Chapter Three-The Message
"Your Majesty, we have an urgent message from the Queen…"The scout handed the envelope that was sealed with the royal crest, to the King. Francis read the letter. He winced, every word had dug a dagger deeper into his heart. Once he had finished reading, he looked up to the his son and handed him the letter.
Dear Henry and Francis,
It is with great sadness that I have to tell you this. While on her way back to the palace this morning, Danielle fell of her horse. Right as I write this letter to you, the royal physicians are doing all they can for her, but I beg you both, not as a Queen but as someone who deeply cares for Danielle, to return. If not for me then for her. I fear her conditions is very serious.
Love Mother
"Get the carriage ready! We leave at once!" commanded the King.
It had been eight days since Danielle had the accident. Seven days since she miscarried…She felt as though her heart was broken, and her eyes were sore and red from all the crying she had done. She wanted Henry, she needed him more than anything now. More than anything in the world…
"Hello Danielle…" said Jacqueline in her cheery voice as she drew open the curtains. "Hello…Jacqueline…is the flag still at half masts?". Jacqueline froze, ever since Danielle had miscarried, the Queen ordered the flag to be cast half mast. As a sign of respect to not only to the dead child but also to Danielle. "Yes…", Jacqueline was barely heard by Danielle. "What book would you like me to read to you today?", Danielle thought for a bit and handed Jacqueline the book that was on her bedside table. It had been given to her by Henry when they returned from there honeymoon. Utopia.
"Why is the flag at half mast?" Henry asked his father. The king looked out of the window and said in a whisper, "The flag is only at half mast if someone has died…Henry". 'Oh God, not my Danielle'. Before Henry could think anything else, he jumped out of the carriage before it even came to a holt. And ran to his bedchamber.
Henry burst through the doors, causing Jacqueline to jump off her chair and Danielle, to slowly open her eyes. "Henry…", a gentle voice said from the bed. "Oh thank God, your alive!", he ran to her bedside and held her in his arms. "When I saw the flag, I thought you might of died", He said still with her in his arms. When he pulled away Danielle had tears steaming down her face. "Sh…Sh…no need to cry my love, I am here now and I shall never leave you! Never!". His words were passionate and true.
And Jacqueline saw that it would be a good idea to leave the two, for much would be said. So she slipped out of the room without them noticing. "Henry", Danielle bit her lower lip, "I have something to tell you…something very important…".He looked at her eyes. They showed him saddens but yet happiness. "Henry…I…I…was with child when I fell off the horse…", a smile came over his face. "I am going to be a father! Oh how wonderful!".
He didn't understand what she was saying and he kept interrupting every time she tried to get a word in. And so finally she just shouted his name, and that got his attention. "Henry your not listening to what I am saying…", more tears came down her eyes. "I WAS…with child…I miscarried Henry, that is why the flag is at half mast. I miscarried…". Now it was her turn to hold him. He couldn't believe it. Only a minute ago he found out that she was with child and now he was told that she miscarried.
Henry remained with Danielle all through the day and night, holding her as they both mourned. He felt guilty, guilty for not being there to comfort and support her when it happened. Guilty that Danielle got hurt, guilty that his child had died…It felt all unreal to him. Like it was a dream…no not a dream, a nightmare…