Ok, I forgot to put this in the other chapter. sorry. I do not own (nor do I want to) the rights to Ever After.
Henry and Danielle walked hand in hand back to the castle. When the palace gates came into view Henry felt Danielle hand tense up. He stopped and turned to face her. She was smiling but her eyes shone with panic and fright. "Come here," he said holding out his arms to embrace her. She willingly stepped into them. He wrapped them around her body, conscientious of her wounds and held her close to him. In turn she allowed her arms to fall around his waist. She breathed in the sent of his shirt. This is perfect. Why can't we just stay like this forever?
Henry took her by the shoulders and pushed her back until he could look into her eyes. "I love you Danielle de Barbarac. I won't allow anyone to hurt you. I promise." Her face noticeably relaxed, but neither released each other.
"Shall we go in?" Henry suggested. Danielle nodded slowly and let her hands drop to her sides and Henry, instead of taking up her hand again, wrapped his arm around her waist. Be strong for her he thought.
The couple certainly turned heads as they walked through the sea of courtiers. Who was this lovely woman who had so obviously stolen the Prince's heart?
Henry and Danielle entered the royal gardens and found the Queen having a quiet tea. "Mother, this is the Countess de Lencrate." Henry said proudly as Danielle curtsied.
"It can't be. The Baroness Rodmilla told me you were on your way to Belgium to be married." the Queen said a bit confused.
Henry gave her an equally confused look, but Danielle just sighed and said, "Your Majesty, you have been miss-informed. She probably told you that so Henry would choose Margarite to be his bride."
"Mother, there are things that need to be clarified," he said letting go of Danielle's waist and sitting down after her. "Nicole de Lencrate died 18 years ago. This is her daughter, Danielle de Barbarac..." Henry launched into the story and with each word the Queen grew angrier at the Baroness and more sympathetic towards Danielle.
When Henry told her about the lashings, the Queen gasp in horror. "Oh. My child! How could someone do that? We must have my doctor take a look at you!"
"Mother," Henry said calmly as he moved closer to Danielle and slid his hand around her waist to her opposite hip, Oh thank you! Now I don't feel so venerable! "I love Danielle with all my heart. We wish to be married." Please say yes, PLEASE say yes!
The Queen looked from her son's pleading eyes to the girl's nervous, loving ones staring back at her. They love each other so much. She must have something very special about her to have captured Henry's heart so. "How wonderful!" She exclaimed as she leaned over and gave Danielle a loving, motherly hug. "You two are perfect for each other."
Henry was beaming and Danielle felt tears prick her eyes. She finally foundwords,"Oh thank you, Your Majesty!" she breathed. The Queen held Danielle out at arm's length, "Darling, call me mother. After all, we are to be family." Danielle felt Henry's hand at the base of her back. She turned to face him and let the tears roll down her face as he kissed her. This is the happiest moment of my life.
Henry's hand brushed against one of the lash marks and Danielle winced in pain. He broke away and said, "Come, I'll show you to your chamber and then call the doctor to look at your back." She obediently got up and followed Henry through the many hallways in the castle. After what seemed like an eternity Henry stopped at a plain oak door and opened it to revel the most beautiful sitting room Daniellehad ever seen. He watched her with loving eyes as she stepped in, marveled by what she saw. The floor was a polished oak; to the right was a huge, unlit fire place. Cattycorner to the right of that was scarlet red love seat and across from that was a reading chair of the same color a matching rug lay in between them. At the end of the love seat was a little end table and on the opposite wall was a small bookshelf. "Oh Henry, it's beautiful!" she gasped.
He took her by the hand and led her to the door next to the fire place. When he opened it, Danielle's new bed chamber came into full view. If the sitting room had been beautiful then this was absolutely gorgeous! The entire floor was covered in plushy scarlet carpet. The dominate piece of furniture in the room was a queen sized bed with a scarlet comforter that matched the loved seat in the adjacent room. On the far left wall was a bay window with a sitting bench that looked out into the stable yard. Sitting next to the door was an oak borough and on the right wall was a dress wardrobe.
Danielle walked back into the other room and over to Henry who was building a fire if the fire place. Silently she wrapped her arms around him in a strong loving embrace and buried her face into his jacket. Henry turned in her arms to face her. He took her head in his hands and kissed her on the forehead. Then he placed a finger under her chin and tilted it up and gently placed his lips on hers. His hands found her hips and pulled her closer to him to deepen the kiss. Danielle felt Henry's tongue against her lips. She opened her mouth slightly allowing it to enter. This is heaven she thought as she played with his hair.
A sharp rap on the door made the abruptly pull apart. Henry answered it and let the doctor in. Danielle had to fight back giggles at the man's laughable appearance. He was a short, stocky fellow who looked to be between 60 and 70 years of age. He was bent over trying to catch his breath. But what amused Danielle even more was when he tried to bow to the Prince. Being nearly doubled over already, he tried to practically bend in half but was prevented when his rather round stomach made contact with his thighs. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I came as quickly as I could. Where is this young lady?" Henry motioned to Danielle who was now seated on the love seat.
"Ah, my dear, shall we have a look at you back?"
"Would you like me to stay?" Henry asked.
"Please do." Danielle motioned for him to sit down. He's already seen her back anyway so there was no point in trying to hide it.
"Now, We are going to have to undo you dress if you don't mind." Danielle turned around and let the doctor unlace her dress. Henry winced with her as the doctor peeled away the bloody fabric.
"My, my." he said and started to dig through his bag. He pulled out a small bag of ground herbs and gently began to apply them to the wounds. He then applied a large bandage to hold the herbs to the cuts and laced back her dress.
"Now, that should stop the pain and heal it. Try to keep that bandage on and don't itch at it." And with that he gave a swift bow to Henry and left the room.
"Well milady, where were we?" Henry said taking a step closer to her.
"About right here." She said wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips against his.
Ta Da!!!! R&R or I'll send the Dolly Crab after you (don't ask. If you don't already know you never will) It's my first fan fic so plase don't flame me!