will believe you. Now, we must pack quickly. Father wants to leave by sundown."

"Sundown? Tonight?"

"Yes. He is very upset and does not want to stay here any longer."

"Are you going back to France?"

"No, we are going to be staying in the cabins, as planned. For our honeymoon...remember?"

Danielle grinned and kissed him before heading into her dressing room. "I remember."

"Francis...calm down please!" Marie said after finding her husband screaming at every maid in his view. He was yelling at them to move faster and get things ready as quick as they possibly could. He turned to his wife and she saw the redness of his face, meaning he was both angry and frustrated...not a good combination.

"Marie, this is no time to tell me what to do!"

Marie flinched at his tone and sat down, as the maids moved every piece of luggage out of their chamber. All that was left was she and her furious husband. He continued to stare out the window, until she spoke. "M'lord, why are we leaving?"

"Treaty talks are over."

"Is that the only reason? Usually there is a celebration ball after a treaty has been signed."

"Not this time!" He turned to look at her, his eyes flashing with madness. "We are getting out of here by sundown and going to the cabins."

"But Francis, is it wise to travel at night?"

"I do not care if it is unwise! It will save me from strangling the Spanish idiot they call a King!"

"Francis!"

"It's true!" he said, moving towards where she was sitting. "Do you know how long it took us to get him to sign that treaty? And even then, he wouldn't agree to all of our terms! The only reason we agreed was so that we would not go to war! Just because Henry didn't marry Gabriella...that is what all this is about! Since when did a treaty become about a marriage!"

Marie looked away, trying to hide the tears that sprang to her eyes. She remembered her own marriage, an arranged one and why she was wed to then Prince Francis of France. "I do not know, m'lord."

But Francis wasn't done ranting yet. "His daughter was the one who ran! She went to another man! Can I help it if Henry found someone to love? No, I cannot! So why should France have to suffer for Spain's mistakes! This is just preposterous! Now, we will only get half of what Spain offered in trade...this is horrible. We never should have come here in the first place. We should have let them try and win a war on French soil! Over my dead body would they have taken my kingdom! We would have slaughtered them!" He sat down in a huff just as there was a knock at the door.

Henry and Danielle walked in, finding the King and Queen in a sorry state.

"Mother, Father...is everything alright?"

"Alright? You call what just happened alright, boy?" Francis asked.

"Of course not, Father. I just mean...well...nevermind. Are you both ready?"

"Yes..let's get out of this blasted kingdom," Francis said, standing quickly and walking out the door.

Marie wiped her eyes and stood, turning to face the children. She smiled as best she could when she saw the worried stares of Henry and Danielle. "He's a little upset," she said, walking towards where her husband had just gone. Henry and Danielle followed her out to the carriages. Francis was already in his, waiting for his wife so that they could leave quickly. Henry kissed his mother on the cheek before helping her into the carriage. He and Danielle got into his and without another word to the Spanish, the French Royal Family pulled away from the castle.

Four hours later, the carriages pulled up in front of three gorgeous cabins. The maids hurried inside to get them ready before the Royal Family made their way inside. Henry woke Danielle quietly and helped her out of the carriage. Captain Laureant opened the carriage door to the King and Queen's carriage. Francis stormed out and went right inside his cabin. Laureant was about to help the Queen out but Henry quickly moved to his side and held out his hand. Marie took it and let her son help her out of the carriage. Laureant left and began giving the rest of the guard their orders for the evening. Danielle moved to Henry's side after he helped Marie out of the carriage.

"Mother? Are you alright?"

Marie looked at her daughter-in-law and tried to smile as much as she possibly could. "I am fine, my daughter. You two go get some sleep." Danielle kissed her on the cheek and waited for Henry to do the same. Instead, he turned and gave her a kiss.

"I will be over soon. I am going to walk Mother to the cabin. Laureant!"

Captain Laureant ran back over. "Yes, Sire?"

"Please take the Princess to the cabin. I will be along shortly."

"Yes, Your Highness." Danielle took his arm and the two friends started towards the cabin. Henry linked his Mother's arm through his and slowly walked with her towards her cabin.

"Mother...what did he say?"

"Nothing you haven't already heard him say, Henry."

"I would still like to know." He stopped and turned her to look at him. He saw the hurt, pain, and tears in her eyes. "Mother...please, tell me."

"He just...He's just very frustrated Henry. He thought that we would get full trade with Spain and now, well you know what happened." She turned to look out over the countryside, but really, to hide her pain from her son.

"Mother...I understand how angry he is, but so am I. Something more he said is upsetting you." "

Henry..." He moved so he was once again standing in front of her.

"Mother, I know of what I speak. Please, tell me what he said that has hurt you so."

She looked up at him and placed her hand on his cheek.

"You know, sometimes, I see your father in you. He does care...even when he does not show it." Her hand fell to her side as a tear fell down her cheek. Henry took her by the shoulders.

"Mother...Mother, what is wrong?"

"My tears are out of selfishness, Henry. Leave me be." She turned away and began walking quickly towards the cabin. Henry ran to catch up with her.

"Mother, you have never acted like this before. Were his words that hurtful?"

She waved him away and kept walking. He quickly caught up with her and stood in her way.

"Henry! I am in no mood for this tonight!"

"And I am in no mood to be worrying about my mother all night! I love you...Mother, I cannot see you hurt. I refuse to let him hurt you any more." "Henry...it is not his fault. He was not thinking when he was yelling."

"Was it something about you?"

"Not really. He just said that treaties...weren't about marriage."

"Oh Mother..." he knew exactly what she was talking about. For Francis and Marie's marriage had been because of a contract. "I am so sorry. He cannot have known what he was saying."

She nodded and looked up at him. "I told you. Now, are you going to take me to the cabin or must I walk myself?"

He led her towards the cabin, but stopped her before she could go inside. "Mother, I have one last question."

"Yes, Henry?"

"Do you...well, I know you and Father had an arranged marriage and all. And I have made many comments about it in the past. But, I really do not know the true answer."

"What answer are you speaking of Henry?"

"Do you and Father...well, do you love each other? Like Danielle and I love each other?"

"Henry, I..." she stopped herself. Of course she loved Francis, she had always loved him. But she did not know if he loved her back. Tears again threatened to fall as she kissed Henry on the cheek. "I cannot speak of this. Goodnight, my son."

"But Mother..." It was too late. She was inside the cabin and he was left out in the cold, in more ways than one.

The morning light shone on the two cabins which the Royal Family slept in. Henry woke up and found Danielle sleeping in his arms. She felt him move and woke up as well.

"Good morning, Henry. I am afraid I fell asleep before you came to bed last night."

"I understand. I was talking with Mother for awhile."

"Is everything alright? You seem troubled."

"I am, Danielle. Do you remember when you were speaking of Mother and Father's relationship?"

"I think so. Enlighten me."

"I asked Mother why she was upset last night. Father made a comment yesterday about treaties not being about marriage. But she and Father were married because of a treaty. I am afraid it hurt her deeply."

"And rightly so! How could Father say such a thing?"

"I do not believe he meant it to hurt her. He was just very angry yesterday. But, Danielle, I asked her if they loved each other, like I love you."

"And what did she say?"

"She did not answer."

"Was she upset by the question?"

"Very upset."

"Why don't you let me get ready for the day and then I will go speak with her."

"Thank you, m'lady. I knew I could count on you." He kissed her deeply and then helped her out of bed, calling the maids into the cabin to help them get ready for the day.